On the eighth day I came near the sea, and all of a sudden
saw white people like myself, gathering pepper, of which there was
great plenty in that place. This I took to be a good omen, and went
to them without any scruple.
The people who gathered pepper came to meet me as soon as they saw
me, and asked me in Arabic who I was, and whence I came. I was
overjoyed to hear them speak in my own language, and satisfied
their curiosity by giving them an account of my shipwreck, and how
I fell into the hands of the black men. 'Those black men,' replied
they, 'are cannibals, and by what miracle did you escape their
cruelty?' I told them the same story I now tell you, at which they
were wonderfully surprised.
I stayed with them till they had gathered their quantity of pepper,
and then sailed with them to the island from whence they came. They
presented me to their king, who was a good prince. He had the
patience to hear the relation of my adventures, which surprised
him, and he afterwards gave me clothes, and commanded care to be
taken of me.
The island was very well peopled, plentiful in everything, and the
capital was a place of great trade. This agreeable retreat was very
comfortable to me after my misfortune, and the kindness of this
generous prince towards me completed my satisfaction.
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