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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13673 ***
+
+THE PACHA OF MANY TALES
+
+by
+
+CAPTAIN MARRYAT
+
+
+
+
+
+List of Tales
+
+
+Story of the Camel-Driver
+Story of the Greek Slave
+Story of the Monk
+Story of the Monk (continued)
+Huckaback
+Manuscript of the Monk
+Third Voyage of Huckaback
+Fourth Voyage of Huckaback
+Fifth Voyage of Huckaback
+Sixth Voyage of Huckaback
+The Last Voyage of Huckaback
+The Scarred Lover
+The Story of Hudusi
+Tale of the English Sailor
+The Water-Carrier
+The Wondrous Tale of Han
+Story of the Old Woman
+
+
+
+
+Prefatory Note
+
+
+The Pacha of Many Tales, as indeed its title suggests, is constructed in
+direct imitation of the _Arabian Nights_. A Pacha of olden days,
+enchanted by the stories of Schezehezerade, becomes emulous of the great
+Haroun, and determines to procure his own stock of entertainment. By the
+assistance of a wily barber-vizier he succeeds in the attempt, and
+listens with greedy credulity to the marvellous histories herein set
+forth.
+
+On one occasion an English sailor is dragged into the august presence,
+and demands, with all the dogged independence of his race, the reasons
+for such treatment.
+
+"You must tell lies, and you will have gold," replies the vizier.
+
+"Tell lies," says Jack Tar, "that is, spin yarns. Well, I can do that."
+
+The volume before us could not be more suggestively described. It is a
+collection of admirable short stories of intrigue and adventure,
+traveller's wonders narrated with a perfect air of good faith and no
+regard for truth or probability. All the countries on the globe, and
+many existing only in the imagination, are called into requisition to
+produce a brilliant phantasmagoria of manners and customs. The stories
+move rapidly and defy criticism by the very occasion of their being,
+invented to amuse and astonish a jaded autocrat.
+
+Hence we feel no shock in reading of an island where the commonest
+utensils are made of gold, a nursery of whales, five months in the
+interior of an iceberg, or a journey among the clouds during a
+thunderstorm. The demand for brevity strengthens Marryat's style, and
+saves him from padding. He is very happy in contriving expediences, and
+evinces considerable wit in the conception, for instance, of Yussuf the
+water-carrier. Some of the stories, again, are really dramatic, and the
+"Second Voyage of Huckaback" (p. 126) reaches a height of weird horror
+that recalls, without paling before the thought, certain passages in
+_The Ancient Mariner_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_The Pacha of Many Tales_ was first published in _The Metropolitan
+Magazine_, 1831-1835. During its appearance Marryat printed in the same
+magazine (in 1833) a drama, _The Monk of Seville_, of which the plot is
+almost exactly identical with _The Story of the Monk_ (p. 44). "Port
+Royal Tom," the shark, and his Government pension, also appear in _Jacob
+Faithful_, Chap. XXV.
+
+_The Pacha of Many Tales_ is here printed, with a few corrections, from
+the second edition in 3 vols. A.K. Newman & Co., 1844.
+
+R.B.J
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Chapter I
+
+
+Every one acquainted with the manners and customs of the East must be
+aware, that there is no situation of eminence more unstable, or more
+dangerous to its possessor, than that of a pacha. Nothing, perhaps,
+affords us more convincing proof of the risk which men will incur, to
+obtain a temporary authority over their fellow-creatures, than the
+avidity with which this office is accepted from the sultan; who, within
+the memory of the new occupant, has consigned scores of his predecessors
+to the bowstring. It would almost appear, as if the despot but elevated
+a head from the crowd, that he might obtain a more fair and
+uninterrupted sweep for his scimitar, when he cut it off; only exceeded
+in his peculiar taste by the king of Dahomy, who is said to ornament the
+steps of his palace with heads, fresh severed, each returning sun, as we
+renew the decoration of our apartments from our gay parterres. I make
+these observations, that I may not be accused of a disregard to
+chronology, in not precisely stating the year, or rather the months,
+during which flourished one of a race, who, like the flowers of the
+Cistus, one morning in all their splendour, on the next, are strewed
+lifeless on the ground to make room for their successors. Speaking of
+such ephemeral creations, it will be quite sufficient to say, "There
+_was_ a Pacha."
+
+Would you inquire by what means he was raised to the distinction? It is
+an idle question. In this world, preeminence over your fellow-creatures
+can only be obtained, by leaving others far behind in the career of
+virtue or of vice. In compliance with the dispositions of those who
+rule, faithful service in the one path or the other will shower honour
+upon the subject, and by the breath of kings he becomes ennobled to look
+down upon his former equals.
+
+And as the world spins round, the _why_ is of little moment. The honours
+are bequeathed, but not the good, or the evil deeds, or the talents by
+which they were obtained. In the latter, we have but a life interest,
+for the entail is cut off by death. Aristocracy in all its varieties is
+as necessary, for the well binding of society, as the divers grades
+between the general and the common soldier are essential in the field.
+Never then inquire, why this or that man has been raised above his
+fellows; but, each night as you retire to bed, thank Heaven that you are
+not _a King_.
+
+And if I may digress, there is one badge of honour in our country, which
+I never contemplate without serious reflection rising in my mind. It is
+the _bloody_ hand in the dexter chief of a baronet,--now often worn, I
+grant, by those who, perhaps, during their whole lives have never raised
+their hands in anger. But my thoughts have returned to days of yore--the
+iron days of _ironed men_, when it _was_ the symbol of faithful service
+in the field--when it really was bestowed upon the "hand embrued in
+blood;" and I have meditated, whether that hand, displayed with
+exultation in this world, may not be held up trembling in the next--in
+judgment against itself.
+
+And I, whose memory stepping from one legal murder to another, can walk
+dry-footed over the broad space of five-and-twenty years of time,--but
+the "damned spots" won't come out--so I'll put my hands in my pockets
+and walk on.
+
+Conscience, fortunately or unfortunately, I hardly can tell which,
+permits us to form political and religious creeds, most suited to
+disguise or palliate our sins. Mine is a military conscience, and I
+agree with Bates and Williams, who flourished in the time of Henry V.,
+that it is "all upon the King:" that is to say, it was all upon the
+king; and now our constitution has become so incomparably perfect, that
+"the king can do no wrong;" and he has no difficulty in finding
+ministers, who voluntarily impignorating themselves for all his actions
+in this world, will, in all probability, not escape from the clutches of
+the great _Pawnbroker_ in the next--from which facts I draw the
+following conclusions:--
+
+1st. That his Majesty (God bless him!) will go to heaven.
+
+2ndly. That his Majesty's ministers will all go to the devil.
+
+3rdly. That I shall go------on with my story.
+
+As, however, a knowledge of the previous history of our pacha will be
+necessary to the development of our story, the reader will in this
+instance be indulged. He had been brought up to the profession of a
+barber; but, possessing great personal courage, he headed a popular
+commotion in favour of his predecessor, and was rewarded by a post of
+some importance in the army. Successful in detached service, while his
+general was unfortunate in the field, he was instructed to take off the
+head of his commander, and head the troops in his stead; both of which
+services he performed with equal skill and celerity. Success attended
+him, and the pacha, his predecessor, having in his opinion, as well as
+in that of the sultan, remained an unusual time in office, by an
+accusation enforced by a thousand purses of gold, he was enabled to
+produce a bowstring for his benefactor; and the sultan's "firman"
+appointed him to the vacant pachalik. His qualifications for office were
+all superlative: he was very short, very corpulent, very illiterate,
+very irascible, and very stupid.
+
+On the morning after his investment, he was under the hands of his
+barber, a shrewd intelligent Greek, Mustapha by name. Barbers are
+privileged persons for many reasons: running from one employer to
+another to obtain their livelihood, they also obtain matter for
+conversation, which, impertinent as it may sometimes be, serves to
+beguile the tedium of an operation which precludes the use of any organ
+except the ear. Moreover, we are inclined to be on good terms with a
+man, who has it in his power to cut our throats whenever he pleases--to
+wind up, the personal liberties arising from his profession, render all
+others trifling; for the man who takes his sovereign by the nose, cannot
+well after that be denied the liberty of speech.
+
+Mustapha was a Greek by birth, and inherited all the intelligence and
+adroitness of his race. He had been brought up to his profession when a
+slave; but at the age of nineteen, he accompanied his master on board of
+a merchant vessel bound to Scio; this vessel was taken by a pirate, and
+Demetrius (for such was his real name) joined this band of miscreants,
+and very faithfully served his apprenticeship to cutting throats, until
+the vessel was captured by an English frigate. Being an active,
+intelligent person, he was, at his own request, allowed to remain on
+board as one of the ship's company, assisted in several actions, and
+after three years went to England, where the ship was paid off. For some
+time, Demetrius tried to make his fortune, but without success, and it
+was not until he was reduced to nearly his last shilling, that he
+commenced the trade of hawking rhubarb about in a box: which speculation
+turned so profitable, that he was enabled in a short time to take his
+passage in a vessel bound to Smyrna, his own country. This vessel was
+captured by a French privateer; he was landed, and, not being considered
+as a prisoner, allowed to act as he thought proper. In a short time he
+obtained the situation of valet and barber to a "millionaire," whom he
+contrived to rob of a few hundred Napoleons, and with them to make his
+escape to his own country. Demetrius had now some knowledge of the
+world, and he felt it necessary that he should become a True Believer,
+as there would be more chance of his advancement in a Turkish country.
+He dismissed the patriarch to the devil, and took up the turban and
+Mahomet; then quitting the scene of his apostasy, recommenced his
+profession of barber in the territory of the pacha; whose good-will he
+had obtained previous to the latter's advancement to the pachalik.
+
+"Mustapha," observed the pacha, "thou knowest that I have taken off the
+heads of all those who left their slippers at the door of the late
+pacha."
+
+"Allah Kebur! God is most powerful! So perish the enemies of your
+sublime highness. Were they not the sons of Shitan?" replied Mustapha.
+
+"Very true; but, Mustapha, the consequence is that I am in want of a
+vizier; and whom do I know equal to that office?"
+
+"While your sublime highness is pacha, is not a child equal to the
+office? Who stumbles, when guided by unerring wisdom?"
+
+"I know that very well," replied the pacha; "but if I am always to
+direct him, I might as well be vizier myself; besides, I shall have no
+one to blame, if affairs go wrong with the Sultan. Inshallah! please the
+Lord, the vizier's head may sometimes save my own."
+
+"Are we not as dogs before you?" replied Mustapha: "happy the man, who,
+by offering his own head may preserve that of your sublime highness! It
+ought to be the proudest day of his life."
+
+"At all events it would be the last," rejoined the pacha.
+
+"May it please your sublime highness," observed Mustapha, after a pause,
+"if your slave may be so honoured as to speak in your presence, a vizier
+should be a person of great tact; he should be able to draw the line as
+nicely as I do when I shave your sublime head, leaving not a vestige of
+the hair, yet entering not upon the skin."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha."
+
+"He should have a sharp eye for the disaffected to the government,
+selecting them and removing them from among the crowd, as I do the few
+white hairs which presume to make their appearance in your sublime and
+magnificent beard."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha."
+
+"He should carefully remove all impurities from the state, as I have
+this morning from your sublime ears."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha."
+
+"He should be well acquainted with the secret springs of action, as I
+have proved myself to be in the shampooing which your sublime highness
+has just received."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha."
+
+"Moreover, he should be ever grateful to your highness for the
+distinguished honour conferred upon him."
+
+"All that you say is very true, Mustapha, but where am I to meet with
+such a man?"
+
+"This world is convenient in some points," continued Mustapha; "if you
+want either a fool or a knave, you have not far to go to find them; but
+it is no easy task to select the person you require. I know but one."
+
+"And who is he?"
+
+"One whose head is but as your footstool," answered the barber,
+prostrating himself,--"your sublime highness's most devoted slave,
+Mustapha."
+
+"Holy Prophet! Then you mean yourself!--Well, now I think of it, if one
+barber can become a pacha, I do not see why another would not make a
+vizier. But then what am I to do for a barber? No, no, Mustapha; a good
+vizier is easy to be found, but a good barber, you know as well as I do,
+requires some talent."
+
+"Your slave is aware of that," replied Mustapha, "but he has travelled
+in other countries, where it is no uncommon circumstance for men to hold
+more than one office under government; sometimes much more incompatible
+than those of barber and vizier, which are indeed closely connected. The
+affairs of most nations are settled by the potentates during their
+toilet. While I am shaving the head of your sublime highness, I can
+receive your commands to take off the heads of others; and you can have
+your person and your state both put in order at the same moment."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha; then, on condition that you continue your office
+of barber, I have no objection to throw that of vizier into the
+bargain."
+
+Mustapha again prostrated himself, with his tweezers in his hand. He
+then rose, and continued his office.
+
+"You can write, Mustapha," observed the pacha, after a short silence.
+
+"Min Allah! God forbid that I should acknowledge it, or I should
+consider myself as unfit to assume the office in which your sublime
+highness has invested me."
+
+"Although unnecessary for me, I thought it might be requisite for a
+vizier," observed the pacha.
+
+"Reading may be necessary, I will allow," replied Mustapha; "but I trust
+I can soon prove to your highness that writing is as dangerous as it is
+useless. More men have been ruined by that unfortunate acquirement, than
+by any other; and dangerous as it is to all, it is still more dangerous
+to men in high power. For instance, your sublime highness sends a
+message in writing, which is ill-received, and it is produced against
+you; but had it been a verbal message, you could deny it, and bastinado
+to death the Tartar who carried it, as a proof of your sincerity.
+
+"Very true, Mustapha."
+
+"The grandfather of your slave," continued the barber-vizier, "held the
+situation of receiver-general at the custom-house; and he was always in
+a fury when he was obliged to take up the pen. It was his creed, that no
+government could prosper when writing was in general use. 'Observe,
+Mustapha,' said he to me one day, 'here is the curse of writing,--for
+all the money which is paid in, I am obliged to give a receipt. What is
+the consequence? that government loses many thousand sequins every year;
+for when I apply to them for a second payment, they produce their
+receipt. Now if it had not been for this cursed invention of writing,
+Inshallah! they should have paid twice, if not thrice over. Remember,
+Mustapha,' continued he, 'that reading and writing only clog the wheels
+of government.'"
+
+"Very true, Mustapha," observed the pacha, "then we will have no
+writing."
+
+"Yes, your sublime highness, every thing in writing from others, but
+nothing in writing from ourselves. I have a young Greek slave, who can
+be employed in these matters. He reads well. I have lately employed him
+in reading to me the stories of 'Thousand and one Nights.'"
+
+"Stories," cried the pacha; "what are they about? I never heard of them;
+I'm very fond of stories."
+
+"If it would pleasure your sublime highness to hear these stories read,
+the slave will wait your commands," replied the vizier.
+
+"Bring him this evening, Mustapha; we will smoke a pipe, and listen to
+them; I'm very fond of stories--they always send me to sleep."
+
+The business of the day was transacted with admirable precision and
+despatch by the two quondam barbers, who proved how easy it is to
+govern, where there are not "three estates" to confuse people. They sat
+in the divan as highwaymen loiter on the road, and it was "Your money or
+your life" to all who made their appearance.
+
+At the usual hour the court broke up, the guards retired, the money was
+carried to the treasury, the executioner wiped his sword, and the lives
+of the pacha's subjects were considered to be in a state of comparative
+security, until the affairs of the country were again brought under
+their cognizance on the ensuing day.
+
+In obedience to the wish expressed by the pacha, Mustapha made his
+appearance in the afternoon with the young Greek slave. The new vizier
+having taken a seat upon a cushion at the feet of the pacha, the pipes
+were lighted, and the slave was directed to proceed.
+
+The Greek had arrived to the end of the First Night, in which
+Schezehezerade commences her story, and the Sultan, who was anxious to
+hear the termination of it, defers her execution to the following day.
+
+"Stop," cried the pacha, taking the pipe from his lips; "how long
+before the break of day did that girl call her sister?"
+
+"About half an hour, your sublime highness."
+
+"Wallah! is that all she could tell of her story in half an
+hour?--There's not a woman in my harem who would not say as much in five
+minutes."
+
+The pacha was so amused with the stories, that he never once felt
+inclined to sleep; on the contrary, the Greek slave was compelled to
+read every afternoon, until his legs were so tired that he could hardly
+stand, and his tongue almost refused its office; consequently, they were
+soon finished; and Mustapha not being able to procure any more, they
+were read a second time. After which the pacha, who felt the loss of his
+evening's amusement, became first puzzled how to pass away his time;
+then he changed to hypochondriacism, and finally became so irritable,
+that even Mustapha himself, at times, approached him with some degree of
+awe.
+
+"I have been thinking," observed the pacha, one morning, when under the
+hands of Mustapha, in his original capacity, "that it would be as easy
+for me to have stories told me, as the caliph in the Arabian Nights."
+
+"I wonder not that your highness should desire it. Those stories are as
+the opium to Theriarkis, filling the soul with visions of delight at the
+moment, but leaving it palsied from over-excitement, when their effect
+has passed away. How does your sublime highness propose to obtain your
+end; and in what manner can your slave assist to produce your wishes?"
+
+"I shall manage it without assistance; come this evening and you shall
+see, Mustapha."
+
+Mustapha made his appearance in the afternoon, and the pacha smoked his
+pipe for some time, and appeared as if communing with himself; he then
+laid it down, and clapping his hands, desired one of the slaves to
+inform his favourite lady, Zeinab, that he desired her presence.
+
+Zeinab entered with her veil down. "Your slave attends the pleasure of
+her lord."
+
+"Zeinab," said the pacha, "do you love me?"
+
+"Do not I worship the dust that my lord treads on?"
+
+"Very true--then I have a favour to request--observe, Zeinab--it is my
+wish that"--(here the pacha took a few whiffs from his pipe--) "The fact
+is--I wish you to dishonour my harem as soon as possible."
+
+"Wallah sel Nebi!!--by Allah and the Prophet! your highness is in a
+merry humour this evening," replied Zeinab, turning round to quit the
+apartment.
+
+"On the contrary, I am in a serious humour; I mean what I have said; and
+I expect that you will comply with my wishes."
+
+"Is my lord mad? or has he indulged too freely in the juice of the grape
+forbidden by our prophet? Allah Kebur! God is most powerful--The Hakim
+must be sent for."
+
+"Will you do as I order you?" said the pacha, angrily.
+
+"Does my lord send for his slave to insult her! My blood is as water, at
+the dreadful thought!--Dishonour the harem!--Min Allah! God
+forbid!--Would not the eunuch be ready and the sack?"
+
+"Yes, they would, I acknowledge; but still it must be done."
+
+"It shall not be done," replied the lady:--"Has my lord been visited by
+heaven? or is he possessed by the Shitan?"--And the lady burst into
+tears of rage and vexation as she quitted the apartment.
+
+"There's obstinacy for you--women are nothing but opposition. If you
+wish them to be faithful, they try day and night to deceive you; give
+them their desires and tell them to be false, they will refuse. All was
+arranged so well, I should have cut off all their heads, and had a fresh
+wife every night until I found one who could tell stories; then I should
+have rose up and deferred her execution to the following day."
+
+Mustapha, who had been laughing in his sleeve at the strange idea of
+the pacha, was nevertheless not a little alarmed. He perceived that the
+mania had such complete possession, that, unless appeased, the results
+might prove unpleasant even to himself. It occurred to him, that a
+course might be pursued to gratify the pacha's wishes, without
+proceeding to such violent measures. Waiting a little while until the
+colour, which had suffused the pacha's face from anger and
+disappointment, had subsided, he addressed him:
+
+"The plan of your sublime highness was such as was to be expected from
+the immensity of your wisdom; but hath not the prophet warned us, that
+the wisest of men are too often thwarted by the folly and obstinacy of
+the other sex. May your slave venture to observe, that many very fine
+stories were obtained by the caliph Haroun, and his vizier Mesrour, as
+they walked through the city in disguise. In all probability a similar
+result might be produced, if your highness were to take the same step,
+accompanied by the lowest of your slaves, Mustapha."
+
+"Very true," replied the pacha, delighted at the prospect, "prepare two
+disguises, and we will set off in less than an hour--Inshallah, please
+the Lord, we have at last hit upon the right path."
+
+Mustapha, who was glad to direct the ideas of the pacha into a more
+harmless channel, procured the dresses of two merchants, (for such, he
+observed, were the usual habiliments put on by the caliph and his vizier
+in the Arabian Nights), and he was aware that his master's vanity would
+be gratified at the idea of imitating so celebrated a personage.
+
+It was dusk when they set off upon their adventures. Mustapha directed
+some slaves well armed to follow at a distance, in case their assistance
+might be required. The strict orders which had been issued on the
+accession of the new pacha (to prevent any riot or popular commotion),
+which were enforced by constant rounds of the soldiers on guard,
+occasioned the streets to be quite deserted.
+
+For some time the pacha and Mustapha walked up one street and down
+another, without meeting with anything or any body that could administer
+to their wishes. The former, who had not lately been accustomed to
+pedestrian exercise, began to puff and show symptoms of weariness and
+disappointment, when at the corner of a street they fell in with two
+men, who were seated in conversation; and as they approached softly, one
+of them said to the other, "I tell you, Coja, that happy is the man who
+can always command a hard crust like this, which is now wearing away my
+teeth."
+
+"I must know the reason of that remark," said the pacha; "Mesrour
+(Mustapha, I mean), you will bring that man to me to-morrow, after the
+divan is closed."
+
+Mustapha bowed in acquiescence, and directing the slaves who were in
+attendance to take the man into custody, followed the pacha, who,
+fatigued with his unusual excursion, and satisfied with the prospect of
+success, now directed his steps to the palace and retired to bed.
+Zeinab, who had lain awake until her eyes could remain open no longer,
+with the intention of reading him a lecture upon decency and sobriety,
+had at last fallen asleep, and the tired pacha was therefore permitted
+to do the same.
+
+When Mustapha arrived at his own abode, he desired that the person who
+had been detained should be brought to him.
+
+"My good man," said the vizier, "you made an observation this evening
+which was overheard by his highness the pacha, who wishes to be
+acquainted with your reasons for stating 'that happy was the man who
+could at all times command a hard crust, like that which was wearing
+away your teeth.'"
+
+The man fell down on his knees in trepidation. "I do declare to your
+highness, by the camel of the Holy Prophet," said he, in a faltering
+voice, "that I neither meant treason, nor disaffection to the
+government."
+
+"Slave! I am not quite sure of that," replied Mustapha, with a stern
+look, in hopes of frightening the man into a compliance with his
+wishes--"there was something very enigmatical in those words. Your
+'_hard crust_' may mean his sublime highness the pacha; 'wearing away
+your teeth' may imply exactions from the government; and as you affirmed
+that he was happy who could _command_ the hard crust--why it is as much
+as to say that you would be very glad to create a rebellion."
+
+"Holy Prophet! May the soul of your slave never enter the first heaven,"
+replied the man, "if he meant anything more than what he said; and if
+your highness had been as often without a mouthful of bread as your
+slave has been, you would agree with him in the justice of the remark."
+
+"It is of little consequence whether I agree with you or not," replied
+the vizier; "I have only to tell you that his sublime highness the pacha
+will not be satisfied, unless you explain away the remark, by relating
+to him some story connected with the observation."
+
+"Min Allah! God forbid that your slave should tell a story to deceive
+his highness."
+
+"The Lord have mercy upon you if you do not," replied the vizier; "but,
+to be brief, if you can invent a good and interesting story, you will
+remove the suspicions of the pacha, and probably be rewarded with a few
+pieces of gold; if you cannot, you must prepare for the bastinado, if
+not for death. You will not be required to appear in the sublime
+presence before to-morrow afternoon, and will therefore have plenty of
+time to invent one."
+
+"Will your highness permit your slave to go home and consult his wife?
+Women have a great talent for storytelling. With her assistance he may
+be able to comply with your injunctions."
+
+"No," replied Mustapha, "you must remain in custody; but, as on this
+occasion she may be of the greatest assistance to you, you may send for
+her. They have indeed a talent! As the young crocodile, from instinct,
+runs into the Nile as soon as it bursts its shell, so does woman, from
+her nature, plunge into deceit, before even her tongue can give
+utterance to the lies which her fertile imagination has already
+conceived."
+
+And with this handsome compliment to the sex, Mustapha gave his final
+orders and retired.
+
+Whether the unfortunate man, thus accused of treason, derived any
+benefit from being permitted to "retain counsel," will be shown by the
+following story, which he told to the pacha when summoned on the ensuing
+day.
+
+
+
+STORY OF THE CAMEL-DRIVER.
+
+That your highness should wish for an explanation of the very doubtful
+language which you overheard last night, I am not surprised; but I trust
+you will acknowledge, when I have finished my narrative, that I was
+fully justified in the expressions which I made use of. I am by birth
+(as my dress denotes) a Fellah of this country, but I was not always so
+poor as I am now. My father was the possessor of many camels, which he
+let out for hire to the merchants of the different caravans which
+annually leave this city. When he died, I came into possession of his
+property, and the good-will of those whom he had most faithfully served.
+The consequence was, that I had full employ, my camels were always
+engaged, and, as I invariably accompanied them that they might not be
+ill-treated, I have several times been to Mecca, as this ragged green
+turban will testify. My life was one of alternate difficulty and
+enjoyment. I returned to my wife and children with delight after my
+journeys of suffering and privation, and fully appreciated the value of
+my home from the short time that my occupation would permit me to remain
+there. I worked hard and became rich.
+
+It was during a painful march through the Desert with one of the
+caravans, that a favourite she-camel foaled. At first it was my
+intention to leave the young one to its fate, as my camels had already
+suffered much; but, on examination, the creature showed such strength
+and symmetry that I resolved to bring it up. I therefore divided half of
+one of the loads between the other camels, and tied the foal upon the
+one which I had partly relieved for the purpose. We arrived safely at
+Cairo; and, as the little animal grew up, I had more than ever reason to
+be satisfied that I had saved its life. All good judges considered it a
+prodigy of beauty and strength, and prophesied that it would some day be
+selected as the holy camel, to carry the Koran in the pilgrimage to
+Mecca. And so it did happen about five years afterwards, during which
+interval I accompanied the caravans as before, and each year added to my
+wealth.
+
+My camel had by this time arrived to his full perfection; he stood
+nearly three feet higher than any other; and, when the caravan was
+preparing, I led him to the sheiks, and offered him as a candidate for
+the honour. They would have accepted him immediately, had it not been
+for a Maribout, who, for some reason or another, desired them not to
+employ him, asserting that the caravan would be unlucky if my camel was
+the bearer of the holy Koran.
+
+As this man was considered to be a prophet, the sheiks were afraid, and
+would not give a decided answer. Irritated at the Maribout's
+interference, I reviled him; he raised a hue and cry against me; and,
+being joined by the populace, I was nearly killed. As I hastened away,
+the wretch threw some sand after me, crying out, "Thus shall the caravan
+perish from the judgment of heaven, if that cursed camel is permitted to
+carry the holy word of the prophet." The consequence was, that an
+inferior camel was selected, and I was disappointed. But on the ensuing
+year the Maribout was not at Cairo; and, as there was no animal equal to
+mine in beauty, it was chosen by the sheiks without a dissentient voice.
+
+I hastened home to my wife, overjoyed with my good fortune, which I
+hoped would bring a blessing upon my house. She was equally delighted,
+and my beautiful camel seemed also to be aware of the honour to which he
+was destined, as he repaid our caresses, curving and twisting his long
+neck, and laying his head upon our shoulders.
+
+The caravan assembled: it was one of the largest which for many years
+had quitted Cairo, amounting in all to eighteen thousand camels. You may
+imagine my pride when, as the procession passed through the streets, I
+pointed out to my wife the splendid animal, with his bridle studded with
+jewels and gold, led by the holy sheiks in their green robes, carrying
+on his back the chest which contained the law of our prophet, looking
+proudly on each side of him as he walked along, accompanied by bands of
+music, and the loud chorus of the singing men and women.
+
+As on the ensuing day the caravan was to form outside of the town, I
+returned home to my family, that I might have the last of their company,
+having left my other camels, who were hired by the pilgrims, in charge
+of an assistant who accompanied me in my journeys. The next morning I
+bade adieu to my wife and children; and was quitting the house, when my
+youngest child, who was about two years old, called to me, and begged me
+to return one moment, and give her a farewell caress. As I lifted her in
+my arms, she, as usual, put her hand into the pocket of my loose jacket
+to search, as I thought, for the fruit that I usually brought home for
+her when I returned from the bazaar; but there was none there: and
+having replaced her in the arms of her mother, I hastened away that I
+might not be too late at my post. Your highness is aware that we do not
+march one following another, as most caravans do, but in one straight
+line abreast. The necessary arrangement occupies the whole day previous
+to the commencement of our journey, which takes place immediately after
+the sun goes down. We set off that evening, and after a march of two
+nights, arrived at Adjeroid, where we remained three days, to procure
+our supplies of water from Suez, and to refresh the animals, previous to
+our forced march over the desert of El Tyh.
+
+The last day of our repose, as I was smoking my pipe, with my camels
+kneeling down around me, I perceived a herie[1] coming from the
+direction of Cairo, at a very swift pace; it passed by me like a flash
+of lightning, but still I had sufficient time to recognise in its rider
+the Maribout who had prophesied evil if my camel was employed to carry
+the Koran on the pilgrimage of the year before.
+
+  [1] A swift dromedary.
+
+The Maribout stopped his dromedary at the tent of the Emir Hadjy, who
+commanded the caravan. Anxious to know the reason of his following us,
+which I had a foreboding was connected with my camel, I hastened to the
+spot. I found him haranguing the Emir and the people who had surrounded
+him, denouncing woe and death to the whole caravan if my camel was not
+immediately destroyed, and another selected in his stead. Having for
+some time declaimed in such an energetic manner as to spread
+consternation throughout the camp, he turned his dromedary again to the
+west, and in a few minutes was out of sight.
+
+The Emir was confused; murmurings and consultations were arising among
+the crowd. I was afraid that they would listen to the suggestions of the
+Maribout; and, alarmed for my camel, and the loss of the honour
+conferred upon him, I was guilty of a lie.
+
+"O! Emir," said I, "listen not to that man who is mine enemy: he came to
+my house, he ate of my bread, and would have been guilty of the basest
+ingratitude by seducing the mother of my children; I drove him from my
+door, and thus would he revenge himself. So may it fare with me, and
+with the caravan, as I speak the truth."
+
+I was believed; the injunctions of the Maribout were disregarded, and
+that night we proceeded on our march through the plains of El Tyh.
+
+As your highness has never yet made a pilgrimage, you can have no
+conception of the country which we had to pass through: it was one vast
+region of sand, where the tracks of those who pass over it are
+obliterated by the wind,--a vast sea without water,--an expanse of
+desolation. We plunged into the desert; and as the enormous collection
+of animals, extending as far as the eye could reach, held their
+noiseless way, it seemed as if it were the passing by of shadows.
+
+We met with no accident, notwithstanding the prophecies of the Maribout;
+and, after a fatiguing march of seven nights, arrived safely at Nakhel,
+where we replenished our exhausted water-skins. Those whom I knew joked
+with me, when we met at the wells, at the false prophecies of my enemy.
+We had now three days of severe fatigue to encounter before we arrived
+at the castle of Akaba, and we recommenced our painful journey.
+
+It was on the morning of the second day, about an hour after we had
+pitched out tents, that the fatal prophecy of the Maribout, and the
+judgment of Allah upon me, for the lie which I had called on him to
+witness, was fulfilled.
+
+A dark cloud appeared upon the horizon; it gradually increased, changing
+to a bright yellow; then rose and rose until it had covered one-half of
+the firmament, when it suddenly burst upon us in a hurricane which
+carried every thing before it, cutting off mountains of sand at the
+base, and hurling them upon our devoted heads. The splendid tent of the
+Emir which first submitted to the blast, passed close to me, flying
+along with the velocity of the herie, while every other was either
+levelled to the ground or carried up into the air, and whirled about in
+mad gyration.
+
+Moving pillars of sand passed over us, overthrowing and suffocating man
+and beast; the camels thrust their muzzles into the ground, and,
+profiting by their instinct, we did the same, awaiting our fate in
+silence and trepidation. But the simoom had not yet poured upon us all
+its horrors: in a few minutes nothing was to be distinguished, all was
+darkness, horrible darkness, rendered more horrible by the ravings of
+dying men, the screams of women, and the mad career of horses and other
+animals, which breaking their cords, trod down thousands in their
+endeavours to escape from the overwhelming fury of the desert storm.
+
+I had laid myself down by one of my camels, and thrusting my head under
+his side, awaited my death with all the horror of one who felt that the
+wrath of heaven was justly poured upon him. For an hour I remained in
+that position, and surely there can be no pains in hell greater than
+those which I suffered during that space of time. The burning sand
+forced itself into my garments, the pores of my skin were closed, I
+hardly ventured to breathe the hot blast which was offered as the only
+means of protracted existence. At last I fetched my respiration with
+greater freedom, and no more heard the howling of the blast. Gradually I
+lifted up my head, but my eyes had lost their power, I could distinguish
+nothing but a yellow glare. I imagined that I was blind, and what chance
+could there be for a man who was blind in the desert of El Tyh? Again I
+laid my head down, thought of my wife and children, and abandoning
+myself to despair, I wept bitterly.
+
+The tears that I shed had a resuscitating effect upon my frame. I felt
+revived, and again lifted up my head--I could see! I prostrated myself
+in humble thanksgiving to Allah, and then rose upon my feet. Yes, I
+could see; but what a sight was presented to my eyes! I could have
+closed them for ever with thankfulness. The sky was again serene, and
+the boundless prospect uninterrupted as before; but the thousands who
+accompanied me, the splendid gathering of men and beasts, where were
+they? Where was the Emir Hadjy and his guards? where the mamelukes, the
+agas, the janissaries, and the holy sheiks? the sacred camel, the
+singers, and musicians? the varieties of nations and tribes who had
+joined the caravan? All perished!! Mountains of sand marked the spots
+where they had been entombed, with no other monuments save here and
+there part of the body of a man or beast not yet covered by the desert
+wave. All, all were gone, save one; and that one, that guilty one, was
+myself, who had been permitted to exist, that he might behold the awful
+mischief which had been created by his presumption and his crime.
+
+For some minutes I contemplated the scene, careless and despairing; for
+I imagined that I had only been permitted to outlive the whole, that my
+death might be even more terrible. But my wife and children rushed to my
+memory, and I resolved for their sakes to save, if possible, a life
+which had no other ties to bind it to this earth. I tore off a piece of
+my turban, and cleansing the sand out of my bleeding nostrils, walked
+over the field of death.
+
+Between the different hillocks I found several camels, which had not
+been covered. Perceiving a water-skin, I rushed to it, that I might
+quench my raging thirst; but the contents had been dried up--not a drop
+remained. I found another, but I had no better success. I then
+determined to open one of the bodies of the camels, and obtain the water
+which it might still have remaining in its stomach. This I effected, and
+having quenched my thirst--to which even the heated element which I
+poured down, seemed delicious--I hastened to open the remainder of the
+animals before putrefaction should take place, and collect the scanty
+supplies in the water-skins. I procured more than half a skin of water,
+and then returned to my own camel, which I had lain down beside of,
+during the simoom. I sat on the body of the animal, and reflected upon
+the best method of proceeding. I knew that I was but one day's journey
+from the springs; but how little chance had I of reaching them! I also
+knew the direction which I must take. The day had nearly closed, and I
+resolved to make the attempt.
+
+As the sun disappeared, I rose, and with the skin of water on my back
+proceeded on my hopeless journey. I walked the whole of that night, and,
+by break of day, I imagined that I must have made about half the
+progress of a caravan; I had, therefore, still a day to pass in the
+desert, without any protection from the consuming heat, and then another
+night of toil. Although I had sufficient water, I had no food. When the
+sun rose, I sat down upon a hillock of burning sand, to be exposed to
+his rays for twelve everlasting hours. Before the hour of noon arrived,
+my brain became heated--I nearly lost my reason. My vision was
+imperfect, or rather I saw what did not exist. At one time lakes of
+water presented themselves to my eager eyes; and so certain was I of
+their existence, that I rose and staggered till I was exhausted in
+pursuit of them. At another, I beheld trees at a distance, and could see
+the acacias waving in the breeze; I hastened to throw myself under their
+shade, and arrived at some small shrub, which had thus been magnified.
+
+So was I tormented and deceived during the whole of that dreadful day,
+which still haunts me in my dreams. At last the night closed in, and the
+stars as they lighted up, warned me that I might continue my journey. I
+drank plentifully from my water-skin, and recommenced my solitary way. I
+followed the track marked out by the bones of camels and horses of
+former caravans which had perished in the desert, and when the day
+dawned, I perceived the castle of Akaba at a short distance. Inspired
+with new life, I threw away the water-skin, redoubled my speed, and in
+half an hour had thrown myself down by the side of the fountain from
+which I had previously imbibed large draughts of the refreshing fluid.
+What happiness was then mine! How heavenly, to lay under the shade,
+breathing the cool air, listening to the warbling of the birds, and
+inhaling the perfume of the flowers, which luxuriated on that delightful
+spot! After an hour I stripped, bathed myself, and, taking another
+draught of water, fell into a sound sleep.
+
+I awoke refreshed, but suffering under the cravings of hunger, which now
+assailed me. I had been three days without food; but hitherto I had not
+felt the want of it, as my more importunate thirst had overcome the
+sensation. Now that the greater evil had been removed, the lesser
+increased and became hourly more imperious. I walked out and scanned the
+horizon with the hopes of some caravan appearing in sight, but I watched
+in vain; and returned to the fountain. Two more days passed away, and no
+relief was at hand: my strength failed me; I felt that I was dying; and,
+as the fountain murmured, and the birds sang, and the cool breeze
+fanned my cheeks, I thought that it would have been better to have been
+swallowed up in the desert than to be tantalised by expiring in such a
+paradise. I laid myself down to die, for I could sit up no more; and as
+I turned round to take a last view of the running water, which had
+prolonged my existence, something hard pressed against my side. I
+thought it was a stone, and stretched out my hand to remove it, that I
+might be at ease in my last moments; but when I felt, there was no stone
+there; it was something in the pocket of my jacket. I put my hand in,
+unconscious what it could be; I pulled it out, and looking at it before
+I threw it away, found that it was a piece of _hard dry bread_. I
+thought that it had been sent to me from heaven, and it was as pure an
+offering as if it had come from thence, for it was the gift of innocence
+and affection--it was the piece of bread which my little darling girl
+had received for her breakfast, and which on my departure she had thrust
+into my pocket, when I imagined she had been searching for fruit. I
+crawled to the spring, moistened it, and devoured it, with tears of
+gratitude to heaven, mingled with the fond yearnings of a father's
+heart.
+
+It saved my life; for the next day a small caravan arrived, which was
+bound to Cairo. The merchants treated me with great kindness, tied me on
+one of the camels, and I once more embraced my family, whom I had never
+thought to see again. Since that I have been poor, but contented--I
+deserved to lose all my property for my wickedness, and I submit with
+resignation to the will of Allah.
+
+And now I trust that your highness will acknowledge that I was justified
+in making use of the expression, that "Happy was the man who could _at
+all times_ command a _crust of bread_!"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Very true," observed the pacha; "that's not a bad story: Mustapha, give
+him five pieces of gold, and allow him to depart."
+
+The camel-driver quitted the divan, prostrating himself before the
+pacha, and overjoyed at the fortunate termination of what had threatened
+so much danger. The pacha was silent for a little while, during which he
+puffed his pipe--when he observed:--
+
+"Allah Kebur, God is most powerful! That man has suffered much--and what
+has he to show for it?--a green turban--He is a Hadjy; I never thought
+that we should have heard so good a story about a 'crust of bread.' His
+description of the simoom parched up my entrails. What think you,
+Mustapha, cannot a true believer go to heaven, without a visit to the
+tomb of the prophet?"
+
+"The holy Koran does not say otherwise, your highness, it inculcates
+that all who can, should do so, as the path will be rendered easier. Min
+Allah! God forbid! Has your highness ever had the time to go to Mecca,
+and is not your highness to go to heaven?"
+
+"Very true, Mustapha, I never had time. In my youth I was busy shaving
+heads, after that, Wallah! I had enough to do, splitting them; and now
+am not I fully occupied in taking them off? Is it not so, Mustapha; are
+not these the words of truth?"
+
+"Your highness is all wisdom. There is but one God, and Mahomet is his
+prophet; and when the latter said, that a visit to the holy shrine would
+be a passport to heaven, it was intended to employ those who were idle,
+not to embarrass true believers who work hard in the name of the Most
+High!"
+
+"Min Allah! God forbid! the case is clear," replied the pacha, "why, if
+every body were to go to Mecca, what then, Mustapha?"
+
+"Your highness--it is the opinion of your slave, if such were to take
+place, that all the fools would have left the country."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha; but my mouth is parched up with the sand of that
+simoom--Sherbet I cannot drink, Rakee I must not, the Hakim has forbid
+it; what must it be then, Mustapha?"
+
+"Hath the holy prophet forbidden wine to true believers in case of
+sickness; is not your highness sick; was the wine of Shiraz given by
+Allah to be thrown away? Allah Karim! God is most merciful; and the wine
+was sent that true believers might, in this world, have a foretaste of
+the pleasures awaiting them in the next."
+
+"Mustapha," replied the pacha, taking his pipe out of his mouth, "by the
+beard of the holy prophet, your words are those of wisdom. Is a pacha to
+be fed on water-melons? Staffir Allah! do we believe the less, because
+we drink the wine? Slave, bring the pitcher. There is but one God, and
+Mahomet is his prophet."
+
+"The words of the prophet, your highness, are plain: he says, 'True
+believers drink no wine,' which means, that his followers are not to go
+about the streets, drunken like the Giaours of Franguistan, who come
+here in their ships. Why is wine forbidden? because it makes men drunk.
+If then we are not drunk, we keep within the law. Why was the law made?
+Laws cannot be made for all; they must therefore be made for the control
+of the majority--Is it not so? Who are the majority? Why the poor. If
+laws were made for the rich and powerful, such laws would not suit the
+community at large. Mashallah! there are no laws for pachas, who have
+only to believe that there is one God and Mahomet is his prophet. Does
+your slave say well?"
+
+"Excellently well, Mustapha," replied the pacha, lifting the pitcher to
+his mouth for a minute, and then passing it to Mustapha.
+
+"Allah Karim! God is most merciful! your slave must drink; is it not the
+pleasure of your highness? As the wine poured down the throat of your
+highness, pervades through your whole frame to the extremities, so does
+your slave participate in your bounty. Do I not sit in your sublime
+presence? Can the sun shine without throwing out heat; therefore if your
+highness drink, must not I drink? Allah Acbar! who shall presume not to
+follow the steps of the pacha?" So saying, Mustapha lifted up the
+pitcher, and, for a minute, it was glued to his lips.
+
+"I think that story should be written down," observed the pacha, after
+a pause of a few moments.
+
+"I have already given directions, your highness, and the Greek slave is
+now employed about it, improving the language to render it more pleasing
+to the ears of your sublime highness, should it be your pleasure to have
+it read to you on some future day."
+
+"That is right, Mustapha, if I recollect well, the Caliph Haroun used to
+command them to be written in letters of gold, and be deposited in the
+archives: we must do the same."
+
+"The art no longer exists, your highness."
+
+"Then we must be content with Indian-ink," replied the pacha, lifting
+the pitcher to his mouth, and emptying it.
+
+"The sun will soon be down, Mustapha, and we must set off."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter II
+
+
+The pacha called for coffee, and in a few minutes, accompanied, as
+before, by Mustapha and the armed slaves, was prowling through the city
+in search of a story-teller. He was again fortunate, as after a walk of
+half an hour, he overheard two men loudly disputing at the door of a
+small wine-shop, frequented by the Greeks and Franks living in the city,
+and into which many a slave might be observed to glide, returning with a
+full pitcher for the evening's amusement of his Turkish master, who, as
+well as his betters, clandestinely violated the precepts of the Koran.
+
+As usual he stopped to listen, when one of the disputants exclaimed--"I
+tell thee, Anselmo, it is the vilest composition that was ever drunk:
+and I think I ought to know, after having distilled the essence of an
+Ethiopian, a Jew, and a Turk."
+
+"I care nothing for your distillations, Charis," replied the other, "I
+consider that I am a better judge than you: I was not a monk of the
+Dominican order for fifteen years, without having ascertained the merit
+of every description of wine."
+
+"I should like to know what that fellow means by _distilling people_,"
+observed the pacha, "and also why a Dominican monk should know wine
+better than others. Mustapha, I must see those two men."
+
+The next morning the men were in attendance, and introduced; when the
+pacha requested an explanation from the first who had spoken. The man
+threw himself down before the pacha, with his head on the floor of the
+divan, and said,--"First promise me, your highness, by the sword of the
+prophet, that no harm shall result to me from complying with your
+request; and then I shall obey you with pleasure."
+
+"Mashallah! what is the Kafir afraid of? What crimes hath he committed,
+that he would have his pardon granted before he tells his story?" said
+the pacha to Mustapha.
+
+"No crime towards your state, your sublime highness; but when in another
+country, I was unfortunate," continued the man--"I cannot tell my story,
+unless your highness will condescend to give your promise."
+
+"May it please your highness," observed Mustapha, "he asserts his crime
+to have been committed in another state. It may be heavy, and I suspect
+'tis murder;--but although we watch the flowers which ornament our
+gardens, and would punish those who cull them, yet we care not who
+intrudes and robs our neighbour--and thus, it appears to me, your
+highness, that it is with states, and sufficient for the ruler of each
+to watch over the lives of his own subjects."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha," rejoined the pacha; "besides, we might lose the
+story. Kafir, you have our promise, and may proceed."
+
+The Greek slave (for such he was) then rose up, and narrated his story
+in the following words.
+
+
+
+STORY OF THE GREEK SLAVE.
+
+I am a Greek by birth; my parents were poor people residing at Smyrna. I
+was an only son, and brought up to my father's profession,--that of a
+cooper. When I was twenty years old, I had buried both my parents, and
+was left to shift for myself. I had been for some time in the employ of
+a Jewish wine-merchant, and I continued there for three years after my
+father's death, when a circumstance occurred which led to my subsequent
+prosperity and present degradation.
+
+At the time that I am speaking of, I had, by strict diligence and
+sobriety, so pleased my employer, that I had risen to be his foreman;
+and although I still superintended and occasionally worked at the
+cooperage, I was intrusted with the drawing off and fining of the wines,
+to prepare them for market. There was an Ethiopian slave, who worked
+under my orders, a powerful, broad-shouldered, and most malignant
+wretch, whom my master found it almost impossible to manage; the
+bastinado, or any other punishment, he derided, and after the
+application only became more sullen and discontented than before. The
+fire that flashed from his eyes, upon any fault being found by me on
+account of his negligence, was so threatening, that I every day expected
+I should be murdered. I repeatedly requested my master to part with him;
+but the Ethiopian being a very powerful man, and able, when he chose, to
+move a pipe of wine without assistance, the avarice of the Jew would not
+permit him to accede to my repeated solicitations.
+
+One morning I entered the cooperage, and found the Ethiopian fast asleep
+by the side of a cask which I had been wanting for some time, and
+expected to have found ready. Afraid to punish him myself, I brought my
+master to witness his conduct. The Jew, enraged at his idleness, struck
+him on the head with one of the staves. The Ethiopian sprang up in a
+rage, but on seeing his master with the stave in his hand, contented
+himself with muttering, "That he would not remain to be beaten in that
+manner," and re-applied himself to his labour. As soon as my master had
+left the cooperage, the Ethiopian vented his anger upon me for having
+informed against him, and seizing the stave, flew at me with the
+intention of beating out my brains. I stepped behind the cask; he
+followed me, and just as I had seized an adze to defend myself, he fell
+over the stool which lay in his way--he was springing up to renew the
+attack, when I struck him a blow with the adze which entered his skull,
+and laid him dead at my feet.
+
+I was very much alarmed at what had occurred; for although I felt
+justified in self-defence, I was aware that my master would be very much
+annoyed at the loss of the slave, and as there were no witnesses, it
+would go hard with me when brought before the cadi. After some
+reflection I determined, as the slave had said "He would not remain to
+be beaten," that I would leave my master to suppose he had run away, and
+in the mean time conceal the body. But to effect this was difficult, as
+I could not take it out of the cooperage without being perceived. After
+some cogitation, I decided upon putting it into the cask, and heading it
+up. It required all my strength to lift the body in, but at last I
+succeeded. Having put in the head of the pipe, I hammered down the hoops
+and rolled it into the store, where I had been waiting to fill it with
+wine for the next year's demand. As soon as it was in its place, I
+pumped off the wine from the vat, and having filled up the cask and put
+in the bung, I felt as if a heavy load had been removed from my mind, as
+there was no chance of immediate discovery.
+
+I had but just completed my task, and was sitting down on one of the
+settles, when my master came in, and inquired for the slave. I replied
+that he had left the cooperage, swearing that he would work no more.
+Afraid of losing him, the Jew hastened to give notice to the
+authorities, that he might be apprehended; but after some time, as
+nothing could be heard of the supposed runaway, it was imagined that he
+had drowned himself in a fit of sullenness, and no more was thought
+about him. In the meanwhile I continued to work there as before, and as
+I had the charge of every thing I had no doubt but that, some day or
+another, I should find means of quietly disposing of my incumbrance.
+
+The next spring, I was busy pumping off from one cask into the other,
+according to our custom, when the aga of the janissaries came in. He was
+a great wine-bibber, and one of our best customers. As his dependents
+were all well-known, it was not his custom to send them for wine, but to
+come himself to the store and select a pipe. This was carried away in a
+litter by eight strong slaves, with the curtains drawn close, as if it
+had been a new purchase which he had added to his harem. My master
+showed him the pipes of wine prepared for that year's market, which were
+arranged in two rows; and I hardly need observe that the one containing
+the Ethiopian was not in the foremost. After tasting one or two which
+did not seem to please him, the aga observed, "Friend Issachar, thy
+tribe will always put off the worst goods first, if possible. Now I have
+an idea that there is better wine in the second tier, than in the one
+thou hast recommended. Let thy Greek put a spile into that cask,"
+continued he, pointing to the very one in which I had headed up the
+black slave. As I made sure that as soon as he had tasted the contents
+he would spit them out, I did not hesitate to bore the cask and draw off
+the wine, which I handed to him. He tasted it and held it to the
+light--tasted it again and smacked his lips--then turning to my master,
+exclaimed, "Thou dog of a Jew! wouldst thou have palmed off upon me vile
+trash, when thou hadst in thy possession wine which might be sipped with
+the Houris in Paradise?"
+
+The Jew appealed to me if the pipes of wine were not all of the same
+quality; and I confirmed his assertion.
+
+"Taste it then," replied the aga, "and then taste the first which you
+recommended to me."
+
+My master did so, and was evidently astonished. "It certainly has more
+body," replied he; "yet how that can be, I know not. Taste it,
+Charis."--I held the glass to my lips, but nothing could induce me to
+taste the contents. I contented myself with agreeing with my master (as
+I conscientiously could), "that it certainly had more _body_ in it than
+the rest."
+
+The aga was so pleased with the wine, that he tasted two or three more
+pipes of the back tier, hoping to find others of the same quality,
+probably intending to have laid in a large stock; but finding no other
+of the same flavour, he ordered his slaves to roll the one containing
+the body of the slave into the litter, and carried it to his own house.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Stop a moment, thou lying kafir!" said the pacha, "dost thou really
+mean to say that the wine was better than the rest?"
+
+"Why should I tell a lie to your sublime highness--am not I a worm that
+you may crush? As I informed you, I did not taste it, your highness; but
+after the aga had departed, my master expressed his surprise at the
+excellence of the wine, which he affirmed to be superior to any thing
+that he had ever tasted--and his sorrow that the aga had taken away the
+cask, which prevented him from ascertaining the cause. But one day I was
+narrating the circumstance to a Frank in this country, who expressed no
+surprise at the wine being improved. He had been a wine-merchant in
+England, and he informed me that it was the custom there to throw large
+pieces of raw beef into the wine to feed it; and that some particular
+wines were very much improved thereby."
+
+"Allah Kebur! God is great!" cried the pacha--"Then it must be so--I
+have heard that the English are very fond of beef. Now go on with thy
+story."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Your highness cannot imagine the alarm which I felt when the cask was
+taken away by the aga's slaves. I gave myself up for a lost man, and
+resolved upon immediate flight from Smyrna. I calculated the time that
+it would take for the aga to drink the wine, and made my arrangements
+accordingly. I told my master that it was my intention to leave him, as
+I had an offer to go into business with a relation at Zante. My master,
+who could not well do without me, entreated me to stay; but I was
+positive. He then offered me a share of the business if I would remain,
+but I was not to be persuaded. Every rap at the door, I thought that the
+aga and his janissaries were coming for me; and I hastened my departure,
+which was fixed for the following day,--when in the evening my master
+came into the store with a paper in his hand.
+
+"Charis," said he, "perhaps you have supposed that I only offered to
+make you a partner in my business to induce you to remain, and then to
+deceive you. To prove the contrary, here is a deed drawn up by which you
+are a partner, and entitled to one-third of the future profits. Look at
+it, you will find that it has been executed in due form before the
+cadi."
+
+He had put the paper into my hand, and I was about to return it with a
+refusal, when a loud knocking at the door startled us both. It was a
+party of janissaries despatched by the aga, to bring us to him
+immediately. I knew well enough what it must be about, and I cursed my
+folly in having delayed so long; but the fact was, the wine proved so
+agreeable to the aga's palate that he had drunk it much faster than
+usual; besides which, the body of the slave took up at least a third of
+the cask, and diminished the contents in the same proportion. There was
+no appeal, and no escape. My master, who was ignorant of the cause, did
+not seem at all alarmed, but willingly accompanied the soldiers. I, on
+the contrary, was nearly dead from fear.
+
+When we arrived, the aga burst out in the most violent exclamations
+against my master--"Thou rascal of a Jew!" said he, "dost thou think
+that thou art to impose upon a true believer, and sell him a pipe of
+wine which is not more than two-thirds full,--filling it up with trash
+of some sort or another. Tell me what it is that is so heavy in the cask
+now that it is empty?"
+
+The Jew protested his ignorance, and appealed to me: I, of course,
+pretended the same. "Well, then," replied the aga, "we will soon see.
+Let thy Greek send for his tools, and the cask shall be opened in our
+presence; then perhaps thou wilt recognise thine own knavery."
+
+Two of the janissaries were despatched for the tools, and when they
+arrived I was directed to take the head out of the cask. I now
+considered my death as certain--nothing buoyed me up but my observing
+that the resentment of the aga was levelled more against my master than
+against me; but still I thought that, when the cask was opened, the
+recognition of the black slave must immediately take place, and the
+evidence of my master would fix the murder upon me.
+
+It was with a trembling hand that I obeyed the orders of the aga--the
+head of the pipe was taken out, and, to the horror of all present, the
+body was exposed; but instead of being black, it had turned _white_,
+from the time which it had been immersed. I rallied a little at this
+circumstance, as, so far, suspicion would be removed.
+
+"Holy Abraham!" exclaimed my master, "what is that which I see!--A dead
+body, so help me God!--but I know nothing about it--do you, Charis?" I
+vowed that I did not, and called the Patriarch to witness the truth of
+my assertion. But while we were thus exclaiming, the aga's eyes were
+fixed upon my master with an indignant and deadly stare which spoke
+volumes; while the remainder of the people who were present, although
+they said nothing, seemed as if they were ready to tear him into pieces.
+
+"Cursed unbeliever!" at last uttered the Turk, "is it thus that thou
+preparest the wine for the disciples of the Prophet?"
+
+"Holy father Abraham!--I know no more than you do, aga, how that body
+came there; but I will change the cask with pleasure, and will send you
+another."
+
+"Be it so," replied the aga; "my slave shall fetch it now." He gave
+directions accordingly, and the litter soon reappeared with another pipe
+of wine.
+
+"It will be a heavy loss to a poor Jew--one pipe of good wine," observed
+my master, as it was rolled out of the litter; and he took up his hat
+with the intention to depart.
+
+"Stay," cried the aga, "I do not mean to rob you of your wine."
+
+"Oh, then, you will pay me for it," replied my master; "aga, you are a
+considerate man."
+
+"Thou shalt see," retorted the aga, who gave directions to his slaves to
+draw off the wine in vessels. As soon as the pipe was empty, he desired
+me to take the head out; and when I had obeyed him, he ordered his
+janissaries to put my master in. In a minute he was gagged and bound,
+and tossed into the pipe; and I was directed to put in the head as
+before. I was very unwilling to comply; for I had no reason to complain
+of my master, and knew that he was punished for the fault of which I had
+been guilty. But it was a case of life or death,--and the days of
+self-devotion have long passed away in our country. Besides which, I had
+the deed in my pocket by which I was a partner in the business, and my
+master had no heirs,--so that I stood a chance to come into the whole of
+his property. Moreover----
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Never mind your reasons," observed the pacha, "you headed him up in the
+cask--go on."
+
+"I did so, your highness; but although I dared not disobey, I assure you
+that it was with a sorrowful heart--the more so, as I did not know the
+fate which might be reserved for myself."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+As soon as the head was in, and the hoops driven on, the aga desired
+his slaves to fill the cask up again with the wine; and thus did my poor
+master perish.
+
+"Put in the bung, Greek," said the aga, in a stern voice.
+
+I did so, and stood trembling before him.
+
+"Well! what knowest thou of this transaction?"
+
+I thought, as the aga had taken away the life of my master, that it
+would not hurt him if I took away a little from his character. I
+answered that I really knew nothing, but that, the other day, a black
+slave had disappeared in a very suspicious manner--that my master made
+very little inquiry after him--and I now strongly suspected that he must
+have suffered the same fate. I added, that my master had expressed
+himself very sorry that his highness had taken away the pipe of wine, as
+he would have reserved it.
+
+"Cursed Jew!" replied the aga; "I don't doubt but he has murdered a
+dozen in the same manner."
+
+"I am afraid so, sir," replied I, "and suspect that I was to have been
+his next victim; for when I talked of going away, he persuaded me to
+stay, and gave me this paper, by which I was to become his partner with
+one-third of the profits. I presume that I should not have enjoyed them
+long."
+
+"Well, Greek," observed the aga, "this is fortunate for you; as, upon
+certain conditions, you may enter upon the whole property. One is, that
+you keep this pipe of wine with the rascally Jew in it, that I may have
+the pleasure occasionally to look at my revenge. You will also keep the
+pipe with the other body in it, that it may keep my anger alive. The
+last is, that you will supply me with what wine I may require, of the
+very best quality, without making any charge. Do you consent to these
+terms, or am I to consider you as a party to this infamous transaction?"
+
+I hardly need observe that the terms were gladly accepted. Your highness
+must be aware that nobody thinks much about a Jew. When I was questioned
+as to his disappearance, I shrugged up my shoulders and told the
+inquirers, confidentially, that the aga of the janissaries had put him
+_in prison_, and that I was carrying on the business until his release.
+
+In compliance with the wishes of the aga, the two casks containing the
+Jew and the Ethiopian slave, were placed together on settles higher than
+the rest, in the centre of the store. He would come in the evening, and
+rail at the cask containing my late master for hours at a time; during
+which he drank so much wine, that it was a very common circumstance for
+him to remain in the house until the next morning.
+
+You must not suppose, your highness, that I neglected to avail myself
+(unknown to the aga) of the peculiar properties of the wine which those
+casks contained. I had them spiled underneath, and, constantly running
+off the wine from them, filled them up afresh. In a short time there was
+not a gallon in my possession which had not a _dash_ in it of either the
+Ethiopian or the Jew; and my wine was so improved, that it had a most
+rapid sale, and I became rich.
+
+All went on prosperously for three years; when the aga, who during that
+time had been my constant guest, and at least three times a-week had
+been intoxicated in my house, was ordered with his troops to join the
+Sultan's army. By keeping company with him, I had insensibly imbibed a
+taste for wine, although I never had been inebriated. The day that his
+troops marched, he stopped at my door, and dismounting from his Arabian,
+came in to take a farewell glass, desiring his men to go on, and that he
+would ride after them. One glass brought on another, and the time flew
+rapidly away. The evening closed in, and the aga was, as usual, in a
+state of intoxication;--he insisted upon going down to the store, to
+rail once more at the cask containing the body of the Jew. We had long
+been on the most friendly terms, and having this night drunk more than
+usual, I was incautious enough to say--"Prithee, aga, do not abuse my
+poor master any more, for he has been the making of my fortune. I will
+tell you a secret now that you are going away--there is not a drop of
+wine in my store that has not been flavoured either by him, or by the
+slave in the other cask. That is the reason why it is so much better
+than other people's."
+
+"How!" exclaimed the aga, who was now almost incapable of speech. "Very
+well, rascal Greek! die you shall, like your master. Holy prophet! what
+a state for a Mussulman to go to Paradise in--impregnated with the
+essence of a cursed Jew!--Wretch! you shall die--you shall die."
+
+He made a grasp at me, and missing his foot, fell on the ground in such
+a state of drunkenness as not to be able to get up again. I knew that
+when he became sober, he would not forget what had taken place, and that
+I should be sacrificed to his vengeance. The fear of death, and the wine
+which I had drunk, decided me how to act. I dragged him into an empty
+pipe, put the head in, hooped it up, and rolling it into the tier,
+filled it with wine. Thus did I revenge my poor master, and relieved
+myself from any further molestation on the part of the aga.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"What!" cried the pacha, in a rage, "you drowned a true believer--an aga
+of janissaries! Thou dog of a kafir--thou son of Shitan--and dare avow
+it! Call in the executioner."
+
+"Mercy! your sublime highness, mercy!" cried the Greek--"Have I not your
+promise by the sword of the prophet? Besides, he was no true believer,
+or he would not have disobeyed the law. A good Mussulman will never
+touch a drop of wine."
+
+"I promised to forgive, and did forgive, the murder of the black slave;
+but an aga of janissaries!--Is not that quite another thing?" appealed
+the pacha to Mustapha.
+
+"Your highness is just in your indignation--the kafir deserves to be
+impaled. Yet there are two considerations which your slave ventures to
+submit to your sublime wisdom. The first is, that your highness gave an
+unconditional promise, and swore by the sword of the prophet."
+
+"Staffir Allah! what care I for that! Had I sworn to a true believer, it
+were something."
+
+"The other is, that the slave has not yet finished his story, which
+appears to be interesting."
+
+"Wallah! that is true. Let him finish his story."
+
+But the Greek slave remained with his face on the ground; and it was not
+until a renewal of the promise, sworn upon the holy standard made out of
+the nether garments of the prophet, by the pacha, who had recovered his
+temper, and was anxious for the conclusion of the story, that he could
+be induced to proceed, which he did as follows:--
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+As soon as I had bunged up the cask, I went down to the yard where the
+aga had left his horse, and having severely wounded the poor beast with
+his sword, I let it loose that it might gallop home. The noise of the
+horse's hoofs in the middle of the night, aroused his family, and when
+they discovered that it was wounded and without its rider, they imagined
+that the aga had been attacked and murdered by banditti when he had
+followed his troop. They sent to me to ask at what time he had left my
+house; I replied, an hour after dark--that he was very much intoxicated
+at the time--and had left his sabre, which I returned. They had no
+suspicions of the real facts, and it was believed that he had perished
+on the road.
+
+I was now rid of my dangerous acquaintance, and although he certainly
+had drunk a great quantity of my wine, yet I recovered the value of it
+with interest, from the flavour which I obtained from his body and which
+I imparted to the rest of my stock. I raised him up alongside of the two
+other casks; and my trade was more profitable and my wines in greater
+repute than ever.
+
+But one day the cadi, who had heard my wine extolled, came privately to
+my house; I bowed to the ground at the honour conferred, for I had long
+wished to have him as a customer. I drew some of my best--"This,
+honourable sir," said I, presenting the glass, "is what I call my aga
+wine: the late aga was so fond of it, he used to order a whole cask at
+once to his house, and had it taken there in a litter."
+
+"A good plan," replied the cadi, "much better than sending a slave with
+a pitcher, which gives occasion for remarks: I will do the same; but,
+first, let me taste all you have."
+
+He tasted several casks, but none pleased him so much as the first which
+I had recommended. At last he cast his eyes upon the three casks raised
+above the others.
+
+"And what are those?" inquired he.
+
+"Empty casks, sir," replied I; but he had his stick in his hand, and he
+struck one.
+
+"Greek, thou tellest me these casks are empty, but they do not sound so;
+I suspect that thou hast better wine than I have tasted: draw me off
+from these immediately."
+
+I was obliged to comply--he tasted them--vowed that the wine was
+exquisite, and that he would purchase the whole. I stated to him that
+the wine in those casks was used for flavouring the rest; and that the
+price was enormous, hoping that he would not pay it. He inquired how
+much--I asked him four times the price of the other wines.
+
+"Agreed," said the cadi; "it is dear--but one cannot have good wine
+without paying for it:--it is a bargain."
+
+I was very much alarmed; and stated that I could not part with those
+casks, as I should not be able to carry on my business with reputation,
+if I lost the means of flavouring my wines, but all in vain; he said
+that I had asked a price and he had agreed to give it. Ordering his
+slaves to bring a litter, he would not leave the store until the whole
+of the casks were carried away, and thus did I lose my Ethiopian, my
+Jew, and my aga.
+
+As I knew that the secret would soon be discovered, the very next day I
+prepared for my departure. I received my money from the cadi, to whom I
+stated my intention to leave, as he had obliged me to sell him those
+wines, and I had no longer hopes of carrying on my business with
+success. I again begged him to allow me to have them back, offering him
+three pipes of wine as a present if he would consent, but it was of no
+use. I chartered a vessel, which I loaded with the rest of my stock;
+and, taking all my money with me, made sail for Corfu, before any
+discovery had taken place. But we encountered a heavy gale of wind,
+which, after a fortnight (during which we attempted in vain to make head
+against it), forced us back to Smyrna. When the weather moderated, I
+directed the captain to take the vessel into the outer roadstead that I
+might sail as soon as possible. We had not dropped anchor again more
+than five minutes when I perceived a boat pulling off from the shore in
+which was the cadi and the officers of justice.
+
+Convinced that I was discovered, I was at a loss how to proceed, when
+the idea occurred to me that I might conceal my own body in a cask, as I
+had before so well concealed those of others.
+
+I called the captain down into the cabin, and telling him that I had
+reason to suspect that the cadi would take my life, offered him a large
+part of the cargo if he would assist me.
+
+The captain who, unfortunately for me, was a Greek, consented. We went
+down into the hold, started the wine out of one of the pipes, and having
+taken out the head, I crawled in, and was hooped up.
+
+The cadi came on board immediately afterwards and inquired for me. The
+captain stated that I had fallen overboard in the gale, and that he had
+in consequence returned, the vessel not being consigned to any house at
+Corfu.
+
+"Has then the accursed villain escaped my vengeance!" exclaimed the
+cadi; "the murderer, that fines his wines with the bodies of his
+fellow-creatures: but you may deceive me, Greek, we will examine the
+vessel."
