chasing gazelles surprised a female with a fawn; the former took
to flight, and the hunters carried off the little one. When the
mother returned from the pasture, and found her fawn gone, she
traversed the desert in all directions in search of it, and at
length the crying of the deserted child attracted her. She lay
down by the child, and the child sucked her. The gazelle left him
again to go to graze, but always returned to the little one when
she was satisfied. This went on till it pleased God that she
should fall into the net of a hunter. But she became enraged,
tore the net, and fled. The hunter pursued her, and overtook her
when she reached the child, and was about to give him suck. But
the arrival of the hunter compelled the gazelle to take to
flight, and the child began to cry, because he was not yet
satisfied. The hunter was astonished at the sight, and when he
lifted the child up, he saw the purse under his head, and a
string of jewels round his neck. He immediately took the child
with him, and went to a town belonging to an Abyssinian king
named Afrakh, who was a dependent of King Saif Ar-Raad. He handed
over the child to him, saying that he had found it in the lair of
a gazelle. When the King took the child into his care, it smiled
at him, and God awakened a feeling of love towards him in the
King’s heart; and he then noticed the mole on his cheek. But when
his Wazir Sikar Diun, the brother of Sikar Divas, who was Wazir
to King Saif Ar-Raad, entered and saw the child, God filled his
heart with hate towards him. “Do not believe what this man told
you,” he said, when the King told him the wonderful story of the
discovery, “it can only be the child of a mother who has come by
it wrongly, and has abandoned it in the desert, and it would be
better to kill it.” “I cannot easily consent to this,” said the
King. But he had hardly spoken, when the palace was filled with
sounds of rejoicing, and he was informed that his wife had just
been safely delivered of a child. On this news he took the boy on
his arm, and went to his wife, and found that the new-born child
was a girl, and that she had a red mole on her cheek. He wondered
when he saw this, and said to Sikar Diun, “See how beautiful they
are!” But when the Wazir saw it, he slapped his face, and cast
his cap on the ground, exclaiming, “Should these two moles unite,
I prophesy the downfall of Abyssinia, for they presage a great
calamity. It would be better to kill either the boy or your
daughter.” “I will kill neither of them,” replied the King, “for
they have been guilty of no crime.” He immediately provided
nurses for the two children, naming his daughter Shama (Mole) and
the boy Wakhs[FN#471] El Fellat (Lonely one, or Desert); and he
reared them in separate apartments, that they might not see each
other. When they were ten years old, Wakhs El Fellat grew very
strong, and soon became a practised horseman, and surpassed all
his companions in this accomplishment, and in feats of arms. But
when he was fifteen, he was so superior to all others, that Sikar
Diun threatened the King that he would warn King Saif Ar-Raad
that he was nurturing his enemy in his house, if he did not
immediately banish him from the country; and this threat caused
King Afrakh great alarm. It happened that he had a general, who
was called Gharag El Shaker (Tree-splitter), because he was
accustomed to hurl his javelin at trees, and thus to cleave them
asunder. He had a fortress three days’ journey from the town; and
the King said to him, “Take Wakhs El Fellat to your castle, and
never let him return to this neighbourhood.” He added privately,
“Look well after him and preserve him from all injury, and have
him instructed in all accomplishments.” The general withdrew, and
took the boy with him to his castle, and instructed him
thoroughly in all accomplishments and sciences. One day he said
to him, “One warlike exercise is still unknown to you.” “What is
that?” said Wakhs El Fellat. “Come and see for yourself,” replied
he. The general then took him to a place where several trees were
growing, which were so thick that a man could not embrace the
trunk. He then took his javelin, hurled it at one of them, and
split the trunk. Wakhs El Fellat then asked for the javelin, and
performed the same feat, to the astonishment of his instructor.
“Woe to thee!” exclaimed he, “for I perceive that you are the man
through whom the threat of Noah will be fulfilled against us.
Fly, and never let yourself be seen again in our country, or I
will kill you.” Wakhs El Fellat then left the town, not knowing
where to go. He subsisted for three days on the plants of the
earth, and at last he arrived at a town encircled by high walls,
the gates of which were closed. The inhabitants were clothed in
black, and uttered cries of lamentation. In the foreground he saw
a bridal tent, and a tent of mourning. This was the city of King
Afrakh who had reared him, and the cause of the mourning of the
inhabitants was as follows. Sikar Diun was very angry that the
King had refused to follow his advice, and put the boy to death,
and had left the town to visit one of his friends, who was a
magician, to whom he related the whole story. “What do you
propose to do now?” asked the magician. “I will attempt to bring
about a separation between him and his daughter,” said the Wazir.
