In the third place, take with thee a phial wherewith I will provide thee, and this is for carrying the water which thou, Inshallah—­God willing—­shalt bring back.  As soon as the morn shall morrow do thou arise with the light and go forth riding thy chosen steed and leading the other alongside of thee by the reins.  When thou shalt reach the iron portals which open upon the castle-court, at no great distance from the gate, do thou cast the ball of thread upon the ground before thee.  Forthwith it will begin rolling onwards of its own will towards the castle door; and do thou follow it through the open entrance until such time as it stop its course.  At this moment thou shalt see the four lions; and the two that wake and watch will rouse the twain that sleep and rest.  All four will turn their jaws to the ground and growl and roar with hideous howlings, and make as though about to fall upon thee and tear thee limb from limb.  However, fear not nor be dismayed, but ride boldly on and throw to the ground from off the led-horse the sheep’s quarters, one to each lion.  See that thou alight not from thy steed, but gore his ribs with thy shovel stirrup[FN#344] and ride with all thy might and main up to the basin which gathereth the water.  Here dismount and fill the phial whilst the lions will be busied eating.  Lastly, return with all speed and the beasts will not prevent thy passing by them.”  Next day, at peep of morn, Prince Ahmad did according to all that Peri-Banu had bidden him and rode forth to the castle.  Then, having passed through the iron portals and crossed the court and opened the door, he entered the hall, where he threw the quarters of the sheep before the lions, one to each, and speedily reached the Spring.  He filled his phial with water from the basin and hurried back with all haste.  But when he had ridden some little distance he turned about and saw two of the guardian lions following upon his track; however, he was on no wise daunted but drew his sabre from the sheath to prepare him for self-protection.  Hereat one of the twain seeing him bare his brand for defence, retired a little way from the road and, standing at gaze, nodded his head and wagged his tail, as though to pray the Prince to put up his scymitar and to assure him that he might ride in peace and fear no peril.  The other lion then sprang forwards ahead of him and kept close him, and the two never ceased to escort him until they reached the city, nay even the gate of the Palace.  The second twain also brought up the rear till Prince Ahmad had entered the Palace-door; and, when they were certified of this, all four went back by the way they came.  Seeing such wondrous spectacle, the towns-folk all fled in dire dismay, albeit the enchanted beasts molested no man; and presently some mounted horsemen espying their lord riding alone and unattended came up to him and helped him alight.  The Sultan was sitting in his audience-hall conversing with his Wazirs and Ministers when his son appeared