One day, my country and my parents recurred to my recollection, which made me pensive and melancholy.  Seeing my thoughtful looks, Bihzad Khan joined his hands together, and stood before me, [378] and began to say, “If on the part of this slave any failure has occurred in performing his duty, then let the same be stated.”  I said, “For God’s sake, why mention this? you have behaved to us in such a manner, that we have lived in this city as comfortably as any one does in his mother’s womb; for I had committed such an act that every individual straw had become my enemy.  Who was such a friend to us, that we could have tarried here a moment?  May God preserve you in happiness!  You are a brave man.” Bihzad Khan then said, “If you are tired of this place, I will conduct you in safety wherever you wish to go.”  I then said, “If I could reach my own country, I should see my parents; I am in this state; Lord knows what may have been their condition.  I have attained the object for which I quitted my country; and it is proper I should now return [to my relations]; they have no tidings of me, whether I am dead or alive; [God knows] what sorrow they may feel in their hearts.”  That brave man replied, “It is very proper,—­let us go.”  Saying this, he brought a Turkish horse for me, which could travel a hundred kos a-day, and a swift quiet mare of unclipped wings [379] for the princess, and made us both mount; then putting on his cuirass and arming himself completely, he mounted on his horse and said, “I will go before, do you follow me with full confidence.”

When we came to the city gate, he gave a loud cry, and with his mace broke the bolt, and frightened the guards; he vociferated to them, “Ye rascals, go and tell your master that Bihzad Khan is carrying off the princess Mihrnigar, and the prince Kamgar, who is his son-in-law; if he has any spark of manhood, then let him come out and rescue her; do not you be saying that I carried her off in silence and by stealth, otherwise let him stay in the fort and enjoy his repose.”  This news soon reached the king; he ordered the wazir and general to seize the three rebellious ones, and bring them tied neck and heels to the royal presence, and cut off their heads and lay them before the throne.  After a short time, a numerous body of troops appeared, and the heavens and earth were darkened by a whirlwind of dust. Bihzad Khan placed the princess and me on the abutment of an arch of the bridge which, like the bridge of Jaunpur, consisted of twelve arches, and he himself turned about, and pushed his horse towards the troops; he rushed in among them like a growling lion; the whole body was dispersed like a flock of sheep, [380] and he penetrated to the two chiefs and cut off both their heads.  When the chiefs were killed, the troops dispersed, as the saying is, that “All depends on the head; when it is gone, all is lost.”  The king came immediately to their assistance, with a body of armed troops; Bihzad Khan completely defeated them also.