Mazin lodged with him that night, and in the morning the sage inquired of him his situation, and the reason of his coming to such a sequestered spot.

Mazin informed him; and, behold! this personage was Abd al Kuddoos; who, when he heard his guest mention particulars of his brother’s children, redoubled his attentions to him, and said, “Did they give you any letter?” Mazin replied, “Yes.”  He eagerly exclaimed, “Give it to me.”  He gave it him, when he opened it, read it to himself, and considered the contents word byword.

Abd al Kuddoos gazed earnestly at Mazin; reflected on his adventures, at which he was astonished; and how he had plunged himself into danger and difficulty in such a wild pursuit.  He then said to him, “My son, my advice is, that thou return by the way which thou hast come, and no longer vex thy soul on account of impossibilities, for this business thou canst not accomplish.  I will write to the daughters of my brother what shall make thee happy with them, and restore thy peace.  Return then to them, and perplex not thyself farther, for between this spot and the islands of Waak al Waak is the distance of a hundred and fifty years’ journey.  On the way also are numerous perils, for in it are the abodes of genii, the haunts of wild beasts, and monstrous serpents, and some parts also where food cannot be had or thirst be gratified.  Have compassion then, my son, upon thyself, and rush not on destruction.”

Abd al Kuddoos continued to dissuade him from his resolution during three days, but he would not hear advice or reproof.  On the third he prepared to depart, being sufficiently refreshed; upon which the old man, seeing his steadiness, arose, kindled a fire, cast into it some perfumes, and uttered incantations, to Mazin unintelligible; when suddenly appeared a genie, in stature forty cubits; he was one of the subdued spirits of our lord Solomon.  He muttered and growled, saying, “For what, my lord, hast thou summoned me here? shall I tear up this eminence by the roots, and hurl it beyond the mountains of Kaaf?”

Abd al Kuddoos replied, “God be merciful to thee; I have occasion for thee, and request that thou wilt accomplish my wish in one day:”  upon which the genie answered, “To hear is to obey.”

Abd al Kuddoos then said to the genie, “Take up this young man, and convey him to my brother Abd al Sullecb.”  He consented, though the distance was a common journey of seventy years.  The genie advanced, seized Mazin, and placing him upon his shoulders, soared with him through the air from morning till sunset, when he descended before Abd al Sulleeb, paid his respects, and informed him of the commands of his brother Abd al Kuddoos.  Upon this he greeted Mazin, who presented him the letter from the daughters of his brother, which he opened and read.  When he had examined the contents, he was astonished at the circumstances which had befallen Mazin, his arrival with him, and his resolve to penetrate to the islands of Waak al Waak.  He then said to him, “My son, I advise that thou vex not thyself with these difficulties and dangers, for thou canst never attain thy object, or reach these islands.”