Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 3.djvu/24

ces. As we ſailed from that Iſland, we ſaw a Tortoiſe that was 20 Cubits in Length and Breadth. We obſerved alſo, a Fiſh which looked like a Cow, and gave Milk, and it Skin is lo hard that they uſually make Bucklers of it. I ſaw another which had the Shape and Colour of a Camel. In ſhort, after a long Voyage, I arrived at Balſora, and from thence returned to this City of Bagdad, with ſo much Riches that I knew not what I had. I gave a great deal to the Poor, and bought another great Eſtate to what I had already.

Thus Sindbad finiſhed the Hiſtory of his Third Voyage; gave another 100 Sequins to Hindbad, invited him to Dinner again next Day, and to hear the Story of his Fourth Voyage. Hindbad and the Company retir’d; and next Day, when they returned. Sindbad after Dinner continued he Story of his Adventures.

THE Pleaſures, ſays he, and the Divertiſements I took after my Third Voyage, had not Charms enough to divert me from another. I was again prevailed upon by my Paſſion for Traffick, and Curioſity to ſee new Things, I therefore put my Affairs in order, and having provided a Stock of Goods fit for the Places where I deſigned to trade, I ſet out on my Journey. I took the Way of Perſia, of which travelled ſeveral Provinces, and then arrived at a Port where I embarked. We ſet Sail, and having touched at ſeveral Ports of Terra Firma, and ſome of the Eaſtern Iſlands, we put out to Sea, and were ſeized by ſuch a ſudden Guſt of Wind, as obliged the Captain to furl his Sails, and to make all other neceſſary Precautions to prevent the Danger that threatned us. But all was in vain, our Endeavours took no Effect, the Sails were tore in a thouſand pieces, and the Ship was ſtranded, ſo that a great many of the Merchants and Seamen were drown and the Cargo loſt.

Scheherazade, perceiving Day, held her Peace, but re- ſumed the Story next Night, as follows.