McG I L L UNIVER- SITY^ LIBRARY THE VOYAGES TRAVELS OF SINDBAD THE GIVING A FULL ACCOUNT OF HIS Seften SMonfterful dosage*, HIS MANY ASTONISHING ESCAPES FROM SHIPWRECK, FAMINE, $tr. AND AT LAST REALIZES AN IMMENSE FORTUNE. -+««-\->»»- EmbelHshed with Six Coloured Engravings. -*«■<■<-{■»>*>- Printed and Published by J. FAIRBURN, Minories Price Sixpence. Sindbad tving hiroBelf to the leg of the Bird, Sindbad finds a hole and escapes to the Sea Shore ■ ------ The Raven carrying away Sindbad ii-oni the Valley of Diamonds Sindbad buried alive w Sindbad shooting an elephant. Sindbad reMi&tihis advent uues to hi? friends. 8 THE FO F A GES Sf TRA VELS OF A D THE \D Jli 9 GIVING A FULL ACCOUNT OF HIS HIS MANY ASTONISHING ESCAPES FROM SB WW RECK, FAMINE, $c AND AT LAST REALIZES AN IMMENSE FORTUNE. -<*<«-{•»>*- Embellished with Six Coloured Engravings. -«*«<■ \»y»- Hotttrott: Printed and Published by J. FAIRBURN, Minorie* Price Sixpence. THE VOYAGES OF II El IDE AH) THE SAILOR. DURING the reign of the caliph Haroun Al- rasehid, there lived in the city of Bagdad a poor porter named Hindbad. One day, when the weather was excessively hot, Hindbad was employed i 3 carry a heavy burthen to a great distance from that part of the city where he lived. Being faint with the heat and very weary, and having still a great way to go, he entered a street where a re- freshing breeze blew on his face, and the pave- ment was sprinkled with rose-water. Glad to find such a resting-place, he laid down his load, and seated himself beside it, near to a great house. The windows of the house were open, and Hind- bad was regaled with the smell of the richest per- fumes that came from within. Presently he heard a delightful concert of all kinds of musical instru- ments, mixed with the finest voices, and the melo- dious notes of nightingales and other rare birds. Hindbad had never been in ih at quarter of the 4 SfNDBAD THE SAILOR. town before, and he felt a great desire to know whom this magnificient house belonged. Seei a servant standing at the gate in a splendid livei he advanced towards him, and with great humili inquired the name of the master of the house. "Is it possible," said the servant, " that y< are an inhabitant of Bagdad, and do not know th this is the house of Sindbad the Sailor, that f mous traveller who has sailed round the world !" Poor Hindbad, who had often heard of tl wonderful riches of Sindbad the Sailor, and whos condition he thought was as happy as his own we deplorable, turned away sorrowfully, and sittin down again beside the great load he had to cam he cried aloud " Alas ! what a difference betwee this fortunate man and me! Iam every day ex posed to the greatest fatigues, and all the wretch edness of extreme poverty. Scarcely can I ean sufficient of the coarsest barley bread for the sup port of myself and family, while happy Sindbat profusely expends immense riches, and leads a lift of continual ease and pleasure. Oh heavens ! whai has he done to obtain a lot so fortunate? and whj am I condemned to endure so much wretchedness ?" Thus saying, Hindbad, overcome with sorrow, threw himself upon the ground and wept bitterly. While the poor man was thus indulging his grief, a servant came from the house, and taking him by the arm, told him that Signior Sinbad wish- ed immediately to speak to him. Hindbad was greatly alarmed at this message, thinking thai Sindbad had heard his lamentations, and was ex>- 6INDBAD THE SAILOR. 5 ting to reproach or punish him ; he therefore tried nto excuse himself from entering the house, saying, •ihat he was in haste, and that he could not leave this burthen in the open street. Sindbad's servant, however, would not take a refusal, because his Drnaster's commands had been absolute ; and calling aanother domestic to look after the goods, he led ihe porter into a great hall, where a large company sat round a table covered with all sorts of dainties userved in dishes of silver and gold. At the uppei i( end of the table sat Sindbad, a comely, venerable ugentleman with a long white beard. < Hindbad's terror increased at the sight of so ,/nany people and he trembled and hung back, fill p 'Sindbad, in the most courteous manner imaginable, .desired him to draw near ; and placing him in a .chair on his right hand, served him from the j choicest dishes, and gave him excellent wine in a .chrystal goblet. | When the porter had made an end of his dinner , Sindbad inquired his name and occupation. " My [name, Signior " said he, " is Hindbad, and lam nothing but a poor porter." Well, Hindbad," rejoined the master, of the house, " I and my friends here are very glad to see you : but I sent for you on account of some words I heard you utter, as I was standing near that window." Alas ! Signior," exclaimed Hindbad, rising from his chair, and blushing exceedingly, '* I confess that my weariness and the heat of the day (> S1NDBAD THE SAILOR. put me out of humour, and made me speak ma indiscreet things, which 1 be£ you to pardon." "My good friend," replied Sindbad, "I< not so unjust as to be offended with you ; on contrary, I pity your condition; and when I coi manded you to be brought hither, it was that might convince you I did not attain to this hap, condition without enduring more sufferings a! encountering greater dangers, than can weJi | imagined. Yes, gentlemen," he added, looki.i round the table upon his guests, " I assure yo my difficulties were so extraordinary, that the were sufficient to discourage the most covetoi, man from running the same perils in pursuit o riches; and to convince you of the truth of what assert, I will, if you are disposed to hear me, re late the history of the extraordinary adventures met with in the course of my Seven Voyages." This proposal was highly acceptable to th< whole company; and Sindbad having ordered a servant to carry Hindbad's load to the appointee place, commenced his narration as follows : The First Voyage of Sindbad. " My