We agreed that Constantinople was no place for us any longer , and calling to Izouf to accompany us , we left the city together , but soon determined to travel separately , so that we might not be so easily recognised by the spies of Siroco . ' A few days later I found myself at the door of an old castle near the sea , before which a tall slave was pacing to and fro . The gift of one or two worthless jewels loosened his tongue , and he informed me that he was in the service of the son of the Bassa of the Sea , at that time making war in distant countries . The youth , he told me , had been destined from his boyhood to marry the daughter of Siroco , whose sisters were to be the brides of his brothers , and went on to speak of the talisman that his charge possessed . But I could think of nothing but the beautiful Zelida , and my passion , which I thought I had conquered , awoke in full force . ` In order to remove this dangerous rival from my path , I resolved to kidnap him , and to this end I began to act a madman , and to sing and dance loudly , crying to the slave to fetch the boy and let him see my tricks . He consented , and both were so diverted with my antics that they laughed till the tears ran down their cheeks , and even tried to imitate me . Then I declared I felt thirsty and begged the slave to fetch me some water , and while he was absent I advised the youth to take off his turban , so as to cool his head . He complied gladly , and in the twinkling of an eye was changed into a pot . A cry from the slave warned me that I had no time to lose if I would save my life , so I snatched up the pot and fled with it like the wind . ` You have heard , my lords , what became of the pot , so I will only say now that when I awoke it had disappeared ; but I was partly consoled for its loss by finding my two brothers fast asleep not far from me . `` How did you get here ? '' I inquired , `` and what has happened to you since we parted ? '' ' `` Alas ! '' replied Izouf , `` we were passing a wayside inn from which came sounds of songs and laughter , and fools that we were -- we entered and sat down . Circassian girls of great beauty were dancing for the amusement of several men , who not only received us politely , but placed us near the two loveliest maidens . Our happiness was complete , and time flew unknown to us , when one of the Circassians leaned forward and said to her sister , ` Their brother danced , and they must dance too . ' What they meant by these words I know not , but perhaps you can tell us ? '' ' `` I understand quite well , '' I replied . `` They were thinking of the day that I stole the son of the Bassa , and had danced before him . '' '
`` Perhaps you are right , '' continued Izouf , `` for the two ladies took our hands and danced with us XXXXX we were quite exhausted , and when at last we sat down a second time to table we drank more wine than was good for us .
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