Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 4.djvu/74

very Moment mounted my Horſe, and ſet out with my Equipage.

Day appearing Scheherazade diſcontinued her Diſcourſe; but reſumed it next Night as follows.

I Had a good Journey, continued the Young Man of Morſſoul, and arrived at Cairo, without any ill Accident: There I met with my Uncles, who were very much ſurprized to ſee me there. To excuſe my ſelf, I pretended I was tired of ſtaying for them; and hearing nothing of them, was ſo uneaſy, that I could not be ſatisfied without coming to Cairo, They received me very kindly, and promiſed my Father ſhould not be angry with me for leaving Damaſcus without his Permiſſion. I lodged in the ſame Khan with them, and ſaw all the Curioſities of Cairo.

Having finiſhed their Traffick, they began to ſpeak of returning to Mouſſoul, and to make Preparations for their departure. But having a mind to ſee ſomething in Egypt that I had not yet ſeen, left my Uncles, and went to lodge at a great diſtance from their Khan, and did not appear till they were gone. They had ſought for me all over the City; but not finding me, they judg’d the Remorſe of having come to Egypt without my Father’s Conſent, had put me upon returning to Damaſcus without ſaying any thing to them. So they began their Journey, expecting to find me at Damaſcus, and there to take me up.

I continued at Cairo after their Departure three Years, to give full Satisfaction to the Curioſity I had of ſeeing all the Wonders of Egypt. During that time I took care to ſend Money to the Jewel-Merchant, ordering him to keep my Houſe for me: For I had a deſign to return to Damaſcus, and ftay there for ſome Years. I had no Adventure at Cairo worthy of your hearing; but doubtleſs you’ll be ſurprized at that I met with after my return to Damaſcus.

Arriving at this City, I went to the Jewel-Merchant’s Houſe, who received me joyfully, and would needs go along with me to my Houſe, to ſhew me that no Body had entred it whilſt I was abſent, In Effect the Seal was ftill