than this wild desert; for there I had at least fruits to eat and
water to drink, and here are neither trees nor fruits nor
streams. But there is no Majesty and there is no Might save in
Allah, the Glorious, the Great! Verily, as often as I am quit of
one peril, I fall into a worse danger and a more grievous."
However, I took courage and walking along the Wady found that its
soil was of diamond, the stone wherewith they pierce minerals and
precious stones and porcelain and the onyx, for that it is a
dense stone and a dure, whereon neither iron nor hardhead hath
effect, neither can we cut off aught therefrom nor break it, save
by means of leadstone.[FN#23] Moreover, the valley swarmed with
snakes and vipers, each big as a palm tree, that would have made
but one gulp of an elephant; and they came out by night, hiding
during the day, lest the Rukhs and eagles pounce on them and tear
them to pieces, as was their wont, why I wot not. And I repented
of what I had done and said, "By Allah, I have made haste to
bring destruction upon myself!" The day began to wane as I went
along and I looked about for a place where I might pass the
night, being in fear of the serpents; and I took no thought of
meat and drink in my concern for my life. Presently, I caught
sight of a cave nearhand, with a narrow doorway; so I entered and
seeing a great stone close to the mouth, I rolled it up and
stopped the entrance, saying to myself, "I am safe here for the
night; and as soon as it is day, I will go forth and see what
destiny will do." Then I looked within the cave and saw to the
upper end a great serpent brooding on her eggs, at which my flesh
quaked and my hair stood on end; but I raised my eyes to Heaven
and, committing my case to fate and lot, abode all that night
without sleep till daybreak, when I rolled back the stone from
the mouth of the cave and went forth, staggering like a drunken