such riches. We embraced each other with joy and taking our leave pursued our different routes.
I had not gone far, following my camels, which paced quietly on in the track I had put them into, before the demon of ingratitude and envy took possession of my heart, and I deplored not only the loss of my other forty, but the riches wherewith they were loaded. “The dervish,” said I to myself, “has no occasion for all this wealth, since he is master of the treasure, and may have as much as he pleases;” so I determined immediately to take the camels with their loading from him.
To execute this design I ran after the dervish, calling to him to stop, which he accordingly did.
When I came up to him, I said, “Brother, I had no sooner parted from you, but a thought came into my head, which neither of us had reflected on before. You are a recluse dervish, used to live in tranquillity, disengaged from all the cares of the world, and intent only upon serving God. You know not, perhaps, what trouble you have taken upon yourself to take care of so many camels. If you would take my advice you would keep but thirty; you will find them sufficiently troublesome to manage. Take my word; I have had experience.”
“I believe you are right,” replied the dervish; “choose which ten you please, and take them, and go on in God’s keeping.”
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