Some days after the above announcement on the part of Sherzaran, as the little Narina was at her favourite play with her pretty four-footed companions, on the summit of a mountain that looked immediately over the sea, she suddenly ceased from her sport, and came tripping down towards the cottage to inform her friends that, a long way off in the sea, a number of beautiful ships were sailing along, and that they appeared to be coming to the part of the coast nearest to their habitation. Ben Hafiz set forth as fast as his old legs would carry him, to a pathway in the cliffs, that led straightway down to the beach; from whence he could catch a sight of the sea, and from which spot he first saw the chest that served the little Narina for her early cradle, and in which she was rocked by the waves.

A gay scene was here presented to his view; for the time. he had occupied in arriving at this place had brought the fleet much nearer to the land. It consisted of many vessels, some of them covered with burnished gold, mingled with the brightest colours, that mixed with the sun's rays, and cast beautiful reflections upon the blue and green waves. The masts were silver, and the sails were variously ordered; some of bright purple and gold, some orange, and some rose-coloured and silver. One alone was different from all the rest; it was a dark and melancholy ship; the sails, too, were of the same dismal hue; and the flag was black, bearing upon it a white heart with one half cut away.

The shepherd and his little darling were all the while the only spectators of this strange sight. After a short time, however, when the fleet had all drawn nearly close to the shore, they observed a few people running from the opposite side

of the valley, to the spot where they were standing; these also had seen the fleet out at sea, and were come from the neighbourhood of the city to witness the landing of the crews. In a short time after, a large crowd was flocking to the same spot. Meanwhile the crews of the different vessels were busily engaged in landing and bringing to shore various articles of value, with rare animals of great beauty and stateliness; horses also, richly caparisoned and of elegant figure. When the whole were landed, and drawn up in order of procession, one majestic figure, followed by his horse, came from the black ship and, having mounted, the order was given for the whole company to move towards the city.

The little Narina and her protector were lodged in a narrow recess of the cliff enclosing the passage, and above the road through which the procession was to pass, and were curiously contemplating the variety and splendour of the array. First came a troop of soldiers, clad in scarlet and gold, upon milkwhite horses; the foremost twelve of whom bore silver trumpets which, from time to time, they blew. Then came six horses of the most perfect shapes, and of different colours, each horse being led by a page in green and gold. These were followed by six yeomen dressed in gold tissue, each bearing a steel bow of extraordinary length and exceeding brightness. After these, six others succeeded, clad in blue and silver tissue, holding silver shields, richly embossed with gold. The same number of foot pages followed, in orange robes lined with purple, who bore spears of jet black ebony shafts, inlaid with gold figures. Then walked alone, and at a short distance, a single attendant in a tunic of white and silver, bearing a vase formed out of the largest ruby in the world, and mounted

upon a golden pedestal. Four came after the last, dressed in crimson and gold, each holding on his fist a milk-white eagle. Then followed four golden peacocks, each one led in a silver chain, by a little boy dressed in satin of sky blue. All these fair things were intended for presents to the King of Persia. Then came a company of twenty-five Ethiopians, tall men, and of the most swarthy skin; these were clad in white silk dresses, descending no lower than the knee, and fastened above their hips by golden girdles, inlaid with rubies and emeralds. These last were succeeded by a troop of archers in light armour. Then came the king, riding alone at a considerable distance; and the whole procession was completed by a company of spearmen, in red and gold, on grey horses.

The king was habited in a suit of coal-black armour, and his horse was of the same doleful complexion. As he rode at a sober pace, with the beaver of his helmet up, he displayed to view a pale and handsome countenance, sadly thoughtful, yet mild, and adorned with a short and curly black beard. He appeared to take little notice of the admiring multitude, but as he passed the spot in the cliff where the little Narina and her friend were standing, level with his own figure as he sat upon his lofty steed, his eyes suddenly rested upon the face of the child, and he involuntarily drew up the horse's rein, while a blush started to his cheek. He paused a moment, attentively considering the object of his notice, then passed on, at the same time beckoning to him an officer from the front rank behind him, whom he charged to inform himself of "the name and residence of the old man and child standing in yonder niche of the rock."

Shortly after the whole cavalcade had passed, and when

F

the foremost of the company had reached a road in the mountains on the opposite side of the valley, a distant sound of trumpets was heard, and over the summit of the hill was seen a troop of soldiers approaching, accompanied by a multitude of spectators. Others again succeeded, throng after throng, when the peaceful little valley again became filled with armed men, neighing steeds, and splendid colours. The King of Persia came, attended by the whole of his court and army, with long trains of camels, some white and others jet black. The king himself rode upon a beautiful white Arab horse, gorgeously caparisoned in red morocco harness, with gold studs and precious jewels. His own robe and turban blazed with diamonds, emeralds, and rubies. Above his head was supported, by four horsemen, a spacious silk canopy, rose-coloured.

As the two companies came together, the Persian monarch left his cavalcade, and, drawing near, saluted his royal visiter, who, with much dignity and grace, received his princely welcome. The Persian guards then followed in the rear of the procession, and their king rode by the side of his mourning guest, both under the same canopy. In the space of two or three hours the great multitude had passed over the mountains and reached the city, and the little valley was once more left in silence to Ben Hafiz, his wife, and their thoughtful and wondering child.

The remainder of the day was spent in conjectures respecting the cause of the black king's visit; also, that of his sending to inquire the names and dwelling of Ben Hafiz and Narina. Sherzaran, of course, thought of nothing less than that her "rose-bud," as she called her, was to become a great queen, and she and her husband to be grandees.

so troubled us."

"Heaven help your poor head!" said the worthy old Ben; "what pretty grandees an old shepherd and a fleece-dresser would make! What I want to know is, who this king can be, and why he should send to ask about us. I am not sure that he is any better than the wicked magician who has heretofore And then, And then, recollecting the ring, he applied it to his finger for the purpose of gaining the desired information; but their angel protectress did not answer the summons, which greatly perplexed the old couple. They then concluded that it would, perhaps, prove serviceable to them only in cases where immediate danger threatened their little charge. silence and anxiety, therefore, they implored a blessing on their endeavours for her welfare, and, hoping all for the best, lay down for the night in sleep and innocence.

In

CHAPTER VI.

ON the following morning, shortly after sunrise, a man, richly dressed, and on horseback, rode up to the cottage, and inquired for Ben Hafiz. The good housewife informed him that her husband had left home to attend his flock; at the same time, she requested him to inform her what was the business of so fine a gentleman with a poor shepherd. "Good dame," said the messenger, "your husband will know my business when he hears my errand; suffice to say, I am come from the king who arrived yesterday, and must see Ben Hafiz: to whom, and no one else, am I ordered to deliver my master's commands."