Sindbad the Sailor
Arabian Nights (Sterrett)/Sindbad the Sailor
In the reign of the same caliph, Haroun al Raschid, of whom we have already heard, there lived at Bagdad a poor porter, called Hindbad. One day, when the weather was excessively hot, he was employed to carry a heavy burden from one end of the town to the other. Being much fatigued, he took off his load, and sat upon it, near a large mansion.
He was happy, sitting there; for the agreeable smell of wood of aloes and of pastils that came from the house, mixing with the scent of the rose-water, completely perfumed and embalmed the air. Besides, he heard from within a concert of instrumental music, accompanied with the harmonious notes of nightingales and other birds. This charming melody, and the smell of several sorts of savory dishes, made the porter conclude there was a feast, with great rejoicings within. His business seldom leading him that way, he knew not to whom the mansion belonged; but he went to some of the servants, whom he saw standing at the gate in magnificent apparel, and asked the name of the proprietor. “How,” replied one of them, “do you live in Bagdad, and know not that this is the house of Sindbad the sailor, that famous voyager, who has sailed round the world?” The porter lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, loud enough to be heard, “Almighty Creater of all things, consider the difference between Sindbad and me! I am every day exposed to fatigues and calamities, and can scarcely get coarse barley-bread for myself and my family, while happy Sindbad profusely expends immense riches, and leads a life of continual pleasure. What has he done to obtain from Thee a lot so agreeable? And what have I done to deserve one so wretched?”
While the porter was thus indulging his sentiments, a servant came out of the house, and taking him by the arm, bade him come along, for Sindbad, his master, wanted to speak to him.
The servants brought him into a great hall, where a number of people sat round a table, covered with all sorts of savory dishes. At the upper end sat a comely, venerable gentleman, with a long white beard, and behind him stood a number of officers and domestics, all ready to attend his pleasure. This person was Sindbad. Hindbad, embarrassed at the sight of so many people, and of a banquet so sumptuous, saluted the company, trembling. Sindbad bade him draw near, and seating him at his right hand, served him himself, and gave him excellent wine, of which there was abundance upon the sideboard.
Now, Sindbad had heard the porter complain, and this it was that induced him to have him brought in. When the repast was over, Sindbad addressed Hindbad, and inquired his name and employment, and said, “I wish to hear again what it was you lately said in the street.”
At this request, Hindbad hung down his head in confusion, and replied, “My lord, I confess that my fatigue put me out of humor and made me utter some indiscreet words, which I beg you to pardon.” “Do not think I am so unjust,” said Sindbad, “as to resent such a complaint. But I must rectify your error concerning myself. You think, no doubt, that I have acquired without labor and trouble the ease and indulgence which I now enjoy. But do not mistake; I did not attain to this happy condition without enduring for several years more trouble of body and mind than can well be imagined. Yes, gentlemen,” he added, speaking to the whole company, “I assure you that my sufferings and adventures have been of an extravagant nature; and as an opportunity now offers, I will, with your leave, relate the dangers I have encountered, for I think they will not be uninteresting to you.”
The First Voyage of Sindbad the
Sailor
My father was a wealthy merchant of much repute. He bequeathed me a large estate, which I wasted in riotous living. I finally perceived my error, and realized that I was misspending my time, which is of all things the most valuable. I remembered the saying of the great Solomon, which I had frequently heard from my father, “A good name is better than precious ointment,” and again, “Wisdom is good with an inheritance.” Struck with these reflections, I resolved to walk in my father’s ways, and entered into a contract with some merchants, embarking with them on board a ship we had jointly fitted out.
We set sail, and steered our course toward the Indies, through the Persian Gulf, touching at several islands, where we sold or exchanged our goods. One day, while under sail, we were becalmed near a small island, but little elevated above the level of the water, and resembling a green meadow. The captain ordered his sails to be furled, and permitted such persons as were so inclined to land; of this number I was one.
But while we were enjoying ourselves and recovering ourselves from the fatigue of the sea, the island on a sudden trembled terribly.
The trembling of the island was perceived on board the ship, and we were called upon to re-embark speedily, or we should all be lost; for what we took for an island proved to be the back of a sea monster. The nimblest got into the sloop, others betook themselves to swimming; but as for myself, I was still upon the island when it disappeared into the sea, and I had only time 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 those that swam, failed to see me and hoisting his sails pursued his voyage, so that it was impossible for me to recover the ship.
Thus was I exposed to the mercy of the waves all the rest of the day and the following night. By this time 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 I found within reach. When the sun arose, though I was very feeble, both from exposure and want of food, I crept along to find some herbs fit to eat, and had the good luck not only to procure some, but likewise to discover a spring of excellent water, which contributed much to my recovery. After this I walked farther and at last reached a fine plain, where I perceived some horses feeding. I went toward them, when I heard the voice of a man, who immediately appeared, and asked me who I was. I related to him my adventure, after which he led me into a cave, where there were several other people, no less amazed to see me than I to see them.
I partook of some provisions which they offered me. I then asked them what they did in such a desert place; to which they answered, that they were grooms belonging to the maharaja, sovereign of the island, and that every year they brought thither the king’s horses for pasturage. They added that they were to return home on the morrow, and had I been one day later I must have perished, because the inhabited part of the island was a great distance off, and it would have been impossible for me to have reached it without a guide.
Next morning they returned to the capital of the island, took me with them, and presented me to the maharaja. He asked me who I was, and by what adventure I had come into his dominions. After I had explained he told me he was sorry for my misfortune, and at the same time ordered that I should want for nothing; which command his officers were careful to see exactly fulfilled.
Being a merchant, I frequented men of my own profession, and particularly inquired for those who were strangers, that perchance I might hear news from Bagdad, or find an opportunity to return. For the maharaja’s capital is situated on the seacoast, and has a fine harbor, where ships arrive daily from the different quarters of the world.
As I was one day at the port, the ship arrived in which I had embarked at Bussorah. I at once knew the captain, and went and asked him for my bales. “I am Sindbad,” said I, “and those bales marked with his name are mine.”
When the captain heard me speak thus, “Heavens!” he exclaimed, “whom can we trust in these times! I saw Sindbad perish with my own eyes, as did also the passengers on board, and yet you tell me you are that Sindbad. What impudence is this! and what a false tale to tell, in order to possess yourself of what does not belong to you!” “Have patience,” replied I; “do me the favor to hear what I have to say.” The captain was at length persuaded that I was no cheat; for there came people from his ship who knew me, and expressed much joy at seeing me alive. At last he recollected me himself, and embracing me, “Heaven be praised,” said he, “for your happy escape! I cannot express the joy it affords me. There are your goods; take and do with them as you please.”
