’Fatima was the daughter of Sheikh Mahumud,[9] an Arab, chief of a tribe, dwelling in the neighbourhood of Yumen, who was a wealthy man, and much esteemed amongst his people.  His wife died when Fatima, their only child, was but six years old, and two years after her father also was taken from this world, leaving his whole estate and possessions to his daughter, and both to the guardianship of his own brother, Sheikh ——­, who was tenderly attached to the little girl, and from whom she received the fostering care of parental solicitude.

’This uncle was married to a lady of no very amiable temper, who seized every opportunity of rendering the orphan daughter of his brother as comfortless as possible, but her uncle’s affection never slackened for an instant, and this consoled her whenever she had trials of a domestic nature to distress her meek spirit.

’When Fatima had reached her sixteenth year, an eligible match being provided by her uncle, it was intended to be immediately solemnized; for which purpose her uncle went over to Yumen to make preparations for the nuptials, where he expected to be detained a few days; leaving with his niece the keys of all his treasuries, whether of money or jewels.

’On the very day of his departure from home, a brother of his wife’s arrived at the mansion, and required, in Fatima’s presence, a loan of five hundred pieces of silver.  This could only be obtained by Fatima’s consent, who firmly declared her resolution not to betray the trust her uncle had reposed in her.  The wife was severe in her censures on her husband’s parsimony, as she termed his prudence, and reviled Fatima for being the favoured person in charge of his property.  This woman in her rage against the unoffending girl, struck her several times with violence.  Situated as their residence was, apart from a single neighbour, she feared to stay during her uncle’s absence, and left the house not knowing exactly where to seek a temporary shelter; but recollecting a distant relation of her mother’s resided at Bytool Faakere,[10] no great distance off (within a walk as she imagined), she left her home without further reflection, unattended by a single servant.

’When within a mile of her destined place of refuge, she was observed by a party of Bedouin robbers, who descended from their hill to arrest her progress, by whom she was conveyed to their retreat, almost in a state of insensibility from terror and dismay.  Arriving at their hut, however, she was cheered by the sight of females, one of whom particularly struck her as being very superior to her companions, and in whose countenance benevolence and pity seemed to indicate a sympathizing friend in this hour of severe trial.  The women were desired to relieve the prisoner Fatima of her valuables, which were, in accordance with their station, very costly both in pearls and gold ornaments.