— 31 — and a strong force ; and I ruled over the land in accordance with the Book and the law of Mohammed. I then undertook the civilisation of the country, making it fit for habitation, and causing it to progress along the paths of commerce and peace.

In those days a strange malady afflicted Nur Angara, and he was fain to consult the leeches of the country: but their lotions availed him not, and there was no profit in them : so he came to me, and said, "Inform me, now, Oh Zubeir, of the remedy by which I may be healed of my affliction!" Then I had regard to his state, and answered him, "Go ! slay an elephant, and make partition of his bowels !" So Nur Angara fared forth to the chase and overcame and slew an elephant. Then he cut the beast open and began to crawl inside its carcase, keeping the flesh of the animal from pressing on to him by means of a rifle held above his head. Now when he had won his way within the beast, he came across some water of a reddish hue, warm and bitter to the taste. Whereupon the elephant began to shake violently, and Nur Angara tarried not, but hasted to depart: but, in very truth, the works of God are passing strange, and He manifesteth His power in divers ways, for, though Nur Angara had remained within the beast but a moment of time, he issued from it in the plenitude of health.