Page:Voyages and travels of Sindbad the sailor (2).pdf/5

 inquired his name and occupation. “My name, Signior,” said he, “is Hindbad, and I am nothing but a poor porter.” “Well, Hindbad,” rejoined the master of the house, “I and my friends here are very glad to see you; but I sent for you on account of some words I heard you utter.” “Alas ! Signior,” exclaimed Hindbad, rising from his chair, and blushing exceedingly, “I confess that my weariness and the heat of the day put me out of humour, and made me speak many indiscreet things, which I beg you to pardon.” “My good friend,” replied Sindbad, “I am not so unjust as to be offended with you; on the contrary, I pity your condition; and when I commanded you to be brought hither, it was that I might convince you I did not attain to this happy condition without enduring more sufferings, and encountering greater dangers, than can well be imagined. Yes, gentlemen,” he added, looking round the table upon his guests, “I assure you my difficulties were so extraordinary, that they were sufficient to discourage the most covetous man from running the same perils in pursuit of riches; and to convince you of the truth of what I assert, I will, if you are disposed to hear me, relate the history of the extraordinary adventures I met with in the course of my Seven Voyages.” This proposal was highly acceptable to the whole company; and Sindbad having ordered a servant to carry Hindbad’s load to the appointed place, commenced his narration as follows :—

My father dying while I was very young, and leaving me a considerable fortune, I fell into a course of dissipation that injured my health and destroyed my fortune. Having no parent to control me, and being surrounded only by profligate persons, I continued my excesses till I fell into a fit of sickness. My riotous companions then forsook me, and I was left alone to struggle with my diseases, and to endure the severity of remorse for mis-spent youth. At length I recovered from my illness; and resolving never to return to my former course of living, I collected together the remains of my fortune, and embarked with several merchants on board a ship, which we had jointly laden with merchandise, for the port of Balsora. One day we were becalmed near a small island almost level with the surface of the water, and which resembled a beautiful green meadow. The captain ordered his sails to be furled, and the merchants, among whom was myself, with several officers of the ship, determind to carry our provisions, and dine upon the pleasant little island. While we were in the very midst of