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metal； while occasionally a necklace of oriental pearl would stick
to their fingers。 Still they trembled and breathed short while
cramming their pockets with the spoils； and cast many a fearful glance
at the two enchanted Moors； who sat grim and motionless； glaring
upon them with unwinking eyes。 At length； struck with a sudden panic
at some fancied noise； they both rushed up the staircase； tumbled over
one another into the upper apartment； overturned and extinguished
the waxen taper； and the pavement again closed with a thundering
sound。
Filled with dismay； they did not pause until they had groped their
way out of the tower； and beheld the stars shining through the
trees。 Then seating themselves upon the grass； they divided the spoil；
determining to content themselves for the present with this mere
skimming of the jars； but to return on some future night and drain
them to the bottom。 To make sure of each other's good faith； also；
they divided the talismans between them； one retaining the scroll
and the other the taper； this done； they set off with light hearts and
well…lined pockets for Granada。
As they wended their way down the hill； the shrewd Moor whispered
a word of counsel in the ear of the simple little water…carrier。
〃Friend Peregil；〃 said he； 〃all this affair must be kept a
profound secret until we have secured the treasure； and conveyed it
out of harm's way。 If a whisper of it gets to the ear of the
alcalde； we are undone！〃
〃Certainly；〃 replied the Gallego； 〃nothing can be more true。〃
〃Friend Peregil；〃 said the Moor； 〃you are a discreet man； and I make
no doubt can keep a secret： but you have a wife。〃
〃She shall not know a word of it；〃 replied the little water…carrier；
sturdily。
〃Enough；〃 said the Moor； 〃I depend upon thy discretion and thy
promise。〃
Never was promise more positive and sincere； but； alas！ what man can
keep a secret from his wife？ Certainly not such a one as Peregil the
water…carrier； who was one of the most loving and tractable of
husbands。 On his return home； he found his wife moping in a corner。
〃Mighty well；〃 cried she as he entered； 〃you've come at last； after
rambling about until this hour of the night。 I wonder you have not
brought home another Moor as a housemate。〃 Then bursting into tears；
she began to wring her hands and smite her breast： 〃Unhappy woman that
I am！〃 exclaimed she； 〃what will become of me？ My house stripped and
plundered by lawyers and alguazils； my husband a do…no…good； that no
longer brings home bread to his family； but goes rambling about day
and night； with infidel Moors！ O my children！ my children！ what will
become of us？ we shall all have to beg in the streets！〃
Honest Peregil was so moved by the distress of his spouse； that he
could not help whimpering also。 His heart was as full as his pocket；
and not to be restrained。 Thrusting his hand into the latter he hauled
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 stre