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ture."-"Ah, no, aga! not so neither-people have gone, although few have returned; and fewer still have kept their senses. Some have become dumb; some have raved until they died; and others have laughed and shuddered alternately like idiots, for the remainder of their days, unable to answer any questions, but becoming terribly agitated at the sight of snow or ice. Even the few who have preserved their reason, can speak only in doubtful and mysterious terms."-" But if such is the ill repute of this same mountain, how happens it that any one has ever been tempted to try the enterprise?" -"Oh, sir! what madness will not money make men commit? and what lengths will not zeal and superstition carry others!"—" But what has this Agri-Daugh to do with your zeal or superstitions?"-"Nothing, aga, with mine, praise be to God! but much with that of these poor misguided Armenians. You know, agas, that it is said the ark of Huzrut Nooh* rested upon Agri-Daugh, after the great deluge which destroyed the world; and the priests of Etchmiadzin-the great Armenian monastery which you see yonder, with the three black churches-say that this same ark, unchanged by time or decay, is still upon the mountain, among the eternal snows of its summit. To the wood which formed it, the poor infidels attribute many virtues, and covet the possession of it above all things. And well they may, for they sell the smallest pieces at a great price; but whether it be truly the wood of this ark, God only can tell. At all events, to get hold of this wood is a mighty object with them; and the Kalifah, (or Patriarch,) who declares that he can tell the true from false as easily as you would do a sweet from a water melon, is always trying to persuade thoughtless fellows, both Mussulmans and Armenians, to go and fetch it for him. The former go for gold, the latter generally for the blessing of God, which the old father assures them will attend upon so pious an act. But it seems that none who ventured for money have ever come safely back, while those who have taken

• Noah,

their chance of the danger for the sake of the blessing, have now and then returned with fearful accounts of their adventures, sometimes bringing bits of wood, for which they swore they had to fight with the spirits that guard the ark."-" And did the Kalifah believe all this?" asked the Frank. "What can I tell ?" replied the tatar; " at all events, he profits by the tale, and shews and sells the wood as that of the true ark."

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And you never heard of any one undertaking the adventure from mere curiosity?"-" Curiosity, aga! what good would that have done them?— no, but other motives have sometimes prevailed over fear, as I have heard; not that any one ever reached the summit-that is on all hands admitted to be impossible."-" But what motives do you allude to?"—“ Ah, strange ones enough-and many strange tales have I heard on the subject-but you Franks laugh at all such things, so there is no use in saying any more about them. But see, agas, the sun has set, and if you wish to reach Erivan in time enough to get horses this night, we have not a moment to lose."-" Well, friend Moustapha, we shall attend you; but as you have somewhat excited our curiosity, you shall just exert yourself to satisfy it by telling us some of these same wonderful tales, to shorten the way, as you have done more than once already—and an excellent kissagot you are."

The travellers cast one more look at the majestic form of the huge grey mountain, which rose against a sky still glorious with the purple and golden light of the departed luminary; then turning their horses into the proper track, rode swiftly along for a while, until the nature of the road forcing them to moderate their speed, the tatar, flattered by the compliment to his abilities in narration, collected his ideas, and intimated his readiness to commence. They regulated their pace accordingly, and he began as follows.

"In the earlier part of the reign of Aga Mahomed Shah, while the brave Lootf Alee Khan still struggled for his life and crown in the south and

Teller of tales, a common Eastern profession.

"It happened, that among the females there was one lovely young creature, who was already betrothed and all but married to a fine Armenian youth, named Gregoor, the inhabitant of a neighbouring village. Imagine, agas, the horror and dismay of this young man, when, ignorant of the catastrophe, he came to seek his beloved, and found the village in ruins, the remaining inhabitants weeping and lamenting their losses, and his dear Annah gone-carried off-none could tell whither! He raved like a madman, and committed a thousand foolish actions-but of what avail was all his grief-it would not bring back his mistress-the poor girl was lost to him! All he could learn was, that the mischief had been done by the people of Doozd Mahomed Khan, who were known as well by their fierce audacity, as by their dress and appearance. And it was also too well known, that to recover goods or chattels, man or beast, from the gripe of Doozd Mahomed, was as easy as to wrest the lamb from the wolf's jaws, or the dead from the grave.

