242 ome , | The Fourth Voyage of

of the truth of the matter, I found that the thing which I had —
followed and heard puff and blow was a creature which came out
of the sea, and was accustomed to enter at that hole to feed upon
the dead carcasses. |

I examined the mountain, and perceived it to be-situated betwixt
the sea and the town, but without any passage or way to commu-
nicate with the latter, the rocks on the side of the sea were so
rugged and steep. I fell down upon the shore to thank God for
this mercy, and afterwards entered the cave again to fetch bread
and water, which I did by daylight, with a better appetite than I
had done since my interment in the dark hole.

 

-T returned thither again, and groped about among the biers for
all the diamonds, rubies, pearls, gold bracelets, and rich stuffs I
could find. These I brought to the shore, and, tying them up neatly
into bales with the cords that let down the coffins, I laid them —
together upon the bank to wait till some ship passed by, without |
fear of rain, for it was not then the. season.
' After two or three days I perceived a ship. ‘that had but just
come out of the harbour and passed near the: place where I was.
ae I made a sign with the linen of my turban, and called to them
as loud as I could. They heard me, and sent a boat to, bring me-