said to him, "No person here can translate
these characters. Go into Egypt: you will find there a venerable man,
of three hundred years of age, who can read the most ancient writings,
and who knows all the sciences; he alone can satisfy your curiosity."

Dakianos delivered his flock to the person to whom it belonged, and
departed immediately for Egypt.

As soon as he arrived there, he inquired after the old man, who was so
celebrated that everybody was ready to show him his house. He went to
him there, told him the occasion of his journey, and presented to him
the tablet of gold. The old man received it with affability, and was
struck with astonishment at the sight of this wonder. He read the
characters with the greatest ease; but, after having reflected some
time, he cast his eyes upon Dakianos, and said to him,

"How did this tablet fall into your hands?"

Dakianos gave him an account of his adventure.

"These characters," resumed the old man, "promise to the person who
shall find them, events which it is not likely can happen to you. You
have," continued he, "a happy countenance, and this inscription speaks
of an infidel, whose end must be fatal and tragical. But since fortune
has given you this tablet, that which is written upon it doubtless
regards you."

Dakianos, surprised with this discourse, answered, "How can it be as
you say? I have said my prayers every day these thirty years. I have
never been an infidel; how can I then be a reprobate?"

"If it had been three hundred years," replied the old man, "you will
be no less the victim of darkness."

These last words pierced the heart of Dakianos. He groaned, he sighed,
he even wept, and he cried out, "Would that I had never found this
golden tablet! That I had never shown it you and that I had never
heard so terrible a sentence!"

"What use would it have been to you not to have brought it to me?"
said this learned man. "The predestination of Allah is from all
eternity; what is written in the Book of Life cannot be effaced. But I
may be mistaken: the knowledge of men is often doubtful, Allah alone
is infallible. I can, however, inform you that this golden tablet
indicates a most considerable treasure, and that an those riches
belong to him who shall be the possessor of the tablet."

This word _riches_ consoled Dakianos, and in the transport of his soul
he said to the old man, "Delay not a moment; let us go to seek the
treasure. We will share it like two