Prince Assad took the purse of money which Amgrad had in charge, and then proceeded towards the city.  He had not gone far in the first street, before he met with a reverend old man with a cane in his hand:  he was neatly dressed; and the prince taking him for a man of note in the place, who would not put a trick upon him, accosted him thus:  Pray, my lord, which is the way to the market-place?  The old man looked on prince Assad, smiling:  Child, said he, it is plain you are a stranger, or you would not have asked that question.

Yes, my lord, I am a stranger, replied Assad.  The old man answered, you are welcome then; our country will be honoured by the presence of so handsome a young man as you are:  Tell me what business you have at the market-place?

My lord, replied Assad, it is nearly two months since my brother and I left our own country, which is a great way from hence; we have not ceased travelling ever since, and we arrived here but to-day.  My brother, fatigued with so long a journey, waits at the foot of the mountain; and for him and myself I am come to buy provisions.

Son, said the old man, you could not have come in a better time, and I am glad of it, both for your and your brother’s sake.  I made a feast to-day for some friends of mine, and a great deal of victuals is left untouched.  Come along with me; you may eat as much as you please; and, when that is done, I will give you enough to last your brother and you several days.  Do not spend your money when there is no occasion; travellers are always in want of it; while you are eating, I will give you an account of our city, which nobody can do better than myself, who have borne all the honourable offices in it.  It is well for you that you happened to meet with me; for, I must tell you, all our citizens cannot so well help and inform you as I can.  I can assure you that some of them are wicked.  Come along; you shall see the difference between a real honest man, as I am, and such as boast to be so, and are not.

I am infinitely obliged to you, replied Assad, for your good-will; I put myself entirely into your hands, and am ready to go with you wherever you please.

The old man laughed in his sleeve to think that he had got the prince in his clutches:  he walked by his side as close as he could; and, to preserve the favourable opinion which Assad had conceived of him, he kept talking all the way with great civility and politeness.  Among other things, he said, It must be confessed it was your good fortune to meet with me, rather than with any other man; for which I thank God.  When you come to my house, you will know the reason why I express so much satisfaction at meeting you.

Arriving at the old man’s house, he introduced Assad into a hall, where were forty such old fellows as himself, who formed a circle round a flaming fire, which they adored.  The prince was not more seized with horror at the sight of so many men adoring the creature for the Creator, than with the fear of finding himself betrayed, and in such an abominable place.