STORY IV
A band of Arab brigands, having taken up their position on the top of a mountain and closed the passage of caravans, the inhabitants of the country were distressed by their stratagems, and the troops of the Sultân foiled, because the robbers, having obtained an inaccessible spot on the summit of the mountain, thus had a refuge, which they made their habitation. The chiefs of that region held a consultation about getting rid of the calamity, because it would be impossible to offer resistance to the robbers if they were allowed to remain. A tree which has just taken root may be moved from the place by the strength of a man; but if thou leavest it thus for a long time, thou canst not uproot it with a windlass. The source of a fountain may be stopped with a bodkin; but when it is full, it cannot be crossed on an elephant.
The conclusion was arrived at to send one man as a spy, and to wait for the opportunity till the brigands departed to attack some people, and leave the place empty. Then several experienced men, who had fought in battles, were despatched to keep themselves in ambush in a hollow of the mountain. In the evening the brigands returned from their excursion with their booty, divested themselves of their arms, put away their plunder, and the first enemy who attacked them was sleep, till about a watch[1] of the night had elapsed.
The warriors leapt forth from the ambush, tied the hands of every one of the robbers to his shoulders, and brought them in the morning to the court of the King, who ordered all of them to be slain. There happened to be a youth among them, the fruit of whose vigour was just ripening, and the verdure on the rose-garden of whose cheek had begun to sprout. One of the
- ↑ About three of our hours make one watch.
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