losing the grate, pursued
his winding way for a considerable distance, till he stopped suddenly by
a part of the rock which seemed in no respect different from the rest:
and so artfully contrived and concealed was the door which he now
opened, and so suddenly did it yield to his hand, that it appeared
literally the effect of enchantment, when the rock yawned, and
discovered a circular cavern, lighted with brazen lamps, and spread with
hangings and cushions of thick furs. Upon rude and seemingly natural
pillars of rock, various antique and rusty arms were suspended; in
large niches were deposited scrolls, clasped and bound with iron; and
a profusion of strange and uncouth instruments and machines (in which
modern science might, perhaps, discover the tools of chemical invention)
gave a magical and ominous aspect to the wild abode.

The Hebrew cast himself on a couch of furs; and, as the old man entered
and closed the door, "Ximen," said he, "fill out wine--it is a soothing
counsellor, and I need it."

Extracting from one of the recesses of the cavern a flask and goblet,
Ximen offered to his lord a copious draught of the sparkling vintage of
the Vega, which seemed to invigorate and restore him.

"Old man," said he, concluding the potation with a deep-drawn sigh,
"fill to thyself-drink till thy veins feel young."

Ximen obeyed the mandate but imperfectly; the wine just touched his
lips, and the goblet was put aside.

"Ximen," resumed the Israelite, "how many of our race have been
butchered by the avarice of the Moorish kings since first thou didst set
foot within the city?"

"Three thousand--the number was completed last winter, by the order
of Jusef the vizier; and their goods and coffers are transformed into
shafts and cimiters against the dogs of Galilee."

"Three thousand--no more! three thousand only! I would the number had
been tripled, for the interest is becoming due!"

"My brother, and my son, and my grandson, are among the number," said
the old man, and his face grew yet more deathlike.

"Their monuments shall be in hecatombs of their tyrants. They shall not,
at least, call the Jews niggards in revenge."

"But pardon me, noble chief of a fallen people; thinkest thou we shall
be less despoiled and trodden under foot by yon haughty and stiff-necked
Nazarenes, than by the Arabian misbelievers?"

"Accursed, in truth, are both," returned the Hebrew; "but the one
promise more fairly than the other. I have s