Sindbad The Sailor The Sixth Voyage
:
Favorite Fairy Tales.
At the expiration of another year, I prepared for a sixth voyage. This
proved very long and unfortunate, for the pilot lost his course and knew
not where to steer. At length he told us we must inevitably be dashed to
pieces against a rock, which we were fast approaching. In a few moments
the vessel was a complete wreck. We saved our lives, our provisions, and
our goods.
The shore on which we were cast was
at the foot of a mountain which it
was impossible to climb, so that I shortly beheld my companions die one
after another. There was a frightful cavern in the rock, through which
flowed a river. To this, in a fit of desperation, I resolved to trust
myself. I went to work and made a long raft. I loaded it with bales of
rich stuffs, and large pieces of rock crystal, of which the mountain was
in a great measure formed. I went on board the raft, and the current
carried me along. I was carried in darkness during many days, and at
last fell asleep. When I awoke, I found myself in a pleasant country.
My raft was tied up and some blacks, who were near me, said that they
had found me floating in the river which waters their land. They took me
to their King, and carefully conducted my cargo with me. When we came to
the city of Serindib, I related my story to the monarch, who ordered it
to be written in letters of gold. I presented the King with some of the
most beautiful pieces of rock crystal, and entreated him to let me
return to my own country, which he readily agreed to, and even gave me
a letter and a present to my sovereign, the Caliph Haroun Alrashid. The
present consisted of a ruby made into a cup, and decorated with pearls;
the skin of a serpent, which appeared like burnished gold, and which
could repel disease; some aloe-wood, camphire, and a beautiful female
slave. I returned to my native country, delivered the present to the
Caliph, and received his thanks, with a reward.