I have ordered my seal to be put on the
warehouses where they are, which shall not be taken off till you
bring me that man. This is all I have to say to you; go, and do as
I command you.'
The captain could make no reply to this order, the disobeying of
which would be a very great loss to him and his merchants. He told
them about it, and they hastened him away as fast as they could
after he had laid in a stock of provisions and fresh water for his
voyage. They were so diligent, that he set sail the same day. He
had a prosperous voyage to the city of the idolaters, where he
arrived in the night. When he was as near to the city as he thought
convenient, he would not cast anchor, but let the ship ride off the
shore; and going into his boat, with six of his stoutest seamen, he
landed a little way off the port, whence he went directly to
Camaralzaman's garden.
Though it was about midnight when he arrived there, the prince was
not asleep. His separation from the fair Princess of China his wife
afflicted him as usual. He cursed the minute in which his curiosity
tempted him to touch the fatal girdle.
Thus did he pass those hours which are devoted to rest, when he
heard somebody knock at the garden door.
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