RAKUSH AND HIS MASTER 1 43 



The hope gave him new courage, and remount- 

 ing Rakush, he urged him forward in pursuit of 

 the sheep. Nor did they have to follow it far, for 

 it led them into a narrow green valley, through 

 the middle of which ran a little brook. And man 

 and beast drank their fill, and while Rustem gave 

 thanks to Ormuzd for their deliverance, Rakush 

 nipped the fresh herbage that grew along the 

 banks of the stream. When at length the sun had 

 set and the stars had risen, Rustem lay down to 

 sleep. But first he charged his steed that he 

 should not fight with any wild beasts. 



" If any danger come," said he, " you must 

 waken me at once, and I will defend both myself 

 and you." 



Rakush listened to his master's words, and 

 then returned quietly to his grazing. All went 

 well until near midnight, when a fierce dragon 

 which lived in that valley, coming out of his den, 

 was astonished to see the horse feeding and a 

 man asleep not far away. Angry that any one 

 should intrude upon his domain, he was just 

 ready to rush upon them and destroy them with 

 his poisonous breath, when Rakush, seeing the 

 danger, hastened to awaken his master. At the 

 sound of the horse's shrill neighing, Rustem 



