The Story of Sinbad the Voyager - The First Voyage

I inherited from my father considerable property, the greater
part of which I squandered in my youth in dissipation; but I
perceived my error, and reflected that riches were perishable, and
quickly consumed by such ill managers as myself. I further
considered, that by my irregular way of living I wretchedly mis-
spent my time ; which is, of all things, the most valuable. Struck
with these reflections, I collected the remains of my fortune, and
sold all my effects by public auction. I then entered into a con-
tract with some merchants, who traded by sea. I took the advice
of such as I thought most capable, and resolving to improve
what money I had, I embarked with several merchants on board
a ship which w^e had jointly fitted out.

We set sail, and steered our course toward the Indies
through the Persian Gulf, which is formed by the coasts of
Arabia Felix on the right, and by those of Persia on the left-

At first I was troubled with sea-sickness, but speedily recovered
my health, and was not afterward subject to that complaint.

In our voyage we touched at several islands, where we sold
or exchanged our goods. One day, whilst under sail, we were
becalmed near a small island, but little elevated above the level
of the water, and resembling a green meadow. The captain
ordered his sails to be furled, and permitted such persons as were
so inclined to land; of which number I was one.

"But while we were enjoying ourselves in eating and drinking,
and recovering ourselves from the fatigue of the sea, the island
on a sudden trembled, and shook us terribly.

"The motion was perceived on board the ship, and we were
called upon to re-embark speedily, or we should all be lost; for
what we took for an island proved to be the back of a sea monster.
The nimblest got into the sloop, others betook themselves to
swimming; but for myself, I was still upon the back of the
creature when he dived into the sea, and I had time only to catch
hold of a piece of wood that we had brought out of the ship.
Meanwhile, the captain, having received those on board who were
in the sloop, and taken up some of those that swam, resolved to
improve the favourable gale that had just risen, and hoisting his
sails, pursued his voyage, so that it was impossible for me to
recover the ship.

"Thus was I exposed to the mercy of the waves all the rest of
the day and the following night. By this time I found my
strength gone, and despaired of saving my life, when happily a
wave threw me against an island. The bank was high and
rugged ; so that I could scarcely have got up, had it not been for
some roots of trees, which chance placed within reach. Having
gained the land, I lay down upon the ground half dead, until the
sun appeared. Then, though I was very feeble, both from hard
labour and want of food, I crept along to find some herbs fit to
eat, and had the good luck not only to procure some, but likewise
to discover a spring of excellent water, which contributed much
to recover me. After this I advanced farther into the island, and
at last reached a fine plain, where at a great distance I perceived
some horses feeding. I went toward them, and as I approached
heard the voice of a man, who immediately appeared, and asked
me who I was. I related to him my adventure, after which,
taking me by the hand, he led me into a cave, where there were
several other people, no less amazed to see me than I was to see
them.

"I partook of some provisions which they offered me. I
then asked them what they did in such a desert place, to which
they answered, that they were grooms belonging to the Maha-
raja, sovereign of the island, and that every year, at the same
season they brought thither the king's horses for pasturage.
They added, that they were to return home on the morrow, and
had I been one day later, I must have perished, because the in-
habited part of the island was at .a great distance, and it would
have been impossible for me to have got thither without a guide.

"Next morning they returned to the capital of the island, took
me with them, and presented me to the Maha-raja. He asked
me who I was, and by what adventure I had come into his domin-
ions. After I had satisfied him, he told me he was much con-
cerned for my misfortune, and at the same time ordered that I
should want nothing; which commands his officers were so
generous as to see exactly fulfilled.

*' Being a merchant, I frequented men of my own profession,
and particularly inquired for those who were strangers, that per-
chance I might hear news from Bagdad, or find an opportunity
to return. They put a thousand questions respecting my
country; and I, being willing to inform myself as to their laws
and customs, asked them concerning everything which I thought
worth knowing.

"There belongs to this king an island named Cassel. They
assured me that every night a noise of drums was heard there,
whence the mariners fancied that it was the residence of Degial.
I determined to visit this wonderful place, and in my way thither
saw fishes of one hundred and two hundred cubits long, that
occasion more fear than hurt, for they are so timorous, that
they will fly upon the rattling of two sticks or boards. I saw
likewise other fish about a cubit in length, that had heads like
owls.

"As I was one day at the port after my return, a ship arrived,
and as soon as she cast anchor, they began to unload her, and the
merchants on board ordered their goods to be carried into the
custom-house. As I cast my eye upon some bales, and looked
to the name, I found my own, and perceived the bales to be the
same that I had embarked at Bussorah. I also knew the captain ;
but being persuaded that he believed me to be drowned, I went,
and asked him whose bales these were. He replied that they
belonged to a merchant of Bagdad, called Sinbad, who came to
sea with him ; but had unfortunately perished on the voyage, and
that he had resolved to trade with the bales, until he met with
some of his family, to whom he might return the profit. 'I am
that Sinbad,' said I, 'whom you thought to be dead, and those
bales are mine.'

"When the captain heard me speak thus, 'Heavens!' he
exclaimed, ' whom can we trust in these times ? There is no
faith left among men. I saw Sinbad perish with my own eyes,
as did also the passengers on board, and yet you tell me you are
that Sinbad. What impudence is this.^^ You tell a horrible
falsehood, in order to possess yourself of what does not belong
to you/ 'Have patience,' replied I; *do me the favour to hear
what I have to say.' Then I told him how I had escaped, and
by what adventure I met with the grooms of the Maha-raja, who
had brought me to his court.

"The captain was at length persuaded that I was no cheat;
for there came people from his ship who knew me, and expressed
much joy at seeing me alive. At last he recollected me himself,
and embracing me, 'Heaven be praised,' said he, 'for your
happy escape. I cannot express the joy it affords me; there are
your goods, take and do with them as you please.' I thanked
him, acknowledged his probity, and offered him part of my goods
as a present, which he generously refused.

"I took out what was most valuable in my bales, and pre-
sented them to the Maha-raja, who, knowing my misfortune^
asked me how I came by such rarities. I acquainted him with
the circumstance of their recovery. He was pleased at my good
luck, accepted my present, and in return gave me one much more
considerable. Upon this, I took leave of him, and went aboard
the same ship, after I had exchanged my goods for the commodi-
ties of that country. I carried w^ith me wood of aloes, sandal,
camphire, nutmegs, cloves, pepper, and ginger. We passed by
several islands, and at last arrived at Bussorah, from whence I
came to this city, with the value of one hundred thousand sequins.
My family and I received one another with sincere affection.
I bought slaves and a landed estate, and built a magnificent house.
Thus I settled myself, resolving to forget the miseries I had
suffered, and to enjoy the pleasures of life."

Sinbad stopped here, and ordered the musicians to proceed
with their concert, which the story had interrupted. The
company continued enjoying themselves till the evening, when
Sinbad sent for a purse of a hundred sequins, and giving it to the
porter, said: '*Take this, Hindbad, return to your home, and
come back to-morrow to hear more of my adventures." The
porter went away, astonished at the honour done, and the present
made him. The account of this adventure proved very agreeable
to his wife and children, who did not fail to return thanks to God
or what providence had sent them by the hand of Sinbad.

Hindbad put on his best apparel next day, and returned to the
bountiful traveller, who welcomed him heartily. When all the
guests had arrived, dinner was served. When it was ended,
Sinbad, addressing himself to the company, said, "Gentlemen,
be pleased to listen to the adventures of my second voyage ; they
deserve your attention even more than those of the first." Upon
this every one held his peace, and Sinbad proceeded.