I told them I was ready to do whatever they pleased.
They immediately sent for a horse, which was brought in a little
time; and having made me get upon him, some of them walked before
me to show me the way, and the rest took my raft and cargo, and
followed me.
We marched thus altogether, till we came to the city of Serendib,
for it was in that island I landed. The blacks presented me to
their king; I approached his throne, and saluted him as I used to
do the kings of the Indies; that is to say, I prostrated myself at
his feet, and kissed the earth. The prince ordered me to rise up,
received me with an obliging air, and made me come up, and sit down
near him. He first asked me my name, and I answered, 'They call me
Sinbad the sailor, because of the many voyages I have undertaken,
and I am a citizen of Baghdad.'
'But,' replied he, 'how came you into my dominions, and from whence
came you last?'
I concealed nothing from the king; I told him all that I have now
told you, and his majesty was so surprised and charmed with it,
that he commanded my adventure to be written in letters of gold,
and laid up in the archives of his kingdom. At last my raft was
brought in, and the bales opened in his presence: he admired the
quantity of wood of aloes and ambergris; but, above all, the rubies
and emeralds, for he had none in his treasury that came near them.
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