Young Folks Treasury, Volume 2 (of 12) eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 686 pages of information about Young Folks Treasury, Volume 2 (of 12).

Young Folks Treasury, Volume 2 (of 12) eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 686 pages of information about Young Folks Treasury, Volume 2 (of 12).
midst of the army.  When the Genii saw it, and caught sight also of the great club, they fled in the wildest confusion, fathers trampling upon their sons in their eagerness to escape.  The hero put the whole herd of them to the sword, and then returned as fast as he could to the place where he had left Aulad bound to the tree.  He unloosed the knots of the lasso, and bidding him lead the way to the prison-house of the King, set spurs to Raksh, Aulad running in front as before.

When they entered the town, Raksh neighed.  His voice was as loud as thunder, and the King heard it, and in a moment understood all that had happened.  “That is the voice of Raksh,” he said to the Persians that were with him; “our evil days are over.  This was the way in which he neighed in King Kobad’s time, when he made war on the Scythians.”

The Persians said to themselves, “Our poor King has lost his senses, or he is dreaming.  There is no help for us.”  But they had hardly finished speaking when the hero appeared, and did homage to the King.  Kaoues embraced him, and then said:  “If you are to help me, you must go before the Genii know of your coming.  So soon as the White Genius shall hear of the fall of Arzeng, he will assemble such an army of his fellows as shall make all your pains and labor lost.  But you must know that you have great difficulties to overcome.  First, you must cross seven mountains, all of them occupied by troops of Genii; then you will see before you a terrible cavern—­more terrible, I have heard say, than any other place in the world.  The entrance to it is guarded by warrior Genii, and in it dwells the White Genius himself.  He is both the terror and the hope of his army.  Conquer him, and all will be well.  A wise physician tells me that the only remedy for my blindness is to drop into my eyes three drops of the White Genius’s blood.  Go and conquer, if you would save your King.”

Without any delay Rustem set forth, Raksh carrying him like the wind.  When he reached the great cavern, he said to Aulad, who had guided him on his way as before, “The time of conflict is come.  Show me the way.”

Aulad answered, “When the sun shall grow hot, the Genii will go to sleep.  That will be your time to conquer them.”

Rustem waited till the sun was at its highest, and then went forth to battle.  The Genii that were on guard fled at the sound of his voice, and he went on without finding any to resist him till he came to the great cavern of which the King had spoken.  It was a terrible place to see, and he stood for a while with his sword in his hand, doubting what he should do.  No one would choose such a spot for battle; and as for escaping from it, that was beyond all hope.  Long he looked into the darkness, and at last he saw a monstrous shape, which seemed to reach across the whole breadth of the cave.  It was the White Genius that was lying asleep.  Rustem did not attempt to surprise him in his sleep, but

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Young Folks Treasury, Volume 2 (of 12) from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.