that he was setting out on a long journey, and begged him not to
be anxious, and to keep safe the goods which had been entrusted
to him.

The prince had not the least knowledge of the way to Waq of the
Caucasus, and was cast down by the sense of his helplessness. He
was walking along by his horse's side when there appeared before
him an old man of serene countenance, dressed in green and
carrying a staff, who resembled Khizr.[FN#8] The prince thanked
heaven, laid the hands of reverence on his breast and salaamed.
The old man returned the greeting graciously, and asked: 'How
fare you? Whither are you bound? You look like a traveller.'

'O revered saint! I am in this difficulty: I do not know the way
to Waq of the Caucasus.' The old man of good counsel looked at
the young prince and said: 'Turn back from this dangerous
undertaking. Do not go; choose some other task! If you had a
hundred lives you would not bring one out safe from this
journey.' But his words had no effect on the prince's resolve.
'What object have you,' the old man asked, 'in thus consuming
your life?'

'I have an important piece of business to do, and only this
journey makes it possible. I must go; I pray you, ill God's
name, tell me the way.'

When the saint saw that the prince was not to be moved, he said:
' Learn and know, O youth! that Waq of Qaf is in the Caucasus and
is a dependency of it. In it there are jins, demons, and peris.
You must go on along this road till it forks into three; take