Sinbad ‘the Sailor | we 265

Se
I doubted not but that this was their burying place, and that
they.carried me thither on purpose to tell me that I should forbear
to persecute them, since I did it only for their teeth. I did not stay
on the hill, but turned: towards the city, and, after having travelled
a day and a night, I came to my patron; I met no elephant on
my way, which made me think they had retired farther into the
forest, to leave meat liberty to come back to the hill without
any hindrance.

-As soon as my patron saw me: ‘Ah, poor Sinbad,’ said he, ‘I
was in great trouble to know what had become of you. I have been
at the forest, where I found a tree newly pulled. up, and a bow and
arrows on the ground, and. after having sought for you in vain I
despaired of ever seeing you more. Pray teli me what befell you,
and by what good hap you are still alive.’

I satisfied his curiosity, and going both of us next morning to
the hill, he found to his great joy that what I had told him was
true.. We loaded the elephant tpon which: we came with as many
teeth as he could carry;.and when we had returned, ‘ Brother,’

_said.my patron—‘for I will treat you no more as my slave—after
having made such a. discovery as will enrich me, God bless you
with all happiness. and prosperity. I declare before. Him that I
give you your liberty. I foneealee from yeu what I am now going
to tell you.

‘The elephants of our forest have every year killed a great
many ‘slaves, whom we'sent to séek ivory. . Notwithstanding all
the cautions we could give them, those crafty animals killed them
one time or other. God has delivered you from their fury, and has:
bestowed that favour upon you only. It is a sign that He loves

you, and has use for your service in the world. You have pro-
cured me incredible gain. We could not have ivory formerly but
by exposing the lives of our slaves, and now our whole city is
‘enriched by your means. Do not think I pretend to have rewarded