he ceased not faring with his merry men for ten full-told days, cutting across the wold and wild and the valley and the stone-clad hill, and he was perplext as to his affair.  But whilst he was still journeying he came upon the river Al-Kawa’ib and he drew in sight of the castle of Al-Hayfa, which stood amiddlemost that mighty stream with its height and bulk and defensive strength.  Hereupon quoth Yusuf to himself, “By Allah, none founded this puissant fortalice in such power and prepotency and forcefulness save for a mighty matter and a cause of much consequence.  Would Heaven I wot to whom this belongeth and who dwelleth therein!” Then he applied his mind and had recourse to the knowledge of his companions the Mamelukes and he commanded all his white slaves alight upon the marge of the river for the purpose of rest, and when they had reposed he asked them, “Who amongst you will go down to this stream and will over-swim it and will visit the lord of the Castle and bring us news of it and tidings of its ownership and discover for us the man to whom it belongeth?” But as no one would return him a reply he repeated his words without any answer and he, when he saw that, arose forthright and doffed what he had upon him of dress, all save his shirt only.  Then he took his bow and quiver and placing his clothes with his weapon and arrow-case upon his head he went down to the river and swam it until he came forth it on the further side.  Here he walked up to the gateway and found an impregnable entrance all of steel which none might avail to open, but when he saw the verses thereon inscribed and understood their significance he gave himself joy and was certified of entering.  Then he took from his quiver a pen-case and paper whereupon he inscribed these couplets,

“At your door, O Fountains of weal, I stand * A stranger from
     home and a-morning bann’d. 
Your grace shall haply forfend my foe * And the hateful band of
     unfriends disband: 
I have none resort save your gates, the which * With verse like
     carcanet see I spann’d: 
Ibn Sahl hath ’spied with you safe repair, * So for lonesome
     stranger approach command!”

And when Yusuf had ended his writing, he folded the paper and made it fast to a shaft; then he took his bow and arming it drew the string and aimed the arrow at the upper terrace, where it dropped within the parapet.  Now, by the decree of The Decreer Al-Hayfa was walking there with her women when the shaft fell between her feet and the paper became manifest, so she caught sight of it and took it up and opened it, and having read it understood its significance.  Hereat she rejoiced and congratulated herself and her cheeks flushed rosy-red, and presently she went hastily in the direction of the entrance, whilst her women still looked down from the terrace upon the doorway and saw Yusuf a-foot before it.  They cried out to their lady, “Verily there standeth below a youth lovely in his youthfulness, with his face