power to restore you to the sultan your father, who is inconsolable for the loss of you? Are you all here alive? Alas! the death of one of you will suffice to damp the joy I feel for having delivered you.”
The forty-nine princes all made themselves known to Codadad, who embraced them one after another, and told them how uneasy their father was on account of their absence. They gave their deliverer all the commendations he deserved, as did the other prisoners, who could not find words expressive enough to declare their gratitude. Codadad, with them, searched the whole castle, where was immense wealth: curious silks, gold brocades, Persian carpets, China satins, and an infinite quantity of other goods, which the black had taken from the caravans he had plundered, a considerable part whereof belonged to the prisoners Codadad had then liberated. Every man knew and claimed his property. The prince restored them their own, and divided the rest of the merchandise among them. Then he said to them: “How will you carry away your goods? We are here in a desert place, and there is no likelihood of your getting horses.” “My lord,” answered one of the prisoners, ‘‘the black robbed us of our camels, as well as of our goods, and perhaps they may be in the stables of this castle.” “That is not unlikely,” replied Codadad; “let us examine.” Accordingly they went to the stables, where they not only found the camels, but also the horses belonging to the sultan of Harran’s sons. All the merchants, overjoyed that they had recovered their goods and camels, together with their liberty, thought of nothing but prosecuting their journey; but first repeated their thanks to their deliverer.
When they were gone, Codadad, directing his discourse to the lady, said: “What place, madam, do you desire to go to? I intend to bear you company to the spot you shall choose for
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