Chương Chương 15 · The Seven Voyages of Sindbad t

The Seven Voyages of Sindbad the Sailor

In the times of the Caliph Haroun-al-Raschid there lived in Bagdad a

poor porter named Hindbad, who on a very hot day was sent to carry a

heavy load from one end of the city to the other. Before he had

accomplished half the distance he was so tired that, finding himself in

a quiet street where the pavement was sprinkled with rose water, and a

cool breeze was blowing, he set his burden upon the ground, and sat

down to rest in the shade of a grand house. Very soon he decided that

he could not have chosen a pleasanter place; a delicious perfume of

aloes wood and pastilles came from the open windows and mingled with

the scent of the rose water which steamed up from the hot pavement.

Within the palace he heard some music, as of many instruments cunningly

played, and the melodious warble of nightingales and other birds, and

by this, and the appetising smell of many dainty dishes of which he

presently became aware, he judged that feasting and merry making were

going on. He wondered who lived in this magnificent house which he had

never seen before, the street in which it stood being one which he

seldom had occasion to pass. To satisfy his curiosity he went up to

some splendidly dressed servants who stood at the door, and asked one

of them the name of the master of the mansion.

"What," replied he, "do you live in Bagdad, and not know that here

lives the noble Sindbad the Sailor, that famous traveller who sailed

over every sea upon which the sun shines?"

The porter, who had often heard people speak of the immense wealth of

Sindbad, could not help feeling envious of one whose lot seemed to be

as happy as his own was miserable. Casting his eyes up to the sky he

exclaimed aloud,

"Consider, Mighty Creator of all things, the differences between

Sindbad's life and mine. Every day I suffer a thousand hardships and

misfortunes, and have hard work to get even enough bad barley bread to

keep myself and my family alive, while the lucky Sindbad spends money

right and left and lives upon the fat of the land! What has he done

that you should give him this pleasant life--what have I done to

deserve so hard a fate?"

So saying he stamped upon the ground like one beside himself with

misery and despair. Just at this moment a servant came out of the

palace, and taking him by the arm said, "Come with me, the noble

Sindbad, my master, wishes to speak to you."

Hindbad was not a little surprised at this summons, and feared that his

unguarded words might have drawn upon him the displeasure of Sindbad,

so he tried to excuse himself upon the pretext that he could not leave

the burden which had been entrusted to him in the street. However the

lackey promised him that it should be taken care of, and urged him to

obey the call so pressingly that at last the porter was obliged to

yield.

He followed the servant into a vast room, where a great company was

seated round a table covered with all sorts of delicacies. In the

place of honour sat a tall, grave man whose long white beard gave him a

venerable air. Behind his chair stood a crowd of attendants eager to

minister to his wants. This was the famous Sindbad himself. The

porter, more than ever alarmed at the sight of so much magnificence,

tremblingly saluted the noble company. Sindbad, making a sign to him

to approach, caused him to be seated at his right hand, and himself

heaped choice morsels upon his plate, and poured out for him a draught

of excellent wine, and presently, when the banquet drew to a close,

spoke to him familiarly, asking his name and occupation.

"My lord," replied the porter, "I am called Hindbad."

"I am glad to see you here," continued Sindbad. "And I will answer for

the rest of the company that they are equally pleased, but I wish you

to tell me what it was that you said just now in the street." For

Sindbad, passing by the open window before the feast began, had heard

his complaint and therefore had sent for him.

At this question Hindbad was covered with confusion, and hanging down

his head, replied, "My lord, I confess that, overcome by weariness and

ill-humour, I uttered indiscreet words, which I pray you to pardon me."

"Oh!" replied Sindbad, "do not imagine that I am so unjust as to blame

you. On the contrary, I understand your situation and can pity you.

Only you appear to be mistaken about me, and I wish to set you right.

You doubtless imagine that I have acquired all the wealth and luxury

that you see me enjoy without difficulty or danger, but this is far

indeed from being the case. I have only reached this happy state after

having for years suffered every possible kind of toil and danger.

"Yes, my noble friends," he continued, addressing the company, "I

assure you that my adventures have been strange enough to deter even

the most avaricious men from seeking wealth by traversing the seas.

Since you have, perhaps, heard but confused accounts of my seven

voyages, and the dangers and wonders that I have met with by sea and

land, I will now give you a full and true account of them, which I

think you will be well pleased to hear."

As Sindbad was relating his adventures chiefly on account of the

porter, he ordered, before beginning his tale, that the burden which

had been left in the street should be carried by some of his own

servants to the place for which Hindbad had set out at first, while he

remained to listen to the story.

First Voyage

I had inherited considerable wealth from my parents, and being young

and foolish I at first squandered it recklessly upon every kind of

pleasure, but presently, finding that riches speedily take to

themselves wings if managed as badly as I was managing mine, and

remembering also that to be old and poor is misery indeed, I began to

bethink me of how I could make the best of what still remained to me.

I sold all my household goods by public auction, and joined a company

of merchants who traded by sea, embarking with them at Balsora in a

ship which we had fitted out between us.

We set sail and took our course towards the East Indies by the Persian

Gulf, having the coast of Persia upon our left hand and upon our right

the shores of Arabia Felix. I was at first much troubled by the uneasy

motion of the vessel, but speedily recovered my health, and since that

hour have been no more plagued by sea-sickness.

From time to time we landed at various islands, where we sold or

exchanged our merchandise, and one day, when the wind dropped suddenly,

we found ourselves becalmed close to a small island like a green

meadow, which only rose slightly above the surface of the water. Our

sails were furled, and the captain gave permission to all who wished to

land for a while and amuse themselves. I was among the number, but

when after strolling about for some time we lighted a fire and sat down

to enjoy the repast which we had brought with us, we were startled by a

sudden and violent trembling of the island, while at the same moment

those left upon the ship set up an outcry bidding us come on board for

our lives, since what we had taken for an island was nothing but the

back of a sleeping whale. Those who were nearest to the boat threw

themselves into it, others sprang into the sea, but before I could save

myself the whale plunged suddenly into the depths of the ocean, leaving

me clinging to a piece of the wood which we had brought to make our

fire. Meanwhile a breeze had sprung up, and in the confusion that

ensued on board our vessel in hoisting the sails and taking up those

who were in the boat and clinging to its sides, no one missed me and I

was left at the mercy of the waves. All that day I floated up and

down, now beaten this way, now that, and when night fell I despaired

for my life; but, weary and spent as I was, I clung to my frail

support, and great was my joy when the morning light showed me that I

had drifted against an island.

The cliffs were high and steep, but luckily for me some tree-roots

protruded in places, and by their aid I climbed up at last, and

stretched myself upon the turf at the top, where I lay, more dead than

alive, till the sun was high in the heavens. By that time I was very

hungry, but after some searching I came upon some eatable herbs, and a

spring of clear water, and much refreshed I set out to explore the

island. Presently I reached a great plain where a grazing horse was

tethered, and as I stood looking at it I heard voices talking

apparently underground, and in a moment a man appeared who asked me how

I came upon the island. I told him my adventures, and heard in return

that he was one of the grooms of Mihrage, the king of the island, and

that each year they came to feed their master's horses in this plain.

He took me to a cave where his companions were assembled, and when I

had eaten of the food they set before me, they bade me think myself

fortunate to have come upon them when I did, since they were going back

to their master on the morrow, and without their aid I could certainly

never have found my way to the inhabited part of the island.

Early the next morning we accordingly set out, and when we reached the

capital I was graciously received by the king, to whom I related my

adventures, upon which he ordered that I should be well cared for and

provided with such things as I needed. Being a merchant I sought out

men of my own profession, and particularly those who came from foreign

countries, as I hoped in this way to hear news from Bagdad, and find

out some means of returning thither, for the capital was situated upon

the sea-shore, and visited by vessels from all parts of the world. In

the meantime I heard many curious things, and answered many questions

concerning my own country, for I talked willingly with all who came to

me. Also to while away the time of waiting I explored a little island

named Cassel, which belonged to King Mihrage, and which was supposed to

be inhabited by a spirit named Deggial. Indeed, the sailors assured me

that often at night the playing of timbals could be heard upon it.

However, I saw nothing strange upon my voyage, saving some fish that

were full two hundred cubits long, but were fortunately more in dread

of us than even we were of them, and fled from us if we did but strike

upon a board to frighten them. Other fishes there were only a cubit

long which had heads like owls.

One day after my return, as I went down to the quay, I saw a ship which

had just cast anchor, and was discharging her cargo, while the

merchants to whom it belonged were busily directing the removal of it

to their warehouses. Drawing nearer I presently noticed that my own

name was marked upon some of the packages, and after having carefully

examined them, I felt sure that they were indeed those which I had put

on board our ship at Balsora. I then recognised the captain of the

vessel, but as I was certain that he believed me to be dead, I went up

to him and asked who owned the packages that I was looking at.

