PURSUIT OF THE FUGITIVES. 117
with lier companions, frequently absenting herself from home for lioui's, they had not had the slightest suspicion or uneasiness until sent for by the Sultan. Findin*f that no information could be gained from these poor people, they were dismissed with a sharp reprimand for not having kept a better watch on their child.
The Sultan now despatched horsemen in all directions, with orders to scour the country, and bring back the fugitives, alive or dead. But the utmost efforts of the messengers proved fruit- less, so cautiously had the lovers planned their movements, always taking the ])recaution to rest l)y day in some dark forest, and })ursue their journey by night, until they were fairly beyond the confines of the kingdom of ^Matarram. After this tliiy proccede'd more oi)eidy till they reached the town of JJantam, before the Sultan of which thiy presented themselves with the story of the cruelty and tyranny of which tlu' jxjoi- sailor had
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