person was Sindbad. Hindbad was
much abashed, and saluted the company trembling. But Sindbad seated
him at his right hand and served him himself with excellent wine.

Now Sindbad had heard the porter's complaint through the window, and
this it was that led him to send for Hindbad. When the feast was over,
Sindbad addressed him, asking his name and employment, and said, "I
wish to hear from your own mouth what you said just now in the
street."

Hindbad hung his head in shame, and answered,--

"My lord, I confess that my fatigue put me out of humor, and, for the
rash words I uttered, I beg your pardon."

"Do not think me so unjust," said Sindbad, "as to resent them. But I
must set you right about myself. You think, no doubt, that I gained
without labor or trouble the ease I now enjoy. Do not mistake; before
attaining this estate I suffered for several years more trouble of
body and mind than can well be imagined. Yes, gentlemen," he added,
turning to the whole company, "what I have endured would cure the
greatest miser of his love of riches; and with your leave I will
relate to you the dangers I have met."

THE FIRST VOYAGE OF SINDBAD THE SAILOR

My father was a rich merchant of good fame. He left me a large estate,
which I wasted in riotous living. I quickly saw my error, especially
in misspending my time, which is of all things the most valuable. I
remembered the saying of the great Solomon, which I had often heard
from my father, "A good name is better than precious ointment;" and
again, "Wisdom is good with an inheritance." I resolved to walk in my
father's ways, and embarked with some merchants on board a ship we had
fitted out together.

We steered our course towards the Indies. At first I was troubled with
seasickness, but speedily regained my health. In our voyage we touched
at several islands, where we sold or exchanged our goods. One day,
whilst under sail, we were becalmed near a small island rising but
little above the level of the water and resembling a green meadow. The
captain permitted such persons as were so inclined to land; of this
number I was one. But whilst we were eating and drinking, and resting
from the fatigue of the sea, the island of a sudden trembled and shook
us terribly.

The trembling of the island was soon noticed on board the ship, and we
were called to reembark quickly, or we should all be lost; for what we
took to be an island proved to be the back of a sea m