beach, recalling all that had befallen me and saying, "I wonder
if Allah will save me alive and restore me to my home and family
and friends!" behold, a ship was making for the island through
the dashing sea and clashing waves. Presently, it cast anchor and
the passengers landed; so I made for them, and when they saw me
all hastened up to me and gathering round me questioned me of my
case and how I came thither. I told them all that had betided me,
whereat they marvelled with exceeding marvel and said, "He who
rode on thy shoulder is called the 'Shaykh al-Bahr' or Old Man of
the Sea,[FN#63] and none ever felt his legs on neck and came off
alive but thou; and those who die under him he eateth: so praised
be Allah for thy safety!" Then they set somewhat of food before
me, whereof I ate my fill, and gave me somewhat of clothes
wherewith I clad myself anew and covered my nakedness; after
which they took me up into the ship, and we sailed days and
nights, till fate brought us to a place called the City of Apes,
builded with lofty houses, all of which gave upon the sea and it
had a single gate studded and strengthened with iron nails. Now
every night, as soon as it is dusk the dwellers in this city use
to come forth of the gates and, putting out to sea in boats and
ships, pass the night upon the waters in their fear lest the apes
should come down on them from the mountains. Hearing this I was
sore troubled remembering what I had before suffered from the
ape-kind. Presently I landed to solace myself in the city, but
meanwhile the ship set sail without me and I repented of having
gone ashore, and calling to mind my companions and what had
befallen me with the apes, first and after, sat down and fell a-
weeping and lamenting. Presently one of the townsfolk accosted me
and said to me, "O my lord, meseemeth thou art a stranger to
these parts?" "Yes," answered I, "I am indeed a stranger and a