They rested about half an hour, when Assad having attained more strength, proceeded on their way to the mountain's summit, where they at last arrived, and lay down. Amgrad rose first, and, advancing, saw a tree at a little distance: he went to it, and found it was a pomegranate-tree, with large fruit upon it, and a fountain near the foot. He ran to his brother Assad to tell him the good news, and conducted him to the tree which grew by the side of the fountain. They both refreshed themselves there by eating each a pomegranate; after which they fell asleep.
Next morning, when they awoke, Come, brother, said Amgrad to Assad, let us go on; I see the mountain is easier to be travelled over on this side than the other; all our way now is down hill. But Assad was so fatigued with the last day's journey, that he wanted three or four days' repose to recruit his strength.
They spent them, as they had done many before, in discoursing on their mother's inordinate desires, and deploring their misfortunes. But, said they, since Heaven has so visibly declared itself in our favour, we ought to bear them with patience, and comfort ourselves with hopes that we shall soon see an end of them.
At the end of three days' rest, the two brothers continued their travels, and were five days in descending the hill before they came into the valley. Then they discovered a great city, at which they were very joyful: Brother, said Amgrad to Assad, are not you of my opinion, which is, that you should stay in some place out of the city, where I may come to you again, while I go to learn the language, and inform myself of the name of the city, and in what country we are? and when I come back, I will bring provisions with me. It is not convenient for us to go there together; there may be danger in it; and so much notice will not be taken of one stranger as of two.
Brother, replied Assad, I approve of what you say; it is prudent; but if one of us must part from the other on that account, I cannot suffer that it shall be you; allow me to go; for what a trouble will it be to me if any ill accident should happen to you!
Ah! but, brother, answered Amgrad, the same ill accident you fear for me, I am as much afraid of for you. Pray let me go; and do you stay here with patience.—I will never yield to it, said Assad: if any ill should happen to me, it will be some comfort to think that you are safe. Amgrad was forced to submit; and Assad, going towards the city, stopped in a grove at the foot of the mountain.
Prince Assad took the purse of money which Amgrad had in charge, and then proceeded towards the city. He had not gone far in the first street, before he met with a reverend old man with a cane in his hand: he was neatly dressed; and the prince taking him for a man of note in the place, who would not put a trick upon him, accosted him thus: Pray, my lord, which is the way to the market-place? The old man looked on prince Assad, smiling: Child, said he, it is plain you are a stranger, or you would not have asked that question.
Yes, my lord, I am a stranger, replied Assad. The old man answered, you are welcome then; our country will be honoured by the presence of so handsome a young man as you are: Tell me what business you have at the market-place?
My lord, replied Assad, it is nearly two months since my brother and I left our own country, which is a great way from hence; we have not ceased travelling ever since, and we arrived here but to-day. My brother, fatigued with so long a journey, waits at the foot of the mountain; and for him and myself I am come to buy provisions.
Son, said the old man, you could not have come in a better time, and I am glad of it, both for your and your brother's sake. I made a feast to-day for some friends of mine, and a great deal of victuals is left untouched. Come along with me; you may eat as much as you please; and, when that is done, I will give you enough to last your brother and you several days. Do not spend your money when there is no occasion; travellers are always in want of it; while you are eating, I will give you an account of our city, which nobody can do better than myself, who have borne all the honourable offices in it. It is well for you that you happened to meet with me; for, I must tell you, all our citizens cannot so well help and inform you as I can. I can assure you that some of them are wicked. Come along; you shall see the difference between a real honest man, as I am, and such as boast to be so, and are not.