Sinbad the Sailor _ eee
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a mountain in the middle of the sland, which is the highest in
the world. I made, by way of devotion, a pilgrimage to the
place where Adam was confined after his banishment from
Paradise, and had the curiosity to go to the top of it.

When I came back to the city, I prayed the king to allow me
to return to my country, which he granted me in the most obliging
and honourable manner. He would needs force a rich present upon

_me, and when I went to take my leave of him, he gave me one
much more valuable, and at the samie time charged me with a letter —
for the Commander of the Faithful, our sovereign, saying to me, ‘I
pray you give this present from me and this letter to Caliph Haroun
Alraschid, and assure him of my friendship.’ I took the present
and letter in a very respectful manner, and promised his majesty
punctually to execute the commission with which he was pleased
to honour me. Before I embarked, this prince sent for the captain
and the merchants who were. tg go with me, and ordered them to
treat me with all possible respect.

The letter from the King of Serendib was written on the skin
of a certain animal of great value, because of its being so scarce,
and of a yellowish colour. The writing was azure, and the contents
as follows :—

‘The. king of the Indies, hefie whom march a hundred
elephants, who lives in a palace that shines with a hundred
thousand rubies, and who has in his treasury twenty thousand
crowns enriched with diamonds, to Caliph Haroun Alraschid :

‘Though the present we send you be inconsiderable, receive
it as a brother and a friend, in consideration of the hearty
friendship which we bear to you, and of which we are willing
to give you proof. We desire the same part in your friendship,
considering that we believe it to be our merit, being of the same
dignity with yourself. We conjure you this ‘in the rank of a

brother. Farewell.’ te

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