Agreeably to his majesty’s commands emissaries were sent abroad in all directions, and not long after one of Hatim’s esecort was seized and carried to the capital. Mah­pari threatened him with the severest punishment, unless he told truly what had become of the man whom they had in charge. The fairy guard with trembling voice replied, “Spare my life, O king, and I will tell truly all that I know respecting the man.”— “Speak the truth, then,” said the king, “otherwise you shall speedily die.” The guard pro­ceeded: “Sire, we received the man in charge, and for several days journeyed with him most carefully towards the foot of your throne. It happened, as we halted for the night in a certain spot near a garden, that we were all over­powered with sleep, and when we awoke the man was nowhere to be seen. It is certain, that some one must have stolen him from us, for he would not have gone of his own accord, as he frequently expressed his most ardent desire to have an interview with your majesty. It is most likely, then, that some of the fairy damsels on seeing him, became enamoured of his person, for verily he is of rare beauty and gracefulness, and contrived to carry him off while we were asleep. Next morning, when we awoke and missed our charge, we fled in all directions, from fear of your majesty’s merited wrath; and this, Sire, is the whole truth.”

On hearing this statement, Mahpari ordered the culprit’s life to be spared and contented himself by detaining him prisoner, until such time as the man should be found. Mean­while he sent forth all his servants, with orders to search every corner within fairy-land until they discovered Hatim. It happened about three months after, that one of the escort from Kulzum entered unobserved the garden of Masnapari, and having concealed himself in a corner, what does he see but the beautiful fairy and Hatim walking hand in hand amidst the flowers. He instantly recognised the object of his research, and leaving his hiding-place, he boldly presented himself amidst the fairy troop, saying, “Most foolish dam­sels, you are aware that the king has ordered this man to be brought into his presence whither we were conducting him; and yet you had the boldness to carry him off by stratagem. Now, if you value your lives, surrender him into my charge, otherwise death and degradation shall be your lot.”

On hearing this unexpected address, Husnapari, insti­gated by fear and resentment, said to her attendants, “How durst you, without my permission, admit a stranger into the garden? Seize the villain, let him be severely punished, and for the remainder of his life confined in fetters.” The spy with the utmost activity bounded off as they were about to lay hold of him, and fled beyond their reach. With all speed he made for the capital, and on his arrival blackened his face, and taking his station at the palace gate, stated that he had a complaint to lay before the king. His majesty was pleased to admit him, and inquired, “Why hast thou blackened thy face? Tell me, who has injured thee?” “Sire,” replied the spy, “my complaint is against the buautiful daughter of Masnapari. I am one of those who formed the escort of the Arabian prince from Kulzum, and while we were conducting our charge hither, agreeably to your majesty’s order, this damsel, whose name is Husnapari, contrived to steal him from us by night, and since then she has detained him in her father’s garden. I happened to discover the circumstance, and demanded of her the man as my prisoner. Enraged, she threatened me with severe punishment and confinement for life; however, I fortunately made my escape, and hastened to lay my information before your majesty.”

When the sovereign of the fairy realms heard this intel­lingence his wrath was excessive. He instantly despatched his commander-in-chief, accompanied by thirty thousand troops, with orders to seize Masnapari, and make him responsible for his daughter’s conduct. When Masnapari beheld this formidable array drawn up around his mansion, he was highly perplexed, and addressing the commander, said, “For what purpose are all these forces? In what respect have I incurred his majesty’s displeasure?”— “Pray, Sir,” said the commander, “where is your daughter?”— “For some months past,” replied the other, “she has been enjoy­ing the delights of our garden in the country.”— “Wretched being!” rejoined the commander, “I pity your case; be it known to you, that your daughter has privately conveyed into that garden the man whom the sentinels of Kulzum found upon their coast, hence the cause of the King’s resent­ment towards you.”

