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unarmed caravans. Such deeds were unworthy of the son of my father, but I was seeing the world through a colored stone and did not realize to what degradation I had fallen.

We met with success on our first trip capturing a rich haul of gold and silks and valuable merchandise. This loot we took to Ginir and squandered.

The second time we were not so fortunate. Just after we had made our capture, we were attacked by the spearsmen of a native chief to whom the caravans paid for protection. Our two leaders were killed and the rest of us were taken to Damascus where we were stript of our clothing and sold as slaves.

I was purchased for two pieces of silver by a Syrian desert chief. With my hair shorn and but a loin cloth to wear, I was not so different from the other slaves. Being a reckless youth, I thought it merely an adventure until my master took me before his four wives and told them they could have me for a eunuch.

Then indeed did I realize the hopelessness of my situation. These men of the desert were fierce and warlike.