y.

FIRST VOYAGE

I had inherited considerable wealth from my parents, and being young and
foolish I at first squandered it recklessly upon every kind of pleasure,
but presently, finding that riches speedily take to themselves wings if
managed as badly as I was managing mine, and remembering also that to be
old and poor is misery indeed, I began to bethink me of how I could make
the best of what still remained to me. I sold all my household goods by
public auction, and joined a company of merchants who traded by sea,
embarking with them at Balsora in a ship which we had fitted out between
us.

We set sail and took our course towards the East Indies by the Persian
Gulf, having the coast of Persia upon our left hand and upon our right
the shores of Arabia Felix. I was at first much troubled by the uneasy
motion of the vessel, but speedily recovered my health, and since that
hour have been no more plagued by sea-sickness.

From time to time we landed at various islands, where we sold or
exchanged our merchandise, and one day, when the wind dropped suddenly,
we found ourselves becalmed close to a small island like a green meadow,
which only rose slightly above the surface of the water. Our sails were
furled, and the captain gave permission to all who wished to land for a
while and amuse themselves. I was among the number, but when after
strolling about for some time we lighted a fire and sat down to enjoy
the repast which we had brought with us, we were startled by a sudden
and violent trembling of the island, while at the same moment those left
upon the ship set up an outcry bidding us come on board for our lives,
since what we had taken for an island was nothing but the back of a
sleeping whale. Those who were nearest to the boat threw themselves into
it, others sprang into the sea, but before I could save myself the whale
plunged suddenly into the depths of the ocean, leaving me clinging to a
piece of the wood which we had brought to make our fire. Meanwhile a
breeze had sprung up, and in the confusion that ensued on board our
vessel in hoisting the sails and taking up those who were in the boat
and clinging to its sides, no one missed me and I was left at the mercy
of the waves. All that day I floated up and down, now beaten this way,
now that, and when night fell I despaired for my life; but, weary and
spent as I was, I clung to my frail support, and great was my joy when
the morning light showed me that I ha