+
+The officers who accompanied the cadi proceeded carefully to search
+every part of the ship. Not being able to discover me, the Greek captain
+was believed; and, after a thousand imprecations upon my soul, the cadi
+and his people departed.
+
+I now breathed more freely, notwithstanding I was nearly intoxicated
+with the lees of the wine which impregnated the wood of the cask, and I
+was anxious to be set at liberty; but the treacherous captain had no
+such intention, and never came near me. At night he cut his cable and
+made sail, and I overheard a conversation between two of the men, which
+made known to me his intentions: these were to throw me overboard on his
+passage, and take possession of my property. I cried out to them from
+the bung-hole: I screamed for mercy, but in vain. One of them answered,
+that, as I had murdered others, and put them into casks, I should now be
+treated in the same manner.
+
+I could not but mentally acknowledge the justice of my punishment, and
+resigned myself to my fate; all that I wished was to be thrown over at
+once and released from my misery. The momentary anticipation of death
+appeared to be so much worse than the reality. But it was ordered
+otherwise: a gale of wind blew up with such force, that the captain and
+crew had enough to do to look after the vessel, and, either I was
+forgotten or my doom was postponed until a more seasonable opportunity.
+
+On the third day I heard the sailors observe that, with such a wretch as
+I was remaining on board, the vessel must inevitably be lost. The
+hatches were then opened: I was hoisted up and cast into the raging sea.
+The bung of the cask was out, but by stuffing my handkerchief in, when
+the hole was under water, I prevented the cask from filling; and when it
+was uppermost, I removed it for a moment to obtain fresh air. I was
+dreadfully bruised by the constant rolling, in a heavy sea, and
+completely worn out with fatigue and pain; I had made up my mind to let
+the water in and be rid of my life, when I was tossed over and over with
+such dreadful rapidity as prevented my taking the precaution of keeping
+out the water. After three successive rolls of the same kind, I found
+that the cask, which had been in the surf, had struck on the beach. In a
+moment after, I heard voices, and people came up to the cask and rolled
+me along. I would not speak, lest they should be frightened and allow me
+to remain on the beach, where I might again be tossed about by the
+waves; but as soon as they stopped, I called in a faint voice from the
+bung-hole, begging them for mercy's sake to let me out.
+
+At first they appeared alarmed; but, on my repeating my request, and
+stating that I was the owner of the ship which was off the land, and the
+captain and crew had mutinied and tossed me overboard, they brought some
+tools and set me at liberty.
+
+The first sight that met my eyes after I was released, was my vessel
+lying a wreck; each wave that hurled her further on the beach, breaking
+her more and more to pieces. She was already divided amid-ships, and the
+white foaming surf was covered with pipes of wine, which, as fast as
+they were cast on shore, were rolled up by the same people who had
+released me. I was so worn out, that I fainted where I lay. When I came
+to, I found myself in a cave upon a bundle of capotes, and perceived a
+party of forty or fifty men, who were sitting by a large fire, and
+emptying with great rapidity one of my pipes of wine.
+
+As soon as they observed that I was coming to my senses, they poured
+some wine down my throat, which restored me. I was then desired by one
+of them, who seemed to be the chief, to approach.
+
+"The men who have been saved from the wreck," said he, "have told me
+strange stories of your enormous crimes--now, sit down, and tell me the
+truth--if I believe you, you shall have justice--I am cadi here--if you
+wish to know where you are, it is upon the island of Ischia--if you wish
+to know in what company, it is in the society of those who by illiberal
+people are called pirates: now tell the truth."
+
+I thought that with pirates my story would be received better than with
+other people, and I therefore narrated my history to them, in the same
+words that I now have to your highness. When I had finished, the
+captain of the gang observed:--
+
+"Well, then, as you acknowledge to have killed a slave, to have assisted
+at the death of a Jew, and to have drowned an aga, you certainly deserve
+death; but, on consideration of the excellence of the wine, and the
+secret which you have imparted to us, I shall commute your sentence. As
+for the captain and the remainder of the crew, they have been guilty of
+treachery and piracy on the high seas--a most heinous offence, which
+deserves instant death; but as it is by their means that we have been
+put in possession of the wine, I shall be lenient. I therefore sentence
+you all to hard labour for life. You shall be sold as slaves in Cairo,
+and we will pocket the money and drink your wine."
+
+The pirates loudly applauded the justice of a decision by which they
+benefited, and all appeal on our parts was useless. When the weather
+became more settled, we were put on board one of their small xebeques,
+and on our arrival at this port were exposed for sale and purchased.
+
+Such, pacha, is the history which induced me to make use of the
+expressions which you wished to be explained; and I hope you will allow
+that I have been more unfortunate than guilty, as on every occasion in
+which I took away the life of another, I had only to choose between that
+and my own.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Well, it is rather a curious story," observed the pacha, "but still, if
+it were not for my promise, I certainly would have your head off for
+drowning the aga--I consider it excessively impertinent in an
+unbelieving Greek to suppose that his life is of the same value as that
+of an aga of janissaries, and follower of the prophet; but, however, my
+promise was given, and you may depart."
+
+"The wisdom of your highness is brighter than the stars of heaven,"
+observed Mustapha. "Shall the slave be honoured with your bounty?"
+
+"Mashallah! bounty! I've given him his life, and, as he considers it of
+more value than an aga's, I think 'tis a very handsome present. Drown an
+aga, indeed!" continued the pacha, rising, "but it certainly was a very
+curious story. Let it be written down, Mustapha. We'll hear the other
+man to-morrow."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter III
+
+
+"Mustapha," said the pacha the next day, when they had closed the hall
+of audience, "have you the other Giaour in readiness?"
+
+"Bashem ustun! Upon my head be it, your highness. The infidel dog waits
+but the command to crawl into your sublime presence."
+
+"Let him approach, that our ears may be gratified. Barek Allah! Praise
+be to God. There are others who can obtain stories besides the Caliph
+Haroun."
+
+The slave was ordered into the pacha's presence. He was a dark man with
+handsome features, and he walked in with a haughty carriage, which
+neither his condition nor tattered garments could disguise. When within
+a few feet of the carpet of state he bowed and folded his arms in
+silence. "I wish to know upon what grounds you asserted that you were so
+good a judge of wine the other evening, when you were quarrelling with
+the Greek slave."
+
+"I stated my reason at the time, your highness, which was, because I had
+been for many years a monk of the Dominican order."
+
+"I recollect that you said so. What trade is that, Mustapha?" inquired
+the pacha.
+
+"If your slave is not mistaken, a good trade every where. The infidel
+means that he was a mollah or dervish among the followers of Isauri."[2]
+
+  [2] Jesus Christ.
+
+"May they and their fathers' graves be eternally defiled," cried the
+pacha. "Do not they drink wine and eat pork? Have you nothing more to
+say?" inquired the pacha.
+
+"My life has been one of interest," replied the slave, "and if it will
+please your highness, I will narrate my history."
+
+"It is our condescension. Sit down and proceed."
+
+
+
+STORY OF THE MONK.
+
+May it please your highness, I am a Spaniard by birth, and, a native of
+Seville; but whether my father was a grandee, or of a more humble
+extraction, I cannot positively assert. All that I can establish is,
+that when reason dawned, I found myself in the asylum instituted by
+government, in that city, for those unfortunate beings who are brought
+up upon black bread and oil, because their unnatural parents either do
+not choose to incur the expense of their maintenance, or having, in the
+first instance, allowed unlawful love to conquer shame, end by
+permitting shame to overcome maternal love.
+
+It is the custom, at a certain age, to put these children out to
+different trades and callings; and those who show precocity of talent
+are often received into the bosom of the church.
+
+Gifted by nature with a very fine voice and correct ear for music, I was
+selected to be brought up as a chorister in a Dominican convent of great
+reputation. At the age of ten years, I was placed under the charge of
+the leader of the choir. Under his directions, I was fully occupied
+receiving my lessons in singing, or at other times performing the junior
+offices of the church, such as carrying the frankincense or large wax
+tapers in the processions. As a child my voice was much admired; and
+after the service was over, I often received presents of sweetmeats from
+the ladies, who brought them in their pockets for the little Anselmo. As
+I grew up, I became a remarkable proficient in music; at the age of
+twenty, I possessed a fine counter-tenor; and flattered by the
+solicitations of the superior of the convent and other dignitaries of
+the church, I consented to take the vows, and became a member of the
+fraternity.
+
+Although there was no want of liberty in our convent, I was permitted
+even more than the rest of the monks. I gave lessons in music and
+singing, and a portion of my earnings were placed in the superior's
+hands for the benefit of the fraternity. Independent of this, my
+reputation was spread all over Seville; and hundreds used to attend the
+mass performed in our church, that they might hear the voice of brother
+Anselmo. I was therefore considered as a valuable property, and the
+convent would have suffered a great deal by my quitting it. Although I
+could not be released from my vows, still I could by application have
+been transferred to Madrid; and the superior, aware of this
+circumstance, allowed me every indulgence, with the hopes of my being
+persuaded to remain. The money which I retained for my own exigencies
+enabled me to make friends with the porter, and I obtained egress or
+ingress at any hour. I was a proficient on the guitar; and incongruous
+as it may appear with my monastic vows, I often hastened from the
+service at vespers to perform in a serenade to some fair senora, whose
+_inamorato_ required the powers of my voice to soften her to his wishes.
+
+My sedillas and canzonettas were much admired; and eventually no
+serenade was considered as effective, without the assistance of the
+counter-tenor of Anselmo. I hardly need observe that it was very
+profitable; and that I had the means of supplying myself with luxuries
+which the rules of our order did not admit. I soon became irregular and
+debauched; often sitting up whole nights with the young cavaliers,
+drinking and singing amorous songs for their amusement. Still, however,
+my conduct was not known, or was overlooked for the reasons which I have
+stated before.
+
+When once a man indulges to excess in wine, he is assailed by, and
+becomes an easy prey to every other vice. This error soon led me into
+others; and, regardless of my monastic vows, I often felt more inclined
+to serenade upon my own account than on that of my employers. I had the
+advantage of a very handsome face, but it was disguised by the shaven
+crown and the unbecoming manner of cutting the hair; the coarse and
+unwieldly monastic dress belonging to our order hid the symmetry of my
+limbs, which, might have otherwise attracted notice on the Prado. I soon
+perceived that, although my singing was admired by the other sex, their
+admiration went no further. They seemed to consider that in every other
+point I was, as I ought to have been, dead to the world.
+
+There was a young lady, Donna Sophia, whom I had for some time
+instructed in music, who appeared to be more favourably inclined. She
+was an excellent performer, and passionately fond of the science: and I
+have always observed, your highness, that between the real amateurs of
+harmony there is a sympathy, a description of free-masonry, which
+immediately puts them on a level, and on terms of extreme intimacy; so
+much so, that were I a married man, and my wife extremely partial to
+music, I should be very careful how I introduced to her a person of a
+similar feeling, if I possessed it not myself. I was very much in the
+good graces of this young lady, and flattered myself with a successful
+issue: when one day, as we were singing a duet, a handsome young officer
+made his appearance. His hair, which was of the finest brown, curled in
+natural ringlets: and his clothes were remarkably well-fitted to his
+slender and graceful figure. He was a cousin, who had just returned from
+Carthagena; and as he was remarkably attentive, I soon perceived that
+all my advances had been thrown away, and that I was more and more in
+the background each morning that I made my appearance.
+
+Annoyed at this, I ventured to speak too freely; and during his absence
+calumniated him to the Donna Sophia, hoping by these means to regain my
+place in her affections; but I made a sad mistake: for not only were my
+services dispensed with for the future, but, as I afterwards
+discovered, she stated to her cousin the grounds upon which I had been
+dismissed.
+
+I returned to the convent in no pleasant mood, when I was informed that
+my presence had been demanded by the superior. I repaired to the
+parlour, where he stated that my licentious conduct had come to his
+ears; and after much upbraiding, he concluded by ordering me to submit
+to a severe penance. Aware that disobedience would only be followed up
+by greater severity, I bowed with humility in my mien, but with
+indignation in my breast; and returning to my cell, resolved upon
+immediately writing for my removal to Madrid. I had not been there many
+minutes when the porter brought me a note. It was from Donna Sophia,
+requesting to see me that evening, and apologising for her apparent
+ill-usage, which she had only assumed the better to conceal her
+intentions; being afraid, at our last interview, that her mother was
+within hearing.
+
+I was in raptures when I perused the note, and hastened to comply with
+her request. Her directions were to repair to the back door, which
+looked out upon some fields, and give three taps. I arrived, and as soon
+as I raised my hand to give the signal, was seized by four men in masks,
+who gagged and bound me. They then stripped off my friar's dress, and
+scourged me with nettles, until I was almost frantic with the pain. When
+their vengeance was satisfied, they cast me loose, removed the gag, and
+ran away. As I then suspected, and afterwards discovered to be true, I
+was indebted to the young officer for this treatment, in return for what
+I had said, and which his mistress had repeated. Smarting with pain, and
+boiling with rage, I dragged on my clothes as well as I could, and began
+to reflect in what manner I should act. Conceal my situation from the
+other members of the convent I could not; and to explain it would not
+only be too humiliating, but subject me to more rigorous discipline. At
+last, I considered that out of evil might spring good; and gathering a
+large bundle of the nettles, which grew under the walls, I crawled back
+to the convent. When I attained my cell, I threw off my gown, which was
+now unbearable from the swelling of my limbs, and commenced thrashing
+the walls of my cell and my bed with the nettles which I had procured.
+
+After a short time I moaned piteously, and continued so to do, louder
+and louder, until some of the friars got up to inquire the reason; when
+they found me, apparently, castigating myself in this cruel manner. When
+they opened the door, I threw myself on the bed, and cried still more
+vociferously. This certainly was the only part of my conduct which was
+not deceptive, for I was in the most acute agony. To their inquiries, I
+told them that I had been guilty of great enormities; that the superior
+had reproved me, and ordered me penance; and that I had scourged myself
+with nettles; requesting them to continue the application as my strength
+had failed me. With this injunction they were too humane to comply. Some
+went for the surgeon of the convent, while others reported the
+circumstance to the superior. The former applied remedies which assuaged
+the pain: the latter was so pleased at my apparent contrition, that he
+gave me absolution, and relieved me from the penance to which I had been
+subjected. When I recovered, I was more in favour, and was permitted the
+same indulgences as before.
+
+But I was some days confined to my bed, during which I was continually
+reflecting upon what had passed. I perceived, to my misery, the pale
+which I had placed between me and the world, by embracing a monastic
+life; and how unfit I was, by temperament, to fulfil my vows. I cursed
+my father and mother, who had been the original cause of my present
+situation. I cursed the monastic dress which blazoned forth my unhappy
+condition. Then I thought of the treacherous girl, and planned schemes
+of revenge. I compared my personal qualifications with those of the
+young officer; and vanity suggested, that were it not for my vile
+professional disguise, the advantage was on my side. At last I decided
+upon the steps that I would take.
+
+As I before stated, my purse was well supplied from the lessons which I
+gave in music, and from assisting at the serenades. When I was
+sufficiently recovered to go out, I proceeded to a barber, and on the
+plea of continual headache, for which it had been recommended that I
+should shave my head, requested him to make me a false tonsure. In a few
+days it was ready, and being very well made, no difference could be
+perceived between the wig and my own hair, which was then removed. So
+far I had succeeded; but as the greatest caution was necessary in a
+proceeding of this nature, to avoid suspicion, I returned to the
+convent, where I remained quiet for several days. One evening I again
+sallied forth, and when it was quite dark repaired to the _friperie_
+show of a Jew, where I purchased a second--hand suit of cavalier's
+clothes, which I thought would fit me. I concealed them in my cell, and
+the next morning, went in search of a small lodging in some obscure
+part, where I might not be subject to observation. This was difficult,
+but I at last succeeded in finding one to let, which opened upon a
+general staircase of a house, which was appropriated to a variety of
+lodgers, who were constantly passing and repassing. I paid the first
+month in advance, stating it would be occupied by a brother, whom I
+daily expected; in the meantime took possession of the key. I bought a
+small chest, which I had conveyed to my lodgings, and having removed my
+cavalier's dress from the convent, locked it up. I then remained quiet
+as before, not only to avoid suspicion, but to ingratiate myself with
+the superior, by my supposed reformation.
+
+After a few days, I sallied forth, and leaving a note for one of the
+most skilful perruquiers of Seville, desired him to call at my lodgings,
+at an hour indicated. Having repaired there, to be ready to receive him,
+I took off my monk's dress and false tonsure, which I locked up in my
+chest; I tied a silk handkerchief round my head, and got into bed,
+leaving the cavalier's suit on my chair near to me. The perruquier
+knocked at the appointed time. I desired him to come in, apologised for
+my servant being absent on a message, and stating that I had been
+obliged to shave my head on account of a fever, from which I had now
+recovered, requested that he would provide me with a handsome wig. I
+explained at his request the colour and description of hair which I had
+lost; and in so doing, represented it as much lighter than my own really
+was, and similar to that of the young officer, whose ringlets had been
+the cause of my last disaster. I paid him a part of the price down, and
+having agreed upon the exact time at which it should be delivered, he
+departed; when I rose from my bed, I resumed my monastic dress and
+tonsure, and returned to the convent.
+
+During the whole of the time occupied by these transactions, I had been
+assiduous in laying up money, which before I had squandered as fast as I
+obtained it, and had realised a considerable sum. I could not help
+comparing myself to a chrysalis previous to its transformation. I had
+before been a caterpillar, I was now all ready to burst my confinement,
+and flit about as a gaudy butterfly. Another week, I continued my
+prudent conduct, at the end of which I was admitted to my superior, in
+whose hands I placed a sum of money which I could very conveniently
+spare, and received his benediction and commendations for having weaned
+myself from my former excesses. With a quickened pulse, I hastened to my
+lodgings, and throwing off my hateful gown and tonsure, dressed myself
+in my new attire.
+
+The transformation was complete. I could not recognise myself. I hardly
+could believe that the dashing young cavalier that confronted me in the
+mirror, was the brother Anselmo. "Is this a face," said I, communing
+with myself, "to be disfigured with a vile tonsure? are these limbs to
+be hid under the repulsive garment of a monk?" Again I surveyed myself,
+and it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from
+contemplating my metamorphosis. I was indeed a butterfly. At last, I
+determined upon sallying forth. I locked up my monastic dress and
+descended the staircase. I must acknowledge, that it was with
+trepidation I ventured into the street, but I had soon reason to take
+confidence, for I was met by one of my most intimate friends, who looked
+in my face, and passed on without the slightest recognition. Overjoyed
+at this circumstance, I took courage, and boldly proceeded to the Prado,
+where I was greeted with favourable glances from the women, and sneers
+from the men, both of which I considered equally flattering. In the
+evening, I returned to my lodgings, resumed the habit of my order, and
+gained the convent. I now felt that there was no chance of discovery,
+and anticipated the happiness which had been denied me. I subsequently
+ordered the most fashionable and expensive clothes, hired my lodgings
+for six months, assumed the name of Don Pedro, made the acquaintance of
+many young men, and amongst others of the officer who had treated me so
+ill. He took a fancy to me, which I encouraged to further my views. I
+became his confidant, he informed me of his amour with his cousin,
+adding that he was tired of the business, and wished to break with her;
+also, as an excellent joke, the punishment which he had inflicted upon
+the friar Anselmo.
+
+He was a great proficient with the small sword, an accomplishment, which
+of course had been neglected in my education, and which I accounted for
+by stating that until the death of my elder brother, I had been intended
+for the church. I accepted his offer to be my instructor, and my first
+rudiments in the science were received from him. Afterwards I applied to
+a professor, and, constantly practising, in the course of a few months,
+I knew, from occasional trials of skill with the officer, that I was his
+superior. My revenge, which hitherto had been controlled was now ripe.
+
+But in narrating my adventures abroad, it must not be supposed that I
+neglected every thing that prudence or caution could suggest, to avoid
+discovery. On the contrary, now that I had the means of enjoying
+myself, I was more careful that I did not by any indiscretion excite
+surmises. I generally devoted four days out of the seven in the week to
+the convent and to my professional occupation as music-master. To
+increase the difficulty of identification, I became more serious in my
+manner, more dirty in my person, as the brother Anselmo. I pretended to
+have imbibed a fancy for snuff, with which I soiled my face and monastic
+attire, and seldom if ever spoke, or if I did, in a very solemn voice.
+So far from suspicion, I every day gained more and more the good will of
+the superior. My absence in the day-time was not noticed, as it was
+known that I gave lessons in music, and my irregularity during the night
+was a secret between the porter and myself.
+
+I hardly need observe that, as Don Pedro, I always lamented not having
+been gifted with a voice, and have even in the presence of my
+companions, sent a billet to brother Anselmo to serenade a lady whom I
+courted as Don Pedro. I do not believe until ulterior circumstances,
+that there was ever in the mind of any the slightest idea that, under my
+dissimilar habits, I was one and the same person.
+
+But to continue: one day the young officer, whose name was Don Lopez,
+informed me that he did not know how to act; he was so pestered with the
+jealousy and reproaches of his mistress; and requested my advice as to
+how to proceed. I laughed at his dilemma. "My dear Lopez," replied I,
+"introduce me to her, and depend upon it, that she will give you no more
+trouble. I will make love to her, and, pleased with her new conquest,
+she will soon forget you."
+
+"My good fellow," replied he, "your advice is excellent: will you come
+with me this afternoon?"
+
+Once more I was in the presence of her whom I had loved, but loved no
+more, for I now only felt and lived for revenge. She had not the most
+distant recognition of me. Piqued as she was with Don Lopez, and
+fascinated with my exertions to please, I soon gained an interest; but
+she still loved him, between the paroxysms of her hate. Trying all she
+could to recover him at one moment, and listening to my attentions at
+another, he at last accused her of perfidy, and took his leave for ever.
+Then her violence broke out, and as a proof of my attachment, she
+demanded that I should call him to account. I wished no better, and
+pretending to be so violently attached to her that I was infatuated, I
+took an occasion of his laughing at me, to give him the lie, and demand
+satisfaction. As it was in the presence of others, there was no recall
+or explanation allowed. We met by agreement, alone, in the very field
+where I had received my chastisement; I brought with me my monastic
+habit and tonsure, which I concealed before his arrival among the very
+nettles which he had gathered for my chastisement. The conflict was not
+long: after a few thrusts and parries, he lay dying at my feet. I
+immediately threw over my dress that of the friar, and exchanging the
+wig for the tonsure, stood by him. He opened his eyes, which had closed
+from the fainting, occasioned by the sudden gush from his wound, and
+looked at me with amazement.
+
+"Yes, Don Lopez," said I, "in Don Pedro behold the Friar Anselmo; he
+whom you scourged with nettles; he who has revenged the insult." I then
+threw off the monk's dress, and exposed to him the other beneath it, and
+changing my tonsure for the wig, "now you are convinced of the truth,"
+added I, "and now I have my revenge."
+
+"I am, I am," replied he faintly; "but if you have slain me as Don
+Pedro, now that I am dying, I entreat you, as brother Anselmo, to give
+me absolution. Carry not your revenge so far as to deny me this."
+
+I could not refuse; and I gave absolution in the one costume, to the man
+who had fallen by my hand in the other: for my own part, I thought it
+was an absurdity, but my revenge was satisfied, and I would not refuse
+him such a poor consolation.
+
+A few minutes afterwards he expired, and I hastened to my lodgings,
+changed my dress, and repaired to the convent, where, as Don Pedro I
+wrote to Donna Sophia, informing her of what had taken place, and of my
+having absconded until the hue and cry should be over. For three weeks I
+remained in the convent, or only appeared abroad as the Friar Anselmo. I
+brought a considerable sum to the superior for the use of the church,
+partly to satisfy the qualms of conscience which assailed me for the
+crime which I had committed; partly that I might continue in his good
+graces.
+
+At the expiration of the time I sent a note to the young lady, as from
+Don Pedro, acquainting her with my return, and my intention to call upon
+her in the dusk of the evening. I went to my lodgings, dressed myself as
+Don Pedro, and tapping at her door, was admitted; but instead of being
+cordially greeted, as I expected, I was repulsed, loaded with abuse, and
+declared an object of detestation. It appeared that, although in her
+rage at the desertion of her lover, she had listened to the dictates of
+revenge, now that he was no more, all her affection for him had revived.
+I returned her upbraiding, and quitted the room to leave the house: but
+she had no intention that I should escape, and had stationed two of her
+relations below, ready to intercept me.
+
+She called to them as I descended the stairs; when I arrived at the
+hall, I found them with drawn swords to dispute my passage. I had no
+resource but to fight my way; and charging them furiously, I severely
+wounded one, and shortly afterwards disarmed the other, just as the
+enraged fair one, who perceived that I was gaining the day, had run
+behind me and seized my arms; but she was too late: I threw her
+indignantly upon the wounded man, and walked out of the house. As soon
+as I was in the street, I took to my heels, gained my lodgings, changed
+my dress, and repaired to the convent.
+
+This adventure sobered me much. I now remained quiet for some months,
+never assuming my dress as Don Pedro, lest the officers of justice
+should lay hold of me. I became more rigid and exact in my duties, and
+more austere in my manner.
+
+The several confessional chairs in our church were usually occupied by
+the senior monks, although, when absent from sickness or other causes,
+the juniors occasionally supplied their place. One of the monks had been
+taken ill, and I knew that the mother of the young lady, who was very
+strict in her religious duties, confessed at that chair every Friday; I
+took possession of it, with the hopes that I should find out some means
+of prosecuting my revenge. The young lady also confessed at the same
+chair, when she did come, which was but seldom. Since the death of her
+lover, she had never made her appearance.
+
+As I anticipated, the mother came, and after having run over a string of
+peccadilloes, for which I ordered a slight penance, I inquired, through
+the punctured communication on the side of the confessional chair,
+whether she had not children, to which she answered in the affirmative.
+I then asked when her daughter had confessed last. She mentioned a long
+date, and I commenced a serious expostulation upon the neglect of
+parents, desiring that her daughter might be brought to confess, or
+otherwise I should be obliged to inflict a penance of some hundred
+Pater-Nosters and Ave-Marias upon herself, for not attending to her
+parental duties. The old lady, who had no wish to submit to her own
+penance, promised to bring her daughter the next day, and she was true
+to her word. Donna Sophia appeared to come very unwillingly. As soon as
+she had taken her seat by the confessional chair, she made a confession
+of a hundred little nothings, and having finished her catalogue, stopped
+as if waiting for absolution.
+
+"Have you made no reservation?" inquired I, in the low muttering tone
+which is used at the confessional; for although neither party can
+distinguish the person of the other, I did not wish her to recognise my
+voice.
+
+"Every thing," replied she, in a faint whisper.
+
+"My daughter," replied I, "by your trembling answer, I know that you
+are deceiving yourself and me. I am an old man, and have been too many
+years in this chair, not to ascertain by the answers which I receive,
+whether the conscience is unloaded. Yours, I am convinced, has something
+pressing heavily upon it; something for which you would fain have
+absolution, but which you are ashamed to reveal. If not a principal, you
+have been a party to crime; and never shall you have absolution until
+you have made a full confession." Her heart swelled with emotion, she
+attempted to speak, and burst into tears. "These are harbingers of
+good," observed I; "I am now convinced that my supposition was correct:
+pour out your soul in tribulation, and receive that comfort which I am
+empowered to bestow. Courage, my daughter! the best of us are but
+grievous sinners." As soon as she could check her sobbing, she commenced
+her confession; narrating her penchant for me, her subsequent attachment
+to the young officer, my abuse of him, and the punishment which had
+ensued--his desertion, the introduction of Don Pedro, her pique at
+having instigated him to kill her lover, his death, and all that I have
+narrated to your highness.
+
+"These are serious crimes, my daughter! grievous indeed; you have
+yielded to the tempter in your own person, caused the death of one man,
+you have led another astray, and have deceived him, when he claimed the
+reward of his iniquity; but all these are trifles compared to the
+offence upon the holy monk, which is the worst of sacrilege. And what
+was his fault? that he cautioned you against a person, whose subsequent
+conduct has proved, that the worthy man was correct in his suppositions.
+
+"In every way you have offended Heaven; a whole life will be scarce
+sufficient for the task of repentance, laying aside the enormous crime
+of sacrilege, which, in justice, ought to be referred to the
+Inquisition. Excommunication is more fitting in your case than
+absolution." I waited some time before I again spoke, during which she
+sobbed bitterly. "My daughter," observed I, "before I can decide upon
+what is to be done to save you from everlasting perdition, it is
+necessary that you humble yourself before the religious man, whose
+person you have abused. Send to the convent to which he belongs, and
+entreat him to come; and when you have confessed your crime, offer to
+him the same implements of punishment, which through your instigation
+were so sacrilegiously applied. Submit to his sentence, and the penance
+which he may prescribe. When you have done that, repair again to me. I
+shall be in this chair the day after to-morrow."
+
+The girl muffled up her face, waited a few minutes to compose herself,
+and then returned to her mother, who wondered what could have detained
+her so long.
+
+That evening, I received a note from Donna Sophia, requesting me to call
+on the ensuing day. I found her in her room, she had been weeping
+bitterly, and when I entered coloured up with shame and vexation; but
+she had been too much frightened on the day before, to resist the
+injunctions which she had received: a large bundle of nettles lay on the
+chair; and when I entered she turned the key of the door, and falling
+down on her knees, with many tears made a full confession. I expressed
+the utmost horror and surprise; she embraced my knees, implored my
+pardon, and then, pointing to the nettles, requested I would use them if
+I thought proper. Having said this, she covered her face with her hands,
+and remained on her knees in silence.
+
+I must confess, that when I called to mind the punishment which had been
+inflicted on me through her means, and the manner in which she had
+attempted to betray me to my death, I felt very much inclined to revenge
+myself by scourging her severely; but although the affection I once felt
+for her had passed away, I had a natural tenderness for the sex, which
+made me abandon this petty revenge. My object was to remove her, so that
+I might not be recognised in my worldly attire; and she, I knew, was the
+only person who could prove that I had killed her lover. I therefore
+raised her up, and telling her that I was satisfied with her
+repentance, and, as far as I was personally concerned, forgave her
+ill-treatment, desired her to repair to her confessor, who was the
+proper person to award a punishment for such a catalogue of heinous
+crimes. The next day I was in the confessional, when she narrated all
+that had passed: I then told her she had nothing to do, but to
+propitiate Heaven by dedicating her musical talents to its service;
+pointing out, that her only chance of salvation was from immediately
+taking the veil. I refused to listen to any other species of penance,
+however severe, for which she gladly would have compromised the
+sentence. Goaded by her conscience, miserable at the desertion and death
+of her lover, and alarmed at the threats of excommunication, in less
+than a week she repaired to the Ursuline Convent; and, after a short
+probation, she took the veil, and was admitted as one of the sisterhood.
+
+As soon as my only accuser was fairly locked up, I occasionally resumed
+my dress and wig. I say occasionally, because in the society which I
+chiefly delighted in, and in which I became the connoisseur of good
+wine, that I asserted myself to be, when your highness overheard me, I
+had no occasion for it, being quite as well received when I sang and
+played the guitar in my monkish dress, as I should have been in my
+other. Besides which, I never had to pay when in that costume, as I was
+obliged to do when I sported the other; which was only put on when I
+wished to make myself agreeable to any fair one. I hardly need observe,
+that I took great care to avoid the society in the one dress with which
+I mixed in the other. This disguise I continued very successfully for
+three years, when a circumstance occurred, which ended in my discovery,
+and my eventually becoming a slave in your highness's dominions.
+
+For some time I had taught the niece of an elderly lady, who was of
+noble family and very rich. The aunt was always present at the lessons;
+and, knowing that she was very devout, I rejected all songs that were of
+an amorous tendency, and would only practise such as were unimpeachable.
+In my demeanour I was always sedate and respectful--full of humility
+and self-accusation. When I received my money from the old lady, I used
+to thank her in the name of our convent, for whose use it was to be
+appropriated, and call her donation a charity, for which Heaven would
+reward her. Her confessor died, and the old lady chose me to supply his
+place. This was what I was anxious to obtain, and I redoubled my zeal,
+my humility, and my flattery.
+
+It was not that I had originally any design upon the affections of the
+niece, although she was a very pretty girl, but upon the old lady's
+purse, for I knew that she could not last for many years. On the
+contrary, I was anxious, if possible, to have the niece removed, as it
+was supposed that she would inherit the old lady's doubloons; but this
+required time and opportunity, and, in the mean while, I assiduously
+cultivated the old lady's good graces. She used to confess once a week;
+and I often observed that she acknowledged as a sin, thinking too much
+of one who had led her from her duty in former days, and for whom she
+still felt too much worldly passion. One evening when the clock had
+struck ten, we had laid down the cards, which we occasionally played, it
+being the day and her usual hour for confessing. Again she repeated the
+same offence, and I then delicately hinted, that she might be more at
+ease if she were to confide to me the circumstances connected with her
+compunctions. She hesitated; but on my pointing out to her that there
+ought to be no reservation, and that the acknowledgment of the
+compunction arising from a sin was not that of the sin itself, she
+acquiesced. Her confession referred to her early days, when, attached to
+a young cavalier, against the wishes of her parents, under a solemn
+promise of marriage, she had consented to receive him into her chamber.
+The intercourse continued for some time, when it was discovered. Her
+lover had been waylaid and murdered by her relations, and she had been
+thrown into a convent. There she had been confined, and the child
+removed as soon as it was born: she had resisted all the force and
+threats employed to induce her to take the veil; and at the death of
+her father had been released and came into possession of her property,
+of which they could not deprive her: that she made every endeavour to
+find out to where her child had been removed, and at last discovered
+that it had been sent to the Foundling Asylum; but this information was
+not obtained until some years afterwards, and all the children sent
+there at the period had been dispersed. Never having married, her
+thoughts would revert to the scenes which had taken place with her
+adored Felix, although years had rolled away, and she felt that she was
+wrong to dwell upon what in itself had been so criminal.
+
+I listened to her story with great interest, for the idea occurred to
+me, that I might be the unfortunate offspring of their loves, and if
+not, that in all probability the old lady might be induced so to
+believe. I inquired whether her child had any marks by which he could be
+recognised. She answered, that she made most particular inquiries of the
+people who attended her, and that one of the women had stated that the
+child had a large wart upon the back of its neck: this however was not
+likely to remain, and she had abandoned all hopes of its discovery.
+
+I observed that warts were easily removed when contracted accidentally,
+but that those which appeared at the birth were no more to be removed
+than moles. I then turned the conversation, by stating that I could not
+consider her conduct criminal; it was more than could be expected from
+human nature, that she should not retain affection for one who had lived
+with her as a husband, and died for her sake. I gave her absolution for
+half a dozen Ave-Marias, and took my leave for the night. When I lay on
+my pallet, I reflected upon what had passed; the year and month agreed
+exactly with the time at which I had been sent to the Asylum. A wart, as
+she very truly observed, might disappear. Might not I be the very son
+whom she was lamenting? The next morning I repaired to the Asylum, and
+demanded the date of my reception, with all the particulars, which were
+invariably registered in case of the infants being eventually claimed.
+It was in the month of February. There was one other entry in the same
+month, same day, and nearly the same hour as my own.
+
+"At nine at night, a male infant left at the door in a basket, parties
+absconded, no marks, named Anselmo."
+
+"At ten at night, a male infant brought to the door in a capote, parties
+absconded, no marks, named Jacobo."
+
+It appeared then that there were two children brought within an hour of
+each other to the Asylum, and that I was one of them. In the evening I
+returned to the old lady, and accidentally resumed the subject of her
+not having made further search for her child, and asked if she had the
+precise date. She answered that she had it in her memory too well, and
+it was on the 18th of February; and that when she referred to the
+Asylum, they had informed her that the children brought in February had
+no marks; that they had all been sent away, but where they could not
+tell, as the former governor had died, and he was the only person who
+could give the information. That either I or the other was her child was
+clear, but to prove which, was impossible. It however made me less
+scrupulous about my plan of proceeding, which was to identify myself
+with the child she had lost. It was useless to prove that I was sent in
+on that day as there was a competitor; besides which, my monastic vows
+were at variance with my speculation: I therefore resolved to satisfy
+her, if I could not satisfactorily prove it to myself or to the rest of
+the world, and I took my measures accordingly.
+
+It was in my worldly disguise, that I determined to attempt my purpose;
+and as it was necessary to have a wart on my neck, I resolved to obtain
+one as soon as possible. This was easily managed: a friar of the convent
+was troubled with these excrescences, and I jocularly proposed a trial
+to see whether it was true that the blood of them would inoculate. In a
+fortnight I had a wart on my finger which soon became large, and I then
+applied the blood of it to my neck. Within three months I had a large
+wart on the back, of my neck, or rather a conglomeration of them, which
+I had produced by inoculation, assisted by constant irritation: during
+this period I was not so frequent in my attendance upon the old lady,
+excusing myself on account of the duties of the convent which devolved
+upon me. The next point was how to introduce myself in my other apparel.
+This required some reflection, as it would be but occasionally that I
+could make my appearance. After some reflection, I determined that the
+niece should assist me, for I knew that even if I succeeded in my plans,
+she would be a participator in the property which I wished to secure.
+Often left in her company, I took opportunities of talking of a young
+friend whom I highly extolled. When I had raised her curiosity, I
+mentioned in a laughing manner, that I suspected he was very much
+smitten with her charms, as I had often found him watching at the house
+opposite. An admirer is always a source of gratification to a young
+girl; her vanity was flattered, and she asked me many particulars. I
+answered them so as to inflame her curiosity, describing his person in a
+very favourable manner, and extolling his good qualities. I also
+minutely described his dress. After the music lesson was over, I
+returned to my lodgings, arrayed myself in my best suit, and putting on
+my curling ringlets, walked up and down before the window of the house.
+The niece soon recognised me as the person whose dress and appearance I
+had so minutely described, one moment showing herself at the window, at
+another darting away with all the coquetry of her sex. I perceived that
+she was flattered with her conquest; and, after parading myself for a
+short time, I disappeared.
+
+When I called the next day in my monastic costume, I had a billet-doux
+ready in my pocket. The singing commenced: I soon found out that she had
+a prepossession, from her selecting a song which in the presence of her
+aunt I should have put on one side, but it now suited my purpose that
+she should be indulged. When the aunt made her appearance we stopped,
+and commenced another: by this little ruse I became a sort of
+confidant, and the intimacy which I desired was brought about. When we
+had practised two or three songs, Donna Celia, the aunt, left the room:
+I then observed that I had seen the young cavalier whom I had mentioned,
+and that he appeared to be more infatuated than ever: that he had
+requested me as a favour to speak on his behalf, but that I had
+threatened to acquaint her aunt if he mentioned the subject; for I
+considered that my duty as a confessor in the family would be very
+irreconcileable with carrying clandestine love-messages. I acknowledged
+that I pitied his condition; for to see the tears that he shed, and
+listen to the supplications which he had made, would have softened
+almost any body; but that notwithstanding my great regard for him, I
+thought it inconsistent with my duty to interfere in such a business: I
+added, that he had told me that he had walked before the house yesterday
+afternoon, with the hopes of meeting one of the servants, whom he might
+bribe to convey a letter; and that I had threatened to acquaint Donna
+Celia if he mentioned the subject again. Donna Clara (for such was her
+name) appeared very much annoyed at my pretended rigour, but said
+nothing. After a little while, I asked her if she had seen him; she
+replied in the affirmative without further remarks. Her work-box lay
+upon the sofa, upon which she had been seated, and I put the note in it
+without being perceived. The lesson was finished, and I repaired to her
+aunt's apartments to pay her a visit in the quality of confessor. After
+half-an-hour's conversation, I returned through the saloon, where I had
+left Donna Clara: she was at her embroidery, and had evidently seen and
+read the note, for she coloured up when I entered. I took no notice,
+but, satisfied that she had read it, I bade her adieu. In the note, I
+had implored her for an answer, and stated that I should be under her
+window during the whole night. As soon as it was dark, I dressed myself
+as Don Pedro and repaired to the street, striking a few notes on the
+guitar to attract her attention. I remained there more than
+half-an-hour, when the casement opened, and a little hand threw out a
+billet, which fell at my feet: I kissed it with apparent rapture, and
+retired. When I gained my lodgings, I opened it, and found it as
+favourable as I could hope. My plan then was to act as her confidant.
+
+When I called the next day, I told her that, satisfied with the
+honourable intentions of the young cavalier, he had overcome my
+scruples, and I had consented to speak in his behalf: that I thought it
+was not right; but the state of the young man was so deplorable, that I
+could not withstand his entreaties; but that I expected that no steps
+would be taken by either party without my concurrence; and with this
+proviso, if she was pleased with the young cavalier, I would exert my
+influence in their behalf. Donna Clara's face beamed with delight at my
+communication: and she candidly acknowledged, as she had before in the
+note, that his person and his character were by no means displeasing. I
+then produced another note, which I said he had prevailed upon me to
+deliver. After this, affairs went on successfully. I repeatedly met her
+in the evening; and although I at first was indifferent, yet I soon
+became attached from the many amiable and endearing qualities which love
+had brought to light. She one day observed that there was a strong
+resemblance between Don Pedro and me, but the possibility of a serious
+shaven monk, and a gay cavalier with his curling locks, being one and
+the same person, never entered her head. When I considered matters ripe,
+I called upon Donna Celia, and, with the preamble that I had something
+of importance to communicate, informed her I had discovered that a young
+man was attached to her niece; and that I strongly suspected the regard
+was reciprocal; that I knew the young cavalier very well, who was very
+amiable, and possessed many good qualities, but there seemed to be a
+mystery about his family, as he never mentioned them. I ended by
+observing, that I considered it my duty to acquaint her with the
+circumstance; as if she objected to the match, or had other views for
+her niece, an immediate stop ought to be put to their correspondence.
+
+The old lady was very much astonished at the information, and very angry
+that her niece should have presumed to make an acquaintance without her
+knowledge. I waited until she had said all she could think of, and then
+calmly took up the right of a confessor, pointing out that she had
+herself fallen into the same error in her youthful days; that the young
+man had confessed to me that his views were honourable; but had not an
+idea, at the time, that I was acquainted with the family. Donna Celia
+then appeared to be more pacified, and asked many questions: all that
+she seemed to object to, was the mystery about his family, which at her
+request I promised to clear up before any other steps should be taken.
+Cautioning her against any violence of language to her niece, I took my
+leave. As I went out I spoke a few words to Clara, informing her of the
+_dénouement_ which had taken place, and recommending her by no means to
+irritate her aunt, but to be very penitent when she was reproved. Clara
+obeyed my injunctions, and the next day, when I called, I found her
+sitting by the side of Donna Celia, who was apparently reconciled. I
+motioned Clara out of the room, when Donna Celia informed me that she
+had acknowledged her error; and as she had promised for the future to be
+regulated by her advice, she had overlooked her indiscretion. When she
+had finished: "Prepare yourself, madam," said I, "for strange
+tidings--the ways of Heaven are wonderful. Last evening I had an
+explanation with the young cavalier, Don Pedro, and he proves to
+be--that son whose loss you have so much lamented."
+
+"Merciful heaven!" cried the old lady, and she fainted away. As soon as
+she recovered, she cried out, "Oh where is he! bring him to me--let a
+mother's eyes be blessed with his sight--let the yearnings of a mother's
+heart be recompensed in his embraces--let the tears of affection be wept
+upon his bosom."
+
+"Calm yourself, my dear madam," replied I: "the proofs you have not yet
+seen. First be satisfied, and then indulge in your delightful
+anticipation. When I pressed Don Pedro upon the subject of his family, I
+told him candidly that his only chance of success was unlimited
+confidence: he acknowledged that he had been sent to the Asylum when an
+infant, and that he did not know his parents; that the mystery and
+consequent stigma on his birth had been a source of mortification to him
+through life. I asked him if he knew his age, or had a copy of the
+register of his reception. He took it out of a small cabinet; it was on
+the 18th of February, in the same year that your child was sent there.
+Still as I was not sure, I stated that I would call upon him this
+morning, and see what could be done; assuring him that his candid avowal
+had created strong interest in his favour. This morning I repaired to
+the Asylum, when I examined the register. Two children were brought in
+on that night: here is the extract, and I feel much mortified, as you
+will observe, that no marks are mentioned. If, therefore, the wart you
+spoke of was not still remaining, the uncertainty would have been as
+great as ever. When I returned to him about an hour since, I renewed the
+subject, and stated that I thought it was the custom to make a note of
+any particular marks upon the children, by which they might be
+eventually reclaimed. He replied that it was customary when they were
+indelible, but not otherwise: that he had no indelible mark, although a
+large wart had been on the back of his neck as long as he could
+remember; 'but,' added he, 'it is of no use,--all hopes of finding my
+parents have long since been abandoned, and I must submit to my
+unfortunate destiny. I have thought upon what has passed, and I feel
+that I have acted wrong. Without family and without name, what right
+have I to aspire to the hand of any young lady of good parentage? I have
+made the resolution to conquer my feelings; and before the intimacy has
+been carried on to an extent that a rupture would occasion any pangs to
+her that I adore, I will retire from Seville, and lament in solitude my
+unfortunate condition.'
+
+"'Are you capable of making such a sacrifice, Don Pedro?' said I.--'I
+am, Father Anselmo,' replied he: 'I will always act as a man of honour
+and of family, although I cannot prove my descent.'
+
+"'Then,' said I, 'Don Pedro, do me the favour to call upon me this
+evening at my convent, and I hope to have some pleasing intelligence to
+impart.' I then left him, to come here and acquaint you with the joyful
+discovery."--"But why did you not bring him here immediately?" cried
+Donna Celia.
+
+"Madam, I have important duties at my convent which will occupy me with
+the superior till late at night. These must be attended to; and it is
+not impossible that the affairs of our convent may require my absence
+for some time, as there are new leases of our lands to be granted, and I
+have reason to expect that the superior may dispatch me on that
+business. I will acquaint the young man with what has been discovered,
+and will then send him to your arms; but it were advisable that you
+allow a few hours to repose after the agitation which you have
+undergone, and previous to the affecting scene that will naturally take
+place. I wish I could be present; for it is not often, in this world,
+that we can witness the best affections of the heart in their virtuous
+action."
+
+I then took my leave, requesting Donna Celia to inform her niece of the
+circumstances, as I presumed there would now be no obstacle to the
+mutual attachment of the young people.
+
+My reason for an early departure was that I might arrange the story I
+should tell, when, as Don Pedro, my new mother would demand from me the
+events of my life. I had also to request leave of absence, which I
+obtained in expectation of some property being left to the convent by an
+elderly gentleman residing at Alicant, who was expected to die, and from
+whom I produced a letter, requesting my presence. As I was on the best
+terms with the superior, and there was a prospect of obtaining money,
+his consent was given. That I should be there in time, I was permitted
+to depart that evening. I took my leave of the superior, and the rest of
+the monks, intending never to return, and hastened to my lodgings, where
+I threw off my monastic habit, which from that hour has never been
+resumed. I repaired to Donna Celia's house, was admitted and ushered
+into a room to await her arrival. My person had been set off to the best
+advantage. I had put on a new wig, a splendid velvet cloak, silk doublet
+and hose; and as I surveyed myself for a second or two in the mirror, I
+felt the impossibility of recognition, mingled with pride at my handsome
+contour. The door opened, and Donna Celia came in, trembling with
+anxiety. I threw myself on my knees, and in a voice apparently choked
+with emotion, demanded her blessing. She tottered to the sofa
+overpowered by her feelings; and still remaining on my knees, I seized
+her hand, which I covered with kisses.
+
+"It is--it is my child," cried she at last; "all powerful nature would
+have told me so, if it had not been proved," and she threw her arms
+round my neck, as she bent over me and shed tears of gratitude and
+delight. I do assure your highness that I caught the infection, and
+mingled my tears with hers; for I felt then, and I even now firmly
+believe, that I was her son. Although my conscience for a moment
+upbraided me, during a scene which brought back virtuous feelings to my
+breast, I could not but consider, that a deception which could produce
+so much delight and joy, was almost pardonable. I took my seat beside
+her, and she kissed me again and again, as one minute she would hold me
+off to look at me, and the next strain me in her embraces.
+
+"You are the image of your father, Pedro," observed she, mournfully,
+"but God's will be done. If he has taken away, he also hath given, and
+truly grateful am I for his bounty." When we had in some degree
+recovered our agitation, I entreated her to narrate to me the history of
+my father of which I had heard but little from the good brother Anselmo,
+and she repeated to me those events of her youthful days which she had
+communicated before.
+
+"But you have not been introduced to Clara: the naughty girl little
+thought that she was carrying on an amour with her own cousin."
+
+When Donna Celia called her down, I made no scruple of pressing the dear
+girl to my heart, and implanting a kiss upon her lips: with our eyes
+beaming with love and joy, we sat down upon the sofa, I in the centre,
+with a hand locked in the hand of each. "And now, my dear Pedro, I am
+anxious to hear the narrative of your life," said Donna Celia: "that it
+has been honourable to yourself, I feel convinced." Thanking her for her
+good opinion, which I hoped neither what had passed, or might in future
+occur, would be the means of removing, I commenced the history of my
+life in the following words.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Commenced the history of your life?" interrupted the pacha. "Does the
+slave laugh at our beards? What then is all this you have been telling
+us?"
+
+"The truth, your highness," replied the Spaniard. "What I am about to
+tell, is the history of my life, which I invented to deceive the old
+lady Donna Celia, and which is all false."
+
+"I understand, Mustapha, this kafir is a regular Kessehgou,[3] he makes
+one story breed another; but it is late, see that he attends to-morrow
+afternoon, Bero! Go, infidel, the muezzin calls to prayers."
+
+  [3] Eastern story-teller.
+
+The Spaniard quitted the sublime presence, and in obedience to the call
+of the muezzin, the pacha and Mustapha paid their customary evening
+devotions--to the bottle.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter IV
+
+
+The next day the Spanish slave was summoned to continue his narrative.
+
+"Your sublime highness of course recollects where I lest off yesterday
+evening," commenced the slave.
+
+"Perfectly well," replied the pacha, "you left off at the beginning of
+your story; but I hope you will finish it this evening, as I have
+already forgotten a great deal of what you said."
+
+"Your highness may recollect that I was seated--"
+
+"Yes, in our presence," interrupted the pacha; "such was our
+condescension to a Giaour. Now go on with your story."
+
+"With due submission to your highness, I was seated on a sofa, between
+my mother Donna Celia and my mistress Donna Clara."
+
+"Very true; I recollect now that you were."
+
+"A hand clasped in the hand of each."
+
+"Exactly," replied the pacha, impatiently.
+
+"And was about to tell a story of my own invention, to deceive the old
+lady my mother."
+
+"Anna Senna! curses on your mother!" cried the pacha, in an angry tone.
+"Sit down and continue your story. Is a pacha nothing? Is the lion to be
+chafed by a jackall? Wallah le Nebi! By God and the Prophet! do you
+laugh at our beard? The story!"
+
+"The story requested by your highness," replied the slave, with great
+coolness, "was commenced in the following words."
+
+
+
+STORY OF THE MONK.
+
+What occurred during my infancy, my dearest mother, I do not recollect;
+but I can retrace to the age of seven years, when I found myself in
+company with a number of others, from the squalling infant of a few days
+old, up to about my own age. I also recollect that our fare was
+indifferent, and our punishment severe.
+
+"Poor child!" exclaimed Donna Celia, pressing my hand which was still
+locked in hers. I continued there until the age of ten, when an old lady
+who came to the Asylum, took a fancy to me; for I often heard it
+remarked, that I was a very handsome boy, although I have rather grown
+out of my good looks lately, Clara.
+
+A pressure of my other hand, and a negative smile, was the answer; and I
+proceeded--
+
+The old lady Donna Isabella, who was of the noble family of Guzman,
+wanted a page, and intended to bring me up in that capacity. She carried
+me to her house, where I was clad in a fancy dress. I used to sit by her
+side on the carpet, and run upon any message which might be required; in
+fact, I was a sort of human bell, calling up every body and fetching
+every thing that was wanted; but I was well fed, and very proud of a
+little dagger which I wore in my girdle. The only part of my education
+to which I objected, was learning to read and write from a priest, who
+was domiciled in the family, and who had himself as great an aversion to
+teaching as I had to learning. Had the affair rested entirely between
+us, we might have arranged matters so as to please both parties; but as
+the old lady used to prove my acquirements by making me read to her, as
+she knotted, we neither of us could help fulfilling our engagements. By
+dint of bullying and beating, at last I was sufficiently enlightened to
+be able to read a romance to my mistress, or answer an invitation-note
+in the negative or affirmative. My mistress had two nieces who lived
+with her, both nearly grown up when I entered the family. They taught me
+dancing for their own amusement, as well as many other things, and by
+their care I improved very much, even in reading and writing. Although a
+child, I had a pleasure in being taught by two pretty girls. But it is
+necessary that I should be more particular in my description of these
+two young ladies. The eldest, whose name was Donna Emilia, was of a
+prudent, sedate description, always cheerful, but never boisterous; she
+constantly smiled, but seldom, if ever, indulged in a laugh. The
+youngest, Donna Teresa, was very different--joyous and light-hearted,
+frank and confiding in her temper, generous in disposition: her faults
+arose from an excess of every feeling--a continual running into
+extremes. Never were two sisters more fond of each other: it appeared as
+if the difference between their dispositions but added to their
+attachment. The serious character of the elder was roused to playfulness
+by the vivacity of the younger, and the extravagance of the younger was
+kept in due bounds by the prudence of the elder. As a child I liked
+Donna Emilia, but I was devotedly fond of Donna Teresa.
+
+I had been three years in this situation, when legal business required
+the presence of Donna Isabella at Madrid. The young ladies, who were
+both very handsome, and remarkably like each other in person, were much
+admired by the cavaliers. Two had gained the victory over the rival
+candidates--Don Perez was the favoured suitor of Donna Emilia, while Don
+Florez was proud to wear the chains of the lively Teresa. Donna Isabella
+had, however, no intention that her nieces should quit her for the
+present, and aware, by the serenading which took place every night, that
+there were pretenders to her nieces' smiles, she hastened back to
+Seville sooner than she had intended.
+
+Although I had not been trusted by either, I had an idea of what was
+going on; but with more prudence than most boys of my age, I made no
+remarks either to my mistress or to the young ladies. We had returned to
+Seville about a month, when Donna Emilia called me aside, and said,
+"Pedro, can you keep a secret?"
+
+I told her--"Yes, if I was paid for it."
+
+"And what do you want to induce you to keep it, you little miser?"
+
+I replied--"From her, only a kiss."
+
+She called me a little rogue, gave me the kiss, and then told me, that a
+cavalier would be under the window a little after vesper bell, and that
+I must give him a billet, which she put into my hand. Of course, having
+received my payment before hand, I consented. At the time mentioned I
+looked out of the gate, and perceiving a cavalier under the window, I
+accosted him, "What ho, Senor, what is it you expect from a fair lady?"
+
+"A billet, my little page," replied he.
+
+"Then here you have it," replied I, pulling it out of my vest. He put a
+doubloon in my hand, and immediately disappeared.
+
+I liked the gold very much, but I preferred the other payment more. I
+put the money into my pocket, and returned into the house. I had hardly
+come into the hall, when Donna Teresa, the other young lady, accosted
+me. "Pedro, I have been looking for you--can you keep a secret?"
+
+"Yes, if I am paid for it," replied I, as before.
+
+"And what must it be that will keep that little tongue of yours from
+chattering?"
+
+"From you," replied I, "it must be a kiss."
+
+"Oh! you little mannikin--I'll give you twenty;" and she did so, until
+she almost took away my breath. "And now," said she, "there is a senor
+waiting below for a note, which you must take him." I took the note, and
+when I came to the gate, found a cavalier there, as she had mentioned.
+"Oh, Senor," said I, "what are you waiting for, is it a billet-doux from
+a sweet lady?"
+
+"It is, my pretty boy," answered he.
+
+"Perhaps this will interest you," replied I, handing him the note. He
+snatched it from me, and would have departed. "Senor," said I, "I cannot
+allow my mistress to be affronted. Her favours are beyond all price, but
+still they are always coupled with gold. Since you are so poor, and gold
+must pass, here is a piece for you," and I offered him the doubloon
+which I had received from the other cavalier.
+
+"You are a witty boy," replied he, "and have corrected my negligence,
+for it was nothing more, I assure you. Add this to the other,"--and he
+put a quarter-doubloon in my hand and disappeared. I returned to the
+house, and as I had been some time away from my mistress I went into
+the saloon--where she was sitting alone.
+
+"Pedro, come hither, child, you know how good I have been to you, and
+how carefully I have brought you up. Now tell me, can you keep a
+secret?"--"Yes, madam," replied I, "I can keep yours, for it is my
+duty."
+
+"That's a good child; well then, I have an idea that my two nieces are
+followed by some of the gay cavaliers, who saw them at Madrid, and I
+wish you to find out if it is true.--Do you understand?"
+
+"Oh, yes, madam," replied I; "I do perfectly."
+
+"Well then, do you watch,--and Pedro, here are two reals for you, to buy
+sugar-plums."
+
+Thus did I enter in one day into the real occupation of a page. I added
+the two reals to the gold, and, as you may suppose, meant to serve as I
+was paid. But, as I found out afterwards, I had made a terrible mistake
+with the two billets-doux. That of Donna Emilia I had given to Don
+Florez, who was Donna Teresa's admirer; that of Donna Teresa I had given
+to Don Perez, who was the lover of Donna Emilia; but I had better
+explain to you, before I go on, what did not come to my knowledge until
+the _dénouement_ took place. Don Perez, the lover of Emilia, was a young
+man who was entitled to large property, at the death of an uncle, to
+whom he was heir by entail. Don Florez, on the contrary, was in
+possession of a splendid fortune, and able to choose for himself. From
+fear of discovery, the notes were both in a disguised hand, and not
+signed by the respective Christian names of the ladies. Donna Emilia's
+ran thus:--"I found your note in the spot agreed, but my aunt has taken
+away the key of the shrubbery, and is I believe suspicious.--Why are you
+so urgent?--I trust your affection, like mine, will but increase from
+delay. It will be impossible to meet you to-night; but I have entered
+the page in my service, and will write soon." That of Donna Teresa,
+which I put in the hands of Don Perez, ran as follows:--"I can no longer
+refuse your solicitations for an interview. My aunt has locked up the
+shrubbery, but if you have courage enough to scale the garden-wall, I
+will meet you in the saloon which opens upon the garden; but not a word
+must be said, as the servants are continually passing the door--neither
+can we have a light--I must trust to your honour."
+
+Don Perez was delighted at Donna Emilia's having at last yielded to his
+entreaties for a meeting; and Don Florez, as much annoyed at the
+reserved conduct of his mistress, went home accusing her of coquetry. At
+the appointed hour, Don Perez met his supposed mistress in the saloon.
+The two sisters were confidantes, and as I was in their secret, they
+made no scruple of talking before me. The next day, when their aunt left
+the room, they began arguing upon the personal merits of the respective
+cavaliers. After a good-humoured controversy, they appealed to me.
+"Come, Pedro," said Teresa, "you shall decide.--Which do you think the
+handsomest cavalier?"
+
+"Why," answered I, "I think that your senor is, for a fair man, the
+handsomest I ever saw--but still the beautiful dark eyes of the Donna
+Emilia's cavalier are equally prepossessing."
+
+"Why Pedro, you have mistaken the two," said Emilia, "it is Don Perez,
+the fair one, who is my admirer, and the dark senor is Don Florez, who
+is in love with my sister." I perceived that I had made a mistake when I
+delivered the notes, and Teresa coloured up. But I had sense enough to
+answer--"Very true, madam, you are right, I now recollect that I am
+confounding the two."
+
+Shortly afterwards the aunt came into the room, and Teresa quitted it,
+beckoning me to follow her. As soon as I had joined her, she said, "Now,
+Pedro, tell the truth: did you not make the mistake that you stated, and
+deliver my note to the fair cavalier, Don Perez."
+
+I answered, "that I had, as I had already delivered Emilia's note to the
+dark gentleman." Donna Teresa put her hands over her face and wept
+bitterly,--"Pedro, you must now keep this secret, for it is of the
+greatest importance.--My God, what will become of me?" cried she, and
+for some time she was in the greatest distress: at last she wiped her
+eyes, and after much reflection, she took up paper and wrote a
+note.--"Pedro, take this note to the direction; recollect it is for the
+dark cavalier that it is intended." Teresa had read the note of Emilia
+to Don Perez, which had been received by Don Florez--in consequence her
+present note ran thus:--"You may think me harsh for having refused to
+see you last night, but I was afraid. Do not accuse me with trifling
+with your feelings, I will meet you in the saloon that leads to the
+garden, which was last night occupied; come at ten this evening."
+
+I went out with the note and gave it into the hands of Don Florez. "My
+dear boy, tell Donna Teresa I will not fail; I know now why she could
+not receive me last night; I only hope I may be as fortunate as Don
+Perez." He put a doubloon in my hand, and I went away. I had not quitted
+the street when I met Don Perez.
+
+"Ah! my little page, this is indeed lucky; just step to my rooms while I
+write a note to Donna Emilia." I did so, and he gave me a
+quarter-doubloon as before. "I thank you, senor," replied I; what with
+the doubloons of Don Florez and your quarter-doubloons, I shall soon be
+a rich man."
+
+"How say you," replied he, "Don Florez give you doubloons--then he
+spoils the market; but I must not allow him to pay you better than I do,
+or I shall not be served so faithfully.--Here's a doubloon and a half,
+which, with what you have already received, will make the accounts
+square." I made my bow, and with many thanks withdrew.
+
+Young as I was, I had an idea that something had occurred at the
+mistaken meeting of last night, which seriously affected Donna Teresa.
+As I was much more partial to her than to her sister, I resolved not to
+deliver the note of Don Perez to Emilia, until I had consulted Donna
+Teresa. On my return, I beckoned her into her chamber, and told her the
+answer of Don Florez, with his observation, "that he hoped he should be
+as fortunate as Don Perez was last night." She coloured with shame and
+vexation; and I then told her how I had met Don Perez, and what had
+passed. I then gave her the note, and asked whether I should deliver it
+or not. She hastily tore it open--it ran as follows:--"How can I
+sufficiently express my gratitude to my adored Emilia, for her kindness
+to me last night? Tell me, dearest angel, when am I to have the pleasure
+of meeting you again in the saloon? Till you once more grant me the
+favour, life will be a blank."
+
+"Pedro," said she, "you have indeed done me a service--you have been my
+preserver. How can I ever repay you?"
+
+"Give me a double allowance of kisses, this time," replied I.
+
+"I will give you a thousand," answered she, and she kissed and blessed
+me while tears ran down her cheeks; she then took some paper, and
+imitating the hand-writing, wrote as follows:--"I must submit to your
+wishes, Donna Emilia; and while your sister blesses Don Florez, must
+yield to the severity of your disposition. Still I hope that you will
+relent--I am very miserable; write to me, if you have any love still
+remaining for your adorer.----Perez."
+
+"Take this to Emilia, my sweet child.--What can I do to reward you?"
+
+"Why you must take care of my money," said I, "for if my mistress finds
+it out, I shall never be able to tell how I came by it." She smiled
+mournfully as she received my doubloons, and locked them up in a
+trinket-box. "I will add to your wealth, Pedro," said she.
+
+"No," replied I, "only kisses from you." I told her why her aunt gave me
+the two reals, and we separated. I delivered the note to Donna Emilia,
+who in the afternoon put an answer into my hand; but I would not act
+without Donna Teresa knowing what took place, and it occurred to me,
+that it would be very possible to repair the mischief, which my mistake
+had occasioned. I therefore took the answers of Donna Emilia to her
+lover to Donna Teresa, and told her what I thought, "My dear Pedro, you
+are indeed a treasure to me," replied Teresa.
+
+She opened Emilia's note, which ran as follows:--"You accuse me of
+unkindness, which I do not deserve. Heaven knows my heart is but too
+yielding. I will arrange a meeting as soon as I possibly can; but as I
+before said, my aunt is suspicious, and I cannot make up my mind, like
+Teresa, to run the risk of discovery."
+
+Teresa tore up this note, and wrote as follows:--"If a woman has the
+misfortune to yield too much to the solicitations of her lover, he
+becomes arrogant, and claims as a right, what only can be received as a
+favour. I consider that what passes in darkness should remain as secret
+in the breast, and as silent in the tongue. I now tell you candidly,
+that I shall consider it as an insult, if ever you refer to the meeting
+of last night; and to punish you for your arrogant request of another,
+shall treat you with the same reserve as before. Recollect that the
+least intimation of it, however private we may be, will be the signal of
+your dismissal. At the same time, expecting implicit obedience to this
+command, I shall punish you no further, if you offend not again. When I
+feel inclined to see you, I will let you know. Till then, Yours, etc."
+
+I took this note to Don Perez, whom I found at his lodgings drinking in
+company with Don Florez, for they had no secrets from each other. Perez
+opened the note, and appeared a little astonished.--"Read this, Florez,"
+said he, "and tell me if woman is not a riddle."
+
+"Well, now I like her spirit," replied Florez, "some women would have
+been dying with apprehension at your leaving them: she, on the contrary,
+considers that you are under greater obligations than before; and
+assumes her dominion over you. I recommend you to comply with her
+injunctions, if you wish to retain her love."
+
+"I don't know but what you are right, Florez; and as we are lords and
+masters after marriage, it is but fair, that they should hold their
+uninterrupted sway before. I feel more attached to her than ever, and if
+she chooses to play the tyrant, why she shall. It shows her good sense;
+for keeping us off, is the only way to induce us to go on."
+
+I returned home, delivering a note from Don Perez to Emilia, stating his
+intention to abide by her wishes, and stated to Donna Teresa all that
+had passed between the cavaliers.
+
+"Thanks to your prudence and sagacity, my dear little Pedro, all as yet
+is well; but it may yet be discovered; for I will now confide to you,
+that the tenderness last night, intended for Don Florez, was by your
+mistake, and the darkness and silence prescribed at the meeting,
+lavished upon my sister's admirer. But all will I trust be well, and I
+shall not suffer for an unintentional misfortune."
+
+That evening Don Florez was received by Teresa in the saloon; and the
+next morning, I was sitting as usual by my mistress, when she asked,
+"Well, Pedro, have you discovered anything?"
+
+"Yes, madam," replied I.
+
+"And what is it, child?"
+
+"Why, madam, a gentleman asked me to give a letter, but I would not."
+
+"Who was it for, child?"
+
+"I don't know, madam, for I refused to take it in my hand."
+
+"Well, Pedro, you were right; the next time he offers you a letter take
+it, and bring it to me."
+
+"I will, madam," said I.
+
+"Here are two reals for you, child--have you spent the last I gave you?"
+
+I left the room--when Donna Emilia met me outside, and put a note into
+my hand for Don Perez. I first took it to my friend Teresa, who opened
+it:--"At last my affection has borne down my resolution, and I consent
+to see you. There is no other way but in the saloon. Be careful not to
+offend me, or it will be for the last time."
+
+"This may go, Pedro," said Teresa, "and you may call at Don Florez'
+lodgings as you pass by."
+
+I delivered the note to Don Perez, and before he had finished it, Don
+Florez entered the room.--"Congratulate me, my dear friend," said he. "I
+was received as kindly as I could wish."
