272 APPENDIX

ceased not to proceed for a short distance, after which it
passed forth into a wide place, and, lo, it was a great
valley, through which the water roared, making a noise
like thunder, and with a rapidity like that of the wind.
I grasped the raft with my hand, fearing lest I should
fall from upon it, the waves tossing me to the right and
left in the midst of the stream. The raft continued to
descend with the current along that valley, and I could
not prevent it, nor was I able to bring it to the land,’
until it stopped with me by a city of grand appearance,
well built, and containing a numerous population. And
when the people beheld me upon that raft, descending
in the midst of the river with the current, they cast a
net and ropes upon me and the raft, and drew forth the
raft from the river to the land.

I fell down in the midst of them like a dead man, by
reason of excessive hunger, and sleeplessness, and fear ;
and there came to me from among the assemblage an aged
man, a sheykh of high dignity, who welcomed me, and
threw over me an abundance of comely apparel, with
which I covered myself decently. Then he took me and
conducted me into the bath, brought me reviving bever-
ages and exquisite scents, and, after we had come forth
from the bath, took me to his house, and led me into it;
and his family rejoiced at my coming. He seated me in
an elegant place, and prepared for me some rich food; so
I ate until I was satiated, and praised God (whose name
be exalted!) for my escape; and after that, his pages
brought to me hot water, and I washed my hands; and
his female slaves brought to me drying-towels of silk,
with which I dried my hands and wiped my mouth.