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defile； ravage his lands beneath his very nose； and then make off with
prisoners and booty to the mountains。 Was ever peaceable and retired
conqueror in a more uncomfortable predicament？
While Aben Habuz was harassed by these perplexities and
molestations； an ancient Arabian physician arrived at his court。 His
gray beard descended to his girdle； and he had every mark of extreme
age； yet he had travelled almost the whole way from Egypt on foot；
with no other aid than a staff； marked with hieroglyphics。 His fame
had preceded him。 His name was Ibrahim Ebn Abu Ayub； he was said to
have lived ever since the days of Mahomet； and to be son of Abu
Ayub； the last of the companions of the Prophet。 He had； when a child；
followed the conquering army of Amru into Egypt； where he had remained
many years studying the dark sciences； and particularly magic； among
the Egyptian priests。
It was； moreover； said that he had found out the secret of
prolonging life； by means of which he had arrived to the great age
of upwards of two centuries； though； as he did not discover the secret
until well stricken in years； he could only perpetuate his gray
hairs and wrinkles。
This wonderful old man was honorably entertained by the king； who；
like most superannuated monarchs； began to take physicians into
great favor。 He would have assigned him an apartment in his palace；
but the astrologer preferred a cave in the side of the hill which
rises above the city of Granada； being the same on which the
Alhambra has since been built。 He caused the cave to be enlarged so as
to form a spacious and lofty hall； with a circular hole at the top；
through which； as through a well； he could see the heavens and
behold the stars even at mid…day。 The walls of this hall were
covered with Egyptian hieroglyphics； with cabalistic symbols； and with
the figures of the stars in their signs。 This hall he furnished with
many implements； fabricated under his directions by cunning artificers
of Granada； but the occult properties of which were known only to
himself。
In a little while the sage Ibrahim became the bosom counsellor of
the king； who applied to him for advice in every emergency。 Aben Habuz
was once inveighing against the injustice of his neighbors； and
bewailing the restless vigilance he had to observe to guard himself
against their invasions； when he had finished； the astrologer remained
silent for a moment； and then replied； 〃Know； O King； that when I
was in Egypt I beheld a great marvel devised by a pagan priestess of
old。 On a mountain； above the city of Borsa； and overlooking the great
valley of the Nile； was a figure of a ram； and above it a figure of
a cock； both of molten brass； and turning upon a pivot。 Whenever the
country was threatened with invasion； the ram would turn in the
direction of the enemy； and the cock would crow； upon this the
inhabitants of the city knew of the danger； and of the quarter from
which it was approaching； and could take timely means to guard against
it。〃
〃God is great！〃 exclaimed the pacific Aben Habuz； 〃what a treasure
would be such a ram to keep an eye upon these mountains around me； and
then such a cock； to crow in time of danger！ Allah Akbar！ how securely
I might sleep in my palace with such sentinels on the top！〃
The astrologer waited until the ecstasies of the king had
subsided； and then proceeded：
〃After the victorious Amru （may he rest in peace！） had finished
his conquest of Egypt； I remained among the priests of the land；
studying the rites and ceremonies of their idolatrous faith； and
seeking to make myself master of the hidden knowledge for which they
are renowned。 I was one day seated on the banks of the Nile；
conversing with an ancient priest； when he pointed to the mighty
pyramids which rose like mountains out of the neighboring desert。 'All
that we can teach thee；' said he； 'is nothing to the knowledge
locked up in those mighty piles。 In the centre of the central
pyramid is a sepulchral chamber； in which is inclosed the mummy of the
high…priest； who aided in rearing that stupendous pile； and with him
is buried a wondrous book of knowledge containing all the secrets of
magic and art。 This book was given to Adam after his fall； and was
handed down from generation to generation to King Solomon the wise；
and by its aid he built the temple of Jerusalem。 How it came into
the possession of the builder of the pyramids； is known to him alone
who knows all things。'
〃When I heard these words of the Egyptian priest； my heart burned to
get possession of that book。 I could command the services of many of
the soldiers of our conquering army； and of a number of the native
Egyptians： with these I set to work； and pierced the solid mass of the
pyramid； until； after great toil； I came upon one of its interior
and hidden passages。 Following this up； and threading a fearful
labyrinth； I penetrated into the very heart of the pyramid； even to
the sepulchral chamber； where the mummy of the high…priest had lain
for ages。 I broke through the outer cases of the mummy； unfolded its
many wrappers and bandages； and at length found the precious volume on
its bosom。 I seized it with a trembling hand； and groped my way out of
the pyramid； leaving the mummy in its dark and silent sepulchre； there
to await the final day of resurrection and judgment。〃
〃Son of Abu Ayub；〃 exclaimed Aben Habuz； 〃thou hast been a great
traveller； and seen marvellous things； but of what avail to me is
the secret of the pyramid； and the volume of knowledge of the wise
Solomon？〃
〃This it is； O king！ By the study of that book I am instructed in
all magic arts； and can command the assistance of genii to
accomplish my plans。 The mystery of the Talisman of Borsa is therefore
familiar to me； and such a talisman can I make； nay； one of greater
virtues。〃
〃O wise son of Abu Ayub；〃 cried Aben Habuz； 〃better were such a
talisman； than all the watchtowers on the hills； and sentinels upon
the borders。 Give me a safeguard； and the riches of my treasury are at
thy command。〃
The astrologer immediately set to work to gratify the wishes of
the monarch。 He caused a great tower to be erected upon the top of the
royal palace； which stood on the brow of the hill of the Albaycin。 The
tower was built of stones brought from Egypt； and taken； it is said；
from one of the pyramids。 In the upper part of the tower was a
circular hall； with windows looking towards every point of the
compass； and before each window was a table； on which was arranged； as
on a chess…board； a mimic army of horse and foot； with the effigy of
the potentate that ruled in that direction； all carved of wood。 To
each of these tables there was a small lance； no bigger than a bodkin；
on which were engraved certain Chaldaic characters。 This hall was kept
constantly closed； by a gate of brass； with a great lock of steel； the
key of which was in possession of the king。
On the top of the tower was a br