"There was on board my ship," he replied, "a merchant of Bagdad named

Sindbad. One day he and several of my other passengers landed upon

what we supposed to be an island, but which was really an enormous

whale floating asleep upon the waves. No sooner did it feel upon its

back the heat of the fire which had been kindled, than it plunged into

the depths of the sea. Several of the people who were upon it perished

in the waters, and among others this unlucky Sindbad. This merchandise

is his, but I have resolved to dispose of it for the benefit of his

family if I should ever chance to meet with them."

"Captain," said I, "I am that Sindbad whom you believe to be dead, and

these are my possessions!"

When the captain heard these words he cried out in amazement,

"Lackaday! and what is the world coming to? In these days there is not

an honest man to be met with. Did I not with my own eyes see Sindbad

drown, and now you have the audacity to tell me that you are he! I

should have taken you to be a just man, and yet for the sake of

obtaining that which does not belong to you, you are ready to invent

this horrible falsehood."

"Have patience, and do me the favour to hear my story," said I.

"Speak then," replied the captain, "I'm all attention."

So I told him of my escape and of my fortunate meeting with the king's

grooms, and how kindly I had been received at the palace. Very soon I

began to see that I had made some impression upon him, and after the

arrival of some of the other merchants, who showed great joy at once

more seeing me alive, he declared that he also recognised me.

Throwing himself upon my neck he exclaimed, "Heaven be praised that you

have escaped from so great a danger. As to your goods, I pray you take

them, and dispose of them as you please." I thanked him, and praised

his honesty, begging him to accept several bales of merchandise in

token of my gratitude, but he would take nothing. Of the choicest of

my goods I prepared a present for King Mihrage, who was at first

amazed, having known that I had lost my all. However, when I had

explained to him how my bales had been miraculously restored to me, he

graciously accepted my gifts, and in return gave me many valuable

things. I then took leave of him, and exchanging my merchandise for

sandal and aloes wood, camphor, nutmegs, cloves, pepper, and ginger, I

embarked upon the same vessel and traded so successfully upon our

homeward voyage that I arrived in Balsora with about one hundred

thousand sequins. My family received me with as much joy as I felt

upon seeing them once more. I bought land and slaves, and built a

great house in which I resolved to live happily, and in the enjoyment

of all the pleasures of life to forget my past sufferings.

Here Sindbad paused, and commanded the musicians to play again, while

the feasting continued until evening. When the time came for the

porter to depart, Sindbad gave him a purse containing one hundred

sequins, saying, "Take this, Hindbad, and go home, but to-morrow come

again and you shall hear more of my adventures."

The porter retired quite overcome by so much generosity, and you may

imagine that he was well received at home, where his wife and children

thanked their lucky stars that he had found such a benefactor.

The next day Hindbad, dressed in his best, returned to the voyager's

house, and was received with open arms. As soon as all the guests had

arrived the banquet began as before, and when they had feasted long and

merrily, Sindbad addressed them thus:

"My friends, I beg that you will give me your attention while I relate

the adventures of my second voyage, which you will find even more

astonishing than the first."

Second Voyage

I had resolved, as you know, on my return from my first voyage, to

spend the rest of my days quietly in Bagdad, but very soon I grew tired

of such an idle life and longed once more to find myself upon the sea.

I procured, therefore, such goods as were suitable for the places I

intended to visit, and embarked for the second time in a good ship with

other merchants whom I knew to be honourable men. We went from island

to island, often making excellent bargains, until one day we landed at

a spot which, though covered with fruit trees and abounding in springs

of excellent water, appeared to possess neither houses nor people.

While my companions wandered here and there gathering flowers and fruit

I sat down in a shady place, and, having heartily enjoyed the

provisions and the wine I had brought with me, I fell asleep, lulled by

the murmur of a clear brook which flowed close by.

How long I slept I know not, but when I opened my eyes and started to

my feet I perceived with horror that I was alone and that the ship was

gone. I rushed to and fro like one distracted, uttering cries of

despair, and when from the shore I saw the vessel under full sail just

disappearing upon the horizon, I wished bitterly enough that I had been

content to stay at home in safety. But since wishes could do me no

good, I presently took courage and looked about me for a means of

escape. When I had climbed a tall tree I first of all directed my

anxious glances towards the sea; but, finding nothing hopeful there, I

turned landward, and my curiosity was excited by a huge dazzling white

object, so far off that I could not make out what it might be.

Descending from the tree I hastily collected what remained of my

provisions and set off as fast as I could go towards it. As I drew

near it seemed to me to be a white ball of immense size and height, and

when I could touch it, I found it marvellously smooth and soft. As it

was impossible to climb it--for it presented no foot-hold--I walked

round about it seeking some opening, but there was none. I counted,

however, that it was at least fifty paces round. By this time the sun

was near setting, but quite suddenly it fell dark, something like a

huge black cloud came swiftly over me, and I saw with amazement that it

was a bird of extraordinary size which was hovering near. Then I

remembered that I had often heard the sailors speak of a wonderful bird

called a roc, and it occurred to me that the white object which had so

puzzled me must be its egg.

Sure enough the bird settled slowly down upon it, covering it with its

wings to keep it warm, and I cowered close beside the egg in such a

position that one of the bird's feet, which was as large as the trunk

of a tree, was just in front of me. Taking off my turban I bound

myself securely to it with the linen in the hope that the roc, when it

took flight next morning, would bear me away with it from the desolate

island. And this was precisely what did happen. As soon as the dawn

appeared the bird rose into the air carrying me up and up till I could

no longer see the earth, and then suddenly it descended so swiftly that

I almost lost consciousness. When I became aware that the roc had

settled and that I was once again upon solid ground, I hastily unbound

my turban from its foot and freed myself, and that not a moment too

soon; for the bird, pouncing upon a huge snake, killed it with a few

blows from its powerful beak, and seizing it up rose into the air once

more and soon disappeared from my view. When I had looked about me I

began to doubt if I had gained anything by quitting the desolate island.

The valley in which I found myself was deep and narrow, and surrounded

by mountains which towered into the clouds, and were so steep and rocky

that there was no way of climbing up their sides. As I wandered about,

seeking anxiously for some means of escaping from this trap, I observed

that the ground was strewed with diamonds, some of them of an

astonishing size. This sight gave me great pleasure, but my delight

was speedily damped when I saw also numbers of horrible snakes so long

and so large that the smallest of them could have swallowed an elephant

with ease. Fortunately for me they seemed to hide in caverns of the

rocks by day, and only came out by night, probably because of their

enemy the roc.

All day long I wandered up and down the valley, and when it grew dusk I

crept into a little cave, and having blocked up the entrance to it with

a stone, I ate part of my little store of food and lay down to sleep,

but all through the night the serpents crawled to and fro, hissing

horribly, so that I could scarcely close my eyes for terror. I was

thankful when the morning light appeared, and when I judged by the

silence that the serpents had retreated to their dens I came

tremblingly out of my cave and wandered up and down the valley once

more, kicking the diamonds contemptuously out of my path, for I felt

that they were indeed vain things to a man in my situation. At last,

overcome with weariness, I sat down upon a rock, but I had hardly

closed my eyes when I was startled by something which fell to the

ground with a thud close beside me.

It was a huge piece of fresh meat, and as I stared at it several more

pieces rolled over the cliffs in different places. I had always

thought that the stories the sailors told of the famous valley of

diamonds, and of the cunning way which some merchants had devised for

getting at the precious stones, were mere travellers' tales invented to

give pleasure to the hearers, but now I perceived that they were surely

true. These merchants came to the valley at the time when the eagles,

which keep their eyries in the rocks, had hatched their young. The

merchants then threw great lumps of meat into the valley. These,

falling with so much force upon the diamonds, were sure to take up some

of the precious stones with them, when the eagles pounced upon the meat

and carried it off to their nests to feed their hungry broods. Then

the merchants, scaring away the parent birds with shouts and outcries,

would secure their treasures. Until this moment I had looked upon the

valley as my grave, for I had seen no possibility of getting out of it

alive, but now I took courage and began to devise a means of escape. I

began by picking up all the largest diamonds I could find and storing

them carefully in the leathern wallet which had held my provisions;

this I tied securely to my belt. I then chose the piece of meat which

seemed most suited to my purpose, and with the aid of my turban bound

it firmly to my back; this done I laid down upon my face and awaited

the coming of the eagles. I soon heard the flapping of their mighty

wings above me, and had the satisfaction of feeling one of them seize

upon my piece of meat, and me with it, and rise slowly towards his

nest, into which he presently dropped me. Luckily for me the merchants

were on the watch, and setting up their usual outcries they rushed to

the nest scaring away the eagle. Their amazement was great when they

discovered me, and also their disappointment, and with one accord they

fell to abusing me for having robbed them of their usual profit.

