ES-SINDIBAD OF THE SEA 47

I have hastened my own destruction!” The
day departed from me, and I began to walk
- along that valley, looking for a place in which
to pass the night, fearing those serpents, and
forgetting my food and drink and subsistence,
occupied only by care for my life. And there
appeared to me a cave near by; so I walked
thither, and I found its entrance narrow. I
therefore entered it, and, seeing a large stone
by its mouth, I pushed it, and stopped with
it the mouth of the cave while I was within
it; and I said within myself, “I am safe now
that I have entered this place; and when day-
light shineth upon me, I will go forth, and
see what destiny will do.” Then I looked
within the cave, and beheld a huge serpent
sleeping at the upper end of it over its eggs.
At this my flesh quaked, and I raised my head,
and committed my case to fate and destiny;
and I passed all the night sleepless, until the
dawn rose and shone, when I removed the
stone with which I had closed the entrance
of the cave, and went forth from it like one
intoxicated, giddy from excessive sleeplessness
and hunger and fear.

I then walked along the valley; and while I

was thus occupied, lo, a great slaughtered animal
c