“I will assist you,” was the answer of the magician. He
immediately made the necessary preparations, and summoned an evil
Jinni named Mukhtatif (Ravisher) who inquired, “What do you
require of me?” “Go quickly to the city of King Afrakh, and
contrive that the inhabitants shall leave it.” In that age men
had intercourse with the more powerful Jinn, and each attained
their ends by means of the other. The Jinn did not withdraw
themselves till after the advent of the Prophet. The magician
continued, “When the inhabitants have left the city, they will
ask you what you want. Then say, Bring me out Shama, the
daughter of your King, adorned with all her jewels, and I will
come to-morrow and carry her away. But if you refuse, I will
destroy your city, and destroy you all together.’” When Mukhtatif
heard the words of this priest of magic, he did as he was
commanded, and rushed to the city. When Sikar Diun saw this, he
returned to King Afrakh to see what would happen; but he had
scarcely arrived when the voice of Mukhtatif resounded above the
city. The inhabitants went to the King, and said, “You have heard
what is commanded, and if you do not yield willingly, you will be
obliged to do so by force.” The King then went weeping to the
mother of the Princess, and informed her of the calamity. She
could scarcely contain herself for despair, and all in the palace
wept at parting from the Princess. Meantime Shama was richly
attired, torn from her parents, and hurried to the bridal tent
before the town, to be carried away by the evil Jinni. The
inhabitants were all assembled on the walls of the city, weeping.
It was just at this moment that Wakhs El Fellat arrived from the
desert, and entered the tent to see what was going on. When King
Afrakh, who was also on the wall, saw him, he cried out to him,
but he did not listen, and dismounted, fastened his horse to a
tent-stake, and entered. Here he beheld a maiden of extraordinary
beauty and perfection, but she was weeping. While he was
completely bewildered by her beauty, she was no less struck by
his appearance. “Who art thou?” said the maiden to him. “Tell me
rather who art thou?” returned he. “I am Shama, the daughter of
King Afrakh.” “Thou art Shama?” he exclaimed, “and I am Wakhs El
Fellat, who was reared by thy father.” When they were thus
acquainted, they sat down together to talk over their affairs,
and she took this opportunity of telling him what had passed with
the Jinni, and how he was coming to carry her away. “O, you shall
see how I will deal with him,” answered he, but at this moment
the evil Jinni approached, and his wings darkened the sun. The
inhabitants uttered a terrible cry, and the Jinni darted upon the
tent, and was about to raise it when he saw a man there, talking
to the daughter of the King. “Woe to thee, O son of earth,” he
exclaimed, “what authority have you to sit by my betrothed?” When
Wakhs El Fellat saw the terrible form of the Jinni, a shudder
came over him, and he cried to God for aid. He immediately drew
his sword, and struck at the Jinni, who had just extended his
right hand to seize him, and the blow was so violent that it
struck off the hand. “What, you would kill me?” exclaimed
Mukhtatif, and he took up his hand, put it under his arm, and
flew away. Upon this there was a loud cry of joy from the walls
of the city. The gates were thrown open, and King Afrakh
approached, companied by a crowd of people with musical
instruments, playing joyful music; and Wakhs El Fellat was
invested with robes of honour; but when Sikar Diun saw it it was
gall to him. The King prepared an apartment expressly for Wakhs
El Fellat, and while Shama returned to her palace, he gave a
great feast in honour of her deliverance from the fiend. After
seven days had passed, Shama went to Wakhs El Fellat, and said to
him, “Ask me of my father to-morrow, for you have rescued me, and
he will not be able to refuse you.” He consented very willingly,
and went to the King early next morning. The King gave him a very
favourable reception, and seated him with him on the throne; but
Wakhs El Fellat had not courage to prefer his suit, and left him
after a short interview. He had not long returned to his own
room, when Shama entered, saluted him, and asked, “Why did you
not demand me?” “I was too bashful,” he replied. “Lay this
feeling aside,” returned she, “and demand me.” “Well, I will
certainly do so to-morrow,” answered he. Thereupon she left him,
and returned to her own apartment. Early next morning Wakhs El
Fellat went again to the King, who gave him a friendly reception,
and made him sit with him. But he was still unable to prefer his
suit, and returned to his own room. Soon after Shama came to him
and said, “How long is this bashfulness to last? Take courage,
and if not, request some one else to speak for you.” She then
left him, and next morning he repeated his visit to the King.
