Sindbad stopped here, and ordered the musicians to proceed with their concert. When evening came, Sindbad sent for a purse of one hundred sequins, and giving it to the porter, said, “Take this, Hindbad, return to your home, and come back to-morrow to hear more of my adventures.” The porter went away, astonished at the honor done him. The account of his adventure proved very agreeable to his wife and children, who did not fail to return thanks for what Providence had sent them by the hand of Sindbad.
Hindbad put on his best robe next day, and returned to the bountiful traveler, who received him with a pleasant air. When all the guests had arrived, dinner was served, and when it was ended, Sindbad, addressing himself to the company, said, “Gentlemen, be pleased to listen to the adventures of my second voyage. They deserve your attention even more than those of the first.”
“The day is here,” said Scheherazade, “and I must stop. But I will not conceal from your majesty that the following voyages of Sindbad are infinitely more marvellous than this his first.”
“We do not doubt it,” returned her lord, “and we intend that you shall tell us of all these voyages.”
Accordingly, the following night, Scheherazade took up the tale at the point where she had left off.
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