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very much afraid when he saw me; but recovering himself, instead of inquiring how I came thither, he began to quarrel with me, and asked why I stole his goods. “You will treat me, replied I, with more civility. when you know me better. Don't trouble yourself, I have diamonds enough for you and me too, more than all the other merchants together. If they have any it is by chance; but I chose for myself, in the valley, all those who you see in this bag; and having spoke those words, I showed them to him. I had scarce done speaking, when the other merchants came trooping about us, very much astonished to see me, but they were much more surprised when I told them my story; yet they did not so much admire my stratagem, to save myself. as my courage to attempt it.
They carried me to the place where they staid altogether, and there having opened my bag, they were surprised at the largeness of my diamonds, and confessed that in all the courts where they had been, they never saw any that came near them.
The merchants had thrown their pieces of meat into the valley for several days; and each of them being satisfied with the diamonds that had fallen to his lot, we left the place next morning all together. and travelled near high mountains, where there were serpents of a prodigious length, which we had the good fortune to escape. We took the first port we came at and came to the Isle of Roha, where I exchanged some of my diamonds for good merchandise. From thence we went to other isles, and at last, having touched at several trading towns of the firm land, we landed at Bolsora; from whence I went to Bagdad. There I immediately gave great alms to the poor, and lived honourably upon the vast riches I had brought, and gained with so much fatigue.