I took out what was most valuable in my bales, and presented these to the maharaja, who asked me how I came by such valuables. He was pleased to hear of my good luck, accepted my present, and in return gave me one much more considerable. 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, sandalwood, nutmegs, cloves, pepper, and ginger. We passed by several islands, and at last arrived at Bussorah, from whence I came to this city, with one hundred thousand sequins as the result of my venture.
Sindbad stopped here, and ordered the musicians to proceed with their concert. When evening came, Sindbad sent for a purse of one hundred sequins, and giving it to the porter, said, “Take this, Hindbad, return to your home, and come back to-morrow to hear more of my adventures.” The porter went away, astonished at the honor done him. The account of his adventure proved very agreeable to his wife and children, who did not fail to return thanks for what Providence had sent them by the hand of Sindbad.
Hindbad put on his best robe next day, and returned to the bountiful traveler, who received him with a pleasant air. When all the guests had arrived, dinner was served, and when it was ended, Sindbad, addressing himself to the company, said, “Gentlemen, be pleased to listen to the adventures of my second voyage. They deserve your attention even more than those of the first.”
“The day is here,” said Scheherazade, “and I must stop. But I will not conceal from your majesty that the following voyages of Sindbad are infinitely more marvellous than this his first.”
“We do not doubt it,” returned her lord, “and we intend that you shall tell us of all these voyages.”
Accordingly, the following night, Scheherazade took up the tale at the point where she had left off.
The Second Voyage of Sindbad the
Sailor
I intended, after my first voyage, to spend the rest of my days at Bagdad, but it was not long ere I grew weary of an indolent life, and I put to sea a second time, with merchants of known probity. We embarked on board a good ship, and, after recommending ourselves to God, set sail. We traded from island to island, and exchanged commodities with great profit. One day we landed on an island covered with several sorts of fruit trees, but we could see neither man nor animal. We walked in the meadows, along the streams that watered them. While some diverted themselves with gathering flowers, and others fruits, I sat down near a stream betwixt two high trees, which formed a thick shade. I made a good meal of the wine and provisions I had brought from the ship and afterward fell asleep. I cannot tell how long I slept, but when I awoke the ship was gone.
Not knowing what to do, I climbed up to the top of a lofty tree, from whence I looked about on all sides, to see if I could discover anything that would give me hopes. When I gazed toward the sea I could see nothing but sky and water; but looking over the land, I beheld afar off something white; and coming down, I took what food I had left and went toward it, the distance being so great that I could not distinguish what it was.
As I approached, I thought it to be a white dome, of a prodigious height and extent; and when I came up to it, I touched it, and found it to be very smooth. I went round to see if it was open on any side, but saw it was not, and that there was no climbing up to the top, as it was so smooth. It was at least fifty paces round.
All of a sudden the sky became as dark as if it had been covered with a thick cloud. I was much astonished at this sudden darkness, but much more when I found it was occasioned by a bird of monstrous size, that came flying toward me. I remembered that I had often heard mariners speak of a miraculous bird called the roc, and conceived that the great dome which I so much admired must be its egg. In short, the bird alighted, and sat over the egg. As I perceived her coming, I crept close to the egg, so that I had before me one of the legs of the bird, which was as big as the trunk of a tree. I tied myself strongly to it with my turban, in hopes that the roc next morning would carry me with her out of this desert island. Sure enough the bird flew away as soon as it was daylight, and carried me so high, that I could not see the earth; she afterward descended with so much rapidity that I almost lost my senses. But finding myself on the ground, I speedily released myself, and had scarcely done so, when the roc, having taken up a serpent of a monstrous length in her bill, flew away.
The spot where the roc left me was surrounded by 
mountains, that seemed to reach above the clouds, and were so steep that there was no possibility of getting out of the valley. So that when I compared this place with the desert island from which the roc had brought me, I found that I had gained nothing by the change.
As I walked through this valley, I perceived it was strewed with diamonds, some of which were of surprising bigness. I also saw a great number of serpents, so monstrous that the least of them was capable of swallowing an elephant. They retired in the day-time to their dens, where they hid themselves from the roc, their enemy, and came out only in the night.
I spent the day in walking about in the valley. When night came on I went into a cave, where I thought I might repose in safety. I secured the entrance, which was low and narrow, with a great stone, to preserve me from the serpents; but not so as to exclude the air. I supped on part of my provisions, but the serpents, which began hissing round me, put me into such extreme fear that I did not sleep. When day appeared the serpents crawled off, and I came out of the cave trembling. I can justly say that I walked upon diamonds without feeling any inclination to touch them. At last I sat down, and notwithstanding my apprehensions, not having closed my eyes during the night, fell asleep, after having eaten a little more of my diminishing food. But I had scarcely shut my eyes when something that fell by me with a great noise awakened me. This was a large piece of raw meat; and at the same time I saw several others fall down from the rocks in different places.
I had always regarded as fabulous what I had heard sailors and others relate of the Valley of Diamonds, and of the stratagem employed by merchants to obtain them. But now I found that they had told nothing but the truth. For the fact
The Sky became dark
is that the merchants come to the heights above this valley, when the eagles have young ones, and throw great joints of meat into the valley, to which some diamonds stick; the eagles, which are stronger in this country than anywhere else, pounce with great force upon the pieces of meat and carry them to their nests on the precipices to feed their young: the merchants run to the nests, drive off the eagles by their shouts, and take away the diamonds that stick to the meat.
I perceived in this device the means of my deliverance.
Having collected together the largest diamonds I could find, and put them into the leather bag in which I used to carry my provisions, I took the largest of the pieces of meat, tied it close round me with the cloth of my turban, and then laid myself upon the ground, with my face downward, the bag of diamonds being made fast to my girdle.
I had scarcely placed myself in this posture when one of the eagles, having taken me up with the piece of meat to which I was fastened, carried me to his nest on the top of the mountain. The merchants immediately began their shouting to frighten the eagles; and when they had obliged them to quit their nests, one of them came to that where I was. He was much alarmed when he saw me; but recovering himself, instead of inquiring how I came thither, began to quarrel with me, and asked why I stole his goods. “Do not be uneasy,” I told him; “I have diamonds enough for you and myself, more than all the other merchants together. Whatever they have they owe to chance; but I selected for myself, in the bottom of the valley, those which you see in this bag.” I had scarcely done speaking, when the other merchants came crowding about us, much astonished to see me; but they were much more surprised when I told them my story.
They conducted me to their encampment; and there having opened my bag, they were surprised at the largeness of my diamonds, and confessed that they had never seen any of such size and perfection. I prayed the merchant who owned the nest to which I had been carried (for every merchant had his own) to take as many for his share as he pleased. He contented himself with one, and that, too, the least of them; and when I pressed him to take more, without fear of doing me any injury, “No,” said he, “I am very well satisfied with this, which is valuable enough to save me the trouble of making more voyages, and will raise as great a fortune as I desire.”
