Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 3.djvu/35

it miſ’d us, and falling by the fide of the Ship into the Sea, divided the Water ſo, that we almoſt could ſee to the Bottom. The other Rock, to our Misfortune, threw the Stone ſo exactly upon the Middle of the Ship, that it ſplit in a thouſand Pieces. The Mariners and Paſſengers were all kill’d by the Stone or Sunk, I my ſelf had the laſt Fate; but as I came up again I catch’d hold by good Fortune of a Piece of the Wreck, and ſwimming ſometimes with one Hand, and ſometimes with the other, but always holding ſaſt my Board, the Wind and Tide being for me, I came to an Iſland whoſe Bank was very ſteep. I overcame that Difficulty however, and got aſhore.

I ſat down upon the Grafs to recover my ſelf a little from my Fatigue, after which I got up and went into the Iſland to view it. It ſeem’d to be a delicious Garden I found Trees every where, ſome of them bearing green, and others ripe Fruits, and Streams of freſh pure Water with pleaſant windings and turnings, I eat of the Fruits which I found excellent, and drank of the Water which was very pleaſant.

Night being come, I lay down upon the Grafs, in a Place convenient enough, but I could not fleep an Hour at a time, my Mind was ſo diſturb’d with the Fear of being alone in ſo deſart a Place. Thus I ſpent the beſt part of the Night in fretting and reproaching my ſelf for my imprudence in not ſtaying at home, rather than undertaking this laſt Voyage. Thoſe Reflections carry’d me ſo far, that I began to form a Deſign againſt my own Life, but Day-light diſpers’d thoſe melancholy Thoughts, and I got up and walk’d among the Trees, but not without Apprehenfions of Danger.

When I was a little advanc’d into the Iſland, I aw an old Man, who to me ſeem’d very weak and feeble. He ſat upon the Bank of a Stream, and at firſt I took him to be one who had been ſhipwreck’d as my ſelf, I went towards him and ſaluted him, but he only bowed his Head a little. I asked him what he did there, but inſtead of anſwering me, he made a ſign for me to take him upon my Back, and carry him over the Brook, ſignifying that it was to gather Fruit.