father dying while I was very young: and >< avmg me a considerable fortune, I fell into a course of dissipation that injured my health and destroyed my fortune. Having no parent to con- trol me, and being surrounded only by profligate persons I continued my excesses till I fell into] ft! ot sickness. My riotous companions then for- SIN DBAD THE SAILOR. ? sook me, and I was left alone to struggle with my Hsea es and to endure the seventy ot remorse tor mis- pent youth. At length 1 recovered from my lei; and resolving never tc . return to my former course of living, I collected together the remains of my fortune, sold my furniture by public auction, and embarked with s^evera merchants on board a ship, which we had jointly laden with merchandise, for the port of Balsora. « In the course of our voyage we touched at several islands, where we sold or exchanged our P-oods. One day we were becalmed near a small island almost level with the surface of the water, and which resembled a beautiful green meadow. The captain ordered his sails to be furled and the merchants, among whom was myself, with severa officers of the ship, determined to carry our pro- visions, and dine upon the pleasant little island. While we were in the very midst of preparation tor dinner, shouting, laughing, and had kindled a large lire to dress our provisions, the island began to move, and at the same moment those who were left in the ship called to us to re-embark instantly, or we should all be lost, as what we had taken to bean island was only the back of a monstrous whale. The nimblest sprung into the sloop; others jumped into the waves, and betook them- selves to swimming ; but for my part I was still on the back of the whale when he dived into the sea, and had only time to catch hold of a broad piece of wood that had been brought out of the ship to serve as a table. On this piece of wood I 8 SINDBAD THE SAILOR. floated, but the current carried me away from t) ship ; and the captain having received on boai those who were in the boat, and picked up one j two of the swimmers, he concluded that I wa lost. A favourable gale just then springing up, \ hoisted his sails, and pursued his voyage. " I stiuggled to save myself all the rest of th day and the following night. Next morning found my strength gone, and despairing of ra life, when happily a wave threw me against a island. The bank was steep, high, and rugged yet faint and exhausted as I was, I climbed it b the means of some roots of trees that seemed t! have been preserved in this place for my safety, then lay down till the sun appeared, when, crawl ing on my hands and knees in search of sonn herbs to eat, I found a spring of excellent water Having refreshed myself greatly with the water I advanced farther along the high shore of th island till I came to a cave, wherein I lay down and slept profoundly during many hours. Whei I awoke again it was almost sun-set. T hastih- left my cave to search for some habitation. How ever I found none, but I soon came to a smal plain, surrounded with fine trees bearing all sort of fruit; and what surpiised me most was to seei great number of beautiful young colts grazini together, but no traces of any other animals, supped upon fruit, and climbed the branches c a high tree for my lodging. About midnight I wa greatly astonished and alarmed to hear the souni of trumpets and drums, which seemed to pass a SINDBAD THE SAILOR. 9 round the island, and continued through the , night ; but when morning came, it still appeared to be perfectly uninhabited. The next day I dis- covered that the island was small and round, and that no other land was to be seen from it. I now gave myself up for lost. Every part of the shore abounded with enormous sea-snakes, and of fishes that are an hundred and two hundred cubits lon£, some having heads like owls, and others with hu- man faces ; but I found these sea monsters per- fectly harmless, for on my rattling two sticks to- gether, they dived into the sea, and I saw no more of them. " I climbed my tree again that night, and the drums and trumpets at midnight seemed to be even louder than before. On the third day, to my great joy, a party of men landed on the island, who were completely astonished to find me there. Having related to them the strange accident that had be- fallen me, they gave me some provisions, and then informed me they were the grooms of king Mihrage, and that the island upon which I was thrown was called Cassel, and belonged to the warlike geni Degial, who visited it every night with drums and trumpets ; and that the geni being the friend of King Mihrage, permitted him to have his young- colts trained upon the island, which contained such admirable pasture, that they became the swiftest and finest horses in the world ; and that they, the grooms of the king, were sent at the expiration of every six months, to the island to select such of 10 SINDBAD THE SAILOR the young horses as were fit to be placed in and when they had obliged them to quit their pre] one of them came to the nest where I was. At firs he was much frightened at seeing ine, but recovei ing himself, he began to quarrel with me, and at cused me of stealing his goods. * You will treal me,' replied I, ' with more civility when you know me better. Do not be uneasy, I have diamonds enough for you and myself too, far more than al the other merchants put together.' " I had scarce done speaking before the mer- chants gathered round us. I told them my story, and they were equally surprised at my expedient to save myself and my courage to attempt it, Having carried me to the place where they shelter- ed themselves, I opened the bag, and they declared, that in all the courts where they had been they had never seen any diamonds of equal size and lustre. I desired the merchant, to whose nest I had been carried to take as many as he pleased, but he con- tented himself with one of the least, declaring it was of sufficient value to make his fortune. " I spent the night with the merchants, to whom I related my history a second time. I could not moderate the joy I felt in having escaped so immi- nent a danger. Indeed at times it appeared to me as if I were dreaming, and I often started, and questioned myself if I were in reality safely out of the inaccessible valley. " The merchants having gathered together their SINDBAD THE SAILOR. 