I prepared for my departure in a few days; and as soon as the caliph’s letter and present were delivered to me, I went to Balsora, where I embarked, and had a very happy voyage.  I arrived at the isle of Serendib, where I acquainted the king’s ministers with my commission, and prayed them to get me a speedy audience.  They did so, and I was conducted to the palace in an honourable manner, where I saluted the king by prostration, according to custom.  The prince knew me immediately, and testified very great joy to see me.  O Sindbad, says he, you are welcome; I swear to you I have many times thought of you since you went hence.  I bless the day upon which we see one another once more.  I made my compliment to him; and, after having thanked him for his kindness to me, I delivered him the caliph’s letter and present, which he received with all imaginable satisfaction.

The caliph’s present was a complete set of cloth of gold, valued at a thousand sequins; fifty robes of rich stuff, a hundred others of white cloth, the finest of Cairo, Suez[Footnote:  A port on the Red Sea.], Cusa[Footnote:  A town of Arabia.], and Alexandria; a royal crimson bed, with a second of another fashion; a vessel of agate, broader than deep, of an inch thick, and half a foot wide, the bottom of which represented, in bass-relief, a man with one knee on the ground, who held a bow and arrow, ready to let fly at a lion.  He sent him also a rich table, which, according to tradition, belonged to the great Solomon.  The caliph’s letter was as follows:  “Greeting, in the name of the sovereign guide of the right way, to the potent and happy sultan from Abdallah Haroun Alraschid, whom God hath set in the place of honour after his ancestors of happy memory.  We received your letter with joy, and send you this from the council of our port, the garden of superior wits.  We hope, when you look upon it, you will find our good intention, and be pleased with it.  Adieu.”

The king of Serendib was mightily pleased that the caliph answered his friendship.  A little time after this audience, I solicited leave to depart, and obtained the same with much difficulty.  I got it, however, at last; and the king, when he discharged me, made me a very considerable present.  I embarked immediately to return to Bagdad, but had not the good fortune to arrive there as I hoped.  God ordered it otherwise; for, three or four days after my departure, we were attacked by corsairs, who easily seized upon our ship, because it was no vessel of force.  Some of the crew offered resistance, which cost them their lives.  But for me and the rest, who were not so imprudent, the corsairs saved us on purpose to make slaves of us.  We were all stripped; and, instead of our own clothes, they gave us sorry rags, and carried us into a remote island, where they sold us.  I fell into the hands of a rich merchant, who, as soon as he bought me, carried me to his house, treated me well, and clad me handsomely for a slave.