which surprised him much, and
when I had finished he ordered that I should be supplied with food and
raiment and treated with consideration.

The island on which I found myself was full of people, and abounded in
all sorts of desirable things, and a great deal of traffic went on in
the capital, where I soon began to feel at home and contented. Moreover,
the King treated me with special favor, and in consequence of this
everyone, whether at the court or in the town, sought to make life
pleasant to me. One thing I remarked which I thought very strange; this
was that, from the greatest to the least, all men rode their horses
without bridle or stirrups. I one day presumed to ask his Majesty why he
did not use them, to which he replied, "You speak to me of things of
which I have never before heard!" This gave me an idea. I found a clever
workman and made him cut out under my direction the foundation of a
saddle, which I wadded and covered with choice leather, adorning it with
rich gold embroidery. I then got a locksmith to make me a bit and a pair
of spurs after a pattern that I drew for him, and when all these things
were completed I presented them to the King and showed him how to use
them. When I had saddled one of his horses he mounted it and rode about
quite delighted with the novelty, and to show his gratitude he rewarded
me with large gifts. After this I had to make saddles for all the
principal officers of the King's household, and as they all gave me rich
presents I soon became very wealthy and quite an important person in the
city.

One day the King sent for me and said, "Sindbad, I am going to ask a
favor of you. Both I and my subjects esteem you, and wish you to end
your days amongst us. Therefore I desire that you will marry a rich and
beautiful lady whom I will find for you, and think no more of your own
country."

As the King's will was law I accepted the charming bride he presented to
me, and lived happily with her. Nevertheless I had every intention of
escaping at the first opportunity, and going back to Bagdad. Things were
thus going prosperously with me when it happened that the wife of one of
my neighbors, with whom I had struck up quite a friendship, fell ill,
and presently died. I went to his house to offer my consolations, and
found him in the depths of woe.

"Heaven preserve you," said I, "and send you a long life!"

"Alas!" he replied, "what is the good of saying that when I have but an
hour le