ought with me, and embarking in its stead many of the precious
things in the palace, especially jewels, gold, and money. We left the
furniture and goods, which consisted of an infinite quantity of silver
vessels, because our vessel could not carry it, for it would have
required several vessels more to convey to Bagdad all the riches that
we might have taken with us.

After we had laden the vessel with what we thought most desirable, we
took such provisions and water aboard as were necessary for our
voyage. At last we set sail with a favorable wind.

The young prince, my sisters, and myself passed our time very
agreeably. But, alas! this good understanding did not last long, for
my sisters grew jealous of the friendship between the prince and
myself, and maliciously asked me, one day, what we should do with him
when we came to Bagdad. Resolving to put this question off with a
joke, I answered, "I will take him for my husband." Upon that, turning
myself to the prince, I said, "Sir, I humbly beg of you to give your
consent, for as soon as we come to Bagdad I design to offer you my
person to be your slave, to do you all the service that is in my
power, and to resign myself wholly to your commands."

The prince replied, "I know not, madam, whether you be in jest or no;
but for my part, I seriously declare before these ladies, your
sisters, that from this moment I heartily accept your offer, not with
any intention to have you as a slave, but as my lady and wife." At
these words my sisters changed color, and I could perceive afterward
that they did not love me as before.

We entered the Persian Gulf, and had come within a short distance of
Bussorah (where I hoped, considering the fair wind, we might have
arrived the day following), when, in the night, while I was asleep, my
sisters watched their opportunity and threw me overboard. They did the
same to the prince, who was drowned. I floated some minutes on the
water, and by good fortune, or rather miracle, I felt ground. I went
toward a dark spot, that, by what I could discern, seemed to be land,
and which, when day appeared, I found to be a desert island, lying
about twenty miles from Bussorah. I soon dried my clothes in the sun,
and as I walked along I found several kinds of fruit, and likewise
fresh water, which gave me some hopes of preserving my life.

I had just laid myself down to rest in a shade, when I perceived a
very large winged serpent coming toward me, with a