sen, and hoisting his sails, pursued his
voyage, so that it was impossible for me to recover the ship.

"Thus was I exposed to the mercy of the waves all the rest of the day
and the following night. By this time I found my strength gone, and
despaired of saving my life, when happily a wave threw me against an
island. The bank was high and rugged; so that I could scarcely have got
up, had it not been for some roots of trees, which chance placed within
reach. Having gained the land, I lay down upon the ground half dead,
until the sun appeared. Then, though I was very feeble, both from hard
labour and want of food, I crept along to find some herbs fit to eat,
and had the good luck not only to procure some, but likewise to discover
a spring of excellent water, which contributed much to recover me. After
this I advanced farther into the island, and at last reached a fine
plain, where at a great distance I perceived some horses feeding. I went
toward them, and as I approached heard the voice of a man, who
immediately appeared, and asked me who I was. I related to him my
adventure, after which, taking me by the hand, he led me into a cave,
where there were several other people, no less amazed to see me than I
was to see them.

"I partook of some provisions which they offered me. I then asked them
what they did in such a desert place, to which they answered, that they
were grooms belonging to the Maha-raja, sovereign of the island, and
that every year, at the same season they brought thither the king's
horses for pasturage. They added, that they were to return home on the
morrow, and had I been one day later, I must have perished, because the
inhabited part of the island was at a great distance, and it would have
been impossible for me to have got thither without a guide.

"Next morning they returned to the capital of the island, took me with
them, and presented me to the Maha-raja. He asked me who I was, and by
what adventure I had come into his dominions. After I had satisfied him,
he told me he was much concerned for my misfortune, and at the same time
ordered that I should want nothing; which commands his officers were so
generous as to see exactly fulfilled.

"Being a merchant, I frequented men of my own profession, and
particularly inquired for those who were strangers, that perchance I
might hear news from Bagdad, or find an opportunity to return. They put
a thousand questions respecting my country; and I, being willi