k under this
unexpected surprise. But although her joy deprived her of the use of
her senses, she was still able to utter the name of her son. The
attention of her husband, and that of the young man, who bathed her
with his tears, recalled her to life. The father, affected with what
he saw, recognized the cry of nature, and returning thanks to Heaven
for the unexpected favour he had received, mingled together his tears
and caresses at this moving picture, and partook of the happiness of
an unlooked-for discovery. Nevertheless, he was tormented by a new
uneasiness: the presence of his son recalled to him his brother--"What
is become of him?"

"Alas!" replied the young man, "the waves soon separated the planks on
which we were carried, and I can tell you nothing of his fate."

This answer redoubled the affliction of the husband and wife; but they
seemed to be comforted with the hope of another blessing similar to
that which they had just received; and in this pleasing expectation
their tenderness centred on the beloved son whom Heaven had at length
restored to their arms.

Several years had elapsed. Achib, the son of Illage, grew stronger
every day. He acquired knowledge, and became capable of following
commerce, in which his father had instructed him. Seeing him fit even
to undertake a profitable voyage, his father purchased a ship, loaded
it with merchandise, and destined it for the capital of the islands in
which they were settled, entrusting him with the management of it.
Upon his arrival in the capital, Achib hired a storehouse in the
_kan_, deposited his goods there, and passed some days in arranging
them to advantage.

The Feast of the Ramezan came. The young man, a faithful Mussulman,
possessed the art of singing so perfectly, that he was able to fulfil
with dignity the functions of the Imam.[14] He dressed himself in his
_faragi_, and went to the principal mosque. There the King, with all
his Court and the grandees of the kingdom, were present at the noonday
service. The young man took his place near the King, and when the
Athib[15] mounted the pulpit and began to chaunt the _Falhea_,[16]
Achib repeated three times, _Alla Akbar_.

[Footnote 14: Imam is a priest who reads and explains the Koran.]

[Footnote 15: Athib is a reader who chaunts over the prayers in plain
song.]

[Footnote 16: Falhea, the Mahommedan Confession of Faith.]

The assembly, and the King himself, were astonished at this young
stran