I had inherited considerable wealth from my parents, and being young and
foolish I at first squandered it recklessly upon every kind of pleasure,
but presently, finding that riches speedily take to themselves wings if
managed as badly as I was managing mine, and remembering also that to be
old and poor is misery indeed, I began to bethink me of how I could make
the best of what still remained to me. I sold all my household goods by
public auction, and joined a company of merchants who traded by sea,
embarking with them at Balsora in a ship which we had fitted out between
us.
We set sail and took our course towards the East Indies by the Persian
Gulf, having the coast of Persia upon our left hand and upon our right
the shores of Arabia Felix. I was at first much troubled by the uneasy
motion of the vessel, but speedily recovered my health, and since that
hour have been no more plagued by sea-sickness.
From time to time we landed at various islands, where we sold or
exchanged our merchandise, and one day, when the wind dropped suddenly,
we found ourselves becalmed close to a small island like a green meadow,
which only rose slightly above the surface of the water. Our sails were
furled, and the captain gave permission to all who wished to land for a
while and amuse themselves. I was among the number, but when after
strolling about for some time we lighted a fire and sat down to enjoy
the repast which we had brought with us, we were startled by a sudden
and violent trembling of the island, while at the same moment those left
upon the ship set up an outcry bidding us come on board for our lives,
since what we had taken for an island was nothing but the back of a
sleeping whale. Those who were nearest to the boat threw themselves into
it, others sprang into the sea, but before I could save myself the whale
plunged suddenly into the depths of the ocean, leaving me clinging to a
piece of the wood which we had brought to make our fire. Meanwhile a
breeze had sprung up, and in the confusion that ensued on board our
vessel in hoisting the sails and taking up those who were in the boat
and clinging to its sides, no one missed me and I was left at the mercy
of the waves. All that day I floated up and down, now beaten this way,
now that, and when night fell I despaired for my life; but, weary and
spent as I was, I clung to my frail support, and great was my joy when
the morning light showed me that I had drifted against an island.
The cliffs were high and steep, but luckily for me some tree-roots
protruded in places, and by their aid I climbed up at last, and
stretched myself upon the turf at the top, where I lay, more dead than
alive, till the sun was high in the heavens. By that time I was very
hungry, but after some searching I came upon some eatable herbs, and a
spring of clear water, and much refreshed I set out to explore the
island. Presently I reached a great plain where a grazing horse was
tethered, and as I stood looking at it I heard voices talking apparently
underground, and in a moment a man appeared who asked me how I came upon
the island. I told him my adventures, and heard in return that he was
one of the grooms of Mihrage, the King of the island, and that each year
they came to feed their master's horses in this plain. He took me to a
cave where his companions were assembled, and when I had eaten of the
food they set before me, they bade me think myself fortunate to have
come upon them when I did, since they were going back to their master on
the morrow, and without their aid I could certainly never have found my
way to the inhabited part of the island.
Early the next morning we accordingly set out, and when we reached the
capital I was graciously received by the King, to whom I related my
adventures, upon which he ordered that I should be well cared for and
provided with such things as I needed. Being a merchant I sought out men
of my own profession, and particularly those who came from foreign
countries, as I hoped in this way to hear news from Bagdad, and find out
some means of returning thither, for the capital was situated upon the
sea-shore, and visited by vessels from all parts of the world. In the
meantime I heard many curious things, and answered many questions
concerning my own country, for I talked willingly with all who came to
me. Also to while away the time of waiting I explored a little island
named Cassel, which belonged to King Mihrage, and which was supposed to
be inhabited by a spirit named Deggial. Indeed, the sailors assured me
that often at night the playing of timbals could be heard upon it.
However, I saw nothing strange upon my voyage, saving some fish that
were full two hundred cubits long, but were fortunately more in dread of
us than even we were of them, and fled from us if we did but strike upon
a board to frighten them. Other fishes there were only a cubit long
which had heads like owls.
One day after my return, as I went down to the quay, I saw a ship which
had just cast anchor, and was discharging her cargo, while the merchants
to whom it belonged were busily directing the removal of it to their
warehouses. Drawing nearer I presently noticed that my own name was
marked upon some of the packages, and after having carefully examined
them, I felt sure that they were indeed those which I had put on board
our ship at Balsora. I then recognized the captain of the vessel, but as
I was certain that he believed me to be dead, I went up to him and asked
who owned the packages that I was looking at.
"There was on board my ship," he replied, "a merchant of Bagdad named
Sindbad. One day he and several of my other passengers landed upon what
we supposed to be an island, but which was really an enormous whale
floating asleep upon the waves. No sooner did it feel upon its back the
heat of the fire which had been kindled, than it plunged into the depths
of the sea. Several of the people who were upon it perished in the
waters, and among others this unlucky Sindbad. This merchandise is his,
but I have resolved to dispose of it for the benefit of his family if I
should ever chance to meet with them."
"Captain," said I, "I am that Sindbad whom you believe to be dead, and
these are my possessions!"
When the captain heard these words he cried out in amazement, "Lackaday!
and what is the world coming to? In these days there is not an honest
man to be met with. Did I not with my own eyes see Sindbad drown, and
now you have the audacity to tell me that you are he! I should have
taken you to be a just man, and yet for the sake of obtaining that which
does not belong to you, you are ready to invent this horrible
falsehood."
"Have patience, and do me the favor to hear my story," said I.
"Speak then," replied the captain, "I am all attention."
So I told him of my escape and of my fortunate meeting with the king's
grooms, and how kindly I had been received at the palace. Very soon I
began to see that I had made some impression upon him, and after the
arrival of some of the other merchants, who showed great joy at once
more seeing me alive, he declared that he also recognized me.
Throwing himself upon my neck he exclaimed, "Heaven be praised that you
have escaped from so great a danger. As to your goods, I pray you take
them, and dispose of them as you please." I thanked him, and praised his
honesty, begging him to accept several bales of merchandise in token of
my gratitude, but he would take nothing. Of the choicest of my goods I
prepared a present for King Mihrage, who was at first amazed, having
known that I had lost my all. However, when I had explained to him how
my bales had been miraculously restored to me, he graciously accepted my
gifts, and in return gave me many valuable things. I then took leave of
him, and exchanging my merchandise for sandal and aloes-wood, camphor,
nutmegs, cloves, pepper, and ginger, I embarked upon the same vessel and
traded so successfully upon our homeward voyage that I arrived in
Balsora with about one hundred thousand sequins. My family received me
with as much joy as I felt upon seeing them once more. I bought land and
slaves, and built a great house in which I resolved to live happily, and
in the enjoyment of all the pleasures of life to forget my past
sufferings.
Here Sindbad paused, and commanded the musicians to play again, while
the feasting continued until evening. When the time came for the porter
to depart, Sindbad gave him a purse containing one hundred sequins,
saying, "Take this, Hindbad, and go home, but to-morrow come again and
you shall hear more of my adventures."
The porter retired quite overcome by so much generosity, and you may
imagine that he was well received at home, where his wife and children
thanked their lucky stars that he had found such a benefactor.
The next day Hindbad, dressed in his best, returned to the voyager's
house, and was received with open arms. As soon as all the guests had
arrived the banquet began as before, and when they had feasted long and
merrily, Sindbad addressed them thus:--
"My friends, I beg that you will give me your attention while I relate
the adventures of my second voyage, which you will find even more
astonishing than the first."