ll my might, as the elephant carried me through the
forest, until at last we came to the slope of a hill, which was
covered with bleached bones and tusks.

"Here the elephant gently laid me down, and left me alone. I gazed
around on this great treasure of ivory, and I could not help wondering
at the wisdom of these animals. They had evidently brought me here to
show me that I could get ivory without killing any more of their
number. For this, I felt sure, was the elephants' burying-place.

"I did not stay long on the hill, but gathering a few tusks together I
sped back to the town, that I might tell my tale to the merchant. 'My
poor Sindbad,' he cried, when he saw me, I thought thou wert dead, for
I found the uprooted tree, and never expected to look upon thy face
again.'

"Great was his delight when I told him of the Hill of Ivory, and when
we had gone there together, and he saw for himself the wonders I had
described, he was filled with astonishment.

"'Sindbad,' he cried, 'thou too shalt have a share of this great
wealth. And first of all I shall give thee thy, freedom. Until now,
year by year have all my slaves been killed by the elephants, but now
we need no longer run any risks, for here is ivory enough to enrich
the whole island.'

"So I was set free, and loaded with honors, and when the trade winds
brought the ships that traded in ivory, I bade good-by to the island,
and set sail for home, carrying with me a great cargo of ivory and
other treasures.

"As soon as I landed I went to the Caliph, who was overjoyed to see
me.

"'Great has been my anxiety, O Sindbad,' he said, 'for I feared some
evil had befallen thee.'

"When, therefore, I had told him of my adventures, he was the more
astonished, and ordered that all my story should be written in letters
of gold, and placed among his treasures.

"Then I returned to my own house, and ever since have remained at home
in peace and safety."

Thus Sindbad finished the story of his voyages, and turning to
Hindbad, he said: "And now, friend Hindbad, what dost thou think of
the way I have earned my riches? Is it not just that I should live in
enjoyment and ease?"

"O my lord," cried Hindbad, bowing before Sindbad, and kissing his
hand, "great have been thy labors and perils, and truly dost thou
deserve thy riches. My troubles are as nothing compared to thine. Long
mayest thou live and prosper!"

Sindbad was well pleased with this answer, and he ordered that