Some time after, my two sisters, on presence that they would not be chargeable to me, told me they intended to marry again.  I observed, that if putting me to expense was the only reason, they might lay those thoughts aside, and be welcome to remain:  for what I had would be sufficient to maintain us all three, in a manner answerable to our condition.  “But,” I added, “I rather believe you wish to marry again; I shall feel much surprised if such be the case.  After the experience you have had of the little satisfaction there is in wedlock, is it possible you dare venture a second time?  You know how rare it is to meet with a husband perfectly virtuous and deserving.  Believe what I say, and let us live together as comfortably as we can.”  All my persuasion was in vain; they were resolved to marry, and soon accomplished their wishes.  But after some months were past, they returned again, and begged my pardon a thousand times for not following my advice.  “You are our youngest sister,” said they, “but abundantly more wise than we; if you will vouchsafe to receive us once more into your house, and account us your slaves, we shall never commit a similar fault again.”  My answer was, “Dear sisters, I have not altered my mind with respect to you since we last parted:  come again, and take part of what I have.”  Upon this I embraced them, and we lived together as before.

We continued thus a whole year in perfect love and harmony.  Seeing that God had increased my small stock, I projected a voyage, to embark some of it in a commercial speculation.  To this end, I went with my two sisters to Bussorah, where I bought a ship ready fitted for sea, and laded her with such merchandise as I had carried with me from Bagdad.  We set sail with a fair wind, and soon cleared the Persian gulf; when we had reached the open sea, we steered our course to the Indies; and the twentieth day saw land.  It was a very high mountain, at the bottom of which we perceived a great town:  having a fresh gale, we soon reached the harbour, and cast anchor.

I had not patience to wait till my sisters were dressed to go along with me, but went ashore alone in the boat.  Making directly to the gate of the town, I saw there a great number of men upon guard, some sitting, and others standing with sticks in their hands; and they had all such dreadful countenances that I was greatly alarmed; but perceiving they remained stationary, and did not so much as move their eyes, I took courage, and went nearer, when I found they were all turned into stones.  I entered the town and passed through several streets, where at different intervals stood men in various attitudes, but all motionless and petrified.  In the quarter inhabited by the merchants I found most of the shops shut, and in such as were open I likewise found the people petrified.