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this ape hath appealed to me for protection and I will protect

him; henceforth he is under my charge: so let none do him aught

hurt or harm, otherwise there will be bad blood between us." Then

he entreated me kindly and whatsoever he said I understood and

ministered to his every want and served him as a servant, albeit

my tongue would not obey my wishes; so that he came to love me.

The vessel sailed on, the wind being fair, for the space of fifty

days; at the end of which we cast anchor under the walls of a

great city wherein was a world of people, especially learned men,

none could tell their number save Allah. No sooner had we arrived

than we were visited by certain Mameluke officials from the King

of that city; who, after boarding us, greeted the merchants and

giving them joy of safe arrival said, "Our King welcometh you,

and sendeth you this roll of paper, whereupon each and every of

you must write a line.