Nor did they seek him out again, since they thought it unwise to show themselves too curious about the Sheik Al-je-bal.
Indeed, it would have been useless, since that trader was ashore two full hours before they were suffered to leave the ship, from which he departed alone in a private boat.
At length they stood in the motley Eastern crowd upon the quay, wondering where they could find an inn that was quiet and of cheap charges, since they did not wish to be considered persons of wealth or importance.

As they lingered here, somewhat bewildered, a tall, veiled woman whom they had noted watching them, drew near, accompanied by a porter, who led a donkey.

This man, without more ado, seized their baggage, and helped by other porters began to fasten it upon the back of the donkey with great rapidity, and when they would have forbidden him, pointed to the veiled woman.
"Your pardon," said Godwin to her at length and speaking in French, "but this man--" "Loads up your baggage to take it to my inn.

It is cheap, quiet and comfortable--things which I heard you say you required just now, did I not ?" she answered in a sweet voice, also speaking in good French.
Godwin looked at Wulf, and Wulf at Godwin, and they began to discuss together what they should do.

When they had agreed that it seemed not wise to trust themselves to the care of a strange woman in this fashion, they looked up to see the donkey laden with their trunks being led away by the porter.
"Too late to say no, I fear me," said the woman with a laugh, "so you must be my guests awhile if you would not lose your baggage.
Come, after so long a journey you need to wash and eat.