He awoke next morning before the bird had left the tree, and, as soon as he saw her on the wing, followed her again the whole day, with no better success than the former, eating nothing but herbs and fruits all the way as he went.  He did the same for ten days together, pursuing the bird, and keeping her in his eye from morning till night, lying always under the tree where she roosted.  On the eleventh day, the bird still flying, Camaralzaman observed that he came near a great city:  the bird made towards it, flew over the walls, and the prince saw no more of her; so he despaired of ever recovering the princess of Badoura’s talisman.

Camaralzaman, whose grief was beyond expression, went to the city, which was built on the sea-side, and had a fine port.  He walked up and down the streets, without knowing where he was, or where to stop.  At last he came to the port, in as great uncertainty as ever what he should do.  Walking along the river-side, he perceived the gate of a garden open, and an old gardener at work in it.  The good old man, looking up, saw he was a stranger and a Mussulman; so he asked him to come in, and shut the door after him.

Camaralzaman entered, and, as the gardener bade him shut the door, demanded of him why he was so cautious.  Because, replied the old man, I see you are a stranger and a Mussulman newly arrived; and this city, being inhabited for the most part by idolaters, has a mortal aversion to us Mussulmen, and use the few of us who are here with a great deal of barbarity.  I suppose you did not know this, and it is a miracle that you have escaped, considering how far you have come through them; these idolaters being very apt to fall upon the Mussulmen who are strangers, or to draw them into a snare, unless those strangers are instructed how to deal with and beware of them.

Camaralzaman thanked the honest gardener for his advice, and the security he offered him in his house.  He would have said more; but the good man interrupted him, saying, Let us wave complimenting; you are weary, and want to refresh yourself.  Come in; eat what we have, and lie down to rest; you are very welcome.  He conducted him into his little hut, which, though small, was clean, and well defended from the injuries of the weather.  He ordered the best provisions he had to be brought forth, and entertained the prince so heartily, that he was charmed with it, and at his request told him how he came there.

When he had ended his story, without hiding any part of it, he asked him which was the nearest way to his father’s territories?  For it is in vain, said he, to think of finding my princess where I left her, wandering, as I have been, eleven days from that place.  Ah, continued he, how do I know that she is alive! and, saying this, he burst out into tears that would have melted the most cruel and obdurate.  The gardener replied, that there was no possibility of his going thither by land, the ways were so difficult,