When the mother of Husnapari heard this statement, pale with fear she hastened to the garden, where she found her fair daughter seated on a bed of flowers, and engaged in conversation with Hatim. The enraged mother struck Husnapari on the head, saying, “Abandoned hussy! you have caused the ruin of yourself and family. The king’s troops have surrounded our dwelling in quest of this man, whom you have chosen for your lover.” Husnapari, surprised and terrified at these tidings, stood motionless, and her beautiful countenance assumed a saffron hue. The mother immediately gave her daughter and Hatim in charge to the commander of the troop; and she herself, with the whole of her relations, were ordered to follow to the capital.

In the course of three days they arrived at the king’s palace, where the commander informed his majesty that Masnapari was in attendance to plead his own cause, and that his daughter, and the prince of Yemen her lover, were now at hand to be disposed of as his majesty might deem proper. Mahpari ordered, in the first place, that the father should be brought before him. Masnapari entered, and making a low obeisance, said “Sire, I swear by your majesty’s salt, which I have so often tasted, that I knew nothing of the transaction. I have come however, obedient to your commands, accompanied by my family, and all of us are ready to undergo whatever be the decree of your majesty.” “Enough,” said the king, “you are innocent, and we accordingly forgive you; let us now examine this man who has caused us all this trouble.”

The attendants immediately introduced Hatim, and placed him before the king. When Mahpari beheld his noble form and fair countenance, all his resentment towards him vanished, and having seated Hatim beside him, he began to converse with him, and said, “You are a bold youth to enter our dominions; may I ask what is the cause of your journey hither?”— “Sire,” replied Hatim, “I had heard much of your majesty, and of your heavenly realms, from Farokash the king of the demons, so that I felt an irresistible desire of visiting your country, and of tendering you my humble services, whatever might be the risk.”— “Who,” asked the king, “were your guides hither?”— “The subjects of Farokash,” said Hatim.— “Know you,” continued the fairy king, “whether there be among the demons any learned and expert physician?”— “From what I have there observed,” replied Hatim, “I believe the sub­jects of Farokash have no great skill in physic; but may I ask, what occasion has your highness for a physician?”— “I shall tell you in good time,” said Mahpari, “for after all you may be able to serve me, as the human race are allowed to be the noblest and most skilful of the creation, and from their superior wisdom they are enabled to hold under their control the regions of the fairies and demons, as was the case with Suleiman, on whom be peace,”— “Well,” said Hatim, “may I once more presume to ask, what would your majesty have with a physician?”

Mahpari, in a voice of sorrow, replied: “I have a son who is the admiration of the world, accomplished in every art and science that adorn the mind, matchless in the beauty and elegance of his form, and beside him I have no other child. He has been lately seized with a pain in his eyes, which constantly flow with water, so intense that he is now quite blind; nor does he experience a moment’s relief. If you can procure me a learned leech who may succeed in restoring him his sight, I shall ever remain grate­ful for your kindness.”— “May I ask,” said Hatim, “what reward will your highness bestow on that physician who may be the means of curing the prince?”— “I will give him whatever he asks,” replied the king. “Agreed,” said Hatim; “I myself will undertake on these terms to restore the prince to perfect health.” The king then took Hatim by the hand, and solemnly swore to abide by his promise, and as it now waxed late, they agreed to retire to rest for that night.

