rial
residence, the garden of superior wits. We hope when you look upon it,
you will perceive our good intention and be pleased with it. Adieu.'

"The King of Serendib was highly gratified that the caliph answered his
friendship. A little time after this audience, I solicited leave to
depart, and had much difficulty to obtain it. I procured it, however, at
last, and the king, when he dismissed me, made me a very considerable
present. I embarked immediately to return to Bagdad, but had not the
good fortune to arrive there so speedily as I had hoped. God ordered it
otherwise.

"Three or four days after my departure, we were attacked by corsairs,
who easily seized upon our ship, because it was no vessel of force. Some
of the crew offered resistance, which cost them their lives. But for
myself and the rest, who were not so imprudent, the corsairs saved us on
purpose to make slaves of us.

"We were all stripped, and instead of our own clothes, they gave us
sorry rags, and carried us into a remote island, where they sold us.

"I fell into the hands of a rich merchant, who, as soon as he bought me,
carried me to his house, treated me well, and clad me handsomely for a
slave. Some days after, not knowing who I was, he asked me if I
understood any trade. I answered, that I was no mechanic, but a
merchant, and that the corsairs who sold me, had robbed me of all I
possessed. 'But tell me,' replied he, 'can you shoot with a bow?' I
answered, that the bow was one of my exercises in my youth. He gave me a
bow and arrows, and, taking me behind him upon an elephant, carried me
to a thick forest some leagues from the town. We penetrated a great way
into the wood, and he bade me alight; then, shewing me a great tree,
'Climb up that,' said he, 'and shoot at the elephants as you see them
pass by, for there is a prodigious number of them in this forest, and if
any of them fall, come and give me notice.' Having spoken this, he left
me victuals, and returned to the town, and I continued upon the tree all
night.

"I saw no elephant during the night, but next morning, as soon as the
sun was up, I perceived a great number. I shot several arrows among
them, and at last one of the elephants fell, when the rest retired
immediately, and left me at liberty to go and acquaint my patron with my
booty. When I had informed him, he gave me a good meal, commended my
dexterity, and caressed me highly. We went afterwards together to the
forest, whe