I spent the night with the merchants, to whom I related my story a second time, for the satisfaction of those who had not heard it. I could not moderate my joy when I found myself delivered. I thought myself in a dream, and could scarcely believe myself safe.
The merchants had thrown their pieces of meat into the valley for several days; and each of them being satisfied with the diamonds that had fallen to his lot, we left the place the next morning, and traveled through high mountains, where there were serpents of a prodigious length, which we had the good fortune to escape. We took shipping at the first port we reached, and touched at the isle of Roha, where grow trees that yield camphor. This tree is so large, and its branches so thick, that one hundred men may easily sit under its shade. The juice of which the camphor is made exudes from a hole bored in the upper part of the tree, and is received in a vessel, where it thickens and becomes what we call camphor. After the juice is thus drawn out, the tree withers and dies.
I pass over many other things peculiar to this island, lest I should weary you. Here I exchanged some of my diamonds for merchandise. We went to other islands, and at last, having touched at several trading towns of the continent, we landed at Bussorah and I returned to Bagdad. There I immediately gave large presents to the poor, and lived honorably upon the vast riches I had brought back gained with so much fatigue.
Thus Sindbad ended the relation of the second voyage, gave Hindbad another hundred sequins, and invited him to come the next day to hear the account of the third voyage. This he gladly did and was received as before, and, dinner over, Sindbad took up the tale of his adventures as follows.
The Third Voyage of Sindbad the
Sailor
I soon again grew weary of living a life of idleness, and, hardening myself against the thought of any danger, I embarked with some merchants on another long voyage. We touched at several ports, where we traded. One day we were overtaken by a dreadful tempest, which drove us from our course. The storm continued for several days, and brought us before the port of an island, which the captain was unwilling to enter but was obliged to in order to cast anchor. When we had furled our sails, the captain told us that this and some other neighboring islands were inhabited by hairy savages, who would speedily attack us; and though they were but dwarfs, yet that we must make no resistance, for they were more in number than the locusts; and if we happened to kill one, they would all fall upon us and destroy us.
We soon found that what the captain had told us was but too true. An innumerable multitude of frightful savages, about two feet high, covered all over with red hair, came swimming toward our ship. They chattered as they came near, but we understood not their language. They climbed up the sides of the ship with an agility that surprised us. They took down our sails, cut the cable, and hauling our ship to the shore, made us all get out, and took the ship to another island, from which they had come.
As we advanced, we perceived at a distance a vast building, and made toward it. We found it to be a palace, elegantly built, and very lofty, with a gate of ebony, which we opened. Entering, we saw before us a large apartment, with a porch, having on one side a heap of human bones, and on the other a vast number of roasting spits. We trembled at this spectacle, and were seized with deadly apprehension, when suddenly a door of the apartment opened with a loud crash, and there appeared the horrible figure of a black man, as tall as a palm tree. He had but one eye, and that in the middle of his forehead, where it blazed bright as a burning coal. His fore-teeth were very long and sharp, and stood out of his mouth, which was as deep as that of a horse. His upper lip hung down upon his breast. His ears resembled those of an elephant, and covered his shoulders; and his nails were as long and crooked as the talons of the greatest bird. At the sight of so frightful a creature, we become insensible and lay like dead men.
At last we came to ourselves, and saw him sitting on the porch looking at us. Next he advanced toward us, and laying his hand upon me, took me up by the nape of my neck, and turned me around, as a butcher would do a sheep’s head. After having examined me, and perceiving me to be so lean that I was nothing but skin and bone, he let me go. He took up the rest one by one, and viewed them in the same manner. The captain being the fattest, he held him with one hand, as I would do a sparrow, and thrust a spit through him; he then kindled a great fire, roasted, and ate him for his supper. Having finished his repast, he returned to his porch, where he fell asleep, snoring louder than thunder. He slept thus till morning. As to ourselves, it was not possible for us to enjoy any rest, and we passed the night in the most painful apprehension that can be imagined. When day appeared the giant awoke, got up, went out, and left us in the palace.
We determined to revenge ourselves on the brutish giant, and did so in the following manner. That night after he had again made his frightful supper on another of our seamen, he lay down on his back, and fell asleep. As soon as we heard him snore according to his custom, nine of the boldest among us, with myself, took each of us a spit, and putting the points of them into the fire till they were red hot, we thrust them into his eye all at once, and blinded him. The pain made him break out into a frightful yell: he started up, and stretched out his hands in order to sacrifice some of us to his rage; but we ran to such places as he could not reach; and after having sought for us in vain, he groped for the gate, and went out, howling in agony.
We immediately left the palace, and made for the shore, where we built rafts with timber that lay about in great quantities, each large enough to carry three men. We waited till day in order to get upon them, for we hoped if the giant did not appear by sunrise and should stop his howling, which we still heard, that he would prove to be dead; and if that happened to be the case, we resolved to stay on the island, and not to risk our lives upon the rafts. But day had scarcely appeared, when we perceived our cruel enemy, accompanied by two others, almost of the same size, leading him; and a great number more coming at a quick pace.
We hurried to take to our rafts, and put to sea with all the speed we could. The giants, on seeing this, took up great stones, and running to the shore, entered the water up to the middle, and threw so exactly that they sunk all the rafts but that I was upon; and all my companions, except the two with me, were drowned. We rowed with all our might, and at last got out of reach of the giants. But out at sea we were exposed to the mercy of the waves and winds, and spent that day and the following night under the most painful conditions. But next morning we had the good fortune to be thrown upon an island, where we landed with much joy. Here we found excellent fruit, which recruited our strength.
At night we went to sleep on the seashore; but we were awakened by the noise of a serpent of surprising length and thickness, whose scales made a rustling noise as he wound himself along. It swallowed up one of my comrades, notwithstanding his loud cries, and the efforts he made to escape; dashing him several times against the ground, it crushed him, and we could hear it gnaw and tear the poor fellow’s bones, though we had fled to a considerable distance.
The following day, as we walked about, we saw a tall tree, upon which we decided to pass the night; and having satisfied our hunger with fruit, we mounted it accordingly. Shortly after, the serpent came hissing to the foot of the tree, raised itself up against the trunk of it, and reaching my comrade, who sat lower than I, swallowed him at once, and went off.
I remained upon the tree till it was day, and then came down, more like a dead man than one alive, expecting the fate of my two companions. This filled me with such horror, that I advanced some steps to throw myself into the sea; but I withstood this dictate of despair, and submitted myself to the will of God, who disposes of our lives at His pleasure.