Hatim was ushered into a splendid apartment, while troops of fairies attended him to execute his commands. They presented him with every sort of food and a variety of delicious fruits with cool water pure as crystal. When the morning dawned the fairy king conducted Hatim to the apartment of his son, who lay stretched upon the bed of restlessness. Hatim took out the talisman (presented him by the bear’s daughter), and having dipped it in pure water, applied the liquid to the prince’s eyes. In the course of the day he obtained some relief, and the pain was greatly alleviated, but his sight was not yet in the least restored. Mahpari, with the anxiety of a parent, watched the progress of the cure, and addressing Hatim, said, “Most learned man, the eyes are indeed cured of the pain which they suffered; but, alas! the vision I fear is for ever lost.” After a little reflection, Hatim said, “Sire, there is a tree that grows amidst the shades of Zulmat,* which is called the naudar: from this tree distils a liquid of rare qualities, of which if even a single drop could be procured, it would be the means of restoring the prince’s sight.” When Mahpari heard this, he addressed his fairy subjects, saying: “Is there one among you who has the courage to enter the regions of Zulmat, and bring me a vial full of the juice of the naudar?” All the fairies with downcast looks listened to this proposal and replied, “The vales of Zulmat abound with demons, the very scent of which we cannot endure; and besides, being our enemies, they would not leave one of us alive were we to venture thither.” The king, well aware of this fact, held down his head in silent grief, when Husnapari respect­fully approached him, and said, “If my lord the king will forgive my past transgressions, and again restore to me the prince of Yemen, I will endeavour to find out the tree in question.”

Mahpari, delighted, said to her in return, “Fair lady, I heartily forgive your pranks; nay, in receiving an explana­tion from your father I had extended my full pardon to you all; but so far as regards the prince of Yemen, I have no control over him; he is entirely at his own disposal.” Hatim then addressed the beautiful fairy, saying, “Noble lady, if it is your wish that I should dwell with you during the whole of my life, it is more than I can by any means promise you; but if you will be satisfied with my remaining in your society only during my own pleasure, and having full liberty to depart when I think proper, then I sincerely promise not to deceive you.” The beautiful fairy replied in the accents of love, “Alas! I can lay no claim to your affections, but say you will stay with me for at least a few days. My time shall be wholly spent in the enjoyment of your society; and when I shall have, if possible, sufficiently admired you, then your departure will be in your own choice.”— “Enough,” said Hatim, “for the present; lose no time in the accomplishing of your dangerous enterprise.”

Husnapari, accompanied with seven thousand fairy troops, immediately set out upon her journey; and so swiftly did she wing her course, that all her convoy were left far in her rear. In the space of forty days she entered the regions of darkness, and arrived at the tree of naudar, the top of which seemed to pierce the skies. From its trunk flowed a liquid white as milk and sweet as honey. She caught the drops in her vial as they fell, and when it was filled she carefully sealed it up, and began to retrace her steps from those dreary abodes. Meanwhile a host of demons, tweve thousand in number, that acted as guards of the tree of naudar, observed the beautiful fairy as she was returning and immediately pursued her. Husnapari increased her speed and fled swiftly as the bird that flies for its life. The demons followed fast for the space of four farasangs, when finding that they were losing ground, they returned to their haunts.

In about forty days after the beautiful fairy arrived at the court of her own sovereign, and presenting to his majesty the vial containing the precious elixir, she detailed the events of her journey. The king was boundless in his gratitude, and exalted her into the rank of the most select in his household. Hatim dipped his talisman into the elixir and applied a few drops of it to the eyes of the prince, which still continued shut. At the end of eight days he repeated the process, and a complete cure ensued. When the prince again beheld the faces of his father and mother his joy was excessive. Grateful, he prostrated himself at the feet of Hatim, who speedily raised him to his bosom, saying, “Let thy thanks be rendered unto God.”

In the meantime the fairy king offered for Hatim’s accep­tance treasures to such an extent as would defy calculation. Hatim, after expressing his sense of the king’s bounty, said, “Sire, this vast wealth, and these valuable jewels are useless to me unless your subjects conduct me to the dominions of Farokash, and convey the treasures thither.” To this Mahparī readily assented; whereupon Hatim rejoined: “Sire, I value not gold and jewels: all I wish from your majesty is the fulfilment of the agreement which you were pleased to make with me, that I receive from you whaterer I asked.”— “State your wish.” replied Mahpari, “and you shall not be disappointed.”— “Give me then,” said Hatim, “the Shahmuhra which adorns your hands.”