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But hardly had we sat down ere we heard the tomtoming of the

kettle drum and tantara of trumpets and clash of cymbals; and the

rattling of war men's lances; and the clamours of assailants and

the clanking of bits and the neighing of steeds; while the world

was canopied with dense dust and sand clouds raised by the

horses' hoofs.[FN#199] We were amazed at sight and sound, knowing

not what could be the matter; so we asked and were told us that

the Wazir who usurped my father's kingdom had marched his men;

and that after levying his soldiery and taking a host of wild

Arabs[FN#200] into service, he had come down upon us with armies

like the sands of the sea; their number none could tell and

against them none could prevail.