Scripto | Transcribe Page

down me for a dead man. Poor Roshen Lemir said they he drew the wrong bow when he took aim at the snake and will certainly be swallowed alive for his feats of archery. Else why of all the caravan did the snake detain him alone. Every body made their own reflections and I shouted aloud for gods sake friends try to give me a little water. Accordingly they contrived to hand me a little water and having recommended me to providence set off. When the caravan had got to a good distance and could no longer be seen the snake slipt [slipped?] his tail out of his mouth and stretched himself at length. His length was about one league and his breadth very little short of it. He then raised his head and looked after the caravan and I for fear of my life began to fly as fast as my feet could carry me. When the snake saw me absconding in this manner he drew me back to him with his breath so gently that I really did not perceive my own motion and immediately he made me

[a]