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tried to excuse himself from entering the house. Sindbad's servant, however, would not take a refusal, because his master’s commands had been absolute; and calling another domestic to look after the goods, he led the porter into a great hall, where a large company sat round a table covered with all sorts of dainties served in dishes of silver and gold. At the
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upper end of the table sat Sindbad, a comely, venerable gentleman with a long white beard.
Hindbad's terror increased at the sight of so many people, and he hung back, till Sindbad, in the most eourteous manner imaginable, desired him to draw near; and placing him in a ehair on his right hand, served him from the ehoieest dishes, and gave him excellent wine in a crystal goblet.
When the porter had made an end of his dinner, Sindbad
