fore, whether you value them or not, give me your opinion and consider what person I may send on this expedition.'
'Sister,' replied Prince Bahman, 'what concerns you concerns us also. It is enough that you have an earnest desire for the things you mention; but even if it were otherwise, we should be anxious to go and search for them on our own account. Only tell me where the place is, and I will set out to-morrow.'
'Brother,' said Prince Perviz, 'it is not fitting that you, who are the head of the family, should be absent so long. I beg you will abandon your design, and allow me to undertake it.'
'I am sure of your goodwill, brother,' replied Prince Bahman. 'but I have resolved on it, and shall do it. You shall stay at home with our sister, and I need not recommend her to your care.' He spent the remainder of that day in making preparations for his journey, and in learning from the princess the directions the devout woman left her, that he might not miss his way.
Early the next morning. Prince Bahman mounted his horse, and Prince Perviz and the Princess Parizade embraced him and wished him a pleasant journey. But in the midst of their farewells, the princess recollected one thing which she had not thought of before. 'Brother,' said she, 'I had quite forgotten the accidents which attend travellers. Who knows whether I shall ever see you again? Alight, I beseech you, and give up this journey. I would rather be deprived of the sight and possession of the speaking bird, the singing tree, and yellow water, than run the risk of never seeing you more.'
'Sister,' replied Prince Bahman, smiling at the sudden fears of the Princess Parizade, 'my resolution is fixed, and you must allow me to execute it. The accidents you speak of befall only those who are unfortunate. It is true I may be of that number; but there are more who are not than who are, and I may be of the former number. But as events are uncertain, and I may fail, all I can do is to leave you this knife.'
Then Prince Bahman pulled a knife out of his pocket, and presenting it in the sheath to the princess, said: 'Take this knife, sister, and sometimes pull it out of the sheath: while you see it clean as it is now, it shall be a sign that I am alive; but if you
