the -Talisman we 155

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and, as soon as he saw her on the wing, followed her again’ that
whole day, with no better success, eating nothing but herbs and
fruits all the way. He did the same for ten days together, pursuing
the bird, and keeping his eye upon her from morning to night, always
lying under the tree where she roosted. On the eleventh day
the bird continued flying, and came near a great city. When
the bird came to the walls, she flew over them, and the prince
saw no more of her; so he despaired of ever recovering the Princess
Badoura’s talisman. .

Camiaralzaman, whose grief was beyond expression, went into
the city, which. was built by the seaside, and had a fine port; he
walked up and down the streets without knowing where he was,.
or where to stop. At last he came to ‘the port, in. as great
uncertainty as ever what he should do. Walking along the
river-side, he perceived the gate of a garden open, and an old
gardener at work. The good man looked up and saw that he was
a stranger and a Mussulman, so he asked him to come in, and to
shut the door after him. = 7.

Camaralzaman entered, and, as the gardener bade him shut the
door, demanded of the gardener why he was so cautious.

‘ Because, replied the old man, ‘I see you: are a stranger newly
arrived, and a Mussulman, and this ‘city is inhabited for the most
part by idolaters, who have a mortal aversion to us Mussulmans,
and treat those few of us that are here with great barbarity.. I.
suppose you did not know this, and it is a miracle that you have
escaped as you have thus far, these idolaters being very apt to fall
upon the -Mussulmans that are strangers, or to draw them into a

snare; unless those strangers know how to beware of them.’

_ Camaralzaman thanked the honest gardener for his advice, and
the safety he offered him in his house: he would’ have said more,
but the good man interrupted him, saying, ‘You are weary, and.
must want to refresh yourself, Come in and rest” He conducted