a ship, and by means of a few Arabic words with which I
was acquainted, and my gestures, I succeeded so far as to make him
understand, that I entreated his assistance to conduct us to the place
appointed for us. I also informed him, that I had about me what would
abundantly repay him for his trouble--an argument which I found he more
readily understood, and much more weighty in his mind than any other;
for he immediately entwisted his fingers with mine, to show me that,
from that moment, we became closely united, and upon the spot desired me
to give him the effects of which I had spoken. I then delivered to him
two very elegant watches, one of which was a repeater, with their
chains, a gold buckle for the neckcloth, two pair of silver buckles, a
ring set with diamonds, a goblet and silver cover, and the sum of two
hundred and twenty livres in specie. I easily observed that if the
jewels were acceptable, the silver was much more so. He concealed his
treasure with great care and secrecy in his shirt, which was blue,
promising me at the same time, that he would not forsake me. The
precaution which I had taken to preserve these jewels, in the hope of
gaining, by their means, the good will of any person into whose hands I
should fall, proved in the end a cause of very great regret to me.

As soon as my Arab had secured his booty, he inquired upon what coast we
had been shipwrecked. I pointed it out to him, and he immediately called
upon some of his people, whom he desired to follow him. From the manner
in which they approached him, I perceived that my protector was a man of
some note; indeed he proved to be their priest, whom they called Talbe.

Having reached the sea-shore, they began to raise a great shout of joy;
but the jealousy which was visible on their countenances, speedily
damped their spirits. They wished that we would swim to the ship, and
recover all that possibly could be saved; but we excused ourselves,
alleging that we could not swim; and they were thus obliged to go
themselves. It was impossible for those who remained on the shore to
conceal their fear, lest their neighbours who swam should be greater
sharers in the spoil than they. The women, in particular, showed
excessive uneasiness on this head.

Meanwhile, the news of our shipwreck spread quickly through the country,
and the covetous savages flocked from all quarters, in such numbers, as
could not fail to excite suspicion: they soon came to blows, and