تحفة النظار في غرايب الامصار وعجايب الاسفار 13.75.1

13.75.1

When the time for sailing to China came, the sultan the Sāmarī equipped for us one of the thirteen junks that were in the harbour of Qāliqūṭ. The junk's agent was called Sulaymān al-Ṣafadī al-Shāmī, and he and I were acquainted. I said to him: 'I want a cabin that no one shares with me, on account of the slave girls, for it is my custom not to travel without them.' He said to me: 'The merchants of China have taken up the cabins, going and returning, but my son-in-law has a cabin which I will give you; however, it has no latrine, and perhaps you will be able to exchange it.' So I ordered my companions, and they loaded the goods I had, and the slaves and slave girls went aboard the junk. That was on Thursday, and I stayed behind to pray the Friday prayer and then join them. Malik Sunbul and Ẓahīr al-Dīn went aboard with the gift. Then a page of mine called Hilāl came to me on Friday morning and said: 'The cabin we took on the junk is cramped and unsuitable.' I mentioned this to the shipowner, and he said: 'There is no remedy for that, but if you would like to be on the kakam, there are cabins on it of your choosing.' I said: 'Yes,' and ordered my companions, and they moved the slave girls and the goods to the kakam, and they were settled in it before the Friday prayer.