that it hath been wrought by virtue of a water contained in this flagon which I sprinkled in the rocks with leave of the Lord of all Living.  When I had gained possession of this cage and its Speaking-Bird, and also of the Singing-Tree, a wand whereof ye see in my hand, and lastly of the Golden-Water, I would not take them home with me unless ye twain could also bear me company; so I asked of this Bird the means whereby ye could be brought to life again.  He made me drop some drops of the Golden-Water on the boulders and when I had done this ye two like all the others returned to life and to your proper forms.”  Hearing these her words the Princes Bahman and Parwez thanked and praised their sister Perizadah; and all the other she had saved showered thanks and blessings on her hear saying with one accord, “O our lady, we are now thy slaves; nor can a lifelong service repay the debt of gratitude we owe thee for this favour thou hast shown us.  Command and we are ready to obey thee with our hearts and our souls.”  Quoth Perizadah, “The bringing back to life of these my brothers were my aim and purpose, and in so doing ye too have profited thereby; and I accept your acknowledgements as another pleasure.  But now do ye mount each and every man his horse and ride back by the way ye came to your homes in Allah’s peace.”  On this wise the Princess dismissed them and made herself ready to depart; but, as she was about to bestride her steed, Prince Bahman asked permission of her that he might hold in hand the cage and ride in front of her.  She answered, “Not so, O brother mine; this Bird is now my slave and I will carry him myself.  An thou wilt, take thou this twig with thee, but hold the cage only till I am seated in saddle.”  She then mounted her hackney and, placing the cage before her on the pommel, bade her brother Parwez take charge of the Golden-Water in the silver flagon and carry it with all ease and the Prince did her bidding without gainsaying.  And when they were all ready to ride forth, including the knights and the squires whom Perizadah had brought to life by sprinkling the Water the Princess turned to them and said, “Why delay we our departure and how is it that none offereth to lead us?” Bur as all hesitated she gave command, “Now let him amongst you number whose noblesse and high degree entitle him to such distinction fare before us and show us the way.”  Then all with one accord replied, “O Princes of fair ones, there be none amongst us worthy of such honour, nor may any wight dare to ride before thee.”  So when she saw that none amongst them claimed preeminence or right of guidance, and none desired to take precedence of the rest, she made excuse and said, “O my lords, ’tis not for me by right to lead the way, but since ye order I must needs obey.”  Accordingly she pushed on to the front, and after came her brothers and behind them the rest.  And as they journeyed on all desired to see the holy man, and thank him for his favours and friendly rede, but when they reached the spot where he dwelt they found him dead, and they knew not if old age had taken him away, or if he perished in his prise because the Princess Perizadah had found and carried off the three things whereof he had been appointed by Destiny guard and guide.—­And as the morn began to dawn Shahrazad held her peace till