Perhaps, she thought, they would remain fast there till daybreak, and be seen and rescued when the brethren woke from their drugged sleep.

But Hassan read her mind, and said to her gently enough: "Be not deceived, lady, for I must tell you that if the worst comes to the worst, we shall place you in the little skiff and go on, leaving the rest to take their chance." As it happened, at the full tide they floated off the bank and drifted with the ebb down towards the sea.

At the first break of dawn she looked up, and there, looming large in the mist, lay a galley, anchored in the mouth of the river.

Giving thanks to Allah for their safe arrival, the band brought her aboard and led her towards the cabin.

On the poop stood a tall man, who was commanding the sailors that they should get up the anchor.