THE EARTH. 253 



by the general curiosity, ordered that Nicolas 

 should be brought before him. It was no easy 

 matter to find Nicolas, who generally spent his 

 time in the solitudes of the deep ; but at last 

 however, after much searching, he was found, 

 and brought before his majesty. The curiosity 

 of this monarch had been long excited by the ac- 

 counts he had heard of the bottom of the gulf of 

 Charybdis ; he therefore conceived that it would 

 be a proper opportunity to have more certain in- 

 formation, and commanded our poor diver to 

 examine the bottom of this dreadful whirlpool ; 

 as an incitement to his obedience, he ordered 

 a golden cup to be flung into it. Nicolas was 

 not insensible of the danger to which he was ex- 

 posed ; dangers best known only to himself; and 

 he therefore presumed to remonstrate: but the 

 hopes of the reward, the desire of pleasing the 

 king, and the pleasure of showing his skill, at 

 last prevailed. He instantly jumped into the 

 gulf, and was swallowed as instantly up in its 

 bosom. He continued for three quarters of an 

 hour below ; during which time the king and his 

 attendants remained upon shore anxious for his 

 fate ; but he at last appeared, buffeting upon the 

 surface, holding the cup in triumph in one hand, 

 arid making his way good among the waves with 

 the other. It may be supposed he was received 

 with applause, upon his arrival on shore : the 

 cup was made the reward of his adventure ; the 

 king ordered him to be taken proper care of; 

 and as he was somewhat fatigued and debilitated 

 by his labour, after a hearty meal he was put to 

 bed, and permitted to refresh himself by sleeping. 



