140 THE WONDER-BOOK OF HORSES 



that one was never mentioned save in connection 

 with the other. It will be enough if I relate a 

 single one of their adventures. 



It chanced upon a time that the great Shah 

 conceived the foolish plan of conquering Mazin- 

 deran and obliging the king of that country to 

 pay him tribute. But the small army which he 

 led was utterly defeated by the forces of Mazin- 

 deran, and he himself, being taken prisoner, was 

 thrown into a dungeon where the light of day was 

 never seen. Nevertheless, with the aid of one 

 of his keepers, he contrived to write and send a 

 letter to Prince Zal of Zaboulistan. After nar- 

 rating all his misfortunes, he said : 



" / have sought what the foolish seek, and I 

 have found what the foolish Hnd. And if thou 

 wilt not speedily send me help I shall surely 

 perish." 



When Zal received this letter he was much 

 troubled, and he gnawed his very finger-tips for 

 vexation. For the Shah's expedition had been 

 undertaken contrary to his advice. Yet he called 

 to Rustem and said : " See how our lord the Shah 

 has been vanquished by his enemies. It has hap- 

 pened just as I told him, and yet it behooves us 

 to send him aid. Saddle Rakush, therefore, and 



