builded all with stones of emerald and rubies, and its doors were
of sheer gold. Before it was a bridge, the length whereof was an
hundred and fifty cubits and its breadth fifty cubits, and it was
[wroughten] of the rib of a fish; whilst at the other end of the
bridge were many warriors [FN#84] of the Jinn, gruesome and
terrible of aspect, and all of them bore in their hands javelins
of steel that flashed in the sun like winter lightning. [FN#85]
Quoth Zein ul Asnam to Mubarek, "This is a thing that taketh the
wits;" and Mubarek said to him, "It behoveth us abide in our
place neither fare forward, lest a mischance betide us. O God,
[vouchsafe us] safety!" Therewith he brought out of his pocket
four pieces of yellow silken stuff and girded himself with one
thereof; the second he laid on his shoulders and gave Zein ul
Asnam other two pieces, with which he girded himself [and covered
his shoulders] on like wise. Moreover, he spread before each of
them a sash of white silk and bringing forth of his pocket
precious stones and perfumes, such as ambergris and aloes-wood,
[set them on the edges thereof ; [FN#86]] after which they sat
down, each on his sash, and Mubarek taught Zein ul Asnam these
words, which he should say to the King of the Jinn, to wit: "O my
lord King of the Jinn, we are in thy safeguard." And Zein ul
Asnam said to him, "And I will instantly conjure him that he
accept of us."

Then said Mubarek, "O my lord, by Allah, I am exceeding fearful.
But now hearken; an he be minded to accept of us without hurt, he
will come to us in the semblance of a man accomplished in grace
and goodliness; but, an he have no mind to us, he will come to us
in a gruesome and a frightful aspect. An thou see him surpassing
in beauty, arise forthright and salute him, but beware lest thou