At last the prince of Persia, after they had thrown water on his face, recovered.  “Prince,” said Ebn Thaher to him, “we run the risk of perishing if we stay here any longer; exert yourself, therefore, let us endeavour to save our lives.”  He was so feeble, that he could not rise alone; Ebn Thaher and the confidant lent him their hands, and supported him on each side.  They reached a little iron gate which opened towards the Tigris, went out at it, and came to the side of a little canal which communicated with the river.  The confidant clapped her hands, and immediately a little boat appeared, and came towards them with one rower.  Ali Ebn Becar and his comrade went aboard, and the confidant remained at the side of the canal.  As soon as the prince was seated in the boat, he stretched out one hand towards the palace, and laying the other on his heart, exclaimed with a feeble voice, “Dear object of my soul, receive my faith with this hand, while I assure you with the other, that my heart shall for ever preserve the fire with which it burns for you.”

In the mean time the boatman rowed with all his might, and Schemselnihar’s confidant accompanied the prince of Persia and Ebn Thaher walking along the side of the canal, until they came to the Tigris, and when she could go no farther she took leave of them and returned.

The prince of Persia continued very feeble.  Ebn Thaher comforted him, and exhorted him to take courage.  “Consider,” said he, “that when we are landed, we have a great way to walk before we reach my house, and I would not advise you to go to your palace, which is a great deal farther, at this hour and in this condition.”  At last they went out of the boat, but the prince had so little strength that he could not walk, which put Ebn Thaher into great perplexity.  He recollected he had a friend in the neighbourhood, and carried the prince thither with great difficulty.  His friend received him very cheerfully, and when he had made them sit down, he asked them where they had been so late.  Ebn Thaher answered, “I heard this evening that a man who owed me a considerable sum of money was setting out on a long voyage.  I lost no time to find him, and by the way I met with this young nobleman, to whom I am under a thousand obligations; for knowing my debtor, he did me the favour to go along with me.  We had a great deal of trouble to bring the man to reason.  We have at length succeeded, and that is the cause of our being so late.  In our return home, this good lord, to whom I am for ever bound to shew all possible respect, was attacked by a sudden illness, which made me take the liberty to knock at your door, flattering myself that you would be pleased to lodge us this night.”

Ebn Thaher’s friend took all this for truth, told them they were welcome, and offered the prince of Persia, whom he knew not, all the assistance he could desire; but Ebn Thaher spoke for the prince, and said, that his distemper was of such a nature as to require nothing but rest.  His friend understood by this that they desired to go to bed.  Upon which he conducted them to an apartment, where he left them.