17 diamonds, we left the place on the following morn- ing, and crossed the mountains till we arrived at a port where we took shipping, and landed on the isle of Roha, where the trees grow that yield cam- phor. Here I exchanged some of my diamonds for other merchandise, and from thence we set sail for Balsora, and continued my journey over land to Bagdad ; and once more arrived in my native city. I gave great alms to the poor and lived there for some time." Tims Sindbad ended the history of his Second Voyage ; and presented Hind bad with another purse, desired him to return on the following day ; which the porter did not fail to do, and dinner be- ing ended, the master of the feast resumed his narration. The Third Voyage of Sindbad. " The pleasures and comforts I now enjoyed made me forget my past difficulties. I was still in the prime of life, was of an active disposition and a great desire to see new curiosities, that I very soon resolved upon a third voyage, and with a a cargo of the richest merchandise of Egypt I once more took shipping at the port of Balsora . " After we had been at sea some weeks we were overtaken by a dreadful storm, which almost tore the vessel to pieces . We beat about at the mercy of the winds and waves during several days, and at last were obliged to cast anchor before an island, from which the captain had vainly endeavoured to 18 SINDBAD THE SAILOR. steer. He now informed us, that this and several other neighbouring islands were inhabited by sa- vages, covered with hair, who would speedily attack us in oreat numbers; and that if we o tie red to make the least resistance they would come upon us in swarms and destroy us without mercy. " We soon found the captain's information to be true ; for a multitude of frightful savages, about two feet high, and covered all over with red hair, came swimming toward us, and boarded our ship, chattering a language of which we could not com- prehend a word, In an instant they took down our sails, cut the cable, towed the ship to land, and having made us all get out, they carried off our ship in triumph to another island. " We w ent forward into the island on which we were landed hi deep dismay, expecting nothing but death. When we. had got a little way we beheld a huge pile of building, and made towards it. We found it to be a lofty palace, w ith a folding gate of ebony, which we pushed open and entered a spacious court, that led to a vast apartment with a porch, having on one side a great heap of human bones, and on the other a number of roasting spits. At this terrible spectacle our legs trembled under us, and we fell to the ground, where we lav motion- less with fear, thinking we might share the same late. " Presently the gate of the apartment opened, and there came out a black monster as tall as a palm tree. lie had but one eye, which was in the ver\ middle of his forehead, and looked like a ball SINDBAD THE SAILOR 19 of fire. His fore-teeth were long and sharp, his under lip hung down upon his breast, his ears re- sembled those of an elephant, and covered his shoulders, and his nails were long and crooked. « At the sight of so hideous a giant we could scarcely keep from swooning while he sat down in the porch gazing upon us. At length he advanced and taking me up by the skin of the neck, as I would take up a kitten, and having viewed me well, and perceived that I was nothing but skin and bone, he threw me on the ground with disdain. He took up all the rest one by one, and examined them in the same manner, and the poor captain being the fat- test amongst us, fell the victim to his savage ap- petite : he was presently killed, roasted, and eaten by the dreadful monster. * " When the one-eyed giant had finished his savage meal, he stretched himself upon a great stoite bench in the portico, and fell asleep snoar- ing louder than thunder. In this manner he slept till morning. For, our parts, it was impossible for us to sleep, and we passed the night in the most distressing fears imaginable. Day being come, the giant awoke, got up, stretched himself, and went out, leaving us in tiie palace, which now re- sounded with our cries and lamentations. At length I cried to my companions in misfortune, * Let us not waste the hours in useless sorrow. Let us make floats of the timber we saw on the coast, and commit ourselves upon them to the sea . We had better trust to the mercy of the winds and waves then continue here, to fall one 20 SINDBAD THE SAILOR after the other a prey to the appetite of that dc vouring monster.' " My advice was eagerly adopted ; we hasten- ed down to the sea shore, taking with us tools from the apartment, and laboured hard to make our floats ready to carry us out to sea, before the giant should discover we were gone. We had not finished them till the evening, and before we could push them from the beach our tyrant came in search of us, and drove us like a Hock of sheep be- lore him to the palace. We had the anguish to behold another of our unfortunate comrades roast- ed for his supper; and having glutted himself with the brutal feast, he la v down on his back, and began to snore so loud that the palace echod'with the noise. *' Our desperate situation now gave us courage to attempt some means for our deliverance. Nine of the most resolute of us got up very softly, and taking nine spits we held the points of them in the fire till they were red hot, and then thrusting them all at once into the monster's eye, we blinded him. The pain occasioned him to utter a frightful scream, and he began to grope about with his hands to catch us, that he might sacrifice us to his rage, but we took care to keep out of his reach, and having sought for us some time in vain, he opened the ebony gate, and went out of the palace howl- ing dreadfully. " We did not stay long behind him, but Hasten- ed to our floats, and only waited for day-light to embark upon them; but scarcely was 'the first SINDBAD THE SAILOR. 