The Moor felt it and smelt of it. "Here are rare and costly
perfumes," said he, "Combined with this yellow wax. This is the kind
of taper specified in the scroll. While this burns, the strongest
walls and most secret caverns will remain open. Woe to him, however,
who lingers within until it be extinguished. He will remain
enchanted with the treasure."
It was now agreed between them to try the charm that very night.
At a late hour, therefore, when nothing was stirring but bats and
owls, they ascended the woody hill of the Alhambra, and approached
that awful tower, shrouded by trees and rendered formidable by so many
traditionary tales. By the light of a lantern, they groped their way
through bushes, and over fallen stones, to the door of a vault beneath
the tower. With fear and trembling they descended a flight of steps
cut into the rock. It led to an empty chamber damp and drear, from
which another flight of steps led to a deeper vault. In this way
they descended four several flights, leading into as many vaults one
below the other, but the floor of the fourth was solid; and though,
according to tradition, there remained three vaults still below, it
was said to be impossible to penetrate further, the residue being shut
up by strong enchantment. The air of this vault was damp and chilly,
and had an earthy smell, and the light scarce cast forth any rays.
They paused here for a time in breathless suspense until they
faintly heard the clock of the watchtower strike midnight; upon this
they lit the waxen taper, which diffused an odor of myrrh and
frankincense and storax.
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