| One day,
whilst under sail,
we were becalmed near a little island, almost even with the surface of
the water, which resembled a green meadow. The captain ordered his
sails
to be furled, and permitted such persons as had a mind to do so to land
upon the island, amongst whom I was one. But while we were diverting
ourselves
with eating and drinking, and recovering ourselves from the fatigue of
the sea, the island on a sudden trembled, and shook us terribly. They
perceived
the trembling of the island on board the ship, and called us to
re-embark
speedily, or we should all be lost, for what we took for an island was
only the back of a whale. The nimblest got into the sloop, others
betook
themselves to swimming; but for my part I was still upon the back of
the
whale when he dived into the sea, and had time only to catch hold of a
piece of wood that we had brought out of the ship to make a fire.
Meanwhile,
the captain, having
received those on board who were in the sloop, and taken up some of
those
that swam, resolved to use the favourable gale that had just risen, and
hoisting his sails, pursued his voyage, so that it was impossible for
me
to regain the ship. Thus was I exposed to the mercy of the waves, and
struggled
for my life all the rest of the day and the following night.
Next
morning I found my strength
gone, and despaired of saving my life, when happily a wave threw me
against
an island. The bank was high and rugged, so that I could scarcely have
got up had it not been for some roots of trees, which fortune seemed to
have preserved in this place for my safety.
Being got
up, I lay down
upon the ground half dead until the sun appeared; then, though I was
very
feeble, both by reason of my hard labour and want of food, I crept
along
to look for some herbs fit to eat, and had the good luck not only to
find
some, but likewise a spring of excellent water, which contributed much
to restore me.
After this
I advanced farther
into the island, and came at last into a fine plain, where I perceived
a horse feeding at a great distance. I went towards him, between hope
and
fear, not knowing whether I was going to lose my life or save it.
Presently I
heard the voice
of a man from under ground, who immediately appeared to me, and asked
who
I was. I gave him an account of my adventure; after which, taking me by
the hand, he led me into a cave, where there were several other people,
no less amazed to see me than I was to see them. I ate some victuals
which
they offered me, and then asked them what they did in such a desert
place.
They answered that they were grooms belonging to King Mihrage,
sovereign
of the island, and that every year they brought thither the king's
horses.
They added that they were to get home to-morrow, and had I been one day
later I must have perished, because the inhabited part of the island
was
at a great distance, and it would have been impossible for me to have
got
thither without a guide.
Next
morning they returned
with their horses to the capital of the island, took me with them, and
presented me to King Mihrage. He asked me who I was, and by what
adventure
I came into his dominions? And, after I had satisfied him he told me he
was much concerned for my misfortune, and at the same time ordered that
I should want for nothing, which his officers were so generous and
careful
as to see exactly fulfilled. Being a merchant, I frequented the society
of men of my own profession, and particularly inquired for those who
were
strangers, if perhaps I might hear any news from Bagdad, or find an
opportunity
to return thither, for King Mihrage's capital was situated on the edge
of the sea, and had a fine harbour, where ships arrived daily from the
different quarters of the world. I frequented also the society of the
learned
Indians, and took delight in hearing them discourse; but withal I took
care to make my court regularly to the king, and conversed with the
governors
and petty kings, his tributaries, that were about him.
They asked
me a thousand
questions about my country, and I, being willing to inform myself as to
their laws and customs, asked them everything which I thought worth
knowing.
There belonged to this king an island named Cassel. They assured me
that
every night a noise of drums was heard there, whence the mariners
fancied
that it was the residence of Degial. I had a great mind to see this
wonderful
place, and on my way thither saw fishes of one hundred and two hundred
cubits long, that occasion more fear than hurt, for they are so timid
that
they will fly at the rattling of two sticks or boards. I saw likewise
other
fishes, about a cubit in length, that had heads like owls. As I was one
day at the port after my return, a ship arrived, and as soon as she
cast
anchor, they began to unload her, and the merchants on board ordered
their
goods to be carried into the warehouse. As I cast my eye upon some
bales,
and looked at the name, I found my own, and perceived the bales to be
the
same that I had embarked at Balsora. I also knew the captain; but being
persuaded that he believed me to be drowned, I went and asked him whose
bales they were. He replied: 'They belonged to a merchant of Bagdad,
called
Sinbad, who came to sea with us; but one day, being near an island, as
we thought, he went ashore with several other passengers upon this
supposed
island, which was only a monstrous whale that lay asleep upon the
surface
of the water; but as soon as he felt the heat of the fire they had
kindled
on his back to dress some victuals he began to move, and dived under
water:
most of the persons who were upon him perished, and among them
unfortunate
Sinbad.
Those bales
belonged to him,
and I am resolved to trade with them until I meet with some of his
family,
to whom I may return the profit.' 'Captain,' said I, 'I am that Sinbad
whom you thought to be dead, and those bales are mine.' When the
captain
heard me speak thus, 'O heaven,' said he, 'whom can we ever trust
now-a-days?
There is no faith left among men. I saw Sinbad perish with my own eyes,
and the passengers on board saw it as well as I, and yet you tell me
you
are that Sinbad. What impudence is this! To look at you, one would take
you to be a man of honesty, and yet you tell a horrible falsehood, in
order
to possess yourself of what does not belong to you.' 'Have patience,
captain,'
replied I; 'do me the favour to hear what I have to say.'
'Very
well,' said he, 'speak;
I am ready to hear you.' Then I told him how I escaped, and by what
adventure
I met with the grooms of King Mihrage, who brought me to his court. He
was soon persuaded that I was no cheat, for there came people from his
ship who knew me, paid me great compliments, and expressed much joy to
see me alive. At last he knew me himself, and embracing me, 'Heaven be
praised,' said he, 'for your happy escape; I cannot enough express my
joy
for it: there are your goods; take and do with them what you will.' I
thanked
him, acknowledged his honesty, and in return offered him part of my
goods
as a present, which he generously refused. I took out what was most
valuable
in my bales, and presented it to King Mihrage, who, knowing my
misfortune,
asked me how I came by such rarities. I acquainted him with the whole
story.
He was mightily pleased at my good luck, accepted my present, and gave
me one much more considerable in return.
Upon this I
took leave of
him, and went aboard the same ship, after I had exchanged my goods for
the commodities of that country. I carried with me wood of aloes,
sandal,
camphor, nutmegs, cloves, pepper, and ginger. We passed by several
islands,
and at last arrived at Balsora, from whence I came to this city, with
the
value of one hundred thousand sequins. My family and I received one
another
with transports of sincere friendship. I bought slaves and fine lands,
and built me a great house. And thus I settled myself, resolving to
forget
the miseries I had suffered, and to enjoy the pleasures of life.
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