21 dawn of day visible when we beheld our monstrous I approaching to the shore, led by others of the same species. We immediately jumped upon our floats, and pushed them from the shore as fas as possible, and the tide assisted us greatly ; but the giants seeing us likely to escape tore great pieces of rocks from the cliffs, and wading into the water up to their waists, hurled them at us with all their might, and instantly sunk every float but the one I was upon, and all my companions except the two with me were drowned ; and we with great difficulty escaped the fate of our companions. « For two days we were tossed about at sea, and believed that we must perish for want of food if we were not swallowed up by the wave. On the evening of the second day, however, we drove upon an island, where we found excellent fruit and good water, with which we refreshed ourselves and lay down to sleep under the shade of the trees. " We were soon awakened by the terrible his- sings of an enormons serpent, who came gliding along the ground with incredible swiftness. On- of my unfortunate comrades was swallowed by bin in a'moment, while I and the other fled, and climb ed up into the highest tree we could rind to shield ourselves from his attack. Presently the jcrpent cause hissing to the root of the tree, and winding himself round the trunk, reared his head so high that he soon reached my only remaining com- panion, who sat much lower on the tree than I did, and devoured him like the former one. I sat motionless >vith terror,, and already more dead thaw 22 SINDBAD THE SAILOR alive, the monstrous creature unwound himsel from the tree and glided away. " I waited on the tree till it was late the next daw and perceiving- nothing of the serpent, 1 ventured down, but my fear took a.way all my strength, am' I was incapable of exploring the island in search oj a place of safety. I could not help wishing that my float had been sunk by the giants along with the others ; for it seemed to me that my life was only prolonged that I might endure the most cruel of sufferings. I gathered together a great quantity of small wood, brambles, aud dry thorns, and making them up into faggots, formed a great cir- cle with them round the tree, and fastened the up- permost to the branches of the tree. Having finish- ed my work, I shut myself within the circle, and the serpent failed not to come as I had expected he would. He went round and rouud the tree seeking for an entrance, but the rampart I had made effectualy secured me, so that he lay till day- light like a cat watching a mouse. When day ap- peared he retired, and after the sun arose I ventur- ed to leave my hiding place. " I was so exhausted for want of sleep, and had suffered so greatly from his poisonous breath, that death seemed to me more desirable than living in such a deplorable condition, from which there ap- peared no means of escape, and I ran headlong to- wards the sea, resolving to throw myself in ; but just as I was about to fulfill my rash determination, I perceived a ship in full sail at a considerable dis- tance. I shouted as loud as I could bawl for help, SINDBAD THE SAILOR. 23 and taking the linen from my turban, I displayed it like a flag to attract their notice. This expedient happily succeeded, and the captain sent his boat for me. As soon as officers, and sailors gathered round me, eager to know how I came into that desert island. 1 re- lated the misfortunes of my voyage, and they testi- fied their joy at my wonderful escape from such imminent dangers. The captain seeing I was quite in rags, gave me one of his own suits, and treated me in all respects with great attention. " When we came to an anchor at the port of Jalabat, the captain calling me to him, said : ' Sir, I have here some bales of goods which belonged to a merchant who sailed with me some time since, and he being dead, I intended to dispose of them for the benefit of his heirs. You shall sell them for me, and shall be allowed the usual factorage. 1 « I eagerly enquired the name of the owner, and to my astonishment was told Sindbad. « I could not hear myself named without emotion, and looking earnestly at the captain, T recollected him to be the person who, in my second voyage, had left me in the island where I had fallen asleep, and had set sail without me. 1 had not remembered him sooner, because he was greatly altered, nor did I wonder that he should not re- cognise a person whom he supposed to be dead. " You believe, then,' said I, ' that Sindbad is dead?' " ' Certainly/ he replied, ' for one day when we landed on a small uninhabited island to take in 24 SINDBAD THE SAILOR Mater, I know nut by what mistake, \ set sail with- out observing- he was not conic (.11 board with the other passengers, nor was his absence discovered till four hours after, w hen so brisk a gale sprung up that it was impossible to tack about and look for him. There can be therefore no doubt that he perished on that uninhabited island. " No, captain,' I exclaimed, ' 1 did not perish, In me you behold that Sindbad, who escaped that and many other perils.' The captain being con- vinced, eagerly delivered me up the goods and also strictly accounted with me for those he had already sold. " I continued my voyage with the honest captain, and sold my merchandise very advantageously and at length returned to Bagdad with a vast increase of riches." Sindbad having finished the relation of his Third Voyage, rose from table, and giving another pre- sent to Hind bad, invited him to dinner the next day, to hear the adventures of the Fourth Voyage. The Fourth Voyage of Sindbad. " Having settled my affairs, I commenced ti iournev over land into Persia, and having bought a large stock of the beautiful manufactures of that country, I loaded a vessel, and embarked with my goods. We had not been at sea maiiy days when the ship struck upon a rock, and soon beat to pieces. The cargo went to the bottom, aud man) of the merchants and seamen were drowned. m SINDBAD THE SAILOR. 