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.
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