I saw likewise other fishes, about a cubit
in length, that had heads like owls.
As I was one day at the port after my return, a ship arrived, and
as soon as she cast anchor, they began to unload her, and the
merchants on board ordered their goods to be carried into the
warehouse. As I cast my eye upon some bales, and looked at the
name, I found my own, and perceived the bales to be the same that I
had embarked at Balsora. I also knew the captain; but being
persuaded that he believed me to be drowned, I went and asked him
whose bales they were. He replied: 'They belonged to a merchant of
Bagdad, called Sinbad, who came to sea with us; but one day, being
near an island, as we thought, he went ashore with several other
passengers upon this supposed island, which was only a monstrous
whale that lay asleep upon the surface of the water; but as soon as
he felt the heat of the fire they had kindled on his back to dress
some victuals he began to move, and dived under water: most of the
persons who were upon him perished, and among them unfortunate
Sinbad. Those bales belonged to him, and I am resolved to trade
with them until I meet with some of his family, to whom I may
return the profit.
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