When it stops, as the
gates will be open, you will see the four lions. The two that are
awake will, by their roaring, wake the other two. Be not
frightened, but throw each of them a quarter of the sheep, and then
clap spurs to your horse, and ride to the fountain. Fill your
bottle without alighting, and then return with the same speed. The
lions will be so busy eating that they will let you pass.'
Prince Ahmed set out the next morning at the time appointed by the
fairy, and followed her directions carefully. When he arrived at
the gates of the castle, he distributed the quarters of the sheep
among the four lions, and passing through the midst of them with
haste, got to the fountain, filled his bottle, and returned as safe
and sound as he went. When he was a little distance from the castle
gates, he turned round; and perceiving two of the lions coming
after him, he drew his sabre, and prepared for defence. But as he
went forward, he saw one of them turned off the road, and showed by
his head and tail that he did not come to do him any harm, but only
to go before him, and that the other stayed behind to follow. He
therefore put his sword again into its scabbard. Guarded in this
manner he arrived at the capital of the Indies; but the lions never
left him till they had conducted him to the gates of the sultan's
palace; after which they returned the way they came, though not
without frightening all that saw them, who fled or hid themselves,
though they walked gently, and showed no signs of fierceness.
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