There belongs to this king an island named Cassel, where the mariners said that every night the noise of drums might be heard.  This wonderful place I visited, and on the way thither saw fishes of one hundred and two hundred cubits in length, that occasion more fear than hurt; for they are so timid that they will fly upon the rattling of two sticks or boards.  I saw likewise other fishes, about a cubit in length, that had heads like owls.

One day, as I was at the port after this visit, the ship arrived in which I had embarked at Bussorah.  I knew the captain at once, and went and asked him for my bales.  “I am Sindbad,” said I, “and those bales marked with his name are mine.”

“Heavens!” he exclaimed, “whom can we trust in these times?  I saw Sindbad perish with my own eyes, and now you tell this tale to possess yourself of what does not belong to you.”

But at length he was persuaded that I was no cheat, for there came people from his ship who knew me, and expressed much joy at seeing me alive.  “Heaven be praised,” said he at last, “for your happy escape!  There are your goods; take and do with them as you please.”  What was of greatest worth in them I presented to the sovereign, who was much pleased to hear of my good fortune, and gave me in return a gift of still greater value.  Then I took leave of him, and went aboard the same ship after I had exchanged my goods for products of that country.  I carried with me wood of aloes, sandals, camphire, nutmegs, cloves, pepper, and ginger.  We passed by several islands, and at last arrived at Bussorah, whence I came to this city with great wealth.

Here Sindbad stopped, and gave Hindbad a purse of money, bidding him return the next day, and hear the story of the next voyage.  This was repeated each day, till all the voyages were described.

THE SECOND VOYAGE OF SINDBAD THE SAILOR

After my first voyage, I meant to spend the rest of my days at Bagdad, but I soon grew weary of an idle life, and put to sea a second time, with merchants of known honesty.  We embarked on board a good ship, and after committing ourselves to God set sail.  We traded from island to island with great profit.  One day we landed on an island where we could see neither man nor animal.  There were many fruits and flowers, and whilst some were gathering them, I took my wine and food, and sat down near a stream betwixt two high trees, which formed a thick shade.  I made a good meal, and afterwards fell asleep.  I cannot tell how long I slept, but when I awoke the ship was gone.

In this sad plight, I was ready to die with grief.  I cried out in agony, beat my head and breast, and threw myself upon the ground, where I lay some time in despair.  Why was I not content with the produce of my first voyage, which would have kept me in comfort all my life?  But it was too late to repent.  At last I resigned myself to the will of God.  Not knowing what to do, I climbed to the top of a lofty tree, where I could look about on all sides for signs of hope.  Towards the sea there was nothing but sky and water.  Looking over the land, I saw something white, and, coming down, took some of the food I had left, and went towards it, not knowing at the great distance what it was.