THE STONE
As soon as Setoc arrived among his own tribe he demanded the payment of five hundred ounces of silver, which he had lent to a Jew in presence of two witnesses; but as the witnesses were dead, and the debt could not be proved, the Hebrew appropriated the merchant's money to himself, and piously thanked God for putting it in his power to cheat an Arabian. Setoc imparted this troublesome affair to Zadig, who was now become his counsel.
"In what place," said Zadig, "didst thou lend the five hundred ounces to this infidel?"
"Upon a large stone," replied the merchant, "that lies near Mount Oreb."
"What is the character of thy debtor?" said Zadig.
"That of a knave," returned Setoc.
"But I ask thee whether he is lively or phlegmatic, cautious or imprudent?"
"He is, of all bad payers," said Setoc, "the most lively fellow I ever knew."
"Well," resumed Zadig, "allow me to plead thy cause." In effect Zadig, having summoned the Jew to the tribunal, addressed the judge in the following terms: "Pillow of the throne of equity, I come to demand of this man, in the name of my master, five hundred ounces of silver, which he refuses to pay."
"Hast thou any witnesses?" said the judge.