If what yeu say be true, replied the princess Badoura, you must set sail this very day for the city of idolaters, and bring that gardener’s man, who is my debtor; otherwise I will not only confiscate all the goods belonging to yourself and the merchants you have brought with you, but your and their lives shall answer for your refusal.  I have ordered my seal to be put on the warehouses which contain your merchandise; nor shall it be taken off till that man is brought here.  This is all I have to say; go, and do as I command you.

The captain could make no reply to this order, though to obey it would be a great loss to him and his merchants.  He acquainted them with it; and they all very wisely considering that to lose their goods and their lives would be a much greater, hastened him away as fast as they could.  They set all hands to work to load the ship with provisions and fresh water for the voyage back, and were so diligent, that she was ready to sail before night.  Accordingly, the captain weighed anchor, and made for the city of the idolaters, where he arrived in a short time, the wind and weather favouring him during the whole of the voyage.  When he was as near the city as he thought convenient, he would not cast anchor, but let the ship ride off-shore; and, going into his boat with as many hands as he wanted, he landed a little way off the port, whence he went directly to Camaralzaman’s garden.

Though it was about midnight when he arrived there, the prince was not asleep.  His separation from the fair princess of China, his wife, afflicted him in the usual manner, and he lay awake bemoaning his ill fortune.  He cursed the day in which his curiosity tempted him to touch the fatal girdle.

Thus did he pass those hours which are devoted to rest, and was in these mournful meditations when he heard somebody knock at the garden-door; he ran hastily to open it, half dressed as he was; and had no sooner done it, than the captain and his seaman took hold of him, and carried him by force to the boat, and so on ship-board; when they set sail immediately, and made the best of their way to the isle of Ebene.

Hitherto Camaralzaman, the captain, and his men, had not said a word to each other.  At last the prince broke silence, and asked the captain, whom he knew again, why they had taken him away by force.  The captain, in his turn, demanded of the prince whether he was not a debtor to the king of Ebene?  I the king of Ebene’s debtor! replied Camaralzaman, in amazement; I do not know him; I never had anything to do with him in my life, and never set foot in his kingdom.  The captain answered, You should know that better than me; you will soon talk to him yourself; till then, stay here and have patience.

The captain was not long on his voyage back to the isle of Ebene.  Though it was night when he cast anchor in the port, he landed immediately; and, taking prince Camaralzaman with him, hastened to the palace, where he demanded to be introduced to the king.