ES-SINDIBAD OF THE SEA 171

from his city, with merchants and other com-
panions, to return to my country, without any
desire for travel or commerce.

We continued our voyage until we had passed
many islands; but in the midst of our course
over the sea, there appeared to us a number of
boats, which surrounded us, and in them were
men like devils, having in their hands swords
and daggers, and equipped with coats of mail, and
arms and bows. They smote us, and wounded
and slew those of us who opposed them, and,
having taken the ship with its contents, con-
veyed us to an island, where they sold us as
slaves, for the smallest price. But a rich man
purchased me, and took me into his house, fed
me and gave me to drink, and clad me and
treated me in a friendly manner. So my soul
was tranquillised, and I rested a little. Then,
one day, he said to me, ‘Dost thou not know
any art or trade?” I answered him, “O my
lord, I am a merchant: I know nothing but
traffic.” And he said, ‘‘ Dost thou know the art
of shooting with the bow and arrow?” “Yes,”
I answered, “I know that.’ And thereupon he
brought me a bow and arrows, and mounted me
behind him upon an elephant: then he departed
at the close of night, and, conveying me among