(266 Be i The Seventh Voyage - of

 

you by giving you your liberty; I will also give you considerable
riches. I could engage all our city to contribute towards making
your fortune, but I will have the glory of doing it myself’

To this obliging discourse I replied, ‘ Patron, God preserve you.

’ Your giving ‘me my liberty is enough to discharge what you owe
me, and I desire no other reward for the service I had the good
fortune to do to you and your city, than leave to return to my
own: country.’

‘Very well, said he, ‘the monsoon will in a little time bring
ships for ivory. I will send you home then, and give you wherewith
to pay your expenses.’ I thanked him again for my liberty, and
his good intentions towards me. I stayed with him until the
monsoon ; and during that time we made so many journeys to
the hill that we filled all our warehouses with ivory. The other
merchants who traded in it did the same thing, for it could not
be long concealed from them. — :

_ The ships arrived at last, and my satron himself having made
choice of the ship wherein I was to embark, he loaded half of it
with ivory on my account, laid in provisions in abundance for my
passage, and obliged.me besides to accept as a present, curiosities
of the country of great value. After I had returned him a thousand
thanks for all his favours, I went on board. We set: sail, and as the
adventure which procured me this liberty was very extraordinary, I
had it continually in my thoughts.

We stopped at some islands to take-in fresh provisions. Gu
vessel being come to a port on the main land in the Indies, we ©
touched there, and not being willing to venture by sea to Balsora, Eo
landed’ my proportion of the ivory, resolving to proceed on my sy
' journey by land. I made vast sums by my ivory,I bought several
rarities, which I intended for. presents, and when my equipage was. :
ready, I set out in the company of a large caravan of merchants. I.
was a long time on the way, and suffered very much, ~~ eridured all 2 oon