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28 from time to time threw stones to provoke the apes; so by this stratagem we filled our bags with cocoa nuts, which it had been impossible for us to have done otherwise.

When we had gathered our number, we returned to the city, where the merchant who sent me to the forest, gave me the value of the cocoas I brought; “ Go on,” says he, “and do the like every day until you have got money enough to carry you home.” I thanked him for his good advice, and insensibly gathered so many cocoas as amounted to a considerable sum.

The vessel in which I came, sailed with merchants who loaded her with cocoas. I expected the arrival of another, which landed speedily for the like loading. I embarked on board the same all the cocoas that belonged to me, and set sail towards the island where pepper grows in plenty.

I exchanged my cocoas for pepper and wood of aloes and went with other merchants a pearl fishing, I hired divers, who fetched me up those that were very large and pure. I embarked joyfully on a vessel that arrived happily at Baisora; from thence I returned to Bagdad, where I made vast sums of my pepper, wood of aloes and pearls. I gave the tenth of my gain in alms, as I had done upon my return from other voyages, endeavoured to ease myself from my fatigues, by diversions of all sorts.

The Sixth Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor.

must appear astonishing, that after beinbeing [sic] shipwrecked five times, and escaping so many dangers, I could resolve again to try my fortune, and expose myself to new hardships. I am astonished at it myself, when I think on it, and must certainly have been induced by my stars. —But be that how