Page:The book of wonder voyages (1919).djvu/156

 And Hasan, when he heard this, threw himself at their feet, and said: "Yes, ladies, I am indeed that unhappy one." Then the younger girl said to her sister: "Bear witness, sister, that this is my brother by covenant, and I will die for his death and live for his life, joy for his joy and mourn for his mourning." So saying, she rose and embraced him, and led him to the palace, where she brought him royal raiment wherewith to array him. And they feasted together, and Hasan told all that had befallen him. And when they heard that Barham had called their palace "a place of Ghouls and Satans," they swore that he should die the foulest death.

And the sisters told him in return their own history. "Indeed we are daughters of a King of the Jinns, and because he would not have us married, he sought out this Castle of the Mountain of Clouds, which was built by one of the Jinns, that rebelled against Solomon. And when he desires to come to us he beats a kettle-drum and summons his hosts, so that he may ride to us through the air. And if we are to visit him, the enchanters come and bring us back to him. Now five of our sisters have gone hunting in the desert, while we two stop at home and prepare the food for them."

And soon after this the other damsels returned from hunting, and bowed and saluted Hasan with the salaam, and gave him joy of his safety. So Hasan abode with them in all joy, riding to the chase and leading the most delightful of lives with them as his sisters.

Thus passed a whole year till he saw Barham the Fire