Prince Assad took the purse of money which Amgiad had in charge, and went forwards towards the city.  He had not proceeded 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 took him for a man of note in the place, who would not put a trick upon him, so he accosted him thus:  “Pray, my lord, which is the way to the market-place?” The old man looked at 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 near two months since my brother and I set out from our own country:  we have not ceased travelling, and we arrived here but to-day; my brother, tired with such a long journey, stays at the foot of the mountain, and I am come to buy some provisions for him and myself.”

“Son,” said the old man, “you could not have come in a better time, and I am glad of it for your and your brother’s sake.  I made a feast today for some friends of mine:  come along with me; you shall eat as much as you please; and when you have done, I will give you enough to last your brother and yourself 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 no one can do better than myself, who have borne all the honourable offices in it.  It is well for you that you happen to light upon me; for I must tell you, all our citizens cannot so well assist and inform you.  I can assure you some of them are very wicked.  Come, you shall see the difference between a real honest man, as I am, and such as boast of being so, and are not.”

“I am infinitely obliged to you,” replied Assad, “for your kindness; I put myself entirely into your hands, and am ready to go with you where you please.”

The old man, as he walked along by his side, laughed inwardly, to think he had got the prince in his clutches; and all the way, lest he should perceive his dissimulation, talked of various subjects, to preserve the favourable opinion Assad had of him.  Among other things, he said, “It must be confessed you were very fortunate to have spoken to me, rather than to any one else:  I thank God I met with you; you will know why, when you come to my house.”

At length they arrived at the residence of the old man, who introduced Assad into a hall, where there were forty such old fellows as himself, who made a circle round a flaming fire, which they were adoring.  The prince was not less struck with horror at the sight of so many men mistakenly worshipping the creature for the Creator, than he was with fear at finding himself betrayed into so abominable a place.