In the dominions of king Mihragè there is an island called Cassel. I had been told that in that island there was heard every night the sound of cymbals, which had given rise to the sailors’ opinion, that Degial [5] had chosen that spot for his residences. I felt a great desire to witness these wonders, and during my voyage I saw some fish, of one and two hundred cubits in length, which occasion much fear but do no harm; they are so timid, that they are frightened away by beating on a board. I remarked also some other fish, that were not above a cubit long, and whose heads resembled that of an owl.
After I returned, as I was standing one day near the port, I saw a ship come towards the land; when they had cast anchor they began to unload its goods, and the merchants, to whom they belonged, took them away to their warehouses. Happening to cast my eyes on some of the packages I saw my name written, and having attentively examined them, I concluded them to be those which I had embarked in the ship in which I left Balsora. I also recollected the captain; but as I was persuaded that he thought me dead, I went up to him, and asked him to whom those parcels belonged. “I had on board with me,” replied he, “a merchant of Bagdad, named Sindbad; one day when we were near an island, at least such it appeared, he with some other passengers went ashore on this supposed island, which was no other than an enormous whale that had fallen asleep on the surface of the water. The fish no sooner felt the heat of the fire they had lighted on its back to cook their provisions, than it began to move and flounce about in the sea. The greatest part of the persons who were on it were drowned, and the unfortunate Sindbad was one of the number. These parcels belonged to him, and I have resolved to sell them, that if I meet with any of his family, I may be able to return them the profit I shall have made of the principal.” --“Captain,” said I then, “I am that Sindbad whom you supposed dead, but who is still alive; and these parcels are my property and merchandize.”
When the captain of the vessel heard me speak thus, he exclaimed, “Great God, who shall I trust? There is no longer truth in man. I, with my own eyes, saw Sindbad perish; the passengers I had on board were also witnesses of it; and you have the assurance to say that you are that same Sindbad? what audacity! At first sight you appeared a man of probity and honour, yet you assert an impious falsity to possess yourself of some merchandize which does not belong to you.”--“Have patience,” replied I, “and have the goodness to listen to what I have to say.”--“Well,” said he, what can you have to say; speak, and I will attend.” I then related in what manner I had been saved, and by what accident I had met with king Mihragè’s grooms, who had brought me to his court.