east of Persia, and the rest of the country was in a very unsettled state, there lived in these parts a chief of great power and influence, named Doozd Mahomed Khan, of the Zookhanloo tribe which ranged the heights and pastures of Aberaun and Goomree, in the neighbourhood of Erivan. He was a heartless, cruel, rapacious chief-a great plunderer of caravans and travellers; but by dint of a frankness of demeanour, and great liberality to his followers, he had collected a force with which he succeeded in overawing his neighbours, and became the scourge and dread of the surrounding country. But it was the poor Armenians who chiefly suffered under his tyranny; he visited their peaceful villages with fire and sword, wringing money and goods of all sorts from the men, and carrying off their wives and children as slaves, or for the use of his harem. I know a good deal of the Armenians, agas, and they are not bad people, although they are infidels. Many a good pillaw and comfortable night's quarters have I had from an Armenian, and I owe my life, I believe, to their good old Khalifah-for once I was robbed and nearly murdered, not very far from hence, by some rascally Turkish Eeliauts; and an Armenian priest going by, found me, stript and bleeding, and carried me straight to the convent, where the Khalifah paid me every possible attention, and came himself to see my wounds dressedmay his prosperity increase! and in the long fever that followed, for more than a month they took care of me, and sent me away a whole man again; so I don't like to see the poor creatures abused. But Doozd Mahomed only looked upon them as beasts of burden-creatures made to contribute to his pleasures, or to supply his wants.

*

"Well-one day his rascally gang of robbers had gone forth, and surprised an Armenian village, some five pursungs distance from the monastery; and after driving off thegreater part of the cattle, and such articles as were worth their while, they carried off a number of girls and boys, and returned to the camp of their

master.

"But young Gregoor had a spirit by far more bold and fearless than most of his countrymen, and was not so easily persuaded to abandon all hope of recovering his betrothed wife. He could not indeed immediately decide on what was to be done, but he was certain that his Annah had been taken to the Khan's camp, and from thence only was she to be recovered. There, therefore, hateful and terrible as was the place to all Armenians, did the bold Gregoor resolve on proceeding, to act as circumstances might determine. The remonstrances of his own parents, and even of the father of his Annah, were unheeded-go he would-and all they could wring from him, was a promise to be prudent-wary-calm. Calm!-a lover-and that lover Gregoor-calm or prudent?-but however, away he went, carrying with him nothing but his arms, and a relic-some nail parings of his own patron saint and that of his country, St Gregory, bound round his arm like a talisman, in a small silver case.

"It was not until he had arrived within sight of the camp that the

Wandering tribes.

young Armenian began to consider how he should proceed, or even present himself, so as to avoid inconvenient suspicions. An open declaration of his errand would not only defeat its purpose, but cause, in all probability, his own destruction. Address was his only chance; and he at length resolved to come forward boldly as a young man seeking service, as it was well known that the Khan omitted no opportunity of retaining handsome youths about his person as pipe-bearers and body servants. His project succeeded perfectly. He entered the camp;-was stopped, interrogated, and taken before the Khan, who, delighted with his manly beauty and handsome address, received him instantly into his service; and in a very short time he was in attendance-gorgeously equipped-upon the great man himself.

"In this situation he soon became acquainted with the particulars of the late exploit ; and heard enough to convince him that it was in the harem of the Khan his mistress was to be found, and from thence, if at all, must she be delivered. But to violate the sanctity of a Persian chief's harem, and such a chief as Doozd Mahomed!-it was an enterprise of danger and difficulty enough to have daunted the courage of most men,→ if any thing, it sharpened that of Gregoor.

"But fortune was adverse to the poor young man, at least in his first attempts. For, applying to a countrywoman of his own, a servant in the harem, as a means of communication with his poor Annah, his intrigue was either discovered or betrayed; and he was immediately seized, and led bound into the Khan's presence, who, having been indisposed for several days before, was in a worse than ordinary humour. Baseborn scoundrel!' thundered he, as the young man appeared before him; 'cursed Armenian dog! what dish of filth is this you have been eating? -what infernal business have you been about?-have you a mind for the stake, or to be torn by horses, that you have ventured to interfere with my harem?-Speak, miscreant! -what answer have you to make?'

