ng 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 Degial. 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, a ship arrived, and as
soon as she cast anchor, they began to unload her, and the merchants on
board ordered their goods to be carried into the custom-house. As I cast
my eye upon some bales, and looked to the name, I found my own, and
perceived the bales to be the same that I had embarked at Bussorah. I
also knew the captain; but being persuaded that he believed me to be
drowned, I went, and asked him whose bales these were. He replied that
they belonged to a merchant of Bagdad, called Sinbad, who came to sea
with him; but had unfortunately perished on the voyage, and that he had
resolved to trade with the bales, until he met with some of his family,
to whom he might return the profit. 'I am that Sinbad,' said I, 'whom
you thought to be dead, and those bales are mine.'

"When the captain heard me speak thus, 'Heavens!' he exclaimed, 'whom
can we trust in these times? There is no faith left among men. I saw
Sinbad perish with my own eyes, as did also the passengers on board, and
yet you tell me you are that Sinbad. What impudence is this? You tell a
horrible falsehood, in order to possess yourself of what does not
belong to you.' 'Have patience,' replied I; 'do me the favour to hear
what I have to say.' Then I told him how I had escaped, and by what
adventure I met with the grooms of the Maha-raja, who had brought me to
his court.

"The captain was at length persuaded that I was no cheat; for there came
people from his ship who knew me, 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 thanked him, acknowledged his probity, and offered him part of my
goods as a