+
+"And my fair one has not taken long to relent," answered Perez, "for I
+have an appointment with her this evening. Pedro, tell your mistress,
+that I do not write, but that I bless her for her kindness, and shall
+not fail to meet her.--Do you understand? Well, what are you waiting
+for? Oh! you little rogue, I understand," and he threw me a
+doubloon.--"Florez, you give that boy too much money, and I am obliged
+to do the same." Florez laughed, and I again took my departure.
+
+Thus did I continue in my vocation for some time, when the old lady fell
+sick and died. She divided her fortune between her two nieces, and as
+they were now independent, they married their respective lovers; but the
+old lady forgot to mention me in her will, and I should have been turned
+adrift on the world had it not been for Donna Teresa, who immediately
+appointed me as her own attendant. I was as happy as before, although no
+more doubloons fell into my hands, after the marriages took place. It
+appears that Don Perez was so much afraid of offending Donna Emilia,
+that he never ventured to speak of the meeting, which he supposed he had
+had with her in the saloon, until after marriage: then, feeling himself
+quite at liberty, he had laughed at her on the subject. Donna Emilia was
+all astonishment, declared most positively that it had not taken place;
+and although he at first ridiculed the idea of her denial, yet
+recollecting that he still had her notes in his possession, he brought
+them out, and showed her the one in which she had prohibited him from
+speaking on the subject. Donna Emilia protested that it was not her
+writing, and was confounded at the apparent mystery. She stated that
+Teresa had agreed to meet Don Florez in the saloon that night.
+
+"On the contrary," replied Don Perez, "he received a letter from Donna
+Teresa, refusing him a meeting, at the same time that I received this
+from you, giving me the assignation."
+
+Donna Emilia burst into tears. "I see how it is," replied she, "the page
+by mistake has given the note which I wrote you to Don Florez, and
+Teresa's note fell into your hands. You have taken an unworthy advantage
+of the circumstance, and have met my sister. Never make me believe, Don
+Perez, that you were not aware of the mistake, when she received you in
+the saloon--or that she could not distinguish you from Don Florez. Cruel
+sister, thus to rob me of my happiness! Treacherous Don Perez, thus to
+betray your friend and me!"
+
+Don Perez tried all he could to pacify his wife, but in vain. Her
+jealousy, her pride, and her conscientious scruples were roused, and she
+would not listen to any reasoning or protestations. Although he was
+almost certain, that the fact was as his wife had stated, he determined
+to make sure by referring to me. He came to Don Florez' house, and after
+staying a little while with him and his wife, during which he appeared
+so uneasy that they asked him whether he was unwell, he went away making
+a sign for me to follow him. He then entered into all the particulars,
+and asked me about the delivery of the notes. I took it for granted,
+that an explanation had taken place between him and his wife--my only
+object was to save Donna Teresa.
+
+"Senor, whether what Donna Emilia says is true, I know not," replied I;
+"but, that it was not Donna Teresa who met you, I can certify, for I was
+in her room with her that night till she went to bed, playing at piquet
+for sugar-plums."
+
+"Then who could it be," observed he.
+
+"I know not, senor, for I did not go downstairs, where my mistress was,
+because she had sent me to bed, and I knew that I should have been
+scolded for being up. Therefore I cannot say whether Donna Emilia was
+with you or not."
+
+Don Perez meditated some time, and then came to the conclusion that his
+wife was ashamed of having been too indulgent to him in an unguarded
+moment, and would not acknowledge it. Still he was far from being
+satisfied. He returned home to explain what he had gathered to his wife,
+but found that she had left the house some time before, without stating
+whither she was going. As soon as Don Perez left the house, I hastened
+to my mistress, to acquaint her with what had passed, and what I had
+told him.
+
+"I thank you for your kind intention, Pedro, but I am afraid that all
+will be discovered. It is a judgment on me for my folly and
+indiscretion."
+
+In the meantime, Donna Emilia, who had taken refuge in a neighbouring
+convent, sent for Don Florez. He found her in the convent-parlour in
+tears. Convinced by her jealousy, that her sister had an attachment to
+Don Perez, and that there had been a mutual understanding, she stated to
+Don Florez the whole of the circumstances, and pointing out to him how
+treacherously they both had been treated, acquainted him with her
+intention to retire from the world.
+
+Don Florez, stirred to madness by the information, exclaimed--"It was
+for this, then, that she put me off on that night, and was kind to me
+the next. Cursed dupe that I have been; but, thank heaven, it is not too
+late to be revenged. Don Perez, you shall pay dearly for this." So
+saying, he quitted Donna Emilia, uncertain whether he should first wreak
+his vengeance upon Don Perez or his wife. But this point was soon
+decided, for at the convent gate he encountered Don Perez, who had been
+informed whither his wife had retreated.
+
+"You are the person I have been anxiously wishing to see, Don
+Perez--treacherous villain, void of all honour."
+
+"Not so, Don Florez. I am an unfortunate man, who is half mad by a
+cruel mistake which has occurred. Recall your words, for they are
+unjust."
+
+"I do not intend to recall them, but assert the truth with the point of
+my rapier. If you are not as great a coward, as you are a villain, you
+will follow me."
+
+"Such language will admit of no reply. I am at your service," cried Don
+Perez.
+
+The two brothers-in-law walked in silence, until they reached a field
+hard by, where they threw off their cloaks, and fought with the fury of
+demons. Victory was decided in favour of Don Perez; his sword passed
+through the heart of his adversary, who never spoke again. Don Perez
+viewed the body with a stern countenance, wiped his sword, took up his
+cloak, and walked straight to the house of Don Florez. "Donna Teresa,"
+said he (I only was present), "I call upon you, as you value salvation
+in the day of judgment, to tell me the truth. Was it you, that, by an
+unfortunate mistake, I met one night in the saloon, and were those
+caresses, intended for Don Florez, bestowed upon me?"
+
+There was a wildness, a ferocity in his air that frightened her; she
+stammered out at last--"for my sins, it is true; but you know, too well,
+that I never was false in heart, although when I found out my mistake, I
+attempted to conceal my indiscretion."
+
+"Had you, madam, been as virtuous as your sister, all this mischief
+would not have happened--and your husband would not now be lying a
+corpse, by the hand of his brother."
+
+Donna Teresa fainted at the intelligence, and Don Perez immediately
+quitted the house. I hastened to her assistance, and succeeded in
+restoring her to life.
+
+"It is but too true," said she, mournfully; "crime will always meet with
+punishment, in this world, or in the next. By permitting my love to
+overcome the dictates of virtue, by being too fond of my husband, I have
+murdered him. Oh God! I have murdered him, and rendered the lives of two
+others as much a burden to them as my own will ever be. My poor, dear
+sister, where is she?"
+
+I tried all my powers of consolation, but in vain: all she requested
+was that I would find out where her sister was, and let her know. I set
+off upon my melancholy task, and met the people bearing in the body of
+Don Florez. I shuddered as it passed by, when I recollected how
+principal a part I had acted in the tragedy. I soon gained the
+information, and brought it to Donna Teresa. She dressed herself in deep
+mourning, and, desiring me to follow her, knocked at the convent gate,
+and requesting to see the superior, was admitted. The superior came out
+of the parlour to receive her, not wishing that any one should enter,
+while Donna Emilia was in such a state of misery and despair.
+
+"It is my sister that I come to see, madam, and I must not be refused;
+lead me to her, and be witness of the scene, if you please."
+
+The superior, who was not aware that Emilia would have refused to see
+Donna Teresa, led the way, and we were ushered into the presence of
+Emilia, who, looking up as Donna Teresa entered, turned away from her as
+if in abhorrence.
+
+"Emilia," said my mistress, "we are born of the same mother, we have
+lived as children, and we have grown up together; never did we have a
+secret from each other, till this unfortunate mistake occurred. On my
+knees, I request you to listen to me, and to believe what I say."
+
+"Plead your cause with your husband, Teresa; it is more necessary to
+pacify him than me."
+
+"I have no husband, Emilia; he is now pleading his own cause with
+God--for he has fallen by the sword of yours."
+
+Donna Emilia started.
+
+"Yes, Emilia, dear, dear sister, it is but too true, and still more
+true, that you have caused his death. Do not kill me too, Emilia, by
+refusing to believe what I declare, as I hope for eternal
+salvation,--that I never was aware of the mistake, until the boy
+discovered it to me, on the ensuing day. If you knew the shame, the
+vexation, the fear of discovery which racked my frame, when I was but
+too sure of it, you would forgive my having tried to hide a fault, the
+knowledge of which would make others miserable, as well as me. Say you
+believe me--say you forgive me, Emilia. Oh! Emilia, cannot you forgive a
+sister?"
+
+Emilia answered not, and Teresa, clinging to her knees, and embracing
+them, sobbed hysterically. At this moment, Don Perez, who had obtained
+admittance to see his wife, came into the room, and walking up to the
+part in which the two unfortunate ladies remained in the attitudes
+described, said,--"You, Teresa, who have been the original cause of this
+unhappy business, I mean not to reproach again. Your punishment has been
+greater than your offence. It is to you, madam, I must address myself,
+who, by not believing in the words of truth, have caused me to slay my
+dearest friend and brother, and, after having unwittingly wounded him in
+the tenderest point, add to the injury by taking away his life. Are you
+yet satisfied, madam? Are you satisfied with having embittered my days
+by your injustice and unworthy suspicions--by having reduced your
+unfortunate, yet not guilty sister, to the state of an unhappy, lonely
+woman, now suing in vain for pardon at your feet; by having been the
+occasion of the death of your brother by marriage--her husband and my
+friend? Say, madam, are you yet satisfied, or will you have more victims
+to your unbelief?"
+
+Emilia answered not, but continued with her face averted.
+
+"Be it so, then, madam;" replied Don Perez; and, before any one was
+aware of his intention, he drew his sword, and fell upon it. "Now,
+Emilia, let the sacrifice of my life be a proof to you of my sincerity.
+As I hope for pardon, I have told the truth;" and Don Perez fell on his
+back, and was dead.
+
+Emilia started round when he fell, and threw herself down by his side in
+horror and amazement. The film that passion had thrown over her eyes was
+removed, as she witnessed the last melancholy result of her unbelief.
+When Don Perez ceased speaking, she threw herself on his body, in an
+agony of grief.--"I do, I do believe--Perez, I do, I do! Oh! indeed I do
+believe--speak to me, Perez--O God, he is dying!--Sister, Teresa, come,
+come, he'll speak to you--he's not angry with you--Sister, sister,
+speak--O God! O God!" screamed the unhappy woman, "he's dead--and I have
+murdered him!"--and she dashed her head upon the floor. Teresa hastened
+to her sister, and held her in her arms, while the tears poured fast. It
+was some time before reason resumed her seat; at last, exhausted by the
+violence of her feelings, she was relieved with a flood of tears.
+
+"Who is it?--you, Teresa--kind sister, whom I have used so ill--I do
+believe you--I do believe, Teresa; God forgive me! kiss me, sister, and
+say that you forgive me--for am I not punished?"
+
+"It is all my fault," answered Teresa, bursting into tears: "Oh! how
+wicked, how foolish have I been!"
+
+"No, no, sister, your fault is small, compared to mine; you allowed your
+passion to overcome you, but it arose from an excess of love, the best
+feeling in our nature--the only remnant of heaven left us since our
+fall. I too have allowed my passion to overcome me; but whence has it
+arisen?--from hatred and jealousy, feelings which were implanted by
+demons, and which create a hell, wherever they command. But it is done,
+and repentance comes too late."
+
+The unfortunate sisters embraced each other and mingled their tears
+together; and I hardly need say, that the Lady Abbess and I could not
+restrain our meed of pity at the affecting scene. As the evening closed,
+they separated, each to attend to the same mournful duty, of watching by
+the bodies of their husbands, and bedewing them with their tears. A few
+days after the interments took place, Emilia sent for her sister, and
+after an affectionate interview, took the veil in the convent to which
+she had retired--endowing the church with her property. Donna Teresa did
+not take the veil; but employed herself in the more active duties of
+charity and benevolence--but she gradually wasted away--her heart was
+broken. I stayed with her for three years, when she died, leaving a
+considerable sum to me, and the remainder of her wealth to beneficent
+institutions. This is about five years ago, since when I have been
+living on the property, which is nearly all expended by my extravagance.
+The stigma on my birth is, however, the only subject which has weighed
+upon my spirits--this is providentially removed, and I trust that I
+shall not disgrace the mother who has so kindly acknowledged me, or the
+dear girl who has honoured this faulty person with her attachment.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+My mother and Clara thanked me when I had concluded my narrative, and we
+remained unto a late hour entering upon family affairs, and planning for
+the future. My mother informed me that upon the estates she had only a
+life interest, as they were entailed, and would revert to a cousin; but
+that she had laid by a considerable sum of money, intending it as a
+dowry for my Clara, and that she hoped to increase it before she died.
+As I was anxious to quit Seville, where I feared daily discovery, I
+proposed that we should retire to the estate near Carthagena, by which
+not only a considerable expense would be saved, but I should feel more
+happy in the company of Clara and herself. My mother and my intended
+gladly consented to the proposal, not only for the above reasons, but
+because she was aware that the questions which might be asked about me
+would tend to the injury of her character. In less than a fortnight the
+establishment at Seville was broken up, and we retired to the country,
+where I was made happy by the possession of my Clara. I now considered
+myself as secure from any discovery, and although I had led a life of
+duplicity, meant by future good conduct to atone for the past. Whether
+Donna Celia was my mother or not, I felt towards her as if she was, and
+after some time from habit considered it an established fact. My Clara
+was as kind and endearing as I could desire, and for five years I was as
+happy as I could wish. But it was not to last; I was to be punished for
+my deceit. My marriage with Clara, and the mystery attached to my
+birth, which was kept secret, had irritated the heir of the estate, who
+had been in hopes, by marrying Clara himself, to secure the personal as
+well as the real property. We occasionally met, but we met with rancour
+in our hearts, for I resented his behaviour towards me. Fearful of
+discovery, I had never paid any attention to music since my marriage; I
+had always pretended that I could not sing. Even my wife was not aware
+of my talent; and although latterly I had no fear of the kind, yet as I
+had always stated my inability, I did not choose to bring forth a
+talent, the reason for concealing which I could not explain even to my
+wife and mother, without acknowledging the deception of which I had been
+guilty.
+
+It happened that one evening at a large party I met my cousin, the heir
+of the entailed estates. We were very joyous and merry, and had drunk a
+good deal more than usual. The wine was powerful, and had taken effect
+upon most of us. Singing was introduced, and the night passed merrily
+away, more visitors occasionally dropping in. My cousin was much elated
+with wine, and made several ill-natured remarks, which were meant for
+me. I took no notice for some time, but, as he continued, I answered
+with such spirit, as to arouse his indignation. My own blood boiled; but
+the interference of mutual friends pacified us for the time, and we
+renewed our applications to the bottle. My cousin was called upon for a
+song; he had a fine voice and considerable execution, and was much
+applauded.
+
+"Now, then," said he, in an ironical tone, "perhaps Don Pedro will
+oblige the company; although perhaps the real way to oblige them will be
+by not attempting that of which he is not capable."
+
+Stung with this sarcasm, and flushed with wine, I forgot my prudence.
+Snatching the guitar from him, after a prelude which created the
+greatest astonishment of all present, I commenced one of my most
+successful airs: I sang it in my best style, and it electrified the
+whole party. Shouts proclaimed my victory, and the defeat of my
+relative. Some embraced me in their enthusiasm, and all loudly encored;
+but as soon as there was a moment's silence, I heard a voice behind me
+observe--"Either that is the monk Anselmo's voice, or the devil's."
+
+I started at the words, and turned round to the speaker, but he had
+mingled with the crowd, and I could not discover who it was. I perceived
+that my relative had followed him on; and I now cursed my own
+imprudence. As soon as I could, I made my escape from the company, and
+returned home. As I afterwards found out, my relative had immediately
+communicated with the person who had made the observation. He was one of
+the priests who knew me at Seville. From him, my cousin gained the
+information that brother Anselmo had left the convent about five years
+ago, and not having returned, it was thought that an accident had
+happened to him. But a discovery had since been made, which led them to
+suppose, that brother Anselmo had, for some time, been carrying on a
+system of deception. You may remember I stated, that when I resumed my
+worldly apparel to introduce myself as the son of Donna Celia, I changed
+the dress at my lodgings. I locked up my friar's dress and the false
+tonsure in the chest, intending to have returned, and destroyed it; but
+I quite forgot it, and left Seville with the key of my lodgings in my
+pocket. The landlord waited until his rent was due, when, not hearing
+anything of me, he broke open the door and found the chest. This he
+opened, and discovered the false tonsure and friar's gown. Knowing the
+monastic order to which it belonged, and suspecting some mischief, he
+took it to our convent, and all the habits of the monks being numbered
+in the inside, it was immediately recognised as mine: the false tonsure
+also betrayed that I must have been breaking through the rules of my
+order, and the most rigorous search after me was made for some time
+without success. Possessed of this information, my vindictive relative
+repaired to Seville to ascertain the exact date of my quitting the
+convent, and found that it was about a fortnight previous to Donna
+Celia having quitted Seville. He then repaired to the landlord for
+further information. The landlord stated that the lodgings had been
+taken by a monk, for his brother, who had occupied them. He described
+the brother's person, which exactly corresponded with mine; and my
+relation was convinced that the monk Anselmo and Don Pedro were one and
+the same person. He immediately gave notice to the Inquisition. In the
+mean time, I was in the greatest consternation. I felt that I should be
+discovered, and reflected upon my conduct. I had lately abjured all
+deceit, and had each day gained a step in the path of virtue. I
+acknowledged with bitterness, that I deserved all that threatened me,
+and that sooner or later, vice will meet with its reward. Had I at first
+made known my situation to Donna Celia, she would have had interest
+enough (believing me to be her son), to have obtained a dispensation of
+my vows. I then might have boldly faced the world--but one act of
+duplicity required another to support it, and thus had I entangled
+myself in a snare, by which I was to be entrapped at last. But it was
+not for myself that I cared; it was for my wife whom I doted on--for my
+mother (or supposed mother), to whom it would be the bitterness of
+death. The thoughts of rendering others miserable as well as myself
+drove me to distraction--and how to act I knew not.
+
+After much reflection, I resolved as a last resource, to throw myself
+upon the generosity of my adversary; for although inimical to me, he
+bore a high character as a Spanish cavalier. I desired to be informed
+the moment that he returned from Seville; and when the intelligence
+came, I immediately repaired to his house, and requested an audience. I
+was admitted, when Don Alvarez, for that was his name, addressed me.
+
+"You wish to speak with me, Don Pedro--there are others at your house by
+this time, who wish to speak with you."
+
+I guessed that he meant the officers of the Inquisition, but pretending
+not to understand the remark, I answered him: "Don Alvarez, the enmity
+that you have invariably shown towards me has, I am sure, proceeded
+from the affront, which you consider that your noble family has
+received, by your cousin having formed an alliance with one of unknown
+parentage. I have long borne with your pointed insults, out of respect
+for her who gave me birth; I am now about to throw myself upon your
+generosity, and probably when I inform you, that I am the unhappy issue
+of the early amour of Donna Celia (which of course you have heard of), I
+may then claim your compassion, if not your friendship, from having at
+least some of the same noble blood in my veins."
+
+"I was not indeed aware of it," replied Don Alvarez, with agitation; "I
+would to heaven you had confided in me before."
+
+"Perhaps it would have been better," replied I, "but permit me to prove
+my assertions." I then stated my having been the friar Anselmo, the
+discovery of my birth by accident, and the steps which I had taken. "I
+am aware," continued I, "that I have been much to blame, but my love for
+Donna Clara made me regardless of consequences. Your unfortunate enmity
+induced me, in an unguarded moment, to expose myself, and it will
+probably end in my destruction."
+
+"I acknowledge the truth of your remark, and that no power can save you.
+I lament it, Don Pedro; but what is done cannot be undone. Even now the
+officers of the Inquisition are at your house." As he uttered these
+words, a loud knocking at the door announced that they had followed me.
+"This must not be, Don Pedro," said Don Alvarez, "step this way." He
+opened a panel, and desired me to go in--and he hardly had time to shut
+it before the officers came into the room.
+
+"You have him here, Don Alvarez, have you not?" inquired the chief.
+
+"No, unfortunately," replied he, "I tried to detain him, but suspecting
+some discovery he forced his way out, sword in hand, and has gone I do
+not know in what direction; but he cannot be far--saddle all the horses
+in my stable and pursue the sacrilegious wretch. I would sacrifice half
+my worldly wealth, that he should not escape my vengeance."
+
+As Don Alvarez was the informant, and uttered these words with the
+apparent violence of rage, the inquisitors had no suspicion, but
+hastened to comply with his request. As soon as they had departed, he
+opened the panel and let me out.
+
+"So far, Don Pedro, have I proved the sincerity of my assertion; but
+now, what remains to be done?"
+
+"But one thing, Don Alvarez, to conceal the truth from my poor wife and
+mother. I could bear it all with firmness, but for them" (and I fell on
+a sofa and burst into tears). Don Alvarez was much affected.
+
+"Oh, Don Pedro! it is too late now, or I should say, 'What a warning
+this ought to be to us--that honesty is the best policy!' Had you
+communicated to me the mystery of your birth, this never would have
+occurred. Instead of having been your persecutor, I should have been
+your friend.--What can I do?"
+
+"Kill me, Don Alvarez," replied I, baring my breast, "and I will bless
+you for the deed. My death may afflict them, but they will recover from
+their grief in time; but to know that I am murdered by the Inquisition,
+as a sacrilegious impostor, will bring them to their grave with shame
+and mortification."
+
+"Your observation is correct, but kill you I must not. I will, however,
+so far comply with your wishes, that I will bear the news of your death,
+and their hatred of the deed, rather than the family should be
+disgraced." He then went to his scrutoire, and taking out a bag of one
+thousand pistoles--"This is all the money that I have at present--it
+will serve you for some time. Put on one of my servant's dresses, and I
+will accompany you to a seaport and secure your safety before I leave
+you. I will then state, that I met you in a fair duel, and will bribe
+the officers of the Inquisition to hold their tongues about the
+circumstances which have been communicated."
+
+The advice was good and I agreed to it; following him as a servant, I
+arrived safely at Carthagena, whence I took a passage for New Spain. We
+sailed, and before we were clear of the Straits of Gibraltar, we were
+attacked by one of the cruisers of the state. We fought desperately, but
+were overpowered by numbers, and they took possession after we had lost
+more than half of our crew. They brought us into this port, where, with
+the rest, I was sold as a slave.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Such is my history," ended the Spaniard, "which I trust has afforded
+some amusement to your sublime highness."
+
+The immediate answer of the pacha was a loud yawn.
+
+"Shukur Allah! Praise be to God you have done talking. I do not
+understand much about it," continued the pacha, turning round to
+Mustapha, "but how can we expect a good story from an unbelieving dog of
+a Christian?"
+
+"Wallah Thaib! Well said, by God!" replied Mustapha; "who was Lokman,
+that they talk of his wisdom? Are not these words of more value than
+strung pearls?"
+
+"What was the name of the country?" demanded the pacha.
+
+"Spain, your sublime highness; the infidel tribes which you allow to
+remain there, are employed in cultivating the olive for true believers."
+
+"Very true," rejoined the pacha; "I remember now. Let the Kafir taste of
+our bounty. Give him two pieces of gold, and allow him to depart."
+
+"May the shadow of your sublime highness never be less," said the
+Spaniard. "I have here a manuscript which I received from an ancient
+monk of our order when at the point of death. At the time of my capture
+it was thrown on one side, and I preserved it as curious. It refers to
+the first discovery of an island. As your highness is pleased to be
+amused with stories, it may be worth while to have it translated." The
+Dominican then handed from his breast a discoloured piece of parchment.
+
+"Very good," replied the pacha, rising. "Mustapha! let it be put into
+Arabic by the Greek slave, who shall read it to us some evening when we
+have no story-tellers."
+
+"Be Chesm! Upon my eyes be it," replied Mustapha, bowing low, as the
+pacha retired to his harem.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter V
+
+
+The pacha had repeated his perambulations for many nights, without
+success; and Mustapha, who observed that he was becoming very impatient,
+thought it advisable to cater for his amusement.
+
+Among those who used to repair to Mustapha when he exercised his former
+profession, was a French renegade, a man of considerable talent and
+ready invention, but a most unprincipled scoundrel, who, previous to the
+elevation of Mustapha, had gained his livelihood by daring piratical
+attempts in an open boat. He was now in the employ of the vizier,
+commanding an armed xebeque which the latter had purchased. She passed
+off as a government cruiser, but was in reality a pirate. Selim, for
+that was the name which the renegade had adopted when he abjured his
+faith, condemned every vessel that had the misfortune to meet with him,
+taking out the cargoes, burning the hull, and throwing the crews
+overboard, with the privilege of swimming on shore if they could. By
+this plan he avoided the inconveniences attending any appeals from the
+jurisdiction of the High Court of Admiralty, which he had established
+upon the seas.
+
+The consequence was, that his cruises were more successful than ever,
+and Mustapha, who was not content with pillaging the pacha's subjects on
+dry land, was amassing a large fortune at their expense by his maritime
+speculations.
+
+Occasionally, bales or packages would be recognised when landed as
+having the identical marks and numbers of those which had been shipped
+from the quay but a fortnight before; but the renegade could always give
+a satisfactory explanation to the vizier; and after a Jew, who could not
+bear the idea of parting with his property without remonstrance, had
+been impaled, people shrugged up their shoulders and said nothing.
+
+Now it occurred to Mustapha, that Selim might be able to assist his
+views. He talked fast and loud, vaunted his own exploits, curled his
+whiskers as he swore to the most improbable assertions, and had become a
+general nuisance and terror since he had obtained the vizier's
+protection.
+
+Mustapha sent for him, and, as a preliminary question, inquired if ever
+he had read the Arabian Nights.
+
+"Yes, vizier," replied the renegade; "many years before I turned Turk."
+
+"Do you recollect the voyages of Sindbad the Sailor?"
+
+"To be sure I do; he is the only man that could ever hold a candle to me
+in lying."
+
+"Well, then, his highness the pacha delights in such stories; and it is
+my wish that you prepare to recount your own voyages, as Sindbad has
+done before you."
+
+"But what am I to get for it?"
+
+"My good-will and protection; besides which, his highness, if pleased,
+will not fail to order you a handsome present."
+
+"Well," replied Selim, "any man who can produce gold in this world will
+always be able to change it for base metal. I can coin lies in my mint
+faster than he can coin sequins in his; and since you wish it, and say
+that it will be profitable, why--I am very much at his service."
+
+"Then, Selim, observe my directions, for every thing must appear
+accidental."
+
+In pursuance to the orders received from Mustapha, the renegade remained
+that evening at the corner of a certain street, through which Mustapha
+took care that the pacha should pass in his disguise. When he perceived
+their approach, the renegade exclaimed. "Allah, Allah! when is the happy
+time to come, promised in my seventh and last voyage?"
+
+"Who are you, and why do you call upon Heaven for happy times?" inquired
+the pacha.
+
+"I am Huckaback the Sailor," replied the renegade, "who, after a life of
+danger and disaster, am anxiously awaiting the fulfilment of a promise
+from the Most High."
+
+"I must see this man to-morrow," observed the pacha:--"Mustapha, as you
+value your life, see that he attends."
+
+The vizier bowed, and the pacha returned to the palace without further
+adventure.
+
+The next day, as soon as the business of the divan had closed, the
+renegade was ordered in. Prostrating himself before the pacha, he then
+rose, and, folding his arms over his breast, awaited his commands in
+silence.
+
+"I have sent for you, Huckaback, to inquire the meaning of the words you
+made use of last night: and to know what was the promise made to you in
+your seventh and last voyage; but I will thank you to begin at the
+first, as I wish to hear the history of all your voyages."
+
+"May it please you highness, as I live but to obey you, all that has
+occurred in my eventful life shall, if you command it, be submitted to
+your ear. It will, however, be necessary that I should revert to my
+early days to enable your highness more fully to comprehend the whole."
+
+"Aferin! well said," replied the pacha; "I don't care how long a story
+it is, provided that it is a good one:" and Selim, having obeyed a sign
+from his highness, intimating that he might sit down, commenced as
+follows.
+
+
+
+HUCKABACK.
+
+I am a native of Marseilles, your highness, where I was brought up to
+the profession of my father; a profession (continued the wily renegade),
+which, I have no hesitation to assert, has produced more men of general
+information, and more men of talent, than any other--I mean that of a
+barber.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Wallah Thaib; well said, by Allah!" observed Mustapha.
+
+The pacha nodded his approbation, and the renegade proceeded with his
+story.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I was gifted by nature with a ready invention, and some trouble and
+expense were bestowed upon my education. To the profession of a barber,
+my father added that of bleeding and tooth-drawing. At ten years old I
+could cut hair pretty well. People did say, that those upon whom I had
+operated, looked as if their heads had been gnawed by the rats; but it
+was the remark of envy, and as my father observed, "there must be a
+beginning to every thing."
+
+At fifteen, I entered upon the rudiments of shaving; and after having
+nearly ruined my father's credit, from the pounds of flesh which I
+removed with the hair of my customers (who were again consoled by his
+observing that "there must be a beginning to every thing"), I became
+quite expert. I was subsequently initiated into the higher branches of
+tooth-drawing and bleeding. In the former, at first I gave great
+dissatisfaction, either from breaking the decayed tooth short off, and
+leaving the stump in the socket, or from mistaking the one pointed out,
+and drawing a sound engine of mastication in its stead. In the latter, I
+made more serious mistakes, having more than once cut so deep as to open
+the artery, while I missed the vein; in consequence of which I was never
+afterwards employed, except by a husband to relieve a scolding wife, or
+by nephews who were anxious about the health of an everlasting uncle.
+But, as my father wisely observed, "there must be a beginning to
+everything;" and, as I could only practise upon living subjects,
+"individuals must suffer for the good of the community at large." At the
+age of twenty I was an accomplished barber.
+
+But rapid as was my career, I was not fated to continue in it long. Like
+the shot propelled from the mouth of the cannon, which, in its extreme
+velocity, is turned from the direction which has been given it by
+glancing along the weakest substance, so was my course of life changed
+from its direction by meeting with a woman.
+
+My father had a good customer; he had shaved him every morning for
+years, had extracted every tooth in his head, and was now winding up his
+long account by bleeding him daily, under the direction of an ignorant
+apothecary. I was often at the house--not to bleed him, for my father
+either thought him too valuable, or was too grateful for past favours to
+trust him in my hands;--but I held the basin, procured water, and
+arranged the bandages. He had a daughter, a lovely girl, whom I adored
+in secret; but her rank in life was too far above mine to allow me to
+express my feelings. I was then a handsome young man, although Time has
+since exerted his utmost, through jealousy, to make me appear almost as
+old and ill-favoured as himself. The young lady took a fancy to me,
+complained of the toothache, and asked for remedies. I offered to
+extract the tooth; but either having heard of my reputation, or not
+wishing to remove the excuse for our interviews, or, what is still more
+probable, having no toothache whatever, she would not consent.
+
+The death of her mother, which had taken place when she was a child, had
+left her without guidance,--and the helpless situation of her father,
+without protection. Naturally of a warm temperament, and yielding to the
+impulse of her feelings, she carried on an intimacy which could only end
+in her disgrace; and, at the expiration of a year, her situation could
+no longer be concealed. I was now in a dilemma. She had two brothers in
+the army, who were returning home, and I dreaded their vengeance. I
+loved her very much, but I loved myself more; so, one evening, I packed
+up all that I could call my own, and all that I could lay my hands on
+belonging to my honoured parent, and shipped on board a Genoese vessel,
+which was then standing out of the harbour. She was a large ship,
+mounting twelve long guns, with a complement of sixty men; being what is
+termed in European countries a "letter of marque." This implies that she
+fights her way without convoy, capturing any of the enemy's vessels she
+may happen to fall in with, who are not strong enough to resist her. We
+had cleared out for Genoa with a cargo of lead, which lay at the bottom
+of the hold, and which merely served for ballast.
+
+I soon found out, by the conversation of the crew, that we were not to
+proceed to Genoa direct; in fact, your highness, she was a pirate,
+manned by a most desperate set of men. As soon as my qualifications were
+made known, I had the honour to remove the beards of sixty of the
+greatest villains that ever were permitted to exist, receiving nothing
+but blows and curses for my trouble. I certainly improved very much in
+my profession; for it was as much as my life was worth to draw blood,
+although they made no scruple of carrying on a conversation during the
+whole time of the operation. We had taken the cargoes out of several
+vessels, all of which were added to the "manifest" by our correct
+captain; when one day, we were chased by an English frigate. I never met
+the English on shore, but I must say that, afloat, they are the most
+impertinent people that swim on the seas. They cannot be content with
+minding their own business, although they have plenty on their hands,
+but they must interfere in that of others. They board you, and insist
+upon knowing where you come from, whither you are bound, and what you
+have on board; examining you with as much scrutiny as if they had been
+the delegated custom-house officers of the whole world.
+
+Now it did not exactly suit our captain to submit to such a rigorous
+search; he therefore made all sail for an island about seven miles
+distant, and anchored under the protection of a battery. Austria--the
+nation to whom the island belonged--was not at war with England; she was
+preserving what is called an "armed neutrality."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Pray what is the meaning of an armed neutrality?" demanded the pacha.
+
+"It varies according to circumstances, your highness; but, generally
+speaking, it means a charge of bayonets."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The frigate followed; and being prevented by the shallowness of the
+water from approaching sufficiently near to us herself, sent her boats
+to examine us: but as there were six of them full of men, and each
+mounting a gun at her bow, our captain thought it advisable to refuse
+them permission to come on board. As a hint that he disapproved of their
+measures, he poured his whole broadside of round and grape into them,
+when they were about a quarter of a mile distant: upon which they gave
+three cheers, and were obstinate enough to pull faster towards us than
+ever.
+
+We received them with all the honours of war, in the shape of cutlasses,
+pistols and boarding pikes; but they were very determined. As soon as
+one was knocked down, another jumped up in his place; and somehow or
+another they had possession of the ship in less time than I have been
+telling the story. I was on the poop, when an English sailor, with a
+pigtail as thick as a cable made a cut at me: I ran back to avoid the
+blow, and, in so doing, came with such force against another of their
+men, that we both tumbled overboard together. I lost my cutlass, but he
+had not parted with his; and as soon as we rose to the surface, he
+seized me by the collar, and presented the point to my breast. It seemed
+to be all the same to him whether he fought on the deck or in the water.
+Fortunately I shifted a little on one side, and he only drove it
+through my jacket. I recollected that I had my razor in my pocket, which
+I took out under the water unperceived, and, closing with him before he
+could repeat his thrust, I cut his throat from ear to ear, and then made
+for the shore as fast as I could. As I swam remarkably well, I had no
+great difficulty in reaching it. As soon as I landed, I looked back, and
+observing that the English boats were towing our vessel out I made all
+the haste I could to the fort, which was close at hand. There I was
+hospitably received, and we sat up till past midnight, drinking,
+smoking, and abusing the English.
+
+The next morning, a felucca anchored to procure some water, and, as she
+was proceeding to Toulon, I requested a passage. We sailed with a fine
+breeze; but a heavy gale came on, which tossed us about for many days,
+and the master of the vessel had no idea to where she had been driven.
+He consoled us, however, by asserting that we could never go to the
+bottom, as there was a lady of great sanctity passenger in the cabin,
+who had been sent for to assume the office of lady abbess of a convent
+near Marseilles, and whom the saints would indubitably preserve.
+
+This was some comfort, although fine weather would have been greater.
+The gale continued; and the next morning we thought that we descried
+land on the lee beam. The following night we were certain of our
+conjectures having been correct, for the vessel was thrown on shore, and
+in a few minutes went to pieces. I had the good fortune to save myself
+upon a part of the wreck, and lay half-dead upon the beach until the
+morning. When the day broke, I looked around me: there were the
+fragments of the vessel strewed upon the beach, or tossed in mockery by
+the surge; and close to me lay the dead body of the lady, whose sanctity
+the captain had assured us would be a safeguard to us all. I then turned
+from the beach to look at the inland country, and perceived, to my
+astonishment, that I was not three miles from my native city,
+Marseilles. This was a horrid discovery; for I knew that I should
+receive no mercy, and could not proceed a mile without being recognised.
+What to do was now the subject of my thoughts; and at last, as I viewed
+the body of the dead lady, it occurred to me that I might pass myself
+off for her.
+
+I stripped it of its outer garment, and having then hauled my own
+clothes upon the corpse, and covered it over with sea-weed, I dressed
+myself in the religious habit which she had worn, and sat down awaiting
+the arrival of the people, which I knew must soon take place. I was then
+without a symptom of beard; and, from the hardship and ill-treatment
+which I had received on board of the Genoese, was thin and sallow in the
+face. It was easy in a nun's dress to mistake me for a woman of
+thirty-five years of age, who had been secluded in a cloister. In the
+pockets of her clothes I found letters, which gave me the necessary clue
+to my story, and I resolved to pass myself off as La Soeur Eustasie,
+rather than be put in prison, or run through the body.
+
+I had scarcely time to finish reading these documents, when a party,
+attracted by the fragments on the beach, came up to me. I narrated the
+loss of the vessel, the death of the whole crew, my name and condition,
+my having come over at the request of the bishop to assume the guidance
+of the convent of St Therese; and added, that I had called upon the
+Virgin in my distress, who had come to my aid, and floated me on shore
+with as much care and comfort as if I had been reposing on cushions of
+down. The report was spread and credited; for the circumstance of a
+helpless woman being the sole survivor of a whole crew was miracle
+enough in itself.
+
+The bishop's carriage was sent for me, and I was conducted into the
+town, followed by a concourse of priests, monks, and common people, who
+were anxious to kiss even the ground that had been trod upon by a
+personage so especially under the protection of Heaven. I was conducted
+to the bishop's palace, where I held a sort of court, being visited by
+deputations from the official bodies, the governor, and all the people
+of consequence. After a sojourn of three days, I removed to the convent
+of which I was the supposed abbess, and was enthusiastically received by
+the nuns, who flocked round me with mingled veneration and delight.
+
+On the second day of my establishment as abbess, the two elder sisters,
+who could with difficulty be got rid of even when I retired to bed the
+night before, introduced the whole of the nuns in rotation, beginning
+with the elder, and ending with those who last took the vow of chastity.
+I felt little interest, I must confess, at the commencement of my levee;
+but as it came near to a close, many beautiful countenances attracted my
+attention and I gave the kiss of peace with more zest than prudence
+would have justified. The last of the sisterhood came forward, and was
+introduced as Soeur Marie. Gracious Heaven! it was the poor girl whom I
+had deserted. I started when I saw her advance: her eyes were bent upon
+the ground, as if in reverence to my acknowledged sanctity. As she knelt
+before me to receive the kiss, she raised them up. Love can pierce
+through all disguises.--At the moment, she thought that she beheld her
+fugitive lover, and caught her breath in amazement--but recollection
+pointed out to her the utter impossibility of the fact, and she sighed
+at the uncommon likeness, as she received the kiss from those lips which
+had indeed been so often pressed to hers before.
+
+When the ceremony had been gone through I complained of fatigue, and
+requested to be left alone.
+
+I wished to reflect upon what had passed, and determine how I was to
+act: to escape the danger which threatened me, I had placed myself in a
+situation of still greater difficulty. Where could it end? After a long
+reverie, I decided that I would make Marie my confidante, and trust to
+circumstances to guide my future conduct. I rang the bell, and,
+requesting the presence of the elder sister of the convent, commenced an
+inquiry into the different characters of the nuns who had been
+presented.
+
+Flattered by the confidence demanded, there was no end to the loquacity
+and the ill-natured remarks of the old beldame: she held her list in her
+hand, and ran over the families and private history of each. It was two
+hours before she had finished, which she did with Marie, of whose
+history she gave me a most minute detail; and if she was as correct in
+her reports of all the others, I certainly had no reason to compliment
+myself upon being abbess, as far as the previous characters of the nuns
+under my surveillance were concerned. "Good sister," replied I, "I thank
+you for your information, which I shall not fail to profit by in my
+plans for the improvement of the morality of those under my charge. I
+have always made it a rule, that one of the sisterhood should remain in
+my room every night, to watch and do penance. I have found that when
+coupled with my seasonable exhortations, it has produced an excellent
+effect. Of course I allude not to sage and devout women like you; I
+refer to those who in their folly and their flow of youthful passions,
+have not yet humbled themselves sufficiently by abstinence and
+mortification. Who would you propose to watch here this night?"
+
+The old beldame, who I had perceived by the violence of her manner, had
+a dislike to Marie, immediately mentioned her as one to whom severe
+penance would be of especial benefit. I conversed with her for another
+half-hour; then, wishing her good-night, prepared for bed, and requested
+that Marie might be summoned to attend.
+
+Marie entered with her book of _Prières_ in her hand, and, bowing humbly
+to me as she passed, sat down near to the lamp which was lighted before
+an image of the Virgin, at the farther end of the room, and commenced
+her task of watching and of prayer.
+
+"Marie," said I, as I stood by the bed: she uttered a faint scream as
+she heard my voice for the first time, and throwing herself down upon
+her knees before the image of the Virgin, covered her face with her
+hands, and appeared to be in silent but earnest supplication.
+
+"Marie," again said I, "come here." She rose, and came trembling to the
+foot of the bed. "To you, and to you alone, do I intrust a secret which,
+if discovered, would subject me to a painful and ignominious death. You
+were not deceived, when you started at the face beneath the nun's
+attire; and you must now be certain, from the voice which you have
+heard, that I am indeed François. How I became the lady abbess of this
+convent you have yet to learn." I then narrated what I have already done
+to your highness. "By what means," continued I, "I am to deliver myself
+from this dangerous situation, I know not; I have, however, one
+consolation, in finding myself once more in company with the object of
+my love.
+
+"Come hither, Marie; it is indeed your own François." Marie remained at
+the foot of the bed, but advanced not; and I perceived that the tears
+fell fast, as she cast her eyes to heaven.
+
+"Speak to me, Marie, if ever you loved me."
+
+"That I loved you, François, you know full well: not even your unkind
+desertion could affect that love, which was unchangeable. I dared all
+for your sake; my brothers, my father, could not extort the secret from
+me, and their suspicions, although directed towards you, could never be
+confirmed. I bore the offspring of my guilt in solitary anguish,
+afterwards loaded with reproaches when I needed comfort and consolation,
+and stunned with imprecations when I required soothing and repose. I
+buried it with shame and sorrow and contumely. You had abandoned me, and
+I felt that all ties to this world were over. I took the veil, and never
+was the world quitted by so willing a votary as myself. I have since
+been peaceful, if not happy."
+
+"And now, Marie, you shall be happy," cried I, stretching out my arms to
+her. "Come to me, I will explain my motives for leaving Marseilles, and
+what my future intentions were, if they had not been frustrated by
+unforeseen events. All shall yet be well."
+
+"François, all is well. I have taken a solemn vow--it is registered in
+heaven. You have by fraud and imposition entered into a holy place, and
+assumed a holy character. Add not to your crime by even harbouring the
+idea of impropriety, and add not to my humiliation by supposing for a
+moment that I am capable of being a participator. Holy Virgin," cried
+she, falling on her knees, "I demand thy powerful aid in this conflict
+of worldly passions and holy wishes. Oh! make me dead to all but thee,
+and to the spouse whom I have accepted at thy hands."
+
+She then rose and continued--"How you will be able to leave this
+convent, François, I know not; but your secret is safe with me, provided
+that you do not again request my presence, as you have this night. My
+prayers shall ever be for you, but we must meet no more;" and Marie
+waved her hand mournfully, and quitted the apartment.
+
+Although I had always a great contempt for the Catholic religion, of
+which I at that period was a member, I was awed by the beauty of virtue
+as it appeared in Marie, and I passed the night in melancholy
+reflections. I felt more love for her than ever, and determined upon
+persuading her to quit the convent and become my wife. The next morning
+I sent for her.
+
+"Marie, you gave yourself to heaven, when you imagined that you had no
+tie upon earth. You were deceived; there was one whom you still loved,
+and who still adored you. Vows made in delusion are not registered.
+Leave this convent with me, become my wife, and you will do your duty
+better towards heaven than by pining between these walls, which contain
+nothing but envy, hatred, and remorse."
+
+"François, you have had my answer. What has been done, cannot be undone.
+Save yourself, and leave me to my unhappy fate," answered Marie; then
+bursting into tears, "O François, why, why did you leave me without one
+word? Had you but pointed out your danger to me, I should have been the
+first to have insisted upon your absence, and all, all would have been
+borne with patience, if not with pleasure, for your sake. If what you
+now say is truth, all would have been well; but now I have naught to
+cheer me in my lonely pilgrimage, and naught to wish but that it soon
+may come unto its close. I forgive you, François, but pity me, for I
+deserve your pity."
+
+"Once more, Marie, I entreat you to consent to my proposal."
+
+"Never, François; I will not be less faithful to my God than I was to
+you. He will not desert me; and if I suffer now, will reward me for it
+hereafter." And Marie again quitted my apartment.
+
+My situation in the nunnery now became insupportable, and I determined
+to escape. I pleaded ill health and kept my bed. The physician of a
+neighbouring convent, who had a great reputation, was sent for against
+my wishes. When I heard of his arrival, I dressed to receive him, for I
+was fearful of some scrutiny. He inquired what ailed me: I answered that
+I had no pain, but that I was convinced I should soon depart. He felt my
+pulse, and not being able to discover symptoms of disease took his
+leave.
+
+To the elder sisters who visited me, I spoke in enigmas, and told them
+that I had a summons, that they must expect soon to find me gone: and
+the sanctity of my reputation make them receive my innuendoes as
+inspired remarks. One night, I complained of being much worse, and
+requested their early retiring: they would have sent for the physician,
+but I forbade it, telling them I was beyond a physician's cure: kissing
+them all, and pronouncing over them a solemn blessing, I dismissed them.
+As soon as it was dark, I threw off my nun's attire, leaving it in my
+bed, as if I had slipped out of it; and as the windows of my apartment,
+which looked into the convent garden, were not barred, unclothed as I
+was I dropped down, and reached the ground in safety. I took the
+precaution, when I was outside, to shut the window, that my having
+escaped should not enter their ideas, and climbing a tree which overhung
+the wall of the garden, dropped from a bough on the other side, and
+found myself at liberty. As I knew that the farther I was from the
+nunnery, the less chance I had of being supposed an impostor, I gained
+the high road, and ran as fast as I could in the direction from
+Marseilles to Toulouse.
+
+I had proceeded several miles without encountering any body at that
+still hour of the night, occasionally alarmed at the barking of some
+snarling cur, as I passed through the small villages in my route,--when,
+worn out with fatigue and cold, I sat down under a hedge to screen
+myself from the cold "mistral" which blew. As the wind lulled, I heard
+sounds of voices in lamentation, which appeared to proceed from the road
+at a short distance. I rose, and continued my route, when I stumbled
+over the body of a man. I examined him by the faint light that was
+emitted from the stars. He was quite dead; and it immediately occurred
+to me that a robbery had been committed, and the lamentations which I
+had heard proceeded from those who had escaped with their lives. The
+cloak of the dead man was lying underneath him; it was a capote, such as
+are worn by officers. I unclasped it from his neck, round which it was
+fastened with two bear's-paws chased in silver, and, wrapping it round
+my benumbed limbs, proceeded further on to where I now occasionally
+heard voices much plainer than before. I again fell in with two more
+prostrate bodies, and, as the day had now begun to break, perceived that
+they were clothed like people of low condition. Passing my hand over
+their faces, I felt that they were quite dead and stiff. Afraid that if
+found close to the spot, and unable to give any account of myself, I
+should be accused of murder, I thought of immediate flight; but the
+plaintive voice of a woman met my ears, and it was an appeal that I
+could not resist. I proceeded a few yards further, and perceived a
+carriage, the horses of which lay dead in their traces, with the driver
+beside them. To the hind wheels were secured with ropes an elderly man
+and a young woman.
+
+"God be praised, my dear father, help is at hand!" said the young woman,
+as I approached; and as I came close to them, she cried out, "Oh, I know
+him by his cloak; it's the gentleman who defended us so gallantly, and
+whom we supposed to have been killed. Are you much hurt, sir?"
+
+Aware that I had better be any body than myself, with my usual invention
+and presence of mind I replied, "Not much, madam, thanks be to heaven! I
+was stunned, and they left me for dead: I am happy that I am still
+alive, to be of service to you:" and I immediately proceeded to cast
+loose the ropes by which the father and daughter (as by their
+conversation they appeared to be) had been confined to the wheels. The
+robbers had stripped them both nearly to the skin, and they were so
+numbed with the cold that they could scarcely stand when they were
+unbound,--the poor girl especially, who shivered as if suffering under a
+tertian ague. I proposed that they should enter the carriage as the best
+shelter they could receive from the bitter keen wind which blew, and
+they agreed to the prudence of my suggestion.
+
+"If I am not requesting too great a favour, sir," said the old
+gentleman, "I wish you would lend my poor daughter that cloak, for she
+is perishing with the cold."
+
+"I will with pleasure, sir, as soon as you are both in the carriage,"
+replied I; for I had made up my mind how to proceed. I assisted them in,
+and, shutting the door, slipped off the cloak and put it in at the
+window, saying, "Believe me, madam, I should have offered it to you
+before, but the fact is, the rascals served me, as I lay stunned, in the
+same manner as they have you, and I must now go in search of something
+to cover myself." I then went off at a quick pace, hearing the young
+woman exclaim, "Oh, my father, he has stripped himself to cover me!"
+
+I immediately returned to the body of the gentleman whose cloak I had
+borrowed, and for whom I had no doubt that I had been mistaken. I
+stripped off all the clothes from his rigid limbs, and put them on: they
+fitted me exactly, and, what was more fortunate, were not stained with
+blood, as he had received his death-wound from a bullet in the brain. I
+then dragged the body to the other side of the hedge, where I threw it
+into a ditch, and covered it with long grass, that it might not be
+discovered. Daylight had made its appearance before I had completed my
+toilet; and when I came back to the carriage, the old gentleman was loud
+in his thanks. I told him that in returning to strip one of the other
+bodies I had found my own clothes in a bundle, which the robbers had
+left in their haste to escape from pursuit.
+
+The young lady said nothing, but sat shrouded up in the cloak, in one
+corner of the carriage. I now entered into conversation with the old
+gentleman, who explained to me how the attack began, before I had come
+to their assistance: and from the information I received from him, I was
+enabled to form a very good idea of the story that I was to tell. I
+found that I had been on horseback with my servant, when I rode to their
+assistance; that we had been both supposed to be killed, and that we
+were about five miles from any post town.
+
+By this time it was broad daylight, and I made another discovery, which
+was, that I was wearing an officer's undress. Anxious to gratify my
+curiosity by a sight of the young lady, I turned to her, as she lay
+muffled up in the cloak, and expressed a hope that she did not feel
+cold. She put her head out, and answered in the negative with such a
+sweet smile, upon such a sweet face as I never had before witnessed. I
+looked at her as if transfixed, and did not take my eyes off until she
+blushed, and again sank back as before.
+
+This brought me to my recollection; I offered to go for assistance, and
+my services were thankfully accepted. I passed by the men who had been
+killed, as I went on my mission; one was habited in a livery similar to
+the coach-man who lay dead by his horses; the other was in that of a
+groom, and I took it for granted that he had been my servant. I searched
+in his pockets for information, and, collecting the contents, commenced
+reading them as I walked along.
+
+By his memoranda I found out that I had come from Aix. By letters and
+papers in my own pockets I ascertained who I was, who my father was, to
+what regiment I belonged, that I was on leave of absence, and that I had
+a brother, whose affectionate letter I read carefully for further
+information. I had not time to count a considerable sum of money, which
+was in my purse, before I fell in with a countryman, who was leading his
+horses to the plough. Briefly narrating the circumstances, I offered him
+a handsome remuneration, if he would mount one of his horses, and
+procure immediate assistance. Having seen him off in a hand-gallop, I
+returned to the carriage to try if it were possible to have one more
+view of that face which had so enchanted me. I stated the good fortune I
+had met with, and my hopes of a speedy deliverance from their trouble. I
+answered the old gentleman's inquiry of the name and condition of the
+person to whom he and his daughter had been so much indebted, talked of
+my father the Compte de Rouillé, of my regiment, and then requested a
+similar confidence.
+
+He was le Marquis de Tonseca, and the young lady was his daughter; they
+were proceeding to their chateau about seven miles distant, where he
+hoped I would accompany them, and allow him an opportunity of showing
+his gratitude.
+
+I hesitated, talked of engagements--not that I intended to refuse the
+invitation, but because the young lady had not joined in the request. My
+plan had the desired effect; again the lovely face appeared from under
+the cloak, and the sweetest voice in the world expressed a wish that I
+would not refuse her father's invitation. I blushed, and stammered
+consent. Pleased at her victory, she smiled, and again was folded up in
+the cloak, which I could have torn to pieces for its envious
+concealment.
+
+Assistance had now arrived; a crowd of people, headed by an officer to
+take the _procés verbal_, and two pair of post-horses came up; the
+depositions of the Marquis and myself were briefly taken; his as to what
+he had seen, and mine "to the best of my knowledge and belief." The
+papers were signed, the dead bodies were carried off, the horses put to,
+and, at the request of the Marquis, I took my seat in the carriage
+between him and his daughter, and we proceeded to the chateau.
+
+In two hours we arrived at a magnificent pile, which bespoke the wealth
+and ancestry of the owner, and I had the pleasure of carrying in my
+arms, up the long flight of steps by which we ascended to the entrance,
+the beautiful girl, muffled up as she was in the cloak. As soon as I had
+laid her down upon a sofa, I left her to the care of the females who
+were in attendance and quitted the room. The Marquis had retired to his
+own apartment, to supply the deficiencies in his attire, and for a short
+time I was left alone to my own reflections. What is to be the result of
+all this? thought I. Is there to be no end of my assumption of the
+clothes and titles of other people,--this continual transmigration
+before death? Yet how much more has it depended upon circumstances than
+upon myself!
+
+After much reflection, I determined upon letting things take their own
+course, trusting to my own ready invention and good fortune for the
+issue. I felt it to be impossible to tear myself from the sweet creature
+whose personal charms had already fascinated me, and I vowed that there
+was no risk, no danger, that I would not brave to obtain her love.
+
+In an hour we met at the breakfast-table, and I was more than ever
+enchanted;--but I will not detain your highness by dwelling too long
+upon the subject.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"No, don't, yaha bibi, my friend," said the pacha, yawning, "your story
+gets very dry already. We'll suppose the cypress waist, the stag's eyes,
+and full moon of her face. We Mussulmans don't talk so much about women;
+but I suppose as you were a Frenchman, and very young then, you knew no
+better. Why you talk of women as if they had souls!" The renegade did
+not think it advisable to express his opinion in contradiction to that
+of his highness, and the assertions of the prophet. "It cannot be said
+that I behaved to them as if they had," replied he; "and before I
+changed my religion, I was often smitten with remorse for my selfish and
+unfeeling conduct towards Marie; but all that is past, I am now a Turk;"
+and the renegade passed his hand over his brow; for some long-smothered
+feelings of virtue had been conjured up by remorse, as he was reminded
+of the career of guilt which he had run through, and which he had
+climaxed by the denial of his Redeemer. After a short pause he
+continued--
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+For a week I remained in the society of the Marquis and his daughter,
+daily ingratiating myself more and more with both. I had not declared my
+passion to his daughter, for there was something that irresistibly
+prevented me; yet I knew that I was not viewed with indifference. Our
+party was then increased by the appearance of the Bishop of Toulouse,
+the brother of the Marquis, who came to congratulate him and his niece
+upon their fortunate escape. I was presented as the gentleman who had so
+materially assisted. The bishop stared at me with surprise.
+
+"It is strange," observed he, "that a body has been found in a ditch,
+near to where the robbery occurred, and has been recognised to be that
+of the very young officer to whom you now introduce me. How can this
+be?"
+
+The marquis and his daughter appeared astonished at the intelligence
+(and in truth so was I), but it was only for a second. "How say you,
+sir," exclaimed I, with trepidation, "a body recognised as the son of
+the Comte de Rouillé? My poor, poor brother! my dear Victor, have you
+then perished? what injustice have I done you!" Throwing myself on the
+fauteuil, I covered my face with my handkerchief, as if overpowered with
+grief; but, in reality, I was reflecting what I should say next.
+
+"Your brother!" exclaimed the Marquis in surprise.
+
+"Yes, Marquis, my brother. I will now state the circumstances which
+induced me to conceal from you that he was in my company at the time of
+the attack. When I galloped to your assistance, I was followed by my
+brother, who was riding with me to Marseilles, and of whom you recollect
+I have spoken; but after the first discharge of firearms I found that he
+was not at my side, and I imagined that he had deserted me from fear. I
+could not bear that such a disgrace upon the family should be known, and
+I therefore made no mention of him when I came back. Little did I think,
+that while I was accusing him in my heart of cowardice, he was dead, and
+his heart's blood had been poured out in my defence. Victor, my dear
+Victor!" continued I, "how great has been my injustice, and what can
+repay me for your loss?" and I threw myself down on the sofa, as if
+frantic with grief.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Huckaback," observed the pacha, "it appears to me that in your younger
+days you were a great scoundrel."
+
+"I acknowledge it," replied the renegade; "but, in extenuation, your
+highness must call to mind that at that time I was a Christian."
+
+"By the beard of the prophet, that is well said, and very true!" replied
+the pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Marquis and his brother were shocked at having so unintentionally
+plunged me into affliction. They offered consolation, but finding their
+endeavours fruitless, quitted the room, thinking it advisable to leave
+me to myself. Cerise, for that was the name of the daughter, remained,
+and after a short pause came to me, and in her silvery voice, as she
+laid her hand upon my shoulder, addressed me:
+
+"Console yourself, my dear Felix;" but I made no answer. "How unhappy I
+am!" said she: "it was in my defence that he lost his life: it was to
+your courage that I am indebted for my preservation:--he is dead, and
+you are miserable. Can nothing repay you for the loss of your
+brother?--Nothing, Felix?"
+
+I raised my head; her eyes were swimming with tears, and beaming with
+love. As I resumed my seat upon the sofa, I drew her gently towards me.
+She offered no resistance, and in a moment she had sunk down by my side,
+as my arms entwined her beauteous form.
+
+"Yes," murmured I, "Cerise, I am repaid." Smiling through her blushes,
+she disengaged herself, and rose to depart. Returning once more at my
+request, I imprinted a kiss upon her brow: she waved her hand, and
+hastened out of the room.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"That was a very nice girl, by your description," interrupted the pacha:
+"pray what might you pay for such a girl in your country?"
+
+"She was beyond all price," replied the renegade, with an absent air, as
+if communing with times past. "Love is not to be bought. The Moslem
+purchases the slave and blind submission to his will, but he makes not
+love."
+
+"No, he buys it ready made," replied the pacha; "and I must say I wish
+you had done the same: for, with all this love making, you get on but
+slowly with your story. Proceed."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I remained another week, when the bishop, who had not yet taken his
+departure, one morning drove over to Marseilles, and returned to dinner.
+"I was sent for," observed he, as we sat down to table, "to consult as
+to the propriety of requesting from the Pope the canonisation of the
+Soeur Eustasie, of whom you have heard so much, and whose disappearance
+has been attributed to miraculous agency: but during our consultation, a
+piece of information was sent in, which has very much changed the
+opinion of parties as to her reputed sanctity. It appears that near the
+spot where the vessel was wrecked they have discovered the body of a
+woman dressed in man's clothes; and it is now supposed that some
+miscreant has personified her at the Convent, and has subsequently
+escaped. The officers of justice are making the strictest search, and if
+the individual is found, he will be sent to Rome to be disposed of by
+the Inquisition."
+
+As your highness may imagine, this was not very agreeable news; I almost
+started from my chair when I heard it; but I had sufficient mastery over
+myself to conceal my feelings, although every morsel that I put into my
+mouth nearly choked me.
+
+But before dinner was over the plot thickened; a letter was brought to
+the Marquis from my adopted father the Comte de Rouillé stating that
+such contradictory reports had been received, that he could not
+ascertain the truth. From one he heard that his eldest son was alive,
+and at the château; from others that he had been murdered: others
+congratulated him in their letters upon the escape of one of his sons.
+He requested the Marquis to inform him of the real state of affairs, and
+to let him know by the bearer whether his eldest son was with him, or
+whether he had met with the unfortunate death that was reported; and as
+his youngest son was at home, and had been there for some months, he
+could not but imagine, as both of them were mentioned in the reports,
+that there might be some imposture in the business.
+
+I perceived by the change of countenance in the Marquis that affairs
+were not going well, and was to a certain degree prepared, when he
+gravely handed the letter to the bishop, who, having read it, passed it
+over to me, saying, with a stern look, "This concerns you, sir." I read
+it with a composed countenance, and, returning it to the Marquis, I
+observed with a sigh, "There is no kindness in such deception, the blow
+will only fall heavier upon the old man when it does come. You are
+aware, sir, I mentioned it to you (or rather, I believe, it was to
+Mademoiselle Cerise), that my father is blind, and has been so for the
+last two years. They have been afraid to tell him the truth, and have
+made him believe that Victor is there. You must know, sir, that it was
+clandestinely that my dear brother quitted his father's house to
+accompany me. Unhappy hour when I yielded to his entreaties! But,
+Monsieur le Marquis, I perceive it is now imperative that I should go to
+my father; he will need the assurance of my existence to support him in
+his grief. I will therefore, with your permission, write a few lines by
+the bearer of this communication, and to-morrow morning at daylight must
+unwillingly tear myself away from your charming society."
+
+The cool and confident air with which I answered, removed suspicion; and
+having written a few lines to the Comte, and requested from the Marquis
+the loan of his seal, I applied the wax, and desired the servant to
+deliver it as an answer to the messenger, whom I was not sorry to see
+galloping by the window. "Oh," cried I, "'tis Pierre: had I known that,
+I should have asked him some questions."
+
+This well-timed exclamation of mine, I perceived, did not fail to have
+its weight. We again sat down to table, and I was treated with more than
+usual kindness by the Marquis and his brother, as if in compensation for
+their having, for a moment, harboured a suspicion of my honesty. But I
+was ill at ease, and I felt that I never had acted with more prudence
+than in proposing my early departure.
+
+In the evening I was alone with Cerise. Since the news of my brother's
+death, and the scene that followed, we had sworn unalterable love; and
+in that instance only was I sincere. I loved her to desperation, and I
+doat on her memory now, though years have rolled away, and she has long
+been mingled with the dead. Yes, Cerise, if from the regions of bliss,
+where thy pure spirit dwells, thou canst look down upon a wretch so
+loaded with guilt as I am, oh, turn not away with horror, but view with
+pity one who loved as fondly as man could love, and hereafter will care
+little for all that Paradise can offer, if thy fair spirit must not bid
+him welcome!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I wish, Huckaback," observed the pacha, angrily, "that you would go on
+with your story: you are talking to a dead woman, instead of a live
+pacha."
+
+"I entreat your pardon," replied the renegade; "but to amuse your
+highness, I have entered into scenes which long have been dismissed from
+my memory; and the feelings attending them will rise up, and cannot well
+be checked. I will be more careful as I proceed."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Cerise was melancholy at the idea of my departure. I kissed the tears
+away, and the time flew rapidly. I persuaded her to allow me an
+interview after the family had retired, as I had much to say to her.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Well, well, we'll suppose all that," observed the pacha, impatiently:
+"now go on; you remember you were to set off in the morning."
+
+"Yes, yes, your highness," replied the renegade, somewhat displeased.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+And I did set off in the morning upon one of the Marquis's horses, and
+rode as hard as I could to Toulon. I determined again to try my fortune
+at sea, as I was afraid that I should be discovered if I remained on
+shore. I purchased a small venture with the money in my purse, and
+having made my agreement with the captain of a vessel bound to St
+Domingo, exchanged my dress for a jacket and trousers, and was again at
+the mercy of the waves.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Such, your highness, is the history of my First Voyage, and the
+incidents which resulted from it."
+
+"Well," said the pacha, rising, "there was too much love and too little
+sea in it; but, I suppose, if you had left the first out it would not
+have been so long. Mustapha, give him five pieces of gold, and we will
+have his Second Voyage to-morrow."
+
+As soon as the pacha had retired, the renegade growled out, "If I am to
+tell any more stories, I must not be checked and dictated to. I could
+have talked for an hour after I had met Cerise, if I had not been
+interrupted: as it was, I cut the matter short."
+
+"But, Selim," replied Mustapha, "the pacha is not fond of these sort of
+adventures; he likes something much more marvellous. Could you not
+embellish a little?"
+
+"How do you mean?"
+
+"Holy prophet! what do I mean!--Why, tell a few lies,--not adhere quite
+so much to matter of fact."
+
+"Adhere to matter of fact, vizier!--why, I have not stated a single fact
+yet!"
+
+"What! is not all this true?"
+
+"Not one word of it, as I hope to go to heaven!"
+
+"Bismillah!--what, not about Marie and the Convent--and Cerise?"
+
+"All lies from beginning to end."
+
+"And were you never a barber?"
+
+"Never in my life."
+
+"Then why did you make such long apostrophes to the dead Cerise, when
+you observed that the pacha was impatient."
+
+"Merely because I was at fault, vizier, and wished to gain time, to
+consider what I should say next."
+
+"Selim," replied Mustapha, "you have great talent; but mind that your
+next voyage is more wonderful; I presume it will make no difference to
+you."
+
+"None whatever; but the pacha is not a man of taste. Now give me my five
+pieces, and I'll be off: I'm choked with thirst, and shall not be
+comfortable till I have drunk at least a gallon of wine."
+
+"Holy prophet! what a Turk!" exclaimed the vizier, lifting up his hands.
+"Here is your money, Kafir;--don't forget to be here to-morrow."
+
+"Never fear me, vizier; your slave lives but to obey you, as we Turks
+say."
+
+"We Turks!" muttered the vizier, as he cast his eyes upon the retiring
+figure of the renegade. "Well of all the scoundrels--" "Well," muttered
+the renegade, who was now out of hearing, "of all the scoundrels--" Whom
+they were referring to in their separate soliloquies must be left to the
+reader's imagination; for caution prevented either of the parties from
+giving vent to the remainder of their thoughts.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter VI
+
+
+"Mashallah! How wonderful is God! Did the Caliph Haroun ever hear such
+stories?" observed the pacha, taking the pipe from his mouth, as he was
+indulging in company with Mustapha: "that infidel tells strange
+histories of strange countries--What will his mouth open to next?"
+
+"The Shaitan Bacheh, for a son of the devil he still is, although he
+wears the turban and bows to Allah, will prove a treasury of amusement
+to your sublime highness," replied Mustapha: "but what are the words of
+the sage?--'If thou hast gold in thy hazneh, keep it locked and add
+thereto; thus shalt thou become rich.'"
+
+"They are the words of wisdom," replied the pacha.
+
+"Then may I advise your highness to walk out this evening in search of
+more, and not exhaust that which is in your possession?"
+
+"Wallah Thaib! It is well said!" answered the pacha, rising from his
+musnud or carpet of state: "the moon is up--when all is ready we will
+proceed."
