little to the hilarity of the scene; they approached the plain full of
sportiveness, some coursing butterflies, others culling flowers, or
picking up the shining little pebbles that attracted their notice. At
intervals they nimbly started from each other, for the sake of being
caught again, and mutually imparting a thousand caresses.

The dreadful chasm at whose bottom the portal of ebony was placed began
to appear at a distance; it looked like a black streak that divided the
plain. Morakanabad and his companions took it for some work which the
Caliph had ordered; unhappy men! little did they surmise for what it was
destined.

Vathek, not liking they should examine it too nearly, stopped the
procession, and ordered a spacious circle to be formed on this side, at
some distance from the accursed chasm. The body-guard of eunuchs was
detached to measure out the lists intended for the games, and prepare
ringles for the lines to keep off the crowd. The fifty competitors were
soon stripped, and presented to the admiration of the spectators the
suppleness and grace of their delicate limbs; their eyes sparkled with a
joy which those of their fond parents reflected. Every one offered
wishes for the little candidate nearest his heart, and doubted not of his
being victorious; a breathless suspense awaited the contest of these
amiable and innocent victims.

The Caliph, awaiting himself of the first moment to retire from the
crowd, advanced towards the chasm, and there heard, yet not without
shuddering, the voice of the Indian, who, gnashing his teeth, eagerly
demanded: "Where are they? where are they? perceivest thou not how my
mouth waters?"