Page:Jewish Fairy Book (Gerald Friedlander).djvu/39

 II

once lived a merchant who had an only son. Wherever the father went his son accompanied him, for the former was somewhat advanced in years and the son did not like his father to travel alone. In those days traveling was not a pleasure. It made no difference whether one went by land or sea, robbers were rarely absent. The father and son dealt in precious jewels, and it once happened that they set out on a sea voyage. They earned with them a large box full of valuable gems.

Father and son occupied one cabin and they had the large box placed there for safety. One of the crew had discovered that the merchant had very valuable treasures in his cabin. He told this to the rest of the crew, who were a gang of thieves. It happened by chance that when the crew were discussing this matter, the old merchant overheard part of their conversation. This is what he heard,—

"Now we have a splendid opportunity of becoming very wealthy."

&quot;How so?&quot; cried the rest.

"Why, I was this morning in the cabin of the merchant and his son to find out what they have in their 23