58 THE THIRD VOYAGE OF

and departed with them from the city of Baghdad
to the city of El-Basrah. ‘There, coming to the
bank of the river, I beheld a great vessel, in which
were many merchants and other passengers, people
of worth, and comely and good persons, people
of religion and kindness and probity. I there-
fore embarked with them in that vessel, and we
departed in reliance on the blessing of God
(whose name be exalted !), and His aid and favour,
rejoicing in expectation of good fortune and
safety. We ceased not to proceed from sea to
sea, and from island to island, and from city to
city ; at every place by which we passed diverting
ourselves, and selling and buying, in the utmost *
joy and happiness. ‘Thus we did until we were,
one day, pursuing our course in the midst of the
roaring sea, agitated with waves, when, lo, the
master, standing at the side of the vessel, looked
at the different quarters of the sea, and then
slapped his face, furled the sails of the ship,
cast its anchors, plucked his beard, rent his
clothes, and uttered a great cry. So we said to
him, ‘“‘O master, what is the news?” And he
answered, ‘“‘ Know, O passengers, whom may God
preserve! that the wind hath prevailed against
us, and driven us out of our course in the midst
of the sea, and destiny hath cast us, through our