I appealed in
vain. The king and all his court, with the most considerable persons
of the city, sought to soften my sorrow by honoring the funeral
ceremony with their presence; and at the termination of the ceremony I
was lowered into the pit with a vessel full of water, and seven
loaves. As I approached the bottom I discovered, by the aid of the
little light that came from above, the nature of this subterranean
place; it seemed an endless cavern, and might be about fifty fathoms
deep.
I lived for some time upon my bread and water, when, one day, just as
I was on the point of exhaustion, I heard something tread, and
breathing or panting as it moved. I followed the sound. The animal
seemed to stop sometimes, but always fled and breathed hard as I
approached. I pursued it for a considerable time, till at last I
perceived a light, resembling a star; I went on, sometimes lost sight
of it, but always found it again, and at last discovered that it came
through a hole[58] in the rock, which I got through, and found myself
upon the seashore, at which I felt exceeding joy. I prostrated myself
on the shore to thank God for this mercy, and shortly afterward I
perceived a ship making for the place where I was. I made a sign with
the linen of my turban, and called to the crew as loud as I could.
They heard me, and sent a boat to bring me on board. It was fortunate
for me that these people did not inspect the place where they found
me, but without hesitation took me on board.
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