I prepared for my departure in a few days, and as soon as the caliph’s letter and present were delivered to me, I went to Bussorah, where I embarked, and had a very happy voyage.  Having arrived at the isle of Serendib, I acquainted the king’s ministers with my commission, and prayed them to get me speedy audience.  They did so, and I was conducted to the palace in an honourable manner, where I saluted the king by prostration, according to custom.  That prince knew me immediately, and testified very great joy at seeing me.  “Sinbad,” said he, “you are welcome; I have many times thought of you since you departed; I bless the day on which we see one another once more.”  I made my compliment to him, and after having thanked him for his kindness, delivered the caliph’s letter and present, which he received with all imaginable satisfaction.

The caliph’s present was a complete suit of cloth of gold, valued at one thousand sequins; fifty robes of rich stuff, a hundred of white cloth, the finest of Cairo, Suez, and Alexandria; a vessel of agate broader than deep, an inch thick, and half a foot wide, the bottom of which represented in bass relief a man with one knee on the ground, who held bow and an arrow, ready to discharge at a lion.  He sent him also a rich tablet, which, according to tradition, belonged to the great Solomon.  The caliph’s letter was as follows: 

“Greeting, in the name of the sovereign guide of the right way, from the dependent on God, Haroon al Rusheed, whom God hath set in the place of vicegerent to his prophet, after his ancestors of happy memory, to the potent and esteemed Raja of Serendib.

“We received your letter with joy, and send you this from our imperial residence, the garden of superior wits.  We hope when you look upon it, you will perceive our good intention and be pleased with it.  Adieu.”

The king of Serendib was highly gratified that the caliph answered his friendship.  A little time after this audience, I solicited leave to depart, and had much difficulty to obtain it.  I procured it however at last, and the king, when he dismissed me, made me a very considerable present.  I embarked immediately to return to Bagdad, but had not the good fortune to arrive there so speedily as I had hoped.  God ordered it otherwise.

Three or four days after my departure, we were attacked by corsairs, who easily seized upon our ship, because it was no vessel of force.  Some of the crew offered resistance, which cost them their lives.  But for myself and the rest, who were not so imprudent, the corsairs saved us on purpose to make slaves of us.

We were all stripped, and instead of our own clothes, they gave us sorry rags, and carried us into a remote island, where they sold us.