Addressing myself to the one who seemed most aggrieved, I said: "I am

sure, if you knew all that I have suffered, you would show more

kindness towards me, and as for diamonds, I have enough here of the

very best for you and me and all your company." So saying I showed

them to him. The others all crowded round me, wondering at my

adventures and admiring the device by which I had escaped from the

valley, and when they had led me to their camp and examined my

diamonds, they assured me that in all the years that they had carried

on their trade they had seen no stones to be compared with them for

size and beauty.

I found that each merchant chose a particular nest, and took his chance

of what he might find in it. So I begged the one who owned the nest to

which I had been carried to take as much as he would of my treasure,

but he contented himself with one stone, and that by no means the

largest, assuring me that with such a gem his fortune was made, and he

need toil no more. I stayed with the merchants several days, and then

as they were journeying homewards I gladly accompanied them. Our way

lay across high mountains infested with frightful serpents, but we had

the good luck to escape them and came at last to the seashore. Thence

we sailed to the isle of Rohat where the camphor trees grow to such a

size that a hundred men could shelter under one of them with ease. The

sap flows from an incision made high up in the tree into a vessel hung

there to receive it, and soon hardens into the substance called

camphor, but the tree itself withers up and dies when it has been so

treated.

In this same island we saw the rhinoceros, an animal which is smaller

than the elephant and larger than the buffalo. It has one horn about a

cubit long which is solid, but has a furrow from the base to the tip.

Upon it is traced in white lines the figure of a man. The rhinoceros

fights with the elephant, and transfixing him with his horn carries him

off upon his head, but becoming blinded with the blood of his enemy, he

falls helpless to the ground, and then comes the roc, and clutches them

both up in his talons and takes them to feed his young. This doubtless

astonishes you, but if you do not believe my tale go to Rohat and see

for yourself. For fear of wearying you I pass over in silence many

other wonderful things which we saw in this island. Before we left I

exchanged one of my diamonds for much goodly merchandise by which I

profited greatly on our homeward way. At last we reached Balsora,

whence I hastened to Bagdad, where my first action was to bestow large

sums of money upon the poor, after which I settled down to enjoy

tranquilly the riches I had gained with so much toil and pain.

Having thus related the adventures of his second voyage, Sindbad again

bestowed a hundred sequins upon Hindbad, inviting him to come again on

the following day and hear how he fared upon his third voyage. The

other guests also departed to their homes, but all returned at the same

hour next day, including the porter, whose former life of hard work and

poverty had already begun to seem to him like a bad dream. Again after

the feast was over did Sindbad claim the attention of his guests and

began the account of his third voyage.

Third Voyage

After a very short time the pleasant easy life I led made me quite

forget the perils of my two voyages. Moreover, as I was still in the

prime of life, it pleased me better to be up and doing. So once more

providing myself with the rarest and choicest merchandise of Bagdad, I

conveyed it to Balsora, and set sail with other merchants of my

acquaintance for distant lands. We had touched at many ports and made

much profit, when one day upon the open sea we were caught by a

terrible wind which blew us completely out of our reckoning, and

lasting for several days finally drove us into harbour on a strange

island.

"I would rather have come to anchor anywhere than here," quoth our

captain. "This island and all adjoining it are inhabited by hairy

savages, who are certain to attack us, and whatever these dwarfs may do

we dare not resist, since they swarm like locusts, and if one of them

is killed the rest will fall upon us, and speedily make an end of us."

These words caused great consternation among all the ship's company,

and only too soon we were to find out that the captain spoke truly.

There appeared a vast multitude of hideous savages, not more than two

feet high and covered with reddish fur. Throwing themselves into the

waves they surrounded our vessel. Chattering meanwhile in a language

we could not understand, and clutching at ropes and gangways, they

swarmed up the ship's side with such speed and agility that they almost

seemed to fly.

You may imagine the rage and terror that seized us as we watched them,

neither daring to hinder them nor able to speak a word to deter them

from their purpose, whatever it might be. Of this we were not left

long in doubt. Hoisting the sails, and cutting the cable of the

anchor, they sailed our vessel to an island which lay a little further

off, where they drove us ashore; then taking possession of her, they

made off to the place from which they had come, leaving us helpless

upon a shore avoided with horror by all mariners for a reason which you

will soon learn.

Turning away from the sea we wandered miserably inland, finding as we

went various herbs and fruits which we ate, feeling that we might as

well live as long as possible though we had no hope of escape.

Presently we saw in the far distance what seemed to us to be a splendid

palace, towards which we turned our weary steps, but when we reached it

we saw that it was a castle, lofty, and strongly built. Pushing back

the heavy ebony doors we entered the courtyard, but upon the threshold

of the great hall beyond it we paused, frozen with horror, at the sight

which greeted us. On one side lay a huge pile of bones--human bones,

and on the other numberless spits for roasting! Overcome with despair

we sank trembling to the ground, and lay there without speech or

motion. The sun was setting when a loud noise aroused us, the door of

the hall was violently burst open and a horrible giant entered. He was

as tall as a palm tree, and perfectly black, and had one eye, which

flamed like a burning coal in the middle of his forehead. His teeth

were long and sharp and grinned horribly, while his lower lip hung down

upon his chest, and he had ears like elephant's ears, which covered his

shoulders, and nails like the claws of some fierce bird.

At this terrible sight our senses left us and we lay like dead men.

When at last we came to ourselves the giant sat examining us

attentively with his fearful eye. Presently when he had looked at us

enough he came towards us, and stretching out his hand took me by the

back of the neck, turning me this way and that, but feeling that I was

mere skin and bone he set me down again and went on to the next, whom

he treated in the same fashion; at last he came to the captain, and

finding him the fattest of us all, he took him up in one hand and stuck

him upon a spit and proceeded to kindle a huge fire at which he

presently roasted him. After the giant had supped he lay down to

sleep, snoring like the loudest thunder, while we lay shivering with

horror the whole night through, and when day broke he awoke and went

out, leaving us in the castle.

When we believed him to be really gone we started up bemoaning our

horrible fate, until the hall echoed with our despairing cries. Though

we were many and our enemy was alone it did not occur to us to kill

him, and indeed we should have found that a hard task, even if we had

thought of it, and no plan could we devise to deliver ourselves. So at

last, submitting to our sad fate, we spent the day in wandering up and

down the island eating such fruits as we could find, and when night

came we returned to the castle, having sought in vain for any other

place of shelter. At sunset the giant returned, supped upon one of our

unhappy comrades, slept and snored till dawn, and then left us as

before. Our condition seemed to us so frightful that several of my

companions thought it would be better to leap from the cliffs and

perish in the waves at once, rather than await so miserable an end; but

I had a plan of escape which I now unfolded to them, and which they at

once agreed to attempt.

"Listen, my brothers," I added. "You know that plenty of driftwood

lies along the shore. Let us make several rafts, and carry them to a

suitable place. If our plot succeeds, we can wait patiently for the

chance of some passing ship which would rescue us from this fatal

island. If it fails, we must quickly take to our rafts; frail as they

are, we have more chance of saving our lives with them than we have if

we remain here."

All agreed with me, and we spent the day in building rafts, each

capable of carrying three persons. At nightfall we returned to the

castle, and very soon in came the giant, and one more of our number was

sacrificed. But the time of our vengeance was at hand! As soon as he

had finished his horrible repast he lay down to sleep as before, and

when we heard him begin to snore I, and nine of the boldest of my

comrades, rose softly, and took each a spit, which we made red-hot in

the fire, and then at a given signal we plunged it with one accord into

the giant's eye, completely blinding him. Uttering a terrible cry, he

sprang to his feet clutching in all directions to try to seize one of

us, but we had all fled different ways as soon as the deed was done,

and thrown ourselves flat upon the ground in corners where he was not

likely to touch us with his feet.

After a vain search he fumbled about till he found the door, and fled

out of it howling frightfully. As for us, when he was gone we made

haste to leave the fatal castle, and, stationing ourselves beside our

rafts, we waited to see what would happen. Our idea was that if, when

the sun rose, we saw nothing of the giant, and no longer heard his

howls, which still came faintly through the darkness, growing more and

more distant, we should conclude that he was dead, and that we might

safely stay upon the island and need not risk our lives upon the frail

rafts. But alas! morning light showed us our enemy approaching us,

supported on either hand by two giants nearly as large and fearful as

himself, while a crowd of others followed close upon their heels.

