sand men, clad in
cloth of gold and silk, and mounted on elephants richly caparisoned.

"While the king is on his march, the officer who is before him on the
same elephant cries from time to time, with a loud voice: 'Behold the
great monarch, the potent and redoubtable Sultan of the Indies, whose
palace is covered with one hundred thousand rubies, and who possesses
twenty thousand crowns of diamonds. Behold the monarch greater than
Solomon, and the powerful Maha-raja.' After he has pronounced those
words, the officer behind the throne cries in his turn: 'This monarch,
so great and so powerful, must die, must die, must die.' And the officer
before replies: 'Praise be to him who liveth for ever.'

"Furthermore, the King of Serendib is so just that there are no judges
in his dominions. His people have no need of them. They understand and
observe justice rigidly of themselves.'

"The caliph was much pleased with my account. 'The wisdom of that king,'
said he, 'appears in his letter, and after what you tell me, I must
confess, that his wisdom is worthy of his people, and his people deserve
so wise a prince.' Having spoken thus, he dismissed me, and sent me home
with a rich present."

Sinbad left off, and his company retired, Hindbad having first received
one hundred sequins; and next day they returned to hear the relation of
his seventh and last voyage.

THE SEVENTH AND LAST VOYAGE

"Being returned from my sixth voyage," said Sinbad, "I absolutely laid
aside all thoughts of travelling; for, besides that my age now required
rest, I was resolved no more to expose myself to such risks as I had
encountered; so that I thought of nothing but to pass the rest of my
days in tranquillity. One day, however, as I was treating my friends,
one of my servants came and told me that an officer of the caliph's
inquired for me. I rose from table, and went to him. 'The caliph,' said
he, 'has sent me to tell you that he must speak with you.' I followed
the officer to the palace, where, being presented to the caliph, I
saluted him by prostrating myself at his feet. 'Sinbad,' said he to me,
'I stand in need of your service; you must carry my answer and present
to the King of Serendib. It is but just I should return his civility.'

"This command of the caliph was to me like a clap of thunder. 'Commander
of the Faithful,' I replied, 'I am ready to do whatever your majesty
shall think fit to command; but I beseech you most humbly to conside