262 xfs The Seventh Voyage of

 

who held a bow and an 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. Farewell.’

The King of Serendib was highly pleased that the caliph
returned his friendship. A little time after this. audience, I solicited
leave to depart, and had much difficulty to obtain it. I obtained it,
however, at last, and the king, when he dismissed 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.

Three or four days after my departure, we were attacked by |
pirates, who easily seized upon our ship. Some of the crew offered
resistance, which cost them their lives. But as for me and the rest,
who were not so PORECSS DE the pirates saved us on BEpOse 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. ~~ eis

. 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.. Some days after, not knowing who
I was, he asked me if I understood any trade. I answered that
I was no mechanic, but a merchant, and that the. ‘pirates who
sold me had robbed me of all I had.