Sinbad the Sailor A. 237

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* yery comfortable to me after my misfortune, and the kindness of -
this generous prince towards me completed my satisfaction. In a
word, there was not a person more in favour with him than myself;
and, in consequence, every man in court and city sought to oblige ~
me, so that in a very little time I was. looked upon rather as a
native than a stranger.

I observed one thing which to me appeared very extraordinary.
All the people, the king himself not excepted, rode their horses
without bridle or stirrups. This mgde me one day take the liberty
to ask the king how that came to pass. His majesty answered, that
I talked to him of things which nobody knew the use of in his’
dominions. I went immediately to a workman, and gave him a
model for making the stock of a saddle. When that was done, I

covered it myself with velvet and leather, and embroidered it with
gold. I afterwards went to a locksmith, who made me a bridle
according to the pattern I showed him, and then he made me also
some stirrups. When-I had all things completed, I presented them
to the king, and put them upon one of his horses. His majesty
mounted immediately, and was so pleased with them, that he testi-
fied -his satisfaction by large presents to me. I could not avoid
making several others for his ministers and. the principal officers of
his household, who all of them made me presents that enriched me
in a little time. I also made some for the people: of best quality
in the city, which gained me great reputation and regard.

As I paid court very constantly to the king, he said to me one
day, ‘Sinbad, I love thee; and all my subjects wha know thee
treat thee according to my example.. I have one thing to demand
of thee, which thou must grant’

‘Sir, answered I, ‘there is nothing but I will do, as a mark of
my obedience to your majesty, whose power over me is absolute.’

‘J have a mind thou shouldst marry,’ replied he, ‘that so thou
mayst stay in my dominion, and think no more of thy own country,