25 ||g " I and a few others saved ourselves on a plank, and were carried by the current to an island that lay before us. Having got safely on shore, we walked up the island and were presently surround- ed by black savages, who seized us, and shared us among them. " I and five of my companions were taken by one man, who, ordered us to sit down, gave us some herbs to eat. My companions eat greedily of the herbs, but I, being overcome with sorrow kept them in my hand without tasting. I present- ly observed that my companions lost their senses, and when they spoke to me they knew not what they said ; I then threw away the herbs, resolving never to taste of them. Rice prepared with oil of cocoa nuts, was next given to us, and my unhappy comrades devoured it greedily. " 1 soon understood that the savages had given us the herbs in order to rob us of our senses, to make us very fat, and then devour us. Accord- ingly 1 saw the cannibals eat my comrades one after another ; but 1, instead of growing fat, grew more thin daily, and 1 fell into a languishing dis- order which proved my safety, for the savages did not think me tit to be eaten. They now entirely neglected me, and one day when they were gone into the woods, I determined to make my escape. I took care to provide myself with as much rice as my weak state would permit me to carry, and stole away. " I took a contrary way to that the savages w ere gone, and travelled all night and then 1 halted, 26 SINDBAD THE SAILOR and supped on my rice. After refreshing myself with a short sleep, I pursued my journey. I travelled in this manner during seven days, avoid- ing every place where I saw habitations that ap- peared to belong to savages, and living on fruit and cocoa nuts, and on the eighth day I came in sight of the sea shore, where I beheld a number of white persons, like myself, gathering pepper. " I approached them without fear, and as I drew near they ran to meet me, and questioned me in Arabic as to who I was and whence I came, and I speedily satisfied their curiosity, by giving them an account of my shipwreck and my escape from the savage negroes. These white people permitted me to share their provisions, and in a few days I re- covered my strength, and after they had gathered a sufficient quantity of pepper, I sailed with them to the island from whence they came. They pre- sented me to their king, who was a good prince ; he listened to my adventures, gave me clothes and commanded me to be taken care of. " I esteemed myself very fortunate in the kind treatment I received from this generous monarch and his whole court. " It appeared to me very extraordinary to see that when the king and his nobles went a hunting, they rode their horses without bridle or saddle. I could not forbear to question his majesty upon the reason of his avoiding the use of bridles and saddles. The king heard me with a look of sur- prise, and then assured me he was quite at a loss to know what I meant, by the things called saddle M SINDBAD THE SAILOR. 27 and bridle. Upon this I went to a very skilful workman, and gave him the model of the stock of a saddle, and under my constant superintendence he made it very well. I covered it myself with em- broidered velvet ; I then went to another mechanic, for whom I drew the pattern of a bridle and stir- rups. I put them upon one of the king's horses and presented him, to his majesty, who was so de- lighted, that he mounted immediately, and rode about the grounds belonging to the palace almost the whole of the day, while his ministers, the prin- ciple officers of the court, and others of the no- bility, gathered round me, entreating that I would furnish them. I received such magnificent pre- sents for my saddles and bridles, that I presently grew rich. " I made my court very constantly to the king, who one day said to me, ' Sindbad, I love thee, and all my subjects follow my example, and value thee according: to thv merits. I wish to make thee one of my subjects. Thou must marry, and settle in my dominions, and think no more of thy own country. " He gave me one of his ladies of the court, who was young, noble, rich, beautiful, and virtuous. The marriage ceremonies being over, we retired to a place belonging to my wife, where we lived in great harmony and contentment. " Yet notwithstanding the happiness I enjoyed I could not forbear to think of my native country, and to wish I might behold it once more. " I had contracted a strict intimacy with one of 28 SINDBAD THE SAILOR. my nighbours, and one day as I was sitting down to dinner I was informed his wife had just died. I immediately hastened to afford him some con- solation under his misfortune. ' Alas !' said he, ' What comfort can I take who have not above an hour to live V " 1 It is the established laws of this country, that the living husband shall be interred with the dead wife, and the living wife with the dead hus- band. Nothing therefore can save me : every one must submit to this law.' " I was ready to sink with dismay on hearing of this cruel law, and before I had recovered from my consternation, his kindred, friends and neigh- bours came to assist at this barbarous ceremony. •They drest the woman in her richest apparel, and adorned her with all her jewels, and then putting her into an open coffin, began their march towards the place of burial. The husband followed next the corpse, and after him came a long train of re- lations and friends, among whom I was a spectator. They went up an exceedingly high mountain, on the summit of which the procession halted, and a great stone was removed, which covered the mouth of a very deep pit. The corps was let down into the pit, and then the husband embracing his kindred and friends, suffered himself to be put into another open coffin, in which was placed a pot of water and seven little loaves, and was then let down in the same manner, and the ceremony being ended, they covered the hole again, and re- turned to their respective homes. S1NDBAD THE SAILOR. 