During their search they became separated, and Amanda, while walking along the seashore, was seized by pirates.

They intended to carry her away and sell her as a slave to the Sultan.

Huon heard her cries of distress, and rushed to her rescue; but in spite of his utmost efforts to join her he saw her borne away to the waiting vessel, while he was bound to a tree in the woods, and left there to die.
"Deep in the wood, at distance from the shore, They drag their victim, that his loudest word Pour'd on the desert air may pass unheard.
Then bind the wretch, and fasten o'er and o'er Arm, leg, and neck, and shoulders, to a tree.
To heaven he looks in speechless agony, O'ercome by woe's unutterable weigfit.
Thus he--the while, with jocund shout elate The crew bear off their prey, and bound along the sea." WIELAND, _Oberon_ (Sotheby's tr.).
Oberon, however, had pity at last upon the unfortunate knight, and sent one of his invisible servants, who not only unbound him, but transported him, with miraculous rapidity, over land and sea, and deposited him at the door of a gardener's house in Tunis.
[Sidenote: Sherasmin's search.] After parting from his master at Lepanto, Sherasmin traveled on until he came to the gates of the palace with his precious casket.

Then only did he realize that Charlemagne would never credit his tale unless Huon were there with his bride to vouch for its truth.

Instead of entering the royal abode he therefore hastened back to Rome, where for two months he awaited the arrival of the young couple.
Then, sure that some misfortune had overtaken them, the faithful Sherasmin wandered in pilgrim guise from place to place seeking them, until he finally came to Tunis, where Fatima, Amanda's maid, had been sold into slavery, and where he sorrowfully learned of his master's death.
To be near Fatima, Sherasmin took a gardener's position in the Sultan's palace, and when he opened the door of his humble dwelling one morning he was overjoyed to find Huon, who had been brought there by the messenger of Oberon.