sought his protection. The King granted his prayer and writing letters to all his governors, levied
an army as it were the surging sea, having neither beginning nor end, wherewith he purposeth to
invade Al-Irak and lay it waste." When Gharib heard this, he said, "Perish the Misbelievers!
Verily, Allah Almighty shall give the victory to Al-Islam and I will soon show them hew and
foin." Said Mura'ash, "O King of humans, by the virtue of the Mighty Name, I must needs go
with thee to thy kingdom and destroy thy foes and bring thee to thy wish." Gharib thanked him
and they rested on this resolve till the morrow, when they set out, intending for Mount Caucasus
and marched many days till they reached the City of Alabaster and the Pied Palace. Now this city
was fashioned of alabaster and precious stones by Barik bin Faki', father of the Jinn, and he also
founded the Pied Palace, which was so named because edified with one brick of gold alternating
with one of silver, nor was there builded aught like it in all the world. When they came within
half a day's journey of the city, they halted to take their rest, and Mura'ash sent out to
reconnoitre a scout who returned and said, "O King, within the City of Alabaster are legions of
the Jinn, for number as the leaves of the trees or as the drops of rain." So Mura'ash said to
Gharib, "How shall we do, O King of Mankind?" He replied, "O King, divide your men into four
bodies and encompass with them the camp of the Infidels; then, in the middle of the Night, let
them cry out, saying, 'God is Most Great!' and withdraw and watch what happeneth among the
tribes of the Jinn." So Mura'ash did as Gharib counselled and the troops waited till midNight,
when they encircled the foe and shouted "Allaho Akbar! Ho for the Faith of Abraham the Friend,
on whom be the Peace!" The Misbelievers at this cry awoke in affright and snatching up their
arms, fell one upon other till the morning, when most part of them were dead bodies and but few
remained. Then Gharib cried out to the True Believers, saying, "Up and at the remnant of the
Kafirs! Behold I am with you, and Allah is your helper!" So the Moslems crave at the enemy and
Gharib bared his magical blade Al-Mahik and fell upon the foe, lopping off noses and making
heads wax hoary and whole ranks turn tail. At last be came up with Barkan and smote him and
bereft him of life and he fell down, drenched in his blood. On like wise he did with the Blue
King, and by undurn-hour not one of the Kafirs was left alive to tell the tale. Then Gharib and
Mura'ash entered the Pied Palace and found its walls builded of alternate courses of gold and
silver, with door-sills of crystal and keystones of greenest emerald. In its midst was a fountain
adorned with bells and pendants and figures of birds and beasts spouting forth water, and thereby