16
Providence also interposed in a remarkable manner to preserve me from this fatal resolution; for just as I was going to 'throw myself into the sea, I perceived a ship at a considerable distance. I called as loud as I could, and taking the linen from my turban, displayed it, that they might observe me. This had the desired effect, all the crew perceived me, and the captain sent me his longboat. As soon as I came aboard, the merchants and seamen flocked about me to know how I came into that desart island ; and after I had told them all that befel me, the oldest among them told me, they had several times heard of the giants who dwell in that island, that they were cannibals, and eat men raw as well as roasted; and as to the serpents, they added, that there were abundance in the isle that hid themselves by day, and came abroad at night. After having testified their joy at my escaping so many dangers. they brought me the best of what they had to eat; anp the captain, seeing that I was all ln rags, was so generous as to give me one of his own suits.
In short after a long voyage I arrived at Balsora, and from thence returned to Bagdad, with so much riches, that I knew not what I had. I gave a great deal of alms to the poor, and bought another great estate to what I had already.
The Fourth Voyage of Sinbad, the Sailor.
The pleasures I took after my third voyage had not charms enough to divert me from another. I was again prevailed upon by my passion for (illegible text), and curiosity to see new things. I therefore put my affairs in order, and having provided a stock of goods fit for the place where I designed to trade, I set out on my journey. I took the way of Persia, of which I travelled several provinces, and
