And with that he hurried off to the jungle and cut grass as fast as he could . As soon as he got back he found the caravan had stopped at his door , and the merchant was waiting , a little anxiously , to tell him the news and to congratulate him upon his riches . ` Riches ! ' cried Wali Dad , ` what has an old man like me with one foot in the grave to do with riches ? That beautiful young princess , now ! She 'd be the one to enjoy all these fine things ! Do you take for yourself two horses , two camels , and two elephants , with all their trappings , and present the rest to her . ' The merchant at first objected to these remarks , and pointed out to Wali Dad that he was beginning to feel these embassies a little awkward . Of course he was himself richly repaid , so far as expenses went ; but still he did not like going so often , and he was getting nervous . At length , however he consented to go once more , but he promised himself never to embark on another such enterprise . So , after a few days ' rest , the caravan started off once more for Khaistan . The moment the king of Khaistan saw the gorgeous train of men and beasts entering his palace courtyard , he was so amazed that he hurried down in person to inquire about it , and became dumb when he heard that these also were a present from the princely Wali Dad , and were for the princess , his daughter . He went hastily off to her apartments , and said to her : ' I tell you what it is , my dear , this man wants to marry you ; that is the meaning of all these presents ! There is nothing for it but that we go and pay him a visit in person . He must be a man of immense wealth , and as he is so devoted to you , perhaps you might do worse than marry him ! ' The princess agreed with all that her father said , and orders were issued for vast numbers of elephants and camels , and gorgeous tents and flags , and litters for the ladies , and horses for the men , to be prepared without delay , as the king and princess were going to pay a visit to the great and munificent prince Wali Dad . The merchant , the king declared , was to guide the party . The feelings of the poor merchant in this sore dilemma can hardly be imagined . Willingly would he have run away ; but he was treated with so much hospitality as Wali Dad 's representative , that he hardly got an instant 's real peace , and never any opportunity of slipping away . In fact , after a few days , despair possessed him to such a degree that he made up his mind that all that happened was fate , and that escape was impossible ; but he hoped devoutly some turn of fortune would reveal to him a way out of the difficulties which he had , with the best intentions , drawn upon himself .
On the seventh day they all started , amidst thunderous salutes from the ramparts of the city , and much dust , and cheering , and blaring XXXXX trumpets .
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