During the day I collected together a great quantity of small wood, brambles, and dry thorns, and making them up into faggots, made a wide circle with them round the tree, and also tied some of them to the branches. Having done this, when the evening came I shut myself up within this circle. The serpent failed not to come at the usual hour, and went round the tree, seeking for an opportunity to devour me, but was prevented by the rampart I had made; so that he lay till day, like a cat watching in vain for a mouse that has fortunately reached a place of safety. When day
We found it to be a gate of ebony
appeared, he retired, but I dared not to leave my fort until the sun rose.
After I had rested from the dangers of my third voyage, my passion for trade and my love of novelty again prevailed. I therefore settled my affairs, and provided a stock of goods fit for the traffic I meant to engage in. I took the route to Persia, traveled over several provinces, and arrived at a port, where I embarked. On putting out to sea, we were
God took compassion on my hopeless state; for just as I was going, finally in desperation, to throw myself into the sea, I perceived a ship in the distance. I called as loud as I could, and unfolding the linen of my turban, displayed it, that they might observe me. This had the desired effect; the crew perceived me, and the captain sent his boat for me. As soon as I came on board, the merchants and seamen flocked about me, to know how I came to that desert island. After I had related to them all that had befallen me, the oldest among them said they had several times heard of the giants that dwelt on that island, and that they were cannibals and also of the serpents. After having expressed their joy at my escape from so many dangers, they brought me the best of their provisions and took me before the captain, who, seeing that I was in rags, gave me one of his own suits. Looking steadfastly upon him, I knew him to be the person who, in my second voyage, had left me in the island where I fell asleep, without sending to seek for me.
I was not surprised that he, believing me to be dead, did not recognize me. “Captain,” said I, “look at me, and you may know that I am Sindbad, whom you left on that desert island.”
The captain, having considered me attentively, recognized me. “God be praised!” said he, embracing me; “I rejoice that fortune has rectified my fault. There are your goods, which I always took care to preserve.” I took them from him, and made him my acknowledgments for his care of them.
We continued at sea for some time, touched at several is lands, and at last landed at that of Salabat, where sandalwood is obtained, which is much used in medicine.
From the isle of Salabat we went to another, where I furnished myself with cloves, cinnamon, and other spices.
In short, after a long voyage, I arrived at Bussorah, and returned to Bagdad with so much wealth that I knew not its extent. I gave a great deal to the poor, and bought another considerable estate in addition to what I had already.
Thus Sindbad finished the history of his third voyage. He gave another hundred sequins to Hindbad and invited him to dinner again the next day, to hear
The Fourth Voyage of Sindbad the
Sailor
overtaken by a sudden tempest that obliged the captain to lower his yards, and take all necessary precautions to prevent being wrecked. But in vain! The sails were split in a thousand pieces, and the ship was stranded; some of the merchants and seamen were drowned, and the cargo was lost.
I had the good fortune, with several of the merchants and mariners, to get upon some planks, and we were carried by the current to an island which lay before us. There we found fruit and spring water, which preserved our lives. We stayed all night near the place where we had been cast ashore.
Next morning, as soon as the sun was up, we explored the island, and saw some houses, which we approached. As soon as we drew near, we were encompassed by a great number of negroes, who seized us, shared us among them, and carried us to their respective habitations.
I and five of my comrades were carried to one place; here our captors made us sit down, and gave us a certain herb, which they made signs to us to eat. My comrades not noticing that the blacks ate none of it themselves, thought only of satisfying their hunger, and ate with greediness. But I, suspecting some trick, would not so much as taste it, which happened well for me; for in a little time I perceived my companions had lost their senses, and that when they spoke to me they knew not what they said.
The negroes fed us afterward with rice, prepared with oil of cocoa-nuts; and my comrades, who had lost their reason, ate of it freely. I also partook of it, but very sparingly. They gave us that herb at first to deprive us of our senses, that we might not be aware of the destiny prepared for us; and they gave us rice to fatten us; for, being cannibals, their design was to eat us as soon as we grew fat. This accordingly happened, and they gradually devoured my comrades, who were not sensible of their condition; but my senses being entire, you may easily guess that instead of growing fat, as the rest did, I grew leaner every day. The fear of death under which I labored, turned all my food into poison. I fell into a languishing illness, which proved my safety; for the negroes, having killed and eaten my companions, finding me to be withered, lean, and sick, deferred my death.
Meanwhile I had much liberty, so that scarcely any notice was taken of what I did, and this gave me an opportunity one day to get to a distance from the huts, and to make my escape. An old man who saw me, and suspected my design, called to me as loud as he could to return; but instead of obeying him, I redoubled my speed, and quickly got out of sight. At that time there was none but the old man about the village, the rest being abroad, and not to return till night, which was usual with them. Therefore, being sure that they could not arrive in time to pursue me, I went on till night, when I stopped to rest a little, and to eat some of the provisions I had taken along; but I speedily set forward again and traveled seven days, avoiding those places which seemed to be inhabited, and lived for the most part upon cocoa-nuts, which served me both for meat and drink. On the eighth day I came near the sea, and saw some white people, like myself, gathering pepper, of which there was great plenty in that place.
The people who gathered pepper came to meet me as soon as they saw me, and asked me in Arabic who I was and whence I came. I was overjoyed to hear them speak in my own language, and satisfied their curiosity by giving them an account of my shipwreck, and how I fell into the hands of the negroes. “Those negroes,” replied they, “eat men; by what miracle did you escape their cruelty?” I related to them the circumstances I have just mentioned, at which they were greatly surprised.
I stayed with them till they had gathered their pepper, and then sailed with them to the island from whence they had come. They presented me to their king, who was a good prince. He had the patience to hear the relation of my adventures, which surprised him; and he afterward gave me clothes, and commanded care to be taken of me.
The island was well peopled, plentiful in everything and the capital a place of great trade. This agreeable retreat was very comfortable to me after my misfortunes, and the kindness of the generous prince completed my satisfaction. In a word, there was not a person more in favor with him than myself, and consequently every man in court and city sought to oblige me; so that in a very little time I was looked upon rather as a native than a stranger.
As I paid my court very constantly to the king, he said to me one day, “Sindbad, I love thee. I have one thing to demand of thee, which thou must grant. I have in mind thou shouldst marry, that so thou mayst stay in my dominions, and think no more of thy own country.” I durst not resist the prince’s will, and he gave me one of the ladies of his court, noble, beautiful, and rich. The ceremonies of marriage being over, I dwelt with my wife, and for some time we lived together in perfect harmony. I was not, however, content with my banishment, but wished to return to Bagdad, which my present life, how advantageous soever, could not make me forget.
At this time the wife of one of my neighbors, with whom I had contracted a friendship, fell sick and died. I went to see and comfort him in his affliction, and finding him absorbed in sorrow, I said to him as soon as I saw him, “God preserve you and grant you a long life.” “Alas!” replied he, “how do you think that could happen? I have not above an hour to live, for I must be buried this day with my wife. This is the law. The living husband is interred with the dead wife, and the living wife with the dead husband.”
