第460页 / 共1116页

I landed and walked about the island the rest of the night and,

when morning dawned, I saw a rough track barely fit for child of

Adam to tread, leading to what proved a shallow ford connecting

island and mainland. As soon as the sun had risen I spread my

garments to dry in its rays; and ate of the fruits of the island

and drank of its waters; then I set out along the foot track and

ceased not walking till I reached the mainland. Now when there

remained between me and the city but a two hours' journey behold,

a great serpent, the bigness of a date palm, came fleeing towards

me in all haste, gliding along now to the right then to the left

till she was close upon me, whilst her tongue lolled ground wards

a span long and swept the dust as she went.