+
+In a quarter of an hour the pacha, attended by Mustapha and the armed
+slaves as before, again set out upon their perambulations through the
+city of Cairo.
+
+They had not walked more than half-an-hour when they observed two men
+sitting at the door of a fruit-shop, at high words with each other. The
+pacha held up his finger to Mustapha, as a sign to stop, that he might
+over-hear their discourse.
+
+"I tell you, Ali, that it is impossible to hear those long stories of
+yours without losing one's temper."
+
+"Long stories!" whispered the pacha to Mustapha with delight: "the very
+thing!--Shukur Allah! Thanks be to God!"
+
+"And I tell you in reply, Hussan, that yours are ten times worse. You
+never have spoken for ten minutes, without my feeling an inclination to
+salute your mouth with the heel of my slipper. I wish there was any one
+who would hear us both and decide the point."
+
+"That I will," said the pacha, going up to them: "to-morrow I will hear
+both your stories, and decide upon the merits of each."
+
+"And who are you?" observed one of the men, with surprise.
+
+"His highness the pacha," replied Mustapha, coming forward. Both the men
+prostrated themselves, while the pacha directed Mustapha that they
+should be brought before him on the following day: and the vizier,
+having given them in charge to the slaves who had followed at a
+distance, returned home with the pacha; who was delighted at the rich
+harvest which he expected to reap from the two people who accused each
+other of telling such long stories.
+
+When the divan of the following day had closed, the two men were
+summoned into the presence of the pacha.
+
+"I shall now decide upon the merits of your stories," observed he. "Sit
+down there both of you, and agree between yourselves which of you will
+begin."
+
+"May it please your highness, you will never be able to listen to this
+man Ali," observed Hussan: "you had better send him away."
+
+"Allah preserve your highness from all evil," replied Ali, "but more
+especially from the talking of Hussan, which is as oppressive as the hot
+wind of the desert."
+
+"I have not sent for you to hear you dispute in my presence, but to hear
+your stories. Ali, do you begin."
+
+"I do assure your highness," interrupted Hussan, "that you will not
+listen to him three minutes."
+
+"I do assure you," retorted the pacha, "that if you say one word more,
+until you are ordered, you will be rewarded with the bastinado for your
+trouble. Ali, begin your story."
+
+"Well, your highness, it was about thirty years ago, _you know_, that I
+was a little boy, _you know_."
+
+Here Hussan lifted up his hands, and smiled.
+
+"Well, your highness, _you know_----"
+
+"I don't know, Ali; how can I know until you tell me," observed the
+pacha.
+
+"Well, then, your highness must know that ever since I was born I have
+lived in the same street where your highness saw us seated last night,
+and thirty years, you know is a long period in a man's life. My father
+was a gardener, and people of his condition, _you know_, are obliged to
+get up early, that they may be in time for the market, where, _you
+know_, they bring their vegetables for sale."
+
+"This is all very true, I dare say," observed the pacha; "but you will
+oblige me by leaving out all those _you knows_, which I agree with your
+comrade Hussan to be very tedious."
+
+"That's what I have already told him, your highness--'Ali,' _says I_,
+'if you can only leave out your _you knows_,' _says I_, 'your story
+might be amusing, but,' _says I_----"
+
+"Silence with your _says I's_," observed the pacha; "have you forgotten
+the bastinado? there seems to be a pair of you. Ali, go on with the
+story and remember my injunction; the felek and ferashes are at hand."
+
+"Well, your highness, one morning he rose earlier than usual, as he was
+anxious to be the first in the market with some onions, which, _you
+know_, are very plentiful; and having laden his ass, he set off, at a
+good round pace, for the city. There, _you know_, he arrived at the
+market-place a little after the day had dawned, when, _you know_,----"
+
+"Did you not receive my orders to leave out _you know_? Am I to be
+obeyed or not? Now go on, and if you offend again, you shall have the
+bastinado till your nails drop off."
+
+"I shall observe your highness's wishes," replied Ali.--"A little after
+the day had dawned, _you_--, no, he, I mean, observed an old woman
+sitting near one of the fruit-stalls, with her head covered up in an old
+dark-blue capote; and as he passed by, _you_--she I mean, held out one
+of her fingers, and said, 'Ali Baba,' for that was my father's name,
+'Listen to good advice; leave your laden beast, and follow me.' Now my
+father, _you know_, not being inclined to pay any attention to such an
+old woman, _you know_, replied, _you know_,----"
+
+"Holy Allah!" exclaimed the pacha in a rage to Mustapha, "what does this
+man deserve?"
+
+"The punishment due to those who dare to disobey your highness's
+commands."
+
+"And he shall have it: take him out; give him one hundred blows of the
+bastinado; put him on an ass with his face turned towards the tail; and
+let the officer who conducts him through the town proclaim, 'Such is the
+punishment awarded by the pacha to him who presumes to say that his
+highness knows, when in fact, he knows nothing.'"
+
+The guards seized upon the unfortunate Ali to put in execution the will
+of the pacha; and as he was dragged away, Hussan cried out, "I told you
+so; but you would not believe me."
+
+"Well," replied Ali, "I've one comfort, your story's not told yet. His
+highness has yet to decide which is the best."
+
+After a few minutes' pause, to recover himself from the ruffling of his
+temper, the pacha addressed the other man--"Now, Hussan, you will begin
+your story, and observe that I am rather in an ill-humour."
+
+"How can your highness be otherwise, after the annoyance of that bore
+Ali? I said so; 'Ali,' _says I_,----"
+
+"Go on with your story," repeated the pacha angrily.
+
+"It was about two years ago, your highness, when I was sitting at the
+door of the fruit-shop, which your highness might have observed when you
+saw us last night, that a young female, who seemed above the common
+class, came in, followed by a porter. 'I want some melons,' says she. 'I
+have very fine ones, so walk in,' _says I_: and I handed down from the
+upper shelf, where they were placed, four or five musk, and four or five
+water-melons.
+
+"'Now,' _says I_, 'young woman, you'll observe that these are much finer
+melons,' _says I_, 'than you usually can procure; therefore the lowest
+price that I can take,' _says I_, 'is----'"
+
+"Why, your _says I's_ are much worse than Ali's _you knows_; leave them
+out, if you please, and proceed with your story," cried the pacha, with
+increased ill-humour.
+
+"I will obey, your highness, if possible. I stated the lowest price, and
+she lifted up her veil--'I have an idea,' said she, as she allowed me to
+look upon one of the prettiest faces in the world, 'that they are to be
+had cheaper.'
+
+"I was so struck with her beauty, that I was quite speechless. 'Am I not
+right?' said she, smiling. 'From you, madam,' _says I_, 'I can take
+nothing; put as many in the basket of your porter as you please.' She
+thanked me, and put into the basket all that I had handed down. 'Now,'
+_says she_, 'I want some dates, the best and finest that you have.' I
+handed some down that would have been admired by the ladies of your
+highness's harem. 'These, madam,' _says I_, 'are the best dates that are
+to be found in Cairo.' She tasted them, and asked the price; I mentioned
+it. 'They are dear,' replied she, 'but I must have them cheaper;' and
+again she lifted her veil. 'Madam,' _says I_, 'these dates are much too
+cheap at the price which I have mentioned; it really is impossible to
+take one para less; observe, madam,' _says I_, 'the beauty of them, feel
+the weight, and taste them,' _says I_, 'and you must acknowledge,' _says
+I_, 'that they are offered to you at a price which,' _says I_----"
+
+"Holy prophet!" cried the pacha in a rage; "I will hear no more of your
+_says I's_: if you cannot tell your story without them, you shall fare
+worse than Ali."
+
+"May it please your highness, how will it be possible for you to know
+what I said, unless I point out to you what I did say? I cannot tell my
+story without it."
+
+"I'll see that," replied the pacha, in a savage tone; and, making the
+sign, the executioner made his appearance. "Now, then, go on with your
+story; and, executioner, after he has repeated _says I_ three times, off
+with his head! Go on."
+
+"I shall never be able to go on, your highness; consider one moment how
+harmless my _says I's_ are to the detestable _you knows_ of Ali. That's
+what I always told him; 'Ali,' _says I_, 'if you only knew,' _says I_,
+'how annoying you are! Why there,' _says I_!" At this moment the blow of
+the scimitar fell, and the head of Hussan rolled upon the floor; the
+lips from the force of habit still quivering in their convulsions, with
+the motioning which would have produced _says I_, if the channel of
+sound had not been so effectually interrupted.
+
+"That story's ended!" observed the pacha in a rage. "Of all the
+nuisances I ever encountered, these two men have beat them all. Allah
+forbid that I ever should again meet with a _says I_, or a _you know_!"
+
+"Your highness is all wisdom," observed Mustapha; "may such ever be the
+fate of those who cannot tell their stories without saying what they
+said." The pacha, irritated at his disappointment, and little soothed by
+the remark of Mustapha, without making any answer to it, was about to
+retire to his harem, when Mustapha, with a low salaam, informed him that
+the renegade was in attendance to relate his Second Voyage, if he might
+be permitted to kiss the dust of his presence. "Khoda shefa midêhed--God
+gives relief," replied the pacha, as he resumed his seat: "let him
+approach."
+
+The renegade entered and, having paid the customary obeisance, took his
+seat, and commenced the narrative of his Second Voyage.
+
+May it please your most sublime highness, the day after I embarked, we
+sailed with a fair wind, and having cleared the Straits, flattered
+ourselves with the prospect of a successful voyage; but we were
+miserably disappointed, for three days afterwards we fell in with a
+small brig under English colours. As she was evidently a merchant
+vessel, we paid no attention to her running down to us, supposing that
+she was out of her reckoning, and wished to know her exact position on
+the chart. But as soon as she was close to us, instead of passing under
+our stern, as we expected, she rounded-to, and laid us by the board.
+Taken by surprise, and having no arms, we were beaten down below, and in
+a few minutes the vessel remained in the possession of our assailants.
+They held a short consultation, and then, opening the hatches, a
+boatswain pulled out his whistle, and in a tremendous voice roared out,
+"_All hands ahoy_!" which was followed by his crying out, "_Tumble up
+there, tumble up_!" As we understood this to be a signal for our
+appearance on deck, we obeyed the summons. When we all came up, we found
+out that if we had had any idea that they were enemies, we might have
+beaten them off, as they were only fifteen in number, while we mustered
+sixteen. But it was too late: we were unarmed, and they had each of them
+a cutlass, with two pistols stuck in their girdles. As soon as we were
+all on deck, they bound our arms behind us with ropes, and ranged us in
+a line. Having inquired of each of us our respective ranks and
+professions, they held a short consultation, and the boatswain
+addressing me said--"Thank heaven, you scoundrel, that you were brought
+up as a barber, for it has saved your life!"
+
+He then cut loose the cords which bound me, and I remained at liberty.
+"Now then, my lads!" continued the boatswain, "_come, every man his
+bird_!" and, so saying, he seized upon the captain of the vessel, and
+leading him to the gangway, passed his sword through his body, and
+tossed him into the sea.
+
+In the same manner each of the murderous villains led forward the man
+he had selected, and putting an end to his life, either by the sword or
+pistol, launched the corpse into the waves.
+
+My blood curdled as I beheld the scene, but I said nothing. I considered
+myself too fortunate to escape with life. When it was all over, the
+boatswain roared out, "_That job's done_! Now, Mr Barber, swab up all
+this here blood, and be d----d to you! and recollect that you are one of
+us." I obeyed in fear and silence, and then returned to my former
+station near the taffrail.
+
+The people who had captured us, as I afterwards found out, were part of
+the crew of an English Guineaman, who had murdered the master and mate,
+and had taken possession of the vessel. As our brig was a much finer
+craft in every respect, they determined upon retaining her, and
+scuttling their own. Before night, they had made all their arrangements,
+and were standing to the westward with a fine breeze.
+
+But exactly as the bell struck eight for midnight, a tremendous voice
+was heard at the hatchway, if possible, more than a hundred times louder
+than the boatswain's, roaring out "_All hands ahoy_!"
+
+The concussion of the air was so great, that the ship trembled, as if
+she had been struck with a thunderbolt; and as soon as the motion had
+subsided, the water was heard to rush into every part of the hold. Every
+body ran on deck astonished with the sound, expecting the vessel
+immediately to go down, and looking at each other with horror as they
+stood trembling in their shirts. The water continued to rush into the
+vessel, until it reached the orlop beams; then, as suddenly, it stopped.
+
+When the panic had, to a certain degree, subsided, and they perceived
+that the water did not increase, all hands applied to the pumps, and by
+eight o'clock in the morning the vessel was free. Still the
+unaccountable circumstance weighed heavy on the minds of the seamen, who
+walked the deck without speaking to each other, or paying any attention
+to the ship's course; and as no one took the command, no one was ordered
+to the helm.
+
+For my own part, I thought it a judgment upon them for their cruelty;
+and, expecting that worse would happen, I had made up my mind to my
+fate. I thought of Marie, and hoping for pardon yet fearing the worst, I
+vowed, if I escaped, that I would amend my life.
+
+At night we again retired to our hammocks, but no one slept, so afraid
+were we of a second visitation. The bell was not struck by the men, but
+it struck itself, louder than I ever heard it before; and again the
+dreadful voice was heard, "_All hands ahoy_!" again the water rushed in,
+and again we ran on deck. As before, it mounted as high as the orlop
+beams; it then stopped, and was pumped out again by eight o'clock on the
+ensuing morning.
+
+For a month, during which time we never saw land, for we had lost all
+reckoning, and no one cared to steer--the same dreadful visitation took
+place. Habit had to a degree hardened the men; they now swore and got
+drunk as before, and even made a jest of the _boatswain of the middle
+watch_, as they called him, but at the same time they were worn out with
+constant fatigue; and one night they declared that they would pump no
+longer. The water remained in the vessel all that day, and we retired to
+our hammocks as usual; when at midnight, the same voice was again heard
+at the hatchway, not followed by the rush of water, but by a shriek of
+"_Tumble up there, tumble up_!"
+
+We all started at the summons, and hastened on deck; there was something
+that impelled us in spite of ourselves. Never shall I forget the horrid
+sight which presented itself: stretched in a row on the deck of the
+vessel lay the fifteen bloody corpses of my shipmates who had been
+murdered. We stood aghast; the hair rose straight up from our heads, as
+we viewed the supernatural reappearances. After a pause of about five
+minutes, during which we never spoke or even moved, one of the corpses
+cried out in a sepulchral voice, "_Come, every man his bird_!" and held
+up its arms as it lay.
+
+The man, whose office it had been to take the living body to the
+gangway, and after killing it to throw it overboard, advanced towards
+it; he was evidently impelled by a supernatural power, for never shall I
+forget the look of horror, the faint scream of agony, which escaped him
+as he obeyed the summons. Like the trembling bird fascinated by the
+snake, he fell into the arms of the dead body; which grasping him tight,
+rolled over and over in convolutions like a serpent, until it gained the
+break of the gangway, and then tumbled into the sea with its murderer
+entwined in its embraces. A flash of lightning succeeded, which blinded
+us for several minutes; and when we recovered our vision, the remainder
+of the bodies had disappeared.
+
+The effect upon the guilty wretches was dreadful; there they lay, each
+man on the deck where he had crouched down, when the lightning had
+flashed upon him: the sun rose upon them, yet they moved not; he poured
+his beams on their naked bodies when at his meridian height, yet they
+still remained: the evening closed in, and found them in the same
+positions. As soon as it was dark, as if released from a spell, they
+crawled below, and went into their hammocks: at midnight again the bell
+struck; again the voice was heard, followed by the shriek; again they
+repaired on deck: the fourteen remaining bodies lay in a row: another of
+the murderers was summoned, obeyed, and disappeared: again the flash of
+lightning burst upon us, and all had vanished; and thus it continued
+every night, until the boatswain, who was reserved for the last, was
+dragged overboard after the rest by the corpse of the captain; and then
+a tremendous voice from the maintop, followed by exulting laughter,
+cried out, "_That job's done_." Immediately after which, the water
+rushed out of the bottom of the vessel, and she was clear as before.
+
+Returning thanks to heaven that I was not a party sufferer with the
+rest, I lay down, and for the first time for many weeks fell into a
+sound sleep. How long I slept, I know not: it may have been days; but I
+awoke at last by the sound of voices, and found that the people on
+board of a vessel bound from Mexico to the South of Spain, perceiving
+the brig lying with her sails torn, and her yards not trimmed, had sent
+a boat to ascertain whether there was any body remaining in her. I was
+afraid that if I told them what had happened, they either would not
+believe me, or else would refuse to take on board a person who had been
+in company with such examples of divine vengeance. I therefore stated
+that we had been attacked by dysentery about six weeks before, and all
+had died except myself, who was supercargo of the brig.
+
+As their vessel was but half full, the cargo, consisting chiefly of
+cochineal and copper, which is stowed in small space, the captain
+offered to take as many of my goods as he could stow, provided I would
+allow him the freight. This I willingly consented to, and, examining the
+manifest, selected the most valuable, which were removed to the Spanish
+vessel.
+
+We had a favourable wind; and having run through the Straits, expected
+in a day or two we should anchor at Valencia, to which port she was
+bound; but a violent gale came on from the N.E. which lasted many days,
+and drove us over to the African shore. To increase our misfortunes, the
+ship sprung a leak, and made so much water that we could scarcely keep
+her free.
+
+The Spaniards are but indifferent sailors, your highness, and in a storm
+are more inclined to pray than to work: they became frightened, gave
+over pumping, and having lighted a candle before the image of St
+Antonio, which was fixed on the stern of the vessel, began to call upon
+him for assistance. Not immediately obtaining their request, they took
+the image out of the shrine, abused it, called it every vile name that
+they could think of, and ended with tying it against the main-mast, and
+beating it with ropes.
+
+In the meantime the vessel filled more and more; whereas, if, instead of
+praying, they had continued at the pumps, we should have done well
+enough, as the gale was abating, and she did not make so much water as
+before.
+
+Enraged at their cowardice, and at the idea of losing so much property
+as I had on board (for I considered it as my own), I seized the image
+from the mast, and threw it overboard, telling them to go to their pumps
+if they wished to be saved. The whole crew uttered a cry of horror, and
+would have thrown me after the image, but I made my escape up the
+rigging, from whence I dared not descend for many hours.
+
+Having now no saint to appeal to, they once more applied to the pumps.
+To their astonishment, the vessel made no more water, and in the course
+of a few hours she was free.
+
+The next morning the gale was over, and we were steering for Valencia. I
+observed that the captain and sailors avoided me, but I cared little
+about it, as I felt that my conduct had saved the ship as well as my own
+property. On the second day we anchored in the bay, and were boarded by
+the authorities, who went down into the cabin, and had a long
+conversation with the captain. They quitted the ship, and about an hour
+afterwards I proposed going ashore, but the captain said that he could
+not permit it until the next morning. While I was expostulating with him
+as to the reasons for my detention, a boat rowed alongside, from out of
+which came two personages dressed in black. I knew them to be familiars
+of the Inquisition; and it immediately occurred to me that my
+personification of the lady abbess had been discovered, and that my doom
+was sealed. The captain pointed me out; they collared and handed me into
+the boat, and pulled for the shore in silence.
+
+When we landed, I was put into a black coach, and conveyed to the palace
+of the Inquisition, where I was thrown into one of the lowest dungeons.
+The next day the familiars appeared, and led me to the hall of judgment,
+where I was asked whether I confessed my crime. I replied that I did not
+know what I was accused of. They again asked me if I would confess, and
+on my making the same answer I was ordered to the torture.
+
+As I knew that I had no chance, I thought I might as well avoid
+unnecessary pain, and declared that I did confess it.
+
+"What instigated you to the deed?"
+
+Not well knowing what to reply, as I was not exactly aware of the nature
+of my offence, I answered that it was the blessed Virgin.
+
+"Blasphemer!" cried the grand inquisitor, "what! the blessed Virgin
+desired you to throw St Antonio overboard?"
+
+"Yes," replied I (glad that at all events the crime was not what I had
+anticipated), "she did, and told me that it would be the saving of the
+vessel."
+
+"Where were you?"
+
+"On the deck."
+
+"Where did you see her?"
+
+"She was sitting on a small blue cloud, a little above the topsail yard.
+'Fear not, François,' said she, motioning with her hand, 'to throw the
+image overboard.'" The inquisitors were astonished at my boldness: a
+consultation was held, as to whether I should be treated as a
+blasphemer, or the circumstance blazoned into a miracle. But it
+unfortunately happened for me that a miracle had occurred very lately;
+and there were very few people to be burnt at the _auto da fé_ of the
+ensuing month.
+
+It was therefore decided against me. I was reviled, abused, and
+sentenced to the flames; but I determined, as my only chance, to put a
+good face upon the matter to the very last. Looking up, as if to a point
+in the ceiling of the dark hall of judgment, and holding my hands
+before, as if in amazement--"Holy Virgin," cried I, bending on my knee,
+"I thank thee for the sign. My Lord," continued I fiercely, "I fear you
+not; you have sentenced me to perish by the flames; I tell you that I
+shall leave my dungeon with honour, and be as much courted as I have
+been now reviled."
+
+The inquisitors were for a moment staggered, but their surprise gave
+place to their cruelty, when they considered how long they had tortured
+thousands for doubting points to which they themselves had never for a
+moment given credence. I was remanded to my dungeon; and the gaoler, who
+had never before witnessed such boldness in the hall of justice, and was
+impressed with the conviction that I was supported as I had affirmed,
+treated me with kindness, affording me comforts, which, had it been
+known, would have cost him his situation.
+
+In the meantime the cargo of the vessel was landed at the Custom House,
+and she was hauled on shore to have her bottom caulked and pitched,
+when, to the astonishment of the captain and crew, the hole which had
+occasioned the leak was discovered with the head of the figure of the
+saint, which I had thrown overboard, so firmly wedged in, that it
+required some force to pull it out. "A miracle! a miracle!" was cried
+from the quays, and proclaimed through every part of the town. It was
+evident that the Virgin had instigated me to throw over the image, as
+the only means of stopping the leak. The friars of the nearest convent
+claimed the image from their propinquity, and came down to the ship in
+grand procession to carry it to their church. The grand inquisitor,
+hearing the circumstance, acknowledged to the bishop and heads of the
+clergy my intrepid behaviour in the hall of judgment; and not three
+hours after the ship had been hauled on shore, I was visited in my
+dungeon by the grand inquisitor, the bishop, and a long procession, my
+pardon requested, and the kiss of peace demanded and given. I was taken
+away with every mark of respect, and looked upon as one under special
+favour of the Virgin. "Did I not say, my lord, that I should leave my
+dungeon in honour?"
+
+"You did, my friend," answered the inquisitor; and I heard him mutter,
+"either there is such a person as the Virgin Mary, or you are a most
+ready-witted scoundrel."
+
+During my stay at Valencia, I was courted and feasted by everybody, and
+sold my goods at an enormous price; for everyone thought that to possess
+anything that had belonged to me must bring them good fortune. I
+received many handsome presents, had divers requests to become a member
+of the different fraternities of monks, and eventually quitted the town
+with a large sum of money, with which I proceeded to Toulon, with the
+intention of making some inquiry after my dear Cerise, whose image was
+still the object of my dreams, as well as of my waking thoughts.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Stop," said the pacha; "I wish to know, whether you believe that the
+Virgin, as you call her, did thrust the head of the image into the hole
+in the bottom of the ship."
+
+"May it please your highness, I do not. I believe it originated from
+nothing but cause and effect. It is the nature of a whirlpool to draw
+down all substances that come within its vortex. The water pouring into
+the bottom of the ship is but the vortex of a whirlpool reversed; and
+the image of the saint, when it was thrown overboard to leeward of the
+ship, which was pressed down upon it by the power of the wind, was
+forced under the water, until it was taken into the vortex of the leak,
+and naturally found its way into the hole."
+
+"I dare say you are very right," answered the pacha, "but I don't
+understand a word you have said."
+
+"Such your highness were the adventures attending my second voyage,"
+concluded the renegade, with an inclination of his head.
+
+"And a very good voyage too! I like it better than your first. Mustapha,
+give him ten pieces of gold: you will bring him here to-morrow, and we
+will hear what happened in his third."
+
+"You observe," said Mustapha, when the pacha had retired, "my advice was
+good."
+
+"Most excellent!" replied the renegade, holding out his hand for the
+money: "To-morrow I'll lie like any barber."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter VII
+
+
+"Khoda shefa midêhed--God gives relief!" cried the pacha, as the divan
+closed: and, certainly, during its continuance many had been relieved of
+their worldly goods, and one or two from all future worldly thoughts or
+wanderings.--"What have we to-day, Mustapha?"
+
+"May your highness's shadow never be less!" replied the vizier. "Have we
+not the slave who offered to lay his story at your sublime feet, on the
+same evening that we met those sons of Shitan--Ali and Hussan, who
+received the punishment merited by their enormous crimes? Have we not
+also the manuscript of the Spanish slave, now translated by my faithful
+Greek; who tells me that the words are flowing with honey, and their
+music is equal to that of the bulbul when singing to his favourite
+rose?"
+
+"And the Giaour who relates his voyages and travels," interrupted the
+pacha--"where is he? No Kessehgou of our own race tells stories like
+unto his."
+
+"The Giaour is on the waters, your highness. He is a very _rustam_ on
+board of a ship, and brings wealth to the _hazneh_ of your sublime
+highness. He consulted the astrologers, and the stars were propitious.
+To-morrow I expect he will return."
+
+"Well, then, we must content ourselves with what is offered. Let the
+slave approach, and we will listen to his story, since we cannot have
+the wonderful tales of Huckaback."
+
+"Whose dog was Lokman, to be compared to your sublime highness in
+wisdom?" replied Mustapha. "What are the words of Hafiz--'Every moment
+that you enjoy, count it gain. Who shall say what will be the event of
+any thing?'"
+
+The slave, who had been detained by the orders of Mustapha, was ordered
+to appear. During his confinement, Mustapha had been informed by his
+people that he was "visited by Allah;" or in other words, that he was a
+madman. Nevertheless, Mustapha--who was afraid to release a man (or
+rather, a story) without the consent of the pacha, and could not send
+for the renegade to supply any defalcation--considered that, upon the
+whole, it was better that he should be admitted to the presence of the
+pacha.
+
+"You asked me to hear your story," observed the pacha, "and I have
+consented,--not to please you, but to please myself, because I am fond
+of a good story: which I take it for granted yours will be, or you would
+not have presumed to make the request. Now you may go on."
+
+"Pacha," replied the slave, who had seated himself in a corner, working
+his body backward and forward, "it is the misfortune of those who not
+aware--of the excitement which--as I before stated to your
+highness--exceeds in altitude the lofty and snow-covered peak of
+Hebrus--and, nevertheless, cannot be worth more than four or five
+paras--"
+
+"Holy prophet! what is all this?" interrupted the pacha; "I cannot
+understand a word that you say. Do you laugh at our beard? Speak more
+intelligibly. Remember!"
+
+"I remember it as if it were now," continued the maniac, "although years
+have rolled away. Never will it be effaced from my recollection while
+this heart, broken as it is, continues to beat, or this brain may be
+permitted to burn. The sun had just disappeared behind the rugged
+summits of the mountain which sheltered my abode from the unkind
+north-east wind: the leaves of the vines that hung in festoons on the
+trellis before my cottage, which, but a minute before, pierced by his
+glorious rays, had appeared so brilliant and transparent, had now
+assumed a browner shade, and, as far as the eye could reach, a thin blue
+vapour was descending the ravine: the distant sea had changed its
+intense blue for a sombre grey, while the surf rolled sullenly to the
+beach, as if in discontent that it could no longer reflect the colours
+of the prism as before, when it seemed to dance with joy under the
+brilliant illumination of the god of day--"
+
+"Poof!" ejaculated the pacha, fanning himself.
+
+"My boat was on the beach; my eyes were fixed upon it, in happy vacancy,
+until the shades of night prevented my discerning the nets which were
+spread upon its gunnel. I turned round at the soft voice of my Etana,
+who was seated near me with her infant in her arms, and watching the
+little one's impatience, as it would demand a more rapid flow of milk
+from that snowy breast, and the fond smile of the delighted mother, as
+she bent over the first dear pledge of our affection. I felt
+happy--almost too happy: I had all I wished--yes I had,"--and the maniac
+paused and smote his forehead, "but it is past now."
+
+After a second or two he resumed--
+
+"For my part it has always been my opinion that when the wind backs to
+the south-east, the fish repair to the deep water; and if you will be
+careful when you gather the grapes not to throw in the stalks, that the
+wine will, as I before stated to your highness, only increase the
+extreme difficulty of ascertaining how far a man could conscientiously
+demand, that is to say, in proportion to the degree of intellect, stated
+at different intervals, and extending down the crags of the whole
+ravine."
+
+"I cannot, positively, understand a word of all this!" exclaimed the
+pacha, with irritation; "can you, Mustapha?"
+
+"How is it possible for your slave to comprehend that which is concealed
+from the wisdom of your highness?"
+
+"Very true," replied the pacha.
+
+"Your highness will understand it all by-and-bye," observed the maniac;
+"but it will be necessary that you wait until I have finished the story,
+when it will all reel off like a skein of silk, which at present but
+appears to be ravelled."
+
+"Well then," replied the pacha, "I wish you would begin at the end of
+your story, and finish with the beginning. Now go on."
+
+"There is nought under heaven so interesting--so graceful--so pleasing
+to contemplate as a young mother with her first-born at her breast. The
+soft lisps and caresses of childhood--the expanding graces of the
+budding maiden--the blushing, smiling, yet trembling bride, all lose in
+the comparison with woman in her beauty fulfilling her destiny on earth;
+her countenance radiating with those intense feelings of delight, which
+more than repay her for her previous hours of sorrow and of anguish. But
+I'm afraid I tire your highness."
+
+"Wallah el Nebi!--by God and his Prophet, you do indeed. Is it all to be
+like that?"
+
+"No! pacha. I wish to heaven that it had been. Merciful God!--why didst
+thou permit the blow?--Was not I grateful?--Were not my eyes suffused
+with tears, springing from gratitude and love, at the very moment when
+they rushed in--when their murdering weapons were pointed to my
+breast--when the mother shrieked as they tore away the infant as a
+useless encumbrance, and dashed it to the ground--when I caught it up,
+and the pistol of the savage Turk put an end to its existence? I see it
+now, as I kissed the little ruby fountain which bubbled from its heart:
+I see her too, as they bore her away senseless in their arms. Pacha, in
+one short minute I was bereft of all--wife, child, home, liberty, and
+reason; and here I am, a madman and a slave!"
+
+The maniac paused: then starting upon his feet, he commenced in a loud
+voice:--"But I know who they were--I know them all, and I know where she
+is too: and now, pacha, you shall do me justice. This is he who stole my
+wife; this is he who murdered my child; this is he who keeps her from my
+arms: and thus I beard him in your presence:"--and as he finished his
+exclamations, he sprang upon the terrified Mustapha, seizing him by the
+beard with one hand, while with the other he beat his turban about his
+head.
+
+The guards rushed in, and rescued the vizier from the awkward position
+in which he was placed by his own imprudence, in permitting the man to
+appear at the divan.
+
+The rage of the pacha was excessive; and the head of the maniac would
+have been separated from his body, had it not been for the prudence of
+Mustapha, who was aware that the common people consider idiots and
+madmen to be under the special protection of heaven, and that such an
+act would be sufficient to create an insurrection. At his intercession,
+the man was taken away by the guards, and not released until he was a
+considerable distance from the palace.
+
+"Allah Karim!--God is merciful!" exclaimed the pacha as soon as the
+maniac had been carried away. "I'm glad that he did not think it was me
+who had his wife."
+
+"Allah forbid that your highness should have been so treated. He has
+almost ruined the beard of your slave," replied the vizier, adjusting
+the folds of his turban.
+
+"Mustapha, make a memorandum never again to accept an offer. I'm
+convinced that a volunteer story is worth nothing."
+
+"Your highness speaks the truth--no man parts readily with what is worth
+retaining--gold is not kicked up with the sandal, nor diamonds to be
+found glittering in the rays of the sun. If we would obtain them, we
+must search and labour in the dark mine.--Will your highness be pleased
+to hear the manuscript which had been translated by the Greek slave?"
+
+"Be it so," replied the pacha, not in the very best of humours.
+
+The Greek made his appearance and made his salutation, and then read as
+follows:--
+
+
+
+MANUSCRIPT OF THE MONK,
+
+RECORDING THE DISCOVERY OF THE ISLAND OF MADEIRA.
+
+Before I am summoned to that offended tribunal, to propitiate which I
+have passed so many years in penitence and prayer, let me record for
+the benefit of others the history of one, who, yielding to fatal
+passion, embittered the remainder of his own days, and shortened those
+of the adored partner of his guilt. Let my confession be public, that
+warning may be taken from my example; and may the sincerity with which I
+acknowledge my offence, and the tears which I have shed, efface it from
+the accumulated records of the wilfulness and disobedience of man!
+
+In a few days this attenuated frame will be mingled with the dust from
+which it sprung, and scattered by the winds of heaven, or by the labour
+of future generations, as chance may dictate, will yield sustenance to
+the thistle which wars against the fertility of nature, or the grain
+which is the support of our existence,--to the nightshade with its
+deadly fruit, or the creeping violet with its sweet perfume. The heart
+which has throbbed so tumultuously with the extreme of love, and which
+has been riven with the excess of woe, will shortly pant no more. The
+mind which has been borne down by the irresistible force of
+passion,--which has attempted to stem the torrent, but in vain, and,
+since the rage of it has passed away, has been left like the once
+fertile valley which has been overflown, a waste of barrenness and
+desolation,--will shortly cease from its wearied action. In a few brief
+days I must appear in the presence of an offended, yet merciful Saviour,
+who, offering every thing, weeps at the insanity of our rejection. Let
+then the confessions of Henrique serve as a beacon to those who are
+inclined to yield to the first impulse; when, alarmed at the discovery
+of their errors, they will find that conviction has arrived too late,
+and that, like me, they will be irresistibly impelled against the
+struggles of reason and of conscience.
+
+I am an Englishman by birth: my parents were called away before I was
+five years old; yet still I have a dreaming memory of my mother--a faint
+recollection of one at whose knees I used, each night, to hold up my
+little hands in orison, and who blessed her child as she laid him to
+repose.
+
+But I lost those whose precepts might have been valuable to me in
+after-life, and was left to the guardianship of one who thought that, in
+attending to my worldly interests, he fulfilled the whole duty which was
+required of him. My education was not neglected, but there was no one to
+advise me upon points of more serious importance. Naturally of a fiery
+and impatient temper,--endued with a perseverance which was only
+increased by the obstacles which presented themselves, I encouraged any
+feeling to be working in my mind in preference to repose, which was
+hateful. To such excess did it arrive as I grew up, that difficulty and
+danger, even pain and remorse, were preferable to that calm sunshine of
+the breast which others consider so enviable. I could exist but by
+strong sensations: remove them, and I felt as does the habitual drunkard
+in the morning, until his nerves have been again stimulated by a
+repetition of his draughts. My pursuits were of the same tendency:
+constant variety and change of scene were what I coveted. I felt a
+desire "to be imprisoned in the viewless winds, and blown with restless
+violence about the pendent world." At night I was happy; for as soon as
+sleep had sealed my eyes, I invariably dreamt that I had the power of
+aerostation, and, in my imagination, cleaved through the air with the
+strength of an eagle, soaring above my fellow-creatures, and looking
+down upon them and their ceaseless drudgery with contempt.
+
+To a mind thus constituted by nature, and unchecked by counsel, it is
+not surprising that the darling wish and constant idea was to roam the
+world; and the vast ocean, which offered to me the means of gratifying
+my passion, was an object of love and adoration. If I had not the wings
+of the eagle with which fancy had supplied me in my dreams, still I
+could fly before the wings of the wind, and, as in my aerial excursions
+when asleep, leave no track behind. As soon as I had arrived at the age
+which allowed me to take possession of my property, I sought the element
+so congenial to my disposition. For some years I continued the
+profession, and was fortunate in my speculations; but I cared little for
+gain; my delight was in roving from clime to clime, flying before the
+gale,--in looking with defiance at the vast mountainous seas which
+threatened to overwhelm me,--in the roaring of the wind,--in the mad
+raging of the surf,--in the excitement of battle, even in the
+destruction and disasters of the wreck.
+
+It may be a source of astonishment that I arrived at the age of thirty
+without ever feeling the sensation of love; but so it was. This most
+powerful of excitements, which was so to influence my future existence,
+had not yet been called into action: but it was roused at last, and,
+like the hurricane, swept every thing before it in ruin and desolation.
+I was at Cadiz, where I had arrived with a valuable cargo, when it was
+proposed that I should witness the ceremony of taking the White Veil. As
+the young woman who professed was of a noble family, and the solemnity
+was to be conducted with the greatest splendour, I consented. The
+magnificent decorations of the church, the harmony of the singing, the
+solemn pealing of the organ, the splendid robes of the priests in
+contrast with the sombre humility of the friars and nuns, the tossing of
+the censers, the ascending clouds of frankincense, and, above all, the
+extreme beauty of the fair devotee,--produced feelings of interest which
+I had not imagined could have been raised from any description of
+pageantry. When the ceremony was over, I quitted the church with new and
+powerful sensations, which at the time I could not precisely analyse.
+But when I lay down on my couch, I perceived that, although the
+splendour of the rites were but faint in my recollection, the image of
+the sweet girl kneeling before the altar was engraven on my heart. I
+felt an uneasiness, a restlessness, a vacuum in my bosom, which, like
+that in the atmosphere, is the forerunner of the tempest. I could not
+sleep; but, tossing from one side to the other during the whole night,
+rose the next morning feverish and unrefreshed.
+
+Following, as usual, the impulse of my feelings, I repaired to her
+relative, who had taken me to witness the ceremony, and persuaded him to
+introduce me at the wicket of the convent.
+
+As she had yet one year of probation previous to her taking the final
+vows, which were for ever to seclude her from the world, in seeing her
+there was no difficulty. Her duteous resignation to the will of her
+parents, her serene and beautiful countenance, her angelic smile,--all
+contributed to the increase of my passion; and, after an hour's
+conversation, I left her with my heart in a state of tumult, of which it
+is not easy to express the idea. My visits were repeated again and
+again. In a short time I declared my sentiments, and found that I was
+listened to without offending. Before I quitted Cadiz, which my
+engagements rendered imperative, I obtained from her a reciprocal
+acknowledgment. And as there were still nine months to pass away
+previous to her decision upon a monastic life, before that period had
+elapsed, I faithfully promised to return, and claim her as my own. As we
+professed the same faith, and she had only been sacrificed that the
+possessions of her brother might not be diminished by the fortune which
+her marriage would require, I did not anticipate any objections from her
+parents. I required no dower, having more than sufficient to supply her
+with every luxury. We parted; our hands trembled as we locked our
+fingers through the grating; our tears fell, but could not be mingled;
+our lips quivered, but could not meet; our hearts were beating with
+excess of love; but I could not strain her in my embrace. "In three
+months more, Rosina!" exclaimed I, as I walked backward from the
+grating, my eyes still fixed upon her. "Till then, farewell, Henrique!
+Relying upon your faith and honour, I shall not hesitate to cherish your
+dear image in my heart;"--and, overcome by her feelings, Rosina burst
+into tears, and hurried from my sight.
+
+I sailed with prosperous gales, and arrived safely at my own country.
+My ventures were disposed of: I realised a large sum of money, had
+completed all my arrangements, and in a few days intended to return to
+Cadiz, to fulfil my engagement with Rosina. I was in the metropolis,
+impatiently waiting for the remainder of the freight to be put on board
+of the vessel in which I had taken my passage, when, one evening, as I
+was sauntering in the Park, anticipating the bliss of rejoining the
+object of my affection, I was rudely pushed aside by a personage richly
+attired, who was escorting two of the ladies of the court. Fired at the
+insult, and, as usual, acting upon the first impulse, I struck him in
+the face, and drew my sword--forgetting, at the time that I was in the
+precincts of the Palace. I was seized and imprisoned: my offence was
+capital; my adversary a relation of the king's. I offered a large sum
+for my release; but when they found out that I was wealthy, they
+rejected, as I increased, my offers, until I was compelled to sacrifice
+one half of my worldly possessions to escape from the severity of the
+Star Chamber. But the loss of property was nothing; I had still more
+than enough: it was the dreadful length of my confinement, during which
+anxiety had swelled hours into days, and days into months of torture and
+suspense. I had been incarcerated more than a year before I could obtain
+my release. When in my imagination I conjured up Rosina lamenting my
+infidelity, reproaching me in her solitude for my broken vows, and
+(there was madness in the very thought) yielding in her resentment and
+her grief to the solicitations of her parents, and taking the veil,--I
+was frantic; I tore my hair, beat the walls of my prison, raved for
+liberty, and offered to surrender up every shilling that I possessed.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"By the beard of the prophet, this tires me," exclaimed the pacha.
+"Murakhas, you are dismissed."
+
+The Greek slave bowed and retired.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter VIII
+
+
+The next morning the pacha observed to Mustapha, "I have been thinking
+whether, as we have no story, it would not be as well to let the Greek
+finish the story of yesterday evening."
+
+"True, O pacha," replied Mustapha, "better is hard fare than no food--if
+we cannot indulge in the pillau, we must content ourselves with boiled
+rice."
+
+"It is well said, Mustapha, so let him proceed."
+
+The Greek slave was then ordered in, and re-commenced as follows:--
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Freedom was obtained at last; I flew to the sea-coast, chartered a small
+vessel, and chiding the winds as we scudded along, because they would
+not blow with a force equal to my impetuous desires, arrived at Cadiz.
+It was late in the evening when I disembarked and repaired to the
+convent; so exhausted was I by contending hopes and fears, that it was
+with difficulty I could support my own weight. I tottered to the wicket,
+and demanded my Rosina.
+
+"Are you a near relation," inquired the portress, "that you request the
+presence of a sister?" Her interrogation decided the point; Rosina had
+taken the veil, had abjured the world and me for ever. My brain reeled,
+and I fell senseless on the pavement. Alarmed at the circumstance, the
+portress ran to the Lady Abbess, informing her that a person had asked
+for Sister Rosina, and, receiving her answer, had fallen senseless at
+the wicket. Rosina was present at the narration; her heart told her who
+it was; also told her that I had not been faithless. Joy at my fidelity,
+and grief at her own precipitancy, which rendered it unavailing,
+overpowered her, and she was led to her cell in a state as pitiable as
+mine.
+
+When I recovered my senses, I found myself in bed. I had been there for
+weeks in a state of mental alienation. With reason and memory, misery
+returned; but I was no longer in the frenzy of excitement; my mind was
+as exhausted as my body, and I felt a species of calm despair. Convinced
+that all was lost, that an insuperable bar was placed between Rosina and
+me, I reasoned myself into a kind of philosophy, and resolved, as soon
+as I could recover my strength, to fly from a place which had been the
+scene of so much anticipated happiness, and of so much real woe.
+
+One desire still remained; it was to see Rosina previous to my
+departure, that I might explain the cause of my delay. Conviction told
+me that it was wrong; but the impulse I could not resist: had I not
+yielded to it, I should have been unfortunate, but not guilty.
+
+I wrote to her upbraiding her for her precipitation, and imploring a
+final interview. Her answer was affecting--it brought showers of tears
+from my eyes, and again inflamed my love. The interview was refused, as
+it could be productive of no benefit, and would only call forth feelings
+in opposition to her duty; but it was so kindly, so gently negatived,
+that it was evident her inclination was at variance with her pen; and on
+my repeating the request, as a proof that her affection had been
+sincere, she unwillingly acceded.
+
+We met--for our misery--for our guilt, we met.--From that moment, I
+resolved never to abandon her--religion, virtue, morality, every feeling
+was borne away by the re-appearance of the object of my adoration; and
+before the interview was over, I again dared to breathe vows of fidelity
+to one who had devoted herself to her God. "This cannot be, Henrique,"
+said Rosina; "we must meet no more; reflect, and you will be convinced
+of its impropriety. No dispensation from the vow will be permitted by my
+parents--all hopes of union in this world are over--Oh! may we meet in
+heaven!" and she clasped her hands in anguish as she disappeared.
+
+I returned home, every pulse beating to madness. Again I addressed her,
+imploring another meeting; but received a firm denial. So far from being
+baffled at this addition to the obstacles which presented themselves, it
+but increased my determination to surmount them. To overcome her duty to
+her parents, to induce her to trample on her vows to God, to defy the
+torments of the Inquisition, to release her from bolts and bars, to
+escape from a fortified and crowded city--each and every difficulty but
+inflamed my ardour--every appeal of conscience but added to my willful
+determination.
+
+Although hitherto I had abhorred deceit, my first act was one of
+duplicity. I wrote to her, stating that I had been permitted an
+interview with her friends, and had made known to them what had passed;
+that they had listened to me, and were disposed to yield; and although
+it was kept a secret from her, in a few months her vows would be
+dispensed with.
+
+How cruel--how selfish was my conduct! but it answered my intention.
+Buoyed up with the prospect of future happiness, Rosina no longer
+struggled against the fatal passion--no longer refused to see me, and
+listen to my vows of eternal fidelity. Deeper and deeper did she drink
+of the intoxicating draught, until it had effaced from her mind, as it
+had already done from mine, every other sensation than that of love.
+Although I could have kissed the ground which she trod upon, and have
+suffered the torments of a martyr for her sake, it was with the pleasure
+of a demon that I witnessed my success, and hailed her falling off from
+religion and from virtue.
+
+Six months had passed away, during which, by bribes to the portress, and
+the yielding of my mistress, I had contrived to obtain admittance by
+night into the convent garden. One evening I informed her that her
+parents, menaced by their confessor, had rescinded their promise to me,
+and had decided upon not obtaining her dispensation. Every thing had
+been prepared, that she might have no time for reflection: hurried away
+by her own feelings, my persuasions, and my protestations, she
+consented to fly with me to my own country. I bore the trembling,
+fainting girl in my arms--effected my escape from the convent and the
+city--embarked on board of a vessel which I had ready to weigh at a
+moment's warning, and was soon far distant from the port of Cadiz.
+
+It was near midnight when we embarked, and I bore my treasure down into
+the cabin of the vessel, muffled up in my cloak. Her nun's dress had not
+been laid aside; for I had not provided myself with any other change of
+raiment.
+
+Before morning it blew fresh. Rosina, who, as well as I, had abandoned
+herself to that powerful love which engrossed us, lay supported in my
+arms, when the captain of the vessel, coming down to speak to me,
+perceived that she was arrayed in the religious attire. He started when
+he viewed it, and hastily quitted the cabin. I had a presentiment that
+all was not right, and, removing my arms from Rosina, repaired on deck,
+where I found him in consultation with the crew. The subject in
+agitation was their immediate return to Cadiz to deliver us to the
+Inquisition. I resisted the suggestion; claimed the vessel as my own,
+having chartered her, and threatened immediate death to any one who
+should attempt to alter her course; but it was in vain. Their horror at
+the sacrilege, and their fear of being implicated in, and suffering the
+dreadful penalties attending it, bore down all my arguments; my promises
+and my threats were alike disregarded.
+
+I was seized, overpowered, and the vessel steered in for land. I raved,
+stamped, and imprecated in vain: at last I declared that we all should
+suffer together, as I would denounce them as having been aware of my
+intentions, and state that it was only in consequence of my having
+refused to submit to farther extortion, that they had not fulfilled
+their agreement. This startled them; for they knew that the Inquisition
+gladly seized upon all pretexts; and that even if not convicted, their
+imprisonment would be long. Again they consulted; and heaving the vessel
+to the wind, they hoisted out the long boat. Having thrown into her a
+scanty supply of provisions and water, with a few necessaries, they
+brought up the terrified Rosina from the cabin, and, placing her in the
+boat, released and ordered me to follow. As soon as I was in the boat,
+they cut the rope by which it was towed, and we were soon left at a
+distance astern.
+
+Glad to escape from the cruelty of man, I cared little for the danger to
+which we were subjected from the elements. I consoled my frightened
+Rosina; I stepped the mast, hoisted the sail, and steered in a southerly
+direction, with the intention of landing on some part of the African
+coast. So far from being alarmed at my situation, I felt happy. I was in
+a frail bark; but I had within it all that I cared for in this world. I
+sailed I knew not where, but Rosina was in my company; I felt the
+uncertainty of our fate, but was more than compensated by the certainty
+of possession. The wind rose, the sea ran high, and curled in
+threatening foam; we darted with rapidity before it; and steering with
+one arm, while Rosina was clasped in the other, I delighted in our
+romantic situation; and, pleased with the excitement which it created, I
+was blind to the danger which we encountered.
+
+For six days we ran before the wind, when an accumulation of clouds upon
+the southern horizon indicated that we should have a change. I had no
+compass in the boat, but had steered by the sun during the day, and by
+the stars during the night. I now considered myself well to the
+southward, and determined upon running eastward, that I might gain the
+African shore; but the gale was too strong to permit me to bring the
+broadside of my small bark to the wind, and I was compelled to continue
+my course in a southerly direction.
+
+For the first time, a sensation of alarm came over me: we had but two
+days' more sustenance, and Rosina was worn out by constant exposure. I
+myself felt the necessity of repose: it was with difficulty that I could
+keep my eyelids raised; every minute Nature imperiously demanded her
+rights, and I nodded at the helm.
+
+I was in a melancholy reverie, when I thought that I perceived, as the
+clouds on the horizon occasionally opened, something that had the
+appearance of the summit of a precipice. They closed again; I watched
+them with anxiety until they gradually rolled away, and discovered a
+lofty island, covered with trees and verdure down to the water's edge. I
+shouted with delight, and pointed it out to Rosina, who answered my
+exultations with a faint smile. My blood curdled at the expression of
+her countenance: for many hours she had been in deep thought; and I
+perceived that the smile was forced to please me, the intelligence I had
+imparted affording her but little pleasure. I ascribed it to weariness
+and exhaustion; and hoping soon to be able to relieve her, I steered
+direct for the only part of the shore which promised us a safe descent.
+In an hour I was close to it; and, anxious to land before dark, I
+steered the boat with the sail hoisted through the surf, which was much
+heavier than I expected. As soon as her bow struck the beach, the boat
+was thrown on her broadside, and it required all my exertion to save my
+beloved, which I did not effect without our being completely washed by
+the surf, which, in a few minutes, dashed the boat to pieces. I bore her
+to a cave at a short distance from where we landed; and, wrapping her up
+in a cloak which I had saved from the boat, took away her nun's attire,
+and exposed it to dry in the powerful rays of the sun. I went in search
+of food, which I soon obtained: banana and cocoanuts grew in profusion
+and in beauty, and fresh water ran down in noisy rills. I bore them to
+her, and congratulated her that we were now beyond all pursuit, and in a
+spot which promised to supply us with all that we required. She smiled
+languidly; her thoughts were elsewhere. Her clothes were dry, and I
+brought them to her: she shuddered at the sight of them, and seemed to
+muster up her resolution before she could put them on. Night closed in
+upon us, and we remained in the cave: our bed was formed of the cloaks
+and the sail of the boat and, locked in each other's arms, separated
+from all the world, and living but for each other, we fell asleep. The
+morning broke: not a cloud was to be seen through the blue expanse. We
+walked out, and dwelt in silent admiration upon the splendour of the
+scene. The island was clothed in beauty; the sun poured his genial rays
+upon the wild fertility of nature; the birds were warbling forth their
+notes of joy; the sea was calm and clear as a mirror, reflecting the
+steep hills which towered above each other. "Here then, Rosina," cried
+I, at last, with rapture, "we have all that we require, blessed in each
+other's love."
+
+Rosina burst into tears: "All--all, Henrique, except an approving
+conscience, without which I feel that I cannot live. I love you--love
+you dearly--dote upon you, Henrique: you cannot doubt it after all that
+has occurred: but now that the delirium of passion has subsided,
+conscience has been busy--too busy, for it has embittered all; and I
+feel that happiness is flown for ever. I wedded myself to God; I chose
+my Saviour as my spouse; I vowed myself to him--was received by him at
+the altar; and I abandoned this world for that which is to come. What
+have I done?--I have been unfaithful to him--left him, to indulge a
+worldly passion, sacrificed eternity for perishable mortality, and there
+is a solemn voice within that tells me I am an outcast from all heavenly
+joys. Bear with me, dear Henrique! I mean not to reproach you, but I
+must condemn myself;--I feel that I shall not long remain here, but be
+summoned before an offended Lord.
+
+"Merciful Saviour!" cried she, falling on her knees, with imploring eyes
+to heaven, "punish him not--pardon him his faults; for what are they,
+compared to mine? he made no vows, he has committed no infidelity, he is
+not the guilty one. Spare him, O Lord, and justly punish her who has
+seduced him into crime!"
+
+My heart smote me; I threw myself on the ground, and wept bitterly. I
+felt that it had been my duplicity which had destroyed her virtuous
+resolutions; my selfishness which had ruined her peace of mind and had
+plunged her into guilt. She knelt by me, persuading me to rise, curbing
+her own feelings as she kissed the tears from my cheeks, promising never
+to wound my peace again. But it was gone--gone for ever; my crime burst
+on me in all its magnitude; I felt that I had been guilty of a grievous
+and unpardonable sin, and had ruined the one I loved as well as myself.
+She was still on her knees; kneeling by her side, I prayed to offended
+heaven for mercy and forgiveness. She joined me in my fervent
+aspirations; and, with the tears of repentance flowing down our cheeks,
+we remained some time in the attitude of supplication. At last we rose,
+"Do you not feel happier, Rosina?" inquired I; Rosina smiled mournfully
+in reply, and we returned to the cave.
+
+For many hours we spoke not, but remained in sad communion with our own
+thoughts. The night again closed in, and we lay down to repose; and, as
+I clasped her in my arms, I felt that she shuddered, and withdrew. I
+released her, and retired to the other side of the cave, for I knew her
+feelings and respected them. From that hour she was no more to me than a
+dear and injured sister; and, although her frame hourly wasted away, her
+spirits seemed gradually to revive. At the expiration of a fortnight,
+she was too much reduced to rise from her bed, and I passed day and
+night sitting by her side in repentance and in tears, for I knew that
+she was dying. A few hours before she breathed her last she appeared to
+recover a little, and thus addressed me:--
+
+"Henrique, within this hour a balm has been poured into my breast, for a
+voice tells me we are both forgiven. Great is our crime; but our
+repentance has been sincere, and I feel assured that we shall meet in
+heaven. For your kindness--for your unceasing love, you have my thanks,
+and an attachment which heaven does not forbid--for now it is pure. We
+have sinned, and we have pleaded, and obtained our pardon together:
+together shall we be, hereafter. Bless you, Henrique! pray for my soul,
+still clinging to its earthly love, but pardoned by him who knows our
+imperfection. Pure Mother of God, plead for me! Holy Saviour, who
+despised not the tears and contrition of the Magdalen, receive an
+unfaithful, but repentant spouse unto your bosom; for when I made my
+vow, thou knowest that my heart--"
+
+With what agony of grief did I hang over the body! with what bitter
+tears did I wash the clay-cold face, so beautiful, so angelic in its
+repose! In the morning, I dug her grave; and cleansing my hands, which
+were bleeding, from the task, returned to the corpse, and bore it, in
+its nun's attire, to the receptacle which I had prepared. I laid it in;
+and, collecting the flowerets which blossomed round, strewed them over,
+and watched till sunset; when I covered her up, laying the earth, in
+small handfuls, as lightly on her dear remains, as the mother would the
+coverlid upon her sleeping babe. Long it was before I could prevail on
+myself to soil that heavenly face, or hide it from my aching eyes. When
+I had, I felt that Rosina was indeed no more, and that I was indeed
+alone.
+
+For two years I remained in solitude. I erected a rude chapel over her
+grave, and there passed my days in penance and contrition. Vessels
+belonging to other nations visited the island, and returning home with
+the intelligence, it was taken possession of and colonised. To their
+astonishment, they found me; and, when I narrated my story and my
+wishes, allowed me a passage to their country. Once more I embarked on
+the trackless wave, no longer my delight; and as the shore receded, I
+watched the humble edifice which I had raised over the remains of my
+Rosina: it appeared to me as if a star had settled over the spot, and I
+hailed it as an harbinger of grace. When I landed, I repaired to the
+convent to which I now belong; and, taking the vows of abstinence and
+mortification, have passed the remainder of my days in masses for the
+soul of my Rosina, and prayers for my own redemption.
+
+Such is the history of Henrique; and may it be a warning to those who
+allow their reason to be seduced by passion, and check not the first
+impulse towards wrong, when conscience dictates that they are straying
+from the paths of virtue!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Holy Allah!" exclaimed the pacha, yawning; "is this the bulbul singing
+to the rose?--What is it all about, Mustapha? or what is it written for,
+but to send one asleep? Murakhas, you are dismissed," continued the
+pacha to the Greek slave, who retired.
+
+Mustapha, who perceived that the pacha was disappointed in the
+entertainment of the evening, immediately addressed him:--"The soul of
+your sublime highness is sad, and the mind is wearied.--What says the
+sage? and are not his words of more value than large pearls? 'When thou
+art sick, and thy mind is heavy, send for wine. Drink, and thank Allah
+that he has given relief.'"
+
+"Wallah Thaib!--it is well said," replied the pacha: "Is not the
+'fire-water' of the Franks to be obtained?"
+
+"Is not the earth, and what the earth contains, made for your sublime
+highness?" replied Mustapha, drawing from his vest a bottle of spirits.
+
+"God is great!" said the pacha, taking the bottle from his mouth, after
+a long draught, and handing it to his vizier.
+
+"God is most merciful!" replied Mustapha, recovering his breath, and
+wiping down his beard with the sleeve of his kalaât, as he respectfully
+passed the bottle over to his superior.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter IX
+
+
+"Hham d'illah! Praise be to God!" exclaimed the pacha, as the divan
+closed. "This is dry work, hearing petitions for three hours, and not a
+sequin to my treasury. Mustapha, has the renegade come back?"
+
+"The Kafir waits to kiss the dust of your sublime feet," replied the
+vizier.
+
+"Let him approach, then, Mustapha," said the pacha joyfully, and the
+renegade immediately made his appearance.
+
+"Kosh amedeid, you are welcome, Huckaback. We have had our ears poisoned
+since you quitted us. I forget where it was that you left off."
+
+"May it please your highness, at the ending of my second voyage, in
+which----"
+
+"I remember--when the Frankish woman god, stopped the leak. You may
+proceed."
+
+The renegade bowed, and commenced his third voyage, as follows:--
+
+"I believe that I stated to your highness, at the end of my second
+voyage, I determined to go to Toulon, and make some inquiry after my
+dear Cerise."
+
+"I recollect you did," interrupted the pacha, "but I tell you again, as
+I told you before, that I want to know nothing about her. Have the
+goodness to skip all that part, or it will be five sequins out of your
+girdle."
+
+"Your highness shall be obeyed," replied the renegade, who, after musing
+a short time, continued.
+
+
+
+THIRD VOYAGE OF HUCKABACK.
+
+I was so affected at the intelligence of Cerise having destroyed
+herself, that I found it impossible to remain on shore. Having met with
+the captain of a whaler, who expatiated on the fortune which might be
+realised by embarking in the speculation, I purchased a large ship, and
+fitted it out for a voyage to Baffin's Bay. This consumed all the money
+I had left, but as I expected to return with ten times the sum, I made
+no scruple of parting with it.
+
+My crew consisted of about thirty men, all strong fellows; ten of them
+Englishmen, and the remainder from my own country. We stood to the
+northward, until we reached the ice, which floated high as mountains,
+and steering in between it, we at last came to a fine open water, where
+a large quantity of whales were blowing in every direction. Our boats
+were soon hoisted out, and we were extremely fortunate, having
+twenty-three fish on board, and boiled down before the season was over.
+
+I now considered my fortune made; and the ship being full up to the
+beams, we made all sail to return home. But a heavy gale came on from
+the southward, which drove all the ice together, and our ship with it,
+and we were in great danger of being squeezed to atoms. Fortunately, we
+made fast in a bight, on the lee side of a great iceberg, which
+preserved us, and we anxiously awaited for the termination of the gale,
+to enable us to proceed. But when the gale subsided, a hard frost came
+on, and we were completely frozen up, where we lay--the ice formed round
+to the depth of several feet, and lifted the ship, laden as she was, out
+of the water.
+
+The English, who were experienced fishermen, told us, that we had no
+chance of being released until next spring. I ascended to the mast-head,
+and perceived that for miles, as far as the eye could scan the horizon,
+there was nothing but one continued succession of icebergs and floes
+inseparably united. Despairing, therefore, of any release, until the
+cold weather should break up, I made all arrangements for remaining
+during the winter. Our provisions were very short, and we were obliged
+to make use of the whale oil, but it soon produced such dysenteries,
+that it was no longer resorted to.
+
+After two months, the cold became intense, and our fuel ran short. At
+the end of three months the crew complained of scurvy, and could not
+move about the decks. At the end of the fourth month, they had all died
+except the chief harpooner, a fat porpus of an Englishman, and myself.
+
+The bodies remained on the deck, for the cold was so intense that they
+would not have been tainted for centuries; and, as at the end of five
+months, the provisions were all expended, we were again obliged to
+resort to the whale oil.
+
+The whale oil produced a return of our complaints, and having no other
+resource, we were forced by imperious hunger to make our repasts from
+one of the bodies of our dead shipmates. They were so hard, that it was
+with difficulty that we could separate a portion with an axe, and the
+flesh broke off in fragments, as if we had been splitting a piece of
+granite; but it thawed before the fire, which we had contrived to keep
+alight, by supplying it from the bulwarks of the quarter-deck, which we
+cut away as we required them. The old harpooner and I lived together on
+the best terms for a month, during which we seldom quitted the cabin of
+the vessel, having now drawn down the third dead body, which we cut up
+as we required it with less difficulty than before, from the change in
+the weather.
+
+The ice continued breaking up, and all day and night we were startled at
+the loud crashing which took place, as the icebergs separated from each
+other. But my disgust at feeding upon human flesh produced a sort of
+insanity. I had always been partial to good eating, and was by no means
+an indifferent cook; and I determined to try whether something more
+palatable could not be provided for our meals; the idea haunted me day
+and night, and at last I imagined myself a French restaurateur; I tied a
+cloth before me as an apron, put on a cotton nightcap instead of my fur
+cap, and was about to make a trial of my skill, when I discovered that I
+had no lard, no fat of any kind except train oil, which I rejected as
+not being suitable to the "_cuisine Française_." My messmates who lay
+dead, were examined one by one, but they had fallen away so much
+previous to their decease, that not a symptom of fat was to be
+perceived. Without fat I could do nothing; and as I thought of it in
+despair, my eye was caught by the rotundity of paunch which still
+appertained to the English harpooner, the only living being besides
+myself out of so many. "I must have fat," cried I fiercely, as I
+surveyed his unwieldy carcase. He started when he observed the rolling
+of my eyes, and perceiving that I was advancing towards him, sharpening
+my knife, he did not think it prudent to trust himself longer in my
+company. Snatching up two or three blankets, he ran on deck, and
+contrived to ascend to the main-top before I could follow him. There he
+held me at bay, and I continued watching him from below with my large
+carving knife in my hand, which I occasionally whetted. He remained
+aloft all night, and so did I on deck, to get possession of him when he
+should descend. I was so eager in my frenzy to obtain him, that I felt
+neither cold nor hunger; the weather during the day was now warm enough
+to be pleasant, but the nights were piercing. My fat shipmate remained
+in the top for three days and nights, during which period I never
+removed from my post. At the close of the third day he looked over the
+top brim, and implored my mercy. When he showed himself I hardly knew
+him, so much had he wasted away, and it then struck me, that if he
+remained aloft much longer he would have no more fat than the others,
+and would not serve my purpose. I therefore pledged him my honour, that
+I would not attempt his life for ten days; and as he was perishing with
+the cold, he agreed to the armistice, and once more descended to the
+deck. But I was saved the crime of murder, for he was so ravenous when
+he came down, that he ate nearly the whole of a man's leg, and died from
+repletion during the night. I cannot express to your highness the
+satisfaction that I felt at finding that the carcase of the harpooner
+was in my possession. I surveyed my treasure over and over again with
+delight. I could now cook my French dishes. He was soon dissected, and
+all his unctuous parts carefully melted down, and I found that I had a
+stock which would last me as long as the bodies which I had remaining to
+exercise my skill upon. The first day I succeeded admirably--I cooked my
+dishes; and when they were ready I took off my night-cap and apron,
+passed my fingers through my hair, and fancied myself a garçon at a
+restaurateur's. I laid the cloth, put the dishes on the table, and when
+it was complete, went on deck and then returned as the _bon vivant_ who
+had ordered the dinner.
+
+Never was any meal so delicious to my insane fancy. I devoured every
+thing which I cooked, and drank water for champagne. I meditated upon
+what I should have for dinner on the ensuing day, and then retired to my
+bed. In the meantime the ice had separated, and the ship was again
+afloat; but I cared not: all my ideas were concentrated in the pleasures
+of the table--and the next morning I went on deck to obtain a piece of
+meat, when I was astonished at a terrific growl. I turned my head and
+perceived an enormous white bear, who was making sad depredations in my
+larder, having nearly finished the whole body of one of my dead
+shipmates. He was as large as an ox, so large that when he made a rush
+at me, and I slipped down the ladder, he could not follow me. I again
+looked up, and perceived that he had finished his meal. After walking
+round the decks two or three times, smelling at every thing, he plunged
+overboard and disappeared.
+
+Glad to be rid of so unpleasant a visitor, I came up, and cutting off
+the meat I required, again exerted my cookery, was again satisfied and
+went to sleep. I never felt so happy as I then did in my insane
+condition. All I thought of, all I wished, I could command--my happiness
+was concentrated in eating my fellow-creatures, cooked in a proper
+manner, instead of the usual method of bolting them down to satisfy the
+cravings of imperious hunger. I woke the next morning as usual, and when
+I crawled on deck, was again saluted with the angry growl of the bear,
+who was busy making a repast upon another body--when he had finished he
+plunged into the sea as before.
+
+I now thought it high time to put an end to these depredations on my
+larder, which in a few days would have left me destitute. My invention
+was called into action, and I hit upon a plan, which I thought would
+succeed. I dragged all the bodies to the after part of the quarter-deck,
+and blocked it up before the cabin-hatch with swabs and small sails, so
+as to form a sort of dam about eight inches high. I then went below and
+brought up forty or fifty buckets of train oil, which I poured upon the
+deck abaft, so that it was covered with oil to the height of several
+inches. On the ensuing morning the bear came as I expected, and
+commenced his repast; I had stationed myself aloft, in the mizen-top,
+with several buckets of oil, which I poured upon him. His fur was
+otherwise well saturated with what he had collected when he lay down on
+the deck to devour one of the bodies more at his ease. When I had poured
+all my buckets of oil over him but one, I threw the empty buckets down
+upon him. This enraged him, and he mounted the rigging to be revenged. I
+waited until he had arrived at the futtock shrouds, when I poured my
+last bucket upon him, which quite blinded him, and then gained the deck
+by sliding down the back stays on the opposite side.