Hesitating no longer we clambered upon our rafts and rowed with all our

might out to sea. The giants, seeing their prey escaping them, seized

up huge pieces of rock, and wading into the water hurled them after us

with such good aim that all the rafts except the one I was upon were

swamped, and their luckless crews drowned, without our being able to do

anything to help them. Indeed I and my two companions had all we could

do to keep our own raft beyond the reach of the giants, but by dint of

hard rowing we at last gained the open sea. Here we were at the mercy

of the winds and waves, which tossed us to and fro all that day and

night, but the next morning we found ourselves near an island, upon

which we gladly landed.

There we found delicious fruits, and having satisfied our hunger we

presently lay down to rest upon the shore. Suddenly we were aroused by

a loud rustling noise, and starting up, saw that it was caused by an

immense snake which was gliding towards us over the sand. So swiftly

it came that it had seized one of my comrades before he had time to

fly, and in spite of his cries and struggles speedily crushed the life

out of him in its mighty coils and proceeded to swallow him. By this

time my other companion and I were running for our lives to some place

where we might hope to be safe from this new horror, and seeing a tall

tree we climbed up into it, having first provided ourselves with a

store of fruit off the surrounding bushes. When night came I fell

asleep, but only to be awakened once more by the terrible snake, which

after hissing horribly round the tree at last reared itself up against

it, and finding my sleeping comrade who was perched just below me, it

swallowed him also, and crawled away leaving me half dead with terror.

When the sun rose I crept down from the tree with hardly a hope of

escaping the dreadful fate which had over-taken my comrades; but life

is sweet, and I determined to do all I could to save myself. All day

long I toiled with frantic haste and collected quantities of dry

brushwood, reeds and thorns, which I bound with faggots, and making a

circle of them under my tree I piled them firmly one upon another until

I had a kind of tent in which I crouched like a mouse in a hole when

she sees the cat coming. You may imagine what a fearful night I

passed, for the snake returned eager to devour me, and glided round and

round my frail shelter seeking an entrance. Every moment I feared that

it would succeed in pushing aside some of the faggots, but happily for

me they held together, and when it grew light my enemy retired, baffled

and hungry, to his den. As for me I was more dead than alive! Shaking

with fright and half suffocated by the poisonous breath of the monster,

I came out of my tent and crawled down to the sea, feeling that it

would be better to plunge from the cliffs and end my life at once than

pass such another night of horror. But to my joy and relief I saw a

ship sailing by, and by shouting wildly and waving my turban I managed

to attract the attention of her crew.

A boat was sent to rescue me, and very soon I found myself on board

surrounded by a wondering crowd of sailors and merchants eager to know

by what chance I found myself in that desolate island. After I had

told my story they regaled me with the choicest food the ship afforded,

and the captain, seeing that I was in rags, generously bestowed upon me

one of his own coats. After sailing about for some time and touching

at many ports we came at last to the island of Salahat, where sandal

wood grows in great abundance. Here we anchored, and as I stood

watching the merchants disembarking their goods and preparing to sell

or exchange them, the captain came up to me and said,

"I have here, brother, some merchandise belonging to a passenger of

mine who is dead. Will you do me the favour to trade with it, and when

I meet with his heirs I shall be able to give them the money, though it

will be only just that you shall have a portion for your trouble."

I consented gladly, for I did not like standing by idle. Whereupon he

pointed the bales out to me, and sent for the person whose duty it was

to keep a list of the goods that were upon the ship. When this man

came he asked in what name the merchandise was to be registered.

"In the name of Sindbad the Sailor," replied the captain.

At this I was greatly surprised, but looking carefully at him I

recognised him to be the captain of the ship upon which I had made my

second voyage, though he had altered much since that time. As for him,

believing me to be dead it was no wonder that he had not recognised me.

"So, captain," said I, "the merchant who owned those bales was called

Sindbad?"

"Yes," he replied. "He was so named. He belonged to Bagdad, and

joined my ship at Balsora, but by mischance he was left behind upon a

desert island where we had landed to fill up our water-casks, and it

was not until four hours later that he was missed. By that time the

wind had freshened, and it was impossible to put back for him."

"You suppose him to have perished then?" said I.

"Alas! yes," he answered.

"Why, captain!" I cried, "look well at me. I am that Sindbad who fell

asleep upon the island and awoke to find himself abandoned!"

The captain stared at me in amazement, but was presently convinced that

I was indeed speaking the truth, and rejoiced greatly at my escape.

"I am glad to have that piece of carelessness off my conscience at any

rate," said he. "Now take your goods, and the profit I have made for

you upon them, and may you prosper in future."

I took them gratefully, and as we went from one island to another I

laid in stores of cloves, cinnamon, and other spices. In one place I

saw a tortoise which was twenty cubits long and as many broad, also a

fish that was like a cow and had skin so thick that it was used to make

shields. Another I saw that was like a camel in shape and colour. So

by degrees we came back to Balsora, and I returned to Bagdad with so

much money that I could not myself count it, besides treasures without

end. I gave largely to the poor, and bought much land to add to what I

already possessed, and thus ended my third voyage.

When Sindbad had finished his story he gave another hundred sequins to

Hindbad, who then departed with the other guests, but next day when

they had all reassembled, and the banquet was ended, their host

continued his adventures.

Fourth Voyage

Rich and happy as I was after my third voyage, I could not make up my

mind to stay at home altogether. My love of trading, and the pleasure

I took in anything that was new and strange, made me set my affairs in

order, and begin my journey through some of the Persian provinces,

having first sent off stores of goods to await my coming in the

different places I intended to visit. I took ship at a distant

seaport, and for some time all went well, but at last, being caught in

a violent hurricane, our vessel became a total wreck in spite of all

our worthy captain could do to save her, and many of our company

perished in the waves. I, with a few others, had the good fortune to

be washed ashore clinging to pieces of the wreck, for the storm had

driven us near an island, and scrambling up beyond the reach of the

waves we threw ourselves down quite exhausted, to wait for morning.

At daylight we wandered inland, and soon saw some huts, to which we

directed our steps. As we drew near their black inhabitants swarmed

out in great numbers and surrounded us, and we were led to their

houses, and as it were divided among our captors. I with five others

was taken into a hut, where we were made to sit upon the ground, and

certain herbs were given to us, which the blacks made signs to us to

eat. Observing that they themselves did not touch them, I was careful

only to pretend to taste my portion; but my companions, being very

hungry, rashly ate up all that was set before them, and very soon I had

the horror of seeing them become perfectly mad. Though they chattered

incessantly I could not understand a word they said, nor did they heed

when I spoke to them. The savages now produced large bowls full of

rice prepared with cocoanut oil, of which my crazy comrades ate

eagerly, but I only tasted a few grains, understanding clearly that the

object of our captors was to fatten us speedily for their own eating,

and this was exactly what happened. My unlucky companions having lost

their reason, felt neither anxiety nor fear, and ate greedily all that

was offered them. So they were soon fat and there was an end of them,

but I grew leaner day by day, for I ate but little, and even that

little did me no good by reason of my fear of what lay before me.

However, as I was so far from being a tempting morsel, I was allowed to

wander about freely, and one day, when all the blacks had gone off upon

some expedition leaving only an old man to guard me, I managed to

escape from him and plunged into the forest, running faster the more he

cried to me to come back, until I had completely distanced him.

For seven days I hurried on, resting only when the darkness stopped me,

and living chiefly upon cocoanuts, which afforded me both meat and

drink, and on the eighth day I reached the seashore and saw a party of

white men gathering pepper, which grew abundantly all about. Reassured

by the nature of their occupation, I advanced towards them and they

greeted me in Arabic, asking who I was and whence I came. My delight

was great on hearing this familiar speech, and I willingly satisfied

their curiosity, telling them how I had been shipwrecked, and captured

by the blacks. "But these savages devour men!" said they. "How did

you escape?" I repeated to them what I have just told you, at which

they were mightily astonished. I stayed with them until they had

collected as much pepper as they wished, and then they took me back to

their own country and presented me to their king, by whom I was

hospitably received. To him also I had to relate my adventures, which

surprised him much, and when I had finished he ordered that I should be

supplied with food and raiment and treated with consideration.

The island on which I found myself was full of people, and abounded in

all sorts of desirable things, and a great deal of traffic went on in

the capital, where I soon began to feel at home and contented.

Moreover, the king treated me with special favour, and in consequence

of this everyone, whether at the court or in the town, sought to make

life pleasant to me. One thing I remarked which I thought very

strange; this was that, from the greatest to the least, all men rode

their horses without bridle or stirrups. I one day presumed to ask his

majesty why he did not use them, to which he replied, "You speak to me

of things of which I have never before heard!" This gave me an idea.

