So the Chamberlain brought him a steed and he mounted， surrounded by the rest of the company on foot， and rode between the tents，till he came to the royal pavilion， where he entered and sat down， with the royal dagger across his thighs， whilst the Chamberlain stood in attendance on him and his servants stationed themselves in the vestibule of the pavilion， with drawn swords in their hands. Presently， up came the troops and sought admission to the King"s presence； so the Chamberlain went in to Zoulmekan and asked his leave， whereupon he bade admit them， ten by ten.
Accordingly， the Chamberlain went out to them and acquainted them with the King"s orders， to which they replied， "We hear and obey." Then he took ten of them and carried them， through the vestibule， into the presence of the Sultan， whom when they saw，they were awed； but he received them with the utmost kindness and promised them all good. So they gave him joy of his safe return and invoked God"s blessing upon him， after which they took the oath of fealty to him， and kissing the earth before him，withdrew. Then other ten entered and he received them in the same manner； and they ceased not to enter， ten by ten， till none was left but the Vizier Dendan. So he went in and kissed the earth before Zoulmekan， who rose to meet him， saying， "Welcome， O noble Vizier and father！ Verily， thine acts are those of a precious counsellor， and judgment and foresight are in the hands of the Subtle， the All Wise." Then he commanded the Chamberlain to go out and cause the tables to be spread at once and bid the troops thereto. So they came and ate and drank. Moreover， he bade Dendan call a ten days" halt of the army， that he might be private with him and learn from him the manner of his father"s death.
