me,
more than all the others have together. They have to take what chance
brings them, but I chose for myself, in the valley, those which you
see in this bag."

The other merchants now crowded around in amazement, and led me to
their camp. When I showed them the diamonds in my bag, they confessed
that they had never seen any of such size and beauty. I prayed the
merchant who owned the nest to which I was carried (for every merchant
had his own) to take for his share as many as he pleased. He contented
himself with one, and that the least of them, and, when I urged him to
take more, said,--

"No, this will save me the trouble of making any more voyages, and
will raise as great a fortune as I desire."

When each of the merchants was satisfied with the diamonds which the
eagles brought them, we left the place, and traveled near high
mountains, where there were serpents of prodigious length, and from
these we had the good fortune to escape. We took ship at the first
port we reached, and touched at the Isle of Roha, where the trees grow
that yield camphor. Here also is found the rhinoceros. This animal
fights with the elephant, runs his horn into his belly, and carries
him off upon his head; but when the blood and fat of the elephant run
into his eyes and make him blind, he falls to the ground; then,
strange to relate, the roc comes and carries them both away in her
claws, for food for her young ones.

In this island I exchanged my diamonds for merchandise. After trading
at various towns, we landed at Bussorah, whence I proceeded to Bagdad.
There I gave large presents to the poor, and lived in honor upon the
vast riches I had gained with so much fatigue.

THE THIRD VOYAGE OF SINDBAD THE SAILOR

I grew weary soon again of living an idle life, and, hardening myself
against the thought of any danger, embarked with some merchants on
another long voyage. After trading at several ports, we were overtaken
one day by a dreadful tempest, which drove us from our course. Before
it ceased we were brought to the port of an island, which the captain
was very unwilling to enter; but we were obliged to cast anchor. The
captain then told us that in this and some islands near it dwelt hairy
savages who would soon attack us; and, though they were but dwarfs, we
must not resist them, for they were more in number than the locusts,
and, if we happened to kill one, they would all fall upon us and
destroy us.

We soon fo