every possible means to secure myself. I never went to bed without
having seen that all the lights and fires in the house were extinguished,
and that I had a supply of water in the cistern. I had likewise learned
from my Frenchman that wet mortar was the most effectual thing for
stopping the progress of flames. I, therefore, had a quantity of mortar
made up in one of my outhouses, which I could use at a moment's warning.
These precautions were all useful to me. My own house, indeed, was never
actually on fire; but the houses of my next-door neighbours were no less
than five times in flames in the course of one winter. By my exertions,
or rather by my precautions, they suffered but little damage, and all my
neighbours looked upon me as their deliverer and friend; they loaded me
with presents, and offered more, indeed, than I would accept. All
repeated that I was Saladin the Lucky. This compliment I disclaimed,
feeling more ambitious of being called Saladin the Prudent. It is thus
that what we call modesty is often only a more refined species of pride.
But to proceed with my story.

"One night I had been later than usual at supper at a friend's house;
none but the watch were in the streets, and even they, I believe, were
asleep.

"As I passed one of the conduits which convey water to the city, I heard
a trickling noise; and, upon examination, I found that the cook of the
water-spout was half turned, so that the water was running out. I turned
it back to its proper place, thought it had been left unturned by
accident, and walked on; but I had not proceeded far before I came to
another spout, and another, which were in the same condition. I was
convinced that this could not be the effect merely of accident, and
suspected that some ill-intentioned persons designed to let out and waste
the water of the city, that there might be none to extinguish any fire