Page:History of Sindbad the sailor.pdf/14

14 a risk of losing our lives: but if we do, is it not better to be buried in the sea than in the entrails of this monster.” My advice was relished, and we made floats capable of carrying three persons each.

We returned to the palace towards the evening, and the giant arrived a little while after. We were forced to conclude on seeing another of our comrades roasted: but at last revenged ourselves on the brutish giant thus. After he had made in end of his cursed supper he lay down on his back. and fell asleep. As soon as we heard him snore according to his custom nine of the boldest among us, and myself. took each of us a spit. and putting them into the fire till they were burning hot, we thrust them into his eye all at once, and blinded him. The pain occasioned him to make a frightful cry, and to get up and stretch out his hands, in order to sacrifice some of us to his rage; but we ran to such places as he could not find us, and after having sought for us in vain, he groped for the gate and went out howling dreadfully.

We went out of the palace after the giant, and came to the shore, where, we had left our floats, and put them immediately into the sea. We waited till day. in order to get upon them in case the giant came towards us with any guide of his own species; but we hoped, if he did not appear by sun-rising, and give over his howling, which we still heard, that he would die; and if that happened to be the case, we resolved to stay in that island. and not risk our lives upon the floats; but day had scarce appeared till we perceived our cruel enemy, accompanied with two others almost of the same size, leading him; and a great number more coming before him. with a very quick pace.

When we saw this, we m no delay, but got immediately upon our floats, and rowed off from the shore. The giants, who perceived this, took up