BRIGHT-WITS PICKS AN ESCORT FOR A JOURNEY AND FOILS THE WICKED
DESIGN OF GARROFAT
"Verily dost thou deserve success, my dear Prince," smirked Garrofat.
"Your probation is almost over. Now before I demand any further proof of
your wisdom, it is my desire that you travel over the kingdom for a
brief time that you may acquaint yourself with the country and people
over whom it appears you are destined to rule, by the grace of Allah,
and the help of your own bright wits. With you will go a guard of
fifteen soldiers, as befits your rank and station."
Now on hearing this strange announcement, Ablano pierced Garrofat with
his eyes. Then staying Bright-Wits, who was about to make reply, he
asked, "What men are to be selected for this escort, and who is to
select them?"
Now Garrofat winced at this question, but instantly recovering himself
replied, "Has thy stay in Parrabang, O Brahman, made thee so lost to
politeness as to cast suspicion on thy host? Has this been the teaching
of Brahma? But fear not. Bright-Wits may do his own selecting; only as
he is so very clever I would insist that he do it by rule. Fifteen of
these soldiers are his own people; with an equal number of my guards he
will have thirty to select from. This he must do by arranging the thirty
men in a circle, and counting out every tenth man. Now if he is but as
clever as usual it should not be difficult for Bright-Wits to take with
him none but his own soldiers."
Again Bright-Wits essayed to speak; but again Ablano checked him, and
directed that the thirty men should step forth. Now calling Bright-Wits
to his side, the Brahman whispered, "If but one of Garrofat's
guards be among your escort you will be assassinated at the first
opportunity." For a few moments Ablano whispered thus to the prince, and
finished his instructions by telling him not to fear.
[Illustration: THE SOLDIERS AND GUARDS.]
[Illustration: THE SOLDIERS AND GUARDS.]
Now this whispered conference was but little to the liking of the two
plotters, and Garrofat demanded that the selection be made at once.
With secret misgivings, but outwardly brave, Bright-Wits descended to
the court; where he quickly arranged the thirty soldiers in a circle and
began to count. Ablano now crossed over to the princess and, taking her
trembling little hands in his, gently chided her for her fears.
Bright-Wits, meanwhile, continued to count and select; and to the
amazement of Garrofat and Doola none were chosen but the prince's own
men.
_With fifteen pieces of white and fifteen pieces of coloured paper,
or any other counters, the reader may learn the way Bright-Wits
counted out his own men so successfully._
As the last man stepped out the plotters exchanged glances of terror.
Quickly recovering themselves, however, they applauded rapturously;
while Garrofat pulled a sour smile and said, "Djinn or Genie, by Allah,
thou art wonderful. Now that you have shown such amazing skill I have a
little problem which as a favour to me I would ask that you work out at
your leisure while going forward on your journey." This said, he gave
whispered instructions to Doola, who retired, to return almost instantly
followed by a slave bearing eighteen oblong shaped pieces of silver, on
some of which the links of a chain embossed in gold might be seen.
Bidding the prince to draw near, Garrofat began, "These eighteen pieces
which you see here were originally a complete pattern filling the blank
square space above the throne. The design in gold is an endless chain
representing life. Loosened by time they fell from their place and up to
the present no one has been found skilful enough to rearrange the
pieces so that they will fit the space and show the endless chain
perfectly joined. Here you may see a counterpart of it in this marble
decoration. You would find that no guide in your task, however, except
as showing the pattern of the chain when complete. Do me this little
service, my dear Prince, and I will for ever be your most devoted
admirer."
[Illustration: THE ENDLESS CHAIN.]
[Illustration: THE ENDLESS CHAIN.]
"I scorn your admiration," broke out Bright-Wits angrily; then catching
a warning look from Ablano, he salaamed deeply to Garrofat, and said
mockingly, "I am ready to become even a chair mender, if by so doing I
can favour a friend or discomfit a rogue."
Now Garrofat refused to show anger at this insolence; but smilingly gave
the prince his permission to withdraw that he make ready for his journey
through the kingdom which was to begin on the morrow.
_If he is anxious to try to repair the endless chain he has only to
cut out the pieces at the back of the book._