I did not stay on the hill, but turned towards the city,
and, after having travelled a day and a night, I came to my patron;
I met no elephant on my way, which made me think they had retired
farther into the forest, to leave me at liberty to come back to the
hill without any hindrance.
As soon as my patron saw me: 'Ah, poor Sinbad,' said he, I was in
great trouble to know what had become of you. I have been at the
forest, where I found a tree newly pulled up, and a bow and arrows
on the ground, and after having sought for you in vain I despaired
of ever seeing you more. Pray tell me what befell you, and by what
good hap you are still alive.'
I satisfied his curiosity, and going both of us next morning to the
hill, he found to his great joy that what I had told him was true.
We loaded the elephant upon which we came with as many teeth as he
could carry; and when we had returned, 'Brother,' said my patron--
'for I will treat you no more as my slave--after having made such a
discovery as will enrich me, God bless you with all happiness and
prosperity. I declare before Him that I give you your liberty. I
concealed from you what I am now going to tell you.
'The elephants of our forest have every year killed a great many
slaves, whom we sent to seek ivory.
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