discovered fifty fierce horsemen, sons of the desert, well armed.
Not being able to repel force by force, we told them we were the ambassadors of the sultan of India; but the sons of the desert insolently answered, “Why do you wish us to respect the sultan, your master! We are not his subjects, nor even within his realm.” They attacked us on all sides. I defended myself as long as I could, but finding that I was wounded, and that the ambassador and all our attendants were overthrown, I took advantage of the remaining strength of my horse, and escaped. My horse was wounded and suddenly fell dead under me. Alone, wounded, and a stranger, I bound up my hurt and walked on the rest of the day, arriving at the foot of a mountain, where I perceived a cave; I stayed there that night, after I had eaten some fruits that I gathered by the way. I continued my journey for many days without finding any place of abode; but after a month’s time I came to a large town, well inhabited—it was surrounded by several streams, so that it seemed to enjoy perpetual spring.
My face, hands, and feet were black and sunburnt; for by my long journey, my boots were quite worn out, so that I was forced to walk barefoot; and my clothes were all in rags. I entered the town and addressed myself to a tailor that was at work in his shop; who made me sit down by him, and asked me who I was, whence I came, and what had
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