THE HISTORY OF ZOBEIDE, 125

ported myself on the surface of the water, and by good fortune,
or rather by a miracle, I at length felt the bottom. I advanced
forward towards something that appeared very black, and whi ch,
as well as the obscurity would suffer me to distinguish, I conjec-
tured to be land. I happily gained the shore, and when the day
appeared, I found that I was in a small desert island, about
twenty miles from the town of Balsora. I immediately dried my
clothes in the sun, and in walking about, I discovered many sorts
of fruit, and also a spring of fresh water. From these circum-
stances, I had great hopes of being able to preserve my life.

I then went and reposed myself in the shade, and while there,
I observed a very large and long serpent with wings, It ad-
vanced towards me, first moving on one side and then on the
other, with its tongue hanging out of its mouth. From this I
conjectured it had received some injury. I immediately got up,
and perceived that it was pursued by another serpent still larger,
who held it fast by the end of its tail, and was endeavouring to
devour it. This excited my compassion ; and instead of running
away, I had the courage to take up a stone, which I accidently
found near me; and letting it fall with all my strength on the
larger serpent, I struck it on its head, and crushed it to pieces.
The other, finding itself at liberty, immediately opened its wings
and flew away. I continued to look for some time at this very
extraordinary animal ; but having lost sight of it, I again seated
myself in the shade in another spot, and fell asleep.

Conceive what was my astonishment, when I awoke, to find
close by my side a black woman, of a lively and agreeable ex-
pression of countenance, holding by a chain two dogs of the
same colour. I immediately sat up, and asked her who she was
“T am,” she replied, “that serpent, which you delivered not
long since from its most cruel enemy. I imagined I could not
better repay the important services you had rendered me, than
by what I have just now performed. I was well acquainted
with the treachery of your sisters, and, to gratify your revenge,
as soon as I was delivered by your generous assistance, I col-
tected together a great many of my companions, who are fairies,
like myself : we immediately transported all the lading of your
vessel to your warehouses at Bagdad; and we then sunk the
ship. These two black dogs, which you see here, are your
sisters ; I have given them that form ; but this punishment will