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"My Lord,' replied the young man with respectful firmness, I am neither a base-born fellow nor a vil

lain. I have not sought for, nor interfered with, any thing but what was my own, and what justice would assuredly restore to me. Nay, my hope is strong that a just and generous master like your lordship will not hesitate in so doing, as soon as you have heard my story. In entering your service, Khan, it is true that your slave did entertain a hope of recovering his lost wife-for such is Annah already in the face of Heaven. In so far has he deceived your lordshipbut in all other matters he had resolved to conduct himself as a faithful and zealous servant should do. Such has he been, my Lord-and such will he continue in all duty. He seeks in return but his own-his betrothed wife, who will die if she be separated from him, as he should do were he to lose her. Be generous then, Khan; imitate the Lord of the universe; dispense happiness around you, and convert two miserable, broken-hearted creatures into faithful and devoted servants!'

"What says the Armenian dog?' said the Khan, with darkening face, to his attendants. 'What have I to do with his wife?-this is some dirt that he is eating, to excuse his abandoned attempt at intriguing in my harem. But his effrontery shall not avail the unclean scoundrel-he shall feel that Doozd Mahomed has teeth as well as eyes, and will not have filth thrown in his face with impunity. Ho, guards, there!-see him strictly confined until our pleasure be known. Ourself will see his punishment, and it shall be signal-at present we are somewhat indisposed.'- And the luckless Gregoor was hurried away to a prison, from whence he had no hope of returning, except to a painful and disgraceful death.

"But Fate, which had played the young man so mischievous a trick, seemed now willing to befriend him, for the Khan's illness increased so rapidly, that, before the hour of evening prayer, he was in a burning fever, and all business, executions included, was suspended, until at least the fate of the chief should be decided.

"Next day passed in anxiety and doubt. The most learned physicians which the country afforded, were called in, and were unremitting in their attendance. Every remedy they

could think of was applied, but all was in vain; the malady increased; the Khan was in extremity, and the whole camp in consternation. Before night delirium came on, and the mind of the Khan seemed labouring with some sore distress. He talked confusedly of his deeds of blood and plunder, of women violated, of men cut to pieces, of villages burning, and of fiery hands which griped his heart or weighed upon his head, and would not suffer him to have a moment's ease. The physicians were puzzled; but all agreed in one thing, that the distemper was of a very hot nature, and could only be combated successfully by the coldest remedies. Accordingly, iced sherbet and vinegar were poured down his throat, and broken ice was laid upon his head. His burning limbs were even wrapped in clothes dipped in iced water; but nothing would do. No sooner, they say, did the ice come in contact with the Khan's person than it hissed, dissolved, and flew off in vapour, as if it had been thrown upon red-hot iron; and still the burning heat continued unabated.

"It is all folly,' at length exclaimed the wise Hakeem Khooshhâl Allee, natural remedies are ineffectual here-natural cold is insufficient Khodah Buzoorg!-God is great! but there is nothing on earth that can save the Khan, unless we could get him one of those mysterious creatures, the kirm-e-yehk,* or ice-worm, which frequent the eternal snows upon the summit of Agri-Daugh.'

"And how is that to be had, in the name of Allah, oh Hakeem?' enquired the Khanum, or chief wife of Doozd Mahomed Khan, who, more deeply interested than any one else in the Khan's recovery, was seated behind a curtain of the anderoon, listening anxiously to the opinions and conversation of the physicians. 'Inshallah,' continued she, if money or power can get hold of it, my lord and husband (blessings be upon him) shall not expire for want of it.'

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nothing but the zeal of a devoted slave-of some friend or servant, who would lay down his life for his master, can obtain that blessed remedy; for he who seeks the iceworm among the snows of AgriDaugh, must be content to encounter all the horrors of death and hell itself.'

"And has not my husband an hundred such devoted servants?? exclaimed the Khanum, impatiently. She gave her orders for the chosen gholaums to be summoned. But when the adventure was proposed, was there among all who eat of the Khan's salt, one single man to step forward and save his master's life? No, agas;-not one! All stood silent, gazing at one another; each, even those who were most zealous in their former professions, terrified lest in any way the chance should fall on him. And the physician shrugged his shoulders, and the Khanum was in despair, while the ravings of the sick man grew more violent than

ever.

