passed between us; whereupon both he and the merchants were
certified at the truth of my story and recognized me and gave me
joy of my deliverance, saying, "By Allah, we thought not that
thou hadst escaped drowning! But the Lord hath granted thee new
life." Then they delivered my bales to me, and I found my name
written thereon, nor was aught thereof lacking. So I opened them
and making up a present for King Mihrjan of the finest and
costliest of the contents, caused the sailors carry it up to the
palace, where I went in to the King and laid my present at his
feet, acquainting him with what had happened, especially
concerning the ship and my goods; whereat he wondered with
exceeding wonder and the truth of all that I had told him was
made manifest to him. His affection for me redoubled after that
and he showed me exceeding honour and bestowed on me a great
present in return for mine. Then I sold my bales and what other
matters I owned making a great profit on them, and bought me
other goods and gear of the growth and fashion of the island-
city. When the merchants were about to start on their homeward
voyage, I embarked on board the ship all that I possessed, and
going in to the King, thanked him for all his favours and
friendship and craved his leave to return to my own land and
friends. He farewelled me and bestowed on me great store of the
country-stuffs and produce; and I took leave of him and embarked.
Then we set sail and fared on nights and days, by the permission
of Allah Almighty; and Fortune served us and Fate favoured us, so
that we arrived in safety at Bassorah-city where I landed
rejoiced at my safe return to my natal soil. After a short stay,
I set out for Baghdad, the House of Peace, with store of goods
and commodities of great price. Reaching the city in due time, I
went straight to my own quarter and entered my house where all my