In and out of it flowed water like attar. The prince felt sure
this must be the place of the Simurgh.' he dismounted, turned
his horse loose to graze, ate some of the food Jamila had given
him, drank of the stream and lay down to sleep.

He was still dozing when he was aroused by the neighing and
pawing of his horse. When he could see clearly he made out a
mountain-like dragon whose heavy breast crushed the stones
beneath it into putty. He remembered the Thousand Names of God
and took the bow of Salih from its case and three arrows from
their quiver. He bound the dagger of Tlmus firmly to his waist
and hung the scorpion of Solomon round his neck. Then he set an
arrow on the string and released it with such force that it went
in at the monster's eye right up to the notch. The dragon
writhed on itself, and belched forth an evil vapour, and beat the
ground with its head till the earth quaked. Then the prince took
a second arrow and shot into its throat. It drew in its breath
and would have sucked the prince into its maw, but when he was
within striking distance he drew his sword and, having committed
himself to God, struck a mighty blow which cut the creature's
neck down to the gullet. The foul vapour of the beast and horror
at its strangeness now overcame the prince, and he fainted. When
he came to himself he found that he was drenched in the gore of
the dead monster. He rose and thanked God for his deliverance.

The nest of the Simurgh was in the wonderful tree above him, and
in it were young birds; the parents were away searching for food.
They always told the children, before they left them, not to put
their heads out of the nest; but, to-day, at the noise of the
fight below, they looked down and so saw the whole affair. By