me joy of my safe return. "This, then is the end of the story of
my second voyage; and to-morrow, Inshallah! I will tell you what
befel me in my third voyage." The company marvelled at his story
and supped with him; after which he ordered an hundred dinars of
gold to be given to the Porter, who took the sum with many thanks
and blessings (which he stinted not even when he reached home)
and went his way, wondering at what he had heard. Next morning as
soon as day came in its sheen and shone, he rose and praying the
dawn-prayer, repaired to the house of Sindbad the Seaman, even as
he had bidden him, and went in and gave him good-morrow. The
merchant welcomed him and made him sit with him, till the rest of
the company arrived; and when they had well eaten and drunken and
were merry with joy and jollity, their host began by saying,
"Hearken, O my brothers, to what I am about to tell you; for it
is even more wondrous than what you have already heard; but Allah
alone kenneth what things His Omniscience concealed from man! And
listen to



The Third Voyage of Sindbad the Seaman.



As I told you yesterday, I returned from my second voyage
overjoyed at my safety and with great increase of wealth, Allah
having requited me all that I had wasted and lost, and I abode
awhile in Baghdad-city savouring the utmost ease and prosperity
and comfort and happiness, till the carnal man was once more
seized with longing for travel and diversion and adventure, and