The other merchants who
traded in it did the same thing, for it could not be long concealed
from them.
The ships arrived at last, and my patron himself having made choice
of the ship wherein I was to embark, he loaded half of it with ivory
on my account, laid in provisions in abundance for my passage, and
obliged me besides to accept as a present, curiosities of the
country of great value. After I had returned him a thousand thanks
for all his favours, I went on board. We set sail, and as the
adventure which procured me this liberty was very extraordinary, I
had it continually in my thoughts.
We stopped at some islands to take in fresh provisions. Our vessel
being come to a port on the main land in the Indies, we touched
there, and not being willing to venture by sea to Balsora, I landed
my proportion of the ivory, resolving to proceed on my journey by
land. I made vast sums by my ivory, I bought several rarities,
which I intended for presents, and when my equipage was ready, I
set out in the company of a large caravan of merchants. I was a
long time on the way, and suffered very much, but endured all with
patience, when I considered that I had nothing to fear from the
seas, from pirates, from serpents, nor from the other perils I had
undergone.
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