e were drowned, but God had mercy on me and permitted me
to save myself by means of a plank, which the wind drove ashore just
at the foot of the mountain. I did not receive the least hurt; and my
good fortune brought me to a landing place where there were steps that
led up to the summit of the mountain.

At last I reached the top, without accident. I went into the dome,
and, kneeling on the ground, gave God thanks for His mercies.

I passed the night under the dome. In my sleep an old grave man
appeared to me, and said, "Hearken, Agib; as soon as thou art awake
dig up the ground under thy feet: thou wilt find a bow of brass, and
three arrows of lead. Shoot the three arrows at the statue, and the
rider and his horse will fall into the sea; this being done, the sea
will swell and rise to the foot of the dome. When it has come so high,
thou wilt perceive a boat, with one man holding an oar in each hand;
this man is also of metal, but different from that thou hast thrown
down; step on board, but without mentioning the name of God, and let
him conduct thee. He will in ten days' time bring thee into another
sea, where thou shalt find an opportunity to return to thy country,
provided, as I have told thee, thou dost not mention the name of God
during the whole voyage."

When I awoke I felt much comforted by the vision, and did not fail to
observe everything that the old man had commanded me. I took the bow
and arrows out of the ground, shot at the horseman, and with the third
arrow I overthrew him and the horse. In the meantime the sea swelled
and rose up by degrees. When it came as high as the foot of the dome
upon the top of the mountain, I saw, afar off, a boat rowing toward
me, and I returned God thanks.

When the boat made land I stepped aboard, and took great heed not to
pronounce the name of God, neither spoke I one word. I sat down, and
the man of metal began to row off from the mountain. He rowed without
ceasing till the ninth day, when I saw some islands, which gave me
hopes that I should escape all the danger that I feared. The excess of
my joy made me forget what I was forbidden: "God is great! God be
praised!" said I.

I had no sooner spoken than the boat and man sank, casting me upon the
sea. I swam until night, when, as my strength began to fail, a wave
vast as a mountain threw me on the land. The first thing I did was to
strip, and to dry my clothes.

The next morning I went forward to discover what sort