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Then he set out at once upon his homeward march and journeyed

till he came to Damascus-city where he alighted in the usual

place and pitched tents, and said to his suite, "We will halt a

se'nnight here to buy presents and rare things for the Soldan."

Now Ajib bethought him of the past so he said to the Eunuch, "O

Laik, I want a little diversion; come, let us go down to the

great bazar of Damascus, [FN#463] and see what hath become of the

cook whose sweetmeats we ate and whose head we broke, for indeed

he was kind to us and we entreated him scurvily." The Eunuch

answered, "Hearing is obeying!" So they went forth from the

tents; and the tie of blood drew Ajib towards his father, and

forthwith they passed through the gateway, Bab al-Faradis

[FN#464] hight, and entered the city and ceased not walking

through the streets till they reached the cookshop, where they

found Hasan of Bassorah standing at the door.