“My lord,” replied the adventurer, “when each of us shewed our skill in what was demanded, you ordered him only an allowance of a mess of pottage and three cakes of bread.  Hence I judged you to be the offspring of a cook, for it is the custom of princes to reward the deserving with wealth and honours, but you only gratified us with victuals from your kitchen.”  The sultan replied, “Thou hast spoken truly.”  He then made him put on the rest of the royal robes and ornaments, and seated him upon the throne; after which he disguised himself in the habit of a dervish, and wandered from his abdicated dominions.  When the lucky adventurer found himself in possession of the throne, he sent for his companions; and finding they did not recognize him in his royal habiliments, dismissed them with liberal presents, but commanded them to quit his territories with the utmost expedition, lest they should discover him.  After this, with a satisfied mind, he fulfilled the duties of his new station with a liberality and dignity that made the inhabitants of the metropolis and all the provinces bless him, and pray for the prolongation of his reign.

The Adventures of the Abdicated Sultan.

The abdicated prince, disguised as a dervish, did not cease travelling in a solitary mood till he came to the city of Cairo, which he perceived to be in repose and security, and well regulated.  Here he amused himself with walking through several streets, till he had reached the royal palace, and was admiring its magnificent architecture and extent, and the crowds passing in and out, when the sultan with his train appeared in sight returning from a hunting excursion, upon which he retired to one side of the road.  The sultan observing his dignified demeanour, commanded one of his attendants to invite him to the palace, and entertain him till he should inquire after him.

When the sultan had reposed himself from the fatigue of his exercise, he sent for the supposed dervish to his presence, and said, “From what kingdom art thou arrived?” He answered, “I am, my lord, a wandering dervish.”  “Well,” replied the sultan, “but inform me on what account thou art come here.”  On which he said, “My lord, this cannot be done but in privacy.”  “Let it be so,” rejoined the sultan; and rising up, led him into a retired apartment of the palace.  The supposed dervish then related what had befallen him, the cause of his having abdicated his kingdom, and taken upon himself the character of a religious.  The sultan was astonished at his self-denial, and exclaimed, “Blessed be his holy name, who exalteth and humbleth whom he will by his almighty power; but my history is more surprising than thine.  I will relate it to thee, and conceal nothing.”

History of Mahummud, Sultan of Cairo.