Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/118

Rh power to perceive water as in a basin, even though it lay many feet below the surface of the ground.

So King Solomon called for the Eagle who was chief over the birds, and asked him where the Hud-hud was. The Eagle replied, "I know not." Then was the King angry, and cried, "When he returns I will certainly punish him, or cut his throat. And thou must bring him immediately."

Then the Eagle soared heavenward until the world appeared unto him as a plate. And he looked to the right and to the left, and beheld the Hud-hud returning from the land of el-Yémen. Then he sought to seize him, but the Hud-hud exclaimed, "By the truth of Allâh! leave me alone, for I have done no wrong." "Thou wretch!" cried the Eagle; "verily the Prophet of Allâh intends to kill or to punish thee unless thou hast an excuse."

Then they flew down together to King Solomon, who was seated upon his throne. And the Eagle said, "Lo! I have brought him." And the Hud-hud settled on the ground, and raised his head and drooped his wings and tail to salute King Solomon. And the King asked him, "Where wert thou? for verily I intend to punish thee." The Hud-hud