SHIPWRECK OF fli. »E ERISSON. 201 
my property ; and my master's brother-in-law, Sidy Selim, 
hearing this flattering account of my riches, did not scrnple 
to purchase me at the price of five camels. 
I was ignorant of this bargain, when I was unexpectedly 
filled with joy and surprise. Returning one evening with my 
master from watering our camels for the third time during 
three months, my mistress ordered me to carry a leather 
bucket, which she had borrowed, to a neighboring tent. 
There I found Sidy Selim, who, calling me to him, directed 
me to prepare to depart with him the next morning for Moga- 
dor. I had been so often flattered Avith this hope, and as often 
deceived, that I could scarcely believe him to be in earnest ; 
the appearance, however, of some preparation for the pro- 
posed journey, convinced me that he was; and the old man 
repeating his protestations, I was so transported that I threw 
myself at his feet, wept, sighed, and laughed; in short, I knew 
not what I was doing. In order to feel or form an idea of 
what I experienced when I learned that the chains of my ser- 
vitude were broken, a person must have been reduced to a 
similar situation. 
My former master then called me, and told me that I no 
longer belonged to him. " I have fulfilled my promise, (he 
added,) you are going to be restored to your country." 
These words made me forget all my resentment, and resign 
myself entirely to joy, which was increased when informed 
tKat I Avtio to linvA a o.ompanion. " W^e are now g-oingr to 
join him, (said he,) a few paces hence." I Avas far from sus- 
pecting that he meant the unfortunate baker. ' The moment I 
saw him, I asked by what miracle he had been restored to 
life. " Alas ! (he replied,) I know not how I escaped death. 
Sidy Mohammed one day surprised me milking his camels; 
He ran to me, gave me several blows, and squeezed my throat 
so closely that I fell almost lifeless at his feet. Upon reco- 
vering my senses, I was astonished to find myself alone. My 
neck was covered with blood, and you may still see the marks 
of his nails. I crawled as well as I was able into a cavern 
of the rock, which several times echoed the voice of my bar- 
barous master, who came back to look for me, or at least to 
see in what situation I was. I had resolved either to starve 
myself to death, or to make for the sea-coast, in the hope of 
meeting with some vessel. I arrived there after a journey of 
ten days, during which time I had no food but snails, and no- 
thing to drink but my own urine. I had scarcely proceeded 
twenty paces among the rocks, in order to hail a small sloop 
