Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 3.djvu/39

and went with other Merchants a Pearl Fiſhing. I hir’d divers who fetch’d me up thoſe that were very large and pure. I embark’d joyfully on a Veſſel that arriv’d happily at Balſora, from thence I return’d to Bagdad, where I made vaſt Sums of my Pepper, Wood of Aloes and Pearls. I gave the Tenth of my Gain in Alms, as I had done upon my return from other Voyages, and endeavour’d to eaſe my ſelf from my Fatigues, by Diverſions of all ſorts.

When Sindbad had done his Story, he ordered 100 Sequins to Hindbad, who retir’d with all the other Gueſts, but next Morning the ſame Company retir’d to dine with rich Sindbad, who after having treated them as formerly, demanded Audience, and gave the following Account of his Sixth Voyage.

GEntlemen, ſays he, you long without doubt to know how, after being ſhipwreck’d five times, and eſcaping ſo many Dangers, I could reſolve again to try my Fortune, and expoſe my ſelf to new Hardſhips. I am aftoniſhd at it my ſelf when I think on’t, and muſt certainly have been reduc’d to it by my Stars. But be that how it will, after a Year’s Reſt, I prepared for a Sixth Voyage, notwithſtanding the Prayers of my Kindred and Friends, who did all that was poſſible to prevent me.

Inſtead of taking my way by the Perſian Gulph, I travel’d once more through ſeveral Provinces of Perſia and the Indies, and arriv’d at a Sea-Port, where I embark’d on board a Ship, the Captain of which was reſolv’d on a long Voyage.

Ir was very long indeed, but at the ſame time ſo unfortunate, that the Captain and Pilot loſt their Courſe, ſo as they knew not where they were. We found it at laſt but we had no ground to rejoyce at it. We were all with extraordinary Fear, when we ſaw the Captain quit his Poſt, and cry out. He threw off his Turban, pull’d the Hair off his Beard, and beat his Head like a Madman,

We ask’d him the Reaſon, and he anſſwer’d that he was in the moſt dangerous Place of all the Sea, A rapid Current carries the Ship along with it, and we ſhall all of us