fallen into my snares, O gallows bird, thou Arab dog! This many a year have I sought thee, and now have I found thee, O Hasan."
So he pinioned Hasan and placed him in an empty chest, and summoning a porter had him carried down to the harbor and placed upon a vessel at anchor there. And when they were far out at sea he opened the chest, and took out the young man and made him snuff up vinegar, and blew a powder into his nostrils. Then Hasan sneezed and opened his eyes, and found himself at sea aboard a vessel in full sail. Then he said to the Persian, "O my father, what of the convenant of bread and salt that was made betwixt thee and me?" But the Persian, whose name was Barham the Fire Worshiper, replied: "O dog, does the like of me know of the bond of bread and salt? Of youths like thee I have slain a thousand save one, and thou shalt make up the thousand unless thou do sacrifice to fire." But Hasan refused, and Barham caused his slaves to beat him with a hide whip of plaited thongs.
And after they had sailed upon the sea for three months and a day, the Persian loosed Hasan from his bonds and clad him in goodly clothes, and made excuses to him, and promised to teach him the craft, and restore him to his native land. And Hasan said: "How can I ever rely upon thee again?" To which Barham answered: "O my son, but for sin there were no pardon. Indeed, I did all these things to thee but to try thy patience." Then said Hasan to Barham: "O Master,
