e, were swallowed up by the sea. I lost
my senses; and whether I was thrown upon the coast, or whether Heaven
wrought a miracle for my deliverance, I found myself on shore when my
senses returned.

"In my despair and horror I was on the point of casting myself into the
sea again; when I heard behind me a great noise of men and horses. I
looked about to see what it might be, and espied several armed horsemen,
among whom was one mounted on an Arabian charger. He had on a garment
embroidered with silver, a girdle set with precious stones, and a crown
of gold on his head. Though his habit had not convinced me that he was
chief of the company, I should have judged it by the air of grandeur
which appeared in his person. He was a young man extraordinarily well
shaped, and perfectly beautiful. Surprised to see a young lady alone in
that place, he sent some of his officers to ask who I was. I answered
only by weeping. The shore being covered with the wreck of our ship,
they concluded that I was certainly some person who had escaped from the
vessel. This conjecture excited the curiosity of the officers, who began
to ask me a thousand questions, with assurances that their master was a
generous prince, and that I should receive protection at his court.

"The sultan, impatient to know who I was, grew weary of waiting the
return of his officers, and drew near to me. He gazed on me very
earnestly, and observing that I did not cease weeping, without being
able to return an answer to their questions, he forbade them troubling
me any more; and directing his discourse to me: 'Madam,' said he, 'I
conjure you to moderate your excessive affliction. I dare assure you
that, if your misfortunes are capable of receiving any relief, you shall
find it in my dominions. You shall live with the queen my mother, who
will endeavour by her kindness to ease your affliction. I know not yet
who you are, but I find I already take an interest in your welfare.'

"I thanked the young sultan for his goodness to me, accepted his
obliging offer; and to convince him that I was not unworthy of them,
told him my condition. When I had done speaking, the prince assured me
that he was deeply concerned at my misfortunes. He then conducted me to
his palace, and presented me to the queen his mother, to whom I was
obliged again to repeat my misfortunes. The queen seemed very sensible
of my trouble, and conceived extreme affection for me. On the other
hand, the sultan her