"Take hold, Mahoud," said he, "of that iron ring which is fastened to the middle of the floor, and pull."
I obeyed, and a little trap-door opened. On looking down, I perceived a woman in rich vestments, half buried in the earth. I shuddered at the sight, and was falling backward, when Bennaskar struck me with a chabouc,[6] which he drew from his bosom, and said, "Villain, if thou fail me, I shall use thee as my slave."
[6] A large whip.
Although enraged at the blow, yet I remembered my promise, and returned to the trap-door.
"Slave," said Bennaskar, "dig that female out of the ground: the spade and the mattock are hidden under the floor."
I immediately jumped down, found the tools, and began to work; but neither my fear nor my labour could prevent me from fixing my eyes on the lovely female, who seemed as one dead.
As soon as I had removed the earth from her, which I did with great care, Bennaskar commanded me to lift the body into the apartment, gave me a phial of clear blue liquor, and ordered me to pour it into her mouth, while he retired to the closet.
I willingly obeyed, and hastened to administer the liquid, while Bennaskar retired.
The liquor was no sooner swallowed than the lovely female began to move, and in a short time opening her eyes, she cast them upon me, and shrieked out, clapping her hands together and crying, "O Allah, defend me!"
Bennaskar at the same time spoke to her from the closet where he was concealed.