Destiny, or whether some enemy have slain him; and if he hath been killed then must I take full vengeance on his murtherer.”  Perizadah besought him with much weeping and wailing not to leave her, and said, “O joy of my heart, Allah upon thee, follow not in the footsteps of our dear departed brother or quit me in order to attempt a journey so rife in risks.  I care naught for those things in my fear lest I lose thee also while attempting such enterprise.”  But Prince Parwez would in no wise listen to her lament and next day took leave of her, but ere he fared she said to him, “The hunting-knife which Bahman left with me was the means of informing us concerning the mishap which happened to him; but, say me how I shall know what happeneth to thee?” Then he produced a string of pearls which numbered one hundred and said, “As long as thou shalt see these pearls all parted one from other and each running loose upon the string, then do thou know that I am alive; but an thou shouldst find them fixed and adhering together then be thou ware that I am dead.”  The Princess taking the string of pearls hung it around her neck, determined to observe it hour after hour and find out how it fared with her second brother.  After this Prince Parwez set out upon his travels and at the twentieth stage came to the same spot where Bahman had found the Darwaysh and saw him there in like condition.  Then, after saluting him with the salam, the Prince asked, “Canst thou tell me where to find the Speaking-Bird and the Singing-Tree and the Golden-Water; and by what manner of means I may get possession of them?  An thou can I pray thee inform me of this matter.”—­And as the morn began to dawn Shahrazad held her peace till

     The end of the Six Hundred and Seventy-seventh Night.

Then said she:—­I have heard, O auspicious King, that the Darwaysh strave to stay Prince Parwez from his design and shewed him all the dangers on the way.  Quoth he, “Not many days ago one like unto thee in years and in features came hither and enquired of me concerning the matter you now seekest.  I warned him of the perils of the place and would have weaned him from his wilful ways, but he paid no wise heed to my warnings and refused to accept my counsel.  He went off with full instructions from me on how to find those things he sought; but as yet he hath not returned, and doubtless he also hath perished like the many who preceded him upon that perilous enterprise.”  Then said Prince Parwez, “O holy father, I know the man of whom thou speakest, for that he was my brother; and I learned that he was dead, but have no inkling of the cause whereby he died.”  Replied the Darwaysh, “O my lord, I can inform thee on this matter; he hath been transmewed into a black stone, like the others of whom I just now spake to thee.  If thou wilt not accept my advice and act accordingly to my counsel thou also shalt perish by the same means as did thy brother; and I solemnly forewarn thee to desist