might be: but this century passed as well as the two former, and I continued in prison. At last being angry, or rather mad, to find myself a prisoner so long, I swore, that if afterwards any one should deliver me, I would kill him without mercy, and grant him no other favour but to choose the manner of his death; and therefore, since thou hast delivered me to-day, I give thee that choice.” This discourse afflicted the fisherman extremely: “I am very unfortunate,” cried he, “to come hither to do such a kindness to one that is so ungrateful.
that his family apprehended something calamitous had befallen him. His wife enquire reason of his excessive grief and tears; “We are all overjoyed,” said she, “at your return; but you alarm us by your lamentations; pray tell us the cause of your sorrow.” “Alas!” replied the husband, “I have but a year to live.” He then related what had passed