+
+A bear can climb fast, but is very slow in his descent--the consequence
+was that I had plenty of time for my arrangements. I ran below, and
+lighting a torch of oakum, which I had prepared in readiness, placed it
+to his hinder quarters as he descended. The effect was exactly what I
+had anticipated; his thick fur, covered in every part with oil, was
+immediately in a blaze, and burnt with such rapidity, that before he
+could recover his feet on deck, he was like an immense ball of fire. I
+retreated to the companion-hatch to watch his motions. His first act was
+to return to the quarter-deck and roll himself in the oil, with an idea
+of quenching the flames, but this added fuel to them, and the animal
+roaring in his agony at last jumped into the sea and disappeared.
+
+Having thus rid myself of my intruder I returned to my cooking. The ship
+was now clear of ice, the weather was warm, the bodies of my shipmates
+emitted a fetid smell, but I saw and smelt nothing; all that I observed
+was that the barley which had been scattered on the deck by the fowls,
+had sprung up about the decks, and I congratulated myself upon the
+variety it would give to my culinary pursuits. I continued to cook, to
+eat, and to sleep as before, when a circumstance occurred, which put an
+end to all my culinary madness. One night I found the water washing by
+the side of my standing bed-place in the cabin, and jumping out in alarm
+to ascertain the cause, I plunged over head and ears. The fact was, that
+the ship, when lifted by the ice, had sprung a leak which had gradually
+filled her without my perceiving it. My fear of drowning was so great,
+that I ran into the very danger which I would have avoided. I darted out
+of the cabin windows into the sea, whereas had I gone upon deck I should
+have been safe: for a little reflection might have told me that a vessel
+laden with oil could not have sunk--but reflection came too late, and
+benumbed with the coldness of the waters, I could have struggled but a
+few seconds more, when I suddenly came in contact with a spar somewhat
+bigger than a boat's mast. I seized it to support myself, and was
+surprised at finding it jerked from me occasionally; as if there was
+somebody else who had hold of it, and who wished to force me to let it
+go; but it was quite dark, and I could distinguish nothing. I clung to
+it until daylight appeared, when what was my horror to perceive an
+enormous shark close to me. I nearly let go my hold and sunk, so
+paralysed was I with fear, I anticipated every moment to feel his teeth
+crushing me in half, and I shut my eyes that I might not add to the
+horrors of my death by being a witness to the means. Some minutes had
+elapsed, which appeared to me as so many hours, when surprised at being
+still alive, I ventured to open my eyes. The shark was still at the same
+distance from me, and on examination I perceived that the boat's mast or
+spar, to which I was clinging, had been passed through his nose in a
+transverse direction, being exactly balanced on either side. The shark
+was of the description found in the North Seas, which is called by the
+sailors the blind shark. I now perfectly understood that he had been
+caught and _spritsail yarded_, as the seamen term it, and then turned
+adrift for their diversion. The buoyancy of the spar prevents the animal
+from sinking down under the water, and this punishment of their dreaded
+enemy is a very favourite amusement of sailors.
+
+I summoned up all my courage, and being tired of holding on by the
+spar, resolved to mount upon his back, which I accomplished without
+difficulty, and I found the seat on his shoulders before the dorsal fin,
+not only secure but very comfortable. The animal, unaccustomed to carry
+weight, made several attempts to get rid of me, but not being able to
+sink I retained my seat. He then increased his velocity, and we went on
+over a smooth sea, at the rate of about three knots an hour. For two
+days I continued my course to the southward, upon my novel conveyance,
+during which I had nothing to eat except a few small barnacles, and some
+parasitical vermin, peculiar to the animal, which I discovered under his
+fins. I also found a small _remora_, or sucking fish, near his tail, but
+when I put it to my mouth, it fixed itself so firmly on both my lips
+that I thought they were sealed for ever. No force could detach it, and
+there it hung like a padlock for many hours, to my great mortification
+and annoyance, but at last it died from being so long out of water, and
+when it dropped off I devoured it.
+
+On the third day I observed land at a distance; it appeared to be an
+island, but I had no idea what it could be. My steed continued his
+course straight towards it, and being blind ran his nose right upon the
+shore; before he found out his mistake I slipped off his back, and
+climbing the steep side of the island, was once more, as I thought, on
+terra firm. Tired with long watching, I lay down and fell fast asleep.
+
+I was awakened by something touching me on the shoulder, and opening my
+eyes, I perceived that I was surrounded by several people, whom I
+naturally inferred to be the natives of the island. They were clad in
+dresses, which appeared to me to be made of black leather, consisting of
+a pair of trousers, and a long pea-jacket, very similar to those worn by
+the Esquimaux Indians, which we occasionally fell in with in the
+Northern Ocean. They each held a long harpoon, formed entirely of bone,
+in their right hands.
+
+I was not a little surprised at being addressed in the Patois dialect
+of the Basques in my own country, which is spoken about Bayonne and
+other parts adjacent to the Pyrennees. To their questions I answered
+that I was the only survivor of the crew of a whaler, which had been
+frozen up in the ice, during the winter; that she had filled with water,
+and that I had saved myself upon the back of a shark.
+
+They expressed no surprise at my unheard-of conveyance to the island; on
+the contrary, they merely observed, that sharks were too vicious to
+ride; and asked me to accompany them to their town, an invitation which
+I gladly accepted. As I walked along I observed that the island was
+composed of white porous pumice stone, without the least symptoms of
+vegetation; not even a piece of moss could I discover--nothing but the
+bare pumice stone, with thousands of beautiful green lizards, about ten
+inches long, playing about in every part. The road was steep, and in
+several parts the rock was cut into steps to enable you to ascend. After
+an hour's fatiguing walk, which I never should have accomplished in my
+weak state, without the assistance of the islanders, we arrived at the
+summit. The view which met my eyes was striking. I was on the peak of a
+chain of hills, forming an immense amphitheatre, encircling a valley
+which appeared about fifteen miles in diameter, and the major part of
+which was occupied by a lake of water.
+
+I could discern what appeared to be the habitations of men on different
+parts of the lake; but there was not a tree or a shrub to be seen.
+
+"What," demanded I of the man who appeared to take the lead of the rest
+of the party, "have you no trees here?"
+
+"None whatever; and yet we can do very well without them. Do you not
+observe that there is no mould; that the island is composed entirely of
+pumice stone?"
+
+"I do," replied I. "Pray what is the name of your barren spot--and in
+what part of the world are we?"
+
+"As for its name, we call it Whale Island," replied the man; "but as
+for where we are, we cannot exactly tell ourselves, for we are a
+floating island, being composed entirely of pumice stone, whose specific
+gravity, as you must know, is much lighter than that of water."
+
+"How strange," observed I; "I cannot believe that you are in earnest."
+
+"And yet not quite so strange as you imagine," replied my conductor. "If
+you examine the structure of this island, from where you now stand, you
+will perceive at once, that it has been the crater of some large
+volcano. It is easy to imagine, that after having reared its head above
+the surface of the sea, by some of those sudden caprices of ever-working
+nature, the base has again sunk down, leaving the summit of the crater
+floating on the ocean. Such is our opinion of the formation of this
+island; and I doubt whether your geologists on the continent would
+produce a more satisfactory theory."
+
+"What? you have communicated with Europe, then?" cried I, delighted at
+the hopes of return.
+
+"We have had communication, but we do not communicate again. In the
+winter time, this island, which, strange as it may appear to you, does
+not change its position many hundred miles in the course of centuries,
+is enclosed with the icebergs in the north: when the spring appears, we
+are disengaged, and then drift a degree or two to the southward, seldom
+more."
+
+"Are you not then affected by the winds and tides?"
+
+"Of course we are: but there is a universal balance throughout nature,
+and everything finds its level. There is order, when there appears
+disorder--and no stream runs in one direction, without a counter stream,
+to restore the equilibrium. Upon the whole, what with the under
+currents, and the changes which continually take place, I should say
+that we are very little, if at all, affected by the tides--which may be
+considered as a sort of exercise, prescribed by nature to keep the ocean
+in good health. The same may be affirmed with respect to the winds.
+Wind is a substance, as well as water, capable of great expansion, but
+still a substance. A certain portion has been allotted to the world for
+its convenience, and there is a regularity in its apparent variability.
+It must be self-evident, when all the wind has been collected to the
+eastward, by the north-west gales which prevail in winter, that it must
+be crowded and penned up in that quarter, and, from its known expansive
+powers, must return and restore the equilibrium. That is the reason that
+we have such a long continuance of easterly winds, in the months of
+February and March."
+
+"You said that you had communication with Europe?"
+
+"We have occasionally visits perforce, from those who are cast away in
+ships or boats; but the people who come here, have never returned. The
+difficulty of leaving the island is very great: and we flatter
+ourselves, that few who have remained any time with us, have ever felt
+the desire."
+
+"What--not to leave a barren rock, without even a blade of grass upon
+it."
+
+"Happiness," replied my conductor, "does not consist in the variety of
+your possessions, but in being contented with what you have"--and he
+commenced the descent of the hill.
+
+I followed him in a melancholy mood, for I could imagine little comfort
+in such a sterile spot.
+
+"I am not a native of this island," observed he, as we walked along; "it
+is more than four hundred years since it was first inhabited, by the
+crew of a French vessel, which was lost in the Northern Ocean. But I do
+not wish to leave it. I was cast on it in a whale boat, when separated
+from the ship in a snow-storm, about twenty-five years ago. I am now a
+married man, with a family, and am considered one of the wealthiest
+inhabitants of the island, for I possess between forty and fifty
+whales."
+
+"Whales!" exclaimed I, with astonishment.
+
+"Yes," replied my conductor, "whales, which are the staple of this
+island, and without them we should not be so prosperous and so happy as
+we are. But you have much to see and learn; you will by-and-bye
+acknowledge that there is nothing existing in the world, which, from
+necessity and by perseverance, man cannot subject to his use. Yon lake
+which covers the bottom of our valley, is our source of wealth and
+comfort, and yields us an increase as plentiful as the most fertile
+plains of Italy or France."
+
+As we arrived close to the foot of the hills, I perceived several black
+substances on the shores of the lake. "Are those whales?" inquired I.
+
+"They were whales, but they are now houses. That one by itself is mine,
+which I hope you will consider as yours, until you have made up your
+mind as to what you will do."
+
+We descended to the beach, and his companions, wishing me good-morning,
+left me with my conductor, who led the way to his house. It was composed
+of the skin of one entire whale, much larger than ever I had seen in the
+Northern Ocean. The backbone and ribs of the animal served as rafters to
+extend the skin, which wore the resemblance of a long tent; it was
+further secured by ropes, formed of the twisted sinews which passed over
+the top, and were made fast to stakes of bone firmly fixed in the ground
+on each side. When I entered, I found to my surprise that there was
+plenty of light, which was supplied from windows, composed of small
+panes of whalebone ground down very thin, and at the further end the
+head and scull of the animal formed a kitchen, the smoke from the fire
+escaping through the spiracles or breathing-holes above.
+
+On each side of the room into which I was ushered were raised seats,
+covered with seal skins, and the other end of the house was divided off
+with a species of black skin, into sleeping apartments for the master of
+the house and his family. There was not the least smell, as I
+anticipated before I entered this strange dwelling-place.
+
+I was introduced to his wife, who welcomed me with cordiality. She was
+dressed in the same dark skin as her husband, but of a much finer
+texture, and had a scarlet cap on her head, as well as scarlet
+trimmings to the front and bottom of her dress, which on the whole was
+not only comfortable but becoming in its appearance.
+
+A bowl of milk was presented to me, to refresh me after my walk and long
+abstinence.
+
+"How!" observed I, "have you milk here without pasture?"
+
+"Yes," replied my host, "drink it, and tell me if you think it
+palatable."
+
+I did so, and found it very little different from the asses' milk of my
+own country--perhaps with a little more acidity of taste. In the
+meantime several varieties of shell-fish, and a large cheese, were
+placed upon the table, which, as well as the stools, was composed
+entirely of bone.
+
+"And cheese, too?" said I.
+
+"Yes, and you will find it not bad. It is the milk of the whale which
+you have drank, and the cheese is prepared from the same."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Friend Huckaback," observed the pacha, "I think you are telling me
+lies. Who ever heard of whale's milk?"
+
+"Allah forbid that I should attempt to deceive a person of your
+highness's judgment; it could only end in mortification and defeat to
+myself."
+
+"That's very true," observed the pacha.
+
+"Your highness has not called to mind, that the whale is what
+naturalists call a 'hot-blood animal,' with arteries and circulation of
+blood similar to the human species; and that it brings forth its young
+alive, and nurses it at the breast."
+
+"Very true," observed the pacha. "I had forgot that."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+My conductor resumed as follows:--"As I told you before, the whale is
+the staple of this island. You observe that his skin serves us as a
+house; from his bones we form all our implements--from his sinews, our
+thickest ropes down to our finest thread. The dress we wear is composed
+of the belly part of the skin, dressed with a sort of soap, composed of
+the alkali obtained from the sea-weed which abounds in the lake, and the
+oil of the whale. His blubber serves us for fuel and candle; his flesh
+for meat, and the milk is invaluable to us. It is true, we have other
+resources; we have our lizards, and a variety of fish and shell-fish;
+and when we are shut up in the winter among the icebergs, we procure the
+flesh and skins of the seals and the polar bear. But we have no
+vegetable of any kind; and although the want of bread may at first be
+unpleasant, a few weeks will reconcile you to the privation. But it is
+time to repose after your fatigues--I will report your arrival to the
+great harpooner, after I have shown you to your chamber." He then
+conducted me to an inner room, where I found a couch, composed of the
+skins of the polar bears, on which I threw myself, and in a few minutes
+was fast asleep.
+
+The next morning I was awakened by my host. "If you wish to see the
+whales milked, this is the hour that they are called in; a short walk
+will explain more to you than many hours' conversation."
+
+I arose perfectly refreshed from my long nap, and followed my conductor.
+We passed a large tank. "This is our water; we are obliged not to waste
+it, although we have a sufficiency; the tank is coated by a cement,
+formed of lime, obtained by the burning of the shells of fish. We make
+all our vessels that are submitted to the fire, of the same substance,
+mixed with pounded lava; it is burnt in the fire, and glazed with
+sea-salt."
+
+We arrived at the edge of the lake, where we came to a large shallow
+dock, cut out of the lava in the side, in which were about two dozen
+young whales, who followed my host as he walked round the edge.
+
+These are my calves; we do not admit the mothers until we have first
+drawn off what milk we require.
+
+Several men now came down to the beach: one of them blew a horn, formed
+out of a part of the horn of a sea unicorn, and immediately a herd of
+whales collected at the sound, and swam towards the beach. They all
+answered to their names; and when the men waded in the water up to
+their knees, quietly grounded on their sides, so as to present one of
+their udders to them, clear of the water. This was squeezed by four men,
+and the contents received into a large pail, composed of the bones of a
+whale, neatly hooped together by the same substance.
+
+As soon as the breast of the animal was empty, with a lash of its tail
+it recovered the deep water, and swam round and round in small circles,
+near to the spot.
+
+"We always leave one breast for the calf," observed my host; "when they
+are all milked, I shall open the pen and let the mothers in."
+
+"What are those enormous whales which are playing at a distance?"
+
+"They are our whale oxen," answered my host; "we find that they grow to
+an enormous size. Our houses are built of their skins."
+
+"Is that a dead whale on the beach?"
+
+"It is one of our whale boats," replied he, "but formed, as you
+supposed, from the skin of a whale, hardened by frequent applications of
+oil and lime. We use them to catch the whales when we want them."
+
+"You do not use the harpoon, then?"
+
+"Only when we kill; in general we noose the tail, and fasten the rope to
+one of these boats, which are so buoyant, that the whale cannot take it
+down, and soon tires with his own exertions. I am now speaking of the
+males reserved for breeding, or strange whales, who sometimes find their
+way into our lake during the winter: our own are so domesticated from
+their infancy, that we have little trouble with them; but it is time
+that we return."
+
+"Here," observed my host, as we passed a whale-house, "is one of our
+manufactories; we will step in. This is the common stuff of the country,
+which is used for partitions in houses, &c. This is a finer sort, such
+as I wear at present. Here we have the skin of the whale calf, which is
+usually worn by the women. This is the most expensive article of our
+manufactures; it is the belly part of the calf's skin, which being
+white, admits of a dye from the murex--a shell fish, very common on our
+shores."
+
+"Have you money?" inquired I.
+
+"None--we exchange; but the chief article of exchange, and which serves
+as money, is the whale cheese, which keeps for years, and improves in
+quality. That fine cloth is worth eight new cheeses a square yard, which
+is very dear."
+
+We arrived at the house, where we found our repast ready; an excellent
+stew received my commendation.
+
+"It is one of our favourite dishes," replied my host; "it is made of
+lizards' tails."
+
+"Lizards' tails!"
+
+"Yes; I am about to procure some for dinner, and you shall see my
+preserve."
+
+In the course of the day I walked with my host a short distance up the
+hill, when we stopped at a large pit, covered with a net work, made of
+whales' sinews. The man who accompanied us, descended, and soon returned
+with a pail full of lizards, confined by a similar net over them. He
+then took them out one by one, and pulled their tails, which were
+immediately left in his hand. He then notched the stump, and threw the
+animal into the pit.
+
+"Of what use is it to return the animals?" observed I.
+
+"Because their tails will grow again, by next year."
+
+"But why, then, were the stumps notched in the middle?"
+
+"That they might have two tails instead of one, which is invariably the
+case," replied my host.
+
+But I will not tire your highness with an account of all that I saw, and
+which occurred during my stay on that island. If I were to enter into
+the excellence of their government, which consisted of a Great
+Harpooner, and two councils of first and second Harpoons, or of the
+manners and customs of the inhabitants, ceremonies at births, and
+marriages, and deaths--of their amusements, and their ingenious supply
+of all their wants, it would afford materials for at least two volumes
+quarto, without margin. I shall therefore confine myself to stating,
+that after a sojourn of six months, I became so impatient to quit the
+island, that I determined to encounter any risk, rather than not
+accomplish it.
+
+My host, and all the principal inhabitants, finding that no persuasions
+could induce me to stay, consented at last to furnish me with the means
+which I had hit upon to make my escape.
+
+I omitted to mention to your highness, the whales had been rendered so
+docile, that they not only were used for draught on the lake, but even
+for carrying on their backs. I never could be persuaded to mount one, I
+had such a horror of being seated on a fish's back, after my travelling
+on the shark; but I had often crossed the lake in one of the great whale
+boats towed by one or two of the animals fastened to it by loops over
+their tails. This conveyance suggested to me the idea of my escape,
+which I proposed to make by means of one of these large whale boats,
+covered completely in, and to be towed out of the mouth of the lake by
+one of the draught whales.
+
+At my request, a boat was prepared, and covered in, with whalebone
+windows to admit light; a stock of provisions were supplied me
+sufficient for a long voyage; and the whale being _put to_, I departed
+amidst the tears and lamentations of the friendly islanders, who looked
+upon me as a man bent upon my own destruction. But I was aware that the
+fishery would soon commence, and had great hopes of being picked up by
+one of the vessels. I was soon clear of the lake; and the lad who was on
+the back of the draught whale, having towed me out in pursuance of his
+orders, until the island appeared like a cloud on the horizon, cast me
+loose and hastened back, that he might return home before dark.
+
+For three weeks I remained in the inside of this enormous boat, or
+rather I may say fish tossed upon the waves, but without injury, from
+its extreme buoyancy. One morning I was awakened from a sound sleep by a
+sudden blow on the outside of my vessel. I imagined that I had come in
+contact with an iceberg, but the sound of voices convinced me, that at
+last I had fallen in with my fellow-creatures. A harpoon was now driven
+in, which I narrowly escaped, and a volley of execrations followed, by
+which I knew immediately that the people were English.
+
+After a few minutes, they commenced sawing a hole in the side of my
+whale boat; and a piece being removed, a head was put in. Fearful of
+another harpoon, I had raised up my large white bear's skin as a
+defence, and the man perceiving it, immediately withdrew his head,
+swearing that there was a white bear in the belly of the whale. The boat
+shoved off, and they commenced firing musket balls, which pierced my
+boat through and through, and I was obliged to lie down at the bottom to
+save my life. After about twenty shots, the boat again came along side,
+and a man, putting his head in, and perceiving me at the bottom of the
+boat, covered over with the bear's skin, imagined that the animal had
+been killed, and reported to his companions. With some degree of
+apprehension they climbed in at the hole which they had cut, when I
+lifted up my bear's skin, and made my appearance, dressed in the black
+skin worn by the inhabitants of Whale's Island. This frightened them
+still more; one roared out that it was the devil, and they all ran to
+make their escape at the hole by which they entered, but in their
+eagerness they prevented each other.
+
+It was with difficulty that I convinced them that I was harmless, which
+I did at last; and having explained in a few words how I came there,
+they permitted me to go with them on board of the ship. The captain was
+very sulky when he heard the story; he had imagined it to be a dead
+whale, and had ordered it to be towed alongside, to cut off the blubber.
+Disappointed in his expectations, he swore that I was a Jonas, who had
+come out of the whale's belly, and there would be no luck in the ship,
+if I remained. The sailors, whose profits in the voyage were regulated
+by the number of fish taken, thought this an excellent reason for
+throwing me overboard; and had there not been two sail in sight,
+standing towards them, I certainly should have had some more adventures
+to narrate. At last they consented to put me on board of one which had
+hoisted French colours. She was from Havre, and having twelve fish on
+board, was returning home. The captain consented to give me a passage,
+and in two months I was once more in my native country.
+
+Such, your highness, were the adventures of my Third Voyage.
+
+"Well, the story of the Island was rather too long," observed the pacha,
+"but altogether, it was amusing. Mustapha, I think it is worth ten
+pieces of gold."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter X
+
+
+The next day the renegade commenced his fourth voyage in the following
+words.
+
+
+
+FOURTH VOYAGE OF HUCKABACK.
+
+Your highness may imagine, that I ought to have been pretty well tired
+of going to sea, after so many mishaps; but there is a restlessness
+attending a person who has once been a rover, that drives him from
+comfort and affluence in possession, to seek variety through danger and
+difficulty in perspective. Yet I cannot say that it was my case in the
+present instance, for I was forced to embark against my inclination. I
+had travelled through France to Marseilles, with a small sum of money
+presented me by the captain of the ship who gave me a passage home, for
+I could no longer bear the idea of not again seeing my father, if he was
+alive; and I felt no apprehensions from the circumstance of the lady
+abbess, as I knew how soon every thing in this world is forgotten, and
+that I was so altered from time and hardship, that I was not likely to
+be recognised.
+
+On my arrival at my native city, I proceeded to the well-known shop,
+where I had been accustomed to exercise my talents, under my father's
+superintendence. The pole was extended from the door, the basin still
+turned round in obedience to the wind; but when I entered the shop,
+which was crowded with people (for it was Saturday afternoon), I
+perceived that all the operators were unknown to me, and that my father
+was not there. One of the expectants, who waited his turn, politely made
+room for me beside him on the bench, and I had time to look about me
+before I made any interrogations.
+
+The shop had been newly painted, a looking-glass of considerable
+dimensions had been added, and the whole wore the appearance of a more
+thriving establishment.
+
+"You are a stranger, Monsieur?" observed my neighbour.
+
+"I am," replied I; "but I have been at Marseilles before, and when I was
+last here I used to frequent this shop. There was a short stout man who
+was at the head of it, but I do not recollect his name."
+
+"Oh--Monsieur Maurepas. He is dead; he died about two months since."
+
+"And what has become of his family?"
+
+"He had but one son, who had an intrigue with the daughter of an old
+officer in this town, and was obliged to leave it. No one has heard of
+him since: he is supposed to have been lost at sea, as the vessel in
+which he embarked never arrived at the port to which she was bound. The
+old man died worth money, and there is a law-suit for his property now
+carried on between two distant relations."
+
+"What became of the lady you were speaking of?"
+
+"She retired to a convent, not three miles off, and is since dead. There
+was some mystery about the abbess, and she was supposed to be able to
+explain it. I believe she was pronounced 'contumacious' by the
+Inquisition, and put into prison, where she died from the severity of
+her treatment."
+
+My heart smote me when I heard this. The poor girl had endured all this
+severity on my account, and was faithful even to the last. I fell into a
+reverie of most painful feelings. Cerise, too, whose fate I had before
+ascertained when I was at Toulouse--Dear, dear Cerise!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I tell you again, Huckaback, I wish to have no more of Cerise," cried
+the pacha. "She is dead, and there's an end of her."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The information that I received made me doubtful how to proceed; I could
+easily prove my identity, but I had a degree of apprehension that I
+might be catechised in such a manner as to raise suspicions. At the same
+time without a you in the world, I did not much like the idea of
+abandoning all claim to my father's property. I had formerly dressed the
+peruke of an elderly gentleman who practised in the law, and with whom I
+was a great favourite. Although five years had elapsed since I first ran
+away from my father, I thought it very likely that he might be still
+alive. I resolved to call at his house. When I knocked and asked if he
+was at home, the girl who opened the door replied in the affirmative,
+and I was shown into the same little study, littered with papers, into
+which I formerly used to bring him his peruke.
+
+"Your pleasure, sir?" inquired the old man, peering at me through his
+spectacles.
+
+"I wish," replied I, "to ask your opinion relative to a disputed
+succession."
+
+"What is the property?"
+
+"That of Monsieur Maurepas, who died some short time since."
+
+"What, have we another claimant? If so, as I am employed by one party
+already, you must go elsewhere. I wish François would make his
+appearance and claim his own, poor fellow."
+
+Delighted to find that the old gentleman had still a regard for me, I
+made no scruple of making myself known.
+
+"I am François, sir," replied I.
+
+The old gentleman rose from his seat, and coming close to me, looked at
+me earnestly in the face. After a minute's scrutiny,
+
+"Well--I do believe you are; and pray, sir, where have you been all this
+while?"
+
+"That's what I cannot very well tell, but I have seen and suffered
+much."
+
+"But that's what you must tell, if you wish to obtain your
+property--that is to say, you must tell me. Don't be afraid, François:
+it is a part of our profession to be confidants to strange secrets, and
+I think there are many locked up in this breast of more importance than
+any which you can disclose."
+
+"But, sir, if my life is concerned."
+
+"What then--your life will be safe. If I told all I knew, I could hang
+half Marseilles. But laying my professional duty aside, I wish you well;
+so now sit down, and let me hear your narrative."
+
+I felt that I could confide in my old acquaintance, and I therefore
+commenced a detail of my adventures. When I stated my being wrecked near
+Marseilles, he interrupted me, laughing--
+
+"And you were the holy abbess?"
+
+"I was."
+
+"Well, I thought I recollected your face, when I came with the rest of
+the Tom Fools to pay my respects to you: and when it was whispered that
+a man had personified the holy abbess, I said to myself,'that it was
+either François or the devil, 'but I never mentioned my suspicions."
+
+When I had finished my narrative, he observed, "Now, François, there
+will be some risk of proving your identity in a court of justice, which
+the other parties will insist upon. What I should advise you to do, is,
+to compromise with the party that employs me. Make over to him a
+conveyance of all the property, on condition of your receiving one half,
+or more if we can get it. I will represent you as a careless young man,
+anxious to obtain money and spend it. If he agrees, you will obtain a
+good round sum without risk, and I shall oblige both my clients, which
+is always my endeavour."
+
+I agreed to the good sense of the proposal, and my old friend advanced
+me some louis to enable me to improve my appearance. Advising me not to
+show myself too much, he offered me a bed at his house. I left him to
+procure a more decent wardrobe; and for better disguise, fitted myself
+with an officer's undress suit, and having purchased a few other
+necessaries, returned to his house.
+
+"Well, upon my honour, you do justice to your dress. I don't wonder at
+Mademoiselle de Fonseca falling in love with you. That is a sad story
+though--I don't know whether I ought to trust you with my housekeeper,
+for she is very young and very pretty. Promise me, on your honour, that
+you will not make love to the poor girl, for I have an affection for
+her, and will not have her added to your list of broken hearts."
+
+"Mention it not, I beg, sir," replied I, mournfully; "my heart is dead
+and buried with her whose name I have just mentioned."
+
+"Well, then, go up stairs and introduce yourself. I have people waiting
+in the next room."
+
+I obeyed his directions, and when I entered the parlour above, perceived
+a youthful figure working at her needle, with her back towards me. She
+turned her head at my approach--what was my amazement, what was my
+delight, when I beheld Cerise!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Holy prophet," exclaimed the pacha, "is that woman come to life again?"
+
+"She was never dead, your highness, and will occupy your attention more
+than once, if I am to proceed with my voyages."
+
+"But I hope there will be no more love scenes."
+
+"Only the present one, your highness: for after that we were married."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Cerise looked at me for one moment, screamed, and fell lifeless on the
+floor. I caught her in my arms, and as she lay senseless, called her by
+her name, and imprinted a hundred kisses on her lips.
+
+The noise had alarmed the old gentleman, who unobserved by me, came in,
+and witnessed the scene. "Upon my honour, sir, considering your promise
+to me just now, you are making rather free."
+
+"'Tis Cerise, my dear sir--Cerise!"
+
+"Cerise de Fonseca?"
+
+"Yes, the same, the dear girl whom I have ever lamented."
+
+"Upon my soul, Mr François, you've a talent for adventures," said the
+old gentleman, leaving the room, and returning with a tumbler of water.
+Cerise was soon restored, and lay trembling in my arms. Our old friend,
+who considered that he was '_de trop_,' quitted the room, and left us
+together.
+
+I will not dwell upon a scene which can have no charms to those, who,
+like your highness, buy love ready made; I shall therefore narrate the
+history of Cerise, which at my request was imparted, previous to her
+receiving a similar confidence on my part.
+
+"Allow me to observe, Felix (or what is your name, you impostor?"), said
+Cerise, half reproachfully, and half in jest.
+
+"My name is François."
+
+"Well, then, François; but I never shall like that name so well as
+Felix, for it was to Felix that--but there's nothing in a name after
+all--except that the first is engraven on my heart, and cannot be
+effaced. But let me tell my story, and allow me to commence with an
+observation, which my acquaintance with you, and subsequent reflections,
+have deeply impressed upon my mind. It unfortunately happens, that
+those who are highest in rank, in this world, pay dearly for it in a
+point upon which almost all the real happiness of life consists. I mean
+in the choice of the partner with whom they are destined to walk the
+pilgrimage of life hand in hand; and the higher their rank, the more
+strictly are they debarred from making a selection, which the meanest
+peasant can enjoy without control.
+
+"A king has no choice, he must submit to the wishes of his subjects, and
+the interests of his country. The aristocracy in our country are little
+better off, at least the female part of it, for they are dragged from
+convents to the altar, and offered up as a sacrifice to family
+connection At the time that we were, or were supposed to be (for as yet
+it is a mystery to me), assisted by you on the road--"
+
+"In one point not a supposition certainly, my Cerise, for I took off my
+only garment to cover you."
+
+"You did--you did--I think I see you now, leaving the side of the
+chariot; I loved you from that moment--but to continue: I was then going
+down to the chateau, to be introduced to my future husband, whom I had
+never seen, although the affair had been long arranged.
+
+"My father had no idea that any harm could result from a few days'
+acquaintance; and he felt too grateful to forbid you the house; but he
+little knew how situation and opportunity will overcome time; and I knew
+more of you in a few days than I thought I could have known of any man
+in so many years. That I loved you--loved you dearly--you know well.
+
+"But to proceed: (nay, don't kiss me so, or I shall never tell my
+story). The next morning I heard that you had gone, as you had told me
+it was your intention; but my father's horse did not come back--my
+father was grave, and the bishop more gloomy than usual. Two days
+afterwards I was informed by my father that you were an impostor, that
+all had been discovered, and that if taken you would probably be seized
+by the Inquisition; but you had fled the country, and were supposed to
+have embarked at Toulon. He added, that my intended husband would
+arrive in a few days.
+
+"I considered all that he had told me, and I formed the following
+conclusions:--first, that you were not the person that you described
+yourself to be; and, secondly, that he had discovered our attachment,
+and had insisted upon your not re-appearing--but that you had deserted
+me, and left the country, I knew, after what had passed, _to be
+impossible_. But whether you were Monsieur de Rouillé or not, you were
+all I coveted, and all that I adored; and I vowed that for you I would
+live or die. I felt assured that one day or another, you would come
+back, and that conviction supported me. My future husband appeared--he
+was odious. The time fixed for our wedding drew nigh--I had but one
+resource, which was flight. A young girl who attended me (you recollect
+her, she came and told us the bishop was coming, when we were in the
+garden), I knew to be attached to me. I took her in confidence, and
+through her means I obtained a peasant's dress, with the promise of
+shelter in her father's cottage, some leagues distant. The night before
+the marriage was to take place, I ran down to the river that flows past
+the chateau, threw my bonnet and shawl on the bank, and then made my
+escape to where her father was waiting to receive me, in a cart which he
+had provided as a conveyance. The girl, who was left, managed admirably:
+it was supposed that I had drowned myself, and as they had no further
+occasion for her services, she was dismissed, and joined me at her
+father's cottage. I remained there for more than a year, when I thought
+it advisable to move, and come to Marseilles, where I obtained the
+situation of housekeeper to this old gentleman, who has treated me more
+like a daughter than a domestic. Now, Mr François, can you give so good
+an account of yourself?"
+
+"Not quite, Cerise; but I can honestly declare, that when I thought you
+alive, I never forgot you, and believing you dead, I never ceased to
+lament you, nor have I looked at a woman since. Our old friend below can
+prove it, by my answer when he cautioned me against the charms of his
+housekeeper."
+
+I did not, your highness, tell the whole truth to Cerise; for I have
+always considered it perfectly justifiable to retain facts which cannot
+add to people's happiness. I declared that I left her because my life
+would have been forfeited if I had remained, and I valued it only for
+her sake. That I always intended to return, and when I quitted Valencia,
+and had become a man of property, I immediately proceeded to make
+inquiries, and heard the news of her death. Neither did I acquaint her
+with the profession which I had followed; I merely stated that my father
+was a man of eminence, and that he had died rich--for although people of
+good family will sometimes bow to love, taking the risk of high or low
+birth, they are always mortified when they discover that their ticket in
+the lottery has turned up a blank.
+
+Cerise was satisfied--we renewed our vows--and the old gentleman, who
+declared that of all the secrets in his possession ours would be the
+most dangerous to him if discovered, was not sorry to see us united, and
+quit the house.
+
+I obtained two-thirds of my fortune from the claimant, and with it and
+my wife repaired to Toulon.
+
+For one year I enjoyed uninterrupted happiness. My wife was everything
+to me, and so far from leaving her in search of variety, I could not
+bear to go out of the house unless she accompanied me: but we were
+living much too fast, and at the end of the year I found one-third of my
+property had been spent. My affection would not permit me to reduce my
+wife to beggary, and I determined to take some measures to secure the
+means of future existence. Consulting her on the occasion, with many
+tears Cerise acknowledged my prudence, and having divided the remainder
+of my property, one half of which I laid out in merchandise, and the
+other I gave to her, for her support during my absence, I embarked on
+board of a vessel bound to the West Indies.
+
+We made the islands without any accident, and I was extremely
+successful in my speculations; I began to think that fortune was tired
+of persecuting me, but knowing how treacherous she was, I shipped one
+half of my return cargo in another vessel, that I might have more than
+one chance.
+
+When our captain was ready to sail, the passengers repaired on board,
+and amongst others a rich old gentleman who had come from Mexico, and
+who had been waiting for a passage home to France. He was very ill when
+he came on board, and I recommended his losing a little blood, offering
+my services on the occasion. They were accepted; the old gentleman
+recovered, and we were very intimate afterwards. We had been about a
+fortnight clear of the island, when a hurricane came on, the equal to
+which in force I never beheld. The sea was one sheet of foam, the air
+was loaded with spray, which was thrown with such violence against our
+faces that we were blinded; and the wind blew so strong that no one
+could stand up against it. The vessel was thrown on her beam ends, and
+we all gave ourselves up for lost. Fortunately the masts went by the
+board, and the ship righted. But when the hurricane abated, we were in
+an awkward predicament; the spare spars had been washed overboard, and
+we had no means of rigging jury-masts and making sail. There we lay
+rolling in a perfect calm which succeeded, and drifting to the northward
+by the influence of what is called the Gulf Stream.
+
+One morning, as we were anxiously looking out for a vessel, we perceived
+something at a distance, but could not ascertain what it was.
+
+At first we imagined that it was several casks floating, which had been
+thrown overboard, or had forced their way out of the hold of some vessel
+which had foundered at sea. But at last we discovered that it was an
+enormous serpent, coming directly on towards the vessel, at the rate of
+fifteen or twenty miles an hour. As it approached, we perceived to our
+horror, that it was about a hundred feet long, and as thick as the
+main-mast of a seventy-four; it occasionally reared its head many feet
+above the surface, and then plunging it down again continued its rapid
+course. When it neared us to within a mile, we were so alarmed that we
+all ran down below. The animal came to the ship, and rearing its body
+more than half way out of the water, so that if our masts had been
+standing, his head would have been as high as our topsail-yards, looked
+down on deck. He then lowered his great diamond-shaped head, and
+thrusting it down the hatchway, seized one of the men in his teeth,
+plunged into the sea and disappeared.
+
+We were all horror-struck, for we expected his reappearance, and had no
+means of securing ourselves below, every grating and skylight having
+been washed overboard in the hurricane. The old gentleman was more
+alarmed than the rest. He sent for me and said,
+
+"I did look forward to once more seeing my relations in France, but that
+hope is now abandoned. My name is Fonseca, I am a younger brother of a
+noble family of that name, and I intended, if not to enrich my brother,
+at least to endow his daughter with the wealth I have brought with me.
+Should my fears be verified, I trust to your honour for the performance
+of my request. It is, to deliver this casket, which is of great value,
+into the hand of either one or the other. Here is a letter with their
+address, and here is the key; the remainder of my property on board, if
+saved, in case of my death, is yours, and here is a voucher for you to
+show in case of necessity."
+
+I took the casket, but did not tell him that I was the husband of his
+niece--as he might have disinherited her for having married so much
+below her rank in life. The old gentleman was right in his supposition,
+the serpent returned in the afternoon, and seizing him as he had the
+sailor, in the morning, again, plunged into the sea; and so he continued
+bearing two or three off every day, until I was the only one left. On
+the eighth day he had taken off the last but me, and I knew that my
+fate must be decided in the evening; for large as he was, he could
+penetrate every part of the ship, and could draw you to him, when you
+were many feet distant, by sucking in his breath.
+
+There happened to be two casks, of a material lately invented in
+England, which we were taking to France on trial; during the hurricane,
+one had burst, and the stench proceeding from it was intolerable.
+Although it had gradually evaporated, I perceived that whenever the
+serpent approached any thing that had been defiled with it, he
+immediately turned away, as if the smell was as unbearable to him as it
+was to us. I don't know what it was composed of, but the English called
+it _coal tar_. It struck me that I might save myself my means of this
+offensive composition. I knocked out the head of the remaining cask, and
+arming myself with a broom dipped in it, I jumped into the cask which
+contained the remainder, and awaited my fate with anxiety. The serpent
+came; as usual, forced his head and part of his body down the hatchway,
+perceived me, and with eyes darting fire reached out his head to seize
+me. I dashed the broom into his mouth, and bobbed my head immediately
+under the coal tar. When I lifted it up again, almost suffocated, the
+animal had disappeared. I crawled out, and looking over the side,
+perceived him lashing the ocean in his fury, plunging and diving to rid
+himself of the composition with which I had filled his mouth. After
+exhausting himself with his furious endeavours, he went down, and I saw
+him no more.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Did you never see him again?" inquired the pacha.
+
+"Never but that once; nor has the animal been seen before or since,
+except by the Americans, who have much better eyes than the people of
+Europe can boast of."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The vessel drifted to the northward with the Gulf Stream, until she was
+close to the land, when a pilot boat came out and boarded her. The
+people belonging to her were much annoyed to find me on board. Had there
+been no one in her, they would have claimed the whole vessel and cargo,
+whereas they were now only entitled to one-eighth. I understood English
+enough to hear them propose and agree to throw me overboard. I
+immediately ran down below to secure my casket, and when I returned on
+deck, they launched me over the side. I sank down, and diving under the
+counter, laid hold of the rudder chains, unperceived by them. In the
+meantime another pilot boat came to us, and sent her boat or board; I
+swam to it and was hauled in. The captains being rivals, I was taken to
+New York as evidence against the people who had attempted my life. I
+stayed there just long enough to sell my seven-eighths of the cargo, and
+see the men hung, and I then took a passage in a vessel bound to
+Bourdeaux, where I arrived in safety. From thence I repaired to Toulon,
+and found my dear Cerise as beautiful and as fond as ever.
+
+I was now a rich man; I bought a large estate, with a marquisate
+attached to it. I also purchased the chateau of Fonseca, and made a gift
+of it to my dear wife. I was pleased at having the means of raising her
+again to that rank in society, which she had quitted for my sake. For
+some years we lived happily, although we had no children. After that,
+events happened which again sent me to sea. Such, your highness, is the
+history of my Fourth Voyage.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Well," observed the pacha, "I never heard of so large a snake before;
+did you, Mustapha?"
+
+"Never, your highness; but travellers see strange things. What is to be
+the extent of your highness' bounty?"
+
+"Give him ten pieces of gold," said the pacha, rising from the throne,
+and waddling behind the curtain.
+
+Mustapha told out the sequins. "Selim, if I might advise you, it would
+please his highness better, if you continued more at sea, and dealt a
+little more in the marvellous. That wife of yours, Cerise, as you call
+her, is rather a bore."
+
+"Well, I'll get rid of her to-morrow; but I can tell you, vizier, that I
+deserve all my pay, for it's rather fatiguing work--besides, my
+conscience."
+
+"Holy prophet! hear him--his conscience! go, hypocrite, drown it in wine
+to-night, and it will be dead to-morrow; and don't forget to kill your
+wife."
+
+"Allow me to observe, that you Turks have very little taste;
+nevertheless, I will get rid of her after your own fashion, for she
+shall go to the bottom of the sea--Bashem ustun, on my head be it."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XI
+
+
+The next morning the pacha hurried over the business of the day, for
+Mustapha had intimated that the renegade considered his fifth voyage to
+be one of great marvels. Selim was introduced as before, and commenced
+the narrative.
+
+
+
+FIFTH VOYAGE OF HUCKABACK.
+
+Your highness may be surprised, that being in the possession of wealth,
+rank, and my charming Cerise, I should have again ventured upon the
+treacherous ocean. Of course your highness has heard of the revolution
+which took place in France, and all the horrors which attended it.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"France! Yes, I believe there is a country of that name; I can't say
+that I ever heard of the revolution. Holy prophet! but these people have
+strange ideas," continued the pacha to the vizier; "to imagine that we
+must know or care about what is going on in their barbarous countries.
+You may proceed, Huckaback."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It will be necessary to say a few words upon the subject, your
+highness, but I will be as concise as possible. One day, a party of men
+from my native city (Marseilles), dressed in red caps, their shirt
+sleeves tucked up, and armed with various weapons, surrounded my
+château, insisting upon my immediately informing them whether I was for
+the summoning of the estates-general. I answered, most certainly, if
+they wished it. They cheered me, and went away.
+
+Shortly afterwards, they came to ascertain if I approved of the national
+convention. I answered, that I approved of it excessively. They were
+satisfied, and again disappeared. They came a third time, to inquire if
+I was a republican, to which I gave the affirmative. A fourth, to know
+whether I sided with the Girondists; I declared myself one of that
+party, and hoped that I should be asked no more questions. But before
+two or three months had passed away, another party came to ascertain
+whether I was a real Jacobin, which I solemnly pronounced myself to
+be;--a second time, to know whether I thought proper to be called
+citizen, or have my head cut off; I declared in favour of the former,
+and made them a present of my title of marquis. But at last they
+surrounded my house with loud cries, declaring that I was an aristocrat,
+and insisted upon carrying my head away upon a pike. This I considered a
+subject of remonstrance. I assured them that I was no aristocrat,
+although I had purchased the property, and that, on the contrary, I was
+a citizen barber from Marseilles; that I had relinquished the title of
+marquis, which I had bought with the property, and had therefore no
+claim whatever to aristocracy. But they insisted upon proofs, and
+ordering my valets to bring down the materials, desired me to shave a
+dozen of their party. I shaved for my life, and acquitted myself so much
+to their satisfaction that they all embraced me, and were about to
+depart, when one of the women demanded that my wife (whose
+aristocratical descent was known) should be surrendered up, as a proof
+of my sincerity. We all have our moments of weakness; had I had the
+prudence to comply with the request, things would have ended happily,
+but I was foolish enough, although I had been married twelve years, to
+demur at the prospect of the head of my charming Cerise being carried
+away on a pike. I represented to them (as she clung to me for
+protection), that although of noble descent, she had reduced herself to
+my level by marrying a citizen barber. After a short consultation, they
+agreed that she was sufficiently degraded to live. They contented
+themselves with breaking open my cellar, that they might drink my
+health, and departed. But, your highness, I had soon cause to repent of
+my folly. Cerise was a charming woman, and an affectionate wife in
+adversity, but prosperity was her ruin, as well as mine. She had already
+had an affair with a Comte, who had lately been dismissed for a handsome
+young abbé; but we do not mind these little _égaremens_ in our country,
+and I neither had leisure nor inclination to interfere with her
+arrangements. Satisfied with her sincere friendship for me, I could
+easily forgive a few trifling infidelities, and nothing had disturbed
+the serenity or gaiety of our establishment until this unfortunate
+_exposé_ which I was obliged to make, and to prove the truth of in her
+presence, viz., that I had been a barber. Her pride revolted at the idea
+of having formed such a connection, her feelings towards me were changed
+to those of the most deadly hatred; and although I had saved her life,
+she ungratefully resolved to sacrifice mine. The little abbé's head had
+been taken off several weeks before, and she now formed a liaison with
+one of the jacobin associés, on condition that he would prove his
+attachment, by denouncing me as an aristocrat.
+
+Fortunately, I had notice given to me in sufficient time to make my
+escape to Toulon. Leaving my wife, and, what was of more consequence,
+the whole of my property, in the hands of the jacobin, I joined the mob,
+and vowing vengeance upon all aristocrats, became one of the most
+violent leaders of the _sans culottes_. Two months afterwards, when the
+gates of Toulon had been opened to the army, and I was assisting at a
+noyade, I had the pleasure of seeing my jacobin _locum tenens_, who had
+been denounced in his turn, tied back to back to a female; it was my
+adored Cerise. I had no time to speak to her, for they were hurried on
+board of the vessel. It sank with them, and some hundreds more; and as
+the beautiful auburn hair of my wife was borne up from her shoulders,
+upon which it had been hanging loose, and floated a second or two on the
+wave after her head had disappeared, I sighed at the remembrance of the
+transitory enjoyment of competence and love which I had shared with my
+charming Cerise.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"And is she really dead now, Huckaback?" inquired the pacha.
+
+"Yes, your highness, she is."
+
+"_Allah karim_--God is most merciful. There is an end of that woman at
+last; now the story will go on."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I have reason to believe that I should have become a person of some
+consequence if I had been able to remain in France, but another foolish
+attempt on my part to save the life of the old lawyer at Marseilles, who
+had assisted me in recovering part of my father's property, rendered me
+suspected. Aware that between suspicion and the guillotine there were
+but few hours of existence, I contrived to get on board of an Italian
+brig that had put in from stress of weather, and made my escape. The
+vessel was bound to North America for a cargo of salt fish, to be
+consumed on the ensuing Lent, and had a crew of fifteen men. The captain
+was very ill when we sailed, owing, as he said, to a cup of wine which
+his wife had mixed with her tears, and persuaded him to drink at their
+parting. He gradually declined as we proceeded on our voyage, until at
+last he was not able to quit his bed; and no person on board except
+myself having any knowledge of keeping a ship's reckoning, that duty
+devolved upon me.
+
+A few days before his death, the captain sent for me. "François," said
+he, "my wife has poisoned me, that I might not return to interrupt a
+connection which she had formed during my absence. I have no children,
+and no relations that have ever cared for me. I am the owner of the
+cargo, as well as the captain of this vessel, and it is my intention to
+make it over to you; I consider that you have the greatest claim to it,
+as there is nobody on board except yourself who can navigate her.
+Understand me, it is not out of any particular regard, so much as to
+prevent my wife from obtaining my property, that I select you as my
+heir; you have, therefore, to thank heaven for your good fortune, more
+than you have me. I have but one request to make in return, which is,
+that you will faithfully promise to cause five hundred masses to be said
+for my soul, upon your arrival in Italy."
+
+I readily made the promise which he required, and the captain drew up a
+will, which he read and executed before the whole of the crew, by which
+the vessel and cargo were made over to me. Two days afterwards he
+expired. We sewed him up in a hammock, and threw him overboard. Although
+it was quite calm at the time, a gale sprung up immediately afterwards,
+which eventually increased to a hurricane.
+
+We were obliged to bear up, and for several days scudded under bare
+poles, until I found that we were in the very centre of the Atlantic,
+out of the track of any vessels. Gradually the weather became more
+settled, and we again spread our canvas to the breeze. To my surprise, I
+observed, that although by my reckoning we were nearly one thousand
+miles from any land, several aquatic birds were hovering about the ship,
+of a description that seldom go far from the shore. I watched them as
+the sun went down, and perceived that they took their flight to the
+south-east. Anxious to discover any land, not hitherto described, I
+steered the ship in that direction during the night, and early on the
+next morning we found ourselves close to an island, apparently ten or
+fifteen miles long, very high, and of a conical shape, which I knew was
+not laid down upon any chart. I resolved to examine it, and dropped my
+anchor in a small bay, at the bottom of which a few houses announced
+that it was inhabited; although I could not distinguish any thing like
+guns or fortification. We had not furled our sails, when a boat shoved
+off from the shore, and pulled towards us. She soon came alongside, and
+astonished us as much by the peculiarity of her structure, as by the
+appearance of the people who were on board.
+
+She was a wide canoe, very beautifully carved and inlaid, or rather
+veneered, with gold ornaments. She had a flag, hoisted to a staff,
+hanging over the stern, the field of which was white, with a
+representation of a fountain, worked in gold thread, in the centre. The
+three men who were in her, particularly the one seated in the stern
+sheets, were very richly attired in dresses worked in gold thread. But
+what astonished us more than all was the peculiarity of their
+complexions, which, although they were very well-featured men, were of a
+beautiful light blue--their eyes black, and their hair of a rich auburn.
+
+The personage in the stern sheets ascended the side, and addressing me
+in excellent Portuguese, inquired if I could speak the language.
+
+I answered in the affirmative, and he then welcomed us in the name of
+the king, upon my arrival at the island--asking me the number of my
+crew, whether I had any sick on board, and many other particulars, all
+of which he noted down upon tablets of gold, with a piece of red
+cinnabar.
+
+Having replied to all his interrogations, I then obtained from him the
+following particulars, viz., that the island had been originally peopled
+by one of the ships belonging to Vasco de Gama's squadron, which,
+returning from the East Indies laden with the produce of the east, and
+specimens of the various inhabitants of the newly discovered
+territories, had been cast away and utterly wrecked. That the island,
+which otherwise was fertile and well stocked, was one mine of gold,
+which in the absence of other metals, they were necessitated to employ
+for every article and utensil in common use. But the greatest curiosity
+which the island contained, was a fountain of water at the foot of the
+centre peak, of a beautiful colour, and producing longevity to those who
+drank of it; from which it had received the name of the Isle of the
+Golden Fountain. That when they had landed, about three hundred years
+ago, they consisted of various nations and colours, male and female; but
+the climate and the use of the waters, had, in the course of time,
+produced the change in their complexions which we beheld, and all the
+inhabitants were now of that peculiar tint, with the exception that the
+females were not so dark as the men. Few ships had ever touched there;
+and the crews of those who had fallen in with the island, had preferred
+remaining, which accounted for its being so totally unknown; that the
+king was very partial to strangers, and always received them at his
+palace, which was built close to the Golden Fountain. He concluded by
+requesting me to accompany him on shore, and pay my respects--stating,
+that if I wished to quit the island, his majesty would permit me to load
+my vessel with as much as she could carry, of the metal so precious in
+other countries, but so little valued in this.
+
+I must acknowledge that I was quite overjoyed at his narration. I
+considered my fortune to be made, and hastened to accompany the
+ambassador, who stated that the king would not be pleased if I did not
+permit the major part of my ship's company to attend me to the palace.
+As the men were very eager to go on shore after the account which they
+had heard, and he assured me that the wind never blew home in the bay,
+which was on the lee side of the island, I consented to their wishes,
+and allowed all but two to quit the vessel.
+
+We were much surprised when we landed at the village, to perceive that
+even the pig-troughs, posts, and rails, and indeed every article in
+which metal could be employed, were of solid gold; but we had not time
+for examination, as we found several sledges, drawn by small bullocks,
+waiting for us near the beach.
+
+We mounted, and the animals set off in a swift canter, upon a smooth
+and ascending road, and in less than two hours we arrived at the king's
+palace, which was an extensive building, not very remarkable in its
+structure, excepting the unusual sight of the large columns of gold,
+supporting the porticos, which extended from it on every side. But when
+we had alighted and were proceeding through the porticos, I was
+astonished at the wonderful finish of the statues which embellished
+them. They were mounted on plinths of the burnished metal, and carved
+out of a sort of light blue chalcedony, which, joined with their
+masterly execution, gave them the appearance of life. I was surprised at
+the strange attitudes which the sculptors had chosen to represent, all
+more or less distorted, although the human proportions were admirable.
+Some appeared as if they had been placed on their legs when asleep,
+others laughing or crying, nay, one or two were represented in the act
+of vomiting. Amongst the whole I could not perceive one image in which
+the human form was represented in a noble or graceful posture, and I
+pitied the taste of those who could have employed workmen of such
+extraordinary talents in representing the image of his Maker, under such
+a degrading variety of postures. I was about to make this remark to my
+conductor, but I was checked by the remembrance, that I was in a king's
+palace, not in a studio; and that kings have their fancies, which they
+are not inclined to submit to public criticism.
+
+When we arrived at the end of the portico, two lofty doors were thrown
+open, and we were struck dumb with the magnificence of the scene which
+presented itself to our eyes.
+
+The king was seated on a throne of the most splendid workmanship; the
+precious metal had been oxydised to every shade of colour, and was
+wrought in beautiful Mosaic: the walls and ceiling were entirely covered
+with the same, in some parts burnished, to reflect as mirrors, in others
+elaborately carved in ornamental fretwork, as peculiar from the elegance
+of its design, as from the superiority of its execution. On each side
+of the throne extending to the door at which we entered, were a row of
+ladies, and behind them raised on a platform about two feet higher,
+another row of courtiers--all dressed in stuffs of cloth of gold, which
+were embroidered with flowers of variously coloured metal, so as to
+present the most perfect imitation of nature. The women were very fair
+compared to the men, and their cerulian tint was far from being
+disagreeable, as it gave a transparency to their complexions; but none
+of them could be compared to the king's daughter, who was nearly white,
+and of the most perfect symmetry in feature and in form; her auburn hair
+was so long, that it hung down to the bottom of her dress, and was
+ornamented with small chains and ornaments of polished steel, which were
+entwined in its tresses. She sat at the foot of the throne, near to the
+king, and I was so astonished at her heavenly appearance, that I could
+not remember the compliments which I had intended to pay his majesty,
+but remained speechless before him.
+
+The king received us very graciously, asking me many questions, and
+broke up the audience (after half an hour), desiring some of the
+handsomest ladies to select one of my companions, and each hold herself
+responsible for his comfort and amusement. I forgot to mention, that as
+every country has its peculiar customs, one here appeared to me very
+singular. When I asked the Gentleman usher what was the usual homage
+paid to the king of the country, he informed me that you advanced your
+hand before you, on a level with your face, and snapped your fingers at
+him. That the louder you could snap them, the more accomplished and
+elegant you were considered. But in my confusion I quite forgot his
+injunctions; and it was not until the ladies all snapped their fingers
+in obedience to the commands of their sovereign, that I recollected the
+omission which I had been guilty of. Before the king retired, he
+intimated that he expected we should take up our abodes at the palace
+for some days, and we should have the honour of sitting at his table,
+in the afternoon's banquet.
+
+The whole of the company separated; those who had charge of my
+companions leading them different ways, leaving me alone with the
+princess, who had risen from her seat when directed by her father to
+take charge of me. I could have fallen down and worshipped her: as it
+was, I involuntarily dropped on one knee, and looked up in her face as
+if I had been contemplating a celestial visitant.
+
+She smiled and addressed me: "I am ordered to attend to your happiness
+and comfort, and I obey my father's commands with pleasure. I only trust
+that your happiness may be more lasting than it usually is in this
+deceitful world," and she sighed deeply.
+
+I continued in my position at her feet, and encouraged by her urbanity,
+poured forth a torrent of what to the many are considered compliments,
+but which to her were but truths. I became eloquent from excitation, and
+being at this time, as I before observed to your highness, a very
+personable man, I perceived that she was pleased with my efforts to
+obtain her favour.
+
+"I have more than once had this duty allotted to me, when strangers have
+visited the island," observed she; "but I have always been wearied, and
+have called in my women to assist me. I never yet have seen one like
+you; you are gentle, and of a very different description from those who
+generally have been introduced as the captains of vessels which have
+arrived here. I then was indifferent, if not glad, when my duty was at
+an end; but I feel otherwise now"--and she again sighed.
+
+"If it depended upon me, fair princess, and upon my wishes, I am afraid
+that you would consider the duration of it to be most tedious. Never
+have I beheld any creature so perfect and so beautiful! O that your task
+might be continued for the term of my existence!"
+
+"It probably may," answered she, gravely, and then, as if recollecting
+herself, she assumed a more cheerful air, and continued: "but we are
+losing time, which should be otherwise employed. Come, sir, permit me to
+obey my father's commands, and try to beguile the hours by contributing
+to your amusement."
+
+Offering me her hand, which I respectfully raised to my lips, she then
+conducted me over the palace, directing my attention to every object
+that she considered worthy of notice; and we had passed two or three
+hours in conversation, and remarks upon the objects before us, when I
+expressed my wish to behold the curious fountain from which the island
+took its name.
+
+"I shall obey you," replied she: and again her face assumed a mournful
+cast. She led the way to a hall of black marble, in the centre of which
+the fountain threw up its water to the height of twelve or fourteen
+feet, and fell into a spacious basin. The water of it, when in a body,
+shone with all the colours of the rainbow, and the sparkling drops which
+were thrown out on every side, were brilliant as the purest gold.
+
+"How beautiful!" exclaimed I, after some minutes of silent admiration.
+"These, then, are the waters of longevity."
+
+"And also of intoxication," replied the princess. "They will be produced
+at the banquet of the king, and, O sir! be temperate, very temperate, in
+the use of them."
+
+I promised that I would, and we continued our walk to the porticos of
+the palace, where I pointed to the statues of blue chalcedony, and
+begged her to inform me by whom they had been executed, and why they
+were all in such grotesque and absurd positions.
+
+"That is a question which I cannot answer, further than that they were
+made in the island. We must now return, as the king's banquet will be
+ready."
+
+We sat down at the table of the king, that is to say, I and my
+companions; for no courtiers, male or female, were permitted to have the
+same honour. Each lady stood behind the person who had been intrusted to
+her charge, and waited upon him. My gallantry, as a Frenchman, was
+sorely wounded at the idea of my charming princess performing the duties
+of a menial, and I expressed my feelings to her in a low tone of voice.
+She shook her head, as if to rebuke me, and I said no more. When we had
+finished the banquet, his majesty ordered the water of the golden
+fountain to be produced, which it immediately was, by those in
+attendance, and extolling its virtues, desired a cup to be filled for
+each guest, which was handed to him by the attendant ladies.
+
+As the princess presented the cup, she contrived to press one of her
+fingers against mine, before she removed them, to remind me of my
+promise. I drank but sparingly, but the effects were instantaneous--my
+spirits rose buoyant, and I felt a sort of intellectual intoxication. At
+a sign made by the king, the ladies now took their seats beside us, and
+by their attentions and caresses, increased the desire for the water,
+which they supplied in abundance. I must confess that at each sip that I
+took, the princess, who had taken her seat by me, appeared so much more
+charming in my eyes, that notwithstanding the repeated pressure of her
+foot to remind me of my promise, I could not resist the impulse to
+drink.
+
+The boatswain and one of the seamen were very drunken characters, and
+had very soon poured down so much of the water, that they dropped off
+their stools on the marble pavement, without sense or motion. This
+recalled me to my senses, which were rapidly stealing away; I rose from
+my seat, and pointing out to my companions that it would ill become them
+to intoxicate themselves in the presence of his majesty, requested that
+they would drink no more, but leave the table before they were
+incapacitated from paying the proper attentions to their fair
+conductors. The last argument had more weight than the first, and
+notwithstanding the remonstrances of the king, who showed the greatest
+anxiety that we should remain, the party rose from the table and
+separated. The two men who were intoxicated were carried away by some
+of the courtiers, and the king with marks of displeasure quitted the
+hall. I was again left alone with my charming princess, and inflamed
+with the exhilarating draught which I had taken, I threw myself at her
+feet, declaring my violent passion, and my wish never to quit the
+island, if I could be blessed with a reciprocal feeling on her part. I
+perceived that I had made an impression, and following up my success, I
+protested and she listened, until the evening closed in and found us
+still seated upon the steps of the throne. At last, she rose and said,
+"I know not whether you be sincere in what you say, but I must
+acknowledge that I hope you are; and I shall be very miserable if it
+should prove otherwise. But you are now under the effects of the
+intoxicating water, and may deceive yourself. Come, sir, it is time that
+I conduct you to your chamber, where you must sleep away the
+exhilarating effects of the golden fountain. To-morrow morning, if you
+are of the same opinion, I may be induced to make a discovery."
+
+The next morning I awoke without any headache from the intemperance of
+the previous night. As soon as I quitted the apartment I met the
+princess outside. "I am still in the same mind, dear princess," said I,
+implanting a kiss upon her hand, "to live for you alone, or die if I
+cannot remain with you."
+
+She smiled and answered, "Then for you will I sacrifice every thing; for
+until I beheld you, I never was aware that I had a heart. Rise and
+follow me, and you shall know all."
+
+"We passed the large hall, with which the whole of the bed-chambers
+communicated, and she conducted me through a dark passage to a room, in
+which were several golden plinths without statues. At the further end of
+it I perceived, to my horror, that two of them were already occupied
+with the forms of the boatswain and sailor who had been intoxicated the
+night before. They were now changed into the same blue chalcedony of
+which the statues in the porticos were composed.
+
+"Do you recognise these figures?" inquired the princess.
+
+"I do, indeed," answered I with amazement.
+
+"Such are the effects," continued she, "of intoxication from the water
+of the golden fountain. They contain in solution so large a quantity of
+the matter which by mineralogists is denominated silex, that once allow
+the senses to be overpowered by repeated draughts, and in a few hours
+the effects which you behold will be produced. It is by these means that
+my father has obtained the variety and number of statues which you have
+seen--all of whom were once visitors to the island in different ships,
+not one of the crews of which have ever returned. It has also the power
+of producing longevity, and hardening the hearts of those who use it in
+moderation. My father's cruelty, therefore, is not thought of by his
+subjects, who, if convicted of any heinous crime, are forced to drink
+this water, and are erected as monuments of his displeasure in various
+parts of the island. You may ask, how is it that I have not as little
+remorse as the other inhabitants? The fact is, that I was naturally of a
+kind and tender heart; and my mother, who lamented it because she felt
+that it would not add to my happiness in this world of cruelty and
+deceit, was more than ever anxious that I should drink the waters; but
+what is forced upon us in childhood, is generally remembered as we grow
+up with disgust. The consequence is, that I have never used the waters
+since her death, which happened when I was but seven years old. Had I
+not made this discovery, in all probability you and all your companions
+would have fallen victims this evening, when the banquet will be spread
+and the water will be produced as before. My prepossession in your
+favour has, I trust, been the means of preserving the lives of those who
+remain."
+
+"Cursed treachery!" exclaimed I; "and now, what is to be done?"
+
+"You must escape. Caution your men not to drink this evening, and make
+some excuse to repair on board for an hour or two in the forenoon of
+to-morrow. As for me----"
+
+"Without you, princess, I cannot--will not go. Either consent to
+accompany me, or here I stay, risking all; for I had sooner be a
+senseless statue upon a plinth in the portico of your abode, than quit
+the island with a broken heart."
+
+"Then he is true; and there are some who are good--some who are not
+deceitful in this world;" exclaimed the princess, falling on her knees,
+as the tears trickled down her cheeks. "I am sure you'll treat me
+kindly," continued she, holding my hand in hers; "if you do not, I shall
+die."
+
+I pressed her to my bosom, and vowed to love her till death; and we
+hastened back to my chamber, that we might consult upon our
+arrangements. I found an opportunity, in the course of the forenoon, to
+acquaint all my companions of their danger, except one whom I could not
+meet with.
+
+In the evening we again sat down to the banquet, and soon after the
+water had been produced, the one who had not been warned fell off his
+chair in a state of intoxication. I made this an excuse for drinking no
+more. Assuming an angry tone towards my companions, I apologised to the
+king for their want of respect in his presence, and rose from the table
+in spite of all his remonstrances. The next morning I stated to the king
+that I wished to return to my ship for an hour or two, that I might
+bring him a present of ivory, which I had been informed would be
+acceptable. The princess offered to attend us, and the king, satisfied
+with her surveillance, consented to our departure, on condition that we
+would not fail to return in time for the banquet, which we most
+faithfully promised. While the sledges were preparing, I requested the
+princess to obtain several flasks of the golden water, that I might
+present them as curiosities to all the learned societies in Europe. This
+she accomplished, and stowing them in her own sledge with several
+articles of wearing apparel, not only took them from the palace
+unperceived, but they were carried on board without the knowledge of my
+companions. I immediately cut my cables, and made all sail out of the
+bay without any molestation, as the natives did not suspect my
+intentions; I never felt more happy than when I found myself once more
+floating on the wave, in company with my beautiful princess, whose
+affectionate manners endeared me to her more and more every day.
+
+Unfortunately, in our hurry to escape, we quite overlooked the
+circumstance of our water casks being nearly empty, and we were soon
+reduced to half a pint per diem. To render our situation more
+disastrous, the weather became intensely hot, and the people, in spite
+of all my remonstrances, contrived every night to steal a part of the
+water which was not yet expended, so that at last we found ourselves
+becalmed, without a drop of water on board.
+
+But all my apprehensions were now swallowed up by one of greater
+interest. A fever seized my dear princess, who, accustomed to every
+luxury, and a beautiful climate, could not bear up against the close
+confinement of a vessel under a tropical sun. Notwithstanding all my
+care and attention, in three days after she was attacked she expired in
+my arms, blessing me for my attachment and my love, and regretting that
+she was summoned from the world so soon after she had discovered that
+there was an object in it worth living for. I threw myself upon----
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Here the renegade appeared to be much affected; he covered his face with
+the wide sleeve of his under garment, and was silent.
