Beh, (') and where the first rudiments of the Koran were instilled into me. The mollah was a conscientious man, and, therefore, not sparing of his instructions; but as the food for the body, which I received from the money-changer, was not proportionate to that for the mind, which I obtained from the mollah, I did not thrive on either. Indeed, had it not been for the affectionate attentions of Gulchin, the money-changer's daughter, I very probably should have sunk under the miseries I endured. Oftentimes did I determine, as I grew up, to run away, in the hope of dying on the top of some mountain among wild beasts, rather than endure the privations I was made to undergo, but I was always prevented by my affection for Gulchin. She grew up in every grace of body and mind, and as we advanced in years our hearts became united by ties stronger than those of brotherly and sisterly affection. We soon mutually revealed what we could no longer conceal, and we made engagements to love each other by vows of eternal constancy.

It is difficult to say in what capacity I was brought up. I was treated as a slave, frequently as a child of the house, and, as I advanced in life, the money-changer placed more confidence in me than in any other human being, although he scarcely allowed me the necessaries of life. I was permitted to accompany him to his smallest of stalls in the bazaar, where he carried on his traffic, and when he was not otherwise engaged, he would teach me the tricks of his profession, particularly the art of clipping coin, and of extracting from the black stone, on which he tried the purity of the gold which was given him to change, the powder which the metal left upon its surface. I was but a poor scholar, for I had no turn for money-making in any shape, but I endeavoured to acquire his confidence, by never losing an opportunity of exerting myself for his interests. At the proper time I was debarred from seeing Gulchin, for she then became close inmate of the harem, whilst I became a man; but at this juncture her father died, and, to my

(') The Arabic A, B, C.

VOL. I.

50

great grief, I lost the principal charm of my existence, that of seeing and conversing with her. She was conveyed to the house of her uncle, with whom she resided, and it was then with great difficulty that I could communicate with her. My forlorn situation obliged me to abandon all hopes of living near her, for it became necessary to seek some mode of gaining my bread, and the money-changer's brothers, of whom he had many, were neither of them willing to inherit me as a possession. The mollah was still my friend, and he, good man, took me into his house, until I could provide myself with a situation. He possessed an intimate acquaintance in the mirab, or the comptroller of water, an officer appointed by the government to superintend the aqueducts that supplied the city, distributing this necessary of life to the inhabitants according to their wants, and the extent of ground requiring irrigation. This oftentimes was a service of danger, particularly in seasons of drought, when the feuds and squabbles which took place at the opening of the canals were frequently attended by bloodshed. He was in want of an assistant, and my friend the mollah recommended me for the situation, as one able to read, and write, and keep his accounts, as well as to second him in time of need, being a strong active youth, which indeed I was. Having undergone the mirab's inspection, I was accepted, and soon after installed in my office. Provided with a spade as an emblem of office, I appeared in attendance upon my master at the first distribution of the waters. I perceived that I often should be called upon to exercise much inflexibility and resolution, for the gardeners and peasants with whom we had to deal, were a grasping discontented set, always ready to set up claims to more than their due, and enforcing them by something more than mere words. I was fortunate enough to acquire the confidence of my master, who, having discovered that I could be trusted to manage matters alone, frequently left me to deal with the gardeners and peasants single-handed, and I found that more could be done by kind words and conciliation than by the violent language he indulged in.

I became quite reconciled to my new situation, particularly

as it occasionally gave me opportunities of seeing my beloved Gulchin. But I could aspire to nothing more, for what could an unknown youth, poor, without parents, and born a slave, expect? I was not in a situation to marry; besides, I found that her uncles expected to derive great advantages from her beauty, which now became the talk of the city. However, I determined to persevere in my love, seeing that I was loved in return, and to put my trust in Allah, hoping that destiny might throw something fortunate in our path, and my hopes were soon realised. The ensuing summer proved one of extreme drought, and water became so scarce, that fears were entertained lest the reservoirs should fail us. My master enjoined me to use great precaution in the distribution of the water, and, indeed, all my prudence and forbearance were required to meet the violence with which it was contended for.

