us, and climbed to
the tops of the trees with amazing swiftness.

[Footnote 60: Coco palms bear their fruit at the top.]

The merchants with whom I was gathered stones, and threw them at the
apes on the trees. I did the same; and the apes, out of revenge, threw
coconuts at us so fast, and with such gestures, as sufficiently
testified their anger and resentment. We gathered up the coconuts, and
from time to time threw stones to provoke the apes; so that by this
stratagem we filled our bags with coconuts. I thus gradually collected
as many coconuts as produced me a considerable sum.

Having laden our vessel with coconuts, we set sail, and passed by the
islands where pepper grows in great plenty. From thence we went to the
Isle of Comari, where the best species of wood of aloes grows. I
exchanged my coconuts in those two islands for pepper and wood of
aloes, and went with other merchants pearl fishing.[61] I hired
divers, who brought me up some that were very large and pure. I
embarked in a vessel that happily arrived at Bussorah; from thence I
returned to Bagdad, where I realized vast sums from my pepper, wood of
aloes, and pearls. I gave the tenth of my gains in alms, as I had done
upon my return from my other voyages, and rested from my fatigues.

[Footnote 61: Marco Polo, a famous voyager (1298), gives an account of
this pearl fishery.]

* * * * *

Sindbad here ordered one hundred sequins to be given to Hindbad, and
requested him and the other guests to dine with him the next day, to
hear the account of his sixth voyage.

THE SIXTH VOYAGE OF SINDBAD THE SAILOR

I know, my friends, that you will wish to hear how, after having been
shipwrecked five times, and escaped so many dangers, I could resolve
again to tempt fortune, and expose myself to new hardships. I am
myself astonished at my conduct when I reflect upon it, and must
certainly have been actuated by my destiny, from which none can
escape. Be that as it may, after a year's rest I prepared for a sixth
voyage, notwithstanding the entreaties of my kindred and friends, who
did all in their power to dissuade me.

Instead of taking my way by the Persian Gulf I traveled once more
through several provinces of Persia and the Indies, and arrived at a
seaport. Here I embarked in a ship, the captain of which was bound on
a long voyage, in which he and the pilot lost their course. Suddenly
we saw the captain quit his rudder, utterin