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forth three or four broad gold pieces； and slipped them into her
bosom。 The poor woman stared with astonishment； and could not
understand the meaning of this golden shower。 Before she could recover
her surprise； the little Gallego drew forth a chain of gold and
dangled it before her； capering with exultation； his mouth distended
from ear to ear。
〃Holy Virgin protect us！〃 exclaimed the wife。 〃What hast thou been
doing； Peregil？ surely thou hast not been committing murder and
robbery！〃
The idea scarce entered the brain of the poor woman； than it
became a certainty with her。 She saw a prison and a gallows in the
distance； and a little bandy…legged Gallego hanging pendant from it；
and； overcome by the horrors conjured up by her imagination； fell into
violent hysterics。
What could the poor man do？ He had no other means of pacifying his
wife； and dispelling the phantoms of her fancy； than by relating the
whole story of his good fortune。 This； however； he did not do until he
had exacted from her the most solemn promise to keep it a profound
secret from every living being。
To describe her joy would be impossible。 She flung her arms round
the neck of her husband； and almost strangled him with her caresses。
〃Now； wife；〃 exclaimed the little man with honest exultation； 〃what
say you now to the Moor's legacy？ Henceforth never abuse me for
helping a fellow…creature in distress。〃
The honest Gallego retired to his sheepskin mat； and slept as
soundly as if on a bed of down。 Not so his wife； she emptied the whole
contents of his pockets upon the mat； and sat counting gold pieces
of Arabic coin； trying on necklaces and earrings； and fancying the
figure she should one day make when permitted to enjoy her riches。
On the following morning the honest Gallego took a broad golden
coin； and repaired with it to a jeweller's shop in the Zacatin to
offer it for sale； pretending to have found it among the ruins of
the Alhambra。 The jeweller saw that it had an Arabic inscription；
and was of the purest gold； he offered； however； but a third of its
value； with which the water…carrier was perfectly content。 Peregil now
bought new clothes for his little flock； and all kinds of toys；
together with ample provisions for a hearty meal； and returning to his
dwelling； sat all his children dancing around him； while he capered in
the midst； the happiest of fathers。
The wife of the water…carrier kept her promise of secrecy with
surprising strictness。 For a whole day and a half she went about
with a look of mystery and a heart swelling almost to bursting； yet
she held her peace； though surrounded by her gossips。 It is true；
she could not help giving herself a few airs； apologized for her
ragged dress； and talked of ordering a new basquina all trimmed with
gold lace and bugles； and a new lace mantilla。 She threw out hints
of her husband's intention of leaving off his trade of water…carrying；
as it did not altogether agree with his health。 In fact she thought
they should all retire to the country for the summer； that the
children might have the benefit of the mountain air； for there was
no living in the city in this sultry season。
The neighbors stared at each other； and thought the poor woman had
lost her wits； and her airs and graces and elegant pretensions were
the theme of universal scoffing and merriment among her friends； the
moment her back was turned。
If she restrained herself abroad； however； she indemnified herself
at home； and putting a string of rich oriental pearls round her
neck； Moorish bracelets on her arms； and an aigrette of diamonds on
her head； sailed backwards and forwards in her slattern rags about the
room； now and then stopping to admire herself in a broken mirror。 Nay；
in the impulse of her simple vanity； she could not resist； on one
occasion； showing herself at the window to enjoy the effect of her
finery on the passers by。
As the fates would have it； Pedrillo Pedrugo； the meddlesome barber；
was at this moment sitting idly in his shop on the opposite side of
the street； when his ever…watchful eye caught the sparkle of a
diamond。 In an instant he was at his loophole reconnoitering the
slattern spouse of the water…carrier； decorated with the splendor of
an eastern bride。 No sooner had he taken an accurate inventory of
her ornaments； than he posted off with all speed to the alcalde。 In
a little while the hungry alguazil was again on the scent； and
before the day was over the unfortunate Peregil was once more
dragged into the presence of the judge。
〃How is this； villain！〃 cried the alcalde； in a furious voice。
〃You told me that the infidel who died in your house left nothing
behind but an empty coffer； and now I hear of your wife flaunting in
her rags decked out with pearls and diamonds。 Wretch that thou art！
prepare to render up the spoils of thy miserable victim； and to
swing on the gallows that is already tired of waiting for thee。〃
The terrified water…carrier fell on his knees； and made a full
relation of the marvellous manner in which he had gained his wealth。
The alcalde； the alguazil； and the inquisitive barber； listened with
greedy ears to this Arabian tale of enchanted treasure。 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。 This very night you must repeat the
incantation in my presence； If there be really such treasure； we
will share it amicably between us； and say nothing further of the
matter； if ye have deceived me； expect no mercy at my hands。 In the
mean time you must remain in custody。〃
The Moor and the water…carrier cheerfully agreed to these
conditions； satisfied that the event would prove the truth of their
words。
Towards midnight the alcalde sallied forth secretly； attended by the
alguazil and the meddlesome barber； all strongly armed。 They conducted
the Moor and the water…carrier as prisoners； and were provided with
the stout donkey of the latter to bear off the expected treasure。 They
arrived at the tower without being observed； and tying the donkey to a
fig…tree； descended into the fourth vault of the tower。
The scroll was produced； the yellow taper lighted； and the Moor read
the form of incantation。 The earth trembled as before； and the
pavement opened with a thundering sound； disclosing the narrow
flight of steps。 The alcalde； the alguazil； and the barber were struck
aghast； and could not summon courage to descend。 The Moor and the
water…carrier entered the lower vault； and found the two Moors
seated as before； silent and motionless。 They removed two of the great
jars； filled with golden coin and precious stones。 The water…carrier
bore them up one by one upon his shoulders； but though a strong…backed
little man； and accustomed to carry burdens； he staggered beneath
their weight； and found； when slung on each side of his donkey； they
were as much as the animal could bear。
〃Let us be content for the present；〃 said the Moor； 〃here is as much
treasure as we can carry off without being perceived； and enough to
make us all wealthy to our heart's desire。〃
〃Is there more treasure remaining behind？〃 demanded the alcalde。
〃The greatest prize of all；〃 said the Moor； 〃a huge coffer bound
with bands of steel； and filled with pearls and precious stones。〃
〃Let us have up the coffer by all means；〃 cried the grasping
alcalde。
〃I will descend for no more；〃 said the Moor； doggedly； 〃enough is
enough for a reasonable man… more is superfluous。〃
〃And I；〃 said the w