Page 508 - Child's own book

the monkeys, that were at the very top of the cocoa-nut trees;
and these animals in return pelted us with cocoa-nuts. When
we had thus obtained as many as we could carry, we returned
to the town. I soon obtained a considerable sura by the
cocoa-nuts I thus obtained, and at length sailed for my native
land.
Sindhad gave his guest the usual present, and requested him
to attend the next day.

T H E SIXTH VOYAGE OP StNHHAII.
At the expiration of another year, I prepared for a sixth
voyage. This proved to be very long and unfortunate, for the
pilot lost his course, and knew not where to steer. At length
he told us, that we must inevitably be dashed to pieces against
a rock, which we were fast approaching ; in a few moments the
vessel was a complete wreck. We saved our lives, our pro­
visions, and our goods, u But/' said the captain, “ every man
may dig his own grave now," The shore on which we were
cast was ut the foot of a mountain, which it was impossible to
climh; so that I shortly beheld my companions die one after
another. There was a frightful cavern in the rock, through
which flowed a river ; to this, in a fit of desperation, I resolved
to trust myself. I went to work, and made a long float; I
loaded it with bales of rich stuffs, and large pieces of rock-crystal,
of which the mountain was in a great measure formed. I went
on board the float, and the current carried me along; I soon lost
all light. I was carried in darkness during many days, and at
last fell asleep. When I awoke, I found myself in a pleasant
country ; my float was tied u p ; and some blacks, who were near
me, said that they had found me floating in the river which
waters their laud. They gave me food, and I then told them
how I came there. They took me to their king, and carefully