His nephew at once set to work making a stall for his new possession, which enjoyed now an abundance of food and careful tending. Meanwhile, the poor old miser, homeward-bound, had been attacked, plundered, and slain by highway robbers. When the news reached the ears of kind-hearted Rajeb, he shed a tear over his uncle's sad fate, and set off again for Tantah. He was next-of-kin to the dead man, but with the remembrance of his recent visit fresh in his mind, he did not expect to reap much benefit from his heirship, notwithstanding the reputation wealth which Jousoff had acquired.
"Again he beat the ground with his foot."
This time, Rajeb rode upon his ass. After putting up his steed in his old stall, he proceeded to search the house. In that miserable hovel, not a para, not a single thing of any value, was to be found. All the time that Rajeb was examining the premises, the ass whined and brayed. Thinking he needed food and drink, his master went out several times, and fetched him straw, water, and barley; but they lay untouched, and the animal continually stamped with his foot upon the floor of the stall.
An idea occurred to Rajeb. "Why do you do that?" said he, whereupon the ass stamped still more vigorously than before. His master, seizing a rusty iron bar which lay near, began to turn up the ground, the ass looking on with evident pleasure and satisfaction, his wonderfully expressive eyes seeming to say: "That is right! Go on; it is there." And presently, Rajeb discovered a coffer! When he opened it, he found, to his unspeakable delight, that it was filled with doubloons, sequins, and precious coins of every sort. Still the ass would not allow him to rest. Again—this time in another spot—he beat the ground with his foot. Rajeb eagerly obeyed, and his digging soon brought to light another coffer, full of rubies, pearls, emeralds, and other magnificent gems. The ass appeared now perfectly satisfied, and stamped no more.
Upon the back of the willing beast, the treasure—a heavy load—was quickly carried to Cairo. Rajeb hastened to his lady's house, and was just in time to prevent her marriage with an old Turk who had agreed to give the five thousand piastres demanded by her parents. Rajeb had only to exhibit to the father a very small part of his acquisition in order to induce him to break off the projected match, and bestow his daughter upon such a highly desirable husband as the once rejected suitor had now become.
The wedding took place immediately, and Rajeb and his wife lived most happily together for many years. The ass which had brought such good fortune was treated always as a dear friend, and the only task imposed upon him was that of sometimes carrying his mistress and her children. Everyone loved and petted him, and he lived in clover until the end of his days.