While he was giving me an account of this barbarous custom, the very relation of which chilled my blood, his kindred, friends, and neighbors came to assist at the funeral. They dressed the corpse of the woman in her richest apparel and all her jewels, as if it had been her wedding-day; then they placed her on an open bier, and began their march to the place of burial. The husband walked first, next to the dead body. They went to a high mountain, and when they reached it, they took up a large stone which formed the mouth of a deep pit, and let down the body with all its apparel and jewels. Then the husband, embracing his kindred and friends, suffered himself to be placed on another bier, with a pot of water, and seven small loaves, and was let down in the same manner. The ceremony being over, the mouth of the pit was again covered with the stone, and the company returned.
I mention this ceremony the more particularly, because I was in a few weeks’ time to be the principal actor on a similar occasion. Alas! my own wife fell sick and died. I made every remonstrance I could to the king not to expose me, a foreigner, to this inhuman law. I appealed in vain. The king and all his court, with the most considerable persons of the city, sought merely to soften my sorrow by honoring the funeral ceremony with their presence; and at the termination of the ceremony I was lowered into the pit with a vessel full of water, and seven loaves. As I approached the bottom I discovered, by the aid of the little light that came from above, the nature of this subterranean place; it seemed an endless cavern, and might be about fifty fathoms deep. I lived for some time in this awful place upon my bread and water, when, one day, as it was about gone I heard something tread, and breathing or panting as it moved. I followed the sound. The animal seemed to stop sometimes, but always fled and breathed hard as I approached. I pursued it for a considerable time, till at last I perceived a light, resembling a star; I went on, sometimes losing sight of it, but always finding it again, and at last discovered that it came through a hole in the rock, which I got through, and found myself upon the seashore, at which I felt exceeding joy. I prostrated myself on the shore to thank God for this mercy, and shortly afterward I perceived a ship making for the place where I was. I made a sign with the linen of my turban, and called to the crew as loud as I could. They noticed me, and sent a boat to bring me on board. We put to sea again, and touched at several other ports; but at last I arrived happily at Bagdad.
Here Sindbad made a new present of one hundred sequins to Hindbad, whom he requested to return with the rest of the guests next day at the same hour, to dine with him and hear the story of his fifth voyage.
“You will see that day has come, my lord,” the sultaness broke off to say, “and that I cannot now tell you the surprising adventures of Sindbad’s fifth voyage. But to-morrow, if it pleases you, I am ready to go on.”
And the next night she did go on, relating the further adventures of Sindbad.
The Fifth Voyage of Sindbad the Sailor
All the troubles and calamities I had undergone could not cure me of my inclination to make new voyages. I therefore bought goods, departed with them for the best seaport, and there, that I might not be obliged to depend upon a captain, but have a ship at my own command, I had one built on purpose, at my own charge. When the ship was ready I went on board with my goods; but not having enough to load her, I agreed to take with me several merchants of different nations, with their merchandise.
We sailed with the first fair wind, and the first place we touched at was a desert island, where we found the egg of a roc, equal in size to that I had formerly seen. There was a young roc in it, just ready to be hatched, and its beak had begun to break the egg.
The merchants who landed with me broke the egg with hatchets, pulled out the young roc and roasted it. I in vain entreated them not to meddle with the egg.
Scarcely had they finished their feast, when there appeared in the air, at a considerable distance, two great clouds. The captain of my ship, knowing by experience what they meant, said they were the male and female parents of the roc, and pressed us to re-embark with all speed, to prevent if possible the misfortune which would otherwise befall us.
The two rocs approached with a frightful noise, which they redoubled when they saw the egg broken, and their young one gone. They flew over us with horrid cries and then back in the direction they had come, and disappeared for some time, while we made all the sail we could to endeavor to escape that which unhappily befell us.
They soon returned, and we observed that each of them carried between its talons an enormous rock. When they came directly over my ship, they hovered, and one of them let go his rock; but by the dexterity of the steersman it missed us and fell into the sea. The other, however, so exactly hit the middle of the ship as to split it into pieces. The mariners and passengers were all crushed to death or fell into the sea. I myself was among the latter; but, as I came up again, I fortunately caught hold of a piece of the wreck, and swimming, sometimes with one hand and sometimes with the other, but always holding fast to the plank, the wind and the tide favoring me, I came to an island, and got safely ashore.
I sat down upon the grass, to recover myself from my fatigue, after which I went into the island to explore it. It seemed to be a delicious garden. I found trees everywhere, some of them bearing green and others ripe fruits, and streams of fresh pure water. I ate of the fruits, which I found excellent; and drank of the water, which was good.
When I had gone some way I saw an old man, who appeared very weak and infirm. He was sitting on the bank of a stream, and at first I took him to be one who had been shipwrecked like myself. I went toward him and saluted him, but he only slightly bowed his head. I asked him why he sat so still; but instead of answering me, he made a sign for me to take him upon my back, and carry him over the brook.
Believing him to stand in need of my assistance, I took him upon my back, and having carried him over, bade him get down, and for that end stopped, that he might get off with ease; but instead of doing so, the old man, who to me appeared quite decrepit, threw his legs nimbly about my neck. He sat astride upon my shoulders, and held my throat so tight that I thought he would have strangled me, and I fainted away.
Notwithstanding my fainting, the ill-natured old fellow still kept his seat upon my neck. When I had recovered he thrust one of his feet against my side, and struck me so rudely that he forced me to rise up, against my will. Having arisen, he made me carry him under the trees, and forced me now and then to stop, that he might gather and eat fruit. He never left his seat all day; and when I laid down to rest at night, he laid himself down with me, holding still fast about my neck. Every morning he pinched me to make me awake, and afterward obliged me to get up and walk, and spurred me with his feet. By degrees I became weak and feared I must die.
One day I found several dry calabashes that had fallen from a tree. I took a large one, and after cleaning it, pressed into it the juice of grapes, which abounded in the island; having filled the calabash, I put it by in a convenient place, and going thither again some days after, I tasted it, and found the wine so good, that it gave me new vigor, and so exhilarated my spirits, that I began to sing and dance as I carried my burden.
The old man, perceiving the effect the juice had upon me, and that I carried him with more ease than before, made me a sign to give him some of it. I handed him the calabash, and the liquor pleasing his palate, he drank it off. There being a considerable quantity of it, he soon began to sing, and to move about from side to side in his seat upon my shoulders, and by degrees to loosen his legs from about me. Finding at length that he did not press me as before, I threw him upon the ground, where he lay without motion; I then took up a great stone and slew him.
