The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1899-03-29

NKy father was wealthy merchant OF
much repute. He bequeathed me
a large estate, which / wasted in riotous
living. 1 quickly preceived my error,
and that 1 was missspending my time,
which is of all things the most valuable.
l rememb ered the saying of the great
Solomon, which had frequently heard
from my father, "a good name is better
than precious ointments;" and again,
wisdom is good with an inheritance"
Struck with these reflections, resolved
to walk in my fathers ways, and 1 en-
tered into a contract with some mer-
chants, and embarked with them on
board ship we had jointly fitted out.
We set sail, and steered our course to-
ward the Indies, through the Persian
Gulf, which is formed by the coasts of
Arabia Felix on the right, and by those
of Persia on the left. AT first l was
troubled with sea-sickness, but speedily
recovered my health, and was not after
ward subject to that complaint.
In our voyage we touched at severel
illands, where we sold or exchanged our
goods. One day, while under sail, we
were becalmed near small Island, but
:. little elevated above the level of the
water, and resembling green meadow.
The captain ordered his sails to be fuIled
and permitted such persons as were 30
inclined to land; of this number l was
one.
But while we we're enjoying ourselves
in eating and drinking, and recovering
curse Ives from the fatigues OF the sea,
the island on a sudden trembled and
shook hs terribly.
The trembling of the island was per-
ceived on board the ship, and we were
called upon to re-embark speedily, or
we should all be lost; for what We took
for an hland proved to be the back of q
sea monster. The nimblest got into the
sloop, others betook themselves to SWIM
ming but as for myself, l was still upon
the island when it disappeared into the
sea, and 1 had only time 70 catch hold OF
a piece OF wood that we had brought out
of the ship to make a fire. Meanwhile
the captain, having received those on
board who we're in the sloop, and taken
M some of those that swan, resolved to
improve the favorable gale that had just
risen, and hosting his sails, pursued his
voyage SO that it was impossible for me
to recover the ship.
Thus was exposed TO the mercy Of
the waves all the rest Of the day and the
following,night. By this time / found
my strength gone, andIdispaired Of say
ing my life, when happily wave threw
me against an island. The bank was
high and rugged 80 that could scarce
" have got up had it not been for some
roots of trees which / found within
reach. When the sun arose, though l
was very feeble, both from hard labor
and want OF food, crept along to find
some herbs fit TO eat, and had the good
luck not only to purcure some, but like
wise to discover a spring of excellent
water, which contributed much TO reeov-
er me. After this advanced farther
into the island, and at last reached fine
plain. where 1 preceivedi some horses
feeding. went toward them, when l
heard the voice Of imam, who imme-
diately appeared and ask me who was.
1 related 10 him my adventure, after
which, taking me by the hand, he led
me into a cave, where there were several
people, no less amazed 10 see me than l
was 10 see them.
l partook OF some provision which
they offered me. then asked them
what they did In such desert place
to which they answered. that they were
grooms belonging to the maharaia,
sovereign OF the island, and that every
year they brought thither the kings
horses for pasturaae. They added, that
: they we're 10 return home on the NOR
row, and had been one day later, l
must have persisted, because the inhab-
tied part OF the island was a great dis
tance Of. and Il would have been inn
possible Tor me 70 have got thlther with
out guilds.
Next momlng they returned % the