My nurse, a very old woman, who was present, shook her head, with a look which I shall never forget, and whispered to my mother loud enough for me to hear, 'Unlucky he was, and is, and ever will be.

Those that are born to ill luck cannot help themselves; nor can any, but the great prophet, Mahomet himself, do anything for them.

It is a folly for an unlucky person to strive with their fate: it is better to yield to it at once.' "This speech made a terrible impression upon me, young as I then was; and every accident that happened to me afterwards confirmed my belief in my nurse's prognostic.

I was in my eighth year when my father returned from abroad.

The year after he came home my brother Saladin was born, who was named Saladin the Lucky, because the day he was born a vessel freighted with rich merchandise for my father arrived safely in port.
"I will not weary you with a relation of all the little instances of good fortune by which my brother Saladin was distinguished, even during his childhood.