I was extremely glad to be thus freed forever from this terrible burden. I now walked toward the beach, where I met the crew of a ship that had cast anchor, to take in water; they were surprised to see me, but more so at hearing the particulars of my adventures. “You fell,” said they, “into the hands of the old man of the sea, and are the first who ever escaped strangling by his malicious embraces. He never quitted those he had once made himself master of, till he had destroyed them, and he had made this island notorious by the number of men he has slain.” They took me with them to the captain, who received me with great kindness. He put out again to sea, and after some days’ sail, we arrived at the harbor of a great city, the houses of which overhung the water.
One of the merchants who had become my friend invited me to go ashore with him. He gave me a large sack, and having recommended me to some people of the town desired them to take me with them. “Go,” said he, “follow them, and act as you see them do; but do not separate from them, otherwise you may endanger your life.” Having thus spoken, he gave me provisions for the journey, and I went with them.
We came to a thick forest of cocoa trees, very lofty, with trunks so smooth that it was not possible to climb to the branches that bore the fruit. But as soon as we entered the forest we saw a great number of apes of several sizes, who fled when they perceived us, and climbed to the tops of the trees with amazing swiftness.
The merchants with whom I was gathered stones, and threw them at the apes on the trees. I did the same; and the apes, out of revenge, threw cocoa-nuts at us with great fury. We gathered up the cocoa-nuts, and from time to time threw more stones to provoke the apes; so that by this stratagem we filled our bags with cocoa-nuts. I thus gradually collected enough cocoa-nuts to bring me a considerable sum.
Having laden our vessel with nuts, we set sail, and passed by the islands where pepper grows in great plenty. From thence we went to the Isle of Comari, where the best species of wood of aloes grows. I exchanged my nuts in those two islands for pepper and wood of aloes, and went with other
He made me stop that he might gather fruit
merchants pearl-fishing. I hired divers, who brought me up some pearls that were very large and pure. I then embarked in a vessel that happily arrived at Bussorah and returned to Bagdad, where I realized vast sums from my pepper, wood of aloes, and pearls. I gave the tenth of my gains in alms, as I had done upon my return from my other voyages, and rested from my fatigues.
Sindbad here ordered one hundred sequins to be given to Hindbad, and requested him and the other guests to dine with him the next day, to hear the account of his sixth voyage.
The Sixth Voyage of Sindbad the Sailor
I know, my friends, that you will wish to hear how, after having been shipwrecked five times, and escaped so many dangers, I could resolve again to tempt fortune, and expose myself to new hardships. I am myself astonished at my conduct when I reflect upon it, and must have been ruled by my destiny, from which none can escape. Be that as it may, after a year’s rest I prepared for a sixth voyage, notwithstanding the entreaties of my kindred and friends, who did all in their power to dissuade me.
Instead of taking my way by the Persian Gulf, I traveled once more through several provinces of Persia and the Indies, and arrived at a seaport, where I embarked in a ship, the captain of which was bound on a long voyage.
Suddenly after we had been many days at sea, the captain began uttering loud lamentations. He threw off his turban, pulled his beard, and beat his head like a madman. We asked him the reason; he answered that we were in the most dangerous place in all the ocean. “A rapid current carries the ship along with it, and we shall all perish in less than a quarter of an hour. Pray to God to deliver us from this peril; we cannot escape, if He does not take pity on us.” At these words he ordered the sails to be lowered; but all the ropes broke, and the ship was carried by the current to the foot of an inaccessible mountain, where she struck and went to pieces; yet in such a manner that we saved our lives, our provisions, and the best of our goods.
The mountain at the foot of which we found ourselves was covered with wrecks, with a vast number of human bones, and with an incredible quantity of goods and riches of all kinds.
In all other places it is usual for rivers to run from their channels into the sea; but here a river of fresh water runs from the sea into a dark cavern, whose entrance is high and spacious. What is most remarkable in this place is, that the rocks of the mountain are of crystal, rubies, or other precious stones. There is also a sort of fountain of pitch or bitumen, that runs into the sea, which the fish swallow, and evacuate soon afterward, turned into ambergris; and this the waves throw up on the beach in great quantities. Trees also grow here, most of which are of wood of aloes, equal in goodness to those of Comari.
To finish the description of this place, it is not possible for ships to get off when once they approach within a certain distance. If they be driven thither by a wind from the sea, the wind and the current impel them toward the island; and they come to it when a land wind blows, which might seem to favor their getting out again, but the height of the mountain suddenly cuts off the wind, and occasions a calm, so that the force of the current carries them ashore; and what completes the misfortune is, that there is no possibility of ascending the mountain.
We continued upon the shore, at the foot of the mountain, in a state of despair, death coming closer every day. On our first landing we had divided our provisions as equally as we could, and thus every one lived a longer or a shorter time, according to his temperance, and the use he made of his provisions.
I survived all my companions; and when I buried the last I had so little food remaining that I thought I could not long survive, and I dug a grave, resolving to lie down in it because there was no one left to pay me the last offices of respect. But it pleased God once more to take compassion on me, and put it in my mind to go to the bank of the river which ran into the great cavern. Considering its probable course with great attention, I said to myself, “This river, which runs thus underground, must somewhere have an issue. If I make a raft, and leave myself to the current, it will convey me to some inhabited country, or I shall perish. If I be drowned, I lose nothing, but only change one kind of death for another.”
I immediately went to work upon large pieces of timber and cables, for I had a choice of them from the wrecks, and tied them together so strongly that I soon made a very solid raft. When I finished, I loaded it with some chests of rubies, emeralds, ambergris, rock-crystal, and bales of rich stuffs. Having balanced my cargo exactly, and fastened it well to the raft, I went on board with two oars that I had made, and leaving it to the course of the river, resigned myself to the will of God.
As soon as I entered the cavern I lost all light, and the stream carried me I knew not whither. Thus I floated on in perfect darkness, and once found the arch so low, that it very nearly touched my head, which made me cautious afterward to avoid the like danger. All this while I ate nothing but what was just necessary to support nature; yet, notwithstanding my frugality, my provisions were finally spent. Then I became insensible. I cannot tell how long I continued so; but when I revived, I was surprised to find myself on the brink of a river, where my raft was tied, amidst a great number of negroes. I got up as soon as I saw them, and saluted them. They spoke to me, but I did not 
understand their language. I was so transported with joy, that I cried aloud, “Call upon the Almighty, He will help thee; thou needest not perplex thyself about anything else: shut thy eyes, and while thou art asleep, God will change thy bad fortune into good.”
One of the negroes, who understood Arabic, hearing me speak thus, came toward me, and said, “Brother, be not surprised to see us; we are inhabitants of this country, and water our fields from this river, which comes out of the neighboring mountain. We saw your raft, and one of us swam into the river, and brought it hither, where we fastened it, as you see, until you should awake. Pray tell us your history. Whence did you come?” I begged of them first to give me something to eat. They gave me several sorts of food, and when I had satisfied my hunger, I related all that had befallen me, to which they listened to with attentive surprise. As soon as I had finished, they told me, by the one who spoke Arabic and interpreted to the rest what I said, that I must go along with them, and tell my story to their king myself; it being too extraordinary to be related by any other than the person to whom the events had happened.
