limited to a
certain period, assuring him that if he brought his whole family along
with him he should never be exposed to any uneasiness in his service.
With this permission, the Vizier embarked for Naka in a vessel of war,
of which he had the command.

The family of this merchant of Tartary, being entirely ignorant of his
fate since the time of his departure, were abandoned to the most cruel
uneasiness. Fortunately, a merchant of the country, returning from
India, had given them news of him, and restored tranquillity to the
family, who were raised to the summit of joy on hearing of the
elevation and success of him on whose account they were alarmed. The
wife of Illage determined that moment to repair to her husband, less
to share his glory than his love. She set her affairs in order, and,
after having taken every necessary step, she embarked with the same
merchant who had given her the consolatory news.

After some days' sailing, the vessel which carried them cast anchor
near an island where they were to land and exchange merchandise.
Contrary winds had obliged Illage to land at the same place. He had
hired a lodging pretty near the harbour, and, being fatigued with the
bad weather which he had met with, had thrown himself upon a bed in
order to take repose. His spouse, who lived in an opposite quarter of
the city, soon learned that a vessel had arrived on its way from
India, and that it had sailed from the capital. She sent her children
to ask the news concerning the Grand Vizier, thinking it impossible
but that they should be able to receive some.

The young people went from the inn where their mother was, running,
the one after the other, till they had come under the windows of the
apartment where the Vizier was at rest. They took possession of a
little eminence on which a number of bales of goods were collected to
keep them dry. The thoughtless youths went to play on the bales,
trying which of the two could push down his brother. These playful
lads, disputing with address and roguery, announced their victory or
their defeat by such piercing shouts that they awoke the Vizier.

He lost his patience: he went to the window to check the noise, and,
leaning over it, three diamonds, which the King had given him, fell
from his fingers. The agitation of the sea had already stirred up the
minister's choler; the habit of command rendered him incapable of
forbearance; and, the island on which he was being within the
jur