he Island,
and set him a-shore and left him. There he continu'd serving God, and
magnifying him, and fancifying him, and meditating upon his glorious
Names and Attributes, without any Interruption or Disturbance. And when
he was hungry, he took what he had occasion for to satisfie his Hunger,
of such Fruits as the Island afforded, or what he could hunt. And in
this State he continu'd a while, in the mean time enjoying the greatest
Pleasure imaginable, and the most entire Tranquillity of Mind, arising
from the Converse and Communication which he had with his Lord; and
every Day experiencing his Benefits and precious Gifts, and his bringing
easily to his hand such things as he wanted, and were necessary for his
Support, which confirm'd his Belief in him, and was a great Refreshment
to him.

Sec. 102. _Hai Ebn Yokdhan_, in the mean time, was wholly immers'd in his
sublime Speculations, and never stirr'd out of his Cell but once a Week,
to take such Provision as first came to hand. So that _Asal_ did not
light upon him at first, but walk'd round the Island, and compass'd the
Extremities of it, without seeing any Man, or so much as the Footsteps
of any: Upon which account his Joy was increas'd, and his Mind
exceedingly pleas'd, in regard of his comparing that which he had
propos'd to himself, namely, to lead the most retired Life that was
possible.

Sec. 103. At last it happen'd, one time that _Hai Ebn Yokdhan_ coming out
to look for Provision in the the same place whither _Asal_ was retired,
they spy'd one another. _Asal_, for his part, did not question but that
it was some religious Person, who for the sake of a solitary Life, had
retir'd into that Island, as he had done himself, and was afraid, lest
if he should come up to him, and make himself known, it might spoil his
Meditation, and hinder his attaining what he hop'd for. _Hai Ebn
Yokdhan_ on the other side could not imagine what it was, for of all the
Creatures he had ever beheld in his whole Life, he had never seen any
thing like it. Now _Asal_ had a black Coat on, made with Hair and Wool,
which _Hai Ebn Yokdhan_ fancied was natural, and stood wondring at it a
long time. _Asal_ ran away as hard as he could, for fear he should
disturb his Meditation; _Hai Ebn Yokdhan_ ran after him, out of an
innate desire he had to know the Truth of Things. But when he perceiv'd
_Asal_ make so much haste, he retir'd a little and hid himself from him;
so that _Asal_ thought he had b