There belongs to this king an island named Cassel.  They assured me that every night a noise of drums was heard there, whence the mariners fancied that it was the residence of Degial.  I determined to visit this wonderful place, and in my way thither saw fishes of 100 and 200 cubits long, that occasion more fear than hurt; for they are so timorous, that they will fly upon the rattling of two sticks or boards.  I saw likewise other fish about a cubit in length, that had heads like owls.

As I was one day at the port after my return, a ship arrived, and as soon as she cast anchor, they began to unload her, and the merchants on board ordered their goods to be carried into the customhouse.  As I cast my eye upon some bales, and looked to the name, I found my own, and perceived the bales to be the same that I had embarked at Bussorah.  I also knew the captain; but being persuaded that he believed me to be drowned, I went, and asked him whose bales these were?  He replied, that they belonged to a merchant at Bagdad, called Sinbad, who came to sea with him; but one day, being near an island, as was supposed, he went ashore, with several other passengers, upon this island, which was only a monstrous fish, that lay asleep upon the the sur-face of the water:  but as soon as he felt the heat of the fire they had kindled upon his back, to dress some victuals, began to move, and dived under water.  Most of the persons who were upon him perished, and among them the unfortunate Sinbad.  Those bales belonged to him, and I am resolved to trade with them until I meet with some of his family, to whom I may return the profit.  “I am that Sinbad,” said I, “whom you thought to be dead, and those bales are mine.”

When the captain heard me speak thus, “Heavens!” he exclaimed, “whom can we trust in these times?  There is no faith left among men.  I saw Sinbad perish with my own eyes, as did also the passengers on board, and yet you tell me you are that Sinbad.  What impudence is this?  To look on you, one would take you to be a man of probity, and yet you tell a horrible falsehood, in order to possess yourself of what does not belong to you.”  “Have patience,” replied I; “do me the favour to hear what I have to say.”  “Very well,” said he, “speak, I am ready to hear you.”  Then I told him how I had escaped, and by what adventure I met with the grooms of Maha-raja, who had brought me to his court.

His confidence began to abate upon this declaration, and he was at length persuaded that I was no cheat:  for there came people from his ship who knew me, paid me great compliments, 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 thanked him, acknowledged his probity, and in requital, offered him part of my goods as a present, which he generously refused.