"
"Nothing," replied Prince Bahman to the dervish, "shall make me change
my intention. Whoever attacks me, I am brave and well armed."
"But they who will attack you are not to be seen," said the dervish.
"How will you defend yourself against invisible persons?"
"It is no matter," answered the prince; "all you can say shall not
persuade me to forego my purpose. Since you know the way, I once more
conjure you to inform me."
When the dervish found he could not prevail upon Prince Bahman to
relinquish his journey, he put his hand into a bag that lay by him and
pulled out a bowl, which he presented to him. "Since you will not be
led by my advice," said he, "take this bowl: when you have mounted
your horse, throw it before you, and follow it to the foot of a
mountain. There, as soon as the bowl stops, alight, leave your horse
with the bridle over his neck, and he will stand in the same place
till you return. As you ascend you will see on your right and left a
great number of large black stones, and will hear on all sides a
confusion of voices, which will utter a thousand injurious threats to
discourage you, and prevent your reaching the summit of the mountain.
Be not afraid; but above all things, do not turn your head to look
behind you; for in an instant you will be changed into such a black
stone as those you see, which are all youths who have failed in this
enterprise. If you escape the danger, of which I give you but a faint
idea, and get to the top of the mountain, you will see a cage, and in
that cage is the bird you seek; ask him which are the singing-tree and
the yellow-water, and he will tell you.
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