rocco. This project
appeared to me to be an excellent one. Ignorant of the road which I must
take, and the dangers which I ran, I hasted to put it in execution. It
succeeded so far very well. I concealed myself in a hole till the
morning, with a design not only to carry off the treasure, but also
either a good or bad covering, as it might occur, to defend me from the
cold.

Sidy Mahammet soon observed that his treasure was amissing. He ran
quickly to the foot of the bush where I lay. Entreaties, threatenings,
and caresses, were all employed, in order to prevail upon me to return
his goods; and above all, he entreated me not to speak of them to any
person. "I swear to you by Mahomet, by all that I value most," said he
to me, "that I will cause you to be soon conducted to Mogador. I promise
that I will make you a free man the very first opportunity. Restore to
me, I beseech you, that which you formerly gave me. If my wife, who is
just about being delivered, comes to learn my misfortune, it will
affect her very seriously; she will lose her infant, and perhaps her
life. Think what evils you will occasion."

This observation of Sidy Mahammet would not have affected me greatly,
had I not recollected during the night, that it was very possible I
might fall into the hands of some unfortunate wretch, too poor to
undertake so long a journey, and who, to make sure of what I had, might
put an end to my days with his poignard. I made a virtue of necessity,
and pretended to restore them, because of his entreaties. I remarked
what ascendancy his fear gave me over him, and assured him, that if he
broke his word, I would most certainly take again all that I had given
him. He renewed his oaths, and promised to give me punctually, for the
time to come, a portion of milk, evening and morning. He kept his
promise, but never went from home. He feared that his neighbours, with
whom I had constant intercourse, and especially his relations, would
hear of the seizure which I had lately made, and that some other time
his dear casket of jewels might be taken from him for ever. I believe he
now sincerely wished to get quit of me, and Heaven soon furnished him
with an opportunity, which I had so long wished for.

Chance conducted to the place which I had bathed with my tears, Sidy
Mouhamet, sheriff of the tribe of Trargea. He saw me, and asked who I
was. He was made acquainted with my history; they boasted to him
particularly of my great possessi