Opening, part 25 · page 21 2101Camaralzaman did as he was bid, and inquired why this precaution was taken.102"Because," said the gardener, "I see that you are a stranger and a Mussulman, and this town is almost entirely inhabited by idolaters, who hate and persecute all of our faith.103It seems almost a miracle that has led you to this house, and I am indeed glad that you have found a place of safety."104Camaralzaman warmly thanked the kind old man for offering him shelter, and was about to say more, but the gardener interrupted him with:105"Leave compliments alone.106You are weary and must be hungry.107Come in, eat, and rest."108So saying he led the prince into his cottage, and after satisfying his hunger begged to learn the cause of his arrival.109Camaralzaman told him all without disguise, and ended by inquiring the shortest way to his father's capital. "110For," added he, "if I tried to rejoin the princess, how should I find her after eleven days' separation.111Perhaps, indeed, she may be no longer alive!"112At this terrible thought he burst into tears.113The gardener informed Camaralzaman that they were quite a year's land journey to any Mahomedan country, but that there was a much shorter route by sea to the Ebony Island, from whence the Isles of the Children of Khaledan could be easily reached, and that a ship sailed once a year for the Ebony Island by which he might get so far as his very home.1 2← previousOpening, part 24next →Opening, part 26↑ back to The Arabian Nights EntertainmentsThis page in Markdown → https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg128/25/page/2/