When I was a little advanced into the island, I saw an old man, who appeared very weak and infirm. He was sitting on the bank of a stream, and at first I took him to be one who had been shipwrecked like myself. I went towards him, and saluted him; but he only slightly bowed his head. I asked him why he sat so still; but, instead of answering me, he made a sign that I should take him upon my back, and carry him over the brook.
I believed him really to stand in need of my help, took him upon my back, and, having carried him over, bade him get down, and for that end stooped, that he might get off with ease; but, instead of doing so (which I laugh at every time I think of it), the old man, who to me appeared quite feeble, threw his legs nimbly about my neck. He sat astride my shoulders, and held my throat so tight that I thought he would have strangled me, and I fainted away.
Notwithstanding my fainting, the ill-natured old fellow still kept his seat upon my neck. When I had recovered my breath, he thrust one of his feet against my side, and struck me so rudely with the other that he forced me toFrom Sindbad the Sailor
"He sat astride my shoulders. "
rise up against my will. When I had arisen, he made me carry him under the trees, and forced me now and then to stop, that he might gather and eat fruit. He did not leave his seat all day; and, when I lay down to rest at night, he laid himself down with me, holding still fast about my neck. Every morning, he pinched me to make me awake, and afterwards obliged me to get up and walk, and spurred me with his feet.
One day, I found several dry calabashes that had fallen from a tree. I took a large one, and, after cleaning it, pressed into it some juice of grapes, which abounded in the island. Havingfilled the calabash, I put it by in a convenient place, and, going thither again some days after, I tasted it, and found the liquor so good that it gave me new vigour, and so raised my spirits that I began to sing and dance as I carried my burden.
The old man, perceiving the effect which this had upon me, and that I carried him with more ease than before, made me a sign to give him some of it. I handed him the calabash, and, the liquor pleasing his palate, he drank it off. There being a considerable quantity of it, he soon began to sing, and to move about from side to side in his seat upon my shoulders, and, by degrees, to loosen his legs from about me. Finding that he did not press me as before, I threw him upon the ground, where he lay without motion. I was extremely glad to be thus freed from this troublesome fellow.
From The Arabian Nights" Entertainments
Author.-For The Arabian Nights" Entertainments see page 231.
General.-Some people identify the Old Man of the Sea with Debt, some with one or other of various bad habits that have to be resolutely slain before a person gets rid of them. The story, however, is interesting enough in itself.
