I sat down, and
the man of metal began to row off from the mountain. He rowed without
ceasing till the ninth day, when I saw some islands, which gave me
hopes that I should escape all the danger that I feared. The excess of
my joy made me forget what I was forbidden: "God is great! God be
praised!" said I.
I had no sooner spoken than the boat and man sank, casting me upon the
sea. I swam until night, when, as my strength began to fail, a wave
vast as a mountain threw me on the land. The first thing I did was to
strip, and to dry my clothes.
The next morning I went forward to discover what sort of country I was
in. I had not walked far before I found I was upon a desert, though a
very pleasant island, abounding with trees and wild shrubs bearing
fruit. I recommended myself to God, and prayed Him to dispose of me
according to His will.
Immediately after, I saw a vessel coming from the mainland, before the
wind, directly toward the island. I got up into a very thick tree,
from whence, though unseen, I might safely view them. The vessel came
into a little creek, where ten slaves landed, carrying a spade and
other instruments for digging up the ground. They went toward the
middle of the island, where they dug for a considerable time, after
which they lifted up a trapdoor. They returned again to the vessel,
and unloaded several sorts of provisions and furniture, which they
carried to the place where they had been digging; they then descended
into a subterranean dwelling.
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