The servants brought him into a great hall, where a number of people sat round a table, covered with all sorts of savoury 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 personage was Sinbad.  The porter, whose fear was increased at the sight of so many people, and of a banquet so sumptuous, saluted the company trembling.  Sinbad 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.

When the repast was over, Sinbad addressed his conversation to Hindbad; and calling him brother, according to the manner of the Arabians, when they are familiar one with another, enquired his name and employment.

“My lord,” answered he, “my name is Hindbad.”  “I am very glad to see you,” replied Sinbad; “and I daresay the same on behalf of all the company:  but I wish to hear from your own mouth what it was you lately said in the street.”  Sinbad had himself heard the porter complain through the window, and this it was that induced him to have him brought in.

At this request, Hindbad hung down his head in confusion, and replied, “My lord, I confess that my fatigue put me out of humour, and occasioned me to utter some indiscreet words, which I beg you to pardon.”  “Do not think I am so unjust,” resumed Sinbad, “as to resent such a complaint.  I consider your condition, and instead of upbraiding, commiserate you.  But I must rectify your error concerning myself.  You think, no doubt, that I have acquired, without labour 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 can assure you, my troubles were so extraordinary, that they were calculated to discourage the most covetous from undertaking such voyages as I did, to acquire riches.  Perhaps you have never heard a distinct account of my wonderful adventures, and the dangers I encountered, in my seven voyages; and since I have this opportunity, I will give you a faithful account of them, not doubting but it will be acceptable.”

As Sinbad wished to relate his adventures chiefly on the porter’s account, he ordered his burden to be carried to the place of its destination, and then proceeded.

The First Voyage.

I inherited from my father considerable property, the greater part of which I squandered in my youth in dissipation; but I perceived my error, and reflected that riches were perishable, and quickly consumed by such ill managers as myself.  I farther considered, that by my irregular way of living I wretchedly misspent my time; which is, of all things, the most valuable.  I remembered the saying of the great Solomon, which