The ship sailed before the wind for ten days together, but on the eleventh the wind changed, and there followed a furious tempest.  The ship was not only driven out of its course, but so violently tossed, that all its masts were brought by the board; and driving along at the pleasure of the wind, it at length struck against a rock and bulged.

The greatest part of the people were instantly drowned.  Some few were saved by swimming, and others by getting on pieces of the wreck.  King Beder was among the latter, when, after having been tossed about for some time by the waves and torrents, under great uncertainty of his fate, he at length perceived himself near the shore, and not far from a city that seemed of great extent.  He exerted his remaining strength to reach the land, and was at length so fortunate as to be able to touch the ground with his feet.  He immediately abandoned his piece of wood, which had been of such great service to him; but when he came pretty near the shore, was greatly surprised to see horses, camels, mules, asses, oxen, cows, bulls, and other animals crowding to the shore, and putting themselves in a posture to oppose his landing.  He had the utmost difficulty to conquer their obstinacy and force his way, but at length he succeeded, and sheltered himself among the rocks till he had recovered his breath, and dried his clothes in the sun.

When the prince advanced to enter the city, he met with the same opposition from these animals, who seemed to intend to make him forego his design, and give him to understand it was dangerous to proceed.

King Beder, however, entered the city, and saw many fair and spacious streets, but was surprised to find no human beings.  This made him think it was not without cause that so many animals had opposed his passage.  Going forward, nevertheless, he observed divers shops open, which gave him reason to believe the place was not so destitute of inhabitants as he imagined.  He approached one of these shops, where several sorts of fruits were exposed for sale, and saluted very courteously an old man who was sitting within.

The old man, who was busy about something, lifted up his head, and seeing a youth who had an appearance of grandeur in his air, started, asked him whence he came, and what business had brought him there?  King Beder satisfied him in a few words; and the old man farther asked him if he had met anybody on the road?  “You are the first person I have seen,” answered the king, “and I cannot comprehend how so fine and large a city comes to be without inhabitants.”  “Come in, sir; stay no longer upon the threshold,” replied the old man, “or peradventure some misfortune may happen to you.  I will satisfy your curiosity at leisure, and give you a reason why it is necessary you should take this precaution.”