“What is your request?” asked the latter. “I am come as a
suitor,” said Wakhs El Fellat, “and ask the hand of your noble
daughter Shama.” When Sikar Diun heard this, he slapped his face.
“What is the matter with you?” asked the King. “This is what I
have foreseen,” answered he, “for if these two moles unite, the
destruction of Abyssinia is accomplished.” “How can I refuse
him?” replied the King, “when he has just delivered her from the
fiend.” “Tell him,” answered Sikar Diun, “that you must consult
with your Wazir.” The King then turned to Wakhs El Fellat, and
said, “My son, your request is granted as far as I am concerned,
but I leave my Wazir to arrange it with you, so you must consult
him about it.” Wakhs El Fellat immediately turned to the Wazir,
and repeated his request to him. Sikar Diun answered him in a
friendly manner. “The affair is as good as arranged, no one else
is suited for the King’s daughter, but you know that the
daughters of the Kings require a dowry.” “Ask what you please,”
returned Wakhs El Fellat. “We do not ask you for money or money’s
worth,” said the Wazir, “but for the head of a man named Sudun,
the Ethiopian.” “Where can I find him?” said the prince. The
Wazir replied, “He is said to dwell in the fortress of Reg, three
days’ journey from here.” “But what if I fail to bring the head
of Sudun?” asked he. “But you will have it,” returned the Wazir;
and after this understanding the audience ceased, and each
returned to his dwelling.
Now this Sudun had built his fortress on the summit of a high
hill. It was very secure, and he defended it with the edge of the
sword. It was his usual resort, from whence he sallied forth on
plundering expeditions, and rendered the roads unsafe. At length
the news of him reached King Saif Ar-Raad, who sent against him
three thousand men, but he routed and destroyed them all. Upon
this, the King sent a larger number against him, who experienced
the same fate. He then despatched a third army, upon which Sudun
fortified himself afresh, and reared the walls of his fortress so
high that an eagle could scarcely pass them. We will now return
to Shama, who went to Wakhs El Fellat, and reproached him with
the conditions he had agreed to, and added, “It would be better
for you to leave this place, and take me with you, and we will
put ourselves under the protection of some powerful king.” “God
forbid,” replied he, “that I should take you with me in so
dishonourable a manner.” As he still positively refused to
consent, she grew angry, and left him. Wakhs El Fellat lay down
to rest, but he could not sleep. So he rose up, mounted his
horse, and rode away at midnight; and in the morning he met a
horseman who stationed himself in his path, but who was so
completely armed that his face was concealed. When Wakhs El
Fellat saw him, he cried to him, “Who are you, and where are you
going?” But instead of replying, he pressed upon him, and aimed a
blow which Wakhs El Fellat successfully parried. A fight then
commenced between them, which lasted till nearly evening. At last
the difference in their strength became perceptible, and Wakhs El
Fellat struck his adversary so violent a blow with his javelin
that his horse fell to the ground. He then dismounted, and was
about to slay him, when the horseman cried to him, “Do not kill
me, O brave warrior, or you will repent when repentance will no
more avail you.” “Tell me who you are?” returned Wakhs El Fellat.
“I am Shama, the daughter of King Afrakh,” replied the horseman.
