第78章

But as regards Ali bin Bakkar and Shams alNahar；they were wellnigh dying for excess of fear，when I went up to them and saluting them，asked，'What happened to the damsel and the two maids，and where be they gone？'，and they answered only，'We know nothing of them.' Then we walked on and stinted not till we came to the riverbank where the barque lay； and we all boarded it，for it was the same which had brought me over on the day before. The boatman rowed us to the other side； but hardly had we landed and taken seat on the bank to rest，when a troop of horse swooped down on us like eagles and surrounded us on all sides and places，whereupon the robbers with us sprang up in haste like vultures，and the boat put back for them and took them in and the boatman pushed off into midstream，leaving us on the river bank，unable to move or to stand still. Then the chief horseman said to us，'Whence be ye！'and we were perplexed for an answer，but I said'（continued the jeweller），'Those ye saw with us are rogues； we know them not. As for us，we are singers，and they intended taking us to sing for them，nor could we get free of them，save by subtlety and soft words； so on this occasion they let us go，their works being such as you have seen.' But they looked at Shams alNahar and Ali bin Bakkar and said to me，'Thou hast not spoken sooth but，if thy tale be true，tell us who ye are and whence ye are； and what be your place and in what quarter you dwell.' I knew not what to answer them，but Shams alNahar sprang up and approaching the Captain of the horsemen spoke with him privily，whereupon he dismounted from his steed and，setting her on horseback，took the bridle and began to lead his beast. And two of his men did the like with the youth，Ali bin Bakkar，and it was the same with myself. The Commandant of the troop ceased not faring on with us，till they reached a certain part of the river bank，when he sang out in some barbarous jargon[213] and there came to us a number of men with two boats. Then the Captain embarked us in one of them （and he with us） whilst the rest of his men put off in the other，and rowed on with us till we arrived at the palace of the Caliphate where Shams alNahar landed. And all the while we endured the agonies of death for excess of fear，and they ceased not faring till they came to a place whence there was a way to our quarter. Here we landed and walked on，escorted by some of the horsemen，till we came to Ali bin Bakkar's house； and when we entered it，our escort took leave of us and went their way. We abode there，unable to stir from the place and not knowing the difference between morning and evening； and in such case we continued till the dawn of the next day. And when it was again nightfall，I came to myself and saw Ali bin Bakkar and the women and men of his household weeping over him，for he was stretched out without sense or motion. Some of them came to me and thoroughly arousing me said，'Tell us what hath befallen our son and say how came he in this plight？' Replied I，'O folk，hearken to me！''And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the One Hundred and Sixtyfifth Night，She said，It hath reached me，O auspicious King，that the jeweller answered them，''O folk，hearken to my words and give me no trouble and annoyance！ but be patient and he will come to and tell you his tale for himself.' And I was hard upon them and made them afraid of a scandal between me and them，but as we were thus，behold，Ali bin Bakkar moved on his carpetbed，whereat his friends rejoiced and the stranger folk withdrew from him； but his people forbade me to go away. Then they sprinkled rosewater on his face and he presently revived and sensed the air； whereupon they questioned him of his case，and he essayed to answer them but his tongue could not speak forthright and he signed to them to let me go home. So they let me go，and I went forth hardly crediting my escape and returned to my own house，supported by two men. When my people saw me thus，they rose up and set to shrieking and slapping their faces； but I signed to them with my hand to be silent and they were silent. Then the two men went their way and I threw myself down on my bed，where I lay the rest of the night and awoke not till the forenoon，when I found my people gathered round me and saying，'What calamity befel thee，and what evil with its mischief did fell thee？' Quoth I 'Bring me somewhat to drink.' So they brought me drink，and I drank of it what I would and said to them，'What happened，happened.'

Thereupon they went away and I made my excuses to my friends，and asked if any of the goods that had been stolen from my other house had been returned. They answered，'Yes！ some of them have come back； by token that a man entered and threw them down within the doorway and we saw him not.' So I comforted myself and abode in my place two days，unable to rise and leave it； and presently I took courage and went to the bath，for I was worn out with fatigue and troubled in mind for Ali bin Bakkar and Shams alNahar，because I had no news of them all this time and could neither get to Ali's house nor，out of fear for my life，take my rest in mine own. And I repented to Almighty Allah of what I had done and praised Him for my safety. Presently my fancy suggested to me to go to such and such a place and see the folk and solace myself； so I went on foot to the clothmarket and sat awhile with a friend of mine there. When I rose to go，I saw a woman standing over against me； so I looked at her，and lo！ it was Shams alNahar's slavegirl. When I saw her，the world grew dark in my eyes and I hurried on. She followed me，but I was seized with affright and fled from her，and whenever I looked at her，a trembling came upon me whilst she pursued me，saying. 'Stop，that I may tell thee somewhat！' But I heeded her not and never ceased walking till I reached a mosque，and she entered after me. I prayed a twobow prayer，after which I turned to her and，sighing，said，'What cost thou want？'