ily from the different quarters of the world. I
frequented also the society of the learned Indians, and took delight
to hear them converse; but withal, I took care to make my court
regularly to the maharaja, and conversed with the governors and petty
kings, his tributaries, that were about him. They put a thousand
questions respecting my country; and I, being willing to inform myself
as to their laws and customs, asked them concerning everything which I
thought worth knowing.

There belongs to this king an island named Cassel. They assured me
that every night a noise of drums was heard there, whence the mariners
fancied that it was the residence of Gegial. I determined to visit
this wonderful place, and in my way thither saw fishes of one hundred
and two hundred cubits long, that occasion more fear than hurt; for
they are so timorous that they will fly upon the rattling of two
sticks or boards. I saw likewise other fish, about a cubit in length,
that had heads like owls.

As I was one day at the port after my return, the ship arrived in
which I had embarked at Bussorah. I at once knew the captain, and I
went and asked him for my bales. "I am Sindbad," said I, "and those
bales marked with his name are mine."

When the captain heard me speak thus, "Heavens!" he exclaimed, "whom
can we trust in these times! I saw Sindbad perish with my own eyes, as
did also the passengers on board, and yet you tell me you are that
Sindbad. What impudence is this! And what a false tale to tell, in
order to possess yourself of what does not belong to you!"

"Have patience," replied I. "Do me the favor to hear what I have to
say."

The captain was at length persuaded that I was no cheat; for there
came people from his ship who knew me, paid me great compliments, and
expressed much joy at seeing me alive. At last he recollected me
himself, and embracing me, "Heaven be praised," said he, "for your
happy escape! I cannot express the joy it affords me. There are your
goods; take and do with them as you please."

I took out what was most valuable in my bales, and presented them to
the maharaja, who, knowing my misfortune, asked me how I came by such
rarities. I acquainted him with the circumstance of their recovery. He
was pleased at my good luck, accepted my present, and in return gave
me one much more considerable. Upon this I took leave of him, and went
aboard the same ship after I had exchanged my goods for the
commodities of that coun