One morning in the middle of summer, when the heats were raging, and the drought was at its crisis, I went to open the canal, and, to my dismay, so scanty a stream appeared, that I deemed it advisable to foreclose the supply, rather than promote hopes not to be realised.

The gardeners were informed of this, and soon I was beset by a band of fierce men, who demanded their rights in a tone which told me how much their passions were roused, and made me apprehend the worst consequences. I answered, in as conciliating a manner as possible, That there was no water; that the springs were dry, and the aqueduct useless. »

My appeal was retorted by language the most violent and abusive.

"What dirt are you eating? said one. Are we men to stand by and hear such lies, when our gardens are dying for want of moisture, and ruin staring us in the face?»

« Give us water!» roared out a second, or, by the twelve Imams, we will burn your father. »

"See this hand!» exclaimed a third, brandishing a dagger; «1 am not a mussulman if I do not receive my quantum. You a man, indeed, to be assistant of the mirab, and when

"

you ought to be doing your duty, tell us that you will not

act!"

I again explained the impossibility of meeting their demands. I could not produce water where none was. 1 was not a prophet. I could not perform a miracle.

My words were of no avail. I might as well have talked to walls. The abusive language of my opponents became more violent. I was threatened to be torn to pieces. I was approached with violent gestures. Still I bore all with patience; when one, more arrogant than the rest, coming on with a determination to do me harm, and having lifted up his arm to strike, I dealt him such a blow with my spade that it felled him to the ground.

Others then came on. I defended myself with vigour, keeping off the assailants as well as I was able, but I should have fallen a prey to their fury, had not the mirab himself come to my rescue. His superior authority was a sufficient check, and quiet was restored. My conduct, however, was lauded in a manner quite beyond my merit; I was extolled as a hero, and my prowess having come to the ears of the commander of the King's body-guard, I was immediately taken from the service of the mirab, who was loth to part with me, and enrolled among the royal gholams.

This was a piece of elevation for which I was not in the least prepared, and I accepted it with gratitude, as well as hope that it might lead to further advancement. In my exultation, I foresaw the possibility of becoming an accepted suitor to Gulchin.

It was reported that her uncles had recently refused the hand of a respectable tradesman; that their noses were well up, their hearts full of arrogance, and that they asserted she was too good for common mortals, a royal harem only being worthy of her. It was about this time, O King! that your slave had the good fortune to offer his humble assistance in relieving your miseries. See how great my good fortune! Who would have thought that so simple and natural an action would have led to the approval of a great Shah, and placed me in the envied position in which I now sit.

You have spoken well, by Allah! exclaimed Azbeaz, as soon as the youth had closed his lips. You have spoken the truth, which of all virtues is the best as it is the rarest to the ears of a King. Now attend. In the first place, then,

I shall call you Khodadad; for you, indeed, have been a gift of God to me. In the next place, if I enjoy any power as a King, I can raise the man I love best to whatever dignity I choose. I, therefore, create you a khan, So now you are Khodadad Khan! No more words,

Upon which the youth was about to kneel before Azbeaz, to make the proper prostrations, and kiss the hem of his cloak, when he was speedily prevented, desired to sit still, and answer a question.

་་

said Azbeaz,

Now, tell me, » tell me, where does the maiden live of whom you have spoken. Khodadad designated the precise spot. "And inform me, » continued the King,

whether her uncles be not five old men, the most arrogant, insolent, and ill-spoken old men in the world.» Khodadad answered in the affirmative.

Before another moment has elapsed, said the King, "you will straightway take with you one of the executioner's officers, proceed, and return, bringing with you the said five old men, accompanied by the maiden, their niece. Conduct them hither without delay. Such are the King's commands under penalty of death. »

Khodadad did as he was ordered. Taking with him an executioner's officer, he proceeded to the house, so well known to him as containing the object of his love, and, knocking at the door, he commanded it to be opened in the name of the King. The youngest old man, with whom the maiden lived, came forward in great trepidation, seeing a King's officer and an executioner at his door, and enquired what might be the

news.

"

We are come,» said Khodadad, on the part of the Shah. Collect your brothers and bring hither your niece. You must all go before the royal presence. »

We have done nothing. In the name of Allah,» said the