The avarice of
Abdallah was not able to withstand the temptation, and aware that there
was no chance of the nefarious transaction being discovered by the
sultan, he agreed to the proposal. On the second night after we had
parted with Abdallah, a body of horsemen galloped down upon us, and all
my attendants, male and female, were massacred. I was seized, put into a
sack, and thrown across a horse, and as soon as the treasure could be
collected, they set off at a rapid pace. I was nearly dead when they
halted, and when I was removed from my painful situation I fainted away.
Abdallah had never seen my face; the soldiers reported me dead, and he
was glad when he heard of it, for it was only to please his wife that he
had promised to bring me back. He walked up to where I lay, and was,
even in my miserable situation, enamoured with my beauty. His heart
acknowledged that I was the most valuable of all his plunder. Every care
and attention was bestowed upon me, and after several hours' halt to
allow me to refresh myself, I was placed in a small litter, and our
journey recommenced. He was studious to obtain my favour: at first I
spurned him: but when he told me that the Georgian slave had instigated
him to the deed, and had insisted that he should bring me back, I well
knew for what purpose, and thought only of revenge. I feigned to be less
averse to him, and before our journey was over, had used all my powers
of fascination with triumphant success. At last our wearied horses
arrived at Stamboul, and after waiting in the suburbs till the evening
closed in, that the cavalcade might not attract attention, it proceeded
to the house of Abdallah, and I was once more in the precincts of a
harem.
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