afford to live at such a rate, since he had no revenue or income
assigned him; that he seemed to come to court only to brave him;
and that it was to be feared he might stir up the people's favour
and dethrone him.

The Sultan of the Indies was so far from thinking that Prince Ahmed
could be capable of so wicked a design as his favourites would make
him believe, that he said to them, 'You are mistaken; my son loves
me, and I am assured of his tenderness and fidelity. Be it as it
will, I do not believe my son Ahmed is so wicked as you would
persuade me he is; however, I am obliged to you for your good
advice, and do not doubt that it proceeds from a good intention.'

The Sultan of the Indies said this that his favourites might not
know the impression their hints had made on his mind. He was,
however, so much alarmed that he resolved to have Prince Ahmed
watched, unknown to his grand vizier. For this end he sent for a
sorceress, who was introduced by a private door into his room. 'My
son Ahmed comes to my court every month; but I cannot learn from
him where he resides, and I do not wish to force his secret out of
him; but I believe you are capable of satisfying my curiosity,
without letting him, or any of my court, know anything of the
matter. You know that at present he is here with me, and is used to
go away without taking leave of me, or any of my court. Go
immediately out on the road, find out where he retires, and bring
me word.'

The magician left the sultan, and knowing the place where Prince
Ahmed found his arrow, went thither and hid herself near the rocks,
so that nobody could see her.