Chapter 9 Summary

Early in the morning, as specified by the Sultan, Signor Achmet leads the horses and horse boys out of the stables, past the palace and the crowds that have gathered to watch and celebrate. The Sultan leads the procession all the way to the city limits, at which point, he dismounts, and presents six bags, one for each horse. The bags contain the pedigree of each stallion and amulets that will protect the horses. The Sultan bids them farewell and tells them to arrive safely so that the King of France will bear witness to the Sultan's greatness.

The Sultan feels satisfied that his plans are going well. He does not know that the captain of the vessel that is to take the horses and stable boys across the Mediterranean, has pocketed the money the Sultan gave him to buy corn and barely...