to them, he is to appear about the end of the world, and will conquer all the earth, except Mecca, Medina, Tarsus, and Jerusalem, which are to be preserved by angels, whom he shall set round them.].  I had a great mind to see this wonderful place, and in my way thither saw fishes of an hundred and two hundred cubits long, that occasion more fear than hurt; for they are so fearful, that they will fly upon the rattling of two sticks or boards.  I saw likewise other fishes about a cubit in length, that had heads like owls.

As I was one day at the port after my return, a ship arrived.  As soon as she cast anchor, they began to unload her, and the merchants on board ordered their goods to be carried into the magazine.  As I cast my eye upon some bales, and looked to the name I found my own, and perceived the bales to be the same that I had embarked at Balsora.  I also knew the captain; but, being persuaded that he believed me to be drowned, I went and asked him whose bales these were?  He replied, that they belonged to a merchant of Bagdad, called Sindbad, who came to sea with him; but one day, being near an island, as we thought, he went ashore, with several other passengers, upon this supposed island, which was only a monstrous whale that lay asleep upon the surface of the water; but as soon as he felt the heat of the fire they had kindled upon his back to dress some victuals, he began to move, and dived under water, when most of the persons who were upon him perished, and among them the unfortunate Sindbad.  These bales belong to him, and I am resolved to trade with them, until I meet with some of his family, to whom I may return the profit.  Captain, says I, I am that Sindbad whom you thought to be dead, and these bales are mine.  When the captain heard me speak thus, O heaven, says he, whom can we ever trust now-a-days?  There is no faith left among men.  I saw Sindbad perish with my own eyes, and the passengers on board saw it as well as I, and yet you tell me that you are that Sindbad?  What impudence is this?  To look on you, one would take you to be a man of probity; and yet you tell a horrible falsehood, in order to possess yourself of what does not belong to you.  Have patience, captain, replied I; do me the favour to hear what I have to say.  Very well, says he, speak; I am ready to hear you.  Then I told him how I escaped, and by what adventure I met with the grooms of King Mihrage, who brought me to his court.

The captain began to abate of his confidence upon my discourse, and was soon persuaded that I was no cheat; for there came people from his ship who knew me, made me great compliments, and testified a great deal of joy to see me alive.  At last he knew me himself, and embracing me, Heaven be praised, says he, for your happy escape!  I cannot enough express my joy for it; there are your goods, take and do with them what you will.  I thanked him, acknowledged his probity, and in requital offered him part of my goods as a present, which he generously refused.