ES-SINDIBAD OF THE SEA at

greeting me in an honourable manner, and in-
quired of me respecting my case. So I informed
him of all that had happened to me, and of all
that I had seen, from beginning to end; and he
wondered at that which had befallen me and
happened to me, and said to me, “‘O my son, by
Allah thou hast experienced an extraordinary
preservation, and had it not been for the pre-
destined length of thy life, thou hadst not escaped
from these difficulties; but praise be to God for
thy safety!” Then he treated me with beneficence
and honour, caused me to draw near to him, and |
began to cheer me with conversation and courtesy ;
and he made me his superintendent of the sea-port,
and registrar of every vessel that came to the
coast. I stood in his presence to transact his
affairs, and he favoured me and benefited me in
every respect; he invested me with a handsome
and costly dress, and J became a person high in
credit with him in intercessions, and in accom-
plishing the affairs of the people. I ceased not
to remain in his service for a long time; and
whenever I went to the shore of the sea, I used
to inquire of the merchants and travellers and
sailors respecting the direction of the city of
Baghdad, that perchance some one might inform

me of it, and I might go with him thither and
B