+
+"By God and his prophet, these Franks are great fools about women,"
+observed the pacha to Mustapha. "I must own, though, that I like this
+princess better than Cerise, and I am very sorry that she is dead. Come,
+Huckaback, go on. Where did you throw yourself?"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+On her body (continued the renegade, mournfully), where I remained for
+many hours. At last I rose in a frenzy quite indifferent as to life or
+death. I went on deck, where I found my crew much in the same condition,
+from their agonising thirst; but I mocked them, and laughed at the
+smooth expanse of water, which, far as the eye could reach, was not
+rippled by the slightest breeze, and turned my eyes up in derision to
+the sun, who poured down his vertical streams of light and heat, as if
+he would consume us with his powerful rays. I thought but of one
+subject, I had but one desire, which was, to rejoin the object of my
+adoration. On a sudden I called to mind the flasks of golden water,
+which till then I had forgotten, and rushing down into the cabin, I
+determined to intoxicate myself, and quit this world of disappointment
+and unrealised fruition. As if fearful that the spirit of my loved
+princess should have already so far journeyed to the realms of bliss,
+that I might not be able to discern her when I had shaken off the
+incumbrance of an earthly body, and was at liberty to pursue, I seized a
+flask, and pouring out the water with a hand trembling with anxiety,
+drank off a glass. I was hastily refilling it, when the gurgling sound
+struck upon the ears of my companions, who rushing down like the
+fainting animals who hear the music of the fountain in the desert,
+poured tumultuously into the cabin, and in spite of all my remonstrances
+to leave me sufficient for the completion of my desires, seized upon the
+flask in my hand, as well as upon all those that remained, emptied them
+in a few seconds with their copious draughts, and returned laughing and
+shouting to the deck above.
+
+The water which I had already drunk produced one good effect; it
+hardened my heart for the time, and I fell into a sort of stoical
+indifference, which lasted many hours. I then repaired on deck, where I
+found all my companions changed into blue chalcedony--not one alive. The
+heavens, too, had changed; clouds obscured the sun, the wind was rising,
+and ever and anon a mournful gust blew through the shrouds; the birds
+were screaming on the wing, and the water line of the black horizon was
+fringed with a narrow ridge of foam. The thunder rolled at a distance,
+and I perceived that convulsion of the elements was at hand. The sails
+were all set, and without assistance I could not reduce them; but I was
+indifferent to my fate. The lightning now darted in every direction, and
+large drops of rain pattered on the deck. With the means of existence,
+the desire of life returned: I spread out the spare sails, and as the
+torrents descended, and the vessel bowed to her gunwale in submission of
+the blast, I filled the empty casks. I thought of nothing else until my
+task was completed. I strode carelessly over the bodies of my
+companions, the sails were blown from the yards, the yards themselves
+were snapped asunder, the topmasts fell over the sides, the vessel flew
+before the boiling surge; but I heeded not--I filled the casks with
+water. When I had finished my labours, a reaction took place, and I
+recollected the loss which I had sustained. I descended to the cabin.
+There she lay in all her beauty. I kissed the cold cheek, I wrapped up
+the adored image, carried it on deck, and launched it into the wave;
+and, as it disappeared under the raging billows, I felt as if my heart,
+in its struggles to escape, had burst the strings which confined it in
+my bosom, and had leapt into the angry flood to join her. Exhausted with
+my feelings, I fell down in a swoon; how long I remained I cannot
+exactly say, but it was nearly dark when I lost my recollection, and
+broad daylight when I recovered. The vessel was still flying before the
+gale, which now roared in its resistless fury; the tattered fragments of
+the sails were blown out before the lower yards like so many streamers
+and pennants, and the wrecks of the topmasts were still towing alongside
+through the foaming surge. The indurated bodies of my companions were
+lying about the decks, washed by the water which poured into the vessel,
+as she rolled deeply from one side to the other, presenting her gunwales
+as if courting the admittance of the wave. "Are you, then, tired of your
+existence, as well as I?" thought I, apostrophising the vessel. "Have
+you found out at last, that while you swim you've nought to encounter
+but difficulty and danger? That you enter your haven but to renew your
+tasks, and again become a beast of burthen; that when empty you must bow
+to the slightest breeze, and when laden must groan and labour for the
+good of others. Have----"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Holy prophet! I never heard of people talking to ships before, and I
+don't understand it," observed the pacha. "Leave out all you said to the
+ship, and all the ship said to you in reply, and go on with your story."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The gale lasted for three days, and then it as suddenly fell calm. I had
+observed by the compass that we had been running to the eastward, and I
+supposed that we were not very far from the Western Isles. As I surveyed
+the bodies of my companions, it occurred to me that they ought to fetch
+a high price in Italy as specimens of art, and I resolved to dispose of
+them as the work of men. Having no other employment, I brought up the
+spare planks from below, and made packing-cases for them all. It was
+with some difficulty that I contrived, by means of tackles, to lower
+them to the hold, which I succeeded in accomplishing with safety
+excepting in one instance, when, from the tackle-fall giving way, the
+image fell to the bottom of the vessel, and being very brittle, was
+broken into pieces. As it was no longer of any value as a statue, I
+broke it up to examine it, and I can assure your highness that it was
+very wonderful to witness how every part of the human body was changed
+into flint, of a colour corresponding with that which it had been when
+living. The heart was red, and on my arrival in Italy I had several
+seals made from it, which were pronounced by the lapidaries who cut them
+to be of the finest blood-red cornelian. I have now a piece of the dark
+stone of which the liver was composed, which I keep for striking a
+light. As it afterwards proved, almost all of it was valuable, for the
+alternate fat and lean formed a variety of beautiful onyxes and
+sardonyx, which I disposed of very advantageously to the cameo
+engravers. I was several days employed in packing up, but I had plenty
+of provisions and water, and had no doubt but that I should be seen by
+some vessel before they were expended. Three weeks had elapsed, when one
+morning I went on deck, and saw land on both sides of me. I immediately
+recognised the Rock of Gibraltar, and the Straits, through which I was
+drifting. I was boarded by a Spanish gun-boat from Algesiras, and having
+stated that all my crew had died two months before of the yellow fever,
+I was towed in, put into quarantine for forty days, and then permitted
+to equip my vessel and procure sailors. This I was enabled to do by
+selling two of the flasks which held the water, and which, like all the
+other utensils of the island from which I had escaped, were of pure
+gold.
+
+I did not think it prudent to go to Leghorn, where not only the vessel
+might be recognised, and the widow give me some trouble, but the statues
+also might have been identified as the men who had sailed in the vessel,
+and occasion my being burnt as a necromancer by the Inquisition. I
+directed my course for Naples, where I arrived in safety. Having
+disembarked my metamorphosed crew, I hired a large room to exhibit them,
+and expected to realise a considerable sum; but as I could not name the
+artist, and the figures had not the grace which the Italians admire,
+they remained on my hands, and were even found fault with as not being
+well executed. I sold two of the least prepossessing to a Sicilian
+nobleman, who I understood had a large country seat decorated with
+monstrosities; and I then determined, as I had received a high price for
+the pieces of the one which had been broken up, to retail the others in
+the same way. It answered admirably, and I received more money for the
+fragments than I had asked for the images in an unmutilated state. The
+remainder of the golden flasks also realised a large sum; I produced
+them one by one, and disposed of them to English collectors, as having
+been purloined by the excavators from the ruins of Pompeii. I had now
+plenty of money, and resolved to return to my native city. An
+opportunity offering, I embarked, and safely arrived at Marseilles.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Did you fulfil your promise to the Italian captain, by having five
+hundred masses said for his soul?" inquired Mustapha.
+
+"Upon my salvation! I never thought of it to this moment," replied the
+renegade.
+
+"Such, your highness, are the adventures of my Fifth Voyage; and I trust
+that the narration of them has afforded you entertainment."
+
+"Yes," observed the pacha, rising, "that was something like a voyage.
+Mustapha, give him thirty pieces of gold. Huckaback, we will hear your
+sixth voyage to-morrow"--and the pacha retired behind the screen, and,
+as usual, went into the apartment of the women.
+
+"Pray, Selim, was there any truth in that history of the princess? I
+thought at first that it was all invention; but when you wept----"
+
+"That was for the sake of effect," answered the renegade: "when I get
+warmed with my story, I often work myself up to a degree that I almost
+believe it myself."
+
+"Holy prophet! what a talent!" rejoined Mustapha. "What an excellent
+prime minister you would have made in your own country! Here's your
+money; will your next voyage be as good?"
+
+"I'll try, at all events; as I find that the _principal_ increases with
+the _interest_" said the renegade, chinking the sequins in his hand.
+"_Au revoir_, as we say in France"--and the renegade quitted the divan.
+
+"Allah--what a talent!" muttered the vizier to himself, as the renegade
+disappeared.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XII
+
+
+On the ensuing day, after the usual business of the divan had been gone
+through, the renegade was called in, and taking his seat, commenced the
+narrative of his sixth voyage.
+
+
+
+SIXTH VOYAGE OF HUCKABACK.
+
+May it please your highness.
+
+It was my intention to have remained quietly on shore, after so many
+hairbreadth escapes and singular adventures; but I found France so
+changed, that I was disgusted with my own country. Every thing was
+upside down--the nobles, the wealthy, the talented, either were
+murdered, or living in abject poverty in other countries, while the
+lower classes had usurped their place, and governed the land. But what
+decided me once more to go to sea, was that the continual demands for
+fresh levies to recruit the republican armies, convinced me that I had
+no chance of long remaining in quiet. Of two evils I preferred what I
+considered to be the least, and rather than die in a ditch on shore, I
+preferred the dangers which might be incurred afloat. I bought a large
+ship, and fitted her for a voyage of speculation to Lima in South
+America. As the English cruisers covered the seas, and I was resolved
+that I would not be taken by a vessel of small force, I shipped with me
+a complement of forty men, and had twelve guns mounted on her decks. We
+escaped through the gut of Gibraltar, and steered our course for Cape
+Horn, the southernmost point of America. Nothing worth narrating
+occurred until we made the land, when a strong adverse gale came on,
+which, after attempting in vain to beat against it, blew away most of
+our sails and finally obliged us to bear up, and run away to the
+southward and eastward.
+
+From the working and straining of the vessel, the decks had become so
+leaky, that the water ran through every part of the ship. Our provisions
+(particularly our bread) being spoiled, and obliged to be thrown
+overboard, we were necessitated to be put upon short allowance. As we
+had no hopes of being able to support ourselves upon what was left until
+our arrival at Lima, I determined to run for the nearest island, where I
+might obtain a fresh supply, and then renew our attempt to beat round
+the Cape. I was in some doubts where to proceed, but after running
+eastward for a fortnight, we discovered land on the lee bow, which I
+considered to be the uninhabited Island of New Georgia; but as we
+approached it, we thought that we perceived people on the beach, and
+when within five miles we could plainly distinguish that they were
+soldiers in their uniforms, ranged up, rank and file. The colour of
+their clothes could not be made out with the glass, but it was easy to
+be distinguished that they had yellow facings; from which I inferred
+that they were our enemies the English. "Peste!" thought I, "is it
+possible that these grasping islanders have made a settlement on this
+place? Where will they go to next?" The different companies appeared to
+be from one to two dozen in number; sometimes they stood quite still, at
+others they walked a little way on the beach; but they constantly
+adhered to their rank-and-file position, and as I could not perceive
+that they had any muskets in their hands, I inferred that they were
+merely practising the marching evolutions. No houses or fortifications
+were distinguishable, and I determined to run the ship nearer in, that I
+might observe their motions. I did so, and when within two miles, I
+again rounded to, and putting my eye to the glass, perceived to my
+astonishment that a whole regiment of them ran into the surf, and
+reappeared on the outside of it, in the form of aquatic birds, swimming
+and diving in every direction. I now began to suspect, that it was an
+enchanted island, and not forgetting the lesson of the Golden Fountain,
+I made all sail, and we soon left it out of sight astern. I think it
+right to state to your highness, that on mentioning this circumstance to
+an Englishman, who had been employed in the spermaceti whale fishery, he
+asserted that they really were birds, called Patagonian penguins, who
+had often deceived others by their martial appearance. He stated that
+they had no wings, but only flappers, and when on shore, invariably
+stood upright like men in ranks--that they were about three or four feet
+high when in this posture, and had two broad yellow streaks on each side
+of their necks. How far his assertions were true I do not know, for the
+people of that country, who have doubled the Cape, consider themselves
+entitled to tell any falsehoods which they think proper, and to shoot
+you if you venture to express a doubt as to their veracity; one of my
+chief reasons for disliking the English is, that they are such
+abominable liars.
+
+We now steered more to the southward, and in three days discovered
+another small island. It was apparently well wooded, although not large.
+We hove to, to windward of it, and not perceiving any inhabitants, I
+lowered down a boat, and sent the first mate on shore to reconnoitre. He
+returned in an hour, informing me that the island was covered with
+cocoa-nut trees in full bearing, and that he had seen several wild pigs,
+but no symptoms of its being inhabited--that there was no anchorage that
+he could discover, as the shore rose perpendicularly, like a wall, from
+the ocean. We therefore ran to leeward, and discovered that a reef of
+coral rocks extended nearly two miles from that side of the island. The
+boats were again lowered, and after surveying, the mate reported that
+there was a passage, with plenty of water, for the ship, through the
+very centre of the reef, which would bring her into a small bay, where
+she might lay in perfect security. Before night we had gained the
+anchorage, and furled sails. The next morning I went on shore to
+reconnoitre; we found some springs of fresh water, cocoa-nuts and other
+trees in abundance, and occasionally fell in with herds of wild pigs,
+which appeared, with the exception of birds, to be the only animals
+that existed upon the island. Satisfied that I now had an opportunity of
+revictualling my ship, I unbent my sails, struck my topmasts, unrove my
+running rigging, and, in short, made every preparation for a long stay.
+I then sent parties on shore to erect tents, and shoot the wild pigs,
+while I superintended the fixing of coppers on the beach to boil the
+salt out of the sea water, which would be necessary for curing the
+provisions. I also dug shallow pans in the rock, close to the water's
+edge, that I might gain as much salt as possible by means of
+evaporation. Every thing was prepared in the course of the day, and the
+major part of my ship's company were landed, and slept in the tents. In
+three days we had salted down several casks of pork, and had collected a
+large quantity of cocoa-nuts.
+
+On the fourth morning I heard a dispute among the men, some of them
+swearing that they would not remain, and that the ship ought to go to
+sea immediately. Astonished at these remarks, after they had expressed
+themselves so well pleased, I inquired the reason. They answered, that
+there was magic in the island, and on my requiring an explanation, they
+took me to the salt pans, which, upon our arrival, had been cut in the
+rocks within a foot of the water's edge, but had now receded from the
+shore to a distance of nine or ten feet. I must own that I was surprised
+at the circumstance, which was quite unaccountable: but still did not
+feel inclined to leave the island, without first obtaining the necessary
+supply of provisions. I pointed out to the men, that although I could
+not explain so strange an incident, yet as we had seen and heard
+nothing, and should certainly starve if we went to sea without
+provisions, it would be better to remain until we had procured a supply:
+observing that it was not impossible that the water might have receded,
+instead of the island having advanced. The latter remark seemed to quiet
+them, although at the time that I made it, I knew it to be incorrect, as
+the rocks above water near the beach were not higher out of it than
+before. This the seamen did not pay attention to, and I took care not to
+point it out to them. They agreed with my supposition, that the water
+had receded, and said no more about it.
+
+We remained a fortnight longer, during which the same phenomenon
+continued, each day the salt pans and coppers being further off from the
+beach. At last the men perceiving that the rocks did not rise higher
+from the water again became alarmed, and broke out into open mutiny. By
+this time I had cured a sufficiency of provisions, and I made no
+objection, indeed I must confess that I was by no means easy in my own
+mind at these supernatural appearances. We struck our tents, sent every
+thing on board, rove the rigging, bent the sails, and prepared for our
+departure. Soon after we repaired on board, I happened to cast my eyes
+upon the lead line, which was hanging over from the main chains, and
+observed that it lay in a bight; hauling up the slack, I found, to my
+surprise, that instead of five fathoms water in which we had anchored,
+we were in less than three.
+
+At first it occurred to me that this was a floating island, like the one
+I before described, and that it was gradually rising more to the
+surface; but this idea did not satisfy me. Throwing the lead and line in
+the boat, I pushed off, and sounded in several directions, and had the
+mortification to find that in the passage which the ship had entered,
+there was now not sufficient water for her to go out again, even if we
+were to have discharged the whole cargo. I soon discovered the cause of
+this apparent mystery; for as I went further out on the reef, I found
+that whole trees and solid masses of coral had sprung up to the water's
+edge, in parts which I knew were several fathoms deep when we entered. I
+had often heard that the islands in these seas were formed by corals,
+but I had no idea of the rapidity with which they were extended.
+
+Your highness must know that all the zoophite, or animal plants, are
+composed of small insects, who work in millions under the water, until
+they rise to the top. Such was the case in the present instance, and
+thus by the labours of the minutest of the creation, in the short space
+of three weeks my ship was shut up so as to render escape hopeless.
+
+I returned on board, and explained to the men the real cause of the
+apparently supernatural effects of what we had witnessed. Satisfied that
+my assertions were correct, they seemed to care little at being obliged
+to remain on an island which afforded them the means of such comfortable
+subsistence. As nothing could be done for the ship, we went on shore
+again, and repitching the tents, waited quietly until we might be taken
+off by some vessel who should chance to pass that way.
+
+In a fortnight the ship was aground, and the island continued to
+increase so rapidly, that in two months she was raised high and dry out
+of the water, about half a mile from the beach. The vegetation seemed to
+advance as regularly and as rapidly as the island, and after the rainy
+season the trees had grown up so high, that the ship was completely hid
+in a large wood, and it was just possible to see her lower masts above
+the branches. For some time the men seemed perfectly contented. We had
+plenty of stores in the ship of every description; the cargo I had taken
+on board was chiefly manufactures, and as the island provided fresh
+meat, fish, and fruit, they were in want of nothing. But sailors are
+such changeable and restless beings, that I really believe they would
+soon be tired of paradise itself. After a sojourn of nine months, during
+which they perhaps lived better than they ever had before, they began to
+murmur and talk of getting away in some manner or another. As my cargo
+was valuable, I was in hopes that a vessel would visit the island, and
+take it on board: I therefore made every remonstrance that I could
+imagine to induce them to wait some time longer; but they would not
+listen to me, and made preparations for building a vessel at the weather
+side of the island, out of the materials that the ship afforded. The
+reason why they chose the weather side was, that they perceived that the
+island only increased to leeward; whereas to windward it was a
+perpendicular rock of coral, which you could not obtain bottom
+along-side of, with two hundred fathoms of line. They had cut a slip out
+of the rock, and were already occupied with driving out the bolts and
+fastenings of the ship that was shored up in the woods, when one evening
+we perceived a large fleet of canoes coming towards us. As I knew that I
+could not be far from the Sandwich Islands, I immediately pronounced
+them to come from that quarter, in which supposition I was correct; for
+although the island was not inhabited, the islanders had for some years
+been aware of its existence, and came to gather the crop of cocoa-nuts
+which it annually produced. I advised my men to keep quiet in the woods,
+removing the tents and every object that might create suspicion of our
+being on the island; but they were of a different opinion, and as they
+had lately discovered the means of collecting the toddy from the
+cocoa-nut trees, and distilling arrack, they had been constantly drunk,
+mutinous, and regardless of my authority. They thought it would be much
+easier to take the large canoes from the islanders, and appropriate them
+to their own use, than to build a vessel, and notwithstanding my
+entreaties, they persisted in their resolution to make the attempt.
+
+As the canoes approached, we counted fourteen, all of a very large size,
+and with my glass I could distinguish that they had fifty or sixty
+persons on board of each, including the women. I pointed this out to the
+sailors, stating that I did not believe there were more than ten women
+in each canoe, so that the men must amount to seven hundred, a force
+much too large to give them any chance of success in their rash
+intentions. But I did more harm than good; the mention of the women
+seemed to inspire them with fresh ardour, and they vowed that they would
+kill all the men, and then would be content to remain on the island
+with the women. They armed themselves with muskets, and retired among
+the trees as the canoes approached, fearful that the islanders would not
+land if they were discovered. The canoes ran between the reefs, and in a
+few minutes the whole of the islanders disembarked; not conceiving it
+necessary to leave any but the women in the canoes, the water being as
+smooth as a fish-pond.
+
+The arrangements of my men were certainly very good: they allowed the
+islanders to go up to the tents, which were now more than a mile from
+the beach, and then walking down under cover of the trees, rushed to the
+canoes, and putting one man in each with their muskets and ammunition,
+shoved them off and made them fast to the coral rocks, about two hundred
+yards distant. The screams of the women, and the shoving off of the
+canoes, alarmed the men, who hastened down to ascertain the cause. As
+soon as they came within half musket shot, the sailors who were on
+shore, amounting to twenty-five, fired a volley out of the wood, which
+killed and wounded a great number. The islanders retreated in confusion,
+then gave a loud shout and advanced. Another volley was fired, and they
+again retreated, bearing off their killed and wounded. They now held a
+consultation, which ended in their dividing into two bodies, one of
+which separated from the other, so that they might attack the party in
+the wood from two different points.
+
+In the meantime several of the women leaped overboard and swam on shore,
+and the men in the boats were so busy in preventing the others from
+following, that they could give no assistance to the party in the wood,
+although they were within musket-shot. The conduct of the islanders
+puzzled our men, and although I had taken no part in this murderous
+attack, yet as I now considered my life at stake, I thought that I must
+assist. I therefore advised them to retreat to the ship, which, if they
+once gained possession of, they would be enabled to keep the islanders
+at bay. My advice was followed, and creeping through the thick
+underwood, we reached the ship in safety, having climbed up by
+rope-ladders, which were hanging from her, to enable us to go on board,
+to fetch any articles we required. We hauled them up after us, and
+waited the issue. In a few minutes, one of the parties of the islanders
+came up, and seeing the ship with us on board, gave a loud yell, and let
+fly their spears. We returned a volley which killed many, but they were
+very brave, and continued the attack although we fired twenty or thirty
+rounds with great execution.
+
+The other party now came up, and the conflict continued; they made every
+attempt to climb the stern and sides of the vessel, but were repulsed;
+and as the evening closed in, they retired, taking away their killed and
+wounded, which we estimated at two hundred men. When they retreated, we
+fired some of our large guns in that direction, as much to frighten the
+islanders, as to let our comrades in the canoes know where we were.
+
+We kept a sharp look out till dark, but saw no more of them. I proposed
+that we should attempt to communicate with the men in the canoes, and
+desire them to permit some of them to drift on shore after taking out
+the women, as the islanders would then in all probability go away. But
+as the men very justly remarked, nobody in the first place would venture
+on such a dangerous service, and in the next, if the islanders obtained
+some of their canoes, they would attack the others and overpower the
+sailors that were in them. This plan was therefore justly overruled. I
+then proposed that one man should steal down to the beach, swim off, and
+desire the fourteen men to take all the women into one canoe, and pull
+round to the north side of the island during the night, leaving the
+remainder for the islanders to go away in. This was considered a good
+scheme, but no one would volunteer, and, as I had proposed it, I thought
+that I was in honour bound to go, as otherwise the men would, in future,
+have had no opinion of me. I therefore stated my intention, and taking
+my musket and ammunition, I slipped down by a rope. As soon as I was on
+my legs, I perceived something crawling out of the wood towards the
+ship. I could not exactly decipher what it was, so I crept under the
+counter of the vessel, where it was so dark that I could not be
+distinguished. As it approached, I made it out to be one of the
+islanders with a faggot of wood on his back; he placed it close to the
+side of the vessel, and then crawled back as before. I now perceived
+that there were hundreds of these faggots about the ship, which the
+islanders had contrived to carry there during the night; for although
+the moon was up, yet the vessel was so inclosed with trees that the
+light did not penetrate. I immediately comprehended that it was their
+intention to set fire to the vessel, and I was thinking of communicating
+the information to my companions on board, when two more crawled from
+the woods, and deposited their bundles so close to me, that we were
+nearly in contact. I therefore was obliged to leave those who were on
+board to make the best of it, and imitating the islanders, I crawled
+from the vessel into the brushwood, trailing the gun after me. It was
+fortunate that I took this precaution, for in the very part of the wood
+where I crept to, there were dozens of them making up faggots, but it
+was too thick with underwood, and too dark to distinguish anything,
+although I heard them close to me breaking off the branches. I did the
+same as I went on, to avoid discovery, until I had passed by them, when
+I continued my route to where the canoes had been left. I arrived in
+safety at the outskirts of the wood close to the beach, and perceived
+the canoes still lying at the rocks, to which they had been taken; but
+the moon shone bright, and I hesitated to walk out in the light, until I
+ascertained whether there were any islanders on the beach. As I waited a
+short time in the dark shade of the trees, close to one of the springs
+of fresh water, I heard a moan close to me, and looking in that
+direction I perceived a body on the ground. I went towards it, and could
+distinguish very plainly that it was one of the women who had swam on
+shore. She was nearly lifeless, and feeling, as every man must have
+done, compassion at her unfortunate condition, I knelt down by her to
+see if I could afford her any assistance. As she had very little clothes
+round her body, I discovered, by passing my hand over her, that she was
+wounded with a musket-ball above the knee, and was exhausted from pain
+and loss of blood. I tore my neckcloth and shirt into bandages, and
+bound up her leg; I then fetched some water from the spring in my hat,
+which I poured into her mouth, and threw over her face. She appeared to
+recover, and I felt happy that I had been of some use, and not being
+able to descry any of the islanders, was proceeding to the beach, that I
+might swim off to the canoes, when just as I walked out of the shade,
+two or three muskets were fired by those on board. These were followed
+by others, and loud yells from the islanders, who had swum off in
+hundreds, and were attacking our people. The conflict was very short,
+for the men, not being able to load their muskets quickly enough, were
+overpowered by the islanders, who climbed into the canoes, and in a few
+minutes they were all paddled to the beach.
+
+I now thought that it was all over with my men on board of the ship, and
+so it proved; for an hour before daylight the islanders lighted the
+faggots, and, at the same time, attacked the vessel with great fury. The
+fire continued to blaze higher and higher, the muskets were constantly
+discharging, and the shouts and yells continued for about an hour, when
+I heard no more reports from the muskets, and took it for granted that
+my men were overcome, which was the case, as I afterwards found out;
+many were killed by the spears when on board, others when they leaped
+from the vessel to avoid the flames, and the remainder had been
+suffocated.
+
+As the sun rose above the horizon, a loud explosion took place, by which
+I knew that the flames had communicated with the magazine, and that the
+ship had been blown to atoms. I determined to hide myself in the bushes,
+with the hope of not being discovered. Before I went, I made a hasty
+visit to the poor wounded woman, to see how she was. It was broad
+daylight, and I found that I had afforded succour to a very beautiful
+young girl, about sixteen or seventeen years old. As she still appeared
+faint, I brought her some more water, and when I gave it to her, she
+expressed her gratitude with her eyes. Examining the bandages, which had
+slipped a little on one side, I replaced them, and then darted into the
+thickest of the underwood. As I pressed on, bent half double, my head
+suddenly came in contact with something hard; I looked up, and found
+that it was the head of one of the islanders, who was also forcing his
+way through the bushes, an immense, powerful man, who immediately sprung
+upon me, and pinned me to the ground. He was followed by several others
+who came to his assistance, and all resistance was useless. They pulled
+some of the creeping withies, that grow in those countries, and bound me
+hand and foot; then selecting a large pole, they made me fast to it, and
+carried me away. When they arrived at the beach, I was laid down on my
+back, exposed to the burning sun. Left to my own reflections, and
+calling to mind all that I could recollect from the voyages and travels
+which I had read, I concluded that I was to be made a sacrifice of to
+their gods. I prayed to heaven for mercy, and resigned myself to my
+fate, which appeared inevitable.
+
+The islanders had all assembled on the beach close to where I lay. The
+dead bodies of their companions, who had fallen in the conflict, and the
+wounded, were carried into the canoes. They formed a circle round the
+fire, which they had kindled, made several speeches, and danced a
+war-dance. I turned round on my side, and perceived to my horror, that
+they had collected all the bodies of my companions, and were devouring
+them. What they did not feel inclined to eat, they packed up in baskets,
+and put into the canoes. I anticipated that such would be my own
+fate--not at present, as they had more than they could consume--but that
+I should be reserved for a festival, after their arrival in their own
+country. Nor was I incorrect in my supposition; they collected together
+all the bones, which they carried with them, and putting me on board,
+hoisted their mat sails, and steered away for their own islands.
+
+On the third day we arrived, when I was carried on shore and confined in
+what I believe was a burying ground. They stuffed me every day with pork
+and other victuals to keep me alive, and in good condition, but they
+never cast me loose from the pole to which I was bound. I heard
+processions, shouts, and lamentations for the dead; but I could see
+nothing, for I was now too weak to turn on my side. When I had been a
+week in this confined state, the agony arising from the swelling of my
+limbs, and from the increased tightness of the ligatures was so great,
+that I called for death to relieve me from my sufferings; and when I
+once more found myself raised upon the shoulders of men, I was as
+impatient for my approaching fate, as I should have been, under other
+circumstances, for my release. My senses were gradually overpowered by
+the pain, which was so much increased by the renewed suspension of my
+body.
+
+I have a distinct recollection of being placed on the ground in a large
+circle--of the screams of a woman, and of a confused uproar, which
+followed. When I came to my senses, I found myself in a hut, unbound,
+and lying upon soft mats, with fomentations applied to my limbs; and
+when my eyes opened, I beheld, hanging over me with an air of the
+tenderest solicitude, the beautiful savage, whom I had found wounded,
+and had succoured on the night of the affray. I subsequently learnt,
+that when I had been brought into the circle, she had recognised me as
+the person who had assisted her; that she claimed my life, pointing to
+her wound, and producing the bandages with which I had bound it up, and
+which were identified with the remainder, as part of the dress which I
+still wore. A council was held, and as it appeared that I could not have
+been with the party in the ship, for I had been taken prisoner in the
+woods, near to where the girl lay, after many speeches pro and con, it
+was decided that my life should be spared, and that I should be married
+to the girl who had been the means of preserving it. She had carried me
+away to her hut, and was now returning the debt of gratitude which she
+had incurred.
+
+Owing to her unwearied kindness and attention, I soon recovered, and
+before I was aware that I was to be her husband I courted her by signs,
+and all the little attentions that could be suggested by gratitude and
+love. As soon as I was supposed to be sufficiently recovered I was led
+into a large circle of the islanders, to be formally admitted into their
+society. A venerable old man made a speech, which I presume was not a
+very good one from its extreme length, and then several men laid hold of
+me, and throwing me on the ground, face downwards, sat astride on me,
+and commenced running needles into the upper part of my thighs. The pain
+was excessive, but as all the islanders were tattooed about the loins, I
+presumed it was an operation that I must submit to, and I bore it with
+fortitude.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"And pray what is that tattooing?"
+
+"Tattooing, may it please your highness, is puncturing the skin with
+needles or sharp points--and then rubbing Indian ink or gun-powder into
+the wounds. This leaves an indelible mark of a deep blue tint. All the
+islanders in those seas practise it, and very often the figures that are
+drawn are very beautiful."
+
+"Mashallah! How wonderful is God! I should like to see it," rejoined the
+pacha.
+
+"Allah forbid," replied the renegade, "that I should expose my person to
+your highness. I know my duty better."
+
+"Yes, but I must see it, yaha bibi, my friend!" continued the pacha,
+impatiently; "never mind your person. Come--obey my orders."
+
+The renegade was a little at a nonplus, as he never had undergone the
+operation which he had described. Fortunately for the support of his
+veracity, it happened that during one of his piratical excursions, in
+an idle fit, he had permitted one of his companions to tattoo a small
+mermaid on his arm.
+
+"Min Allah! God forbid," rejoined the renegade; "my life is at the
+disposal of your highness, and I had sooner that you should take it,
+than I would affront your august eyes with the exposure in question;
+fortunately I can gratify your highness's curiosity without offending
+decency--as, after they had finished the operation I was describing,
+they made the figure of their most respected deity upon my arm." The
+renegade then pulled up his sleeve, and showed the figure of a mermaid,
+with a curling tail, a looking-glass in one hand and a comb in the
+other. "Here your highness will perceive a specimen of their rude art.
+This is a representation of their goddess, Bo-gee. In one hand she holds
+an iron rake, with which she tattoos those who are good, and the mark
+serves as a passport when they apply for admittance into the regions of
+bliss. In the other, she brandishes a hot iron plate, with which she
+brands those who are sentenced to be punished for their sins."
+
+"Allah Karim--God is merciful! And why has she a fish's tail?" inquired
+the pacha.
+
+"The people I am describing, inhabit a cluster of islands, and it is to
+enable her to swim from one to the other, as her presence may be
+required."
+
+"Very true," observed the pacha--"now you may go on with your story."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+As I mentioned to your highness, they tattooed me without mercy; the
+operation lasted an hour, when they put me on my feet again. Another
+speech was made, which I understood as little of as the former; they
+left me with my wife, and the ceremony was at an end.
+
+I must say I wished that I had not been naturalised and married both on
+the same day. I was so swelled and so stiff with the tattooing, that it
+was with difficulty I could, with the assistance of my wife, walk back
+to my hut. However, by the remedies which she constantly applied, in
+the course of three days I felt no further inconvenience.
+
+I now considered myself settled for the remainder of my life. I was
+passionately attached to Naka-poop, for such was the name of my young
+wife, and notwithstanding my French education, could not but acknowledge
+that her natural and unsophisticated manners were more graceful and more
+fascinating, than is all the studied address of my own country-women.
+She was of high rank in her own country, being nearly allied to the
+king; and for two years my life slipped away, in uninterrupted happiness
+and peace. But alas!--and the renegade covered up his face.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Come, Huckaback, you surely have been too much accustomed to lose your
+wives by this time, to make a fuss about it. These Franks are strange
+people," observed the pacha to the vizier; "they've a tear for every
+woman."
+
+"Your highness must excuse me; I shall not offend again, for I never
+married afterwards. My charming Naka-poop died in child-bed, and the
+island became so hateful to me, that I determined to quit it. An
+opportunity occurred by an American vessel, which arrived with some
+Missionaries."
+
+"What are Missionaries?" inquired the pacha.
+
+"People who came to inform the islanders, that Bo-gee was not a goddess,
+and to persuade them to embrace the true faith."
+
+"Very right," replied the pacha, "there is but one God, and Mahomet is
+his prophet. Well----"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+As I understood both languages, I was employed as an interpreter, but it
+was impossible to explain what the Missionaries intended to convey, as
+the language of the islanders had not words that were analogous. A
+council was held, and the answer which the Missionaries received was as
+follows:--
+
+"You tell us that your God rewards the good and punishes the wicked--so
+does Bo-gee. We speak one language, you speak another. Perhaps the name
+of your God means Bo-gee in ours. Then we both worship the same God,
+under different names. No use to talk any more; take plenty of pigs and
+yams, and go home."
+
+The Missionaries took their advice, their pigs and their yams, and I
+went home with them. We arrived at New York, where I claimed and
+received from the Bible Society my pay as interpreter to the
+Missionaries from the time that they landed up to the day of our return.
+I never should have thought of claiming it, had it not been for the
+advice of one of the Missionaries, who took a fancy to me.
+
+With the money that I received I paid my passage in a vessel bound to
+Genoa, where I arrived in safety, but without the means of subsistence.
+But what doth the poet say, "Necessity is a strong rider with sharp
+stirrups, who maketh the sorry jade do that which the strong horse
+sometimes will not do." Having no other resource, I determined once more
+to try my fortune upon the ocean.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Allah wakbar--God is everywhere! It was your talleh--your destiny,
+Huckaback."
+
+"It was his kismet--his fate, your sublime highness," rejoined Mustapha,
+"that he should go through those perils to amuse your leisure hours."
+
+"Wallah Thaib--well said, by Allah! Let the slave rejoice in our bounty.
+Give him ten pieces of gold; we will open our ears to his next voyage
+to-morrow. Murakhas, you are dismissed."
+
+"May your sublime shadow never be less," replied Huckaback, as he
+salaamed out of the pacha's presence.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XIII
+
+
+THE LAST VOYAGE OF HUCKABACK.
+
+Your highness will be surprised at the unheard-of adventures that
+occurred to me in my last voyage, and I think I can boldly assert that
+no man, either before or since, has explored so much, or has been in the
+peculiarly dangerous situations in which I have been placed by destiny.
+
+Notwithstanding the danger which I incurred from my former expedition to
+the Northern Ocean, I was persuaded to take the command of a whaler
+about to proceed to those latitudes: we sailed from Marseilles early in
+the year that we might arrive at the northward in good time, and be able
+to quit the Frozen Ocean before the winter had set in. We were very
+fortunate on our arrival at Baffin's Bay, and very soon had eighteen
+fish on board. The autumn was hardly commenced before I proposed to
+return, and we were steering in a southerly direction, when we
+encountered two or three large icebergs, upon the edges of which the
+walruses or sea-horses were lying in herds. As we had some casks still
+empty, I determined to fill them with the oil to be obtained from these
+animals, and hoisted out my boats to attack them. We killed a large
+number, which we sent on board, and continued our fishery with great
+success, having only lost one boat, the bottom plank of which had been
+bitten out by the tusks of one of these unwieldy animals. Of a sudden
+the wind changed to the southward, and the small icebergs which were
+then to windward rapidly closed with the large one upon which we were
+fishing. The harpooners observed it, and recommended me to return to the
+ship, but I was so amused with the sport that I did not heed their
+advice. A sea-horse was lying in a small cave accidentally formed on the
+upright edge of the iceberg, and wishing to attack him, I directed my
+boat to pull towards it. At this time there was not more than twenty
+yards of water between the two icebergs, and a sudden squall coming on,
+they closed with great rapidity. The men in the other boats immediately
+pulled away, and, as I afterwards learnt, when I arrived at Marseilles,
+they escaped, and returned home in the ship; but those in mine, who were
+intent upon watching me, as I stood in the bow of the boat with the
+harpoon to strike the animal, did not perceive the danger until the
+stern of the boat was touched by the other iceberg. The two now coming
+within the attraction of cohesion of floating bodies, were dashed like
+lightning one against the other, jamming the men, as well as the boat,
+into atoms.
+
+Being in the bow of the boat, and hearing the crash, I had just time, in
+a moment of desperation, to throw myself into the cave upon the back of
+the sea-horse, when the two enormous bodies of ice came in contact--the
+noise I have no doubt was tremendous, but I did not hear it, as I was
+immediately enclosed in the ice. Although at first there were
+interstices, yet, as the southerly gale blew the icebergs before it into
+the northern region, all was quickly cemented together by the frost, and
+I found myself pent up in an apartment not eight feet square, in company
+with a sea-horse.
+
+I shall not detain your highness by describing my sensations: my ideas
+were, that I was to exist a certain time, and then die for want of fresh
+air; but they were incorrect. At first, indeed, the cave was intolerably
+hot from the accumulation of breath, and I thought I should soon be
+suffocated. I recollected all my past sins, I implored for mercy, and
+lay down to die; but I found that the ice melted away with the heat, and
+that, in so doing, a considerable portion of the air was liberated, so
+that in a few minutes my respiration became more free. The animal in the
+meantime, apparently frightened at his unusual situation, was perfectly
+quiet; and, as the slightest straw will be caught at by the drowning
+man, so did the idea of my preservation come into my head. I considered
+how much air so enormous an animal must consume, and determined upon
+despatching him, that I might have more for my own immediate wants. I
+took out my knife, and inserting it between the vertebral bones that
+joined his head to his neck, divided the spinal marrow, and he
+immediately expired.
+
+When I found that he was quite dead, I crawled from his shoulders, and
+took up a more convenient berth in that part of the cave which was
+before his head, to which I had been afraid to venture while the animal
+was alive, lest he should attack me with his enormous tusks. The air
+soon became more pure, and I breathed freely. Your highness may be
+surprised at the assertion; but, whether I obtained air from the ice
+itself, or whether the ice was sufficiently porous to admit of it, I
+know not; but from that time I had no difficulty of respiration. In our
+country we have had instances of women and children, who have been
+buried in the snow for two months, and yet have been taken out alive,
+and have recovered, although they had little or no nourishment during
+their inhumation. I recollected this, and aware that the carcase of the
+animal would supply me for years, I began to indulge a hope that I might
+yet be saved, if driven sufficiently to the southward to admit of my
+being thawed out. I was convinced that the ice about me could not be
+more than six or eight feet thick, as I had sufficient light to
+distinguish the day from the night. Afterwards my eye-sight became so
+much more acute, that I could see very well to every corner of the cave
+in which I was embedded.
+
+During the first month the calls of hunger obliged me to make frequent
+attacks upon the carcase of the sea-horse; after that, my appetite
+decreased, until at length I would not touch a mouthful of food in a
+week,--I presume from the want of fresh air and exercise, neither of
+which I could be said to enjoy. I had been about two months in this
+hole, when a violent shock like that of an earthquake took place, and I
+fell from the top of the cave to the bottom, and for a minute was
+knocked about like a pea in a rattle. I had almost lost my senses before
+it was over, and I found myself lying upon what was before the top of
+the cave. From these circumstances I inferred that the iceberg in which
+I was inclosed had come in contact with another, and that I had been
+broken off from it, and was floating on the sea with other pieces,
+which, when collected in large quantities, are termed a floe of ice.
+Whether my situation was changed for the better I knew not, but the
+change inspired me with fresh hopes. I now calculated that five months
+had elapsed, and that it was the depth of winter, therefore I had no
+chance of being released until the ensuing spring.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Allah Wakbar, God is every where!" interrupted the pacha. "But I wish
+to know, Huckaback, how you were so exactly aware of the time which had
+passed away."
+
+"Min Bashi, and head of thousands!" replied Huckaback, "I will explain
+to your highness. I once jammed my nail at the bottom, and I expected to
+lose it. It did not however come off, but grew up as before, and I had
+the curiosity to know how often people changed their nails in the course
+of a year. It was exactly two months, and from this I grounded my
+calculations. I observed specks on my nails, and as they grew up, so did
+I calculate time."
+
+"Mashallah, how wonderful is God! Wallah Thaib! Well said, by Allah! I
+never should have thought of that," observed the pacha. "Proceed with
+your story."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The five months had elapsed, according to my calculations, when one
+morning I heard a grating noise close to me; soon afterwards I perceived
+the teeth of a saw entering my domicile, and I correctly judged that
+some ship was cutting her way through the ice. Although I could not make
+myself heard, I waited in anxious expectation of deliverance. The saw
+approached very near to where I was sitting, and I was afraid that I
+should be wounded, if not cut in halves; but just as it was within two
+inches of my nose, it was withdrawn. The fact was, that I was under the
+main floe, which had been frozen together, and the firm ice above having
+been removed and pushed away, I rose to the surface. A current of fresh
+air immediately poured into the small incision made by the saw, which
+not only took away my breath from its sharpness, but brought on a
+spitting of blood. Hearing the sound of voices, I considered my
+deliverance as certain. Although I understood very little English, I
+heard the name of Captain Parry frequently mentioned--a name, I presume,
+that your highness is well acquainted with.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Pooh! never heard of it," replied the pacha.
+
+"I am surprised, your highness; I thought every body must have heard of
+that adventurous navigator. I may here observe that I have since read
+his voyages, and he mentions, as a curious fact, the steam which was
+emitted from the ice--which was nothing more than the hot air escaping
+from my cave when it was cut through--a singular point, as it not only
+proves the correctness of his remarks, but the circumstance of my having
+been there, as I am now describing it to your highness."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+But, alas! my hopes soon vanished: the voices became more faint, I felt
+that I was plunged under the floe to make room for the passage of the
+ship, and when I rose, the water which had filled the incision made by
+the saw, froze hard, and I was again closed in--perhaps for ever. I now
+became quite frantic with despair, I tore my clothes, and dashed my head
+against the corners of the cave, and tried to put an end to my hated
+existence. At last, I sank down exhausted with my own violent efforts,
+and continued sullen for several days.
+
+But there is a buoyant spirit in our composition which raises our heads
+above the waters of despair. Hope never deserts us, not even in an
+iceberg. She attends us and supports us to the last; and although we
+reject her kind offices in our fury, she still watches by us, ready to
+assist and console us, when we are inclined to hearken to her
+encouraging whispers.
+
+I once more listened to her suggestions, and for six months fed upon
+them, aided by occasional variations of the flesh of the sea-horse. It
+was now late in the summer, and the ice in which I was bound up had
+evidently melted away. One morning I was astonished by perceiving that
+the light of the sun seemed to change its position regularly every
+quarter of an hour. Had it done so occasionally during the day, and at
+no stated intervals, I should have imagined that the ice that I was
+inclosed in, altered its position from the winds and currents; but the
+regularity astonished me. I watched it, and I found that the same
+phenomenon occurred, but at shorter intervals, and it continued until
+the light shifted from side to side every minute.
+
+After some reflection, the horrid idea occurred to me that I must have
+been drifted to the coast of Norway, and was in the influence of the
+dreadful whirlpool, called the Maelstroom, and that, in a few minutes, I
+should be engulfed for ever, and, whilst I was thinking that such might
+be the case, the light revolved each fifteen seconds. "Then it is!"
+cried I in despair, and, as I uttered the words, it became quite dark,
+and I knew that I had sunk in the vortex, and all was over.
+
+It may appear strange to your highness, that after the first pang,
+occasioned by the prospect of perdition, had passed away, that so far
+from feeling a horror at my situation, I mocked and derided it. I could
+feel no more, and I waited the result with perfect indifference. From
+the marks in my nails, I afterwards found out that I was nearly six
+months in the interior of the earth. At last, one day I was nearly
+blinded by the powerful light that poured through my tenement, and I
+knew that I was once more floating on the water.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Allah Kebir! God is most powerful!" exclaimed the pacha. "Holy
+prophet, where was it that you came up again?"
+
+"In the harbour of Port Royal in Jamaica. Your highness will hardly
+credit it, but on my honour it is true."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The heat of the sun was so great, that in a very short time the ice that
+surrounded me was thawed, and I found myself at liberty; but I still
+floated upon the body of the sea-horse, and the ice which was under the
+water. The latter soon vanished, and striding the back of the dead
+animal, although nearly blind by the rays of the sun, and suffocated
+with the sudden change of climate, I waited patiently to gain the shore,
+which was not one mile distant; but, before I could arrive there, for
+the sea breeze had not yet set in, an enormous shark, well known among
+the English by the name of Port Royal Tom, who had daily rations from
+government, that by remaining in the harbour he might prevent the
+sailors from swimming on shore to desert, ranged up alongside of me. I
+thought it hard that I should have to undergo such new dangers, after
+having been down the Maelstroom, but there was no help for it. He opened
+his enormous jaws, and had I not immediately shifted my leg, would have
+taken it off. As it was, he took such a piece out of my horse, as to
+render it what the sailors call _lopsided_. Again he attacked it, and
+continued to take piece after piece off my steed, until I was afraid
+that he would come to the rider at last, when fortunately a boat full of
+black people, who were catching flying fish, perceived me and pulled to
+my assistance. They took me on shore and carried me to the governor, to
+whom I gave a history of my adventures; but Englishmen suppose that
+nobody can meet with wondrous adventures except themselves. He called me
+a liar, and put me in the Clink, and a pirate schooner having been
+lately taken and the crew executed, I was declared to have been one of
+them; but, as it was clearly proved that the vessel only contained
+thirty men, and they had already hung forty-seven, I was permitted to
+quit the island, which I did in a small vessel bound to America, on
+condition that I would work my passage.
+
+We had gained to the northward of the Bahama Isles, and were standing to
+the westward before a light breeze, when early one morning several
+waterspouts were observed to be forming in various directions. It was my
+watch below, but as I had never seen one of these curious phenomena of
+nature, I went on deck to indulge my curiosity.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Pray what is a waterspout?" inquired the pacha; "I never heard of one
+before."
+
+"A waterspout, your highness, is the ascent of a large body of water
+into the clouds--one of those gigantic operations by which nature,
+apparently without effort, accomplishes her will, pointing out to man
+the insignificance of his most vaunted undertakings."
+
+"Humph! that's a waterspout, is it?" replied the pacha; "I'm about as
+wise as before."
+
+"I will describe it more clearly to your highness, for there is no one
+who has a better right to know what a waterspout is, than myself."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+A black cloud was over our heads, and we perceived that for some time it
+was rapidly descending. The main body then remained stationary, and a
+certain portion of it continued bellying down until it had assumed the
+form of an enormous jelly-bag. From the end of this bag a thin, wiry,
+black tongue of vapour continued to descend until it had arrived half
+way between the cloud and the sea. The water beneath, then ruffled on
+its surface, increasing its agitation more and more until it boiled and
+bubbled like a large cauldron, throwing its foam aside in every
+direction. In a few minutes a small spiral thread of water was perceived
+to rise into the air, and meet the tongue which had wooed it from the
+cloud. When the union had taken place, the thread increased each moment
+in size, until it was swelled into a column of water several feet in
+diameter, which continued to supply the thirsty cloud until it was
+satiated and could drink no more. It then broke, the sea became smooth
+as before, and the messenger of heaven flew away upon the wings of the
+wind, to dispense its burthen over the parched earth in refreshing and
+fertilising showers.
+
+While I was standing at the taffrail in admiration of this wonderful
+resource of nature, the main boom jibbed and struck me with such force,
+that I was thrown into the sea. Another waterspout forming close to the
+vessel, the captain and crew were alarmed and made all sail to escape,
+without regarding me; for they were aware that if it should happen to
+break over them, they would be sent to the bottom with its enormous
+weight. I had scarcely risen to the surface, when I perceived that the
+water was in agitation round me, and all my efforts to swim from the
+spot were unavailing, for I was within the circle of attraction. Thus
+was I left to my fate, and convinced that I could not swim for many
+minutes, I swallowed the salt water as fast as I could, that my
+struggles might the sooner be over.
+
+But as the sea boiled up, I found myself gradually drawn more to the
+centre, and when exactly in it, I was raised in a sitting posture upon
+the spiral thread of water, which, as I explained to your highness,
+forced itself upwards to join the tongue protruded by the cloud. There I
+sat, each second rising higher and higher, balanced like the gilt ball
+of pith, which is borne up by the vertical stream of the fountain which
+plays in the inner court of your highness's palace. I cast my eyes down,
+and perceived the vessel not far off, the captain and crew holding up
+their eyes in amazement at the extraordinary spectacle.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I don't wonder at that," observed the pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I soon reached the tongue of the cloud, which appeared as if impatient
+to receive me--the hair of my head first coming within its attractive
+powers was raised straight on end--then seized as it were and twisted
+it round. I was dragged up by it each moment with increased velocity, as
+I whirled round in my ascent. At last I found myself safely landed, and
+sat down to recover my breath which I had nearly lost for ever.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"And, pray, where did you sit, Huckaback?"
+
+"On the cloud, your highness."
+
+"Holy prophet! What, a cloud bear your weight?"
+
+"If your highness will call to mind that at the same time the cloud took
+up several tons of water, you cannot be surprised at its supporting me."
+
+"Very true," replied the pacha. "This is a very wonderful story, but
+before you go on, I wish to know what the cloud was made of."
+
+"That is rather difficult to explain to your highness. I can only
+compare it to a wet blanket. I found it excessively cold and damp, and
+caught a rheumatism while I was there, which I feel to this day."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+When the cloud was saturated, the column divided, and we rapidly
+ascended until the cold became intense. We passed a rainbow as we
+skimmed along, and I was very much surprised to find that the key of my
+chest and my clasp knife, forced themselves through the cloth of my
+jacket, and flew with great velocity towards it, fixing themselves
+firmly to the violet rays, from which I discovered that those peculiar
+rays were magnetic. I mentioned this curious circumstance to an English
+lady whom I met on her travels, and I have since learnt that she has
+communicated the fact to the learned societies as a discovery of her
+own. However, as she is a very pretty woman, I forgive her. Anxious to
+look down upon the earth, I poked a hole with my finger through the
+bottom of the cloud, and was astonished to perceive how rapidly it was
+spinning round. We had risen so high as to be out of the sphere of its
+attraction, and in consequence remained stationary. I had been up about
+six hours, and although I was close to the coast of America when I
+ascended, I could perceive that the Cape of Good Hope was just heaving
+in sight. I was enabled to form a very good idea of the structure of the
+globe, for at that immense height I could see to the very bottom of the
+Atlantic Ocean. Depend upon it, your highness, if you wish to discover
+more than other people can, it is necessary to be "up in the clouds."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Very true," replied the pacha, "but go on."
+
+I was very much interested in the chemical process of turning the salt
+water into fresh, which was going on with great rapidity while I was
+there. Perhaps your highness would like me to explain it, as it will not
+occupy your attention more than an hour.
+
+"No, no, skip that, Huckaback, and go on."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+But as soon as I had gratified my curiosity, I began to be alarmed at my
+situation, not so much on account of the means of supporting existence,
+for there was more than sufficient.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"More that sufficient! Why, what could you have to eat?"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Plenty of fresh fish, your highness, which had been taken up in the
+column of water at the same time I was, and the fresh water already lay
+in little pools around me. But the cold was dreadful, and I felt that I
+could not support it many hours longer, and how to get down again was a
+problem which I could not solve.
+
+It was however soon solved for me, for the cloud having completed its
+chemical labours, descended as rapidly as it had risen, and joined many
+others, that were engaged in sharp conflict. As I beheld them darting
+against each other, and discharging the electric fluid in the violence
+of their collision, I was filled with trepidation and dismay, lest,
+meeting an adversary, I should be hurled into the abyss below, or be
+withered by the artillery of heaven. But I was fortunate enough to
+escape. The cloud which bore me descended to within a hundred yards of
+the earth, and then was hurried along by the wind with such velocity and
+noise, that I perceived we were assisting at a hurricane.
+
+As we neared the earth, the cloud, unable to resist the force of its
+attraction, was compelled to deliver up its burthen, and down I fell,
+with such torrents of water, that it reminded me of the deluge. The
+tornado was now in all its strength. The wind roared and shrieked in its
+wild fury, and such was its force that I fell in an acute angle.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"What did you fall in?" interrupted the pacha. "I don't know what that
+is."
+
+"I fell in a slanting direction, your highness, describing the
+hypotenuse between the base and perpendicular, created by the force of
+the wind, and the attraction of gravitation."
+
+"Holy prophet! who can understand such stuff? Speak plain, do you laugh
+at our beards?"
+
+"Min Allah! God forbid! Your servant would indeed eat dirt," replied
+Huckaback.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I meant to imply, that so powerful was the wind, it almost bore me up,
+and when I first struck the water, which I did upon the summit of a
+wave, I bounded off again and _ricochetted_ several times from one wave
+to another, like the shot fired from a gun along the surface of the sea,
+or the oyster-shell skimmed over the lake by the truant child. The last
+bound that I gave, pitched me into the rigging of a small vessel on her
+beam ends, and I hardly had time to fetch my breath before she turned
+over. I scrambled up her bends, and fixed myself astride upon her keel.
+
+There I remained for two or three hours, when the hurricane was
+exhausted from its own violence. The clouds disappeared, the sun burst
+out in all its splendour, the sea recovered its former tranquillity,
+and Nature seemed as if she was maliciously smiling at her own mischief.
+The land was close to me, and the vessel drifted on shore. I found that
+I was at the Isle of France, having, in the course of twelve hours thus
+miraculously shifted my position from one side of the globe unto the
+other. I found the island in a sad state of devastation; the labour of
+years had been destroyed in the fury of an hour--the crops were swept
+away--the houses were levelled to the ground--the vessels in fragments
+on the beach--all was misery and desolation. I was however kindly
+received by my countrymen, who were the inhabitants of the isle, and, in
+four-and-twenty hours, we all danced and sang as before. I invented a
+very pretty quadrille, called the Hurricane, which threw the whole
+island into an ecstacy, and recompensed them for all their sufferings.
+But I was anxious to return home, and a Dutch vessel proceeding straight
+to Marseilles, I thought myself fortunate to obtain a passage upon the
+same terms as those which had enabled me to quit the West Indies. We
+sailed, but before we had been twenty-four hours at sea, I found that
+the captain was a violent man, and a most dreadful tyrant. I was not
+very strong, and not being able to perform the duty before the mast, to
+which I had not been accustomed, I was beat so unmercifully, that I was
+debating in my mind, whether I should kill the captain and then jump
+overboard, or submit to my hard fate; but one night as I lay groaning on
+the forecastle after a punishment I had received from the captain, which
+incapacitated me from further duty, an astonishing circumstance occurred
+which was the occasion, not only of my embracing the Mahomedan religion,
+but of making use of those expressions which attracted your highness's
+attention when you passed in disguise. "Why am I thus ever to be
+persecuted?" exclaimed I in despair. And, as I uttered these words, a
+venerable personage, in a flowing beard, and a book in his hand,
+appeared before me, and answered me. "Because, Huckaback, you have not
+embraced the true faith."
+
+"What is the true faith?" inquired I, in fear and amazement.
+
+"There is but one God," replied he, "and I am his prophet."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Merciful Allah!" exclaimed the pacha, "why, it must have been Mahomed
+himself."
+
+"It was so, your highness, although I knew it not at the time."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Prove unto me that it is the true faith," said I.
+
+"I will," replied he; "I will turn the heart of the infidel captain,"
+and he disappeared. The next day the captain of the vessel, to my
+astonishment, came to me as I lay on the forecastle, and begging my
+pardon for the cruelty that he had been guilty of, shed tears over me,
+and ordered me to be carried to his cabin. He laid me in his own bed,
+and watched me as he would a favourite child. In a short time I
+recovered; after which he would permit me to do no duty, but insisted
+upon my being his guest, and loaded me with every kindness.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"God is great!" ejaculated the pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I was lying in my bed, meditating upon these things, when the venerable
+form again appeared to me.
+
+"Art them now convinced?"
+
+"I am," replied I.
+
+"Then prove it by submitting to the law the moment that you are able.
+You shall be rewarded--not at once, but when your faith has been proved.
+Mark me, follow your profession on the seas, and, when once you find
+yourself sitting in the divan at Cairo, with two people originally of
+the same profession as yourself, without others being present, and have
+made this secret known, then you shall be appointed to the command of
+the pacha's fleet, which under your directions shall always meet with
+success. Such shall be the reward of your fidelity."
+
+It is now four years that I have embraced the true faith, and, sinking
+under poverty, I was induced to make use of the exclamation that your
+highness heard; for how can I ever hope to meet two barbers at the divan
+without other people being present?
+
+"Holy prophet! how strange! Why Mustapha was a barber, and so was I,"
+cried the pacha.
+
+"God is great!" answered the renegade, prostrating himself. "Then I
+command your fleet?"
+
+"From this hour," replied the pacha. "Mustapha, make known my wishes."
+
+"The present in command," replied Mustapha, who was not a dupe to the
+wily renegade, "is a favourite with the men."
+
+"Then send for him and take off his head. Is he to interfere with the
+commands of Mahomed?"
+
+The vizier bowed, and the pacha quitted the divan.
+
+The renegade, with a smile upon his lips, and Mustapha with
+astonishment, looked at each other for a few seconds; "You have a great
+talent, Selim," observed the vizier.
+
+"Thanks to your introduction, and to my own invention, it will at last
+be called into action. Recollect, vizier, that I am grateful--you
+understand me;" and the renegade quitted the divan, leaving Mustapha
+still in his astonishment.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XIV
+
+
+"Mustapha," said the pacha, taking his pipe out of his mouth, after half
+an hour's smoking in silence, "I have been thinking it very odd that our
+holy prophet (blessed be his name!) should have given himself so much
+trouble about such a son of Shitan as that renegade rascal, Huckaback,
+whose religion is only in his turban. By the sword of the prophet, is it
+not strange that he should send him to command my fleet?"
+
+"It was the will of your sublime highness," replied Mustapha, "that he
+should command your fleet."
+
+"Mashallah! was it not the will of the prophet?"
+
+Mustapha smoked his pipe, and made no reply.
+
+"He was a great story-teller," observed the pacha, after another pause.
+
+"He was," drily replied Mustapha. "No Kessehgou of our true believers
+could equal him; but that is now over, and the dog of an Isauri must
+prove himself a Rustam in the service of your sublime highness. Aware
+that your highness would require amusement, and that it was the duty of
+your slave, who shines but by the light of your countenance, to procure
+it, I have since yesterday, when the sun went down, despairing to find
+his glory eclipsed by that of your sublime highness, ordered most
+diligent search to be made through the whole of the world, and have
+discovered, that in the caravan now halted on the outskirts of the town,
+there was a famous Kessehgou proceeding to Mecca to pay his homage to
+the shrine of our prophet; and I have dispatched trusty messengers to
+bring him into the presence of the Min Bashi, to whom your slave, and
+the thousands whom he rules, are but as dust:" and Mustapha bowed low.
+
+"Aferin, excellent:" exclaimed the pacha; "and when will he be here?"
+
+"Before the tube now honoured by kissing the lips of your highness shall
+have poured out in ecstasy the incense of another bowl of the fragrant
+weed, the slippers of the Kessehgou will be left at the threshold of the
+palace. Be chesm, on my eyes be it."
+
+"'Tis well, Mustapha. Slave," continued the pacha, addressing the Greek
+who was in attendance, with his arms folded and his eyes cast down to
+the ground; "coffee--and the strong water of the Giaour."
+
+The pacha's pipe was refilled, the coffee was poured down their
+respective throats, and the forbidden spirits quaffed with double
+delight, arising from the very circumstance that they were forbidden.
+
+"Surely there must be some mistake, Mustapha. Does not the Koran say,
+that all that is good is intended for true believers; and is not this
+good? How then can it be forbidden? Could it be intended for the
+Giaours? May they, and their fathers' graves, be eternally defiled!"
+
+"Amen!" replied Mustapha, laying down the cup, and drawing a deep sigh.
+
+Mustapha was correct in his calculations. Before the pacha had finished
+his pipe, the arrival of the story-teller was announced; and after
+waiting a few minutes from decorum, which seemed to the impatient pacha
+to be eternal, Mustapha clapped his hands, and the man was ushered in.
+
+"Kosh amedeid! you are welcome," said the pacha, as the Kessehgou
+entered the divan: he was a slight, elegantly moulded person, of about
+thirty years of age.
+
+"I am here in obedience to the will of the pacha," replied the man in a
+most musical voice, as he salaamed low. "What does his highness require
+of his slave Menouni?"
+
+"His highness requires a proof of thy talent, and an opportunity to
+extend his bounty."
+
+"I am less than dust, and am ready to cover my head with ashes, not to
+feel my soul in the seventh heaven at the condescension of his highness;
+yet would I fain do his bidding and depart, for a vow to the prophet is
+sacred, and it is written in the Koran----"
+
+"Never mind the Koran just now, good Menouni; we ask of thee a proof of
+thy art. Tell me a story."
+
+"Most proud shall I be of the honour. Will not my face be whitened to
+all eternity? Shall your slave relate the loves of Leilah and Majnoun?"
+
+"No, no," replied the pacha; "something that will interest me."
+
+"Then will I narrate the history of the Scarred Lover."
+
+"That sounds well, Mustapha," observed the pacha.
+
+"Who can foresee so well as your sublime highness?" replied Mustapha.
+"Menouni, it is the pleasure of the pacha that you proceed."
+
+"Your slave obeys. Your sublime perspicuity is but too well acquainted
+with geography----?"
+
+"Not that I know of. Hath he ever left his slippers at our threshold,
+Mustapha?"
+
+"I suspect," replied Mustapha, "that he goes all over the world, and
+therefore he must have been here. Proceed, Menouni, and ask not such
+questions. By virtue of his office, his sublime highness knows every
+thing."
+
+"True," said the pacha, shaking his beard with great dignity and
+satisfaction.
+
+"I did but presume to put the question," replied Menouni, whose voice
+was soft and silvery as a flute on a summer's silent eve, "as, to
+perfectly understand the part of the world from which my tale has been
+transmitted, I thought a knowledge of that science was required; but I
+have eaten dirt, and am covered with shame at my indiscretion, which
+would not have occurred, had it not been that the sublime sultan, when I
+last had the honour to narrate the story, was pleased to interrupt me,
+from his not being quite convinced that the parts of the world were
+known to him. But I will now proceed with my tale, which shall go
+forward with the majestic pace of the camel, proud in his pilgrimage
+over the desert, towards the shrine of our holy prophet."
+
+
+
+THE SCARRED LOVER.
+
+In the north-eastern parts of the vast peninsula of India, there did
+exist a flourishing and extended kingdom, eminent for the beauty of the
+country, the fertility of the soil, and the salubrity of the climate.
+This kingdom was bounded on the east by a country named Lusitania, that
+lies northerly towards the coast of Iceland, so called from the
+excessive heat of the winter. On the south it was bounded by a slip of
+land, the name of which has slipped my memory; but it runs into the seas
+under the dominion of the Great Cham of Tartary. On the west it is
+bounded by another kingdom, the name of which I have also forgotten; and
+on the north, by another kingdom, the name of which I do not remember.
+After this explanation, with your sublime highness's knowledge, to which
+that of the sage Lochman was but in comparison as the seed is to the
+water-melon, I hardly need say that it was the ancient kingdom of
+Souffra.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Menouni, you are quite right," observed the pacha. "Proceed."
+
+"Fortunate is your slave to stand in the presence of so much wisdom,"
+continued Menouni, "for I was in doubt: the splendour of your presence
+had startled my memory, as the presence of the caravan doth the zebra
+foal of the desert."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+In this delightful kingdom, where the nightingales sang away their
+existence in their love for the rose, and the roses gave forth their
+perfume until the air was one continued essence of delight, such as is
+inhaled by the true believers when they first approach the gates of
+paradise, and are enchanted by the beckoning of the Houris from the
+golden walls, there lived a beautiful Hindu princess, who walked in
+loveliness, and whose smile was a decree to be happy to all on whom it
+fell; yet for reasons which my tale shall tell, she had heard the
+nightingale complain for eighteen summers, and was still unmarried. In
+this country, which at that time was peopled by Allah with infidels, to
+render it fertile for the true believers, and to be their slaves upon
+their arrival, which did occur some time after the occurrences which I
+now relate; it was not the custom for the females of Souffra to lead
+the life of invisibility, permitted only to those who administer to the
+delights of the followers of the Koran; and although it was with
+exceeding modesty of demeanour, still did they, on great occasions,
+expose their charms to the public gaze, for which error, no doubt if
+they had had souls, beautiful as they were, they would have been damned
+to all eternity. Civilisation, as Menou hath said, must extend both far
+and wide, before other nations will be so polished as to imitate us in
+the splendour, the security, and the happiness of our harems; and when I
+further remark to your highness----
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Proceed, good Menouni," interrupted Mustapha; "his highness is not fond
+of remarks."
+
+"No, by our beard," rejoined the pacha; "it is for you to tell your
+story, and for me to make remarks when it is over."
