Thus equipped, they mounted the fresh horses, and
after Marzavan had taken one of the groom's horses by the bridle,
they set out as hard as their horses could go.
At daybreak they were in a forest, where, coming to the meeting of
four roads, Marzavan desired the prince to wait for him a little,
and went into the forest. He then killed the groom's horse, and
after having torn the prince's suit, which he had put off, he
besmeared it with blood and threw it into the highway.
The prince demanded his reason for what he had done. He told his
highness he was sure the king his father would no sooner find that
he did not return, and come to know that he had departed without the
grooms, than he would suspect something, and immediately send people
in quest of them. 'They that come to this place,' said he, 'and find
these blood-stained clothes, will conclude you are devoured by wild
beasts, and that I have escaped to avoid the king's anger. The king,
persuading himself that you are dead will stop further pursuit, and
we may have leisure to continue our journey without fear of being
followed. I must confess,' continued Marzavan, 'that this is a
violent way of proceeding, to alarm an old father with the death of
his son, whom he loves so passionately; but his joy will be the
greater when he hears you are alive and happy.
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