I found a clever workman, and made him cut out under my direction the

foundation of a saddle, which I wadded and covered with choice leather,

adorning it with rich gold embroidery. I then got a lock-smith to make

me a bit and a pair of spurs after a pattern that I drew for him, and

when all these things were completed I presented them to the king and

showed him how to use them. When I had saddled one of his horses he

mounted it and rode about quite delighted with the novelty, and to show

his gratitude he rewarded me with large gifts. After this I had to

make saddles for all the principal officers of the king's household,

and as they all gave me rich presents I soon became very wealthy and

quite an important person in the city.

One day the king sent for me and said, "Sindbad, I am going to ask a

favour of you. Both I and my subjects esteem you, and wish you to end

your days amongst us. Therefore I desire that you will marry a rich

and beautiful lady whom I will find for you, and think no more of your

own country."

As the king's will was law I accepted the charming bride he presented

to me, and lived happily with her. Nevertheless I had every intention

of escaping at the first opportunity, and going back to Bagdad. Things

were thus going prosperously with me when it happened that the wife of

one of my neighbours, with whom I had struck up quite a friendship,

fell ill, and presently died. I went to his house to offer my

consolations, and found him in the depths of woe.

"Heaven preserve you," said I, "and send you a long life!"

"Alas!" he replied, "what is the good of saying that when I have but an

hour left to live!"

"Come, come!" said I, "surely it is not so bad as all that. I trust

that you may be spared to me for many years."

"I hope," answered he, "that your life may be long, but as for me, all

is finished. I have set my house in order, and to-day I shall be

buried with my wife. This has been the law upon our island from the

earliest ages--the living husband goes to the grave with his dead wife,

the living wife with her dead husband. So did our fathers, and so must

we do. The law changes not, and all must submit to it!"

As he spoke the friends and relations of the unhappy pair began to

assemble. The body, decked in rich robes and sparkling with jewels,

was laid upon an open bier, and the procession started, taking its way

to a high mountain at some distance from the city, the wretched

husband, clothed from head to foot in a black mantle, following

mournfully.

When the place of interment was reached the corpse was lowered, just as

it was, into a deep pit. Then the husband, bidding farewell to all his

friends, stretched himself upon another bier, upon which were laid

seven little loaves of bread and a pitcher of water, and he also was

let down-down-down to the depths of the horrible cavern, and then a

stone was laid over the opening, and the melancholy company wended its

way back to the city.

You may imagine that I was no unmoved spectator of these proceedings;

to all the others it was a thing to which they had been accustomed from

their youth up; but I was so horrified that I could not help telling

the king how it struck me.

"Sire," I said, "I am more astonished than I can express to you at the

strange custom which exists in your dominions of burying the living

with the dead. In all my travels I have never before met with so cruel

and horrible a law."

"What would you have, Sindbad?" he replied. "It is the law for

everybody. I myself should be buried with the Queen if she were the

first to die."

"But, your Majesty," said I, "dare I ask if this law applies to

foreigners also?"

"Why, yes," replied the king smiling, in what I could but consider a

very heartless manner, "they are no exception to the rule if they have

married in the country."

When I heard this I went home much cast down, and from that time

forward my mind was never easy. If only my wife's little finger ached

I fancied she was going to die, and sure enough before very long she

fell really ill and in a few days breathed her last. My dismay was

great, for it seemed to me that to be buried alive was even a worse

fate than to be devoured by cannibals, nevertheless there was no

escape. The body of my wife, arrayed in her richest robes and decked

with all her jewels, was laid upon the bier. I followed it, and after

me came a great procession, headed by the king and all his nobles, and

in this order we reached the fatal mountain, which was one of a lofty

chain bordering the sea.

Here I made one more frantic effort to excite the pity of the king and

those who stood by, hoping to save myself even at this last moment, but

it was of no avail. No one spoke to me, they even appeared to hasten

over their dreadful task, and I speedily found myself descending into

the gloomy pit, with my seven loaves and pitcher of water beside me.

Almost before I reached the bottom the stone was rolled into its place

above my head, and I was left to my fate. A feeble ray of light shone

into the cavern through some chink, and when I had the courage to look

about me I could see that I was in a vast vault, bestrewn with bones

and bodies of the dead. I even fancied that I heard the expiring sighs

of those who, like myself, had come into this dismal place alive. All

in vain did I shriek aloud with rage and despair, reproaching myself

for the love of gain and adventure which had brought me to such a pass,

but at length, growing calmer, I took up my bread and water, and

wrapping my face in my mantle I groped my way towards the end of the

cavern, where the air was fresher.

Here I lived in darkness and misery until my provisions were exhausted,

but just as I was nearly dead from starvation the rock was rolled away

overhead and I saw that a bier was being lowered into the cavern, and

that the corpse upon it was a man. In a moment my mind was made up,

the woman who followed had nothing to expect but a lingering death; I

should be doing her a service if I shortened her misery. Therefore

when she descended, already insensible from terror, I was ready armed

with a huge bone, one blow from which left her dead, and I secured the

bread and water which gave me a hope of life. Several times did I have

recourse to this desperate expedient, and I know not how long I had

been a prisoner when one day I fancied that I heard something near me,

which breathed loudly. Turning to the place from which the sound came

I dimly saw a shadowy form which fled at my movement, squeezing itself

through a cranny in the wall. I pursued it as fast as I could, and

found myself in a narrow crack among the rocks, along which I was just

able to force my way. I followed it for what seemed to me many miles,

and at last saw before me a glimmer of light which grew clearer every

moment until I emerged upon the sea shore with a joy which I cannot

describe. When I was sure that I was not dreaming, I realised that it

was doubtless some little animal which had found its way into the

cavern from the sea, and when disturbed had fled, showing me a means of

escape which I could never have discovered for myself. I hastily

surveyed my surroundings, and saw that I was safe from all pursuit from

the town.

The mountains sloped sheer down to the sea, and there was no road

across them. Being assured of this I returned to the cavern, and

amassed a rich treasure of diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and jewels of

all kinds which strewed the ground. These I made up into bales, and

stored them into a safe place upon the beach, and then waited hopefully

for the passing of a ship. I had looked out for two days, however,

before a single sail appeared, so it was with much delight that I at

last saw a vessel not very far from the shore, and by waving my arms

and uttering loud cries succeeded in attracting the attention of her

crew. A boat was sent off to me, and in answer to the questions of the

sailors as to how I came to be in such a plight, I replied that I had

been shipwrecked two days before, but had managed to scramble ashore

with the bales which I pointed out to them. Luckily for me they

believed my story, and without even looking at the place where they

found me, took up my bundles, and rowed me back to the ship. Once on

board, I soon saw that the captain was too much occupied with the

difficulties of navigation to pay much heed to me, though he generously

made me welcome, and would not even accept the jewels with which I

offered to pay my passage. Our voyage was prosperous, and after

visiting many lands, and collecting in each place great store of goodly

merchandise, I found myself at last in Bagdad once more with unheard of

riches of every description. Again I gave large sums of money to the

poor, and enriched all the mosques in the city, after which I gave

myself up to my friends and relations, with whom I passed my time in

feasting and merriment.

Here Sindbad paused, and all his hearers declared that the adventures

of his fourth voyage had pleased them better than anything they had

heard before. They then took their leave, followed by Hindbad, who had

once more received a hundred sequins, and with the rest had been bidden

to return next day for the story of the fifth voyage.

When the time came all were in their places, and when they had eaten

and drunk of all that was set before them Sindbad began his tale.

Fifth Voyage

Not even all that I had gone through could make me contented with a

quiet life. I soon wearied of its pleasures, and longed for change and

adventure. Therefore I set out once more, but this time in a ship of

my own, which I built and fitted out at the nearest seaport. I wished

to be able to call at whatever port I chose, taking my own time; but as

I did not intend carrying enough goods for a full cargo, I invited

several merchants of different nations to join me. We set sail with

the first favourable wind, and after a long voyage upon the open seas

we landed upon an unknown island which proved to be uninhabited. We

determined, however, to explore it, but had not gone far when we found

a roc's egg, as large as the one I had seen before and evidently very

nearly hatched, for the beak of the young bird had already pierced the

shell. In spite of all I could say to deter them, the merchants who

were with me fell upon it with their hatchets, breaking the shell, and

killing the young roc. Then lighting a fire upon the ground they

hacked morsels from the bird, and proceeded to roast them while I stood

by aghast.

