Here Sindbad paused, and ordered that another hundred gold pieces should be given to Hindbad, and that he should depart.  But next evening when the guests had all assembled and Hindbad had also returned, Sindbad began once more to tell them a story of his adventures.

“This time,” began Sindbad, “I stayed at home for the space of a whole year, and then I prepared to set out on another voyage.  My friends and relations did all in their power to prevent my going, but I could not be persuaded, and before long I set sail in a ship which was about to make a very long voyage.

“Nothing went well with us from the beginning.  We were driven out of our course by storms and tempests, and the captain and pilot knew not where we were.  When at last they found out in which direction we had drifted, things seemed in a worse state than ever.  We were alarmed to see the captain suddenly pull off his turban, tear the hair from his beard, and beat his head as if he were mad.

“‘What is the matter?’ we asked, gathering round him.

“‘Alas!’ he cried, ’we are lost.  The ship is now caught in a dangerous current from which nothing can save her and us.  In a very few moments we shall all be dashed to pieces.’

“No sooner had he spoken than the ship was carried along at a tremendous speed straight on to a rocky shore which lay at the foot of a steep mountain.

“But although the ship was dashed to pieces, we all managed to escape, and were thrown with our goods and some provisions high on to the rocky strip of shore.  Here we found the scattered remains of many wrecks, and quantities of bones bleached white in the sun.

“‘We may prepare ourselves for death,’ said the captain mournfully.  ’No man has ever escaped from this shore, for it is impossible to climb the mountain behind us, and no ship dare approach to save us.’

“But nevertheless he divided the provisions among us, that we might live as long as possible.

“One thing that surprised me greatly was a river of fresh water which flowed out of the mountain, and, instead of running into the sea, disappeared into a rocky cavern on the other side of the shore.  As I gazed into the mouth of this cavern I saw that it was lined with sparkling gems, and that the bed of the river was studded with rubies and diamonds and all manner of precious stones.  Great quantities of these were also scattered around, and treasures from the wrecked ships lay in every corner of the shore.

“One by one my companions died as they came to the end of their food, and one by one I buried them, until at last I was left quite alone.  I was able to live on very little, and so my food had lasted longer.

“‘Woe is me!’ I cried, ’who shall bury me when I die?  Why, oh! why was I not content to remain safe and happy at home?’

“As I bemoaned my evil fate I wandered to the banks of the river, and as I watched it disappear into the rocky cave a happy thought came to me.  Surely if this stream entered the mountain it must have an opening somewhere, and if I could only follow its course I might yet escape.