20 THE FIRST VOYAGE OF

horse; and afterwards, if it be the will of God
(whose name be exalted !), I will take thee with
me to the King El-Mihraj, and divert thee with
the sight of our country. Know, moreover, that
if thou hadst not met with us, thou hadst not
seen any one in this place, and wouldst have
died in misery, none knowing of thee. But I
will be the means of the preservation of thy
life, and of thy return to thy country.” I there-
fore prayed for him, and thanked him for his
kindness and beneficence; and while we were
thus talking, the horse came forth from the sea,
as he had said. And shortly after, his com-
panions came, each leading a mare; and, seeing
me with him, they inquired of me my story, and I
told them what I had related to him. They then |
drew near to me, and spread the table, and ate,
and invited me: so I ate with them; after which,
they arose, and mounted the horses, taking me
with them, having mounted me on a mare.

We commenced our journey, and proceeded
without ceasing until we arrived at the city of the
King El-Mihraj, and they went in to him and ac-
quainted him with my story. He therefore desired
my presence, and they took me in to him, and sta-
tioned me before him ; whereupon I saluted him,
and he returned my salutation, and welcomed me,