[Gutenberg 26358] • Eastern Tales by Many Story Tellers

Excerpt: ..."The third watch of the night is past," answered the slaves. "Then enter, my Sultan," said Horam, "and see thine enemies perish from before thee." "What enemies? and what mysterious place is this?" said the Sultan. "Who is Camul? and what axe doth he bear in his hand? Lead me, Horam, not into danger, and remember that the sabre of my captain hangeth over thy head." The Sultan then entered in at the little door, and followed the Vizier and his guard, and the four slaves with flambeaux in their hands. In this manner Misnar passed through a long passage hewn out of the solid rock, till he beheld, at a distance, a man seated on a stone with an axe in his hand, and nine lamps burning before him. As they drew near, the man fell prostrate before them; and the Vizier, also falling prostrate, desired Misnar to take the axe out of the hand of Camul his slave. "What wonderful axe is this," said the Sultan, "that is thus preserved in the bowels of the earth?" The Sultan took the axe, and Camul the slave removing the stone on which he sat, there appeared a strong rope underneath, one end of which passed through the rocks, and the other was fastened to an enormous ring of iron. "Strike, royal master," said Horam, "and sever that rope from the ring of iron." The Sultan did as Horam desired, and struck the rope with his axe, and divided it from the ring. The rope, being released, flew with great swiftness through the hole in the rock, and Misnar waited some time to see what might be the consequence of cutting it asunder; but nothing appearing, he said to his Vizier, "Where are the riches, Horam, which I left my bed to view? Is this like the rest of your promises? and am I brought here to be again deceived?" 272 "Royal master," answered Horam, "let me die the death of a rebel. I have nothing more to discover: pardon my follies, and avenge thine own losses by the sword of justice." "What!" said the Sultan, enraged, "hast thou brought me through the dangerous passes...