The prince of Tuman happened to be awake, and was listening to this conference, which ended in favor of those who were for making the strangers prisoners. He awakened Hatim, who addressed the demons in their own language, saying, “Friends, we have travelled far, and being fatigued, we here sought repose. Why have you disturbed our slumbers, and what is your business with us?”—“We wish to know,” they replied, “who you are.”—“For me,” said Hatim, “I am a helpless stranger wandering I know not whither. Shams Shah, the king of the fairies, has exterminated the tribe of Mukarnas, and burnt their dwellings, which is the cause of my being here. This he has done for the sake of one of the race of Adam, who is now journeying to the island of Barzakh. Now if you wish to serve your prince effectually, go and search for the man on whose account such a havoc has been committed, and leave peaceful travellers like myself and my companion to go their own way.”—“If your tribe,” resumed the demons, “has thus suffered, how can you associate with a fairy? Tell us of what tribe is your friend.”—“He is prince of Tuman,” replied Hatim, “and one of your allies.”—“Enough,” returned the demons, “you may sleep secure, none of us shall disturb you, as we may find better occupation in capturing the man whom you mention.”
The demons departed; and Hatim, addressing the fairy prince, said, “Let us arise, and speed hence; the demon race is not to be trusted.” They accordingly set off, and Journeyed without intermission till the evening of the third day, when they arrived on the sea-shore. “This,” said the fairy prince, “is the sea of Kahrman, in which is situated the island of Barzakh.”—“How are we to cross?” said Hatim, “for so far as my eye can reach, I see not any vessel on that wide ocean.”—“I shall find means for crossing the sea,” replied the fairy, “for at a distance of nine farasangs, there is a province where winged horses are bred. These animals can fly to any distance across the ocean, nor can any storm interrupt their course. Do you, then, remain here during my absence, and I will go forthwith and procure two winged horses, by whose means success will crown our adventure.”
The prince of Tuman left Hatim on the sea-shore, and swiftly cleft the air with his pinions till he reached the country of the winged horses. As he was intimate with the prince of that province, he was speedily admitted to an interview, and stated the object of his visit, saying, “I require two of your swiftest steeds, in order to cross the sea to Barzakh: if you do me this favor, you will have a claim to my services for life.” On hearing his request, the prince gave him his choice of all his winged horses; and the prince of Tuman having selected the two he considered best, returned to his companion.
The friends immediately mounted; and when Hatim saw the horses spread their wings and soar aloft like eagles among the clouds, his astonishment was beyond description; and so swift was their flight, that he could scarcely keep his seat. In a few days half the distance was run down; but Hatim was so overcome with hunger, thirst, and drowsiness, that he found it impossible to proceed further. He mentioned his distress to the fairy prince, who handed him a small apple, saying, “Eat even a few grains of this rare fruit, and all your weariness will be dispelled.” Hatim tasted of the apple, and the effect was miraculous; he felt his strength and vigor restored, nor did he during the rest of the passage feel the least fatigued.
A few days afterwards the horses descended upon the further shore of the sea of Kahrman. Hatim rejoiced to find himself safe on land; and said to his companion, “My dear friend, surely we have passed the island of Barzakh, which, as I am informed, is in the midst of the sea.”—“Noble Arab,” replied the fairy, “this is part of the island where we have landed, but it will take ten days more to reach the capital; and now that I think of it, I shall by your leave go and assemble my own troops, that they may accompany us thither.”—“Think better of it,” said Hatim; “are we forsooth going to wage war with Mahyar Sulaimani?”—“No,” said the fairy prince, “but I know that we shall meet with many interruptions, and that soon, unless we use this precaution.”—“What time will be requisite for you,” asked Hatim, “to assemble your troops and return hither?”—“You may for certain expect me,” answered the fairy, “by the end of seven days.”
The fairy prince took leave of Hatim, who, when left thus solitary, began to explore the surrounding country. He soon came to a fragrant garden, the doors of which were all wide open. He entered; and his eyes were delighted with the sight of trees, which bore loads of fruit of every size and color, and of finer quality than he had ever met with. Thus Hatim enjoyed himself for the week, walking undisturbed in the wide garden. The horses, too, were so tame and so attached to him, that during the day they grazed on the sea-shore, and at night they returned to the door of the garden.
Meanwhile the fairy prince reached his paternal dominions. When his subjects saw him, they quickly conveyed the tidings to his father and mother, who came out to meet their beloved son. After mutual greeting, the father thus spoke: “My dear son, it is long since you left us at the head of your troops on an expedition to the island of Barzakh. How did it happen that you absconded from your army? Thought you not of the distress and sorrow which we must have endured by your absence? But I will not upbraid you, my beloved son; tell me at once, have you attained the object of your wish?”
The prince, with tears in his eyes, replied, “Forgive me, father, how could I expect success when I have acted so regardless of you? Since my departure, I have met with nothing but pain and disappointment, till lately when my destinies have proved favorable. I have found a sincere friend in the noblest of the human race. Hatim Taï, the prince of Arabia, is now journeying from Shahabad for the pearl of the murghab, which is in the possession of Mahyar. He found me sad and solitary in the cavern of a mountain; he learned from me the cause of my sorrow, and said to me in the voice of benevolence, ‘Despair not, my friend, I am confident that I shall succeed; and as I desire only the pearl, I will bestow the lady upon you.’ This, my father, is not a vain promise, for Hatim is pure in heart and sincere in speech.”
When the father and mother heard this statement, they laughed at the prince’s credulity, while the former said to him in reply, “Truly, my son, you are more simple and inexperienced than I thought you. The most skilful of our own race have in vain endeavored to procure that pearl; how then can a mere mortal of the race of Adam, who knows nothing of our secret arts, be expected to succeed in such an undertaking? Are you really so foolish as to build your hope on such a slender foundation?”—“Father,” replied the prince, “Hatim is a man of surpassing wisdom. He has travelled much, and has made himself acquainted with all the mystic sciences of the sublunary creation. With this intent he has accompanied me across the sea of Kahrman, and is now waiting my return on the coast of Barzakh.”—“Well, my son,” said the king, “tell me your present purpose in parting with him, and in coming hither.”—“To obtain from you a convoy of your best troops,” replied the prince, “that we may proceed in safety to the court of Mahyar.”
The king, after brief consideration, summoned twelve thousand of his chosen troops, which he appointed as guards for his son. The prince took an affectionate leave of his parents, and at the head of his select army, departed for the island of Barzakh, while the king raised recruits to supply their place. In a little more than the appointed time, the prince arrived in the island of Barzakh, and surrounded by his troops, passed the night in the garden where Hatim had resided, and next morning they began their march towards the capital. Meanwhile Mahyar Sulaimani received intelligence that a host of fairies numerous as the sand had landed in a remote corner of the island; whereupon he quickly led forth his own forces, so as to be ready to receive them, should their intention prove hostile.