tell you. The elephants of our forest have every year killed a great many slaves, whom we sent to seek ivory. In spite of all precautions the crafty animals destroyed them one time or another. God has delivered you from their fury, and has bestowed that favor upon you only. It is a sign that He loves you, and has some use for your service in the world. You have procured me incredible wealth; and now our whole city is enriched by your means, without any need of exposing the lives of our slaves. After such a discovery, I can treat you no more as a slave, but only as a brother. God bless you with all happiness and prosperity. I henceforth give you your liberty; I will also give you riches.”
To this I replied, “Master, God preserve you. I desire no other reward for the service I had the good fortune to do to you and your city, but leave to return to my own country.”
“Very well,” said he, “the monsoon will in a little time bring ships for ivory. I will then send you home.”
I stayed with him while waiting for the monsoon; and during that time we made so many journeys to the hill, that we filled all his warehouses with ivory. The other merchants who traded in it did the same; for my master made them partakers of his good fortune.
The ships arrived at last, and my master himself having made choice of the ship wherein I was to embark, loaded half of it with ivory on my account, laid in provisions in abundance for my passage, and besides obliged me to accept a
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