Scarcely had they finished their ill-omened repast, when the air above

us was darkened by two mighty shadows. The captain of my ship, knowing

by experience what this meant, cried out to us that the parent birds

were coming, and urged us to get on board with all speed. This we did,

and the sails were hoisted, but before we had made any way the rocs

reached their despoiled nest and hovered about it, uttering frightful

cries when they discovered the mangled remains of their young one. For

a moment we lost sight of them, and were flattering ourselves that we

had escaped, when they reappeared and soared into the air directly over

our vessel, and we saw that each held in its claws an immense rock

ready to crush us. There was a moment of breathless suspense, then one

bird loosed its hold and the huge block of stone hurtled through the

air, but thanks to the presence of mind of the helmsman, who turned our

ship violently in another direction, it fell into the sea close beside

us, cleaving it asunder till we could nearly see the bottom. We had

hardly time to draw a breath of relief before the other rock fell with

a mighty crash right in the midst of our luckless vessel, smashing it

into a thousand fragments, and crushing, or hurling into the sea,

passengers and crew. I myself went down with the rest, but had the

good fortune to rise unhurt, and by holding on to a piece of driftwood

with one hand and swimming with the other I kept myself afloat and was

presently washed up by the tide on to an island. Its shores were steep

and rocky, but I scrambled up safely and threw myself down to rest upon

the green turf.

When I had somewhat recovered I began to examine the spot in which I

found myself, and truly it seemed to me that I had reached a garden of

delights. There were trees everywhere, and they were laden with

flowers and fruit, while a crystal stream wandered in and out under

their shadow. When night came I slept sweetly in a cosy nook, though

the remembrance that I was alone in a strange land made me sometimes

start up and look around me in alarm, and then I wished heartily that I

had stayed at home at ease. However, the morning sunlight restored my

courage, and I once more wandered among the trees, but always with some

anxiety as to what I might see next. I had penetrated some distance

into the island when I saw an old man bent and feeble sitting upon the

river bank, and at first I took him to be some ship-wrecked mariner

like myself. Going up to him I greeted him in a friendly way, but he

only nodded his head at me in reply. I then asked what he did there,

and he made signs to me that he wished to get across the river to

gather some fruit, and seemed to beg me to carry him on my back.

Pitying his age and feebleness, I took him up, and wading across the

stream I bent down that he might more easily reach the bank, and bade

him get down. But instead of allowing himself to be set upon his feet

(even now it makes me laugh to think of it!), this creature who had

seemed to me so decrepit leaped nimbly upon my shoulders, and hooking

his legs round my neck gripped me so tightly that I was well-nigh

choked, and so overcome with terror that I fell insensible to the

ground. When I recovered my enemy was still in his place, though he

had released his hold enough to allow me breathing space, and seeing me

revive he prodded me adroitly first with one foot and then with the

other, until I was forced to get up and stagger about with him under

the trees while he gathered and ate the choicest fruits. This went on

all day, and even at night, when I threw myself down half dead with

weariness, the terrible old man held on tight to my neck, nor did he

fail to greet the first glimmer of morning light by drumming upon me

with his heels, until I perforce awoke and resumed my dreary march with

rage and bitterness in my heart.

It happened one day that I passed a tree under which lay several dry

gourds, and catching one up I amused myself with scooping out its

contents and pressing into it the juice of several bunches of grapes

which hung from every bush. When it was full I left it propped in the

fork of a tree, and a few days later, carrying the hateful old man that

way, I snatched at my gourd as I passed it and had the satisfaction of

a draught of excellent wine so good and refreshing that I even forgot

my detestable burden, and began to sing and caper.

The old monster was not slow to perceive the effect which my draught

had produced and that I carried him more lightly than usual, so he

stretched out his skinny hand and seizing the gourd first tasted its

contents cautiously, then drained them to the very last drop. The wine

was strong and the gourd capacious, so he also began to sing after a

fashion, and soon I had the delight of feeling the iron grip of his

goblin legs unclasp, and with one vigorous effort I threw him to the

ground, from which he never moved again. I was so rejoiced to have at

last got rid of this uncanny old man that I ran leaping and bounding

down to the sea shore, where, by the greatest good luck, I met with

some mariners who had anchored off the island to enjoy the delicious

fruits, and to renew their supply of water.

They heard the story of my escape with amazement, saying, "You fell

into the hands of the Old Man of the Sea, and it is a mercy that he did

not strangle you as he has everyone else upon whose shoulders he has

managed to perch himself. This island is well known as the scene of

his evil deeds, and no merchant or sailor who lands upon it cares to

stray far away from his comrades." After we had talked for a while

they took me back with them on board their ship, where the captain

received me kindly, and we soon set sail, and after several days

reached a large and prosperous-looking town where all the houses were

built of stone. Here we anchored, and one of the merchants, who had

been very friendly to me on the way, took me ashore with him and showed

me a lodging set apart for strange merchants. He then provided me with

a large sack, and pointed out to me a party of others equipped in like

manner.

"Go with them," said he, "and do as they do, but beware of losing sight

of them, for if you strayed your life would be in danger."

With that he supplied me with provisions, and bade me farewell, and I

set out with my new companions. I soon learnt that the object of our

expedition was to fill our sacks with cocoanuts, but when at length I

saw the trees and noted their immense height and the slippery

smoothness of their slender trunks, I did not at all understand how we

were to do it. The crowns of the cocoa-palms were all alive with

monkeys, big and little, which skipped from one to the other with

surprising agility, seeming to be curious about us and disturbed at our

appearance, and I was at first surprised when my companions after

collecting stones began to throw them at the lively creatures, which

seemed to me quite harmless. But very soon I saw the reason of it and

joined them heartily, for the monkeys, annoyed and wishing to pay us

back in our own coin, began to tear the nuts from the trees and cast

them at us with angry and spiteful gestures, so that after very little

labour our sacks were filled with the fruit which we could not

otherwise have obtained.

As soon as we had as many as we could carry we went back to the town,

where my friend bought my share and advised me to continue the same

occupation until I had earned money enough to carry me to my own

country. This I did, and before long had amassed a considerable sum.

Just then I heard that there was a trading ship ready to sail, and

taking leave of my friend I went on board, carrying with me a goodly

store of cocoanuts; and we sailed first to the islands where pepper

grows, then to Comari where the best aloes wood is found, and where men

drink no wine by an unalterable law. Here I exchanged my nuts for

pepper and good aloes wood, and went a-fishing for pearls with some of

the other merchants, and my divers were so lucky that very soon I had

an immense number, and those very large and perfect. With all these

treasures I came joyfully back to Bagdad, where I disposed of them for

large sums of money, of which I did not fail as before to give the

tenth part to the poor, and after that I rested from my labours and

comforted myself with all the pleasures that my riches could give me.

Having thus ended his story, Sindbad ordered that one hundred sequins

should be given to Hindbad, and the guests then withdrew; but after the

next day's feast he began the account of his sixth voyage as follows.

Sixth Voyage

It must be a marvel to you how, after having five times met with

shipwreck and unheard of perils, I could again tempt fortune and risk

fresh trouble. I am even surprised myself when I look back, but

evidently it was my fate to rove, and after a year of repose I prepared

to make a sixth voyage, regardless of the entreaties of my friends and

relations, who did all they could to keep me at home. Instead of going

by the Persian Gulf, I travelled a considerable way overland, and

finally embarked from a distant Indian port with a captain who meant to

make a long voyage. And truly he did so, for we fell in with stormy

weather which drove us completely out of our course, so that for many

days neither captain nor pilot knew where we were, nor where we were

going. When they did at last discover our position we had small ground

for rejoicing, for the captain, casting his turban upon the deck and

tearing his beard, declared that we were in the most dangerous spot

upon the whole wide sea, and had been caught by a current which was at

that minute sweeping us to destruction. It was too true! In spite of

all the sailors could do we were driven with frightful rapidity towards

the foot of a mountain, which rose sheer out of the sea, and our vessel

was dashed to pieces upon the rocks at its base, not, however, until we

had managed to scramble on shore, carrying with us the most precious of

our possessions. When we had done this the captain said to us:

"Now we are here we may as well begin to dig our graves at once, since

from this fatal spot no shipwrecked mariner has ever returned."

This speech discouraged us much, and we began to lament over our sad

fate.

The mountain formed the seaward boundary of a large island, and the

narrow strip of rocky shore upon which we stood was strewn with the

wreckage of a thousand gallant ships, while the bones of the luckless

mariners shone white in the sunshine, and we shuddered to think how

soon our own would be added to the heap. All around, too, lay vast

quantities of the costliest merchandise, and treasures were heaped in

every cranny of the rocks, but all these things only added to the

desolation of the scene. It struck me as a very strange thing that a

river of clear fresh water, which gushed out from the mountain not far

from where we stood, instead of flowing into the sea as rivers

generally do, turned off sharply, and flowed out of sight under a

natural archway of rock, and when I went to examine it more closely I

found that inside the cave the walls were thick with diamonds, and

rubies, and masses of crystal, and the floor was strewn with ambergris.

