第62章 NOUREDDIN ALI OF CAIRO AND HIS SON BEDREDDIN HASSA

Then he mounted the mule in haste and set out from Cairotaking with him a little victualand made for the open country. About mid-dayhe reached the town of Belbeyswhere he alighted and rested himself and the mule. Then he took out food and ate and fared on again in the direction of the desertafter having bought victual and fodder for the mule in the town. Towards nightfallhe came to a town called Saadiyehwhere he alighted and took out food and atethen spread the carpet on the ground and laying the saddle bags under his headslept in the open air，for he was still overcome with anger. As soon as it was dayhe mounted and rode onwardtill he reached the city of Jerusalem and thence to Aleppowhere he alighted at one of the khans and abode three daysto rest himself and the mule. Thenbeing still intent upon travelhe mounted and setting out againhe knew not whitherjourneyed on without ceasingtill he reached the city of Bassorawhere he alighted at a certain khan and spread out his prayer-carpetafter having taken the saddle-bags off the mule's back and given her to the porter that he might walk her about. As chance would have itthe Vizier of Bassorawho was a very old manwas sitting at a window of his palace opposite the khan and saw the porter walking the mule up and down. He remarked her costly trappings and took her to be a mule of paradeof such as are ridden by kings and viziers. This set him thinking and he became perplexed and said to one of his servants'Bring me yonder porter.'So the servant went and returned with the porter，who kissed the ground before the Vizier；and the latter said to him'Who is the owner of that muleand what manner of man is he？'O my lord，'replied the porter'he is a comely young man of the sons of the merchantsgrave and dignified of aspect.'