"We landed, however, safely, contrary to my melancholy forebodings. By a
trifling accident, not worth relating, I was detained longer than any of
my companions in the vessel when we disembarked, and I did not arrive at
the camp till late at night. It was moonlight, and I could see the whole
scene distinctly. There was a vast number of small tents scattered over
a desert of white sand; a few date-trees were visible at a distance; all
was gloomy, and all still; no sound was to be heard but that of the
camels feeding near the tents, and, as I walked on, I met with no human
creature.
"My pipe was now out, and I quickened my pace a little towards a fire
which I saw near one of the tents. As I proceeded, my eye was caught by
something sparkling in the sand: it was a ring. I picked it up and put
it on my finger, resolving to give it to the public crier the next
morning, who might find out its rightful owner; but, by ill-luck, I put
it on my little finger, for which it was much too large, and as I
hastened towards the fire to light my pipe, I dropped the ring. I
stooped to search for it amongst the provender on which a mule was
feeding, and the cursed animal gave me so violent a kick on the head that
I could not help roaring aloud.
"My cries awakened those who slept in the tent near which the mule was
feeding. Provoked at being disturbed, the soldiers were ready enough to
think ill of me, and they took it for granted that I was a thief, who had
stolen the ring I pretended to have just found.
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