words: "Mustapha,
thou becamest in a strange way the guest of the robber Orbasan. I will
not ask thee not to betray what thou hast seen and heard. Thou hast
unjustly endured the pains of death, and I owe thee a recompense. Take
this dagger as a remembrance, and when thou hast need of help, send it
to me, and I will hasten to thy assistance. This purse thou wilt
perhaps need upon thy journey."

My brother thanked him for his generosity; he took the dagger, but
refused the purse. Orbasan, however, pressed once again his hand, let
the money fall to the ground, and galloped with the speed of the wind
into the forest. Mustapha, seeing that he could not overtake him,
dismounted to secure the purse, and was astonished at the great
magnanimity of his host, for it contained a large sum of gold. He
thanked Allah for his deliverance, commended the generous robber to
his mercy, and again started, with fresh courage, upon the route to
Balsora.

* * * * *

Lezah paused, and looked inquiringly at Achmet, the old merchant.

"No! if it be so," said the latter, "then will I gladly correct my
opinion of Orbasan; for indeed he acted nobly towards thy brother."

"He behaved like a brave Mussulman," exclaimed Muley; "but I hope thou
hast not here finished thy story, for, as it seems to me, we are all
eager to hear still further, how it went with thy brother, and whether
he succeeded in rescuing thy sister and the fair Zoraida."

"I will willingly proceed," rejoined Lezah, "if it be not tiresome to
you; for my brother's history is, throughout, full of the most
wonderful adventures."

* * * * *

About the middle of the seventh day after his departure, Mustapha
entered the gate of Balsora. As soon as he had arrived at a
caravansery, he inquired whether the slave-market, which was held here
every year, had opened; but received the startling answer, that he had
come two days too late. His informer deplored his tardiness, telling
him that on the last day of the market, two female slaves had arrived,
of such great beauty as to attract to themselves the eyes of all the
merchants.

He inquired more particularly as to their appearance, and there was no
doubt in his mind, that they were the unfortunate ones of whom he was
in search. Moreover, he learned that the man who had purchased them
both, was called Thiuli-Kos, and lived forty leagues from Balsora, an
illustrious and wealt