+
+"I stand in the presence of wisdom," said Menouni, who bowed low and
+proceeded.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The beauteous Babe-bi-bobu, for such was the name of the princess, and
+which, in the language of the country, implied "the cream-tart of
+delight," was left Queen of the Souffrarians by the death of her father;
+and by his will, sworn to by all the grandees of the empire, she was
+enjoined, at twelve years of age, to take to herself a husband; but it
+was particularly expressed that the youth so favoured should be of the
+same high caste as herself, and without _scar_ or _blemish_. When,
+therefore, two years after her father's death, the beautiful
+Babe-bi-bobu had attained the age of twelve years, swift runners on
+foot, and speedy messengers mounted upon the fleetest dromedaries and
+Arab horses of the purest race, were dispatched through all the kingdom
+of Souffra to make known the injunctions of the will; the news of which
+at last flew to the adjacent kingdoms, and from them to all the corners
+of the round world, and none were ignorant. In the kingdom of Souffra,
+from which the choice was to be made, all the youth of caste were in a
+state of fermentation, because they had a chance of obtaining the
+honour; and all those of lower caste were in a state of fermentation, to
+think they had no chance of obtaining such an honour; and all the women
+of high caste, or low caste, or no caste, were all in a state of
+fermentation, because--because----
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Because they always are so," interrupted the pacha. "Proceed, Menouni."
+
+"I thank your sublime highness for having relieved me in my case of
+difficulty; for who can give reasons for the conduct of women?"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It is sufficient to say, that the whole country was in a state of
+fermentation, arising from hope, despair, jealousy, envy, curiosity,
+surmising, wondering, doubting, believing, disbelieving, hearing,
+narrating, chattering, interrupting, and many other causes, too tedious
+to mention. At the first intelligence every Souffrarian youth new-strung
+his mandolin, and thought himself sure to be the happy man. Hope was
+triumphant through the land, roses advanced to double their price: the
+attar was adulterated to meet the exorbitant demand; and nightingales
+were almost worshipped; but this could not last. Doubt succeeded to the
+empire of hope, when reflection pointed out to them, that out of three
+millions of very eligible youths, only one could be made happy. But when
+the counsellors are so many, the decision is but slow; and so numerous
+were the meetings, the canvassings, the debates, the discussions, the
+harangues, and the variety of objections raised by the grandees of the
+country, that at the age of eighteen, the beauteous bird of paradise,
+still unmated, warbled her virgin strain in the loneliness of the royal
+groves.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"But why," interrupted the pacha, "why did they not marry her, when
+there were three millions of young men ready to take her? I can't
+understand the cause of six years' delay."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The reason, most sublime, was, that the grandees of Souffra were not
+endowed with your resplendent wisdom, or the beautiful Babe-bi-bobu had
+not so long languished for a husband. All this delay was produced by
+doubt, which the poets truly declare to be the father of delay. It was a
+doubt which arose in the mind of one of the Brahmins, who, when a doubt
+arose in his mind, would mumble it over and over, but never masticate,
+swallow, or digest it; and thus was the preservation of the royal line
+endangered. For years had the aspirants for regal dignity, and more than
+regal beauty, hovered round the court, each with his mandolin on his
+arm, and a huge packet of love-sonnets borne behind him by a slave, and
+yet all was doubt; and the beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu remained
+unmarried.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I doubt whether we shall ever come to the doubt," interrupted the pacha
+impatiently, "or the princess to a husband."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The doubt shall now be laid at your excellency's feet. It was, as to the
+exact meaning of the words, without _scar_ or _blemish_, and whether
+_moles_ were to be considered as _scars_ or _blemishes_. The Brahmin was
+of opinion that moles _were_ blemishes, and many others agreed with him;
+that is, all those who had no moles on their persons were of his
+opinion; while, on the other hand, those who were favoured by nature
+with those distinguishing marks, declared that so far from their _being_
+scars or blemishes, they must be considered as additional beauties
+granted by heaven to those most favoured. The dispute ran high, and the
+beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu remained unmarried. This great question
+was at last very properly referred to the mufti; these sages handled it,
+and turned it, and twisted it, added to it, multiplied it, subtracted
+from it, and divided it, debated it fasting, debated it on a full
+stomach, nodded over it, dreamt on it, slept on it, woke up with it,
+analysed it, criticised it, and wrote forty-eight folio volumes, of
+which twenty-four were advocates of, and twenty-four opponents to, the
+question; the only conclusion which they could come to at last was, that
+_moles_ were _moles_: and the beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu remained
+unmarried.
+
+The question was then taken up by the dervishes and fakirs of the
+country in a religious point of view; they split into two parties, tried
+the question by a dispute under a banyan tree, which lasted eighteen
+months, and still not half of the holy men had given their sentiments
+upon the question; tired of talking, they proceeded to blows, and then
+to anathematisation and excommunication of each other; lastly, they had
+recourse to impalement to convince each other; more than a thousand
+perished on each side: and still the beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu
+remained unmarried.
+
+The colleges and schools of the kingdom took up the question, and argued
+it metaphysically, and after having irrecoverably lost, between the two
+sides, twenty-two millions of threads of arguments, the question was as
+fresh as ever, and the beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu remained
+unmarried.
+
+But this was not all; for at last the whole nation joined in the
+quarrel, splitting into violent and angry factions, which divided town
+against town, inhabitants against inhabitants, house against house,
+family against family, husband against wife, father against son, brother
+against sister; and in some cases, where he had doubts on both sides, a
+man against himself. The whole nation flew to arms, distinguishing
+themselves as Molists and Anti-Molists; four hundred insurrections, and
+four civil wars, were the consequence; and what was a worse consequence,
+the beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu remained unmarried. Your sublime
+highness must allow that it was a very nice question----
+
+"What is your opinion, Mustapha?" demanded the pacha.
+
+"Is your slave to speak? Then I would say, that it was absurd to make
+such a mountain of a mole-hill."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha. This princess will never be married; so proceed,
+good Menouni."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I should observe to your sublime highness, that the Molists were the
+strongest party, and the most arrogant; not content with wearing the
+marks of nature, they stuck upon their faces fictitious moles of every
+hue and colour, and the most violent partisans appeared as if they were
+suffering from some cutaneous disorder. It was also a singular
+circumstance, that no Molist was ever known to change sides, whereas,
+after bathing, many of the Anti-Molists were found most shamefully to
+apostatise. Everything was disastrous, and the country in a state of
+anarchy and confusion, when the question was most fortunately settled by
+the remark of a little slave about twelve years old, who was regularly
+flogged by his master every morning that he got up, upon a suspicion of
+Molism, and as regularly every evening by his mistress, on a second
+suspicion of Anti-Molism. This poor little fellow whispered to another
+boy, that moles were blemishes or not, just as people happened to think
+them, but, as for his part, he thought nothing about the matter. The
+espionage at that time was so strict, that even a whisper was to be
+heard at the distance of miles, and this observation was reported; it
+certainly was new because it was neutral, when neutrality was not
+permitted or thought of; it was buzzed about; the remark was declared
+wonderful, it ran like wildfire through the suburbs, it roared through
+the city, it shook the very gates of the palace; at last it reached the
+holy in divan, who pronounced it to be inspiration from the Deity, and
+immediately there was issued a solemn edict, in which it was laid down
+as a most positive and important article of Souffrarian faith, that
+moles were not scars, and only blemishes when they were considered so
+to be. Everyone praised the wisdom of this edict; it was read and
+subscribed to as an article of faith; towns greeted towns, house
+congratulated house, and relations shook hands; what was still stranger
+was, husbands and wives were reconciled--and what was even more
+delightful, there was now some chance of the beautiful Princess
+Babe-bi-bobu no longer remaining unmarried.
+
+This fortunate edict, by which it was clear that those who believed a
+mole to be a blemish were quite safe, and those who did not believe it,
+were in no manner of danger, set everything to rights; the metropolis
+was again filled with aspirants, the air tortured with the music of the
+mandolins, and impregnated with the attar of roses. Who can attempt to
+describe the sumptuousness of the palace, and the splendour of the hall
+in which the beautiful princess sat, to receive the homage of the flower
+of the youth of her kingdom. Soothingly soft, sweetly, lovingly soft,
+were the dulcet notes of the warbling Asparas, or singing girls, now
+ebbing, now flowing in tender gushes of melody, while down the sides of
+the elegant and highly pillared hall, now advancing, now retreating, the
+dancing girls, each beautiful as Artee herself in her splendour, seemed
+almost to demand, in their aggregate, that gaze of homage due only to
+the peerless individual who at once burned and languished on her emerald
+throne. Three days had the princess sat in that hall of delight, tired
+and annoyed with the constant stream of the Souffra youths, who
+prostrated themselves and passed on. The fourth morning dawned, and none
+could say that either by gesture, sigh, or look, they had been
+distinguished by even a shadow of preference. And the noble youths
+communed in their despair, and murmured among themselves; many a foot
+was stamped with unbecoming impatience, and many a moustache twisted
+with a pretty indignation. The inhabitants of the capital blamed the
+impetuosity of the youths; to say the least of it, if it were not
+disloyal, it was ungallant, and what was worse, they showed no regard
+for the welfare of the citizens, over whom they each aspired to reign as
+sovereign, for they must be aware that now was the time that the
+citizens, from such an influx of aspirants, were reaping a golden
+harvest. And they added, with great truth, that a princess who had been
+compelled to wait six years to satisfy the doubts of others, had a most
+undeniable right to wait as many days to satisfy her own. On the fourth
+day, the beautiful Babe-bi-bobu again took her seat on the golden
+cushions, with her legs crossed, and her little feet hidden under the
+folds of her loose, azure-coloured satin trousers, and it was supposed
+that there was more brightness in her eyes, and more animation in her
+countenance than on the previous days; but still the crowd passed on
+unnoticed. Even the learned Brahmins, who stood immovable in rows on
+each side of her throne, became impatient: they talked about the
+fickleness of the sex, the impossibility of inducing them to make up
+their minds; they whispered wise saws and sayings from Ferdistan and
+others, about the caprice of women, and the instability of their
+natures, and the more their legs ached from such perpetual demand upon
+their support, the more bitter did they become in their remarks. Poor,
+prosing old fools! the beauteous princess had long made up her mind, and
+had never swerved from it through the tedious six years during which the
+doubts and discussions of those venerable old numskulls had embroiled
+the whole nation in the Molean and Anti-Molean controversy.
+
+It was about the first hour after noon that the beautiful Babe-bi-bobu,
+suddenly rising from her recumbent attitude, clapped her pretty little
+hands, the fingers of which were beautifully tipped with henna, and
+beckoning to her attendants, retired gracefully from the hall of
+audience. The surprise and commotion was great, and what made her
+conduct more particular was, that the only son of the chief Brahmin who
+had first raised the question, and headed the Anti-Molist party, was at
+the moment of the princess's departure, prostrate before the throne,
+with his forehead, indeed, to the ground, but his bosom swelling high
+with hope and ambition.
+
+Within a bower of orange trees, in the deep recesses of the royal
+gardens, to which she had hastened, sat the panting princess. She
+selected some flowers from those which were scattered round her, and
+despatched them to her favourite musician and attendant, Acota. Who was
+there in the whole kingdom of Souffra who could so sweetly touch the
+mandolin as Acota? Yet, who was there, not only in Souffra, but in all
+the adjacent countries, who struck such occasional discordant notes as
+Acota, and that in the ear of the beautiful princess Babe-bi-bobu, who,
+far from being displeased, appeared to approve of his occasional
+violence, which not only threatened to crack the strings of the
+instrument, but the tympanums of those who were near, who longed to
+escape, and leave the princess to enjoy the dissonance alone, little
+thinking that the discord was raised that their souls' harmony might be
+undisturbed by the presence of others, and that the jarring of the
+strings was more than repaid to the princess, by the subsequent music of
+Acota's voice.
+
+Acota seated himself, at a signal from the princess, and commenced his
+playing, if such it could be called, thrumming violently, and jarring
+every chord of his instrument to a tone of such dissonance, that the
+attendant girls put their fingers into their ears, and pitied the
+beautiful Babe-bi-bobu's bad taste in music.
+
+"Ah! Acota," said the princess, opening upon him all the tenderness of
+her large and beaming eyes, "how weary am I of sitting on my cushion,
+and seeing fop after fop, fool after fool, dawdle down upon their faces
+before me; and, moreover, I am suffocated with perfumes. Strike your
+mandolin again louder, beloved of my soul--still louder, that I may be
+further relieved of this unwished-for crowd."
+
+Thereupon, Acota seized his mandolin, and made such an unaccountable
+confusion of false notes, such a horrid jarring, that all the birds
+within one hundred yards shrieked as they fled, and the watchful old
+chamberlain, who was always too near the princess, in her opinion, and
+never near enough, in his own, cried out, "Yah--yah--baba senna, curses
+on his mother, and his mandolin into the bargain!" as his teeth
+chattered; and he hastened away, as fast as his obesity would permit
+him. The faithful damsels who surrounded the princess could neither
+stand it nor sit it any longer--they were in agonies, all their teeth
+were set on edge; and at last, when Acota, with one dreadful crash,
+broke every string of his instrument, they broke loose from the reins of
+duty, and fled in every direction of the garden, leaving the princess
+and Acota alone.
+
+"Beloved of my soul," said the princess, "I have at last invented a plan
+by which our happiness will be secured!" and in a low tone of voice, but
+without looking at each other, that they might not attract the
+observation of the chamberlain, they sweetly communed. Acota listened a
+few minutes to the soft voice of the princess, and then took up his
+broken-stringed mandolin, and with a profound reverence for the benefit
+of the old chamberlain, he departed.
+
+In the meantime, a rumour was spread abroad that at sunset a public
+examination of all the candidates was to take place on the bank of the
+rapid-flowing river, which ran through a spacious meadow near to the
+city, in order to reject those candidates who might prove, by _any scar
+or blemish_ not to come expressly within the meaning of the old king's
+will. Twelve old fakirs, and twenty-four mollahs with spectacles, were
+appointed as examining officers. It was supposed, as this was a
+religious ceremony, that all the females of Souffra, who were remarkable
+for their piety, would not fail to attend--and all the world were eager
+for the commencement of the examination. O then it was pleasant to see
+the running, and mounting, and racing, among the young Souffrarian
+rayahs, who were expected to be examined; and a stranger would have
+thought that a sudden pestilence had entered the city, from the
+thousands upon thousands who poured out from it, hastening to the river
+side, to behold the ceremony. But to the astonishment of the people,
+almost all the rayahs, as soon as they were mounted, left the city in an
+opposite direction, some declaring, that they were most surely without
+_scar or blemish_, but still they could not consent to expose their
+persons to the gaze of so many thousands; others declared, that they
+left on account of _scars and honourable wounds_ received in battle, and
+until that afternoon, the Souffrarians were not aware of how much
+modesty and how much courage they had to boast in their favoured land;
+and many regretted, as they viewed the interminable line of gallant
+young men depart, that the will of the late king should have made scars
+received in battle to be a bar to advancement; but they were checked by
+the Brahmins, who told them that there was a holy and hidden mystery
+contained in the injunction of the old king's will.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"By the beard of the prophet, it takes a long time to get a husband for
+this princess of yours, Menouni," observed the pacha with a yawn.
+
+"Your sublime highness will not be surprised at it, when you consider
+the conditions of the old king's will."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The examination was most strict, and even a small cut was sufficient to
+render a young man ineligible; a corn was considered as a blemish--and a
+young man even having been bled by a leech to save his life, lost him
+all chance of the princess.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Pray may I ask, if a barber had cut the skin in shaving their heads,
+was that considered as a scar?"
+
+"Most decidedly, your highness."
+
+"Then those fakirs and mollahs, with their spectacles, and the Brahmins,
+were a parcel of fools. Were they not, Mustapha?"
+
+"Your highness's wisdom is like the overflowing of the honey pot,"
+replied Mustapha.
+
+"Your know, Mustapha, as well as I do, that it is almost impossible not
+to draw blood, if there happens to be a pimple, or a bad razor; but,
+however, proceed, Menouni, and if possible marry this beautiful
+princess."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+About two hours before sunset the beautiful Babe-bi-bobu, "the
+cream-tart of delight," more splendidly dressed than before, again
+entered the hall of audience, and found to her surprise, that there
+remained out of the many thousands of young rayahs, not fifty who could
+pretend to the honour of her hand and throne. Among them, no longer
+dressed as a musician, but robed in the costume of his high caste, stood
+the conscious and proud Acota, and, although his jewels might not have
+vied with those worn by others who stood by him, yet the brightness of
+his eyes more than compensated. Next to Acota stood Mezrimbi, the son of
+the chief Brahmin, and he, only, could be compared to Acota in personal
+beauty; but his character was known--he was proud, overbearing, and
+cruel. The beauteous Babe-bi-bobu feared him, for there was a clause in
+her father's will, by which, if the first choice of the princess should
+prove by any intermediate accident to be ineligible, his father, the
+chief Brahmin, was empowered to make a selection for the princess, and
+his decision was to be equally inviolable. The beauteous eyes of the
+princess first lighted upon the form of Mezrimbi, and she trembled, but
+the proud bearing of Acota reassured her, and waving her hand as she
+sat, she addressed the assembled youths as follows:--
+
+"Faithful and gentle rayahs, impute it to no want of modesty that, for
+once, I sink the graceful bashfulness of the virgin, and assume the more
+forward deportment of the queen. When all appear to possess such merit,
+how can I slight all but one by my decision? Let me rather leave it to
+the immortal Vishnu to decide who is most worthy to reign over this our
+kingdom of Souffra. Let Vishnu prompt you to read your destiny; I have
+placed a flower in this unworthy bosom, which is shortly to call one of
+you its lord. Name then, the flower, and he who first shall name it, let
+him be proclaimed the lawful king of Souffra. Take then, your
+instruments, noble rayahs, and to their sounds, in measured verse, pour
+out the name of the hidden flower, and the reason for my choice. Thus
+shall fate decide the question, and no one say that his merits have been
+slighted."
+
+Having finished her address, the beauteous princess let fall her veil,
+and was silent. A shout of applause was followed by wild strummings and
+tunings of mandolins, and occasional scratching of heads or turbans, to
+remember all that Hafiz had ever written, or to aid their attempts at
+improviso versification. Time flew on, and no one of the young rayahs
+appeared inclined to begin. At last one stepped forward, and named the
+rose, in a borrowed couplet. He was dismissed with a graceful wave of
+the hand by the princess, and broke his mandolin in his vexation, as he
+quitted the hall of audience. And thus did they continue, one after
+another, to name flower after flower, and quit the hall of audience in
+despair. Then might these beautiful youths, as they all stood before the
+princess, be compared, themselves, to the most beauteous flowers, strong
+rooted in their hopes, and basking in the sun of her presence; and, as
+their hopes were cut off, what were they but the same flowers severed
+from their stalks, and drooping before the sunny beams, now too powerful
+to be borne, or loaded with the dew of tears, removed to fade away
+unheeded? There were but few left, when Mezrimbi, who had, as he
+thought, hit upon the right name, and who, watching the countenance of
+Acota, which had an air of impatient indifference upon it, which induced
+Mezrimbi to suppose that he had lighted upon the same idea, and might
+forestall him, stepped forward with his mandolin. Mezrimbi was
+considered one of the best poets in Souffra; in fact, he had every
+talent, but not one virtue. He bent forward in an elegant attitude, and
+sang as follows:--
+
+  "Who does the nightingale love? Alas! we
+  Know. She sings of her love in the silence of
+  Night, and never tells the name of her adored one.
+
+  "What are flowers but the language of love?
+  And does not the nightingale rest her breast
+  Upon the thorn as she pours out her plaintive notes?
+
+  "Take then out of thy bosom the sweet flower of May
+  Which is hidden there, emblematical of thy love,
+  And the pleasing pain that it has occasioned."
+
+When Mezrimbi had finished the two first verses, the beauteous princess
+started with fear that he had gained her secret, and it was with a
+feeling of agony that she listened to the last; agony succeeded by a
+flow of joy, at his not having been successful. Impatiently she waved
+her hand, and as impatiently did Mezrimbi depart from her presence.
+
+Acota then stepped forward, and after a prelude, the beauty of which
+astonished all those around the queen's person, for they had no idea
+that he could play in tune, sang in a clear melodious voice the
+following stanzas:--
+
+  "Sweet, blushing cheek! the rose is there,
+  Thy breath, the fragrance of its bowers;
+  Lilies are on thy bosom fair,
+  And e'en thy very words seem flowers.
+
+  "But lily, rose, or flower, that blows
+  In India's garden, on thy breast
+  Must meet its death--by breathing sweets
+  Where it were ecstasy to rest.
+
+  "A blossom from a nettle ta'en,
+  Is in thy beauteous bosom bound,
+  Born amid stings, it gives no pain,
+  'Tis sweetness among venom found."
+
+Acota was silent. The beauteous princess, as the minstrel finished, rose
+slowly and tremulously from her cushions, and taking the blossom of a
+nettle from her bosom, placed it in the hands of the happy Acota,
+saying, with a great deal of piety, "It is the will of Heaven."
+
+"But how was it possible for Acota to find out that the princess had a
+nettle blossom in her bosom?" interrupted the pacha. "No man could ever
+have guessed it. I can't make that out. Can you, Mustapha?"
+
+"Your sublime highness is right; no man ever could have guessed such a
+thing," replied Mustapha. "There is but one way to account for it, which
+is, that the princess must have told him her intentions when they were
+alone in the royal garden."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha--well, thank Allah, the princess is married at
+last."
+
+"I beg pardon of your sublime highness, but the beauteous princess is
+not yet married," said Menouni; "the story is not yet finished."
+
+"Wallah el nebi!" exclaimed the pacha. "By God and his prophet, is she
+never to be married?"
+
+"Yes, your sublime highness, but not just yet. Shall I proceed?"
+
+"Yes, Menouni, and the faster you get on the better."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Amidst the cries of 'Long live Acota, Souffraria's legitimate king.'"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Legitimate. Pray, good Menouni, what may that word mean?"
+
+"Legitimate, your sublime highness, implies that a king and his
+descendants are chosen by Allah to reign over a people."
+
+"Well, but I don't see that Allah had much to do with the choice of
+Acota."
+
+"Nor with the choice of any other king, I suspect, your sublime
+highness; but still the people were made to believe so, and that is all
+that is sufficient. Allah does not interfere in the choice of any but
+those who reign over true believers. The Sultan is the Holy Prophet's
+vicegerent on earth--and he, guided by the prophet, invests virtue and
+wisdom with the Kalaats of dignity, in the persons of his pachas."
+
+"Very true," said the pacha, "the Sultan is guided by Allah, and,"
+continued he in a low tone to Mustapha, "a few hundred purses to boot.
+Menouni, you may proceed."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Amidst the cries of "Long live Acota, Souffraria's legitimate king!"
+Acota was led to the throne by the attendant grandees of the nation,
+where he received the homage of all present. It was arranged by the
+grandees and mollahs that the marriage should take place the next day.
+The assembly broke up, and hastened in every direction to make
+preparations for the expected ceremony.
+
+But who can describe the jealousy, the envy, and the indignation which
+swelled in the breasts of Mezrimbi and his father, the chief Brahmin?
+They met, they consulted, they planned, and they schemed. Acota was not
+yet king, although he was proclaimed as such--he was not king until his
+marriage with the beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu, "the cream-tart of
+delight," and should he be scarred or blemished before the marriage of
+the ensuing day, then must the Brahmin, by the will of the old king,
+choose his successor; and who could he choose but his own son?
+
+"Father," said young Mezrimbi, his beautiful countenance distorted by
+the vilest passions of Jehanum, "I have planned as follows:--I have
+mutes ready to obey my wishes, and a corrosive burning acid, which will
+eat deeply into the flesh of the proud Acota. I know that he will pass
+the time away in the garden of the royal grove. I know even the bower in
+which he hath wooed and won the fair princess. Let us call these mutes,
+explain to them what we wish, and by to-morrow's sun the throne of
+Souffraria will fall to the race of Mezrimbi. Are we not of the purest
+blood of the plains, and is not Acota but a rayah of the mountains?"
+
+And the chief Brahmin was pleased with his son's proposal; the mutes
+were summoned, the black, tongueless, everythingless, hideous creatures,
+bowed in their humility, and followed their master, who, with the chief
+Brahmin, ventured by a circuitous route to invade the precincts of the
+royal grove. Slowly and cautiously did they proceed towards the bower,
+where, as Mezrimbi had truly said, Acota was waiting for his beloved
+princess. Fortunately, as they approached, a disturbed snake, hissing in
+his anger, caused an exclamation from the old Brahmin, which aroused
+Acota from his delicious reverie. Through the foliage he perceived and
+recognised Mezrimbi, his father, and the mutes. Convinced that they
+meditated mischief towards himself, he secreted himself among the
+rose-bushes, lying prostrate on the ground; but in his haste, he left
+his cloak and mandolin. Mezrimbi entered the bower, and explained to the
+mutes by signs what it was which he desired, showed them the cloak and
+mandolin to make known the object of his wrath, and put into their hands
+the bottle of corrosive acid. They satisfied him that they comprehended
+his wishes, and the party then retired, the chief Brahmin quitting the
+grove for his own house, the mutes lying in wait under some bushes for
+the arrival of Acota, and Mezrimbi walking away into the recesses of the
+grove, anxious as to the issue of the plot. Acota, perfectly aware of
+what was intended, laughed in his sleeve, and thanked Allah for this
+fortunate discovery; he crawled away on his hands and knees, so as not
+to be perceived, and hid himself, with his cloak and mandolin, watching
+in turn the motions of the others--and thus did all parties watch until
+the sun descended behind the blue hills which divided the kingdom of
+Souffraria from that of the other kingdom, which my treacherous memory
+has dared to forget in your highness's sublime presence. Mezrimbi was
+the only one who was not motionless: he paced up and down in all the
+anxiety of anticipation and doubt, and at last he stopped, and, tired
+out with contending feelings, sat down at the foot of a tree, close to
+where Acota was concealed. The nightingale was pouring forth her sweet
+melody, and, friendly to lovers, she continued it until Mezrimbi, who
+had listened to it, and whose angry feelings had been soothed with her
+dulcet strains, fell fast asleep. Acota perceived it, and approaching
+him softly, laid his cloak over him, and taking up his mandolin, struck
+a chord, which he knew would not be lost upon the quick-eared mutes,
+although not so loud as to awake Mezrimbi. Acota was right; in a minute
+he perceived the dark beings crawling through the underwood like jackals
+who had scented out their prey, and Acota was again concealed in the
+thick foliage. They approached like shadows in the dark, and perceived
+the sleeping Mezrimbi with the cloak of Acota and the mandolin, which
+Acota, after striking it, had laid by his side. It was sufficient.
+Mezrimbi's face was covered with the burning acid before even he was
+awakened; his screams were smothered in a shawl, and satisfied with
+having obeyed the injunctions of their master, the mutes hastened back
+to report their success, taking, however, the precaution of tying the
+hands and feet of Mezrimbi, that he might not go home to receive any
+help in his distress. They escaped out of the gardens, and reported to
+the chief Brahmin the success of the operations, and how they had left
+him, Acota, in the woods. The old Mezrimbi, upon reflection, thought it
+advisable that the person of Acota should be in his power, that he might
+be able to produce him when required upon the ensuing day. He therefore
+desired the mutes to go back and bring Acota to the house, keeping a
+strict guard that he might not escape.
+
+When the mutes had quitted Mezrimbi, Acota rose from his hiding place,
+and went towards the unfortunate wretch, who still groaned with pain,
+but his face was muffled up in the shawl, so that his features were
+hidden. At first Acota had intended to have reviled and scoffed at his
+treacherous enemy, but his good heart forbade it. Another idea then came
+into his head. He took off the cloak of Mezrimbi, and substituted his
+own; he exchanged turbans and scimitars, and then left him and went
+home. Shortly after Acota had quitted the wood, the mutes returned,
+lifted the miserable Mezrimbi on their shoulders and carried him to the
+house of the chief Brahmin, who having ordered him to be guarded in an
+outhouse, said his prayers and went to bed.
+
+The sun rose and poured his beaming rays upon the land of Souffraria,
+and thousands and thousands of the inhabitants had risen before him, to
+prepare for the day of delight, the day on which they were to be blessed
+with a king--the day on which the beauteous Princess Babe-bi-bobu, the
+cream-tart of delight, was no longer to remain unmarried. Silks and
+satins from China, shawls and scarfs from Cashmere, jewels, and gold,
+and diamonds--horses, and camels, and elephants, were to be seen spread
+over the plains, and the city of Souffra. All was joy, and jubilee, and
+feasting, and talking, for the beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu was that
+day to be married.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I wish to heaven she was," observed the pacha, impatiently.
+
+"May it please your sublime highness, she soon will be."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+At an early hour the proclamation was made that the princess was about
+to take unto herself a husband from the high caste youths of Souffra,
+and that all whom it might concern should repair to the palace, to be
+present at the ceremony. As it concerned all Souffra--all Souffra was
+there. The sun had nearly reached to the zenith, and looked down almost
+enviously upon the gay scene beneath, broiling the brains of the good
+people of Souffra, whose heads paved, as it were, the country for ten
+square miles, when the beauteous Princess Babe-bi-bobu made her
+appearance in the hall of audience, attended by her maidens and the
+grandees of Souffra, who were the executors to her father's will. At the
+head of them was the chief Brahmin, who looked anxiously among the crowd
+for his son Mezrimbi, who had not made his appearance that morning. At
+last he espied his rich dress, his mantle, his turban and jewelled
+scimitar, but his face was muffled up in a shawl, and the chief Brahmin
+smiled at the witty conceit of his son, that of having his own beauteous
+person muffled as well as that of the now _scarred_ Acota. And then
+silence was commanded by a thousand brazen trumpets, and enforced by the
+discharge of two thousand pieces of artillery, ten square miles of
+people repeated the order for silence, in loud and reiterated
+shouts--and at last silence obeyed the order, and there was silence. The
+chief Brahmin rose, and having delivered an extemporaneous prayer,
+suitable to the solemnity and importance of the occasion, he proceeded
+to read the will of the late king--he then descanted upon the Molean
+controversy, and how it was now an article of the Souffrarian faith,
+which it was heresy and impalement not to believe, that "moles were not
+scars, and only blemishes when they were considered so to be." The
+choice of the princess, continued the learned Brahmin, has however not
+been made; she has left to chance that which was to have proceeded from
+her own free will, and that without consulting with the ministers of our
+holy religion. My heart told me yesterday that such was not right, and
+contrary not only to the king's will, but the will of Heaven; and I
+communed deeply on the subject after I had prayed nine times--and a
+dream descended on me in my sleep, and I was told that the conditions of
+the will would be fulfilled. How to explain this answer from above I
+know not: perhaps the youth who was fortunate in discovering the flower,
+is also the youth of the princess's choice.
+
+"Even so," replied the princess, in a soft, melodious voice, "and
+therefore is my father's will obeyed."
+
+"Where, then, is the fortunate youth?" said the chief Brahmin; "let him
+appear."
+
+Babe-bi-bobu, who, as well as others, had in vain looked round for
+Acota, was astonished at his not making his appearance, and still more
+so when he did, as they thought, appear, led in by the four black mutes,
+with his face enveloped in a shawl.
+
+"This, then," said the chief Brahmin, "is the favoured youth, Acota.
+Remove the shawl, and lead him to the princess."
+
+The mutes obeyed, and to the horror of Babe-bi-bobu, there stood Acota,
+as she thought, with a face so scarred and burnt, that his features were
+not distinguishable. She started from her throne, uttered one wild
+shriek, which was said to have been heard by the whole ten square miles
+of population, and fainted in the arms of her attendants.
+
+"We know his dress, most noble grandees," continued the chief Brahmin,
+"but how can we recognise in that object, the youth without scar or
+blemish? It is the will of Heaven," continued the chief Brahmin, piously
+and reverently bending low. And all the other grandees replied in the
+same pious manner, "It is the will of Heaven." "I say," continued the
+chief Brahmin, "that this must have been occasioned by the princess not
+having chosen as ordained by the will of her father, but having
+impiously left to chance what was to have been decided by free will. Is
+not the hand, the finger of Providence made manifest?" continued he,
+appealing to the grandees. And they all bowed low, and declared that the
+hand and finger of Providence were manifest; while the mutes, who knew
+that it was their hands and fingers which had done the deed, chuckled as
+well as they could with the remnants of their tongues. "And now,"
+continued the chief Brahmin, "we must obey the will of the late king,
+which expressly states, that if any accident should happen after the
+choice of the princess had been made, that I, the chief of our holy
+religion, should select her husband. By virtue, then, of my power, I
+call thee forth, my son, Mezrimbi, to take his place. Bow down to
+Mezrimbi, the future king of Souffraria."
+
+Acota, muffled up to the eyes, and dressed in the garments of Mezrimbi,
+stepped forth, and the chief Brahmin, and all present, in pursuance to
+his order, prostrated themselves before Acota, with their foreheads in
+the dust. Acota took that opportunity of removing the shawl, and, when
+they rose up, stood by the throne, resplendent in his beauty and his
+pride. At the sight of him, the chief Brahmin raised a cry, which was
+heard, not only further than the shriek of the beautiful Princess
+Babe-bi-bobu, but had the effect of recalling her to life and
+recollection. All joined in the cry of astonishment when they beheld
+Acota in the garments of Mezrimbi.
+
+"Who, then, art thou?" exclaimed the chief Brahmin, to his son, in
+Acota's dress.
+
+"I am," exclaimed his son, exhausted with pain and mortification, "I
+am--I was Mezrimbi."
+
+"Grandees," cried Acota, "as the chief Brahmin has already asserted, and
+as you have agreed, in that you behold the finger of Heaven, which ever
+punishes hypocrisy, cruelty, and injustice;" and the chief Brahmin fell
+down in a fit, and was carried out, with his unfortunate son Mezrimbi.
+
+In the meantime the beauteous Princess Babe-bi-bobu had recovered, and
+was in the arms of Acota, who, resigning her to her attendant maidens,
+addressed the assembly in a speech of so much eloquence, so much beauty,
+and so much force, that it was written down in letters of gold, being
+considered the _ne plus ultra_ of the Souffrarian language; he explained
+to them the nefarious attempt of Mezrimbi to counteract the will of
+Heaven, and how he had fallen into the snare which he had laid for
+others. And when he had finished, the whole assembly hailed him as their
+king; and the population, whose heads paved, as it were, a space of ten
+square miles, cried out, "Long life to the king Acota, and his beautiful
+princess Babe-bi-bobu, the cream-tart of delight!"
+
+Who can attempt to describe the magnificent procession which took place
+that evening, who can describe the proud and splendid bearing of king
+Acota, or the beaming eyes of the beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu. Shall
+I narrate how the nightingales sang themselves to death--shall I----
+
+"No, pray don't," interrupted the pacha, "only let us know one
+thing--was the beautiful Babe-bi-bobu married at last?"
+
+"She was, that very evening, your sublime highness."
+
+"Allah be praised!" rejoined the pacha. "Mustapha, let Menouni know what
+it is to tell a story to a pacha, even though it is rather a long one,
+and I thought the princess would never have been married." And the pacha
+rose and waddled to his harem.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XV
+
+
+On the ensuing day, the pacha was sitting at his divan, according to his
+custom, Mustapha by his side, lending his ear to the whispers of divers
+people who came to him in an attitude of profound respect. Still they
+were most graciously received, as the purport of their intrusion was to
+induce the vizier to interest himself in their behalves when their cause
+came forward to be heard and decided upon by the pacha, who in all cases
+was guided by the whispered opinion of Mustapha. Mustapha was a
+good-hearted man: he was always grateful, and if any one did him a good
+turn, he never forgot it. The consequence was, that an intimation that a
+purse of so many sequins would be laid at his feet if the cause to be
+heard was decided in favour of the applicant, invariably interested
+Mustapha in the favour of that party; and Mustapha's opinion was always
+coincided in by the pacha, because he had (or supposed that he had) half
+of the sequins so obtained. True, the proverb says, "you should be just
+before you are generous;" but Mustapha's arguments when he first
+proposed to the pacha this method of filling the royal treasury, were so
+excellent, that we shall hand them down to posterity. "In the first
+place," said Mustapha, "it is evident that in all these causes the
+plaintiffs and defendants are both rascals. In the second place, it is
+impossible to believe a word on either side. In the third place,
+exercising the best of your judgment, you are just as likely to go wrong
+as right. In the fourth place, if a man happens to be wronged by our
+decision, he deserves it as a punishment for his other misdeeds. In the
+fifth place, as the only respectability existing in either party
+consists in their worldly wealth, by deciding for him who gives most,
+you decide for the most respectable man. In the sixth place, it is our
+duty to be grateful for good done to us, and in so deciding, we exercise
+a virtue strongly inculcated by the Koran. In the seventh place, we
+benefit both parties by deciding quickly, as a loss is better than a
+lawsuit. And in the eighth and last place, we want money."
+
+On this day a cause was being heard, and, although weighty reasons had
+already decided the verdict, still, _pro formâ_, the witnesses on both
+sides were examined; one of these, upon being asked whether he witnessed
+the proceedings, replied, "That he had no doubt, but there was doubt on
+the subject, but that he doubted whether the doubts were correct."
+
+"Doubt--no doubt--what is all this? do you laugh at our beards?" said
+Mustapha sternly, who always made a show of justice. "Is it the fact or
+not?"
+
+"Your highness, I seldom met a fact, as it is called, without having
+half a dozen doubts hanging to it," replied the man: "I will not,
+therefore, make any assertion without the reservation of a doubt."
+
+"Answer me plainly," replied the vizier, "or the ferashes and bamboo
+will be busy with you very shortly. Did you see the money paid?"
+
+"I believe as much as I can believe any thing in this world, that I did
+see money paid; but I doubt the sum, and I doubt the metal, and I have
+also my other doubts. May it please your highness, I am an unfortunate
+man, I have been under the influence of doubts from my birth; and it has
+become a disease which I have no doubt will only end with my existence.
+I always doubt a fact, unless----"
+
+"What does the ass say? What is all this but Bosh?--nothing. Let him
+have a fact."
+
+The pacha gave the sign--the ferashes appeared--the man was thrown, and
+received fifty blows of the bastinado. The pacha then commanded them to
+desist. "Now, by our beard, is it not a fact that you have received the
+bastinado? If you still doubt the fact, we will proceed."
+
+"The fact is beyond a doubt," replied the man, prostrating himself. "But
+excuse me, your sublime highness, if I do continue to assert that I
+cannot always acknowledge a fact, without such undeniable proofs as your
+wisdom has been pleased to bring forward. If your highness were to hear
+the history of my life, you would then allow that I have cause to
+doubt."
+
+"History of his life! Mustapha, we shall have a story."
+
+"Another fifty blows on his feet would remove all his doubts, your
+highness," replied Mustapha.
+
+"Yes; but then he will be beaten out of his story. No, no; let him be
+taken away till the evening, and then we shall see how he will make out
+his case."
+
+Mustapha gave directions, in obedience to the wish of the pacha. In the
+evening, as soon as they had lighted their pipes, the man was ordered
+in, and in consideration of his swelled feet, was permitted to sit down,
+that he might be more at ease when he narrated his story, which was as
+follows.
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF HUDUSI.
+
+Most sublime pacha, allow me first to observe, that, although I have
+latterly adhered to my own opinions, I am not so intolerant as not to
+permit the same licence to others: I do not mean to say that there are
+not such things as facts in this world, nor to find fault with those who
+believe in them. I am told that there are also such things as flying
+dragons, griffins, and other wondrous animals, but surely it is quite
+sufficient for me, or any one else, to believe that these animals
+exist, when it may have been our fortune to see them; in the same
+manner, I am willing to believe in a fact, when it is cleared from the
+mists of doubt; but up to the present, I can safely say, that I seldom
+have fallen in with a fact, unaccompanied by _doubts_, and every year
+adds to my belief, that there are few genuine facts in existence. So
+interwoven in my frame is doubt, that I sometimes am unwilling to admit,
+as a fact, that I exist. I believe it to be the case, but I feel that I
+have no right to assert it, until I know what death is, and may from
+thence draw an inference, which may lead me to a just conclusion.
+
+My name is Hudusi. Of my parents I can say little. My father asserted
+that he was the bravest janissary in the sultan's employ, and had
+greatly distinguished himself. He was always talking of Rustam, as being
+a fool compared to him; of the number of battles he had fought, and of
+the wounds which he had received in leading his corps on all desperate
+occasions; but as my father often bathed before me, and the only wound I
+could ever perceive was one in his rear, when he spoke of his bravery, I
+_very much doubted the fact_.
+
+My mother fondled and made much of me, declared that I was the image of
+my father, a sweet pledge of their affections, a blessing sent by Heaven
+upon their marriage; but, as my father's nose was aquiline, and mine is
+a snub, or aquiline reversed; his mouth large, and mine small; his eyes
+red and ferrety, and mine projecting; and, moreover, as she was a very
+handsome woman, and used to pay frequent visits to the cave of a sainted
+man in high repute, of whom I was the image, when she talked of the
+janissary's paternity, I _very much doubted the fact_.
+
+An old mollah taught me to read and write and repeat the verses of the
+Koran--and I was as much advanced as any boy under his charge--but he
+disliked me very much for reasons which I never could understand, and
+was eternally giving me the slipper. He declared that I was a reprobate,
+an unbeliever, a son of Jehanum, who would be impaled before I was much
+older; but here I am, without a stake through my body at the age of
+forty-five; and your highness must acknowledge that when he railed all
+this in my ears, I was justified in _very much doubting the fact_.
+
+When I was grown up, my father wanted me to enrol myself in the corps of
+janissaries, and become a lion-killer like himself; I remonstrated, but
+in vain; he applied, and I was accepted, and received the mark on my
+arm, which constituted me a janissary. I put on the dress, swaggered and
+bullied with many other young men of my acquaintance, who were all
+ready, as they swore, to eat their enemies alive, and who curled their
+mustachios to prove the truth of what they said. We were despatched to
+quell a rebellious pacha--we bore down upon his troops with a shout,
+enough to frighten the devil, but the devil a bit were they frightened,
+they stood their ground; and as they would not run, we did, leaving
+those who were not so wise, to be cut to pieces. After this, when any of
+my companions talked of their bravery, or my father declared that he
+should be soon promoted to the rank of a Spahi, and that I was a lion's
+whelp, I _very much doubted the fact_.
+
+The pacha held out much longer than was at first anticipated; indeed, so
+long as to cause no little degree of anxiety in the capital. More troops
+were despatched to subdue him; and success not attending our efforts,
+the vizier, according to the custom, was under the disagreeable
+necessity of parting with his head, which was demanded because we turned
+tail. Indeed, it was to oblige us, that the sultan consented to deprive
+himself of the services of a very able man; for we surrounded the
+palace, and insisted that it was all his fault, but, considering our
+behaviour in the field of battle, your highness must admit that there
+was reason to _doubt the fact_.
+
+We were again despatched against this rebellious pacha, who sat upon the
+parapets of his stronghold, paying down thirty sequins for the head of
+every janissary brought to him by his own troops, and I am afraid a
+great deal of money was spent in that way. We fell into an ambuscade,
+and one half of the corps to which my father belonged were cut to
+pieces, before we could receive any assistance. At last the enemy
+retired. I looked for my father, and found him expiring; as before, he
+had received a wound on the wrong side, a spear having transfixed him
+between the shoulders. "Tell how I died like a brave man," said he, "and
+tell your mother that I am gone to Paradise." From an intimate knowledge
+of my honoured father's character, in the qualities of thief, liar, and
+coward, although I promised to deliver the message, _I very much doubted
+these facts_.
+
+That your highness may understand how it was that I happened to be left
+alone, and alive on the field of battle, I must inform you, that I
+inherited a considerable portion of my father's courageous temper, and
+not much liking the snapping of the pistols in my face, I had thrown
+myself down on the ground, and had remained there very quietly,
+preferring to be trampled on, rather than interfere with what was going
+on above.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"By the sword of the prophet! there is one fact--you were a very great
+coward," observed the pacha.
+
+"Among my other doubts, your highness, I certainly have some doubts as
+to my bravery."
+
+"By the beard of the pacha, I have no doubts on the subject," observed
+Mustapha.
+
+"Without attempting to defend my courage, may I observe to your
+highness, that it was a matter of perfect indifference to me whether the
+sultan or the pacha was victorious; and I did not much admire hard
+blows, without having an opportunity of putting a few sequins in my
+pocket. I never knew of any man, however brave he might be, who fought
+for love of fighting, or amusement; we all are trying in this world to
+get money; and that is, I believe, the secret spring of all our
+actions."
+
+"Is that true, Mustapha?" inquired the pacha.
+
+"May it please your sublime highness, if not the truth, it is not very
+far from it. Proceed, Hudusi."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The ideas which I have ventured to express before your sublime highness,
+were running in my mind, as I sat down among the dead and dying, and I
+thought how much better off were the pacha's soldiers than those of our
+sublime sultan, who had nothing but hard blows, while the pacha's
+soldiers received thirty sequins for the head of everyone of our corps
+of janissaries; and one idea breeding another, I reflected that it would
+be very prudent, now that the pacha appeared to be gaining the
+advantage, to be on the right side. Having made up my mind upon this
+point, it then occurred to me, that I might as well get a few sequins by
+the exchange, and make my appearance before the pacha, with one or two
+of the heads of the janissaries, who were lying close to me. I therefore
+divested myself of whatever might give the idea of my belonging to the
+corps, took off the heads and rifled the pockets of three janissaries,
+and was about to depart, when I thought of my honoured father, and
+turned back to take a last farewell. It was cruel to part with a parent,
+and I could not make up my mind to part with him altogether, so I added
+his head, and the contents of his sash, to those of the other three, and
+smearing my face and person with blood, with my scimitar in my hand and
+the four heads tied up in a bundle, made my way for the pacha's
+stronghold; but the skirmishing was still going on outside of the walls,
+and I narrowly escaped a corps of janissaries, who would have recognised
+me. As it was, two of them followed me as I made for the gate of the
+fortress; and, encumbered as I was, I was forced to turn at bay. No man
+fights better than, and even a man who otherwise would not fight at all,
+will fight well, when he can't help it. I never was so brave in my life.
+I cut down one, and the other ran away, and this in the presence of the
+pacha, who was seated on the embrasure at the top of the wall; and thus
+I gained my entrance into the fort. I hastened to the pacha's presence,
+and laid at his feet the four heads. The pacha was so pleased at my
+extraordinary valour, that he threw me a purse of five hundred pieces of
+gold, and ordered me to be promoted, asking me to what division of his
+troops I belonged. I replied, that I was a volunteer. I was made an
+officer, and thus did I find myself a rich man and a man of consequence
+by merely changing sides.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"That's not quite so uncommon a method of getting on in the world as you
+may imagine," observed Mustapha, drily.
+
+"Mustapha," said the pacha, almost gasping, "all these are words,
+wind--bosh. By the fountains that play round the throne of Mahomet, but
+my throat feels as hot and as dry with this fellow's doubts, as if it
+were paved with live cinders. I doubt whether we shall be able ever to
+moisten it again."
+
+"That doubt, your sublimity ought to resolve immediately. Hudusi,
+murakhas--my friend, you are dismissed."
+
+Hardly had the doubter gathered up his slippers, and backed out from the
+presence, when the pacha and his minister were, with an honest rivalry,
+endeavouring to remove at once their doubts and their thirst, and were
+so successful in their attempts, that they, in a short time, exchanged
+their state of dubiety into a very happy one of ebriety.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XVI
+
+
+The next morning the pacha and his minister, after the business of the
+divan, with their heads aching from the doubts of Hudusi, or the means
+that they had taken to refute them, in not the best humour in the world
+listened to the continuation of them as follows:--
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I have heard it observed, continued Hudusi, that the sudden possession
+of gold will make a brave man cautious, and he who is not brave, still
+more dastardly than he was before. It certainly was the case with me; my
+five hundred pieces of gold had such an effect, that everything in the
+shape of valour oozed out at my fingers' ends. I reflected again, and
+the result was that I determined to have nothing more to do with the
+business, and that neither the sultan nor the pacha should be the better
+for my exertions. That night we made a sally; and as I was considered a
+prodigy of valour, I was one of those who were ordered to lead on my
+troop. I curled my moustachios, swore I would not leave a janissary
+alive, flourished my scimitar, marched out at the head of my troop, and
+then took to my heels, and in two days arrived safely at my mother's
+house. As soon as I entered, I tore my turban, and threw dust upon my
+head, in honour of my father's memory, and then sat down. My mother
+embraced me--we were alone.
+
+"And your father? Is it for him that we are to mourn?"
+
+"Yes," replied I, "he was a lion, and he is in Paradise."
+
+My mother commenced a bitter lamentation; but of a sudden recollecting
+herself, she said, "But, Hudusi, it's no use tearing one's hair and good
+clothes for nothing. Are you sure that your father is dead?"
+
+"Quite sure," replied I. "I saw him down."
+
+"But he may only be wounded," replied my mother.
+
+"Not so, my dearest mother, abandon all hope, for I saw his head off."
+
+"Are you sure it was his body that you saw with the head off?"
+
+"Quite sure, dear mother, for I was a witness to its being cut off."
+
+"If that is the case," replied my mother, "he can never come back again,
+that's clear. Allah acbar--God is great. Then must we mourn." And my
+mother ran out into the street before the door, shrieking and screaming,
+tearing her hair and her garments, so as to draw the attention and
+sympathy of all her neighbours, who asked her what was the matter. "Ah!
+wahi, the head of my house is no more," cried she, "my heart is all
+bitterness--my soul is dried up--my liver is but as water; ah! wahi, ah!
+wahi," and she continued to weep and tear her hair, refusing all
+consolation. The neighbours came to her assistance; they talked to her,
+they reasoned with her, restrained her violence, and soothed her into
+quietness. They all declared that it was a heavy loss, but that a true
+believer had gone to Paradise; and they all agreed that no woman's
+conduct could be more exemplary, that no woman was ever more fond of her
+husband. I said nothing, but I must acknowledge that, from her previous
+conversation with me, and the quantity of pilau which she devoured that
+evening for her supper, I _very much doubted the fact_.
+
+I did not remain long at home, as, although it was my duty to acquaint
+my mother with my father's death, it was also my duty to appear to
+return to my corps. This I had resolved never more to do. I reflected
+that a life of quiet and ease was best suited to my disposition, and I
+resolved to join some religious sect. Before I quitted my mother's roof
+I gave her thirty sequins, which she was most thankful for, as she was
+in straitened circumstances. "Ah!" cried she, as she wrapt up the money
+carefully in a piece of rag, "if you could only have brought back your
+poor father's head, Hudusi!"--I might have told her that she had just
+received what I had sold it for--but I thought it just as well to say
+nothing about it; so I embraced her, and departed.
+
+There was a sort of dervishes, who had taken up their quarters about
+seven miles from the village where my mother resided, and as they never
+remained long in one place, I hastened to join them. On my arrival, I
+requested to speak with their chief, and imagining that I was come with
+the request of prayers to be offered up on behalf of some wished-for
+object, I was admitted.
+
+"Khoda shefa midêhed--God gives relief," said the old man. "What wishest
+thou, my son? Khosh amedeed--you are welcome."
+
+I stated my wish to enter into the sect, from a religious feeling; and
+requested that I might be permitted.
+
+"Thou knowest not what thou askest, my son. Ours is a hard life, one of
+penitence, prostration, and prayer--our food is but of herbs and the
+water of the spring; our rest is broken, and we know not where to lay
+our heads. Depart, yaha bibi, my friend, depart in peace."
+
+"But, father," replied I (for to tell your highness the truth,
+notwithstanding the old man's assertions, as to their austerities of
+life, I very much doubted the fact), "I am prepared for all this, if
+necessary, and even more. I have brought my little wealth to add to the
+store, and contribute to the welfare of your holy band; and I must not
+be denied." I perceived that the old man's eyes twinkled at the bare
+mention of gold, and I drew from my sash five-and-twenty sequins, which
+I had separated from my hoard, with the intention of offering it. "See,
+holy father," continued I, "the offering which I would make."
+
+"Barik Allah--praise be to God," exclaimed the dervish, "that he has
+sent us a true believer. Thy offering is accepted, but thou must not
+expect yet to enter into the austerities of our holy order. I have many
+disciples here, who wear the dress, and yet they are not as regular as
+good dervishes should be; but there is a time for all things, and when
+their appetite to do wrong fails them, they will (Inshallah, please
+God), in all probability, become more holy and devout men. You are
+accepted." And the old man held out his hand for the money, which he
+clutched with eagerness, and hid away under his garment. "Ali," said he
+to one of the dervishes who had stood at some distance during my
+audience, "this young man--what is your name--Hudusi--is admitted into
+our fraternity. Take him with thee, give him a dress of the order, and
+let him be initiated into our mysteries, first demanding from him the
+oath of secrecy. Murakhas, good Hudusi, you are dismissed."
+
+I followed the dervish through a narrow passage, until we arrived at a
+door, at which he knocked; it was opened, and I passed through a
+courtyard, where I perceived several of the dervishes stretched on the
+ground in various postures, breathing heavily and insensible.
+
+"These," said my conductor, "are holy men who are favoured by Allah.
+They are in a trance, and during that state are visited by the Prophet,
+and are permitted to enter the eighth heaven, and see the glories
+prepared for true believers." I made no reply to his assertion, but as
+it was evident that they were all in a state of beastly intoxication, I
+_very much doubted the fact_.
+
+I received my dress, took an oath of secrecy, and was introduced to my
+companions, whom I soon found to be a set of dissolute fellows,
+indulging in every vice, and laughing at every virtue; living in
+idleness, and by the contributions made to them by the people, who
+firmly believed in their pretended sanctity. The old man, with the white
+beard, who was their chief, was the only one who did not indulge in
+debauchery. He had outlived his appetite for the vices of youth, and
+fallen into the vice of age--a love for money, which was insatiable. I
+must acknowledge that the company and mode of living were more to my
+satisfaction than the vigils, hard fare, and constant prayer, with which
+the old man had threatened me, when I proposed to enter the community,
+and I soon became an adept in dissimulation and hypocrisy, and a great
+favourite with my brethren.
+
+I ought to have observed to your sublimity, that the sect of dervishes
+of which I had become a member, were then designated by the name of
+_howling_ dervishes; all our religion consisted in howling like jackals
+or hyenas, with all our might, until we fell down in real or pretended
+convulsions. My howl was considered as the most appalling and unearthly
+that was ever heard, and, of course, my sanctity was increased in
+proportion. We were on our way to Scutari, where was our real place of
+residence, and only lodged here and there on our journey to fleece those
+who were piously disposed. I had not joined more than ten days when
+they continued their route, and after a week of very profitable
+travelling, passed through Constantinople, crossed the Bosphorus, and
+regained their place of domiciliation, and were received with great joy
+by the inhabitants, to whom the old chief and many others of our troop
+were well known.
+
+Your sublime highness must be aware that the dervishes are not only
+consulted by, but often become the bankers of, the inhabitants, who
+intrust them with the care of their money. My old chief (whose name I
+should have mentioned before was Ulu-bibi) held large sums in trust for
+many of the people with whom he was acquainted; but his avarice inducing
+him to lend the money out on usury, it was very difficult to recover it
+when it was desired, although it was always religiously paid back. I had
+not been many months at Scutari, before I found myself in high favour,
+from my superior howling and the duration of my convulsions. But during
+this state, which by habit soon became spasmodic, continuing until the
+vital functions were almost extinct, the mind was as active as ever, and
+I lay immersed in a sea of doubt which was most painful. In my state of
+exhaustion I doubted everything. I doubted if my convulsions were
+convulsions or only feigned; I doubted if I was asleep or awake; I
+doubted whether I was in a trance, or in another world, or dead, or----
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Friend Hudusi," interrupted Mustapha, "we want the facts of your story,
+and not your doubts. Say I not well, your highness? What is all this but
+bosh?--nothing."
+
+"It is well said," replied the pacha.
+
+"Sometimes I thought that I had seized possession of a fact, but it
+slipped through my fingers like the tail of an eel."
+
+"Let us have the facts, which did not escape thee, friend, and let the
+mists of doubt be cleared away before the glory of the pacha," replied
+Mustapha.
+
+One day I was sitting in the warmth of the sun, by the tomb of a true
+believer, when an old woman accosted me. "You are welcome," said I.
+
+"Is your humour good?" said she.
+
+"It is good," replied I.
+
+She sat down by me, and after a quarter of an hour she continued: "God
+is great," said she.
+
+"And Mahomet is his Prophet," replied I. "In the name of Allah, what do
+you wish?"
+
+"Where is the holy man? I have money to give into his charge. May I not
+see him?"
+
+"He is at his devotions--but what is that? Am not I the same? Do I not
+watch when he prayeth--Inshallah--please God, we are the same. Give me
+the bag."
+
+"Here it is," said she, pulling out the money: "seven hundred sequins,
+my daughter's marriage-portion; but there are bad men, who steal, and
+there are good men, whom we can trust. Say I not well?"
+
+"It is well said," replied I; "and God is great."
+
+"You will find the money right," said she. "Count it."
+
+I counted it, and returned it into the goat-skin bag. "It is all right.
+Leave me, woman, for I must go in."
+
+The old woman left me, returning thanks to Allah that her money was
+safe, but from certain ideas running in my mind, I very _much doubted
+the fact_. I sat down full of doubts. I doubted if the old woman had
+come honestly by the money; and whether I should give it to the head
+dervish. I doubted whether I ought to retain it for myself, and whether
+I might not come to mischief. I also had my doubts----
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I have no doubt," interrupted Mustapha, "but that you kept it for
+yourself. Say--is it not so?"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Even so did my doubts resolve into that fact. I settled it in my mind,
+that seven hundred sequins, added to about four hundred still in my
+possession, would last some time, and that I was tired of the life of a
+howling dervish. I therefore set up one last long final howl to let my
+senior know that I was present, and then immediately became absent. I
+hastened to the bazaar, and purchasing here and there--at one place a
+vest, at another a shawl, and at another a turban--I threw off my dress
+of a dervish, hastened to the bath, and after a few minutes under the
+barber, came out like a butterfly from its dark shell. No one would have
+recognised in the spruce young Turk, the filthy dervish. I hastened to
+Constantinople, where I lived gaily, and spent my money; but I found
+that to mix in the world, it is necessary not only to have an attaghan,
+but also to have the courage to use it; and in several broils which took
+place, from my too frequent use of the water of the Giaour, I invariably
+proved that, although my voice was that of a lion, my heart was but as
+water, and the finger of contempt was but too often pointed at the beard
+of pretence. One evening, as I was escaping from a coffee-house, after
+having drawn my attaghan, without having the courage to face my
+adversary, I received a blow from his weapon which cleft my turban, and
+cut deeply into my head. I flew through the streets upon the wings of
+fear, and at last ran against an unknown object, which I knocked down,
+and then fell along side of, rolling with it in the mud. I recovered
+myself, and looking at it, found it to be alive, and, in the excess of
+my alarm, I imagined it to be Shitan himself; but if not the devil
+himself, it was one of the sons of Shitan, for it was an unbeliever, a
+Giaour, a dog to spit upon; in short, it was a Frank hakim--so renowned
+for curing all diseases that it was said he was assisted by the Devil.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Lahnet be Shitan! Curses on the devil!" said Mustapha, taking his pipe
+out of his mouth and spitting.
+
+"Wallah Thaib! It is well said," replied the pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I was so convinced that it was nothing of this world, that, as soon as
+I could recover my legs, I made a blow at him with my attaghan, fully
+expecting that he would disappear in a flame of fire at the touch of a
+true believer; but, on the contrary, he had also recovered his legs, and
+with a large cane with a gold top on it, he parried my cut, and then
+saluted me with such a blow on my head, that I again fell down in the
+mud, quite insensible. When I recovered, I found myself on a mat in an
+outhouse, and attended by my opponent, who was plastering up my head.
+"It is nothing," said he, as he bound up my head; but I suffered so much
+pain, and felt so weak from loss of blood, that in spite of his
+assertions, I very much doubted the fact. Shall I describe this son of
+Jehanum? And when I do so, will not your highness doubt the fact? Be
+chesm, upon my head be it, if I lie. He was less than a man, for he had
+no beard; he had no turban, but a piece of net-work, covered with the
+hair of other men in their tombs, which he sprinkled with the flour from
+the baker's, every morning, to feed his brain. He wore round his neck a
+piece of linen, tight as a bowstring, to prevent his head being taken
+off by any devout true believer, as he walked through the street. His
+dress was of the colour of hell, black, and bound closely to his body,
+yet must he have been a great man in his own country, for he was
+evidently a pacha of two tails, which were hanging behind him. He was a
+dreadful man to look upon, and feared nothing; he walked into the house
+of pestilence--he handled those whom Allah had visited with the
+plague--he went to the bed, and the sick rose and walked. He warred with
+destiny; and no man could say what was his fate until the Hakim had
+decided. He held in his hand the key of the portal, which opened into
+the regions of death; and--what can I say more?--he said live, and the
+believer lived; he said die, and the houris received him into Paradise.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"A yesedi! a worshipper of the devil," exclaimed Mustapha.
+
+"May he and his father's grave be eternally defiled!" responded the
+pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I remained a fortnight under the Hakim's hands before I was well enough
+to walk about; and when I had reflected, I doubted whether it would not
+be wiser to embrace a more peaceful profession. The Hakim spoke our
+language well, and one day said to me, "Thou art more fit to cure than
+to give wounds. Thou shalt assist me, for he who is now with me will not
+remain." I consented, and putting on a more peaceful garb, continued
+many months with the Frank physician, travelling everywhere, but seldom
+remaining long in one place; he followed disease instead of flying from
+it, and I had my doubts whether, from constant attendance upon the
+dying, I might not die myself, and I resolved to quit him the first
+favourable opportunity. I had already learnt many wonderful things from
+him; that blood was necessary to life, and that without breath a man
+would die, and that white powders cured fevers, and black drops stopped
+the dysentery. At last we arrived in this town, and the other day, as I
+was pounding the drug of reflection in the mortar of patience, the
+physician desired me to bring his lancets, and to follow him. I paced
+through the streets behind the learned Hakim, until we arrived at a mean
+house, in an obscure quarter of this grand city over which your highness
+reigns in justice. An old woman full of lamentation, led us to the sick
+couch, where lay a creature, beautiful in shape as a houri. The Frank
+physician was desired by the old woman to feel her pulse through the
+curtain, but he laughed at her beard (for she had no small one), and
+drew aside the curtains and took hold of a hand so small and so
+delicate, that it were only fit to feed the Prophet himself near the
+throne of the angel Gabriel, with the immortal pilau prepared for true
+believers. Her face was covered, and the Frank desired the veil to be
+removed. The old woman refused, and he turned on his heel to leave her
+to the assaults of death. The old woman's love for her child conquered
+her religious scruples, and she consented that her daughter should
+unveil to an unbeliever. I was in ecstasy at her charms, and could have
+asked her for a wife; but the Frank only asked to see her tongue. Having
+looked at it, he turned away with as much indifference as if it had been
+a dying dog. He desired me to bind up her arm, and took away a basin
+full of her golden blood, and then put a white powder into the hands of
+the old woman, saying that he would see her again. I held out my hand
+for the gold, but there was none forthcoming.
+
+"We are poor," cried the old woman, to the Hakim, "but God is great."
+
+"I do not want your money, good woman," replied he; "I will cure your
+daughter." Then he went to the bedside and spoke comfort to the sick
+girl, telling her to be of good courage, and all would be well.
+
+The girl answered in a voice sweeter than a nightingale's, that she had
+but thanks to offer in return, and prayers to the Most High. "Yes," said
+the old woman, raising her voice, "a scoundrel of a howling dervish
+robbed me at Scutari of all I had for my subsistence, and of my
+daughter's portion, seven hundred sequins, in a goat-skin bag!"--and
+then she began to curse. May the dogs of the city howl at her ugliness!
+How she did curse! She cursed my father and mother--she cursed their
+graves--flung dirt upon my brother and sisters, and filth upon the whole
+generation. She gave me up to Jehanum, and to every species of
+defilement. It was a dreadful thing to hear that old woman curse. I
+pulled my turban over my eyes, that she might not recognise me, and
+lifted up my garment to cover my face, that I might not be defiled with
+the shower of curses which were thrown at me like mud, and sat there
+watching till the storm was over. Unfortunately, in lifting up my
+garment, I exposed to the view of the old hag the cursed goat-skin bag,
+which hung at my girdle, and contained, not only her money, but the
+remainder of my own. "Mashallah--how wonderful is God!" screamed the
+old beldame, flying at me like a tigress, and clutching the bag from my
+girdle. Having secured that, she darted at me with her ten nails, and
+scored down my face, which I had so unfortunately covered in the first
+instance, and so unfortunately uncovered in the second. What shall I say
+more? The neighbours came in--I was hurried before the cadi, in company
+with the old woman and the Frank physician. The money and bag were taken
+from me--I was dismissed by the Hakim, and after receiving one hundred
+blows from the ferashes, I was dismissed by the cadi. It was my
+fate--and I have told my story. Is your slave dismissed?
+
+"No," replied the pacha; "by our beard, we must see to this, Mustapha;
+say, Hudusi, what was the decision of the cadi? Our ears are open."
+
+"The cadi decided as follows:--That I had stolen the money, and
+therefore I was punished with the bastinado; but, as the old woman
+stated that the bag contained seven hundred sequins, and there were
+found in it upwards of eleven hundred, that the money could not belong
+to her. He therefore retained it until he could find the right owner.
+The physician was fined fifty sequins for looking at a Turkish woman,
+and fifty more for shrugging up his shoulders. The girl was ordered into
+the cadi's harem, because she had lost her dowry; and the old woman was
+sent about her business. All present declared that the sentence was
+wisdom itself; but, for my part, _I very much doubted the fact_."
+
+"Mustapha," said the pacha, "send for the cadi, the Frank physician, the
+old woman, the girl, and the goat-skin bag; we must examine into this
+affair."
+
+The officers were despatched, and in less than an hour, during which the
+pacha and his vizier smoked in silence, the cadi and the others made
+their appearance.
+
+"May your highness's shadow never be less!" said the cadi, as he
+entered.
+
+"Mobarek! may you be fortunate!" replied the pacha. "What is this we
+hear, cadi? There is a goat-skin bag and a girl, that are not known to
+our justice. Are there secrets like those hid in the well of
+Kashan--speak! what dirt have you been eating?"
+
+"What shall I say?" replied the cadi; "I am but as dirt; the money is
+here, and the girl is here. Is the pacha to be troubled with every
+woman's noise, or am I to come before him with a piece or two of
+gold--Min Allah--God forbid! Have I not here the money, and _seven more
+purses_? Was not the girl visited by the angel of death; and could she
+appear before your presence lean as a dog in the bazaar? Is she not
+here? Have I spoken well?"
+
+"It is well said, cadi. Murakhas--you are dismissed."
+
+The Frank physician was then fined one hundred sequins more; fifty for
+feeling the pulse, and fifty more for looking at a Turkish woman's
+tongue. The young woman was dismissed to the pacha's harem, the old
+woman to curse as much as she pleased, and Hudusi with full permission
+to _doubt_ anything but the justice of the pacha.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XVII
+
+
+"Mashallah! God be praised! we are rid of that fellow and his doubts. I
+have been thinking, Mustapha, as I smoked the pipe of surmise, and
+arrived at the ashes of certainty, that a man who had so many doubts,
+could not be a true believer. I wish I had sent him to the mollahs; we
+might have been amused with his being impaled, which is a rare object
+now-a-days."
