I and five of my comrades were carried to one place; here they made us sit down, and gave us a certain herb, which they made signs to us to eat.  My comrades did not notice that the blacks took none of it themselves, and ate greedily.  But I, suspecting some trick, would not so much as taste it, which happened well for me, for in a little time I saw that my comrades had lost their senses, and that when they spoke to me they knew not what they said.

The negroes fed us afterwards with rice to make us fat, for they were cannibals and meant to eat us.  My comrades, who had lost their senses, ate heartily of it, but I very sparingly.  They were devoured one by one, and I, with my senses entire, as you may readily guess, grew leaner every day.  The fear of death turned all my food into poison.  I fell into a sickness which proved my safety, for the negroes, having killed and eaten my comrades, and seeing me to be withered, lean, and sick, put off my death.

Meanwhile I had much liberty, and scarcely any notice was taken of what I did.  Therefore one day, when no one but an old man was left about the houses, I made my escape.  For seven days I traveled, avoiding places which seemed to be inhabited, and living on cocoanuts, 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 a great plenty in that place.  To them I went without fear.

They came to meet me when 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 told them 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?”

Then I told them what I have just told you, and they were greatly surprised.  When they had finished gathering pepper, they took me with them to the island whence they had come, and presented me to their king, who was a good prince.  He listened with surprise to the story of my adventures, and gave me clothes, and commanded that care be taken of me.

The island was well peopled, and the capital a place of great trade.  The prince treated me with much kindness, and I, delighted with such a retreat after my misfortunes, was soon looked upon rather as a native than as a stranger.  I observed one thing which seemed to me very strange.  All the people, even the king, rode horses without bridle or stirrups.  One day I found workmen who made, under my directions, a saddle with stirrups and a bit.  These I presented to the king, who was so pleased with them that he made me large presents.  I made several others for the ministers and chief officers of his household, which gained me great repute and regard.

One day the king, to whom I constantly paid court, said,—­

“Sindbad, I love thee; I have one thing to demand of thee, which thou must grant.  I have a mind thou shouldst marry, that so thou mayst stay with us, and think no more of thy own country.”