The Legend of Nevisar Shah
Our caravan was small now, for the Refuge of Allah
had gone home and 'Aziz's mother with the boy had gone
on to Garmrud the day before.
We rode for some time along the stony bed of the stream,
admiring the caper in flower which spreads there from
boulder to boulder along the ground, and which they call
the Unbelievers' Flower, Kafir-guL They use it in pilau.
" Is it true," I said to 'Aziz, " that the slope of Elburz is
so rich in minerals that the sheep browsing there grow golden
teeth when they happen to eat a certain herb?"
" I have not heard of it," said 'Aziz. " But Ismail belongs
to that country: I will ask him."
Ismail, whose mule had strayed off the path, was busy
with a short but vivid sketch of its family history; he paused
with stick uplifted when 'Aziz questioned him, and thought
the matter over.
" There are hot springs with healing waters up there,"
said he; " and also in the region of Takht-i-Suleiman. But I
have never heard of the golden teeth. It may be true, but
I think not."
" I heard it from the Arbab's daughter/' said I. " Perhaps
she exaggerated."
" It does not do always to believe," said 'Aziz.
" There is a true story about the Shah Nevisar here in the
valley," he added after a while. " You can see its truth for
yourself, for the landmarks all remain and his castle above
Garmrud is still known as the castle of Nevisar Shah.
He was an unbeliever, and our lord 'Ali blockaded him in
his castle. Now you will see if we go there to-morrow that
it is very steep, and there was only one gateway to pass in
or out by. Our lord 'Ali placed a sentry before it and told
him that no one was to be allowed to leave the castle, for
he meant to capture the Shah Nevisar. But the Shah's