“As soon as the morning came, I went to the temple, and, having covered myself with the black canvas, I sat down.  In three days’ time so many pieces of gold, and silver, and articles of apparel were heaped up near me, that it appeared a regular store.  On the fourth day, the priests, performing their devotion, and singing and playing, came to me with a khil’at, and wished to dismiss me.  I would not agree to it, and called on the great idol for protection, and said, ’I am not come to beg, but to get justice from the great idol and the mother of the Brahmans; and until I get justice I shall not stir from hence.’  On hearing this [determination], they went to the presence of the old woman, and related what I had said; after which a Brahman came to me and said, ‘Come, the mother calls you.’  I instantly wrapped myself up in the black canvas from head to foot, and went to the threshold [of her apartment].  I saw that the great idol was placed on a jewelled throne in which were set rubies, diamonds, pearls and coral; and a rich covering was spread on a golden chair, on which was seated, with great pomp and dignity, an old woman dressed in black, with cushions and pillows [around her], and near her stood two boys, ten or twelve years old, one on her right and one on her left.  She called me before her; I advanced towards her with profound respect, and kissed the foot of the throne, and then took hold of the skirt [of her garments].  She asked me my story; I related it exactly as the princess had instructed mo to do.

“On hearing it, she said, ’Do Musalmans keep their wives concealed?’ I replied, ’Yes, may it fare well with your children; it is an ancient custom of ours.’  She said, ’Thine is a good religion; I will instantly give orders that the governor of the port, together with your wife, shall appear here, and I shall punish that ass in such a manner that he will not act so another time, and all shall prick up their ears and tremble.’  She asked her attendants, ’Who is the governor of the port?  How dares he take away by force the wife of another man?’ They answered, ‘He is such a one.’  On hearing his name, she told the two boys who were standing near her, ’Take this man along with you instantly, and go to the king, and say, “That the mother declares, that this is the command of the great idol, that whereas the governor of the port commits excessive violence on the people; for instance, he has carried off [by force] this poor man’s wife, and his guilt is proved to be great; therefore let an inventory be quickly taken of the delinquent’s effects and property, and let them be delivered to this Turk, whom I esteem, otherwise you will be destroyed to-night, and you will fall under our wrath.’  The two boys rose up, came out of the place, and mounted their horses; all the priests, blowing their shells, and singing hymns, went in their retinue.