Here, then, upon this desolate shore we abandoned ourselves to our

fate, for there was no possibility of scaling the mountain, and if a

ship had appeared it could only have shared our doom. The first thing

our captain did was to divide equally amongst us all the food we

possessed, and then the length of each man's life depended on the time

he could make his portion last. I myself could live upon very little.

Nevertheless, by the time I had buried the last of my companions my

stock of provisions was so small that I hardly thought I should live

long enough to dig my own grave, which I set about doing, while I

regretted bitterly the roving disposition which was always bringing me

into such straits, and thought longingly of all the comfort and luxury

that I had left. But luckily for me the fancy took me to stand once

more beside the river where it plunged out of sight in the depths of

the cavern, and as I did so an idea struck me. This river which hid

itself underground doubtless emerged again at some distant spot. Why

should I not build a raft and trust myself to its swiftly flowing

waters? If I perished before I could reach the light of day once more

I should be no worse off than I was now, for death stared me in the

face, while there was always the possibility that, as I was born under

a lucky star, I might find myself safe and sound in some desirable

land. I decided at any rate to risk it, and speedily built myself a

stout raft of drift-wood with strong cords, of which enough and to

spare lay strewn upon the beach. I then made up many packages of

rubies, emeralds, rock crystal, ambergris, and precious stuffs, and

bound them upon my raft, being careful to preserve the balance, and

then I seated myself upon it, having two small oars that I had

fashioned laid ready to my hand, and loosed the cord which held it to

the bank. Once out in the current my raft flew swiftly under the

gloomy archway, and I found myself in total darkness, carried smoothly

forward by the rapid river. On I went as it seemed to me for many

nights and days. Once the channel became so small that I had a narrow

escape of being crushed against the rocky roof, and after that I took

the precaution of lying flat upon my precious bales. Though I only ate

what was absolutely necessary to keep myself alive, the inevitable

moment came when, after swallowing my last morsel of food, I began to

wonder if I must after all die of hunger. Then, worn out with anxiety

and fatigue, I fell into a deep sleep, and when I again opened my eyes

I was once more in the light of day; a beautiful country lay before me,

and my raft, which was tied to the river bank, was surrounded by

friendly looking black men. I rose and saluted them, and they spoke to

me in return, but I could not understand a word of their language.

Feeling perfectly bewildered by my sudden return to life and light, I

murmured to myself in Arabic, "Close thine eyes, and while thou

sleepest Heaven will change thy fortune from evil to good."

One of the natives, who understood this tongue, then came forward

saying:

"My brother, be not surprised to see us; this is our land, and as we

came to get water from the river we noticed your raft floating down it,

and one of us swam out and brought you to the shore. We have waited

for your awakening; tell us now whence you come and where you were

going by that dangerous way?"

I replied that nothing would please me better than to tell them, but

that I was starving, and would fain eat something first. I was soon

supplied with all I needed, and having satisfied my hunger I told them

faithfully all that had befallen me. They were lost in wonder at my

tale when it was interpreted to them, and said that adventures so

surprising must be related to their king only by the man to whom they

had happened. So, procuring a horse, they mounted me upon it, and we

set out, followed by several strong men carrying my raft just as it was

upon their shoulders. In this order we marched into the city of

Serendib, where the natives presented me to their king, whom I saluted

in the Indian fashion, prostrating myself at his feet and kissing the

ground; but the monarch bade me rise and sit beside him, asking first

what was my name.

"I am Sindbad," I replied, "whom men call `the Sailor,' for I have

voyaged much upon many seas."

"And how come you here?" asked the king.

I told my story, concealing nothing, and his surprise and delight were

so great that he ordered my adventures to be written in letters of gold

and laid up in the archives of his kingdom.

Presently my raft was brought in and the bales opened in his presence,

and the king declared that in all his treasury there were no such

rubies and emeralds as those which lay in great heaps before him.

Seeing that he looked at them with interest, I ventured to say that I

myself and all that I had were at his disposal, but he answered me

smiling:

"Nay, Sindbad. Heaven forbid that I should covet your riches; I will

rather add to them, for I desire that you shall not leave my kingdom

without some tokens of my good will." He then commanded his officers

to provide me with a suitable lodging at his expense, and sent slaves

to wait upon me and carry my raft and my bales to my new dwelling

place. You may imagine that I praised his generosity and gave him

grateful thanks, nor did I fail to present myself daily in his audience

chamber, and for the rest of my time I amused myself in seeing all that

was most worthy of attention in the city. The island of Serendib being

situated on the equinoctial line, the days and nights there are of

equal length. The chief city is placed at the end of a beautiful

valley, formed by the highest mountain in the world, which is in the

middle of the island. I had the curiosity to ascend to its very

summit, for this was the place to which Adam was banished out of

Paradise. Here are found rubies and many precious things, and rare

plants grow abundantly, with cedar trees and cocoa palms. On the

seashore and at the mouths of the rivers the divers seek for pearls,

and in some valleys diamonds are plentiful. After many days I

petitioned the king that I might return to my own country, to which he

graciously consented. Moreover, he loaded me with rich gifts, and when

I went to take leave of him he entrusted me with a royal present and a

letter to the Commander of the Faithful, our sovereign lord, saying, "I

pray you give these to the Caliph Haroun al Raschid, and assure him of

my friendship."

I accepted the charge respectfully, and soon embarked upon the vessel

which the king himself had chosen for me. The king's letter was

written in blue characters upon a rare and precious skin of yellowish

colour, and these were the words of it: "The King of the Indies, before

whom walk a thousand elephants, who lives in a palace, of which the

roof blazes with a hundred thousand rubies, and whose treasure house

contains twenty thousand diamond crowns, to the Caliph Haroun al

Raschid sends greeting. Though the offering we present to you is

unworthy of your notice, we pray you to accept it as a mark of the

esteem and friendship which we cherish for you, and of which we gladly

send you this token, and we ask of you a like regard if you deem us

worthy of it. Adieu, brother."

The present consisted of a vase carved from a single ruby, six inches

high and as thick as my finger; this was filled with the choicest

pearls, large, and of perfect shape and lustre; secondly, a huge snake

skin, with scales as large as a sequin, which would preserve from

sickness those who slept upon it. Then quantities of aloes wood,

camphor, and pistachio-nuts; and lastly, a beautiful slave girl, whose

robes glittered with precious stones.

After a long and prosperous voyage we landed at Balsora, and I made

haste to reach Bagdad, and taking the king's letter I presented myself

at the palace gate, followed by the beautiful slave, and various

members of my own family, bearing the treasure.

As soon as I had declared my errand I was conducted into the presence

of the Caliph, to whom, after I had made my obeisance, I gave the

letter and the king's gift, and when he had examined them he demanded

of me whether the Prince of Serendib was really as rich and powerful as

he claimed to be.

"Commander of the Faithful," I replied, again bowing humbly before him,

"I can assure your Majesty that he has in no way exaggerated his wealth

and grandeur. Nothing can equal the magnificence of his palace. When

he goes abroad his throne is prepared upon the back of an elephant, and

on either side of him ride his ministers, his favourites, and

courtiers. On his elephant's neck sits an officer, his golden lance in

his hand, and behind him stands another bearing a pillar of gold, at

the top of which is an emerald as long as my hand. A thousand men in

cloth of gold, mounted upon richly caparisoned elephants, go before

him, and as the procession moves onward the officer who guides his

elephant cries aloud, `Behold the mighty monarch, the powerful and

valiant Sultan of the Indies, whose palace is covered with a hundred

thousand rubies, who possesses twenty thousand diamond crowns. Behold

a monarch greater than Solomon and Mihrage in all their glory!'"

"Then the one who stands behind the throne answers: 'This king, so

great and powerful, must die, must die, must die!'"

"And the first takes up the chant again, `All praise to Him who lives

for evermore.'"

"Further, my lord, in Serendib no judge is needed, for to the king

himself his people come for justice."

The Caliph was well satisfied with my report.

"From the king's letter," said he, "I judged that he was a wise man.

It seems that he is worthy of his people, and his people of him."

So saying he dismissed me with rich presents, and I returned in peace

to my own house.

When Sindbad had done speaking his guests withdrew, Hindbad having

first received a hundred sequins, but all returned next day to hear the

story of the seventh voyage, Sindbad thus began.

