escue the foolish monarch, adding
that, although it had taken Kaikous six months to reach his
destination, Rustem could get there in seven days, provided he were
willing to brave great dangers.

Of course the hero selected the shorter route, and on the first day
slew a wild ass, which he roasted for supper before lying down to
rest. The odor of roast meat, however, attracted a lion, which would
have made a meal of the sleeping Rustem, had not his brave steed
fought with hoofs and teeth until he succeeded in slaying the beast of
prey. Awakened only as the fight ended, Rustem reproved his horse for
risking his life in this reckless way and bade him henceforth call for
aid.

"Oh, Rakush, why so thoughtless grown
To fight a lion thus alone?
For had it been thy fate to bleed
And not thy foe, O gallant steed!
How could thy master have conveyed
His helm, and battle-axe, and blade,
Unaided to Mazinderan?
Why didst thou fail to give the alarm,
And save thyself from chance of harm,
By neighing loudly in my ear?
But, though thy bold heart knows no fear,
From such unwise exploits refrain
Nor try a lion's strength again."

During the second day's journey, Rustem was saved from perishing of
thirst by following a stray ram to a mountain stream; and on the third
night, having forbidden his horse to attack any foe without warning
him, Rustem was twice awakened by the loud neighing of Rakush, who had
seen an eighty-yard long dragon draw near. Each time he neighed,
however, the dragon disappeared, so Rustem, seeing nought, reproved
his horse for breaking his rest. The third time, however, he caught a
glimpse of the dragon's fiery eyes, so, attacking him, he slew him,
thanks to the help of his horse. The fourth day was signalized by
other marvellous adventures, and on the fifth, while journeying
through the land of magic, Rustem was met by a sorceress, who tried to
win him by many wiles. Although he accepted the banquet and cup of
wine she tendered, he no sooner bade her quaff it in the name of God,
than she was forced to resume her fiendish form, whereupon he slew
her.

On the sixth day, Rustem, forced to ride through a land where the sun
never shone, allowed his intelligent steed to guide him, and thus
safely reached on the seventh a land of plenty and light, where he lay
down to rest. There, while he was sleeping, the people of Mazinderan
captured his wonderful steed. But, following the traces of his