222 9% The Second Voyage of

diamonds being tied fast to my girdle, so that it could not possibly
drop off. x .

I had scarcely laid me down before the eagles came. Each of
them seized a piece of meat, and one of the strongest having taken
me up, with a piece of meat on my back, carried me to his nest on the
top of the mountain. The merchants fell straightway to shouting, —
to frighten the eagles; and when they had obliged them to quit
their prey, one of them came to the nest where I was. He was
very much afraid when he saw me, but recovering himself, instead

              

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of inquiring how I. came thither, he began to quarrel with me, and
asked why-I stole his goods. ‘You will treat me,’ replied I, ‘with
more civility when you know me better. Do not trouble yourself;
I have diamonds enough for you and myself too, more than all .
the other merchants together. If they have any, it is by chance ;
but I chose myself in the bottom of the valley all those which you
see in this bag’; and having spoken those words, I showed them
to him. I had scarcely done speaking, when the other merchants _