THE FAITHFUL CONDUCTOR HOME.
At the conclusion of this relation, Haschem thought with compassion of
his father, and had his mournful countenance and bowed-down form
before his mind. He knew, from the great love he had always shown him,
that he must have pined for his loss.
"Princess," said he, "your desire cannot be greater than mine. Still,
I swear to you that I will not return to my father till I have safely
conducted you to your native land, or have given you over to safe
guides to bring you to your father; if I do not, may Heaven not grant
my father life to receive this joy!"
They journeyed on with renewed vigour. But evening was drawing near,
and they must find a resting-place for the night. Fortune was
favourable: they soon found a spot, shadowed, by a high bush.
Haschem broke away the boughs so as to form a hedge, which quite
concealed the Princess, and to which he only left a narrow entrance,
before which he lay down to watch. Night passed without danger.
However anxiously Haschem strove against sleep, to watch over his
companion, it at last weighed down his eyelids, and they both awoke
with the first rays of the sun. Their good star soon led them to a
spot where they found refreshing wood-berries, the names of which were
unknown to them, and they were anxious to discover if they were
poisonous; but hunger made them venture. They wandered the whole day,
resting alternately. At every step the journey became more hazardous.
The thickets became thicker and higher; they were often obliged to
creep between the boughs, and their clothes hung in rags. On the
fourth day they reached the foot of the mountain. There they found
cultivated land and human habitations. Haschem inquired where they
were, and asked for the sea. The people told them the name of the
country, which was unknown to Haschem and the Princess Handa. On the
other side of the high mountain lay a large flat land, whose coast was
washed by the sea. They received this information with great joy. They
descended the mountain, came to the flat land, and at last, after a
wearisome journey, during which they had seen the sun rise and set
seven times, they arrived at the sea-coast. A ship lay ready at
anchor, and when they inquired its destination, the steersman
answered, "We are going to Selandia to fetch a cargo of cinnamon." To
Haschem's question where they came from, and what this land where they
were was called, he received for answer, "that the ship belonged to a
merchant of Balsora, and that it had been cast on these unknown shores
by a violent storm."
When the Princess perceived that the ship was going towards her native
land, she was very much rejoiced. She took one of the precious stones
out of her forehead-band, and gave it as a reward for her and her
companion. The following morning they weighed anchor, and, after a
prosperous voyage, they reached the same place where the enchanter's
ship had formerly lain at anchor when he carried off the Princess.
They were landed in a small boat, and Handa led her deliverer into
the beautiful leafy walks of the imperial gardens. In this way they
came to a terrace, from which they could see the ship. Instead of
pressing quickly forwards, they concealed themselves behind a bush. A
very melancholy old man sat on this terrace, looking over the sea; and
while a flood of tears ran down his face,
"Ah!" cried he, "it was just so on the day that my sorrows began!
There lay the ship of the robber, there landed the boat which carried
away my beloved daughter and her betrothed. It was even at the same
hour of the day. I have sent messengers into all the neighbouring
lands; I have caused the opposite sea-coasts to be searched; but all
has been in vain! I must die, and never see my child again."
He pronounced these words aloud, and covered his face as he bowed
himself forward on his hands.
Princess Handa wished to hasten to him, but Haschem held her back, and
said, "Let me first prepare him for your arrival, else joy may kill
him." And he sprang forward, and bowed before the sorrowing old man,
making his forehead touch the ground.
The King then said, "Who are you? Are you a beggar, and do you need
any gift? It shall be given you: go to my palace."
Haschem stood up and answered, "In such circumstances you might well
take me for a beggar, O great King Kadga Singa. But know that under
these ragged clothes is concealed a magician, who is come to change
your tears into smiles, your sobs into transports of joy."
"Can any man on earth do this?" asked Kadga Singa.
"I have only to speak three words," he answered, "and it will happen.
Are you strong enough to support the highest joy that your heart can
conceive and feel?"
At these questions a ray of hope in the soul of the mourning father
beamed through his tearful eyes. "What is it? Who are you who can
promise this?" asked he.
And Haschem repeated his question, "Do you feel strong enough?"
"I think so," answered the King, regarding him with hopeful looks.
"Draw near, Princess Handa, your father is prepared," cried the youth;
and she sprang forwards into her father's open arms.
Then was Haschem's word fulfilled: his tears were changed into smiles,
his sobs into transports of joy. Their embrace continued long. At last
Kadga Singa raised himself, beckoned Haschem to approach, and said,
"You are a magician; such an one I have never before seen. By your
magic words you have changed the mournful course of my life into the
brightest sunshine. I will not now ask you who you are, and what I
have to thank you for; I will not now inquire what chance brought you
to my daughter; I shall only give myself up to joy at her return."
They went back to the capital in a kingly boat, and soon the joyful
news of the unexpected reappearance of the Princess spread everywhere.
Numbers assembled at the palace to ascertain if the news were true;
and Princess Handa went out to the gate and down the steps. Then arose
a shout of joy of a thousand voices, and loud wishes for her health
and happiness.