We stayed five days in the island, and set sail
on the sixth with a favorable wind and a smooth
sea. On the eighth day, when we had sailed out
of the milk and into salt, blue water, we perceived
a number of persons running on the sea, like ourselves in every detail of body and stature, except
only their feet, for these were of cork. I suppose
that is why they were called Corkfeet. We were
astonished when we saw they did not sink, but
skimmed over the waves and serenely pursued
their course. They approached us and even greeted us, and told us in Greek that they were hurrying to Cork, their native land. Accordingly, they
accompanied us some distance, running alongside; then they turned from our course and went
off, wishing us a fair voyage. Shortly after we
sighted a number of islands, among them Cork,
whither they were hastening. It was near us on
the left hand, and was a city set on a high round
cork. Farther on, and more to the right, were


 


five very large, high islands, with great fires blazing up from them.