Page:History of Sindbad the sailor.pdf/7

7 The Second Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor.

I, after my first voyage, to spend the rest of my days at Bagdad; but it was not I grew weary of an idle life. My inclination to trade revived. I bought goods proper for the commerce I designed, and put to sea a second time with merchants of known probity. We embarked on board a good ship, and after recommending ourselves to God. set sail: we traded from island to island. and exchanged commodities with great profit. One day we landed in an isle covered with several sorts of fruit tree, but so desart, that we could neither see man nor horse upon it We went to take a little fresh air in the meadows, and along the streams that watered them. Whilst some diverted themselves with gathering flowers, and others with gathering fruits I took my wine and provisions, and sat down by a stream betwixt two great trees, which formed a curious shade. I made a very good meal, and afterwards fell asleep. I cannot tell how long I slept; but when I waked the ship was gone.

I was very much surprised to find the ship was gone; I got up, looked about every where. and could not see one of the merchants who landed with me. At last I perceived the ship under sail; but at such a distance, that I lost sight of her in a very little time I then climbed to the top of a great tree, when looking towards the sea, I could see nothing but sky and water; but, looking towards the land, I saw something white; and coming down from the tree, I took up what provisions I had left and went towards it, the distance being so great, that I could not distinguish what it was.

When I came nearer, I thought it to be a white bowl, of a prodigious height and bigness; and when I came up to it, I touched it, and found it to be