“I perceived a sewer high enough to allow a man to go in and out, but there was an iron grating at its mouth; I formed the resolution to enter [the house] by the way of this sewer; I took off my clothes, and descended into that filthy channel.  After a thousand toils, I broke the grating, and entered the chor-mahall [332] through the sewer.  Then, having put on the dress of a woman, I began to search and examine all around me.  From one of the apartments a sound reached my ear, as if some one was praying fervently.  Advancing towards the place, I saw it was the princess, who was weeping bitterly and was prostrating herself before her Maker, and praying to him thus, ’For the sake of thy prophet and his pure offspring, [333] deliver me from this country of infidels; and restore me once more in safety to the person who taught me the faith of Islam.’  On seeing her, I ran and threw myself at her feet; the princess clasped me to her bosom, and upon us both a state of insensibility fell.  When our senses were restored, I asked her what had happened to her; she answered, ’When the governor of the port carried all the female slaves on shore, I was offering up this prayer to God that my secret might not any how be known, and that I might not be recognised, and that your life might not be endangered.  He is so great a concealer [of our shame], that no one knew I was the princess.  The governor was examining every one with a view to purchase [some for himself]; when it came to my turn, he chose me, sent me secretly to his house; the rest he forwarded to the king.

“’When my father did not see me among those [slaves], he sent them all back.  The whole of this artifice was had recourse to on my account.  He now gives out, that the princess is very ill, and if I do not soon appear, then in a few days the news of my death will fly through the whole country; then the king’s shame will not be [divulged].  But I am now greatly distressed, as the governor has other designs upon me, and always urges me to cohabit with him; I do not agree [to his desires].  Inasmuch as he [really] loves me, he has as yet waited for my acquiescence, and therefore he remains silent and quiet.  But I dread [to think] how long matters can go on in this way; for which reason I have determined within myself, that when he attempts anything further, I will put myself to death.  But now that I have met thee, another thought has arisen in my mind; if God is willing, except this mode, I see no other for escape.’

“I replied, ‘Let me hear it; what sort of scheme is it?’ She said, ‘If you assist and exert yourself, it can be accomplished.’  I said, ’I am ready to obey your commands; if you order me, I will leap into the burning flames, and if I could find a ladder, I would for your sake ascend to the sky; [in short], I will perform whatever you command.’  The princess said, ’Go, then, to the temple of the great idol; and in the place where [the people take off [334] their shoes, there lies a piece of black canvas.  The custom of this country is, that whoever becomes poor and destitute, he having wrapt himself up in that piece of canvas, sits down in that spot.  The people of this country who go there to worship, give him something, each according to his means.