poor one, who came hither in a ship which cast anchor here, and I
landed to visit the town; but when I would have gone on board
again, I found they had sailed without me." Quoth he, "Come and
embark with us, for if thou lie the night in the city, the apes
will destroy thee." "Hearkening and obedience," replied I, and
rising, straightway embarked with him in one of the boats,
whereupon they pushed off from shore and anchoring a mile or so
from the land, there passed the night. At daybreak, they rowed
back to the city and landing, went each about his business. Thus
they did every night, for if any tarried in the town by night the
apes came down on him and slew him. As soon as it was day, the
apes left the place and ate of the fruits of the gardens, then
went back to the mountains and slept there till nightfall, when
they again came down upon the city.[FN#64] Now this place was in
the farthest part of the country of the blacks, and one of the
strangest things that befel me during my sojourn in the city was
on this wise. One of the company with whom I passed the night in
the boat, asked me, "O my lord, thou art apparently a stranger in
these parts; hast thou any craft whereat thou canst work?"; and I
answered, "By Allah, O my brother, I have no trade nor know I any
handicraft, for I was a merchant and a man of money and substance
and had a ship of my own, laden with great store of goods and
merchandise; but it foundered at sea and all were drowned
excepting me who saved myself on a piece of plank which Allah
vouchsafed to me of His favour." Upon this he brought me a cotton
bag and giving it to me, said, "Take this bag and fill it with
pebbles from the beach and go forth with a company of the
townsfolk to whom I will give a charge respecting thee. Do as
they do and belike thou shalt gain what may further thy return
voyage to thy native land." Then he carried me to the beach,