29 «i went home, deeply affected, and day and n ip-ht I thought of nothing but how to effect my escape But while I was forming a thousand pro- jects to escape this evil, my worst tears were ierified-my wife fell sick and died. Kou may easily iudge of mv sorrow when I beheld the pre- parations for ray 'own funeral, at which the king and his whole court, to shew their regard for me, intended to assist. " The corpse, in her most magnificent apparel, was put into her coffin, and the cavalcade began. I went next the corpse, with my eyes full of tears and mv heart bursting with despair. When we arrived at the mountain I could no longer contain ray roguish, and throwing myself at the feet of the king, f besought him in the most moving, terms to have compassion on me and spare my life. I represented that as I was a foreigner and stranger, I ought not to be subject to this rigorous law ; and 1 offered to yield up all my wealth to the state, it I might be 'suffered to live, and depart for my native country. But all 1 said was to no effect, no one was moved by it ; they only made the greater haste to let my wife into the pit, and the next moment 1 was put down after her in an open coffin, with a vessel of water and seven loaves. In short they covered up the mouth of the pit, in despight of my grief and lamentable cries. " As I came near the bottom, I discovered by the aid of a little light that came from above, the nature of this subterraneous place. It was a long cave, many fathoms deep I immediately smelt an 30 SINDBAD THE SAILOR. bodies I saw „n the right and left, nay, I fancied heard some of them sigh and groan. I made hasti he deTd? ^ "if SMi "Z at a dis ^ C the dead bod.es, lay down upon the ground, whe, my eft fo r °L? t,me bat ? ed ,ears > aad r TOht to echo Y,M nl% ,? m P laints 1 made the ca», to echo. Yet I still felt an inclination to live an g oped my way back to the coffin for some of" b.ead and water m it. I could not distinguish da from night, yet I found my own coffin, Ind liv ft r some days upon my bread and water, w being all spent, I prepared for death. ' " Having wandered very far into the cave I la, down, on the ground, wishing only for a s'ueed end to my misery. On a sudd™ I hcarcl someih WAVt.Mi sr s,i " ^z m z\ to stop - b,it "wo hi Ion" fha at wl 1 r 01 ™ this - redout nyV^ "TZT* ^ ™ times lost silht of ^ but aft^ ££? t the ^ s -„ ; s r ered ^ can,e fr"- a hS £ I crept through\hH,o1e %EX> «"„ - the sea «hL„ i i * nd ,oll "d myself on ine sea-shore. I leave you to udffe of the eve* of my j„y When J re ^ overed | « ; the exce, —ceived I had been pursuing a sea monster SINDBAD THE SAILOR. 3i " 1 examined the mountain, and found that it extended for some miles between the town and sea, but there was no passage over it that I could per- ceive, and the rocks on that side were so rugged and steep, that to ascend or descend was altogether impracticable. 1 was therefore in no fear of be- ing discovered by the inhabitants from the town, to whom the aperture in the rock must be un- known. I fell on my knees to thank God for my deliverance, and having feasted on some shell fish I found on the shore, I returned to the cave, and groped about among the coffins for all the diamonds, rubies, pearls, gold bracelets, and rich stuff 1 could find. These I carried to the sea shore, and tying them up into bales with the cords that let down the cofHns, I laid them on the beach, wait- ing till some ship should sail by. " In two days a ship came out of the harbour, and passed by that part of the coast. I made a signal with my turban, and they sent a boat to take me on board. I told the mariners I had been wrecked, and had just been able to get on shore with the bales they saw. The captain questioned me no farther. 1 found a ship ready to sail for Balsora, on board of which I embarked, having presented some fine jewels to the captain who had brought me to Kela. " The rest of my voyage was prosperous and I arrived at Bag-dad with a vast increase of riches. Sindbad made another present to Hindbad, with 32 SINDBAD THE SAILOR the usual charge of returning the next day to hear more surprising adventures. The Fifth Voyage of Sindbad. Forgetting the perils I had suffered, I built me a ship at my own expense, loaded her with a rich cargo and we sat sail with a fair wind. " After being at sea several weeks, we landed upon a desart island in search of fresh water where we found a Roe's egg, equal in size to that I tomerly mentioned. The merchants and sailors gathered round it in great amazement, and though i entreated and conjured them not to meddle with die egg, they would not forbear, but making a hole in it with their hatchets, they picked out the youn* iqc, piece afterpiece, and roasted it. " Scarcely had they made an end of their treat when there appeared in the air, at a distance, two great clouds. I knew it was the rocs belonging to the young bird they had just devoured, and calling all the people together, I made them embark and set sail with the utmost speed. " The two roc's, mean time alighted on the island and seeing their egg destroyed made a most frightful noise Presently they took flight and disappeared. It was not long before they returned with stones, or rather rocks between their talons of a monstrous size. When they came directly over my ship, they hovered, and one let his stone drop, but by the dexterity of the man at the helm, who turned the ship instantly aside, it missed us SINDBAD THE SAILOK. 33 and fell into the sea. The other Roc to our mis- fortune, threw the stone so exactly into the very middle of the ship, that it split into a thousand pieees. The mariners unci passengers were all killed by the stone, or thrown into the sea. The latter was niv fate, hut I fortunately caught hold of a piece of the wreck, which carried me to an island whose shore was very steep. I overcame that difficulty however, and got upon dry land. _ " This island seemed to me to he a delicious garden, abounding in the finest fruit trees of every description. 1 eat of the fruits which were most excellent, and drank of the clearest water I had ever heheld. " On advancing farther into the island, I saw a little old man sitting upon the hank of a rivulet. He appeared very weak and feeble ; I supposed him to he some unfortunate person shipwrecked like myself, and going nearer I saluted him, but he only bowed his head in return. I then asked him by what chance he had came into the island, but instead of answering me he entreated by signs that I would carry him on my back over the brook, I had no doubt that he was infirm, and destitute of help, and I readily took him on my back, and crossed the brook, when instead of getting down he clasped his legs so firmly round my throat, that I was almost strangled, and being unable to relieve myself, I swooned away with pain and affright, Notwithstanding my fainting, the old fellow held fast by my neck, and when I recovered 34 SINDBAD THE SAILOR. my senses again, he struck me so rudely on the side, that I was forced to rise up against my will. " He then compelled me to walk under the trees, while he diverted himself with gathering the fruit, I being obliged to content myself with what he threw away. He never quitted me a moment. When 1 laid down at night he lay down with me, his legs always fast about my neck ; and every morning he compelled me to get up as soon as the day dawned, from which time till sunset I was *brced to bear about this odious burthen. One day I found in my way several dry calabashes ; I picked out a large one, and after cleaning it, pressed into it some juice of grapes which abound- ed in the island. Having filled the calabash, I set it aside for several days, and on coming to it again, I found it to be most excellent wine. " The old man perceiving the effect which this drink had upon me, made a sign for me to give him some of it. I gave him the calabash, and the liquor pleasing his palate, he drank the whole of it, and became completely drunk, and by degrees loos- ened his legs from my neck, so that I was able to throw him upon the ground, where he soon fell into convulsions, and I had the satisfaction to witness his death. " I was extremely rejoiced to be freed from this detestable old fellow. I hastened to the sea- side, where I found the crew of a ship who had just cast anchor there in order to get fresh water. They were greatly surprised to see me, and to hear of my adventures. * You fell,' said they ' into the S1NDBAD THE SAILOR. 35 hands of the old man of the sea, and you are the first person who ever escaped being strangled by him. " They took me on board their vessel, and when we came to the harbour of a great city, one of the merchants carried me to some persons in the town, whose employment was to gather cocoa nuts, and recommended me to their care. He gave mc also a great bag and provisions for the journey, and said, ' Go, follow them, and do as you see them do. Be careful not to seperate from them, or you will endanger your life.' " I followed them and we came to a great forest of tall strait cocoa trees, whose bark was so per- fectly smooth, that it wes impossible for any man to climb up to the branches. When we entered the forest, we saw a surprising number of apes, who instantly ran up to the top of the trees with the utmost swiftness. " The merchants with whom I was, picked up stones and pelted the apes, who, to revenge them- selves, gathered cocoa nuts and threw at us. We secured the cocoa nuts, and continued throwing stones to provoke the apes, till we possessed our- selves of as many nuts as we could carry. We then returned to the city, where the merchants gave me the value of my nuts, and advised me to do the same every day till I had got money enough to carry me home. I soon amassed a considerable sum : and taking leave of all the kind merchants, I embarked joyfully on board a vessel, and returned safe home again. SINDBAD THE SAILOR When Sindbad had finished, he ordered Hindbad ins usual present, and they returned to dinner the next day when Sindbad gave them an account of his sixth Voyage. The Sixth Voyage of Sindbad. "At the expiration of one year, I prepared for a sixth voyage, against the entreaties of my kindred be 8' an m y voyage which proved very W and most unfortunate, for the pilot lost his course and knew not which way to steer. At length he dis- covered where he was, but we all were seized with fear when we saw him tear his beard and beat his head hke a madman. We demanded the reason of his conduct, and he exclaimed that we must all inevitably perish, for within a quarter of an »">.r the snip would be dashed to pieces against a mountain, to which the current rapidly bore us. t was too true ; the sails presently split, the ropes burst asunder with the fbrce with which the ship drove against the foot of an inaccessible mountain and was a complete wreck. Yet we saved our hves the most of our provisions, and our goods. We looked around us, and saw the coast covered al over with pieces of wrecks of ships, and great heaps of men s bones, with incredible quantities of rich goods, which proved how many unfortunate persons must have perished there, lo climb this mountain which almost reached the skies, was impossible ; for it was formed of smooth g ranite, mixed with rocks of the finest chrystaL SIN DB AD TH.IL SAILOR. 37 which hung over us, and seemed every instant ready to fall upon our heads. In the midst of the mountain was a monstrous dark cavern into which ran a broad black river, the roaring of whose waves stunned us with the sound. "In this wretched place we continued till my comrades died one after the other. I survived them all, and my stock of food being exhausted, I suddenly made a desperate resolution to trust my- self to the current of the black river. " I made a float, and I loaded it with bales of rich stuffs, and fastening my cargo with ropes, I went on board my float with two little oars I had made, and left it to the mercy of the current. " As soon as I was in the cavern, I lost all light. I floated for some days, and once found the arch so low that it nearly broke my head. At length a pleasing sleep seized upon me; when I awoke, I found myself in a vast country, at the brink of a river, where my float was tied up, amidst a great number of negroes. I exclaimed aloud, Alia be praised! and one of the blacks who understood Arabic, came towards me and said, < Brother, we came hither to day to dig canals from this river, which comes out of yonder mountain to water our fields, when we found you floating in this manner. Pray inform us whence you came, for we are in the greatest astonishment to find you here.' " 1 begged of them to give me food, which they did, and after I had appeased my hunger, I gave them a true account of all that had befallen me. D 38 S1NDBAD THE SAILOR. They requested I would go with them to their king, and they placed me on a fine horse, bringing my cargo and float after me. " We marched thus till we came to Senndib, for it was in that island I landed. I prostrated m) - self before the monarch, to whom I related my story, with which he was so surprised and pleased that he ordered it to be written in letters of gold, and laid up among the archieves of the king- dom. He then ordered one of his officers to take care of me, by whom I was conducted to the apart- ments provided for me where 1 found my goods already placed in safety. " When I paid my next visit to the king, I pre sented him with the choicest pieces of my rock chrystal, and then prayed him to allow me to re- turn to my own country, which request he granted, and sent by me a letter and a brilliant present to the sovereign, the Caliph Haroun Alraschid, with many rich gifts for myself, I returned to Bagdad, where my first care was to present myself at the throne of the Caliph, who received the letter and present of the king of Serendib with the greatest satisfaction, and having testified his thanks he dis- missed me with a handsome present. Sindbad here left off speaking, and they all re- turned the following day to hear the relation of the last voyage. The Seventh last Voyage of Sindbad the Sailor " Being returned lrom my sixth voyage, I SINDBAD THE SAILOR. 39 absolutely laid aside all thoughts of of travelling any farther. But one day as I was entertaining a company of my friends, I was sent for by the caliph. " « Sindbad,' said the monarch, ' I stand in need of your services, you must bear an answer and present from me to the king of Serindib. I used my endeavours to be excused, but the king would take no denial, but ordered me one thousand sequins for the expences of my journey. I embarked and had a favourable voyage. When I arrived at Serindib I delivered the caliph's letter and present, which he received with satisfaction. " A little time afterwards I solicited leave to depart. We had not been long at sea before we were attacked by corsairs, who seized upon our ship, and carried us into slavery. " We were all sold for slaves, and I was bought by a rich merchant, who carried me to his house, and put me on a slave's habit. He enquired if I understood the use of the bow ; I assured him I did. He then gave me a bow and arrows, and taking me behind him upon an elephant, carried me to a forest some leagues from the town. We rode a great way and stopped near an exceeding high tree. My master bid me alight, and climb that tree ; telling me I must wait there till I saw a troop of elephants pass by, and then shoot at them, and if any one fell, I was to hasten back to the city to give him notice of it. Having given me proper directions, he left me a bag of provisions, and returned to the town. " As soon as the sun arose on the following 40 SINDBAD THE SAILOR. morning, I beheld a great number : I shot several arrows among them, and at last one of the elephants fell ; the rest retired immediately, and left me at Jiberty to go and acquaint my patron with my suc- cess. He commended my diligence, and we went back to the forest and dug a hole to bury the elephant in, till he decayed, when the merchant intended to take his teeth, for he traded in ivory. " I continued this course for two months. One morning one of the largest of them wound his trunk round the stem of the tree, on which I was and tore it up by the roots. I fell with the tree, and the same elephant taking me up with his trunk laid me on his back, and carried me to a hill and left me. I ventured to get up, and discovered the hill covered all over with the bones and teeth of ele- phants. I did not stay but returned to my master who concluded 1 was destroyed. 1 conducted him to the hill, and we loaded the elephant on which we rode, with as many teeth as he could carry. " My master then gave me liberty to return to my own country. He loaded a ship with a valu- able cargo for me, and abundance of provisions. " We set sail, and at last 1 came safe to Bag- dad, and presented myself to the caliph. " Sindbad then gave Hindbad a hundred sequins and desired him to quit his porter's employment, and come every day to dine with him, that he might have reason to remember Sindbad the the Sailor. THE END Fairburn, Printer, Minories. Books Published by J. Fair burn. FAIRBURN'S NEW LAUGHABLE SONGSTER. W HIMS1CAL SONGSTER . QUIZZICAL SONGSTER. 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