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LANDING OF THE CREWS.

brought the fleet much nearer to the land. It consisted of many vessels, some of them covered with burnished gold, mingled with the brightest colors, that dazzled 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 bright purple and gold, some orange, and some rose-colored 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.

In

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 into 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 neighborhood of the city, to witness the landing of the crews. 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 inclosing the passage, and above the road through which the procession was to pass, and were curiously contemplating the variety

ORDER OF PROCESSION.

243

and splendor of the array. First came a troop of soldiers, clad in scarlet and gold, upon milk-white 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 colors, 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. Last in this train came a magnificent lion, whose fur was of the most deep and shining blackness. On his neck was a broad gold collar, adorned with bright and precious stones; and on his back sat a naked child, whose yellow curly head was crowned with a wreath of red roses. 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 ar

mor. 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 gray horses.

The king was habited in a suit of coal-black armor, 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; as much, too, as could be discovered of his face, presented 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, 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 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 colors. The king of Persia came, attended by the whole of his court and army, with long trains of camels, some white, and

MEETING WITH THE PERSIAN KING.

245

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-colored.

As the two companies came together, the Persian monarch left his cavalcade, and drawing near, saluted his royal visitor, 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.

"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 so. troubled us." 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

246

ARRIVAL OF A MESSENGER.

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. In silence and anxiety, therefore, they implored a blessing on their endeavors for her welfare, and hoping all for the best, lay down for the night in sleep and inno

cence.

CHAP. 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 the 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."

"Ah, ah!" said the kind old soul, "I know your business as well as if you had told it to me; and you need not have huffed me off so, for I can keep a secret." Then, rubbing her hands, and laughing, “We shall be grand folks in our old days; I know we shall, for I have dreamt so three times." So saying, she trotted round to the end of the cottage, and pointed out to the horseman her husband in the distance; who, with Narina, and his dog at his side, was seated upon the bank of a little brook under a palm-tree. Away