t night, I saw in a dream that somebody advised me, saying, "arise
quickly and take a horse, a dress, a rope-ladder, and some money for
expenses, and go to that pit, and deliver from thence the unfortunate
prisoners." On hearing this, I started up [from my sleep], and being
greatly rejoiced, I dressed myself like a man, filled a casket with
jewels and gold pieces, and taking this horse and some clothes with
me, I went to the prison to draw them out with the rope-ladder. It was
in your fate to be delivered from such a confinement in this manner;
no one knows what I have done; perhaps he was some protecting angel
who sent me to enlarge you. Well, whatever was in my destiny, the same
has come to pass.' After finishing this relation, she took out some
cakes fried in butter, some wheaten bread, some pulse, and meat curry
from her handkerchief; but first, she dissolved some sugar in a cup of
water, and put some spirit of _bed-mushk_ in it, and gave it to me. I
took it from her hand and drank it, and then ate some breakfast. After
a short while, she made me wrap a piece of cloth round my waist, and
led me to the river, and with scissors she cut my hair and nails and
bathing me, dressed me in the clothes [she had brought], and made a
new man of me. I, having turned my face to the _kibla_ offered up a
prayer of thanksgiving; the beautiful girl regarded what I was doing.

"When I had finished from praying, she asked me, 'What hast thou been
thus doing?' I answered, 'I have been worshipping the Almighty God who
has created the whole world, and who has effected my relief through a
being lovely as thou art, and who has inclined thy heart to kindness
towards me, and caused me to be released from such a prison. His person
is without an equal, [311] to Him I have performed my devotions,
and obeisance, and rendered my thanks.' On hearing these words she
said, 'You are a _Musalman_.' I replied, 'Thanks be to God, I am,'
'My heart,' said she, 'is delighted with your pious expressions;
instruct me also, and teach me to recite your _kalima_.' I said
in my own heart, 'God be praised that she is inclined to embrace
our faith.' In short, I recited [our creed], viz., 'There is no God
but God, and _Muhammad_ is the apostle of God,' and made her repeat
it. Then mounting our horses, we two set out from thence. When we
halted at night, she talked of [nothing else but] our religion and
faith; and she listened and felt delighted [with my words]. In th