Seventh and Last Voyage

After my sixth voyage I was quite determined that I would go to sea no

more. I was now of an age to appreciate a quiet life, and I had run

risks enough. I only wished to end my days in peace. One day,

however, when I was entertaining a number of my friends, I was told

that an officer of the Caliph wished to speak to me, and when he was

admitted he bade me follow him into the presence of Haroun al Raschid,

which I accordingly did. After I had saluted him, the Caliph said:

"I have sent for you, Sindbad, because I need your services. I have

chosen you to bear a letter and a gift to the King of Serendib in

return for his message of friendship."

The Caliph's commandment fell upon me like a thunderbolt.

"Commander of the Faithful," I answered, "I am ready to do all that

your Majesty commands, but I humbly pray you to remember that I am

utterly disheartened by the unheard of sufferings I have undergone.

Indeed, I have made a vow never again to leave Bagdad."

With this I gave him a long account of some of my strangest adventures,

to which he listened patiently.

"I admit," said he, "that you have indeed had some extraordinary

experiences, but I do not see why they should hinder you from doing as

I wish. You have only to go straight to Serendib and give my message,

then you are free to come back and do as you will. But go you must; my

honour and dignity demand it."

Seeing that there was no help for it, I declared myself willing to

obey; and the Caliph, delighted at having got his own way, gave me a

thousand sequins for the expenses of the voyage. I was soon ready to

start, and taking the letter and the present I embarked at Balsora, and

sailed quickly and safely to Serendib. Here, when I had disclosed my

errand, I was well received, and brought into the presence of the king,

who greeted me with joy.

"Welcome, Sindbad," he cried. "I have thought of you often, and

rejoice to see you once more."

After thanking him for the honour that he did me, I displayed the

Caliph's gifts. First a bed with complete hangings all cloth of gold,

which cost a thousand sequins, and another like to it of crimson stuff.

Fifty robes of rich embroidery, a hundred of the finest white linen

from Cairo, Suez, Cufa, and Alexandria. Then more beds of different

fashion, and an agate vase carved with the figure of a man aiming an

arrow at a lion, and finally a costly table, which had once belonged to

King Solomon. The King of Serendib received with satisfaction the

assurance of the Caliph's friendliness toward him, and now my task

being accomplished I was anxious to depart, but it was some time before

the king would think of letting me go. At last, however, he dismissed

me with many presents, and I lost no time in going on board a ship,

which sailed at once, and for four days all went well. On the fifth

day we had the misfortune to fall in with pirates, who seized our

vessel, killing all who resisted, and making prisoners of those who

were prudent enough to submit at once, of whom I was one. When they

had despoiled us of all we possessed, they forced us to put on vile

raiment, and sailing to a distant island there sold us for slaves. I

fell into the hands of a rich merchant, who took me home with him, and

clothed and fed me well, and after some days sent for me and questioned

me as to what I could do.

I answered that I was a rich merchant who had been captured by pirates,

and therefore I knew no trade.

"Tell me," said he, "can you shoot with a bow?"

I replied that this had been one of the pastimes of my youth, and that

doubtless with practice my skill would come back to me.

Upon this he provided me with a bow and arrows, and mounting me with

him upon his own elephant took the way to a vast forest which lay far

from the town. When we had reached the wildest part of it we stopped,

and my master said to me: "This forest swarms with elephants. Hide

yourself in this great tree, and shoot at all that pass you. When you

have succeeded in killing one come and tell me."

So saying he gave me a supply of food, and returned to the town, and I

perched myself high up in the tree and kept watch. That night I saw

nothing, but just after sunrise the next morning a large herd of

elephants came crashing and trampling by. I lost no time in letting

fly several arrows, and at last one of the great animals fell to the

ground dead, and the others retreated, leaving me free to come down

from my hiding place and run back to tell my master of my success, for

which I was praised and regaled with good things. Then we went back to

the forest together and dug a mighty trench in which we buried the

elephant I had killed, in order that when it became a skeleton my

master might return and secure its tusks.

For two months I hunted thus, and no day passed without my securing, an

elephant. Of course I did not always station myself in the same tree,

but sometimes in one place, sometimes in another. One morning as I

watched the coming of the elephants I was surprised to see that,

instead of passing the tree I was in, as they usually did, they paused,

and completely surrounded it, trumpeting horribly, and shaking the very

ground with their heavy tread, and when I saw that their eyes were

fixed upon me I was terrified, and my arrows dropped from my trembling

hand. I had indeed good reason for my terror when, an instant later,

the largest of the animals wound his trunk round the stem of my tree,

and with one mighty effort tore it up by the roots, bringing me to the

ground entangled in its branches. I thought now that my last hour was

surely come; but the huge creature, picking me up gently enough, set me

upon its back, where I clung more dead than alive, and followed by the

whole herd turned and crashed off into the dense forest. It seemed to

me a long time before I was once more set upon my feet by the elephant,

and I stood as if in a dream watching the herd, which turned and

trampled off in another direction, and were soon hidden in the dense

underwood. Then, recovering myself, I looked about me, and found that

I was standing upon the side of a great hill, strewn as far as I could

see on either hand with bones and tusks of elephants. "This then must

be the elephants' burying place," I said to myself, "and they must have

brought me here that I might cease to persecute them, seeing that I

want nothing but their tusks, and here lie more than I could carry away

in a lifetime."

Whereupon I turned and made for the city as fast as I could go, not

seeing a single elephant by the way, which convinced me that they had

retired deeper into the forest to leave the way open to the Ivory Hill,

and I did not know how sufficiently to admire their sagacity. After a

day and a night I reached my master's house, and was received by him

with joyful surprise.

"Ah! poor Sindbad," he cried, "I was wondering what could have become

of you. When I went to the forest I found the tree newly uprooted, and

the arrows lying beside it, and I feared I should never see you again.

Pray tell me how you escaped death."

I soon satisfied his curiosity, and the next day we went together to

the Ivory Hill, and he was overjoyed to find that I had told him

nothing but the truth. When we had loaded our elephant with as many

tusks as it could carry and were on our way back to the city, he said:

"My brother--since I can no longer treat as a slave one who has

enriched me thus--take your liberty and may Heaven prosper you. I will

no longer conceal from you that these wild elephants have killed

numbers of our slaves every year. No matter what good advice we gave

them, they were caught sooner or later. You alone have escaped the

wiles of these animals, therefore you must be under the special

protection of Heaven. Now through you the whole town will be enriched

without further loss of life, therefore you shall not only receive your

liberty, but I will also bestow a fortune upon you."

To which I replied, "Master, I thank you, and wish you all prosperity.

For myself I only ask liberty to return to my own country."

"It is well," he answered, "the monsoon will soon bring the ivory ships

hither, then I will send you on your way with somewhat to pay your

passage."

So I stayed with him till the time of the monsoon, and every day we

added to our store of ivory till all his ware-houses were overflowing

with it. By this time the other merchants knew the secret, but there

was enough and to spare for all. When the ships at last arrived my

master himself chose the one in which I was to sail, and put on board

for me a great store of choice provisions, also ivory in abundance, and

all the costliest curiosities of the country, for which I could not

thank him enough, and so we parted. I left the ship at the first port

we came to, not feeling at ease upon the sea after all that had

happened to me by reason of it, and having disposed of my ivory for

much gold, and bought many rare and costly presents, I loaded my pack

animals, and joined a caravan of merchants. Our journey was long and

tedious, but I bore it patiently, reflecting that at least I had not to

fear tempests, nor pirates, nor serpents, nor any of the other perils

from which I had suffered before, and at length we reached Bagdad. My

first care was to present myself before the Caliph, and give him an

account of my embassy. He assured me that my long absence had

disquieted him much, but he had nevertheless hoped for the best. As to

my adventure among the elephants he heard it with amazement, declaring

that he could not have believed it had not my truthfulness been well

known to him.

By his orders this story and the others I had told him were written by

his scribes in letters of gold, and laid up among his treasures. I

took my leave of him, well satisfied with the honours and rewards he

bestowed upon me; and since that time I have rested from my labours,

and given myself up wholly to my family and my friends.

Thus Sindbad ended the story of his seventh and last voyage, and

turning to Hindbad he added:

"Well, my friend, and what do you think now? Have you ever heard of

anyone who has suffered more, or had more narrow escapes than I have?

Is it not just that I should now enjoy a life of ease and tranquillity?"

Hindbad drew near, and kissing his hand respectfully, replied, "Sir,

you have indeed known fearful perils; my troubles have been nothing

compared to yours. Moreover, the generous use you make of your wealth

proves that you deserve it. May you live long and happily in the

enjoyment in it."

Sindbad then gave him a hundred sequins, and hence-forward counted him

among his friends; also he caused him to give up his profession as a

porter, and to eat daily at his table that he might all his life

remember Sindbad the Sailor.