140 THE FIFTH VOYAGE OF

of God; for He provided me with a piece of
a plank, upon which I placed myself; and it
was the means of my escape from drowning.”
And upon this the man arose and brought me
a cotton bag, and said to me, “Take this bag,
and fill it with pebbles from this city, and go
forth with a party of the inhabitants. I will
associate thee with them, and give them a charge
respecting thee, and do thou as they shall do.
Perhaps thou wilt. accomplish that by means of
which thou wilt be assisted to make thy voyage,
and to return to thy country.”

Then that man took me and led me forth
from the city, and I picked up small pebbles,
with which I filled that bag. And, lo, a party of
men came out from the city, and he associated
me with them, giving them a charge respecting
me, and saying to them, “This is a stranger;
so take him with you, and teach him the mode
of gathering. Perhaps he may gain the means
of subsistence, and ye will obtain [from God] a
reward and recompense.” And they replied,
“We hear and obey.” They welcomed me,
and took me with them, and proceeded, each
of them having a bag like mine, filled with
pebbles; and we ceased not to pursue our
way until we arrived at a wide valley, wherein