“Why have you acted thus?” asked he. “I wished to try whether you
would be able to hold your own against Sudun’s people,” she
replied. “I have tried you now, and found you so valiant that I
fear no longer on your account. Take me with you, O hero.” “God
forbid that I should do so,” he returned; “what would Sikar Diun
and the others say? They would say that if Shama had not been
with him, he would never have been able to prevail against
Sudun.” She then raised her eyes to heaven, and said, “O God,
permit him to fall into some danger from which I alone may
deliver him!” Upon this Wakhs El Fellat pursued his journey,
without giving any attention to her words. On the third day he
arrived at the valley where the fortress of Sudun was situated,
when he began to work his way along behind the trees; and towards
evening he arrived at the fortress itself, which he found to be
surrounded with a moat; and the gates were closed. He was still
undecided what course to take, when he heard the sound of an
approaching caravan; and he hid himself in the fosse of the
fortress to watch it. He then saw that it was driven forward by a
large body of men, and that the merchants were bound on their
mules. When they arrived at the castle, they knocked at the gate;
and when the troop entered, Wakhs El Fellat entered with them;
and they unloaded the goods and bound the prisoners without
noticing him. When the armed men had finished their work, they
ascended to the castle, but he remained below. After a time, he
wished to follow them, but when he trod on the first step, it
gave way under him, and a dagger flew out, which struck him in
the groin. Upon this his eyes filled with tears, and he already
looked upon his destruction as certain, when a form came towards
him from the entrance of the castle, to deliver him; and as it
drew nearer, he perceived that it was Shama. He was filled with
astonishment, and cried out, “God has heard your prayer! How did
you come here?” “I followed your traces,” she replied, “till you
entered the castle, when I imitated your example, and mingled
with the troops. I have now saved your life, although you have
refused to take me with you; but if you wish to advance further,
do not neglect to try whether each step is fixed, with the point
of your sword.” He now again began to ascend, feeling the way
before him, and Shama followed, till they arrived at the last
stair, when they saw that the staircase ended in a revolving
wheel. “Spring higher,” advised Shama, “for I see a javelin which
magic art has placed here.” They sprang over it, and pursued
their way till they reached a large anteroom, lighted by a high
cupola. They stopped here awhile, and examined everything
carefully. At last they approached the door of a room, and on
looking through the crevices, they saw about a hundred armed
negroes, among whom was a black slave who looked as savage as a
lion. The room was lighted by wax candles, placed on gold and
silver candlesticks. At this moment, the black said, “Slaves,
what have you done with the prisoners belonging to the caravan?”
“We have chained them in the prison below, and left them in the
safest place,” was the reply. But he continued, “If one of them
was carelessly bound, he might be able to release himself and the
others, and to gain possession of the stairs. Let one of you
therefore go down, examine them carefully, and tighten their
bonds.” One of them therefore came out, and the two strangers hid
themselves in the anteroom. When he had passed them, Wakhs El
Fellat stepped forward and pierced him through with his sword;
Shama dragged his body aside, and they both remained quiet for a
time. But as the slave remained away from his companions too
long, Sudun exclaimed, “Go and see why he does not return, for I
have been in great alarm ever since we entered the castle to-day.”
A second then rose and took his sword, and as he came into
the anteroom, Wakhs El Fellat clove him in twain at one blow and
Shama dragged his body also on one side. They again waited
quietly for a time, when Sudun said, “It seems as if hunters are
watching our slaves, and are killing them one after another.” A
third then hastened out, and Wakhs El Fellat struck him such a
blow that he fell dead to the ground, and Shama dragged him also
away. But as he likewise remained absent so long, Sudun himself
stood up and all the others with him, and he said, “Did I not
warn and caution you? There is a singing in my ears, and my heart
trembles, for there must be people here who are watching our
men.” He himself now came out, and the others followed him with
lights and holding their hands on their swords, when one of the
foremost suddenly stopped. “Why do you not advance!” cried the
others. “How shall I go forward,” said he, “when he who has slain
our friends stands before us.” This answer was repeated to Sudun
when he called on them in a voice of thunder to advance. When he
heard this, he forced his way through them till he perceived
Wakhs El Fellat. “Who are you, Satan?” cried he, “and who brought
you here?” “I came here,” replied he, “to cut off your head, and
destroy your memory.” “Have you any blood-feud against me?” asked
Sudun, “or any offence to revenge upon me?” “I have no enmity
against you in my heart,” said Wakhs El Fellat, “and you have
never injured me; but I have asked Shama in marriage of her
father, and he has demanded of me your head as a condition. Be on
your guard, that you may not say I acted foully towards you.”
“Madman,” cried Sudun, “I challenge you to a duel. Will you fight
inside or outside the fortress?” “I leave that to you,” returned
Wakhs El Fellat. “Well, then, await me here,” was the reply.
Sudun then went in, clothed himself in gilded armour, girt on a
saw-like sword, and came out holding a shining club in his hand.
He was so enraged that he knew not what to say, and at once
attacked Wakhs El Fellat, who threw himself on his adversary like
a raging lion, and they fought together like hungry wolves; but
both despaired of victory. The swords spake a hard language on
the shields, and each of the combatants wished that he had never
been born. When this desperate fight had lasted a long time,
Shama was greatly troubled lest Sudun should prove victorious. So
she seized a dagger and struck at Sudun, wounding the nerves of
his hand, so that he dropped his sword, while she exclaimed to
Wakhs El Fellat, “Make an end of him.” “No,” replied Wakhs El
Fellat, “I will make him my prisoner, for he is a brave and
valiant man.” “With whom are you speaking?” asked Sudun. “With
Shama,” answered he. “What,” said Sudun, “did she come with you?”