+
+"God is great," replied Mustapha, "and a stake is a strong argument, and
+would remove many doubts. But I have an infidel in the court-yard who
+telleth of strange things. He hath been caught like a wild beast; it is
+a Frank Galiongi, who hath travelled as far as that son of Shitan,
+Huckaback; he was found in the streets, overpowered by the forbidden
+juice, after having beaten many of your highness's subjects, and the
+cadi would have administered the bamboo, but he was as a lion, and he
+scattered the slaves as chaff, until he fell, and could not rise again.
+I have taken him from the cadi, and brought him here. He speaketh but
+the Frankish tongue, but the sun who shineth on me knoweth I have been
+in the Frank country; and Inshallah! please the Lord, I can interpret
+his meaning."
+
+"What sort of a man may he be, Mustapha?"
+
+"He is a baj baj--a big belly--a stout man; he is an Anhunkher, a
+swallower of iron. He hath sailed in the war vessels of the Franks. He
+holdeth in one hand a bottle of the forbidden liquor; in the other, he
+shakes at those who would examine him, a thick stick. He hath a large
+handful of the precious weed which we use for our pipes in one of his
+cheeks, and his hair is hanging behind down to his waist, in a rolled up
+mass, as thick as the arm of your slave."
+
+"It is well--we will admit him; but let there be armed men at hand. Let
+me have a full pipe! God is great," continued the pacha, holding out his
+glass to be filled; "and the bottle is nearly empty. Place the guards,
+and bring in the infidel."
+
+The guards in a few minutes brought into the presence of the pacha a
+stout-built English sailor, in the usual dress, and with a tail which
+hung down behind, below his waist. The sailor did not appear to like his
+treatment; and every now and then, as they pushed and dragged him in,
+turned to one side or the other, looking daggers at those who conducted
+him. He was sober, although his eyes bore testimony to recent
+intoxication, and his face, which was manly and handsome, was much
+disfigured by an enormous quid of tobacco in his right cheek, which gave
+him an appearance of natural deformity. As soon as he was near enough to
+the pacha, the attendants let him go. Jack shook his jacket, hitched up
+his trousers, and said, looking furiously at them, "Well, you beggars,
+have you done with me at last?"
+
+Mustapha addressed the sailor in English, telling him that he was in the
+presence of his highness the pacha.
+
+"What, that old chap, muffled up in shawls and furs--is he the pacha?
+Well, I don't think much o' he;" and the sailor turned his eyes round
+the room, gaping with astonishment, and perfectly unmindful how very
+near he was to one who could cut off his head or his tail, by a single
+movement of his hand.
+
+"What sayeth the Frank, Mustapha?" inquired the pacha.
+
+"He is struck dumb with astonishment at the splendour of your majesty,
+and all that he beholds."
+
+"It is well said, by Allah!"
+
+"I suppose I may just as well come to an anchor," said the sailor,
+suiting the action to the word, and dropping down on the mats. "There,"
+continued he, folding his legs in imitation of the Turks, "as it's the
+fashion to have a cross in your hawse, on this here country, I can be a
+bit of a lubber as well as yourselves. I wouldn't mind if I blew a
+cloud, as well as you, old fusty-musty."
+
+"What does the Giaour say? What son of a dog is this, to sit in our
+presence?" exclaimed the pacha.
+
+"He saith," replied Mustapha, "that in his country, no one dare stand in
+the presence of the Frankish king; and, overcome by his humility, his
+legs refuse their office, and he sinks to the dust before you. It is
+even as he sayeth, for I have travelled in their country, and such is
+the custom of that uncivilised nation. Mashallah! but he lives in awe
+and trembling."
+
+"By the beard of the Prophet, he does not appear to show it outwardly,"
+replied the pacha; "but that may be the custom also."
+
+"Be chesm, on my eyes be it," replied Mustapha, "it is even so. Frank,"
+said Mustapha, "the pacha has sent for you that he may hear an account
+of all the wonderful things which you have seen. You must tell lies, and
+you will have gold."
+
+"Tell lies! that is, spin a yarn; well, I can do that, but my mouth's
+baked with thirst, and without a drop of something, the devil a yarn
+from me, and so you may tell the old Billygoat, perched up there."
+
+"What sayeth the son of Shitan?" demanded the pacha, impatiently.
+
+"The unbeliever declareth that his tongue is glued to his mouth from the
+terror of your highness's presence. He fainteth after water to restore
+him, and enable him to speak."
+
+"Let him be fed," rejoined the pacha.
+
+But Mustapha had heard enough to know that the sailor would not be
+content with the pure element. He therefore continued, "Your slave must
+tell you, that in the country of the Franks they drink nothing but the
+fire-water, in which the true believers but occasionally venture to
+indulge."
+
+"Allah acbar! nothing but fire-water? What, then, do they do with common
+water?"
+
+"They have none but from heaven--the rivers are all of the same
+strength."
+
+"Mashallah! how wonderful is God! I would we had a river here. Let some
+be procured, then, for I wish to hear his story."
+
+A bottle of brandy was sent for, and handed to the sailor, who put it to
+his mouth, and the quantity he took of it before he removed the bottle
+to recover his breath, fully convinced the pacha that Mustapha's
+assertions were true.
+
+"Come, that's not so bad," said the sailor, putting the bottle down
+between his legs; "and now I'll be as good as my word, and I'll spin old
+Billy a yarn as long as the main-top bowling."
+
+"What sayeth the Giaour?" interrupted the pacha.
+
+"That he is about to lay at your highness's feet the wonderful events of
+his life, and trusts that his face will be whitened before he quits your
+sublime presence. Frank, you may proceed."
+
+"To lie till I'm black in the face--well, since you wish it; but, old
+chap, my name arn't Frank. It happens to be Bill; howsomever, it warn't
+a bad guess for a Turk; and now I'm here, I'd just like to ax you a
+question. We had a bit of a hargument the other day, when I was in a
+frigate up the Dardanelles, as to what your religion might be. Jack
+Soames said that you warn't Christians, but that if you were, you could
+only be Catholics; but I don't know how he could know anything about it,
+seeing that he had not been more than seven weeks on board of a
+man-of-war. What may you be--if I may make so bold as to ax the
+question?"
+
+"What does he say?" inquired the pacha, impatiently.
+
+"He says," interrupted Mustapha, "that he was not so fortunate as to be
+born in the country of the true believers, but in an island full of fog
+and mist, where the sun never shines, and the cold is so intense, that
+the water from heaven is hard and cold as a flint."
+
+"That accounts for their not drinking it. Mashallah! God is great! Let
+him proceed."
+
+"The pacha desires me to say that there is but one God, and Mahomet is
+his Prophet; and begs that you will go on with your story."
+
+"Never heard of the chap--never mind--here's saw wood."
+
+
+
+TALE OF THE ENGLISH SAILOR.
+
+I was born at Shields, and bred to the sea, served my time out of that
+port, and got a berth on board a small vessel fitted out from Liverpool
+for the slave trade. We made the coast, unstowed our beads, spirits, and
+gunpowder, and very soon had a cargo on board; but the day after we
+sailed for the Havannah, the dysentery broke out among the niggers--no
+wonder, seeing how they were stowed, poor devils, head and tail, like
+pilchards in a cask. We opened the hatches, and brought part of them on
+deck, but it was of no use, they died like rotten sheep, and we tossed
+overboard about thirty a day. Many others, who were alive, jumped
+overboard, and we were followed by a shoal of sharks, splashing, and
+darting, and diving, and tearing the bodies, yet warm, and revelling in
+the hot and bloody water. At last they were all gone, and we turned back
+to the coast to get a fresh supply. We were within a day's sail of the
+land, when we saw two boats on our weather bow: they made signals to us,
+and we found them to be full of men; we hove to, and took them on board,
+and then it was that we discovered that they had belonged to a French
+schooner, in the same trade, which had started a plank, and had gone
+down like a shot, with all the niggers in the hold.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Now, give the old gentleman the small change of that, while I just wet
+my whistle."
+
+Mustapha having interpreted, and the sailor having taken a swig at the
+bottle, he proceeded.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+We didn't much like having these French beggars on board, and it wasn't
+without reason, for they were as many as we were. The very first night
+they were overheard by a negro who belonged to us, and had learnt
+French, making a plan for overpowering us, and taking possession of the
+vessel; so when we heard that, their doom was sealed. We mustered
+ourselves on the deck, put the hatches over some o' the French, seized
+those on deck, and--in half an hour, they all walked the plank.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I do not understand what you mean," said Mustapha.
+
+"That's 'cause you're a lubber of a landsman. The long and short of
+walking a plank is just this. We passed a wide plank over the gunnel,
+greasing it well at the outer end, led the Frenchmen up to it
+blindfolded, and wished them 'bon voyage,' in their own lingo, just out
+of politeness. They walked on till they toppled into the sea, and the
+sharks didn't refuse them, though they prefer a nigger to anything
+else."
+
+"What does he say, Mustapha?" interrupted the pacha. Mustapha
+interpreted.
+
+"Good; I should like to have seen that," replied the pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Well, as soon as we were rid of the Frenchmen, we made our port, and
+soon had another cargo on board, and, after a good run, got safe to the
+Havannah, where we sold our slaves; but I didn't much like the sarvice,
+so I cut the schooner, and sailed home in summer, and got back safe to
+England. There I fell in with Betsy, and as she proved a regular
+out-and-outer, I spliced her; and a famous wedding we had of it, as long
+as the rhino lasted; but that wasn't long, the more's the pity; so I
+went to sea for more. When I came back after my trip, I found that Bet
+hadn't behaved quite so well as she might have done, so I cut my stick,
+and went away from her altogether.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Why didn't you put her in a sack?" inquired the pacha, when Mustapha
+explained.
+
+"Put her head in a bag--no, she wasn't so ugly as all that," replied the
+sailor. "Howsomever, to coil away."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I joined a privateer brig, and after three cruises I had plenty of
+money, and determined to have another spell on shore, that I might get
+rid of it. Then I picked up Sue, and spliced again; but, Lord bless your
+heart, she turned out a regular-built Tartar--nothing but fight fight,
+scratch scratch, all day long, till I wished her at old Scratch. I was
+tired of her, and Sue had taken a fancy to another chap; so says she one
+day, "As we both be of the same mind, why don't you sell me, and then we
+may part in a respectable manner." I agrees, and I puts a halter round
+her neck, and leads her to the market-place, the chap following to buy
+her.
+
+"Who bids for this woman?" says I.
+
+"I do," say he.
+
+"What will you give?"
+
+"Half-a-crown," says he.
+
+"Will you throw a glass of grog into the bargain?"
+
+"Yes," says he.
+
+"Then she's yours; and I wish you much joy of your bargain." So I hands
+the rope to him, and he leads her off.
+
+"How much did you say he sold his wife for?" said the pacha to
+Mustapha, when this part of the story was repeated to him.
+
+"A piastre, and a drink of the fire-water," replied the vizier.
+
+"Ask him if she was handsome," said the pacha.
+
+"Handsome," replied the sailor to Mustapha's inquiry; "yes, she was as
+pretty a craft to look at as you may set your eyes upon; fine round
+counter--clean run--swelling bows--good figure-head, and hair enough for
+a mermaid."
+
+"What does he say?" inquired the pacha.
+
+"The Frank declareth that her eyes were bright as those of the gazelle,
+that her eyebrows were as one, her waist as that of the cypress, her
+face as the full moon, and that she was fat as the houris that await the
+true believers."
+
+"Mashallah! all for a piastre. Ask him, Mustapha, if there are more
+wives to be sold in that country?"
+
+"More," replied the sailor, in answer to Mustapha; "you may have a ship
+full in an hour. There's many a fellow in England who would give a
+handful of coin to get rid of his wife."
+
+"We will make further inquiry, Mustapha; it must be looked to. Say I not
+well?"
+
+"It is well said," replied Mustapha. "My heart is burnt as roast meat at
+the recollection of the women of the country; who are, indeed, as he
+hath described houris to the sight. Proceed, Yaha Bibi, my friend, and
+tell his----"
+
+"Yaw Bibby! I told you my name was Bill, not Bibby; and I never yaws
+from my course, although I heaves to sometimes, as I do now, to take in
+provisions." The sailor took another swig, wiped his mouth with the back
+of his hand, and continued--"Now for a good lie."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I sailed in a brig for the Brazils, and a gale came on, that I never
+seed the like of. We were obliged to have three men stationed to hold
+the captain's hair on his head; and a little boy was blown over the
+moon, and slid down by two or three of her beams, till he caught the
+mainstay, and never hurt himself."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Good," said Mustapha, who interpreted.
+
+"By the beard of the Prophet, wonderful!" exclaimed the pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Well, the gale lasted for a week, and at last one night, when I was at
+the helm, we dashed on the rocks of a desolate island. I was pitched
+right over the mountains, and fell into the sea on the other side of the
+island. I swam on shore, and got into a cave, where I fell fast asleep.
+The next morning I found that there was nothing to eat except rats, and
+they were plentiful; but they were so quick, that I could not catch
+them. I walked about, and at last discovered a great many rats together;
+they were at a spring of water, the only one, as I afterwards found, on
+the island. Rats can't do without water, and I thought I should have
+them there. I filled up the spring, all but a hole which I sat on the
+top of. When the rats came again, I filled my mouth with water, and held
+it wide open; they ran up to drink, and I caught their heads in my
+teeth, and thus I took as many as I wished.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Aferin, excellent!" cried the pacha, as soon as this was explained.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Well, at last a vessel took me off, and I wasn't sorry for it, for raw
+rats are not very good eating. I went home again, and I hadn't been on
+shore more than two hours, when who should I see but my first wife, Bet,
+with a robin-redbreast in tow. 'That's he!' says she. I gave fight, but
+was nabbed and put into limbo, to be tried for what they call _biggery_,
+or having a wife too much.
+
+"How does he mean?--desire him to explain," said the pacha, after
+Mustapha had conveyed the intelligence. Mustapha obeyed.
+
+"In our country one wife is considered a man's allowance, and he is not
+to take more, that every Jack may have his Jill. I had spliced two, so
+they tried me, and sent me to Botany Bay for life."
+
+This explanation puzzled the pacha. "How--what sort of a country must it
+be, when a man cannot have two wives? Inshallah! please the Lord, we may
+have hundreds in our harem! Does he not laugh at our beards with lies?
+Is this not all _bosh_, nothing?"
+
+"It is even so, as the Frank speaketh," replied Mustapha. "The king of
+the country can take but one wife. Be chesm, on my eyes be it, if it is
+not the truth."
+
+"Well," rejoined the pacha, "what are they but infidels? They deserve to
+have no more. Houris are for the faithful. May their fathers' graves be
+defiled. Let the Giaour proceed."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Well, I was started for the other side of the water, and got there safe
+enough, as I hope one day to get to Heaven, wind and weather permitting,
+but I had no idea of working without pay, so one fine morning I slipt
+away into the woods, where I remained with three or four more for six
+months. We lived upon kangaroos, and another odd little animal, and got
+on pretty well.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"What may the dish of kangaroos be composed of?" inquired Mustapha, in
+obedience to the pacha.
+
+"'Posed of! why, a dish of kangaroos be made of kangaroos to be sure."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+But I'll be dished if I talked about anything but the animal, which we
+had some trouble to kill; for it stands on its big tail, and fights with
+all four feet. Moreover, it be otherwise a strange beast; for its young
+ones pop out of its stomach, and then pop in again, having a place
+there on purpose, just like the great hole in the bow of a timber ship;
+and as for the other little animal, it swims in the ponds, lays eggs,
+and has a duck's bill, yet still it be covered all over with hair like a
+beast.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The vizier interpreted. "By the Prophet, but he laughs at our beards!"
+exclaimed the pacha, angrily. "These are foolish lies."
+
+"You must not tell the pacha such foolish lies. He will be angry," said
+Mustapha. "Tell lies, but they must be good lies."
+
+"Well, I'll be----," replied the sailor, "if the old beggar don't doubt
+the only part which is true out of the whole yarn. Well, I will try
+another good un to please him."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+After I had been there about six months I was tired; and as there was
+only twenty thousand miles between that country and my own, I determined
+to swim back.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Mashallah! swim back--how many thousand miles?" exclaimed Mustapha.
+
+"Only twenty thousand--a mere nothing."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+So one fine morning I throws a young kangaroo on my shoulder, and off I
+starts. I swam for three months, night and day, and then feeling a
+little tired, I laid to on my back, and then I set off again; but by
+this time I was so covered with barnacles, that I made but little way.
+So I stopped at Ascension, scraped and cleaned myself, and then, after
+feeding for a week on turtle, just to keep the scurvy out of my bones, I
+set off again; and as I passed the Gut, I thought I might just as well
+put in here; and here I arrived, sure enough, yesterday, about three
+bells in the morning watch, after a voyage of five months and three
+days.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+When Mustapha translated all this to the pacha, the latter was lost in
+astonishment. "Allah Wakbar! God is everywhere! Did you ever hear of
+such a swimmer? Twenty thousand miles--five months and three days. It is
+a wonderful story! Let his mouth be filled with gold."
+
+Mustapha intimated to the sailor the unexpected compliment about to be
+conferred on him, just as he had finished the bottle and rolled it away
+on one side. "Well, that be a rum way of paying a man. I have heard it
+said that a fellow _pursed_ up his mouth; but I never afore heard of a
+mouth being a purse. Howsomever, all's one for that; only, d'ye see, if
+you are about to stow it away in bulk, it may be just as well to get rid
+of the dunnage." The sailor put his thumb and forefinger into his cheek,
+and pulled out his enormous quid of tobacco. "There now, I'm ready, and
+don't be afraid of choking me." One of the attendants then thrust
+several pieces of gold into the sailor's mouth, who, spitting them all
+out into his hat, jumped on his legs, made a jerk of his head with a
+kick of the leg behind to the pacha; and declaring that he was the
+funniest old beggar he had ever fallen in with, nodded to Mustapha, and
+hastened out of the divan.
+
+"Mashallah! but he swims well," said the pacha, breaking up the
+audience.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XVIII
+
+
+The departure of the caravan was delayed for two or three days by the
+vizier upon various pretexts--although it was his duty to render it
+every assistance--that Menouni might afford further amusement to the
+pacha. Menouni was well content to remain, as the liberality of the
+pacha was not to be fallen in with every day, and the next evening he
+was again ushered into the sublime presence.
+
+"Khosh amedeid! you are welcome," said the pacha, as Menouni made his
+low obeisance, "Now let us have another story. I don't care how long it
+is, only let us have no more princesses to be married. That Babe-bi-bobu
+was enough to tire the patience of a dervish."
+
+"Your sublime highness shall be obeyed," replied Menouni. "Would it
+please you to hear the story of Yussuf, the Water carrier?"
+
+"Yes, that sounds better. You may proceed."
+
+
+
+THE WATER-CARRIER.
+
+May it please your highness, it so happened that the great Haroun
+Alraschid was one night seized with one of those fits of sleepless
+melancholy with which it had pleased Allah to temper his splendid
+destiny, and which fits are, indeed, the common lot of those who are
+raised by fortune above the ordinary fears and vicissitudes of life.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I can't say that I ever have them," observed the pacha. "How is that,
+Mustapha?"
+
+"Your highness has as undoubted a right to them as the great caliph,"
+replied Mustapha, bowing; "but if I may venture to state my opinion,"
+continued he, drawing down to the ear of the pacha, "you have discovered
+the remedy for them in the strong water of the Giaour."
+
+"Very true," replied the pacha; "Haroun Alraschid, if I recollect right,
+was very strict in his observances of the precepts of the Koran. After
+all, he was but a pastek--a water-melon. You may proceed, Menouni."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The caliph, oppressed, as I before observed to your highness, with this
+fit of melancholy, despatched Mesrour for his chief vizier, Giaffar
+Bermukki, who, not unaccustomed to this nocturnal summons, speedily
+presented himself before the commander of the faithful. "Father of true
+believers! descendant of the Prophet!" said the minister, with a
+profound obeisance, "thy slave waits but to hear, and hears but to
+obey."
+
+"Giaffar," replied the caliph, "I am overwhelmed with distressing
+inquietude, and would fain have thee devise some means for my relief.
+Speak--what sayest thou?"
+
+"Hasten, O my prince, to thy favourite garden of the Tierbar, where,
+gazing on the bright moon, and listening to the voice of the bul-bul,
+you will await in pleasing contemplation the return of the sun."
+
+"Not so," replied the caliph.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"By the beard of the Prophet! the caliph was right, and that Giaffar was
+a fool. I never heard that staring at the moon was an amusement before,"
+observed the pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Not so," urged the caliph. "My gardens, my palaces, and my possessions,
+are no more to me a source of pleasure."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"By the sword of the Prophet! Now the caliph appears to be the fool,"
+interrupted the pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Shall we then repair to the Hall of the Ancients, and pass the night in
+reviving the memory of the wise, whose sayings are stored therein?"
+continued Giaffar.
+
+"Counsel avails not," replied the caliph; "the records of the past will
+not suffice to banish the cares of the present."
+
+"Then," said the vizier, "will the light of the world seek refuge from
+his troubles in a disguise, and go forth with the humblest of his slaves
+to witness the condition of his people?"
+
+"Thou hast said well," replied the caliph; "I will go with thee into the
+bazaar, and witness unknown the amusements of my people after the
+labours of the day."
+
+Mesrour, the chief eunuch, was at hand, and hastened for the needful
+disguises. After having clad themselves as merchants of Moussul, and
+tinged their faces of an olive hue, the caliph, accompanied by Giaffar
+and Mesrour, the latter armed with a scimitar, issued forth from the
+secret door of the seraglio. Giaffar, who knew from experience the
+quarter likely to prove most fertile in adventure, led the caliph past
+the mosque of Zobeide, and crossing the Bridge of Boats over the Tigris,
+continued his way to that part of the city on the Mesopotamian side of
+the river which was inhabited by the wine-sellers and others, who
+administered to the irregularities, as well as to the wants of the good
+people of Bagdad. For a short time they wandered up and down without
+meeting anybody; but passing through a narrow alley, their steps were
+arrested by the sound of a most potent pair of lungs, carolling forth a
+jovial song. The caliph waited awhile, in expectation of its ceasing;
+but he might apparently have waited until dawn of day, for verse was
+poured forth after verse: a small interval between them filled up by the
+musical gurgling of liquor from a bottle, and the gulps of the votary of
+Bacchus. At length, his patience being exhausted, the caliph ordered
+Mesrour to knock loudly at the singer's dwelling. Hearing the noise, the
+fellow opened the _jalouise_, and came out into the verandah above.
+Looking down, and perceiving the three interrupters of his mirth, he
+bawled out--"What rascals are you that disturb an honest man at his
+devotions?--Begone!--fly!--away with you, scum of the earth!"
+
+"Truly, charitable sir," replied Giaffar in a humble tone, "We are
+distressed merchants, strangers in this city, who have lost our way, and
+fear to be seized by the watch--perhaps carried before the cadi. We
+beseech thee, therefore, to admit us within thy doors, and Allah will
+reward thy humanity."
+
+"Admit you within my doors!--not I, indeed. What, you wish to get into
+my house to gormandise and swill at my expense. Go--go!"
+
+The caliph laughed heartily at this reply, and then called out to the
+man, "Indeed we are merchants, and seek but for shelter till the hour of
+prayer."
+
+"Tell me, then," replied the man, "and mind you tell me the truth. Have
+you eaten and drunk your fill for the night?"
+
+"Thanks and praise be to Allah, we have supped long since, and
+heartily," returned the caliph.
+
+"Since that is the case, you may come up, but recollect it is upon one
+condition, that you bind yourselves not to open your lips whatever you
+may see me do; no matter whether it please you or not."
+
+"What you desire is so reasonable," called out the caliph, "that we
+should be ignorant as Yaboos, if we did not at once comply."
+
+The man gave one more scrutinising glance at the pretended merchants;
+and then, as if satisfied, descended and opened his door. The caliph and
+his attendants followed him up to his room, where they found a table
+laid out for supper, on which was a large pitcher of wine, half a
+roasted kid, a bottle of rakee, preserves, confections, and various
+kinds of fruit; odoriferous flowers were also on the table, and the
+lighting up of the room was brilliant. The host, immediately on their
+entering, tossed off a bumper of wine, as if to make up for the time he
+had lost, and pointing to a corner, bade the intruders to sit down
+there, and not to disturb him any more. He commenced his solitary feast,
+and after another bumper of wine, as if tired of his own company, he
+gruffly demanded, "Where do you fellows come from, and whither are you
+going?"
+
+"Sir," replied Giaffar, who had been whispering with the caliph, "we are
+merchants of Moussul, who have been to an entertainment at the country
+seat of a khan of Bagdad. We feasted well, and left our friend just as
+the day closed in. Whereupon we lost our way, and found ourselves in
+this street; hearing the musical accents of your voice, we exclaimed,
+'Are not those notes delightful?--one who has so sweet a voice must be
+equally sweet in disposition. Let us entreat the hospitality of our
+brother for the remainder of the night, and in the morning we will
+depart in peace.'"
+
+"I do not believe a word that you have said, you ill-looking thief. You
+are spies or thieves, who would profit by getting into people's houses
+at unseasonable hours. You, barrel-stomach, you with whiskers like a
+bear," continued he to the vizier, "hang me if ever I saw such a
+rascally face as yours; and you, you black-faced nigger, keep the whites
+of your eyes off my supper-table, or by Allah I'll send you all to
+Jehanum. I see you are longing to put your fingers on the kid: but if
+you do, I've a bone-softener, which, by the blessed Prophet, shall break
+every bone in your three skins." So saying the man, taking a large
+cudgel from the corner of the room, laid it by the dish of kid, into
+which he then plunged his fingers, and commenced eating heartily.
+
+"Giaffar," said the caliph, in an undertone, "contrive to find out who
+this ferocious animal may be, and how he contrives to live so merrily?"
+
+"In the name of Allah, let us leave him alone," replied Giaffar, in a
+fright, "for should he strike us on the head with that cudgel, we should
+be despatched without anyone being the wiser."
+
+"Pish! fear nothing," replied the caliph. "Ask him boldly his name and
+trade."
+
+"Oh, my Commander," replied Giaffar, "to hear is but to obey, yet do I
+quake most grievously at the threats of this villainous fellow. I
+entreat thee that I may defer the questions until wine shall have
+softened down his temper."
+
+"Thou cowardly vizier. Must I then interrogate him myself?" replied the
+caliph.
+
+"Allah forbid," replied Giaffar; "I will myself encounter the wrath of
+this least of dogs, may his grave be defiled."
+
+During this parley, their host, who had become more good-humoured in his
+cups, cast his eyes upon them.
+
+"What in the name of Shitan, are you chaps prating and chatting about?"
+inquired he.
+
+Giaffar, perceiving him in a more favourable mood, seized the occasion
+to speak. "Most amiable and charitable sir," replied he, "we were
+talking of your great liberality and kindness in thus permitting us to
+intrude upon your revels. We only request, in the name of friendship,
+the name and profession of so worthy a Mussulman, that we may remember
+him in our prayers."
+
+"Why, thou impudent old porpus; did you not promise to ask no questions?
+In the name of friendship! Truly it is of long standing."
+
+"Still I pray Allah that it may increase. Have we not sat a considerable
+time in your blessed presence--have you not given us refuge? All we now
+ask is the name and profession of one so amiable and so kind-hearted?"
+
+"Enough," replied the host, pacified with the pretended humility of the
+vizier. "Silence, and listen. Do you see that skin which hangs over my
+head?" The caliph and his companions looked up and perceived the tanned
+skin of a young ox, which appeared to have been used for carrying water.
+"It is that by which I gain my daily bread. I am Yussuf, son of Aboo
+Ayoub, who dying some five years ago, left me nothing but a few dirhems
+and this strong carcass of mine, by which to gain a livelihood. I was
+always fond of sports and pastimes--overthrew everybody who wrestled
+with me; nay, the man who affronts me, receives a box on the ear which
+makes it ring for a week afterwards."
+
+"Allah preserve us from affronting him!" whispered the caliph.
+
+"When old Aboo died, I perceived, if I did not speedily turn my strength
+to some account, I should starve; so it struck me that there were no
+people more merry than the water-carriers, who supply for a few paras to
+the houses of this city the soft water of the river. I resolved to
+become one, but instead of going backwards and forwards with a goatskin
+on my shoulders, I went down to the curriers, and selected the soft skin
+of the young ox which hangs above me, fitted it to my shoulders, and
+filling it at the river, marched up to the bazaar. No sooner did I
+appear than all the water-carriers called out, 'That villain, Yussuf, is
+about to take away our bread. May Shitan seize him. Let us go to the
+cadi and complain.' The cadi listened to their story, for they accused
+me of witchcraft, saying that no five men could lift the skin when it
+was full. He sent one of his beeldars to summon me before him. I had
+just filled my skin at the river, when the officer came from this
+distributor of bastinadoes. I followed him to the court, laden as I was.
+The crowd opened to let me pass, and I appeared before the cadi, who was
+much astonished at my showing so little inconvenience from such an
+enormous burthen. 'Oh! Yussuf,' cried he, 'hear and answer; thou art
+accused of witchcraft.' 'Who accuses me, O cadi?' replied I, throwing
+down my skin of water. Whereupon two hang-dogs stepped forward, and
+cried with loud voices, 'Behold us here, O wise and just one.' The cadi
+put one aside, and questioned the other, who swore on the book that the
+devil had given me a _pig's_ skin and had promised that as long as I
+served the followers of the Prophet out of the unclean vessel, he would
+enable me to carry as much as ten men. The second witness confirmed this
+evidence; and added, that he heard me talking with the devil, who
+offered to turn himself into a yaboo, and carry water for me, which I
+had civilly declined, for what reason he knew not, as he did not hear
+the rest of the conversation.
+
+"At this evidence, the cadi and mollahs who sat with him, turned up
+their eyes with horror, and proceeded to discuss the degree of
+punishment which so enormous a crime deserved, quite forgetting to ask
+me if I had anything to offer in my defence. At last they settled that,
+as a commencement, I should receive five hundred bastinadoes on the
+soles of my feet, and if I lived, about as many more on my belly. The
+cadi was about to pronounce his irrevocable _fetva_, when I took the
+liberty of interrupting this rapid course of justice. 'O cadi,' said I,
+'and ye, mollahs, whose beards drop wisdom, let your slave offer, at the
+footstool of justice, the precious proofs of innocence.' 'Produce them
+quickly, then, thou wedded to Shitan and Jehanum,' replied the cadi.
+Whereupon I loosened the string which attached the mouth, and allowed
+all the water to run out of the skin. I then turned the skin inside out,
+and showing to them the horns of the young ox, which fortunately I had
+not cut off, I demanded of the cadi and of the mollahs if any of them
+had ever seen a pig with horns. At this they every one fell a laughing,
+as if I had uttered a cream of a joke. My innocence was declared, and my
+two accusers had the five hundred bastinadoes shared between them. The
+water-carriers were too much alarmed at the result of this attempt, to
+attack me any more, and the true believers, from the notoriety of the
+charge, and my acquittal of having rendered them unclean, from the use
+of swinish skin, all sought my custom. In short, I have only to fill my
+skin, to empty it again, and I daily realise so handsome an income, that
+I have thrown care to the dogs, and spend in jollity every night what I
+have worked hard for every day. As soon as the muezzin calls to evening
+prayers, I lay aside my skin, betake myself to the mosque, perform my
+ablutions, and return thanks to Allah. After which I repair to the
+bazaar, purchase meat with one dirhem, rakee with another, others go for
+fruit and flowers, cakes, sweetmeats, bread, oil for my lamps, and the
+remainder I spend in wine. As soon as all is collected, I arrive at my
+own house, put everything in order, light up my lamps and enjoy myself
+after my own fashion. So now you know all I choose to tell you, and
+whether you are merchants or spies in disguise, I care not. Be satisfied
+and depart, for the dawn is here."
+
+The caliph, who had been much amused with Yussuf's account of himself,
+replied, "In truth, you are a wonderful man, and it must be allowed
+that, in separating yourself from your fellows, you escape many troubles
+and inconveniences."
+
+"Ay," replied Yussuf; "thus have I lived for five years. Every night has
+my dwelling been lighted up as you see it, and my fortunate stars have
+never suffered me to go without meat and drink, such as you three now
+smell and long for, but shall not put your fingers to."
+
+"But, friend Yussuf," observed Giaffar, "suppose that to-morrow, the
+caliph should issue a decree, putting an end to the trade of supplying
+with water, and declare that whoever was found with a skin-full should
+be hanged. In such a case, what would you do? You could not light up
+your lamps; you could not enjoy your kabobs and pillau, neither would
+you be able to purchase fruits, sweetmeats, or a drop of wine."
+
+"May Shitan seize your unlucky soul, you tun-bellied beast of ill-omen!
+for the bare supposition of such a thing; depart--depart quickly, and
+never let me see you again."
+
+"My good friend, Yussuf, I did but jest; five years, as you observe,
+have passed away without a day's intermission of your enjoyment, nor is
+it probable that the caliph will ever issue such a ridiculous and
+unheard-of decree. I only observed, that supposing he did, what could
+you do, never leaving a single asper for the next day's provision?"
+
+At the repetition of the vizier's speech, Yussuf became highly
+exasperated. "You dare to repeat to me your unlucky words and
+ill-omens,--and you ask me what I would do! Now hear me: by the beard of
+the Prophet, should the caliph issue such a decree, with this good
+cudgel I will search all Bagdad, until I find you all. You, and you,"
+continued Yussuf, looking fiercely at the caliph and the vizier, "I will
+beat until you are as black as he is (pointing to Mesrour), and him I
+will cudgel until he is as white as the flesh of the kid I have been
+regaling on. Depart at once, you shall no longer pollute my roof."
+
+The caliph was so much diverted with the anger of Yussuf, and yet in
+such dread of showing it, that he was obliged to thrust the end of his
+robe into his mouth, as they walked out under a shower of curses from
+the water-carrier.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"By the sword of the Prophet, but they were well out of this scrape!"
+observed the pacha. "May the grave of the rascal's mother be defiled! to
+offer to cudgel the vice-regent of the Prophet."
+
+"The caliph was in disguise, and Yussuf knew him not," replied
+Mustapha.
+
+"Those who threaten me in disguise, will find that no excuse, we swear
+by our beard," replied the pacha. "Proceed Menouni."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It was daylight before the great Haroun re-entered the secret gate of
+the seraglio, and retired to his couch. After a short slumber he arose,
+performed his ablutions, and proceeded to the divan, where he found the
+principal officers of his court, the viziers, omras, and grandees,
+assembled to receive him; his imagination, however, still dwelt upon the
+events of the preceding night, and after the ordinary business of the
+day had been transacted, and the petitioners who attended had been
+dismissed, he called for his grand vizier, who presented himself with
+the customary obeisances.
+
+"Giaffar," said the caliph, "issue a decree to the governor of the city
+that it be proclaimed throughout the streets of Bagdad, that no person
+whatever, shall, for the space of three days, carry water from the river
+to the bazaars for sale, and that whoever trespasses shall be hanged."
+
+The governor, Khalid ben Talid, immediately that he received the fetva,
+took the proper measures to have it promulgated. Heralds were despatched
+throughout the various quarters of the city, who proclaimed the will of
+the caliph. The people wondered, but submitted.
+
+Yussuf, who had performed his morning devotions, had reached the banks
+of the Tigris, and just filled, and hoisted on his shoulders, his
+ox-skin of water, when the appearance of one of the heralds attracted
+his attention; he listened to the legal proclamation, and let down his
+ox-skin with a curse upon all merchants of Moussul.
+
+"Confusion to the scoundrels, who last night prophesied such an unlucky
+event! If I could but lay hands upon them!" exclaimed Yussuf. "They did
+but hint it, and behold, it is done."
+
+Whilst Yussuf was thus lamenting over his empty water-skin, some of the
+other water-carriers came up, and began to console him after the fashion
+of Job's comforters.
+
+"Surely," said one, "you need not be troubled at this edict, you gain
+more than any five of us every day, and you have no wife nor child to
+provide for. But I, wretched man that I am, will have the misery of
+beholding my wife and children starving before the expiration of the
+three days."
+
+Another said, "Be comforted, Yussuf, three days will soon pass away, and
+then you will relish your kabobs and your rakee, your sweetmeats and
+your wine, with greater pleasure, having been so long deprived of them."
+
+"Besides," added a third, "you must not forget, Yussuf, that the prophet
+has declared that a man is eternally damned, body and soul, who is
+constantly drunk as you are."
+
+These observations kindled Yussuf's bile to that degree, that he was
+nearly venting his spleen upon his sarcastic consolers. He turned away,
+however, in his rage, and throwing his empty skin over his shoulders,
+proceeded slowly towards the mosque of Zobeide, cursing as he went
+along, all Moussul merchants down to the fiftieth generation. Passing
+the great baths, he was accosted by one of the attendants with whom he
+was intimate, who inquired, why he was so depressed in spirits.
+
+"That cold-blooded caliph of ours, Haroun Alraschid, has put an end to
+my earnings for three days, by threatening to hang any water-carrier who
+shall carry his load to the bazaar. You know, my friend, that I never
+have put by a single para, and I fear that in three days my carcase will
+become shrivelled with famine, and dried up for the want of a cup of
+rakee."
+
+"Which thou hast often divided with me before now," replied the other;
+"so even now will I divide my work with you, Yussuf. Follow me, if you
+do not object to the employment, which requires little more than
+strength, and, by Allah, you have that, and to spare. Surely, upon a
+pinch like this, you can take up a hair-bag, and a lump of soap, and
+scrub and rub the bodies of the true believers. Those hands of yours, so
+enormous and so fleshy, are well calculated to knead the muscles and
+twist the joints of the faithful. Come, you shall work with us during
+these three days at the hummaum, and then you can return to your old
+business."
+
+"Thy words of comfort penetrate deep into my bosom," replied Yussuf,
+"and I follow thee."
+
+The bath-rubber then took him in, bound an apron round his waist, and
+lent him a bag, three razors, pumice-stone for scrubbing the soles of
+the feet, a hair bag, and a sponge. Having caparisoned and furnished him
+with implements, he led Yussuf into the apartment where was the
+reservoir of hot water, and desired him to wait for a customer. Yussuf
+had not long sat down on the edge of the marble bath, when he was
+summoned to perform his duties on a hadji who, covered with dust and
+dirt, had evidently just returned from a tedious pilgrimage.
+
+Yussuf set to work with spirit; seizing the applicant with one hand, he
+stripped him with the other, and first operated upon the shaven crown
+with his razor. The hadji was delighted with the energy of his
+attendant. Having scraped his head as clean as he could with an
+indifferent razor, Yussuf then soaped and lathered, scrubbed and sponged
+the skin of the pilgrim, until it was as smooth and glossy as the back
+of a raven. He then wiped him dry, and taking his seat upon the backbone
+of his customer, he pinched and squeezed all his flesh, thumped his
+limbs, twisted every joint till they cracked like faggots in a blaze,
+till the poor hadji was almost reduced to a mummy by the vigour of the
+water-carrier, and had just breath enough in his body to call out,
+"Cease, cease, for the love of Allah--I am dead, I am gone." Having said
+this, the poor man fell back nearly senseless. Yussuf was very much
+alarmed; he lifted up the man, poured warm water over him, wiped him
+dry, and laid him on the ottoman to repose, covering him up. The hadji
+fell into a sound slumber, and in half an hour awoke so refreshed and
+revived, that he declared himself quite a new man.
+
+"It is only to hadjis," observed Yussuf, "that I give this great proof
+of my skill."
+
+The man put his hand into his pocket, pulled out three dirhems, and
+presented them to Yussuf, who was astounded at such liberality, and
+again expressing his satisfaction, the hadji left the hummaum. Delighted
+with his success, Yussuf continued his occupation, and attended with
+alacrity every fresh candidate for his joint-twisting skill. By the time
+that evening prayers commenced, he had kneaded to mummies half a dozen
+more true believers, and had received his six dirhems, upon which he
+determined to leave off for that day.
+
+Having left the bath, he dressed himself, went home, took his leathern
+pitcher, dish, and basket, and went to the bazaar, where he purchased a
+piece of mutton, and left it at the most noted kabob-makers in the
+district to be cooked; he then purchased his wine and rakee, wax tapers,
+and flowers, pistachio-nuts, dried fruit, bread, and oil for his lamps.
+When he had completed his purchases he called at the cook's shop, where
+he found his mutton nicely kabobed, and smoking in the dish. Paying the
+cook, and putting it into his basket, he hastened home over the bridge
+of boats, exulting in his good fortune. When he arrived, he swept out
+his room, dressed himself in better clothes, lighted his lamps, spread
+out his table, and then squatted himself down, with his legs twisted
+under him, and tossing off a bumper of wine, he exclaimed, "Well, I am
+lucky; nevertheless, here's confusion to all Moussul merchants, with
+their vile omens. Allah send their unlucky footsteps here
+to-night--that's all."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Here Menouni stopped, and made his salaam. "May it please your highness
+to permit your slave to retire for the night, for the tale of Yussuf,
+the water-carrier, cannot be imparted to your highness in one evening."
+
+The pacha, although much amused, was also a little tired. "Be it so,
+good Menouni, but recollect, Mustapha, that the caravan must not depart
+until I hear the end of this story."
+
+"Be chesm, on my eyes be it," replied Mustapha; and they all retired for
+the night.
+
+"What is the cause?" demanded the pacha, hastily, as next day Mustapha
+listened with apparent patience to the long details of one of the
+petitioners for justice.
+
+"It is, O lord of wisdom, a dispute between these men, as to a sum of
+money, which they received as guides to a Frank, who journeyed into the
+interior. The one was hired for the journey, but not being well
+acquainted with the road, called in the assistance of the other; they
+now dispute about the division of the money, which lies at my feet in
+this bag."
+
+"It appears that the one who was hired did not know the way."
+
+"Even so," replied Mustapha.
+
+"Then he was no guide, and doth not deserve the money. And the other, it
+appears, was called in to assist?"
+
+"Thy words are the words of wisdom," replied Mustapha.
+
+"Then was he not a guide, but only an assistant; neither can he be
+entitled to the money, as guide. By the beard of the Prophet, justice
+must not be fooled thus, and the divan, held in our presence, be made
+foolish by such complaints. Let the money be distributed among the poor,
+and let them each have fifty bastinadoes on the soles of the feet. I
+have said it."
+
+"Wallah Thaib--it is well said," replied Mustapha, as the two disputants
+were removed from the presence.
+
+"Now call Menouni," said the pacha, "for I am anxious to hear the story
+of Yussuf, and the future proceedings of the caliph; and a part of this
+bag of money will reward him for the honey which falls from his lips."
+
+Menouni made his appearance, and his obeisance; the pacha and Mustapha
+received their pipes from the Greek slave, and the Kessehgou then
+proceeded with his story.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The great caliph, Haroun Alraschid, had as usual held his afternoon
+audience; the court was dismissed. Haroun, whose whole thoughts were
+upon the bankrupt condition of Yussuf, and who was anxious to know how
+he had got on after the fetva had been promulgated, sent for his vizier,
+Giaffar. "I wish to ascertain," said the caliph to the vizier, "if the
+unlucky Yussuf has managed to provide for his bacchanalian revels
+to-night?"
+
+"There can be no doubt, O vice-regent of the Prophet," replied Giaffar,
+"that the young man is seated in the dark, in a most dismal mood,
+without either wine or kabob, or aught to comfort him."
+
+"Send for Mesrour, then; we will again resume our disguises, and pay him
+a visit."
+
+"Let the humblest of your slaves," interposed Giaffar, in a great
+fright, "represent at the footstool of your highness a true picture of
+what we may anticipate. Doubtless this lion-slayer of Shitan, being
+famished, will not forget our prophecy, and ascribing its fulfilment to
+our bad omens, will, in his mood, sacrifice us to his empty stomach.
+
+"Your wisdom is great, Giaffar," replied the caliph; "the man is truly a
+savage, and doubtless will rage with hunger, nevertheless, we will go
+and see in what state he may be."
+
+Giaffar trembled at the idea of being subjected to the wrath of such a
+fellow as Yussuf, but made no reply. He went for Mesrour and the
+dresses, and having put them on, they all three issued forth from the
+private gate of the seraglio. They had nearly reached the end of the
+narrow lane in which Yussuf's house was situated, when the strong
+reflection of the lights from the windows told them that, at all events,
+he was not lamenting his hard fate in darkness; and as they approached,
+the sound of his jovial voice proved also that it was neither in silence
+that he submitted to his destiny. As they came under the window, he
+ceased singing, and ejaculated a loud curse upon all Moussul merchants,
+wishing that he might only see them once again before the devil had
+them. The caliph laughed at this pious wish, and taking up a handful of
+pebbles, threw them at the jalousies of Yussuf's windows.
+
+"Who the devil is there?" roared the water-carrier; "is it you, ye
+bankrupt vagabonds, who have annoyed me? Begone, or by the sword of the
+Prophet, I'll impale you all three on my broomstick."
+
+"Dost thou not know us, Yussuf?" replied the caliph; "we are your
+friends, and once more request admission under thy hospitable roof."
+
+Yussuf came out into the verandah. "Oh! it is you, then; now take my
+advice,--go in peace. I am now in good humour, and peaceably disposed;
+but had I fallen in with you to-day, I would have twisted off your
+necks."
+
+"Nay, good Yussuf," replied Giaffar, "we have heard of the unaccountable
+and mad decree of the caliph, and have called to know how thou hast
+fared, and if we can be of service to one so hospitable and kind."
+
+"You lie, I believe," replied Yussuf; "but I'm in good humour, so you
+shall come in, and see how well I fare. I am Yussuf, and my trust is in
+God." He then went down and admitted them, and they viewed with surprise
+the relics of the feast. "Now, then," observed Yussuf, who was more than
+half drunk, "you know my conditions; there is my meat, there is my wine,
+there is my fruit; not a drop or a taste shall you have. Keep your
+confounded sharp eyes off my sweetmeats, you black-bearded rascal,"
+continued Yussuf, addressing the caliph. "You have your share of them."
+
+"Indeed, most hospitable sir, we covet not your delicacies: all we wish
+to know is the reason of this unheard of decree, and how you have
+contrived to supply your usual merry table."
+
+"You shall hear," replied the water-carrier. "My name is Yussuf, and my
+trust is in God. When the decree of the caliph came to my ears this
+morning, I became as one deprived of sense; but wandering near the
+hummaum of Giaffar Bermuki, a friendly servant of the baths accosted
+me." Yussuf then stated how he had gained his money, much to their
+amusement. "Now," continued he, "I will no longer be a water-carrier,
+but an attendant at the bath will I live and die. May all evil fall upon
+the cold-blooded caliph; but thanks to Allah, it never will enter his
+head to shut up the baths."
+
+"But," observed Giaffar, "suppose the caliph were to-morrow morning to
+take it into his head to shut up the baths."
+
+"Now, may all the ghouls seize thee when thou visitest thy father's
+tomb," cried Yussuf, jumping up in a fury, "thou bear-whiskered rascal!
+Did not I caution thee against evil predictions--and did you not swear
+that you would deal no more in surmises? The devil must attend you, and
+waft your supposes into the ear of the caliph, upon which to frame out
+his stupid fetvas."
+
+"I heartily ask your forgiveness, and I am dumb," replied Giaffar.
+
+"Then you are wise for once; prove yourself still wise, and hasten away
+before I reach my cudgel."
+
+Perceiving that Yussuf's eyes twinkled with anger, they thought it right
+to follow his advice. "We shall see you again, good Yussuf," said the
+caliph, as they descended.
+
+"To the devil with you all three, and never let me see your ugly faces
+again," replied the water-carrier, slamming the door after they were
+out. The caliph went away much amused, and with his attendants, entered
+the private gate of the seraglio.
+
+The next morning the caliph held a solemn divan, at which all the
+mollahs, as well as all the chief officers, were present, and he issued
+a decree, that every bath throughout Bagdad should be shut for three
+days, on pain of impalement. The inhabitants of Bagdad were swallowed up
+with wonder and perplexity. "How," exclaimed they, "what can this mean?
+Yesterday we were ordered not to use the waters of the Tigris, to-day
+the baths are denied us. Perhaps, to-morrow the mosques may be ordered
+to be shut up," and they shook their heads, as if to hint to each other
+that the caliph was not in his senses; but they exclaimed, "In Allah
+only safety is to be found." Nevertheless, the decree was enforced by
+the proper officers, who went round to the different baths. First they
+closed the Hummaum Alraschid, next that of Ziet Zobiede, then the bath
+of Giaffar Bermuki, at which Yussuf had found employment the day before.
+When it was closed, the master and attendants looked at the door, and
+they reproached the assistants, who had befriended Yussuf, saying, he
+was a water-carrier, and the business was stopped by a decree. You have
+brought him to the baths, and now they are shut. In the meantime, Yussuf
+was perceived striding towards the bath, muttering to himself, "I am
+Yussuf; my trust is in God. As an assistant at the hummaum will I live
+and die." Ignorant of the decree, he approached the door of the
+building, round which the servants were clustered, and accosted them.
+"How now, my friends, do you wait for the key? if anything ails the
+lock, trust to the strength of Yussuf."
+
+"Have you not heard that the caliph has ordered the baths to be shut for
+three days, on pain of impalement?"
+
+Yussuf started back with astonishment. "Now, may the graves of their
+fathers be eternally defiled--those confounded Moussul Merchants! Their
+supposes always come to pass. I will seek them out and be revenged." So
+saying, Yussuf, who had come prepared with his brushes, razors, and
+soap, turned off in a rage, and hastened through the streets for an hour
+or two, looking at every passenger, to ascertain if he could find those
+upon whom he would have wreaked his vengeance.
+
+After a long walk, Yussuf sat down on a large stone. "Well," said he, "I
+am still Yussuf, and my trust is in God; but it would be better, instead
+of looking after these rascals, if I were to look out for some means of
+providing myself with a supper to-night." So saying, he rose, went home,
+put on some clothes of better materials, and twisting up his red cotton
+sash for a turban, he took up his praying-carpet, with a determination
+to go to the bazaar and sell it for what it would fetch. As he passed
+the mosque of Hosein, he observed several mollahs, reading and
+expounding the more abstruse passages of the Koran. Yussuf knelt and
+prayed awhile, and returning to the door of the mosque he was accosted
+by a woman, who appeared to be waiting for some one. "Pious sir," said
+she, "I perceive by your goodly habit and appearance that you are one of
+the cadi's law officers."
+
+"I am as you please--I am Yussuf, and my trust is in God."
+
+"Oh! my hadji, then become my protector. I have an unjust debtor who
+refuses me my due."
+
+"You cannot intrust a better person," replied Yussuf. "I am a strong arm
+of the law, and my interest at court is such that I have already
+procured two decrees."
+
+"Those are great words, O hadji."
+
+"Tell me, then, who is this debtor, that I may seize him and carry him
+before the cadi. Haste to tell me, and for a few dirhems I will gain
+your cause, right or wrong."
+
+"My complaint is against my husband, who has divorced me, and
+notwithstanding, refuses me my dowry of five dinars, my clothes, and my
+ornaments."
+
+"What is your husband's trade?"
+
+"Pious sir, he is an embroiderer of papouches."
+
+"Let us lose no time, my good woman; show me this miracle of injustice,
+and by Allah, I will confound him."
+
+Upon this the woman unbound the string of coins from her head, and
+cutting off three dirhems, presented them to Yussuf. Yussuf seized the
+money, and tucking up his sleeves, that he might appear more like an
+officer he bade her to lead to the delinquent. The woman led him to the
+great mosque, where her husband, a little shrivelled-up man, was
+performing his duties with great devotion. Yussuf, without saying a
+word, took him up, carpet and all, and was about to carry him off.
+
+"In the name of the Prophet, to what class of madmen do you belong?"
+screamed the astonished devotee.
+
+"Release me; do not crush my poor ribs within your grasp. Set me down,
+and I will walk with you, as soon as I have put on slippers."
+
+The people crowded round to know what was the matter. "Ho, ho, that will
+presently appear," replied Yussuf. "His wife is his creditor, and I am
+her law officer; my demand is, that you restore to her fifty dinars,
+besides all the gold jewels and ornaments she has had these last fifty
+years."
+
+"How can that be," replied the little man, "seeing that I am not forty
+years old?"
+
+"That may be the case in fact," replied Yussuf; "but law is a very
+difficult thing, as you will find out. So come along with me to the
+cadi."
+
+The party then proceeded on their way to the cadi, but they had not gone
+many yards, when the papouche-maker whispered to Yussuf, "Most valiant
+and powerful sir, I quarrelled with my wife last night, on account of
+her unreasonable jealousy. I did pronounce the divorce, but there was no
+one to hear. If we slept together once more, she would be pacified.
+Therefore, most humane sir, I entreat you to interfere."
+
+"Was there no witness?" inquired Yussuf.
+
+"None, good sir," replied the man, slipping five direhms into the hand
+of Yussuf.
+
+"Then I decide that there is no divorce," replied Yussuf, pocketing the
+money, "and therefore you are no debtor. Woman, come hither. It appears
+that there was no divorce--so says your husband--and you have no witness
+to prove it. You are therefore no creditor. Go to your husband, and walk
+home with him; he is not much of a husband, to be sure, but still he
+must be cheap at the three dirhems which you have paid me. God be with
+you. Such is my decree."
+
+The woman, who had already repented of her divorce, was glad to return,
+and with many compliments, they took their leave of him. "By Allah!"
+exclaimed Yussuf, "but this is good. I will live and die an officer of
+the law." So saying he returned home for his basket, purchased his
+provisions and wine, and lighting up his house, passed the evening in
+carousing and singing as before.
+
+While Yussuf was thus employed, the caliph was desirous of ascertaining
+the effect of the new decree, relative to the baths. "Giaffar," said he,
+"I wonder whether I have succeeded in making that wine-bibber go to bed
+supperless? Come, let us pay him a visit."
+
+"For the sake of Islam, O caliph," replied Giaffar, "let us forbear to
+trifle with that crackbrained drunkard any more. Already has Allah
+delivered us out of his hands. What may we not expect if he is hungry
+and desolate?"
+
+"Your wisdom never grows less," replied the caliph; "those are the words
+of truth: nevertheless, I must go and see the madman once more."
+
+Giaffar, not being able to prevail, prepared the dresses, and they,
+accompanied by Mesrour, again sallied forth by the private gate of the
+seraglio. Once more were they surprised at witnessing the same
+illumination of the house, and one of the jalousies having burst open
+with the wind, they perceived the shadow of Yussuf, reflected on the
+wall, his beard wagging over his kabobs, and a cup of wine in his hand.
+
+"Who is there?" cried Yussuf, when Giaffar, at the command of the
+caliph, knocked at the door.
+
+"Your friends, dear Yussuf--your friends, the Moussul merchants. Peace
+be with you."
+
+"But it's neither peace nor welcome to you, you owls," replied Yussuf,
+walking out into the verandah. "By Allah! if you do not walk away, and
+that quickly, I shall come down to you with my bone polisher."
+
+"Indeed, friend Yussuf," replied Giaffar, "we have but two words to say
+to you."
+
+"Say them quickly, then, for you enter not my doors again, you wretched
+fellows, who have ruined all the water-carriers and all the bath-people
+in Bagdad."
+
+"What is that you mean?" replied the caliph; "we are lost in mystery."
+
+"What!" replied Yussuf: "have you not heard the decree of this
+morning?"
+
+"Gentle sir, we have been so busy sorting our wares, that we have not
+stepped out this day, and are ignorant of all that hath passed in
+Bagdad."
+
+"Then you shall come up and learn; but first swear by Moses, Esau, and
+the Prophet, that you will not _suppose_, for all you have imagined has
+proved as true as if it had been engraven on the ruby seal of Solomon."
+
+These conditions were readily accepted by the caliph and his companions,
+and they were then admitted upstairs, where they found everything
+disposed in the usual order, and the same profusion. When they had taken
+their seats in the corner of the room, Yussuf said, "Now my guests, as
+you hope for pardon, tell me, do you know nothing of what has happened
+to me this day--and what the blockhead of a caliph has been about?"
+Haroun and the vizier could with difficulty restrain their laughter, as
+they shook their heads. "Yes," continued Yussuf, "that vicegerent of a
+tattered beard, and more tattered understanding, has issued a decree for
+closing the baths for three days, by which cruel ordinance, I was again
+cast adrift upon the sea of necessity. However, Providence stood my
+friend, and threw a few dirhems in my way, and I have made my customary
+provision in spite of the wretch of a caliph, who I fully believe is an
+atheist and no true believer."
+
+"Inshallah," said the caliph to himself, "but I'll be even with you some
+day, at least."
+
+Yussuf then filled his cup several times, and was in high glee, as he
+narrated the events of the day, concluding with, "I am Yussuf--I put my
+trust in God. As an officer of the law I intend to live and die, and
+to-morrow I shall attend the hall of the cadi."
+
+"But," said Giaffar, "suppose----"
+
+"Suppose! by the beard of the Prophet, if you dare to suppose again in
+my presence, I will pound your fat stomach into a jelly," cried Yussuf,
+seizing his cudgel.
+
+"No, no, my friend, I merely wished to say----"
+
+"Say nothing," roared Yussuf, "or you never speak again."
+
+"Then we will only think, my friend."
+
+"That I will allow, and I also think as well as you. My thoughts are,
+that it will be wise for you to quit as fast as you can, for I have the
+cudgel in my hand, and am not in the very best of humours." The caliph
+and his attendants were of the same opinion, and took their leave of
+their irritated host.
+
+At the next morning's levee, Giaffar entered the divan at the head of
+the chief officers of the law, and viziers of the different departments,
+prostrating himself before the throne, he called down increase of years
+and prosperity on the caliph. "Giaffar," replied Haroun, "issue
+immediate orders, under the imperial firmaum, that strict inquiries be
+made into those officers of justice who attend the halls of the cadis.
+All those who have been lawfully selected shall be retained, with a
+present and increase of salary, while those who have assumed their name
+and office, without warranty or permission, shall be dismissed with the
+bastinado."
+
+The orders of the caliph were immediately obeyed. In the meantime,
+Yussuf, who had fallen asleep over his wine, did not awaken till long
+after the sun was up. He immediately rose, dressed himself with care,
+and hastened to the hall of the cadi, and took his station among the
+officers of the law, who looked at him with surprise and displeasure. At
+this moment the caliph's firmaum was delivered to the cadi, who, lifting
+it up to his forehead, in token of respect and obedience, caused it to
+be read to him. He then cried with a loud voice, "Bring in purses of
+gold, and let also the fellah and rods for the bastinado be brought in.
+Close up the gates of the cutchery, that none escape; and ye officers of
+justice, be ready to answer as your names are called." Yussuf, whose
+eyes were wide open, as well as his ears, said to himself, "My God! what
+new event is now to come to pass?"
+
+The orders of the cadi having been obeyed, the officers were severally
+called forward, and having proved themselves regularly appointed,
+received their rewards, and were dismissed. Yussuf's ideas were so
+confused by what appeared to him such an unmitigated destiny, that he
+did not perceive that he was left standing alone. It was not until the
+second time that the cadi called to him, that Yussuf moved towards him.
+
+"Who are you?" inquired the cadi.
+
+"I am Yussuf, and my trust is in God," replied he.
+
+"What is your profession?"
+
+"I am a water-carrier."
+
+"Such being the case, why did you join the officers of the law?"
+
+"I only entered upon the calling yesterday, O cadi; but nothing is
+difficult to me. Provided I gain but my six dirhems a day, I have no
+objection to become a mollah."
+
+The cadi and bystanders were unable to restrain their mirth,
+nevertheless, his feet were secured to the pole; and when hoisted up,
+they commenced the bastinado, taking care, however, to strike the pole
+much oftener than his toes. Having finished, he was released, and turned
+out of the hall of justice, very much mortified and melancholy, but
+little hurt by the gentle infliction. "Well," thought Yussuf, "fate
+appears determined that I shall change my mode of gaining my livelihood
+every day. Had I not allowed those Moussul rascals to enter my house,
+this never would have happened."
+
+As he said this, he perceived one of the _beeldars_, or officers of the
+caliph's household, pass by him. "That would be a nice office," thought
+Yussuf, "and the caliph does not count his people like the cadi. It
+requires but an impudent swagger, and you are taken upon your own
+representation." Accordingly, nowise disheartened, and determined to
+earn his six dirhems, he returned home, squeezed his waist into as
+narrow a compass as he could, gave his turban a smart cock, washed his
+hands, and took a peeled almond-wand in his hand. He was proceeding down
+stairs, when he recollected that it was necessary to have a sword, and
+he had only a scabbard, which he fixed in his belt, and cutting a piece
+of palm-wood into the shape of a sword, he fixed it in, making the
+handle look smart with some coloured pieces of cotton and silk, which he
+sewed with packthread. Thus marched he out, swaggering down the streets,
+and swinging his twig of almond-tree in his hand. As he strutted along
+everyone made way for him, imagining him to be one of those insolent
+retainers of office who are supported by the great khans. Thus he
+continued a straight course, until he arrived at the market-place, where
+a multitude was assembled round two men, who were fighting desperately.
+Yussuf pressed forward, the crowd making way for him on both sides,
+either taking him for an officer of the household, or dreading the force
+of his nervous and muscular proportions. When he reached the combatants,
+they were covered with dirt and blood, and engaged so furiously, that no
+one dared separate them. Yussuf, perceiving the dread which he inspired,
+and that he was taken, as he wished to be, for a beeldar, first clapped
+his hand to the handle of his pretended sword, and then struck the
+combatants several sharp blows with his almond stick, and thus induced
+them to leave off fighting. The sheick, or head of the bazaar, then
+approached Yussuf, and making an obeisance, presented him with six
+dirhems, with a prayer that he would seize the culprits, and carry them
+before the caliph for punishment, as disturbers of the public peace.
+
+Yussuf, securing the money in his girdle, seized up the two combatants,
+and carrying one under each arm, walked off with them. A great crowd
+followed, with many prayers for the release of the prisoners; but Yussuf
+turned a deaf ear, until another six dirhems were dropped into his vest,
+with a prayer for mercy. Upon this Yussuf consented to release them, and
+walked away, hardly able to contain his exultation. "I am Yussuf," cried
+he, "and I trust in God. As a beeldar will I live and die. By Allah! I
+will go to the palace, and see how it fares with my brother beeldars."
+
+Now there were thirty beeldars in the service of the caliph, who
+attended the palace in rotation, ten each day. On reaching the court of
+the palace, Yussuf took his station where the ten beeldars on duty were
+collected together. He observed, however, that they were very different
+from himself, very slight young men, and dressed in a very superior
+style. He felt some contempt for their effeminate appearance, contrasted
+with his own muscular frame, but could not keep his eyes off their
+handsome and stylish dress. Meanwhile, the chief of the beeldars
+perceived him, and knowing that he did not belong to the palace,
+imagined from his appearance, and his presenting himself among them,
+that he must be one in the service of one of the great omrahs who were
+at Bagdad, who, having nothing to do at home, had come as a visitor to
+the palace. He remarked this to his brother beeldars, saying, "This
+fine-built stranger ought to be considered as our guest. Let us show him
+all courtesy, for he is of our profession, and therefore we shall not do
+ourselves credit, if we do not prove that we have the power to serve
+him." The other beeldars agreeing with him, the chief went to the
+secretary of the treasury, and procured an order of notice upon a rich
+confectioner, to pay into the treasury the sum of five thousand dirhems,
+due by him upon several accounts therein specified. The vizier's seal
+having been attached to it, he went with it to where Yussuf was
+standing. "What, ho! brother beeldar," said the chief.
+
+"I am Yussuf, and my trust is in God; I am ready to obey your commands,"
+said the water-carrier, advancing with great humility.
+
+"May I request, brother beeldar, that you will do us of the palace, the
+very great favour to carry this paper, bearing the vizier's seal, to
+Mallem Osman, the great confectioner, and request the immediate payment
+of five thousand dirhems. You know your profession; of course the money
+is not expected, but whatever he may offer for your affording him a
+respite, put down to the friendship and good will of the beeldars of
+the palace, and remember us when you feast in your own dwelling."
+
+Yussuf, highly delighted, put the order into his cap, made a low salaam,
+and departed on his message. Deeming it beneath his new-fledged dignity
+to walk, he mounted one of the asses ready for hire at the corner of the
+streets, ordering the driver to hasten before to clear the way, and
+ascertain which was the dwelling of the confectioner. The house of
+Mallem Osman was soon discovered, for he was the most celebrated of his
+trade, and had an immense business. Yussuf rode up on the beast, which
+was not half as large as himself, and stopped at the shop, where the
+confectioner was superintending his work-people. "I am Yussuf, and my
+trust is in God," said Yussuf, looking at the confectioner. The
+confectioner heeded him not, when Yussuf strutted into the shop. "I
+merely wait upon you, good Mallem Osman, to request that you will
+immediately repair to the palace, carrying with you five bags, each
+containing one thousand dirhems, of which there appears at present to be
+no chance of receiving an asper. This paper, sealed by the vizier,
+contains the order; and as you have the honour of being the caliph's
+debtor, you will do well to rise and accompany me forthwith to the
+palace, not forgetting the needful."
+
+At this speech Mallem started up from his seat, advanced most
+submissively to Yussuf, took the paper and raised it to his head,
+addressing Yussuf with the most abject servility, "O most excellent,
+most valiant, and most powerful beeldar, how well doth the caliph select
+his officers! How favoured am I by Allah with your happy presence! I am
+your slave--honour me by refreshing yourself in my dwelling."
+
+Yussuf then threw the driver of the beast half a dirhem, and dismissed
+him, breathed as if fatigued with his journey, and wiped his brow with
+his sleeve. The confectioner placed him in his own seat, and sent
+hastily to the bazaar for a large dishful of kabob, spread a napkin
+before Yussuf, and slicing a pomegranate, strewed it over with pounded
+sugar, and placed it before him, along with some sweet cakes and some
+honey. "O chief of beeldars!" said the confectioner, "it is my prayer
+that you deign to break your fast in the house of your servant. Will you
+amuse yourself with these trifles while something better is preparing?"
+Here one of the shopmen brought a bowl, into which he poured sherbet of
+the distilled juice of the lotus-flower mingled with rose-water. The
+master placed this also before Yussuf, and entreated him to eat; but
+Yussuf, affecting the great man, held his head up in the air and would
+not even look that way. "Condescend to oblige me by tasting this
+sherbet, O chief!" continued the confectioner: "or I swear by Allah,
+that I will divorce my youngest and most favourite wife."
+
+"Hold--hold, brother!" replied Yussuf; "rather than that the innocent
+should suffer, I will comply with your request; although, to say the
+truth, I have no appetite, having taken my breakfast from the caliph's
+table in ten dishes, each dish containing three fowls dressed in a
+different fashion. I am so full that I can scarce draw my breath."
+
+"I fully comprehend that it is out of compassion to your slave that you
+comply with my request."
+
+"Well," said Yussuf, "to oblige you;" and taking up the bowl of sherbet,
+which contained some pints, to the amazement of the confectioner, at one
+long draught he swallowed it all down. The kabob now made its
+appearance, wrapped up in thin cakes of fine wheaten flour. Yussuf
+swallowed this also with a rapidity which was astonishing to behold, nor
+did he cease eating till the whole table cleared. The confectioner was
+amazed. "This fellow," thought he, "breakfasted upon ten dishes, each
+containing three fowls. How fortunate for me! What would he have done
+had he come here fainting? