One day after my return, as I went down to the quay, I saw a ship which had just cast anchor, and was discharging her cargo, while the merchants to whom it belonged were busily directing the removal of it to their warehouses.  Drawing nearer I presently noticed that my own name was marked upon some of the packages, and after having carefully examined them, I felt sure that they were indeed those which I had put on board our ship at Balsora.  I then recognized the captain of the vessel, but as I was certain that he believed me to be dead, I went up to him and asked who owned the packages that I was looking at.

“There was on board my ship,” he replied, “a merchant of Bagdad named Sindbad.  One day he and several of my other passengers landed upon what we supposed to be an island, but which was really an enormous whale floating asleep upon the waves.  No sooner did it feel upon its back the heat of the fire which had been kindled, than it plunged into the depths of the sea.  Several of the people who were upon it perished in the waters, and among others this unlucky Sindbad.  This merchandise is his, but I have resolved to dispose of it for the benefit of his family if I should ever chance to meet with them.”

“Captain,” said I, “I am that Sinbad whom you believe to be dead, and these are my possessions!”

When the captain heard these words he cried out in amazement, “Lackaday! and what is the world coming to?  In these days there is not an honest man to be met with.  Did I not with my own eyes see Sindbad drown, and now you have the audacity to tell me that you are he!  I should have taken you to be a just man, and yet for the sake of obtaining that which does not belong to you, you are ready to invent this horrible falsehood.”

“Have patience, and do me the favor to hear my story,” said I.

“Speak then,” replied the captain, “I am all attention.”

So I told him of my escape and of my fortunate meeting with the king’s grooms, and how kindly I had been received at the palace.  Very soon I began to see that I had made some impression upon him, and after the arrival of some of the other merchants, who showed great joy at once more seeing me alive, he declared that he also recognized me.

Throwing himself upon my neck he exclaimed, “Heaven be praised that you have escaped from so great a danger.  As to your goods, I pray you take them, and dispose of them as you please.”  I thanked him, and praised his honesty, begging him to accept several bales of merchandise in token of my gratitude, but he would take nothing.  Of the choicest of my goods I prepared a present for King Mihrage, who was at first amazed, having known that I had lost my all.  However, when I had explained to him how my bales had been miraculously restored to me, he graciously accepted my gifts, and in return gave me many valuable things.  I then took leave of him, and exchanging my merchandise for sandal and aloes-wood, camphor,