“Yes,” replied he. “Then let her come before me.” She came
forward, and Sudun said, “Is the world too narrow for your father
that he could demand nothing as your dowry but my head?” “This
was his desire,” answered she. Wakhs El Fellat then said, “Take
your sword and defend yourself, for I will not fight with you,
now that it has fallen out of your hand.” But Sudun replied, “I
will not fight with you, for I am wounded, so take my head, and
go in peace with your bride.” He then sat down and bowed his
head. “If you speak truly,” said Wakhs El Fellat, “separate
yourself from your people.” “Why so?” “Because I fear lest they
may surround me, and compel me to fight with them, and there is
no need for me to shed their blood.” Sudun then left the castle,
bowed his head, and said, “Finish your work.” But Wakhs El Fellat
said, “If you speak truth, come with me across the fosse of the
castle into the open ground.” He did so, carefully barring the
castle behind him, and said, “Now take my head.”
When the slaves saw this, they mounted the walls, and wept and
lamented. But Shama cried out, “Take his head, and let us hasten
our return before morning dawns.” “What,” said Wakhs El Fellat,
“should I kill so brave a man in so treacherous a manner, when he
is so noble and magnanimous?” He then went up to Sudun, kissed
his head, and said, “Rise up, O warrior of the age, for you and
your companions are safe from me.” They now all embraced each
other, and made an offensive and defensive compact. “Take me with
you alive, O brave man,” said Sudun, “and hand me over to the
King as his daughter’s dowry. If he consents, well; but if not,
take my head, and woo your wife.” “God forbid,” said Wakhs El
Fellat, “that I should act thus after your magnanimity. Rather
return to the castle, and assure your companions of your safety.”
All this passed under the eyes of the other armed men. They
rejoiced at the knightly conduct of both, and now came down,
fell at the feet of Sudun and embraced him. They then did the
same to Wakhs El Fellat, whose hands they kissed and loaded him
with praises. After this, they all returned to the castle, and
agreed to set out presently. They took with them whatever
treasures there were, and Wakhs El Fellat commanded them to
release the prisoners and restore them their goods. They now all
mounted their horses and journeyed to the country of King Afrakh,
greatly rejoiced at the mutual love of the warriors. When they
approached the town, Shama parted from them, that nothing should
be known of her absence in the company. During this time, King
Afrakh and Sikar Diun had amused themselves with hunting,
jesting, and sporting, and sent out scouts daily to look for
Wakhs El Fellat. “What can have become of him?” said the King
once to Sikar Diun. “Sudun has certainly killed him,” replied the
latter, “and you will never see him again.” While they were thus
talking, they observed a great cloud of dust, and as it drew
nearer, they could see the armed men more distinctly. The company
was led by a black knight, by whose side rode a younger white
horseman. When the King saw this, he exclaimed, “Wakhs El Fellat
has returned, in company with Sudun and his host.” “Wait a
little,” replied Sikar Dian, “till we are certain of it.” But
when they drew nearer, and they could doubt no longer, Sikar Diun
mounted his horse and fled, accompanied by the King and his
followers, till they reached the town, and barred the gates. They
then watched from the walls, to see what would happen. When they
saw that the strangers dismounted and pitched tents, the King
thought it was a good sign. He therefore ordered the town to be
decorated, and the gates to be opened, and rode out, attended by
a considerable escort, and approached the tents. The other party
now mounted their horses to go to meet them. When they approached
each other, King Afrakh was about to dismount, but Wakhs El
Fellat would not allow it, and the King embraced him, and
congratulated him on his safety. He then saluted Sudun also, but
the latter did not return his salutation. He invited him to enter
the town, but he declined, as did Wakhs El Fellat likewise, who
did not wish to part from his companions. The King returned
accompanied only by his own people, and prepared the best
reception for the new-comers. On the following morning the King
held a general council, at which Sikar Diun appeared greatly
depressed. “Did I not warn you beforehand,” said he to the King,
“what you now see for yourself of this evil-doer? Did we not send
him to bring the head of Sudun, and he returns with him safe and
sound, and on the best of terms, while our hearts are oppressed
with anxiety?” “You may be right,” replied the King, “but what
are we to do now?”