lected that if all my fourscore camels were loaded with the gold and jewels that might be taken from it, they would not be missed.
I was overjoyed at this intelligence.
“You say,” continued the dervish, “that you have fourscore camels. I am ready to conduct you to the place where the treasure lies, and we will load them with as much jewels and gold as they can carry, on condition that when they are so loaded, you will let me have one-half, and you be contented with the other; after which we will separate, and take our camels where we may think fit. There is nothing but what is strictly equitable in this division; for if you give me forty camels, you will procure by my means wherewithal to purchase thousands.”
I assented to his proposal, at once collected all my camels, and set out with the dervish. After we had traveled some time, we came to a pass, so narrow that two camels could not go abreast. The two mountains which bounded this valley were so high and steep that there was no fear of our being seen by anybody.
When we came into the valley between these two mountains, the dervish bade me stop the camels. He proceeded to gather some sticks and light a fire: he then cast some incense into it, pronouncing certain words which I did not understand and presently a thick cloud arose. This soon dispersed, when the rock worming the side of the valley opened, and
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