own language, and satisfied their curiosity by giving them an account of my shipwreck, and how I fell into the hands of the negroes. “Those negroes,” replied they, “eat men; by what miracle did you escape their cruelty?” I related to them the circumstances I have just mentioned, at which they were greatly surprised.
I stayed with them till they had gathered their pepper, and then sailed with them to the island from whence they had come. They presented me to their king, who was a good prince. He had the patience to hear the relation of my adventures, which surprised him; and he afterward gave me clothes, and commanded care to be taken of me.
The island was well peopled, plentiful in everything and the capital a place of great trade. This agreeable retreat was very comfortable to me after my misfortunes, and the kindness of the generous prince completed my satisfaction. In a word, there was not a person more in favor with him than myself, and consequently every man in court and city sought to oblige me; so that in a very little time I was looked upon rather as a native than a stranger.
As I paid my court very constantly to the king, he said to me one day, “Sindbad, I love thee. I have one thing to demand of thee, which thou must grant. I have in mind thou shouldst marry, that so thou mayst stay in my dominions, and think no more of thy own country.” I durst not resist the prince’s will, and he gave me one of the ladies of his court,
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