As soon as I entered the cavern, I lost all light, and the stream carried me I knew not whither.  Thus I floated some days in perfect darkness, and once found the arch so low, that it very nearly touched my head, which made me cautious afterwards to avoid the like danger.  All this while I ate nothing but what was just necessary to support nature; yet, notwithstanding my frugality, all my provisions were spent.  Then a pleasing stupor seized upon me.  I cannot tell how long it continued; but when I revived, I was surprised to find myself in an extensive plain on the brink of a river, where my raft was tied, amidst a great number of negroes.  I got up as soon as I saw them, and saluted them.  They spoke to me, but I did not understand their language.  I was so transported with joy, that I knew not whether I was asleep or awake; but being persuaded that I was not asleep, I recited the following words in Arabic aloud:  “Call upon the Almighty, he will help thee; thou needest not perplex thyself about any thing else:  shut thy eyes, and while thou art asleep, God will change thy bad fortune into good.”

One of the blacks, who understood Arabic, hearing me speak thus, came towards me, and said, “Brother, be not surprised to see us, we are inhabitants of this country, and came hither to-day to water our fields, by digging little canals from this river, which comes out of the neighbouring mountain.  We observed something floating upon the water, went to see what it was, and, perceiving your raft, one of us swam into the river, and brought it thither, where we fastened it, as you see, until you should awake.  Pray tell us your history, for it must be extraordinary; how did you venture yourself into this river, and whence did you come?” “I begged of them first to give me something to eat, and then I would satisfy. their curiosity.  They gave me several sorts of food, and when I had satisfied my hunger, I related all that had befallen me, which they listened to with attentive surprise.  As soon as I had finished, they told me, by the person who spoke Arabic and interpreted to them what I said, that it was one of the most wonderful stories they had ever heard, and that I must go along with them, and tell it their king myself; it being too extraordinary to be related by any other than the person to whom the events had happened.  I assured them that I was ready to do whatever they pleased.

They immediately sent for a horse, which was brought in a little time; and having helped me to mount, some of them walked before to shew the way, while the rest took my raft and cargo and followed.

We marched till we came to the capital of Serendib, for it was in that island I had landed.  The blacks presented me to their king; I approached his throne, and saluted him as I used to do the kings of the Indies; that is to say, I prostrated myself at his feet.  The prince ordered me to rise, received me with an obliging air, and made me sit down near him.  He first asked me my name, and I answered, “People call me Sinbad the voyager, because of the many voyages I have undertaken, and I am a citizen of Bagdad.”  “But,” resumed he, “how came you into my dominions, and from whence came you last?”