SLLALTS RO AN LASTERN QUIVER.

men afterwards, for 1t is a true saving in the land of Khorassan that by his horsemen the Seer has lured many a brave man on to destruction.”

“Pitch the tent, Hassan,” said Denviers, impatiently, and as he spoke he dismounted from his steed and led it by the bridle towards the spot which he had pointed out to the Arab. A few minutes were sufficient for our horses to be sceurcly hobbled, and as they leisurcly cropped the grass hefore the front of the tent, we assumed a recumbent position while Hassan began his improbable story.

“In the days when the Nasrance were the ruling people of DPersia,” said the Arab, “Nisha, the Seer, was a mighty power in the land ruled by On, the descendant of the Sun. He it was who discovered a sceret potion by which he gave rencwed life to On. 50 much did the monarch honour Nisha that the latter’s name became famous through all the spreading lands, which extended from fair Chaldea to the silvery islands that float like crystal stars in the astern scas, wherein even now the descendants of the Shintos dwell.”

“But these horses, Hassan,” interposed Denviers, “what had On to do with them?”

“Patience, sahib,” responded assan. “To Nisha, the Scer, came many wise men of the East, sent by the monarchs who ruled the lands far and near, for they feared On and would fain drink of this potion. DBut Nisha, faithful to On, loyally kept the secret, and was rewarded by the favours of his royal master,

“To On were born many sons, none of whom could hope to obtain sway over the land, since their parent was apparently rendered immortal. Among them was one who was proud and scornful, and wished to possess his father’s throne, so he sought, hut in vain, to win Nisha over to his cause. He knew that once each year the Scer prepared the potion in a crystal goblet, and that when the cxact hour arrived On drank of it, and so there was added another year to his span of hife. Tt fretted the son’s proud heart to think that one day he would lie cold and passion- less i the tomb while his father should still live on and reign over the land where diamonds and cmeralds are the gems which adorn a sceptre.

“About him this son gathered a ureat following of youths as reckless and impetuous as himself, and together they formed a plot by which their leader might obtain the throne which he coveted. When the stated day

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arrived, On sought the abode of the Seer, and entered the tower wherefrom the stars could be scen, and where Nisha nightly increased his lore. As the monarch passed up the winding stairway a sound smote upon his cars. Hce halted for a moment and looked uneasily around, but nothing could be seen, for the alarmed conspirators hastily hid themscelves behind the projecting angle of a mighty pillar. As soon as On had thrown himsclf upon some cushions to rest in the star-hit - chamber of the Scer until the appomnted moment came when he was to drink the potion, the vouths stole softly behind the heavy tapestry, and noisclessly making slits in it with the points of their daggers, watched the monarch and his subject. Nisha gazed at the stars in silence for hours, then at last he moved to a strangely - carved idol, and touching it, a hollow was revealed from which he drew forth the erystal goblet. Pouring into it a colourless fluid, he next threw into it what appcared to be a ruby, and as a faint sweet fragrance, like that of a blossoming almond vale, scemed to perfume the apartment, he placed the goblet in the hand which the monarch cagerly extended to grasp it.

“The draught was at the lips of On when out sprang those who had been concealed by the hangings. In a moment the crystal goblet was dashed violently from the monarch’s hand, and, falling to the ground, shivered into a thousand pieces ! Among the conspirators, the frenzied On seemed to rest his eyes upon one alone—his own son ! With a wild cry of anguish he covered his face with his hands and fell dead upon the marble floor! So the son of On obtained the throne and tried to make the Seer his friend, but the latter resolutely shunned the advances of the haughty ruler, and shut him- sclf up m the tomb of On, into which few mdeed dared to follow him. At last this monarch in turn grew old, and determined to wrest the sceret from Nisha, but upon the band of horscmen sent to capture him and to carry him a prisoner to the monarch’s palace, Nisha laid a potent spell which bound them motionless until the time when he had need of them. Thus the son perished when old age scized him, Nisha living to enjoy the tidings of the monarch’s death. Then, it is said, he began to take vengeance upon the people who had supported the hated one’s cause, for he had heard that they said On had Tived so long that he grew hateful to themy, and their changeful hearts longed for a new ruler. Through all the years which have