ain stops the wind, and occasions a calm, so that the force of the
current carries them ashore: and what completes the misfortune is, that
there is no possibility of ascending the mountain, or of escaping by
sea.

"We continued upon the shore in a state of despair, and expected death
every day. At first we divided our provisions as equally as we could,
and thus every one lived a longer or shorter time, according to his
temperance, and the use he made of his provisions.

"I survived all my companions, yet when I buried the last, I had so
little provision remaining that I thought I could not long endure and I
dug a grave, resolving to lie down in it because there was no one left
to inter me.

"But it pleased God once more to take compassion on me, and put it in my
mind to go to the bank of the river which ran into the great cavern.
Considering its probable course with great attention, I said to myself:
'This river, which runs thus under ground, must somewhere have an issue.
If I make a raft, and leave myself to the current, it will convey me to
some inhabited country, or I shall perish. If I be drowned, I lose
nothing, but only change one kind of death for another.'

"I immediately went to work upon large pieces of timber and cables, for
I had choice of them, and tied them together so strongly that I soon
made a very solid raft. When I had finished, I loaded it with rubies,
emeralds, ambergris, rock-crystal, and bales of rich stuffs. Having
balanced my cargo exactly, and fastened it well to the raft, I went on
board with two oars that I had made, and leaving it to the course of the
river, resigned myself to the will of God.

"As soon as I entered the cavern I lost all light, and the stream
carried me I knew not whither. Thus I floated some days in perfect
darkness, and once found the arch so low, that it very nearly touched my
head, which made me cautious afterward to avoid the like danger. All
this while I ate nothing but what was just necessary to support nature;
yet, notwithstanding my frugality, all my provisions were spent. Then a
pleasing stupor seized upon me. I cannot tell how long it continued; but
when I revived, I was surprised to find myself in an extensive plain on
the brink of a river, where my raft was tied, amidst a great number of
negroes. I got up as soon as I saw them, and saluted them. They spoke to
me, but I did not understand their language. I was so transported with
joy, that I knew not whether