the waters. In fine, fetching a compass round the
island, in four days afterwards they made Lampadosa, and then the island
where Leonisa had been shipwrecked, at sight of which she almost
swooned.

On the following day the beloved native land they so longed for
gladdened their eyes and their hearts. Their spirits rose tumultuously
with this new joy, one of the greatest that can be known in this life,
to return safe and sound to one's country after long captivity; and one
which may compare with it is that of victory achieved over its enemies.
There was in the galley a chest full of flags and streamers of various
colours, with which Ricardo had the rigging adorned. Soon after daybreak
they were within less than a league of the city, when taking to their
oars, and uttering every now and then joyous cries, they advanced to the
harbour, the shore of which was immediately lined by a great concourse
of people; for the gaily adorned galley had been so long in sight, that
the whole town had come down to observe it more closely.

Meanwhile, Ricardo had entreated Leonisa to dress herself just as she
had appeared in the tent before the two pashas, for he wished to play
off a pleasant trick upon his relations. She did so, adding jewels to
jewels, pearls to pearls, and beauty to beauty (for it increases with
the satisfaction of the heart), to the renewed admiration and
astonishment of all. Ricardo and Mahmoud also dressed themselves in the
Turkish costume, and made the crew put on the garments of the dead
Turks. It was about eight o'clock when they entered the harbour, and the
morning was so calm and clear that it seemed as though it were intent on
beholding this joyful arrival.

Before coming into port, Ricardo fired a salute with the three pieces
belonging to the galley, which were one gun amidships, and two
falconets; the town returned the salute with an equal number. The whole
shore was in lively commotion, watching the approach of the gaily decked
galley; but when they had a nearer view of it, and saw by the white
turbans of the pretended mussulmans that it was a Turkish craft, there
was a general alarm. Suspecting some stratagem, the people flew to arms,
all the soldiers in the town were marched down to the port, and the
cavalry scoured the coast. Highly amused at all this, the navigators
held on their course, entered the port, and anchored close to the shore.
Then running out a plank they all stepped ashore one after the ot