Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 6.djvu/150

126 may become Muslims?’ ‘Say,’ answered Gherib, ‘“There is no god but God, and Abraham is the Friend of God!”’ So the King and his folk professed Islam with heart and tongue, and Gherib abode with them awhile, teaching them the ritual of prayer. But presently he called to mind his people and sighed, whereupon quoth Muraash, ‘Verily, trouble is past and gone and joy and gladness are come.’ ‘O King,’ said Gherib, ‘I have many enemies and I fear for my people from them.’ Then he related to him his history from first to last, and Muraash said, ‘O King of men, I will send one who shall bring thee news of thy people, for I will not let thee go till I have had my fill of gazing on thy face.’ Then he called two stout Marids, by name Kailjan and Courjan, and bade them repair to Yemen and bring him news of Gherib’s army. They replied, ‘We hear and obey,’ and departed.

Meanwhile, when the captains of the Muslims arose in the morning and rode to Gherib’s palace, to do their service to him, the servants told them that the King had ridden forth with his brother at point of day. So they made for the valleys and mountains and followed the track of the princes, till they came to the Valley of Springs, where they found their arms cast down and their horses grazing and said, ‘By the glory of Abraham the Friend, the King is missing from this place!’ Then they dispersed and sought in the valley and the mountains three days, but found no trace of them; whereupon they raised lamentations and despatched couriers to all the cities and strengths and fortresses, to seek news of their King. Accordingly, the couriers dispersed hither and thither and sought everywhere for Gherib, but found no trace of him.

Now, when the news came to Agib by his spies that his brother was missing, he rejoiced and going in to King Yaarub ben Kehtan, sought aid of him. He granted him the help he sought and gave him two hundred thousand