RAKUSH AND HIS MASTER 1 49 



not that while thou art caUing a physician, a lion 

 should come upon me and devour me." 



Without taking thought, the king did as 

 Rustem desired ; but he had no sooner placed the 

 bow within the hero's reach than, filled with fear, 

 he ran and hid himself in a hollow tree which 

 stood close by. 



Rustem, in great agony, raised the bow, 

 and with his last strength shot an arrow with 

 such force that it transfixed the king where 

 he stood and pinned him to the tree. Then 

 the hero gave thanks to Ormuzd the Good, that 

 he had been permitted thus to take vengeance 

 upon the traitor. And when he had spoken he 

 fell back upon his horse, and Rakush and his mas- 

 ter, in the same moment, passed from the world. 



