rom undertaking such
voyages as I did, to acquire riches. Perhaps you have never heard a
distinct account of my wonderful adventures; and since I have this
opportunity, I will give you a faithful account of them, not doubting
but it will be acceptable."

THE FIRST VOYAGE

"I inherited from my father considerable property, the greater part of
which I squandered in my youth in dissipation; but I perceived my error,
and reflected that riches were perishable, and quickly consumed by such
ill managers as myself, I further considered, that by my irregular way
of living I wretchedly misspent my time; which is, of all things, the
most valuable. Struck with these reflections, I collected the remains of
my fortune, and sold all my effects by public auction. I then entered
into a contract with some merchants, who traded by sea. I took the
advice of such as I thought most capable, and resolving to improve what
money I had, I embarked with several merchants on board a ship which we
had jointly fitted out.

"We set sail, and steered our course toward the Indies through the
Persian Gulf, which is formed by the coasts of Arabia Felix on the
right, and by those of Persia on the left. At first I was troubled with
sea-sickness, but speedily recovered my health, and was not afterward
subject to that complaint.

"In our voyage we touched at several islands, where we sold or exchanged
our goods. One day, whilst under sail, we were becalmed near a small
island, but little elevated above the level of the water, and resembling
a green meadow. The captain ordered his sails to be furled, and
permitted such persons as were so inclined to land; of which number I
was one.

"But while we were enjoying ourselves in eating and drinking, and
recovering ourselves from the fatigue of the sea, the island on a sudden
trembled, and shook us terribly.

"The motion was perceived on board the ship, and we were called upon to
re-embark speedily, or we should all be lost; for what we took for an
island proved to be the back of a sea monster. The nimblest got into the
sloop, others betook themselves to swimming; but for myself, I was still
upon the back of the creature when he dived into the sea, and I had time
only to catch hold of a piece of wood that we had brought out of the
ship. Meanwhile, the captain, having received those on board who were in
the sloop, and taken up some of those that swam, resolved to improve the
favourable gale that had just ri