Arabs -- Folklore; Fairy tales; Folklore -- Arab countries
Ganem did not think fit to leave the lady any longer in that confusion,
but immediately appeared before her with all possible respect; and, in
the most courteous manner, said, Madam, I am scarce able to express my
joy, for having happened to be here to do you the service I have done,
and for being present to offer you all the assistance you shall stand in
need of, under your present circumstances.
In order to persuade the lady to repose all her confidence in him, he, in
the first place, told her who he was, and what accident it was that had
brought him into that place. Next, he acquainted her with the coming of
the three slaves, and how they had buried the chest. The lady, who had
covered her face with her veil as soon as Ganem appeared, was
extraordinarily sensible of the obligations she owed him. I return thanks
to God, said she, for having sent so worthy a person as you are to
deliver me from death; but, since you have begun so charitable a work, I
conjure you not to leave it imperfect. Let me beg of you to go into the
city, and provide a muleteer to come with his mule, and carry me to your
house in the chest; for, should I go in with you on foot, my dress being
different from that of the city-ladies, some one might happen to take
notice of it, and follow me, which it highly concerns me to prevent. When
I shall be in your house, I will give you an account of myself; and, in
the mean time, be assured that you have not obliged an ungrateful person.
Before the young merchant left the lady, he drew the chest out of the
pit, which he filled up with the earth, laid her again in the chest, and
shut it in such a manner, that it did not look as if the padlock had been
forced off; but, for fear of stifling her, he put it not quite close,
leaving room for the air to get in. Going out of the burial-place, he
drew the door after him; and the city-gate being then open, soon found
what he sought for. He returned with speed to the burial-place, and
helped the muleteer to lay the chest across his mule; telling him, to
remove all causes of suspicion, that he came to that place the night
before, with another muleteer, who, being in haste to return home, had
laid down the chest in the burial-place.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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