“This mountain,” continued the pilot, “is very steep; and on the summit there is a large dome, made of fine bronze, which is supported upon columns of the same metal. Upon the top of the dome there is also a bronze horse with the figure of a man upon it. A plate of lead covers his breast, upon which there are some talismanic characters engraven: and there is a tradition, sire,” added he, “that this statue is the principal cause of the loss of so many vessels and men who have been drowned in this place, and will never cease from being destructive to all who shall have the misfortune to approach it, until it be overthrown.” The pilot, having finished his speech, renewed his tears, which excited those of the whole crew. As for myself, I did not doubt that I was now approaching the end of my days. Every individual began to think of his own preservation, and to try every possible means condusive to that end: and during the uncertainty of the event, they all appointed, by a sort of will, the survivors, if any should be saved, the heirs of the rest. The next morning we distinctly perceived the black mountain; and the idea we had formed of it made it appear still more dreadful and horrid than it really was. About mid-day we found ourselves so near it, that we began to perceive what the pilot had foretold. We saw the nails, and every other piece of iron belonging to the vessels, fly towards the mountain, against which, by the violence of the magnetic attraction, they struck with a horrible noise. The vessels then immediately fell to pieces and sunk to the bottom of the sea; which was so deep in this place, that we could never discover the bottom by sounding. All my people were lost; but God had pity upon me, and suffered me to save myself by laying hold of a plank which was driven by the wind directly to the foot of the mountain. I did not experience the least harm, and had the good fortune to land in a place where there were steps which led to the summit. I was much rejoiced at sight of these steps, for there was not the least piece of land either to the right or left, upon which I could have set my foot to save myself. I returned thanks to God, and invoking his holy name, began to ascend the mountain. The path was narrow, and so steep and difficult, that had the wind been at all violent, it must have blown me into the sea. I arrived at last at the summit without any accident; and entering the dome, I prostrated myself on the ground, and offered my thanks to God for the favour he had shown me.