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THE FIRST VOYAGE OF
SINBAD THE SAILOR
He was soon persuaded that I was no cheat, for there came people from
his ship who knew me, paid me great compliments, and expressed much joy
to see me alive. At last he knew me himself, and embracing me, 'Heaven
be praised,' said he, 'for your happy escape; I cannot enough express my
joy for it: there are your goods; take and do with them what you will.'
I thanked him, acknowledged his honesty, and in return offered him part
of my goods as a present, which he generously refused.
I took out what was most valuable in my bales, and presented it to King
Mihrage, who, knowing my misfortune, asked me how I came by such
rarities. I acquainted him with the whole story. He was mightily pleased
at my good luck, accepted my present, and gave me one much more
considerable in return. Upon this I took leave of him, and went aboard
the same ship, after I had exchanged my goods for the commodities of
that country. I carried with me wood of aloes, sandal, camphor, nutmegs,
cloves, pepper, and ginger. We passed by several islands, and at last
arrived at Balsora, from whence I came to this city, with the value of
one hundred thousand sequins. My family and I received one another with
transports of sincere friendship. I bought slaves and fine lands, and
built me a great house. And thus I settled myself, resolving to forget
the miseries I had suffered, and to enjoy the pleasures of life.
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