250 ~~ = | The Fifth Voyage of

landed speedily for the like loading. I embarked on board the same
all the cocoa-nuts that belonged to me, and when she was ready to
sail I went and took leave of the merchant who had been so kind to
me; but he could not embark with me because he had not finished
his business.

We set sail towards the islands where pepper grows.in great
plenty. From thence we went to the Isle of Comari, where the best
sort of wood of aloes grows, and whose inhabitants have made it an
inviolable law to drink no wine themselves, nor to suffer any kind
of improper conduct. I exchanged my cocoa-nuts in those two islands
for pepper and wood of aloes, and went with other merchants pearl-
fishing. I hired divers, who ‘fetched me up those that were very large
and pure. Then I embarked joyfully in a vessel that happily arrived
at Balsora; from thence I returned to Bagdad, where I made vast
sums by my pepper, wood of aloes, and pearls. I gave the tenth of
my gains in alms, as I had done upon my return from other voyages,
and endeavoured to ease myself from my fatigue by diversions
of all sorts. . —