their own, and divided the rest of the merchandise among them.  Then he said to them, “How will you carry away your goods?  We are here in a desert place, and there is no likelihood of your getting horses.”  “My lord,” answered one of the prisoners, “the black robbed us of our camels as well as our goods, and perhaps they may be in the stables of this castle.”  “This is not unlikely,” replied Codadad; “let us examine.”  Accordingly they went to the stables, where they not only found the camels, but also the horses belonging to the sultan of Harran’s sons.  There were some black slaves in the stables, who seeing all the prisoners released, and guessing thereby that their master had been killed, fled through by-ways well known to them.  Nobody minded to pursue them.  All the merchants, overjoyed that they had recovered their goods and camels, together with their liberty, thought of nothing but prosecuting their journey; but first repeated their thanks to their deliverer.

When they were gone, Codadad, directing his discourse to the lady, said, “What place, madam, do you desire to go to?  Whither were you bound when you were seized by the black?  I intend to bear you company to the place you shall choose for your retreat, and I question not but that all these princes will do the same.”  The sultan of Harran’s sons protested to the lady, that they would not leave her till she was restored to her friends.

“Princes,” said she, “I am of a country too remote from hence; and, besides that, it would be abusing your generosity to oblige you to travel so far.  I must confess that I have left my native country for ever.  I told you that I was a lady of Grand Cairo; but since you have shewn me so much favour, and I am so highly obliged to you,” added she, looking upon Codadad, “I should be much in the wrong in concealing the truth from you; I am a sultan’s daughter.  An usurper has possessed himself of my father’s throne, after having murdered him, and I have been forced to fly to save my life.”

Codadad and his brothers requested the princess to tell them her story, assuring her they felt a particular interest in her misfortunes, and were determined to spare nothing that might contribute to render her more happy.  After thanking them for their repeated protestations of readiness to serve her, she could not refuse to satisfy their curiosity, and began the recital of her adventures in the following manner.

The History of the Princess of Deryabar.

There was in a certain island a great city called Deryabar, governed by a potent, magnificent, and virtuous sultan, who had no children, which was the only blessing wanting to make him happy.  He continually addressed his prayers to heaven, but heaven only partially granted his requests, for the queen his wife, after a long expectation, brought forth a daughter.

I am the unfortunate princess; my father was rather grieved than pleased at my birth; but he submitted to the will of God, and caused me to be educated with all possible care, being resolved, since he had no son, to teach me the art of ruling, that I might supply his place after his death.