The alguazil
was dispatched to bring the Moor who had assisted in the
incantation. The Moslem entered half frightened out of his wits at
finding himself in the hands of the harpies of the law. When he beheld
the water-carrier standing with sheepish looks and downcast
countenance, he comprehended the whole matter. "Miserable animal,"
said he, as he passed near him, "did I not warn thee against
babbling to thy wife?"
The story of the Moor coincided exactly with that of his
colleague; but the alcalde affected to be slow of belief, and threw
out menaces of imprisonment and rigorous investigation.
"Softly, good Senor Alcalde," said the Mussulman, who by this time
had recovered his usual shrewdness and self-possession. "Let us not
mar fortune's favors in the scramble for them. Nobody knows any
thing of this matter but ourselves; let us keep the secret. There is
wealth enough in the cave to enrich us all. Promise a fair division,
and all shall be produced; refuse, and the cave shall remain for
ever closed."
The alcalde consulted apart with the alguazil. The latter was an old
fox in his profession. "Promise any thing," said he, "until you get
possession of the treasure. You may then seize upon the whole, and
if he and his accomplice dare to murmur, threaten them with the
fagot and the stake as infidels and sorcerers."
The alcalde relished the advice. Smoothing his brow and turning to
the Moor, "This is a strange story," said he, "and may be true, but
I must have ocular proof of it.
Pages:
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299