Page:Three crump twin brothers of Damascus (3).pdf/13

 a ſabre four fingers broad, and threatened to cut off his head if he did not obey that moment: he was forced to take up the load and go in company with the other two, whereof one ſeemed a ſlave, and the other a fiſherman. They had not walked ten ſtreets, when they came to a little door, which was preſently opened by an old woman: they paſſed through a long paſſage very dark, and arrived at laſt into a magnificent hall: but what was the porter's amazement, when by the light of above forty tapers with which it was illuminated, to ſee the crooked brothers he had thrown into the Tygris. two of whom were upon the ſhoulders of the ſlave and the ſiſherman, and the third upon his own head; he was ſeized with ſuch terror that he began to ſhake all over his body. He was more thoroughly convinced than ever, that ſo extraordinary a thing could not be imputed to notingh but conjuration; but recovering a little from his fright- The devil take this curled crump backed, one-eyed ſon of a whore, cried he, in a very comical tone, I believe I fall do nothingh all night but throw him into the river, and not get rid of him at laſt; the raſcal was ſo malicious to come back again twice to hinder me from getting the ſequins the cutler woman promiſed me; and here I find him again, with two others beſides, not a farthing better than himſelf. But ſir, continued he, addreſſing himſelf to him that ſeemed the maſter of the houſe, lend me, I beſeech you, that ſabre of yours but for a moment; I will only cut off their heads, and then throw them all three into the Tygris; to ſee if they will follow me again. I am ſo horrid unlucky to day, that I am ſure the devil will carry them back either to the cutler's houſe or mine, do what I will.

The porter having finished this ſpeech of his