sight. So I tore off a great branch of a tree and made signs with
it to the crew, shouting out the while; which when the ship's
company saw they said to another, "We must stand in and see what
this is; peradventure 'tis a man." So they made for the island
and presently heard my cries, whereupon they took me on board and
questioned me of my case. I told them all my adventures from
first to last, whereat they marvelled mightily and covered my
shame[FN#34] with some of their clothes. Moreover, they set
before me somewhat of food and I ate my fill and I drank cold
sweet water and was mightily refreshed; and Allah Almighty
quickened me after I was virtually dead. So I praised the Most
Highest and thanked Him for His favours and exceeding mercies,
and my heart revived in me after utter despair, till meseemed as
if all I had suffered were but a dream I had dreamed. We sailed
on with a fair wind the Almighty sent us till we came to an
island, called Al-Salahitah,[FN#35] which aboundeth in sandal-
wood when the captain cast anchor,--And Shahrazad perceived the
dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Forty-ninth Night,

She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Sindbad the
Seaman continued:--And when we had cast anchor, the merchants and
the sailors landed with their goods to sell and to buy. Then the
captain turned to me and said, "Hark'ee, thou art a stranger and
a pauper and tellest us that thou hast undergone frightful
hardship; wherefore I have a mind to benefit thee with somewhat
that may further thee to thy native land, so thou wilt ever bless
me and pray for me." "So be it," answered I; "thou shalt have my
prayers." Quoth he, "Know then that there was with us a man, a