They immediately got a horse, and having helped me to mount, some of them walked before to show the way, while the rest took my raft and cargo and followed.
We marched till we came to the capital of Serendib, for it was on that island I had landed. The negroes presented me to their king; I approached his throne, and saluted him as I used to do the kings of the Indies; that is to say, I prostrated myself at his feet. The prince ordered me to rise, received me with an obliging air, and made me sit down near him.
I concealed nothing from the king; but related to him all that I have told you. At last my raft was brought in, and the bales opened in his presence: he admired the quantity of wood of aloes and ambergris; but, above all, the emeralds, for he had none in his treasury that equaled them.
Observing that he looked on my jewels with pleasure, and handled the most remarkable among them, one after another, I fell prostrate at his feet, and took the liberty to say to him, “Sire, not only my person is at your majesty’s service, but the cargo of the raft, and I would beg of you to dispose of it as your own.” He answered me with a smile, “Sindbad, I will take nothing of yours; far from lessening your wealth, I design to augment it, and will not let you quit my dominions without marks of my liberality.” He then charged one of his officers to take care of me, and ordered people to serve me at his own expense. The officer was faithful in the execution of his commission, and caused all the goods to be carried to the lodgings provided for me.
I prayed the king to allow me to return to my own country, and he granted me permission in the most obliging and honorable manner. He forced a rich present upon me; and at the same time charged me with a letter and present for the Commander of the Faithful, our sovereign, saying to me, “I pray you give this present for me, and this letter, to the Caliph Haroun al Raschid, and assure him of my friendship.”
The letter from the King of Serendib was written on the skin of a certain animal of great value, very scarce, and of a yellowish color. The characters of this letter were of azure, and the contents as follows:
“The King of Serendib, before whom march one hundred elephants, who lives in a palace that shines with one hundred thousand rubies, and who has in his treasury twenty thousand crowns enriched with diamonds, to Caliph Haroun al Raschid.
“Though the present we send you be inconsiderable, receive it, however, as a brother and a friend, in consideration of the hearty friendship which we bear for you, and of which we are willing to give you proof. We desire the same part in your friendship, considering that we believe it to be our merit, as we are both kings. We send you this letter as from one brother to another. Farewell.”
The present consisted (1) of one single ruby made into a cup, about half a foot high, an inch thick, and filled with round pearls of half a drachm each. (2) The skin of a serpent, whose scales were as bright as gold, and had the virtue to preserve from sickness those who lay upon it. (3) Fifty thousand drachms of the best wood of aloes, with thirty grains of camphor as big as pistachios. And (4) a female slave of great beauty, whose robe was covered over with jewels.
The ship set sail, and after a successful voyage we landed at Bussorah, and I went to the city of Bagdad, where the first thing I did was to acquit myself of my commission.
I took the King of Serendib’s letter, with the presents to the gate of the palace of the Commander of the Faithful, and was immediately conducted to the throne of the caliph. I made my obeisance, and presented the letter and gifts. When he had read what the King of Serendib wrote to him, he asked me if that prince were really so rich and potent as he represented himself in his letter. I prostrated myself a second time, and rising again, said, “Commander of the Faithful, I can assure your majesty he doth not exceed the truth. I bear him witness. Nothing is more worthy of admiration than the magnificence of his palace. When the prince appears in public, he has a throne fixed on the back of an elephant, and rides betwixt two ranks of his ministers, favorites, and other people of his court. Before him, seated upon the same elephant, an officer carries a golden lance, in his hand; and behind him there is another, who stands with a rod of gold, on the top of which is an emerald, half a foot long and an inch thick. He is also attended by a guard of one thousand men, clad in cloth of gold and silk, and mounted on elephants richly caparisoned. The officer who is before him on the same elephant, cries from time to time, with a loud voice, ‘Behold the great monarch, the potent and redoubtable Sultan of Serendib, the monarch greater than Solomon, and the powerful Maharaja.’ After he has pronounced those words, the officer behind the throne cries, in his turn, ‘This monarch, so great and so powerful, must die, must die, must die.’ And the officer before replies, ‘Praise alone be to Him who liveth for ever and ever.’ ”
The caliph was much pleased with my account, and sent me home with a rich present.
Here Sindbad commanded another hundred sequins to be paid to Hindbad, and begged his return on the morrow to hear his seventh and last voyage.
“There is still one more voyage of Sindbad’s to narrate to your highness,” said Scheherazade, at this point. “Do you desire that I shall do so to-morrow?”
And on the following night she continued her tale as follows:
The Seventh and Last Voyage of
Sindbad the Sailor
On my return home from my sixth voyage, I entirely gave up all thoughts of again going to sea; for, besides that my age now required rest, I was resolved no more to expose myself to such risks as I had encountered. One day, however, an officer of the caliph’s inquired for me. “The caliph,” said he, “has sent me to tell you that he must speak with you.” I followed the officer to the palace, where, being presented to the caliph, I saluted him by prostrating myself at his feet. “Sindbad,” said he to me, “I stand in need of your service; you must carry my answer and present to the King of Serendib.”
This command of the caliph was to me like a clap of thunder. “Commander of the Faithful,” I replied, “I am ready to do whatever your majesty shall think fit to command; but I beseech you most humbly to consider what I have undergone. I have also made a vow never again to leave Bagdad.”
But the caliph insisted upon my compliance, until I submitted, and told him that I was willing to obey. He was very well pleased, and ordered me one thousand sequins for the expenses of my journey.
I prepared for my departure in a few days. As soon as the caliph’s letter and present were delivered to me, I went to Bussorah, where I embarked, and had a prosperous voyage. Having arrived at the Isle of Serendib, I was conducted to the palace with much pomp, where I prostrated myself before the king. “Sindbad,” said the king, “you are welcome; I have many times thought of you; I bless the day on which I see you once more.” I made my compliments to him, and thanked him for his kindness, and delivered the gifts from my august master.
The caliph’s letter was as follows:
“Greeting, in the name of the Sovereign Guide of the Right Way, from the servant of God, Haroun al Raschid, whom God hath set in the place of viceregent to His Prophet, after his ancestors of happy memory, to the potent and esteemed Raja of Serendib.
