On each side of the bed's head there stood a lighted torch, but for
what use I could not comprehend; however, it made me imagine that
there was some living creature in this place, for I could not
believe that these torches continued thus burning of themselves.
The doors being all open, or but half shut, I surveyed some other
apartments that were as fine as those I had already seen. I looked
into the offices and store-rooms, which were full of infinite
riches, and I was so much taken with the sight of all the wonderful
things that I forgot myself; and did not think of my ship or my
sisters; my whole design was to satisfy my curiosity. Meantime
night came on, which put me in mind that it was time to retire. I
was for returning by the way I came in, but I could not find it; I
lost myself among the apartments; and finding I was come back again
to that large room where the throne, the couch, the large diamond,
and the torches stood, I resolved to take my night's lodging there,
and to depart the next morning betimes, to get aboard my ship. I
laid myself down upon the couch, not without some dread of being
alone in a desolate place; and this fear hindered my sleep.
About midnight I heard a voice like that of a man reading the
Koran, after the same manner and in the same tone as we read in our
mosques.
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