So saying, Prince Bahman bade them farewell once more, and started on the high road, well mounted and fully armed.  For twenty days he rode straight on, turning neither to the right hand nor to the left, till he found himself drawing near the frontiers of Persia.  Seated under a tree by the wayside he noticed a hideous old man, with a long white moustache, and beard that almost fell to his feet.  His nails had grown to an enormous length, and on his head he wore a huge hat, which served him for an umbrella.

Prince Bahman, who, remembering the directions of the old woman, had been since sunrise on the look-out for some one, recognised the old man at once to be a dervish.  He dismounted from his horse, and bowed low before the holy man, saying by way of greeting, “My father, may your days be long in the land, and may all your wishes be fulfilled!”

The dervish did his best to reply, but his moustache was so thick that his words were hardly intelligible, and the prince, perceiving what was the matter, took a pair of scissors from his saddle pockets, and requested permission to cut off some of the moustache, as he had a question of great importance to ask the dervish.  The dervish made a sign that he might do as he liked, and when a few inches of his hair and beard had been pruned all round the prince assured the holy man that he would hardly believe how much younger he looked.  The dervish smiled at his compliments, and thanked him for what he had done.

“Let me,” he said, “show you my gratitude for making me more comfortable by telling me what I can do for you.”

“Gentle dervish,” replied Prince Bahman, “I come from far, and I seek the Talking Bird, the Singing Tree, and the Golden Water.  I know that they are to be found somewhere in these parts, but I am ignorant of the exact spot.  Tell me, I pray you, if you can, so that I may not have travelled on a useless quest.”  While he was speaking, the prince observed a change in the countenance of the dervish, who waited for some time before he made reply.

“My lord,” he said at last, “I do know the road for which you ask, but your kindness and the friendship I have conceived for you make me loth to point it out.”

“But why not?” inquired the prince.  “What danger can there be?”

“The very greatest danger,” answered the dervish.  “Other men, as brave as you, have ridden down this road, and have put me that question.  I did my best to turn them also from their purpose, but it was of no use.  Not one of them would listen to my words, and not one of them came back.  Be warned in time, and seek to go no further.”

“I am grateful to you for your interest in me,” said Prince Bahman, “and for the advice you have given, though I cannot follow it.  But what dangers can there be in the adventure which courage and a good sword cannot meet?”

“And suppose,” answered the dervish, “that your enemies are invisible, how then?”