I saw them once more go to the ship, and return soon after with an old
man, who led a handsome lad of about fifteen years of age. They all
descended when the trapdoor had been opened. After they had again come
up, they let down the trapdoor, covered it over with earth, and
returned to the creek where the ship lay; but I saw not the young man
in their company. This made me believe that he had stayed behind in
the subterranean cavern.
The old man and the slaves went on board, and steered their course
toward the mainland. When I perceived they had proceeded to such a
distance that I could not be seen by them, I came down from the tree,
and went directly to the place where I had seen the ground broken. I
removed the earth by degrees, till I came to a stone two or three feet
square. I lifted it up, and found that it covered the head of a
flight of stairs, also of stone. I descended, and at the bottom found
myself in a large room, brilliantly lighted, and furnished with a
carpet, a couch covered with tapestry, and cushions of rich stuff,
upon which the young man sat.
The young man, when he perceived me, was considerably alarmed; but I
made a low obeisance, and said to him, "Sir, do not fear. I am a king,
and I will do you no harm. On the contrary, it is probable that your
good destiny may have brought me hither to deliver you out of this
tomb, where it seems you have been buried alive. But what surprises me
(for you must know that I have seen all that hath passed since your
coming into this island) is, that you suffered yourself to be entombed
in this place without any resistance.
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