I HASTENED to assure him of my friendship, begging him, in return, to convey me in his father’s ship to my own country. I took special care not to inform him that I was the Agib whom he dreaded.

The morning of the fortieth dawned, and the young man when he woke gave thanks in an outburst of joy. “My father may be here at any moment,” said he, “so make me, I pray you, a bath of hot water, that I may bathe, and change my clothes, and be ready to receive him.” He begged me to bring him a melon and some sugar, that he might eat and refresh himself.

I soon chose a fine melon out of those which remained, but could find no knife to cut it with. “Look in the cornice over my head,” said he. It was so high above me, that I had some difficulty in reaching it, and catching my foot in the covering of the bed, I slipped, and fell right upon the young man, the knife going straight into his heart.