I was so fatigue with watching, as well as with the exertion of forming my retreat; and had suffered so much from his pestilential breath, that death appearing preferable to a repetition of such horror, I again ran towards the sea with the intention of putting an end to my existence, but God pitied my condition, and at the moment that I was going to throw myself into the sea, I perceived a vessel at a great distance. I cried with all my strength, and unfolded the linen of my turban to attract the attention of those on board. This had the desired effect; all the crew saw me, and the captain sent a boat for me.
As soon as I was on board, the merchants and seamen were eager to learn by what chance I had reached that desert island, and after I had related to them all that had happened, the oldest of them told me, that they had often heard of the giants who lived in that island; that they were anthropophagi, and that they devoured men raw as well as roasted. With regard to the serpents they added, that there were many in that island, which hid themselves in the day, and appeared at night.
After they had expressed their joy at my fortunate escape from so many perils, as they supposed I must be in want of something to eat, they pressed me to take whatever was best; and the captain, observing that my dress was much torn, had the generosity to give me one of his.
We remained a considerable time at sea, and touched at several islands; at length we landed on that of Salahat, where the sandal wood is cultivated, which is much used in medicine. We entered the port, and cast anchor, and the merchants began to unload their goods, to sell or exchange them. One day, the captain called me to him, and said, “Brother, I have in my possession some goods, which belonged to a merchant, who was for some time on board my ship. As this merchant is dead, I am going to have them valued, that I may render some account of them to his heirs, should I ever meet with them. The bales he was speaking of, were already upon deck. He showed them me, saying, “These are the goods in question; I wish you to take the charge of them, and negociate them, on the condition of receiving what is usually due for your trouble.” I consented, and thanked him for the opportunity he afforded me of employing myself.