the wall. I pursued it as fast as I could, and found myself in
a narrow crack among the rocks, along which I was just able to force my
way. I followed it for what seemed to me many miles, and at last saw
before me a glimmer of light which grew clearer every moment until I
emerged upon the sea-shore with a joy which I cannot describe. When I
was sure that I was not dreaming, I realized that it was doubtless some
little animal which had found its way into the cavern from the sea, and
when disturbed had fled, showing me a means of escape which I could
never have discovered for myself. I hastily surveyed my surroundings,
and saw that I was safe from all pursuit from the town.

The mountains sloped sheer down to the sea, and there was no road across
them. Being assured of this I returned to the cavern, and amassed a rich
treasure of diamonds, rubies, emeralds and jewels of all kinds, which
strewed the ground. These I made up into bales, and stored them into a
safe place upon the beach, and then waited hopefully for the passing of
a ship. I had looked out for two days, however, before a single sail
appeared, so it was with much delight that I at last saw a vessel not
very far from the shore, and by waving my arms and uttering loud cries
succeeded in attracting the attention of her crew. A boat was sent off
to me, and in answer to the questions of the sailors as to how I came to
be in such a plight, I replied that I had been shipwrecked two days
before, but had managed to scramble ashore with the bales which I
pointed out to them. Luckily for me they believed my story, and without
even looking at the place where they found me, took up my bundles, and
rowed me back to the ship. Once on board, I soon saw that the captain
was too much occupied with the difficulties of navigation to pay much
heed to me, though he generously made me welcome, and would not even
accept the jewels with which I offered to pay my passage. Our voyage was
prosperous, and after visiting many lands, and collecting in each place
great store of goodly merchandise, I found myself at last in Bagdad once
more with unheard-of riches of every description. Again I gave large
sums of money to the poor, and enriched all the mosques in the city,
after which I gave myself up to my friends and relations, with whom I
passed my time in feasting and merriment.

Here Sindbad paused, and all his hearers declared that the adventures of
his fourth voyage had pleased them bette