Well, you are young and strong, come try a fall with Murgh, and when he has thrown you, rise and choose which of those ways you will,' and he swept his hand toward the doors around him.

'Then forget this world and enter into that which you have chosen.' "Now, because I could not help myself, I rose from my knees and advanced, or was drawn toward that dreadful man.

As I came he, too, rose from his chair, stretching out his arms as a wrestler does, and I knew that within the circle of those arms lay my death.

Still I, who in my youth was held brave, went on and rushed, striving to clasp him.

Next moment, before ever I touched him--oh, well was it for me that I touched him not!--some strength seized me and whirled me round and round as a dead leaf is whirled by the wind, and tossed me up and cast me down and left me prone and nerveless.
"'Rise,' said the cold voice above me, 'for you are unhurt.' "So I rose, and felt even then that I who thought that every bone in my body must be broken, was stronger than I had ever been before.