Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/210

194 ous; but on my husband's account I have taken the liberty now to call for you."

At these words, Schaibar, gazing at Prince Ahmed with a favorable eye, which, however, diminished neither his fierceness nor savage look, said, "It is enough for me that he is your husband, to engage me to do for him whatever he wishes."

"The sultan his father," replied Perie Banou, "has a curiosity to see you, and I desire he may be your guide to the sultan's court."

"He needs but lead the way; I will follow him," replied Schaibar.

The next morning, Schaibar set out with Prince Ahmed to visit the sultan. When they arrived at the gates of the capital, the people, as soon as they saw Schaibar, either hid themselves in their shops and houses, and shut their doors, or they took to their heels, and communicated their fear to all they met. They stayed not to look behind them; insomuch that Schaibar and Prince Ahmed, as they went along, found all the streets and squares desolate, till they came to the palace, where the guards, instead of pre-