At that port they all embarked, and soon arrived at Acre, when they joined the Christian army, which was visited by a mortal pestilence that swept away a great part of the people; and the thin remains of it were, by the dexterity or good fortune of Saladin taken prisoners almost to a man, and distributed into divers cities to be imprisoned, when it was Torello’s fortune to be sent to Alexandria. There, being unknown, and fearing lest he should be discovered, he was driven by necessity to undertake the care of hawks, of which he was a great master. By that means he soon fell under the notice of Saladin, who set him at liberty, and made him his falconer. Torello, who went by no other name than that of the Christian, and neither remembered the soldan, nor the soldan him, had all his thoughts at Pavia, and was often contriving how to make his escape, though without success; but some ambassadors from Genoa being come thither to treat with the soldan about the redemption of certain of their countrymen, as they were just upon their departure, he resolved to write to his lady, to let her know he was alive and would make all possible haste home, and to pray her, therefore, to be in daily expectation of his coming; and so he did. He earnestly entreated also, one of the ambassadors, whom he knew, that he would take care those letters came to the hands of the abbot of San Pietro, who was his uncle. Whilst Torello remained in this condition, it happened one day, as Saladin was talking with him about his hawks, that he chanced to laugh, when he made a certain motion with his lips, which Saladin, when he was at his house in Pavia, had taken particular notice of. Upon this he recollected him; and looking steadfastly at him, believed he was the same person. Now leaving his former discourse, he said, “Tell me, Christian, of what country in the west art thou?” – “My lord,” replied he, “I am a Lombard, and born in a city called Pavia; but am a poor man, and of no account.” When Saladin heard that, he became assured of what he doubted before, saying joyfully to himself, “Providence has now given me an opportunity of showing how acceptable his generosity was to me.” So, causing his wardrobe to be set open, he carried him thither, and said, “Take notice, Christian, if there is any one robe amongst these that thou hast ever seen before.” Torello soon cast his eye upon that which his lady had given to Saladin, but not imagining it could be the same, he replied, “My lord, I know not one; two there are indeed, which are like what I have worn formerly, and which I gave to three merchants that were at my house.” Now Saladin could refrain no longer; but taking him joyfully in his arms, he said, “You are Signor Torello d’Istria, and I am one of the three merchants to whom your lady gave these robes: and now the time is come for me to convince you what my merchandise is, as I said, at my leaving you, might possibly happen.” Torello, at hearing these words, was overwhelmed both with joy and shame: joy, at having had such a guest; and shame, to think how indifferently he had received him. Then said Saladin, “Torello, as Providence has sent you hither, account yourself to be master, and not me.” So, after great expressions of joy, he clothed him in royal apparel, and having recommended him to all his principal barons, and spoken highly in his praise, he commanded them to show him the same respect and honour as they would himself, if they expected any favour at his hands; which, accordingly, they all observed, especially the two lords who had accompanied Saladin at his house.
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