The captain, taking her for the king of the isle of Ebene, replied, Sir, there are fifty great pots of olives; but they belong to a merchant whom I was forced to leave behind, I gave him notice that I staid for him; but he not coming, and the wind presenting, I was afraid of losing it, and so set sail.  The princess answered, It is no matter:  bring them ashore; we will drive a bargain for them, however.

The captain sent his boat to the ship and in a little time returned with the pots of olives.  The princess demanded how much the fifty pots might be worth in the isle of Ebene.  Sir, said the captain, the merchant is very poor, and your majesty will not pay too dear if you give him a thousand pieces of silver.

To satisfy him, replied the princess, and because you tell me he is poor, I will order you a thousand pieces of gold for him, which do you take care to give him.  The money was accordingly paid, and the pots carried to the palace.

Night drawing on, the princess withdrew into the inner palace, and went to the princess Haiatalnefous’s apartment, ordering the olives to be brought thither.  She opened one, to let the princess Haiatalnefous taste them, and to taste them herself.  Great was her astonishment when she found the olives were mingled with gold dust.  What can this mean? said she:  it is wonderful beyond comprehension!  Her curiosity increasing by so extraordinary an adventure, she ordered Haiatalnefous’s women to open and empty all the pots in her presence; and her wonder was still greater when she saw that the olives in all of them were mixed with gold dust; but when she saw her talisman drop out of that in which the prince had put it, she was so surprised that she swooned away.  The princess Haiatalnefous and her women brought the princess Badoura to life again by throwing cold water in her face.  When her senses were restored, she took the talisman, and kissed it again and again; but not willing that the princess Haiatalnefous’s women should hear what passed, and it growing late, she dismissed them.

Princess, said she to Haiatalnefous, as soon as they were gone, you, who have heard my story, must know that it was at the sight of the talisman that I swooned.  This is the thing which was the fatal cause of my losing my dear husband, prince Camaralzaman; but, as it caused our separation, so I foresee it will be the means of our sudden meeting.

Next day, as soon as it was light, she sent for the captain of the ship, and, when he came, spoke to him thus:  I want to know something more of the merchant to whom the olives belong which I bought of you yesterday.  I think you told me you left him behind in the city of the idolaters:  can you tell me what he does there?

Yes, sir, replied the captain; I can speak on my own knowledge, and assure your majesty what I say is truth.  I agreed for his passage with a gardener, a very old man, who told me I should find him in his garden, where he worked under him.  He showed me the place, and I went thither to call him; where I found what the gardener had said to be true, and for that reason I told your majesty he was poor.  I spoke to him myself, and cannot be mistaken.