"The alcalde and the other two are shut up in the vault."
"It is the will of Allah!" said the Moor devoutly.
"And will you not release them?" demanded the Gallego.
"Allah forbid!" replied the Moor, smoothing his beard. "It is
written in the book of fate that they shall remain enchanted until
some future adventurer arrive to break the charm. The will of God be
done!" so saying, he hurled the end of the waxen taper far among the
gloomy thickets of the glen.
There was now no remedy, so the Moor and the water-carrier proceeded
with the richly laden donkey toward the city, nor could honest Peregil
refrain from hugging and kissing his long-eared fellow-laborer, thus
restored to him from the clutches of the law; and in fact, it is
doubtful which gave the simple hearted little man most joy at the
moment, the gaining of the treasure, or the recovery of the donkey.
The two partners in good luck divided their spoil amicably and
fairly, except that the Moor, who had a little taste for trinketry,
made out to get into his heap the most of the pearls and precious
stones and other baubles, but then he always gave the water-carrier in
lieu magnificent jewels of massy gold, of five times the size, with
which the latter was heartily content. They took care not to linger
within reach of accidents, but made off to enjoy their wealth
undisturbed in other countries. The Moor returned to Africa, to his
native city of Tangiers, and the Gallego, with his wife, his children,
and his donkey, made the best of his way to Portugal.
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