Hatim took up his muhra and having resumed his journey, devoutly thanked his Great Preserver for his deliverance from such dangers. In the course of a few days he arrived at a very large city. When the people saw him they were truly astonished and said, “Tell us, wonderful man, how came you to pass in safety through the brazen desert?” — “I am indebted for my safety,” replied Hatim, “to the goodness of God alone. He has watched over me in the hour of danger, for none of the monsters that infest the desert has done me the least harm.” Now the forest of brambles and the brazen desert had been long considered to that city as impenetrable, and all travellers and caravans had been previously compelled to take a very long and circuitous route in approaching the city. When the people therefore saw Hatim approach their city by these dangerous quarters, they became highly interested in the subject, as they saw a prospect of opening an easy communication with the rest of the world. The king of that city got intelligence that a stranger had arrived safe by the short and dangerous route. He could scarcely believe the fact, and in the mean­time detained the stanger. The messengers went and made the necessary investigation, without any interruption. They returned, and informed the king that if a path were cut through the forest, it would be quite safe in every respect.

At this intelligence his majesty was highly pleased, and having sent for Hatim, said to him, “Noble stranger, I have done you wrong in suspecting the truth of your statement, and I pray for your forgiveness. I confess I did not at first believe you, I therefore placed a watch over you till I should be ascertained of fact by my own people. Had I found out that you had deceived me, I should have punished you accordingly.”— “Your Majesty,” replied Hatim, “has acted as a king ought to, that is, according to strict justice; for it is highly expedient that the liar should suffer punish­ment. But why should I deceive you, in stating what was untrue?”

The king then brought forth loads of gold, and said to Hatim, “Accept this as a reward for the services you have done me.”— “I am alone,” said Hatim, “I cannot carry this gold with me, and I have no one to carry it for me.”— “My own people,” replied the king, “shall convey it to your country.”— “I have a dangerous journey to perform,” returned Hatim, “and an important task to accomplish: till that is done, I cannot visit my native country.”— “Tell me,” resumed the king, “whither are you bound, and I will accompany you in person.”— “In a neighbouring country,” said Hatim, “is the bath of Badgard: I am going to explore it, but I have heard that no one has hitherto returned thence with life.”— “You have heard the truth, noble stranger,” said the king; “I therefore advise you as a friend to banish such thoughts from your mind.”— “What is decreed must happen,” replied Hatim; “my resolution is fixed.”

When the king found Hatim resolute, he appointed two of his people to accompany him, and ordered them to shew him the way to Katan. They therefore set out; and after some days’ travelling, his guides told him that their orders permitted them to go no further. They then gave him directions as to his route, and took leave. When Hatim arrived within the territories of Katan, the people asked him whence he had come. He told them the object of his journey and the dangers he had experienced. When they heard from him that the griffins of the forest of brambles, with the dragons of the brazen desert, were extirpated, they rejoiced exceedingly.

At length Hatim reached the city of Katan and took up his residence for some days in a caravanserai. After he had reposed for a few days, he went to present himself before the king and having selected two pearls, two rubies, and two diamonds of immense value, he went to the palace gate. The janitors informed his majesty that a stranger wished to be admitted, and at the same time presented the jewels. The king ordered them to procure his name, and ask of him what was the nature of his business. They returned to Hatim, and examined him according to the king’s command. “I am a native of Yemen,” replied Hatim, “and have journeyed hither from the city of Shah­abad; if further explanation be necessary, I will detail my whole history to his majesty, should he honour me with an interview.”

The janitors returned to the royal presence, and stated, “Sire, the stranger seems a merchant of Yemen, lately come from the city of Shahabad, and is very anxious to interview with your majesty.” Hatim was immediately admitted, and after courteous salutation on both sides, the king said to him, “Tell me, stranger merchant, where is your caravan, and what merchandise have you to dispose of?”— “Sire,” said Hatim, “It is now some time since I have left off traffic, and adopted the profession of a soldier, I happened to pass this way, and longed to pay my respects to your majesty.”

The king greatly admired Hatim’s courtesy, and treated him with the highest respect. After various conversa­tions, Hatim took his leave, and the king said to him at withdrawing, “Brave stranger, I trust you will gladden my heart by residing some time at our court.” Hatim remained six months in the capital, and every day went to pay his respects to the king, with whom he became a great favourite. He one day, observing the king in good humour, took the opportunity of presenting to him a casket of most valuable jewels. The king received the jewels with great satisfaction, and having made Hatim sit by him, said, “Noble stranger, you have now resided with us for months, but never I have had the pleasure of doing you the least service. I am truly ashamed when I look upon the numerous gifts you have bestowed upon me, and when I con­sider that you have never asked of me my favour in return.”— “Long life to your highness,” rejoined Hatim, “there are few things earthly which I desire; but if I may be allowed to express my wish, there is one boon I would venture to ask of you.”— “It is already granted,” replied the king, “therefore speak your wish, and you shall be satisfied.”