"While matters were thus in the tent of the Khan, poor Gregoor, in irons, and under strict guard, remained awaiting his fate in a place not far from the Khan's quarters, where he heard the bustle occasioned by that chief's illness; and remarking the perturbed countenance of the man who brought him food, he had no great difficulty in learning the truth; for the attendant, whose head was occupied with the event which engrossed the whole camp, scarcely remembered that the youth was a prisoner under sentence of death.

"The next day's report was still more unfavourable, and the attendant entered with still more earnestness into the dangerous condition of his chief, and the reports of the physicians, as received from the servants about his person. The will of Allah must be done,' said he. What is written must come to pass-but the Hakeem says that he cannot recover unless they get him a kirm-eyehk, or ice-worm, from Agri-Daugh.'

An

A what?' said the youth. ice-worm,' replied the man. · An ice-worm! Ah! I have heard some

* Called also Ellung-Booz,

thing of them. They are to be found in the ice-cracks at the top of AgriDaugh.'- Yes, they live there, if it can be called life-the white, cold, deadly creatures-the very touch of which would wither up a living man, soul and body. But the Hakeem says it is the only thing to cool this burning fever in the Khan.' And are they to get it, then?'- . Get it!' echoed the man, where would they find it? and who is to bring it from that fearful mountain? Who is to face the ghouls and the gins that inhabit it?-And, if there was such a Delhi Khan✶ to be found, how is he to get hold of this same unknown creature?' And has no one yet offered to make the attempt?' said the youth, with a kindling eye. 'Allah Kereem! No!' replied the attendant, with a stare. How should there? The duty has been proposed to the truest and boldest of our young men, including the Khan's best gholaums; but they have not found one among them all mad enough to undertake it. "No, no!" say they," give us men like ourselves to fight with, and, Bismillah! we are ready; but when it comes to ghouls, and devils, and unknown creatures, bebuxsheed! excuse us. In fine, all have refused, the plan is given up, and the Khan abandoned to his fate.' Then I will go!' exclaimed Gregoor. Tell them I am ready; and lose no time, I beseech you-remember the Khan may die.'' You!' exclaimed the man, measuring the youth with his eye,- you climb the Daugh for this ice-worm? Yes, yes!' reiterated the youth, impatiently, I am ready -tell them-lead me to them.'

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Punah-be-khodah!+ but you're a bold one!' responded the attendant, with something of an admiring grin. It is almost a pity-and yet,' added he, with a shrug of his shoulders, 'perhaps the devils and ghouls themselves may be as merciful as the Khan will, if he recovers.'-' He shall recover, man,' said the youth. Go -begone-tell them-But I must speak with his son-or the Khanumor his Naib-and then I will instantly set off.'

"To make short of this part of my story, agas, the young man was sent

for, and in presence of the Khan's eldest son, and in hearing of the Khanum, who sat behind her screen, he pledged himself to ascend the mountain yonder, in quest of this same iceworm; provided, that if he should survive the adventure and return, his wife, the Armenian girl Annah, should be given up to him, and that both should be at liberty to proceed where they chose. To this the Khanum had not the smallest objection

well pleased, indeed, would she have been to empty the harem of a dozen more of her rivals-and the son, less interested in any part of the proceedings than his mother, agreed with her in pledging themselves, by all that was holy, to fulfil their part of the engagement, and prevail on the Khan, should he recover, to do the like. Gregoor, on his side, conceiving, that in case of success, he would have the means of forcing them to be honest by threatening to retain in his possession the fruits of his adventure, was contented with their promises. Where all parties were willing, no time was likely to be lost; and Gregoor, taking only his sword and matchlock, with the precious relic of St Gregory, quickly left the camp.

"It was not until he had gone a considerable way, in a direction straight towards the mountain, that the young man's enthusiasm and excitement had cooled enough to admit of his bestowing any consideration on the enterprise in which he had so rashly embarked,-and although he certainly did not repent of the step, he could not entirely suppress certain internal misgivings as to his ultimate success, when he reflected on his total ignorance of the means by which his object was to be attained. That the mountain was in truth the haunt of mysterious beings, differing widely in their nature from man, he had from his youth been accustomed to believe, not only upon the authority of his brethren, but of the Mussulman peasantry and tribes that dwell around the mountain, or range its lower regions; who, in their turns, had received the same account from their forefathers. And, agas, there is no doubt of the fact, for

* Mad fellow. ↑ Shadow of the Almighty!--A Persian exclamation of astonishment,

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