94 THE FOURTH VOYAGE OF

glorifying Him. I then rose-from the presence of
the King, and diverted myself with a sight of his
city ; and, lo, it was a flourishing city, abounding
with inhabitants and wealth, and with food and
markets and goods, and sellers and buyers.

So I rejoiced at my arrival at that city, and
my heart was at ease; I became familiar with its
inhabitants, and was magnified and honoured by
them and by their King above the people of his
dominions and the great men of his city. And
I saw that all its great men and its small rode
excellent. and fine horses without saddles; whereat
I wondered ; and I said to the King, “ Wherefore,
O my lord, dost thou not ride on a saddle; for
therein is ease to the rider, and additional power ?”
He said, ‘“What kind of thing is a saddle?
This is a thing that in our lives we have never
seen, nor have we ever ridden upon it.” And I
said to him, ‘“ Wilt thou permit me to make for
thee a saddle to ride upon and to experience
the pleasure of it?” He answered me, “ Do so.”
I therefore said to him, ‘“‘ Furnish me with some
wood.” And he gave orders to bring me all that
I required. Then I asked for a clever carpenter,
and sat with him, and taught him the construction
of the saddle, and how he should make it. After-
wards I took some wool, and teased it, and made