it
seemed to me for many nights and days. Once the channel became so small
that I had a narrow escape of being crushed against the rocky roof, and
after that I took the precaution of lying flat upon my precious bales.
Though I only ate what was absolutely necessary to keep myself alive,
the inevitable moment came when, after swallowing my last morsel of
food, I began to wonder if I must after all die of hunger. Then, worn
out with anxiety and fatigue, I fell into a deep sleep, and when I again
opened my eyes I was once more in the light of day; a beautiful country
lay before me, and my raft, which was tied to the river bank, was
surrounded by friendly looking black men. I rose and saluted them, and
they spoke to me in return, but I could not understand a word of their
language. Feeling perfectly bewildered by my sudden return to life and
light, I murmured to myself in Arabic, "Close thine eyes, and while thou
sleepest Heaven will change thy fortune from evil to good."

One of the natives, who understood this tongue, then came forward
saying:--

"My brother, be not surprised to see us; this is our land, and as we
came to get water from the river we noticed your raft floating down it,
and one of us swam out and brought you to the shore. We have waited for
your awakening; tell us now whence you come and where you were going by
that dangerous way?"

I replied that nothing would please me better than to tell them, but
that I was starving, and would fain eat something first. I was soon
supplied with all I needed, and having satisfied my hunger I told them
faithfully all that had befallen me. They were lost in wonder at my tale
when it was interpreted to them, and said that adventures so surprising
must be related to their King only by the man to whom they had happened.
So, procuring a horse, they mounted me upon it, and we set out, followed
by several strong men carrying my raft just as it was upon their
shoulders. In this order we marched into the city of Serendib, where the
natives presented me to their King, whom I saluted in the Indian
fashion, prostrating myself at his feet and kissing the ground; but the
monarch bade me rise and sit beside him, asking first what was my name.

"I am Sindbad," I replied, "whom men call 'the Sailor,' for I have
voyaged much upon many seas."

"And how came you here?" asked the King.

I told my story, concealing nothing, and his surprise and delight were
so great that he ordered my a