Being a merchant, I frequented the society of men of my own
profession, and particularly inquired for those who were strangers,
if perhaps I might hear any news from Bagdad, or find an
opportunity to return thither, for King Mihrage's capital was
situated on the edge of the sea, and had a fine harbour, where
ships arrived daily from the different quarters of the world. I
frequented also the society of the learned Indians, and took
delight in hearing them discourse; but withal I took care to make
my court regularly to the king, and conversed with the governors
and petty kings, his tributaries, that were about him. They asked
me a thousand questions about my country, and I, being willing to
inform myself as to their laws and customs, asked them everything
which I thought worth knowing.
There belonged to this king an island named Cassel. They assured me
that every night a noise of drums was heard there, whence the
mariners fancied that it was the residence of Degial. I had a great
mind to see this wonderful place, and on my way thither saw fishes
of one hundred and two hundred cubits long, that occasion more fear
than hurt, for they are so timid that they will fly at the rattling
of two sticks or boards.
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