T42 THE ARABIAN NIGHTS.

by seamen and others, of the valley of diamonds, and of the
means by which merchants procured them, to be fictitious. I
now knew it to be true. The method is this: the merchants go
to the mountains, which surround the valley, about the time
that the eagles hatch their young. They cut large pieces of
meat, and throw them into the valley ; and the diamonds on
which they fall stick to them. The eagles, which are larger and
stronger in that country than in any other, seize these pieces of
meat, to carry to their young at the top of the rocks. The
merchants then run to their nests, and by various noises oblige
the eagles to retreat; and then take the diamonds that have
stuck to the pieces of meat. This is the method they employ to
procure the diamonds out of the valley, which is inaccessible on
every side. 1 had supposed it impossible ever to leave this
valley, and began to look on it as my tomb; but on seeing this
I changed my opinion, and turned my thoughts to the preser-
vation of my life. I began by collecting the largest diamonds
I could find, and with them filled my leather bag in which I had
carried my provisions. I then took one of the largest pieces of
meat, and tied it tight round me with the linen of my turban ;
in this state I laid myself.on the ground, having first fastened
on my leather bag in a secure manner.

I had not been long in this situation, before the eagles began
to descend, and each seized a piece of meat, with which it flew
away. One of the strongest having darted on the piece to which
I was attached, carried me up with it to its nest. The mer-
chants then began their cries to frighten away the eagles, and
when they had obliged them to quit their prey, one of them
approached me, but-was much surprised and alarmed on seeing
me. He soon, however, recovered from his fear, and instead of
inquiring by what means I came there, began to quarrel with
me for trespassing on what he called his property. “You will
speak to me with pity instead of anger,” said I, “when
you learn by what means I reached this place. Console your-
self ; for | have diamonds for you as well as for myself, which
are more valuable than those of all the other merchants added
together ; I have myself chosen some of the finest at the bottom
of the valley, and have them in this bag.” On saying this, I
shewed it to him. I had scarcely finished speaking, when the
other merchants perceiving me, flocked round me with great