The tempest increasing, Behram was forced to put into the port of the queen’s capital city, or his ship would be dashed in pieces against the rocks that lay off the shore.  In this extremity he held a council with his pilot and seamen.  My lads, said he, you see to what a necessity we are reduced; we must choose one of two things; either resolve to be swallowed up by the waves, or put into queen Margiana’s port, whose hatred to all persons of our religion you know well.  She will certainly seize our vessel, and put us to death without mercy.  I see but one likely way to escape her; which is, to take the fetters off the Mussulman we have on board, and dress him like a slave.  When queen Margiana commands me to come before her, and asks what trade I use, I will tell her that I deal in slaves:  that I have sold all except one, whom I keep to be my clerk, because he can read and write.  She will no doubt desire to see him, and being handsome, and of her own religion, will have pity on him; she will certainly then ask to buy him; and I refusing, will not let us stay in the port till the weather is fair.  If I sell him, perhaps she will give us leave to tarry, and let us be well used.

If any of you have any thing else to propose that may be more advantageous, I am ready to hearken to it.

The pilot and seamen applauded his judgment, and agreed to follow his advice.

Behram commanded prince Assad’s chains to be taken off, and dressed him like a slave very neatly, as became one who was to pass for his clerk before the queen of the country.  They had scarcely time to fit every thing for their purpose, before the ship drove into the port, and then dropped anchor.

Queen Margiana’s palace was so near the sea-side, that her garden extended down to the shore.  She saw the ship sail by, and sent to the captain to come to her as soon as he had moored his vessel.  She was walking in her garden, and gave him to understand that she waited for him.

Behram, who knew he would be sent for, landed with prince Assad, whom he required to confirm what he had said of his being a slave, and his clerk.  So he went to the palace garden, and was introduced to the queen.  He threw himself at her feet, and informed her of the necessity he was under of putting into her port; that, he dealt in slaves, and had sold them all except one, who was Assad there present, whom he kept for his clerk.

The queen conceived an esteem for Assad as soon as she saw him, and was extremely glad to hear that he was a slave, resolving to buy him on any terms.  She asked Assad what was his name.

Great queen, replied Assad, with tears in his eyes, does your majesty ask what my name was formerly, or what it is now?  The queen answered, have you two names then?  It is but too true, said Assad:  I was once called Assad, The Most Happy; and now my name is Motar, Devoted to be Sacrificed.

As his condition of a slave obliged him to use mysterious answers, Margiana did not understand his meaning; she perceived, however, that he had a great deal of wit.  Since you are clerk to the captain, said she, no doubt you can write well; let me see your writing.