merchants
who had robbed and kidnapped them seemed slight indeed. Giafer and the
faithful Mesrur being included in the capture, seriously diminished the
chance of any effectual measures for their relief being promptly
undertaken, and a fatal period of delay was rendered all the more
probable in consequence of the Caliph's well-known fondness for seeking
adventures in disguise. When the morning should come, and it was
perceived that they had not returned to the palace, it was only too
likely to be assumed that they were still engaged in the prosecution of
some adventure in which the Caliph would not desire to be interrupted.
Filled with these painful reflections, the Caliph, together with
Giafer, Mesrur, and the two slaves, accompanied the black slaves who
formed their guard, and proceeded towards the river.

They had nearly reached the bank of the stream, and their case seemed
altogether hopeless, when suddenly they met advancing towards them from
the river a man habited as a merchant, and in personal appearance
curiously resembling the Caliph himself. He was accompanied by two
companions, and seeing several men bound and gagged being marched along
under charge of the black slaves, he stopped and demanded in a firm and
authoritative tone who they were and whence they were going.

At the sight of this man the blacks appeared to be seized with a sudden
panic; the Caliph heard them say to each other hurriedly and with
terrified looks, "It is the son of a Slave[1] himself." And
immediately they turned about and fled at their utmost speed.

The stranger and his two companions at once released the prisoners, and
inquired how it came to pass that they found them thus bound and gagged.

The Caliph answered him: "Sir, we have suffered this indignity and
violence at the hands of two rascally and deceitful slave merchants. I
will presently relate to you all the details of our adventure, but
permit me first to despatch my servant on a piece of very urgent
business."

Then turning to Mesrur he took him aside, and said, "Go instantly,
seize the two slave merchants and execute them at once; send the slaves
and plunder you find in their house to the palace, and raze their house
to the ground."

Mesrur departed at once to the nearest guardhouse to procure help to
carry out the orders of the Commander of the Faithful. And it need
scarcely be said that he had never received a command from his Majesty
which he executed with so