Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 6.djvu/198

172 days and two nights, till his strength failed him and he despaired of life. But, on the third day, he caught sight of a steep and mountainous island; so he made for it and landing, walked on inland, where he rested a day and a night, feeding on the fruits of the earth. Then he climbed to the mountain-top and descending the opposite slope, fared on two days till he came in sight of a walled and fortified city, abounding in trees and streams. So he made for it, but, when he reached the gate, the warders seized on him and carried him to their queen, whose name was Janshah. Now she was five hundred years old, and every man who entered the city, they brought to her and she lay with him; then, when he had done his work, she put him to death, and so had she slain many men. When she saw Gherib, he pleased her and she said to him, ‘What is thy name and faith and whence comest thou?’ Quoth he, ‘My name is Gherib, King of Irak, and I am a Muslim.’ ‘Leave this faith,’ said she, ‘and enter mine and I will marry thee and make thee king.’ But he looked at her with angry eyes and said, ‘Thy faith perish with thee!’ Quoth she, ‘Dost thou blaspheme my idol, the which is of red cornelian, set with pearls and jewels?’ And she cried out to her men, saying, ‘Imprison him in the house of the idol; peradventure it will soften his heart.’ So they shut him up in the temple and locking the doors upon him, went their way. As soon as they were gone, Gherib went up to the idol, which was of red cornelian, with collars of pearls and precious stones about its neck, and lifting it up, dashed it on the ground and broke it in pieces; after which he lay down and slept till daybreak.

Next morning, the Queen sat down on her bed of estate and said to her men, ‘Bring me the prisoner.’ So they opened the temple doors and entering, found the idol broken in pieces, whereupon they buffeted their faces, till