168 THE SEVENTH VOYAGE OF

he sent to us a present and a letter.” And I
trembled thereat, and replied, ‘‘By Allah the
Great, O my lord, I have taken a hatred to
voyaging ; and when a voyage on the sea, or
any other travel, is mentioned to me, my joints
tremble, in consequence of what hath befallen
me, and what I have experienced of troubles
and horrors, and I have no desire for that
whatever. Moreover, I have bound myself by
an oath not to go forth from Baghddd.” Then
I informed the Khaleefeh of all that had be-
fallen me from first to last; and he wondered
exceedingly, and said, “By Allah the Great, O
Sindibad, it hath not been heard from times of
old that such events have befallen any one as
have befallen thee, and it is incumbent on thee
that thou never mention the subject of travel.
But for my sake thou wilt go this time, and
convey our present and our letter to the King
of Sarandeeb; and thou shalt return quickly, if
it be the will of God (whose name be exalted !),
that we may no longer have a debt of favour
and courtesy to the King.” So I replied ‘that
I heard and obeyed, being unable to oppose his
command. He then gave me the present and
the letter, with money for my expenses, and I
kissed his hand and departed from him.