Year: 1860

The Persians say that Alexander, coming TO
understand that in the mountain of KAT there
was great cave, very black and dark, wherein
ran the Water of Immortality, would needs take
a journey thither. But being afraid of losing
his way in the cave, and considering with him
self that had committed a great oversight in
leaving the more aged inthe cities and fortified
places, and keeping about his person only
Young people, such as were unable to advise
him, he ordered to be brought to him some old
man, whose counsel he might follow in the ad-
venture he was then upon There were in the
whole army two brothers, named Chidder and
Elias, who had brought their father along with
them, and this good old man badc his sons 60
and tell Alexander that to 60 through with the
design he had undertaken, his only mode was to
take mare that had colt at her heels. and ride
upon her into the cave, and leave the colt at
the entrance of it, and the mare would infilli-
bly, bring him back again to same place with
out any trouble. Alexander thought the advice
so good that he would not take any other per-
sons with him in that journey but these two
brothers, leaving the rest of his retinue at the
entrance of the cave. He advanced so far that
he came to gate, so well polished that, not
withstanding the great darkness, II gave light,
enough to let him see there wasa bird fastened
thereto. The bird asked Alexander what lie
would have? He made answer that he looked
for the water of immortality. The bird asked
him what was done in the world. Mischief
enough replies Alexander since there is no
vice or sin but reigns there. Whereupon, the
bird getting loose and flying away, the gate
opened, and Alexander saw an angel sitting
with trumpet in his hand holding it as if he
was about to blow it. Alexander asked him
his name. The angel said he was called Ra-
phacl and that he only awaited the command
of God to sound the trumpet and call theworld
to Judgment Having said this, he asked AL
exander his name. Alexander told his name
and errand, when the angel gave him stone,
and said to hin-go thy way, find another
stone of the same weight with this, and thou
him how long he had TO live, when the angel
said to him, till such time as the heaven and
the earth which encompass thee be turned to
ironl Alexander having come out of the cave,
sought u long time, and not meeting with any
stone of just the same weight with the other,
he put one into the balance which lie thought
came very near it, and finding but very little
difference, he added thereto little earth,
which made the scales even; it being God in
tention to show Alexander thereby that he was
not to expect immortality till he was mingled
with the earth At last Alexander having fall
len from his horse on the barren ground of
Char, they laid him upon the coat he wore
over his armor, and covered him with his
bucklcr to keep off the heat of the sun. Then
he began to comprehend the prophecy of the
angel, and was satisfied that the hour of his
Immortality was at hand.


They add to this fable that the two brothers,
Chdder ahd Elias, drank of the water of i'm
mortality and that they are still living, butn-
yisible--Eias upon the earth and Chidder in
the water, wherein the latter hath so great
power that those who are in danger Of being
destroyed by water, if they earnestly pray,
vowing an offering to him, and firmly believing
that he can relieve them, shall escape the dan
ger.-AmbdSsdd0r's Travels.