Hatim availed himself of this favourable opportunity, and said to the king, “I have an ardent desire to explore the bath of Badgard; I humbly crave your majesty’s per­mission, therefore, that I may satisfy my curiosity.” The king for a long time held down his head in silent meditation while Hatim stood by anxiously waiting the result. At length his highness broke silence, saying, “Stranger, your request has caused me much concern for various reasons: in the first place, I have made a vow never to let mortal man visit the bath of Badgard; secondly, if you go, you must inevitably perish in the prime of youth; thirdly, I esteem you so hlighly that I should for ever regret having permitted you to throw away your life; and fourthly, I cannot endure the idea of parting with you, even on any account. Consider, then, my dear friend, how painful it is for me to grant the fatal boon you ask.”

To this Hatim replied, “Sire, I have experienced many dangers, and I have every hope of returning safe from the bath of Badgard.” He then related the whole of his past adven­tures in behalf of the Assyrian prince Munir, the lover of Husn Banu, and stated in conclusion, that his seventh and last labour was to explore the bath of Badgard. The king listened to Hatim’s narrative, and after he had finished, said to him, “Generous man! heaven will assuredly protect you in what remains of your task, for there lives not a more worthy object of the care of Providence than you. Let me, however, once more, remind you, that multitudes of people have hitherto entered that mysterious bath, and none has returned; but I hope you will be more fortunate. Meanwhile tell me truly your name and rank, for you are not what you seem.”— “My name is Hatim and my father is king of Yemen,” was the reply.

When the king heard this, he arose from his seat; and having clasped Hatim in his arms, said, “You speak the truth, brave prince of Yemen, for your brow is stamped with the seal of royalty; and your name is destined to be proverbial in the world for every thing that is noble and generous.” Having thus spoken, the king commanded a passport to be written for Hatim, to be presented to the janitor of the bath of Badgard. When the order for admit­tance was ready and impressed by the royal seal, the king delivered it to Hatim, and appointed a few of his people to accompany him to the door of the bath.

Hatim took an affectionate leave of the king, and attended by his guides, betook himself to the road. Fifteen days after, the top of a mountain became visible. Hatim asked his guides, “What mountain is this before us whose lofty peak pierces the vault of heaven?”— “It is the mountain of Badgard,” they replied, “and the entrance into the bath is on the side of it; but near as it may seem, it is still seven days’ journey hence.” When they arrived at the base of the mountain, Hatim was surprised in seeing it begirt with legions of armed men. He asked his guides whose were the troops and was told, in reply, that they were under the command of the bath, which no one could approach without an order from the King of Katan. At length they reached the outposts of the sentinels, who asked Hatim who he was and what was his business. The guides replied, “This is the prince of Yemen, who has received the royal permission for being admitted within the bath.”

The sentinels immediately conducted Hatim before the keeper, to whom he presented his passport. The keeper opened and inspected the royal firman, which ran thus: “Know that it is our will that you admit the prince of Yemen into the bath of Badgard. Let him not meet with the least interruption on account of our late vow; and if it is in your power to prevail upon him to return ere it be too late, fail not to do so, and your reward shall be great.” The keeper folded up the passport; and having conducted Hatim to his house, he entertained him for three days in the most hospitable manner. He then began to advise him earnestly not to proceed further, but on no account would Hatim listen to his friendly counsel.

The keeper of Badgard, finding all his entreaties of no avail, at length wrote to the king that the prince of Yemen was resolute in his design, and would by no means return. The king reluctantly answered, “That if it must be so, grant him admittance into the bath.” Once more the keeper endeavoured to dissuade him from his rash design, but Hatim’s resolution was fixed as a rock. “Follow me, then, desperate man,” said the keeper, “and the blame be yours.” Hatim followed the keeper till they came to the door of the bath. Its size was immense, such as he had never seen during his whole life. High on the wall was written the following words: “These are the enchantments of King Kaiumarath, which are destined to last for a time; who­soever enters shall not return. Here he shall remain without hunger or thirst.”

When Hatim had read the inscription, he began to meditate within himself whether that information was not sufficient, and it would be needless to go further; but on mature reflection, he resolved to enter and examine the place with his own eye. He took leave of the keeper and boldly entered the door of the bath. He had advanced about three steps; and on looking around him, he saw neither the keeper nor the gate of the bath, but a wide and dreary desert. He stood still in his astonishment, and said to him­self, “O Hatim, here is certainly the end of thy earthly pilgrimage.” At length he aroused himself from such despairing thoughts, and began to wander about the desert. After some time, he espied at a distance a human form, and great was his joy at the sight, for he concluded that the place was inhabited at no great distance.

He quickly bent his steps towards the figure, and was delighted to find that the other was approaching him. When they came near each other, the strange figure saluted Hatim and having produced a mirror, presented to him. Hatim looked at the mirror, and said to the giver, “What is this I see in the mirror? Is it not the bath of Badgard, and are you not the keeper?”— “I am,” was the brief reply. “Tell me,” said Hatim, “how am I to find the bath?”— “Proceed forward,” said the strange figure, “and you will soon reach it.”

Hatim rejoiced at this information, and asked the man who he was. “I am,” said he, “a hireling connected with the bath: I wander about here waiting the arrival of strangers: when any one comes, it is my office to conduct him into the bath, and attend him while bathing. For my services I expect a handsome reward; so if you be liberal, it will be better for you.”— “Are you the only attendant,” inquired Hatim, “or are there others along with you?”— “There are others also who attend,” replied the man, “but it is my turn to-day.”— “Well,” said Hatim, “I have travelled from afar to enjoy this bath, therefore shew me the nearest way.”