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第6章

part07-第6章

小说: part07 字数: 每页4000字

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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。

  The Moor began to read in a hurried voice。 He had scarce finished

when there was a noise as of subterraneous thunder。 The earth shook;

and the floor; yawning open; disclosed a flight of steps。 Trembling

with awe they descended; and by the light of the lantern found

themselves in another vault; covered with Arabic inscriptions。 In

the centre stood a great chest; secured with seven bands of steel;

at each end of which sat an enchanted Moor in armor; but motionless as

a statue; being controlled by the power of the incantation。 Before the

chest were several jars filled with gold and silver and precious

stones。 In the largest of these they thrust their arms up to the

elbow; and at every dip hauled forth handfuls of broad yellow pieces

of Moorish gold; or bracelets and ornaments of the same precious

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

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