ES-SINDIBAD OF THE SEA - 33

the sand hath accumulated upon it, so that it
hath become like an island, and trees have grown
upon it since times of old; and when ye lighted
upon it the fire, it felt the heat, and put itself in
motion, and now it will descend with you into the
sea, and ye will all be drowned: then seek for
yourselves escape before. destruction, and leave
the merchandise!” The passengers, therefore,
hearing the words of the master of the ship,
hastened to go up into the vessel, leaving the
merchandise, and their other goods, and their
copper cooking-pots, and their fire-pots; and
some reached the ship, and others reached it not.
The island had moved, and descended to the bot-
tom of the sea, with all that were upon it, and the
roaring sea, agitated with waves, closed over it.

I was among the number of those who remained
behind upon the island; so I sank in the sea
with the rest who sank. But God (whose name
be exalted!) delivered me and saved me from
drowning, and supplied me with a great wooden
bowl, of the bowls in which the passengers had
‘been washing, and I laid hold upon it and got
into it, induced by the sweetness of life, and
beat the water with my feet as with oars, while
the waves sported with me, tossing me to the
right and left. The master of the vessel had