We now return to the three princesses and their mother.  When the sultan had heard their adventures, he sympathized with their misfortunes, and was astonished at the fortitude with which they had borne their afflictions, saying to his vizier, “How sad has been their lot! but blessed be Allah, who, as he separateth friends, can, when he pleaseth, give them a joyful meeting.”  He then caused the sultana and the princesses to be conveyed to his palace, appointed them proper attendants and apartments suitable to their rank, and despatched couriers to inform the sultan their father of their safety.  The messengers travelled with the greatest expedition, and on their arrival at the capital, being introduced, presented their despatches.  The sultan opened them, and began to read; but when he perceived the contents, was so overcome with joy, that, uttering a loud exclamation of rapture, he fell to the ground and fainted away.  His attendants were alarmed, lifted him up, and took means for his recovery.  When he was revived, he informed them of his sultana and daughters being still alive, and ordered a vessel to be prepared to convey them home.

The ship was soon ready, and being laden with every necessary for the accommodation of his family, also rich presents for the friendly sultan who had afforded them protection, sailed with a favourable wind, and speedily arrived at the desired haven.

The commander of the vessel was welcomely received by the sultan, who issued orders for his entertainment and that of his whole crew at the royal cost, and at the expiration of three days the sultana and her daughters, being anxious to return home after so long an absence, and that so unfortunate, took leave and embarked.  The sultan made them valuable presents, and the wind being fair they set sail.  For three days the weather was propitious, but on the evening of the last a contrary gale arose, when they cast anchor, and lowered their topmasts.  At length the storm increased to such violence that the anchor parted, the masts fell overboard, and the crew gave themselves over for lost.  The vessel was driven about at the mercy of the tempest till midnight, all on board weeping and wailing, when at length she struck upon the rocks, and went to pieces.  Such of the crew whose deaths were decreed perished, and those whose longer life was predestined escaped to shore, some on planks, some on chests, and some on the broken timbers of the ship, but all separated from each other.

The sultana mother was tossed about till daylight on a plank, when she was perceived by the commander of the vessel, who with three of his crew had taken to the ship’s boat.  He took her in, and after three days’ rowing they reached a mountainous coast, on which they landed, and advanced into the country.  They had not proceeded far when they perceived a great dust, which clearing up, displayed an approaching army.  To’their joyful surprise it proved to be that of the sultan, who, after the