Page:Voyages and travels of Sindbad the sailor (3).pdf/13

13 means for our deliverance. Nine of the most resolute of us got up very softly, and taking nine spits we held the points of them in the fire till they were red hot, and then thrusting them all at once into the monster's eye, we blinded him. The pain occasioned him to utter a frightful scream, and he began to grope about with his hands to catch us, that he might sacrifice us to his rage, but we took care to keep out of his reach, and having sought for us some time in vain, he opened the ebony gate, and went out of the palace howling dreadfully.

We did not stay long behind him, but hastened to our floats, and only waited for day-light to embark upon them; but scarcely was the first dawn of day visible when we beheld our monstrous enemy approaching to the shore, led by others of the same species. We immediately jumped upon our floats, and pushed them from the shore; but the giants seeing us likely to escape, tore great pieces of rocks from the cliffs, and wading into the water up to their waists, hurled them at us with all their might, and instantly sunk every float but the one I was upon, and all my companions except two were drowned.

For two days we were tossed about at sea, and believed that we must perish for want of food if we were not swallowed up by the waves. On the evening of the second day, however, we drove upon an island, where we found excellent fruit and good water, with which we refreshed ourselves and lay down to sleep under the shade of the trees.

We were soon awakened by the terrible hissings of an enormous serpent, who came gliding along the ground with incredible swiftness. One of my unfortunate comrades was swallowed by him in a moment, while I and the other fled, and climbed up into the highest tree we could find to shield ourselves from his attack. Presently the serpent came hissing to the root of the tree, and winding himself round the trunk, reared his head so high that he soon reached my only remaining companion, who sat much lower on the tree than I did, and devoured him like the former one. I sat motionless with terror, and already more dead than alive, the monstrous creature unwound himself from the tree and glided away.

I was so exhausted for want of sleep, and had suffered so greatly from his poisonous breath, that death seemed to me more desirable than living in such a deplorable condition, from which there appeared no means of escape, and I ran headlong towards the sea, resolving to throw myself in; but just as I was about to fulfil my rash determination, I perceived a ship in full sail at a considerable distance. I shouted as loud as I could bawl for help, and taking the linen from my turban, I displayed it like a flag to attract their notice. This expedient happily