“We received your letter with joy, and send you this from our imperial residence, the garden of superior wits. We hope, when you look upon it, you will perceive our good intention, and be pleased with it. Farewell.”The caliph’s present was a complete suit of cloth of gold, valued at one thousand sequins; fifty robes of rich stuff, a hundred of white cloth, the finest of Cairo, Suez, and Alexandria; a vessel of agate, more broad than deep, an inch thick, and half a foot wide, the bottom of which represented in bass-relief a man with one knee on the ground, who held a bow and an arrow, ready to discharge at a lion. He sent him also a tablet, which, according to tradition, belonged to the great Solomon.
The King of Serendib was highly gratified at the caliph’s acknowledgment of his friendship. A little time after this audience, I solicited leave to depart, and with difficulty obtained it. The king, when he dismissed me, made me a very considerable present. I embarked immediately to return to Bagdad, but had not the good fortune to arrive there so speedily as I had hoped. God ordered it otherwise.
Three or four days after my departure, we were attacked by pirates, who easily seized upon our ship, because it was not a vessel of war. Some of the crew offered resistance, which cost them their lives. But for myself and the rest, who 
were not so imprudent, the pirates saved us, and carried us into a remote island, where they sold us.
I fell into the hands of a rich merchant, who, as soon as he bought me, took me to his house, treated me well, and clad me handsomely as a slave. Some days after, he asked me if I understood any trade. I answered that I was no mechanic, but a merchant, and that the pirates who sold me had also robbed me.
“Tell me,” he asked, after consoling with me, “can you shoot with a bow?” I answered that the bow was one of my exercises in my youth. He gave me a bow and arrows, and taking me behind him on an elephant, carried me to a thick forest some leagues from the town. We penetrated a great way into the wood, and when he thought fit to stop, he bade me alight and, showing me a great tree, “Climb up that,” said he, “and shoot at the elephants as you see them pass by, for there are many of them in this forest, and if any of them fall, come and give me notice.” Having spoken thus, he left me victuals, and returned to the town, and I sat in the tree all night, seeing no elephants till break of day, when I perceived a great number. I shot several arrows among them; and at last one of the elephants fell. The rest retired immediately, leaving me at liberty to go and report my success. We went afterward together to the forest, where we dug a hole for the elephant; my patron meaning to return when it was rotten, and take the tusks to trade with.
I continued this work for two months. One morning, as I looked for the elephants, I perceived with extreme amazement that, instead of passing by as usual, they stopped, and came toward me with a horrible noise, in such numbers that the ground shook under them. They surrounded the tree in which I was concealed, with their trunks uplifted, and all fixed their eyes upon me. At this alarming spectacle I was so much terrified, that my bow and arrows fell out of my hand.
My fear was not without cause; for after the elephants had stared upon me some time, one of the largest of them put his trunk round the foot of the tree, plucked it up, and threw it on the ground. I fell with the tree, and the elephant, taking me up with his trunk, threw me on his back, where I lay more like one dead than alive, with my quiver on my shoulder. He put himself at the head of the rest, who followed him in line, one after the other, for a considerable way, then laid me down on the ground, and went off with all his companions. After having lain some time, and seeing the elephants gone, I got up, and found I was upon a long and broad hill, almost covered with the bones and tusks of elephants. I doubted not but that this was the burial-place of the elephants, and that they had carried me there on purpose to tell me that I should forbear to kill them, as now I knew where to get their ivory without inflicting injury on them. I did not stay on the hill, but turned toward the city; and after having traveled a day and a night, I came to my patron.
As soon as my patron saw me, “Ah, poor Sindbad,” exclaimed he, “I was in great trouble to know what had become of you. I have been to the forest, where I found a tree newly pulled up, and your bow and arrows on the ground, and I despaired of ever seeing you more. Tell me what befell you.” I satisfied his curiosity, and we both of us set out next morning to the hill. We loaded the elephant which had brought us with as many tusks as he could carry; and when we had returned, my master said: “Hear now what I shall tell you. The elephants of our forest have every year killed a great many slaves, whom we sent to seek ivory. In spite of all precautions the crafty animals destroyed them one time or another. God has delivered you from their fury, and has bestowed that favor upon you only. It is a sign that He loves you, and has some use for your service in the world. You have procured me incredible wealth; and now our whole city is enriched by your means, without any need of exposing the lives of our slaves. After such a discovery, I can treat you no more as a slave, but only as a brother. God bless you with all happiness and prosperity. I henceforth give you your liberty; I will also give you riches.”
To this I replied, “Master, God preserve you. I desire no other reward for the service I had the good fortune to do to you and your city, but leave to return to my own country.”
“Very well,” said he, “the monsoon will in a little time bring ships for ivory. I will then send you home.”
I stayed with him while waiting for the monsoon; and during that time we made so many journeys to the hill, that we filled all his warehouses with ivory. The other merchants who traded in it did the same; for my master made them partakers of his good fortune.
The ships arrived at last, and my master himself having made choice of the ship wherein I was to embark, loaded half of it with ivory on my account, laid in provisions in abundance for my passage, and besides obliged me to accept a present of some curiosities of the country of great value. After I had returned him a thousand thanks for all his favors, I went aboard.
I at last arrived safe at Bagdad, and immediately waited upon the caliph, to give him an account of my embassy. He loaded me with honors and rich presents, and I have ever since devoted myself to my family, kindred, and friends.
Sindbad here finished the relation of his seventh and last voyage, and then addressing himself to Hindbad, “Well, friend,” said he, “have you ever heard of any person that suffered so much as I have done? Is it not reasonable that, after all this, I should enjoy a quiet and pleasant life?” As he said these words, Hindbad kissed his hand, and said, “Sir, my afflictions are not to be compared with yours. You not only deserve a quiet life, but are worthy of all the riches you possess, since you make so good a use of them. May you live happily for a long time.” Sindbad ordered him to be paid another hundred sequins, and told him to give up carrying burdens as a porter, and to eat henceforth at his table, for he wished that he should all his life have reason to remember that he henceforth had a friend in Sindbad the sailor.
In this manner Scheherazade continued for one thousand and one nights to entertain the sultan her husband with her stories. The more she told, the more she seemed to have to tell.
At the end of that time he had learned to value her rare virtue, her cheerfulness and good courage, quite as much as her prodigious memory and the excellent manner of her narration. He had long since resolved to abjure his wicked vow, and one morning he told her so.
“Lovely princess,” said he, “not only do I free you from the sentence of death imposed upon you through your marriage with me, but I will proclaim throughout my entire kingdom and the whole world that it is you, and you alone, who have saved countless damsels from the fate that has hung over them. I realize the rashness of my vow, and refuse any longer to be bound by it. I trust that we shall have many long years yet to live together in happiness, and that I shall hear many more relations from you, when you are moved to tell me of your stories.”
It is easy to imagine the joy of the grand vizier at these tidings. The news was received throughout the kingdom with the wildest rejoicing, and the blessings of the entire people were showered upon Scheherazade, whose wit, courage and devotion had saved not only her own life, but that of many other young women.
