Page:The book of wonder voyages (1919).djvu/183

 them fetch him an Ifrit of the Flying Jinn, and when it appeared, he whispered something in the ear of the firedrake, whereat the Ifrit shook his head, and answered: "I accept, O elder of elders!" And Abu al-Ruwaysh said to Hasan: "Mount the shoulders of this Ifrit, Dahnash the Flyer, but when he heaveth thee heavenwards, and thou hearest the angels glorifying God, have a care lest thou do the like, or thou and he will both perish." And the old man continued: "O Hasan, after faring with thee all day, to-morrow at peep of dawn he will set thee down in a land white like unto camphor, whereupon walk ten days by thyself till thou come to the gate of a city. This enter and inquire for the King, and when thou comest to his presence, salute him with the salaam and kiss his hand, then give him this scroll and consider well whatso he shall counsel thee." Hasan replied: "To hear is to obey," and mounted the Flyer's back. Thus he traveled till at dawn the next day, when he was set down in a land white as camphor. There he followed the Shaykh's directions, and inquired for the King, whose name was Hassun, Lord of the Land of Camphor. And being admitted into his presence, Hasan gave the letter into his hands. While reading it the King shook his head awhile, and then said: "O Hasan, thou comest to me, seeking to enter the Islands of Wak. I would send thee thither this very day, but that by the way are many perils and wolds full of terrors, yet have patience and naught save fair shall befall thee. Presently there will come to us ships from the Islands of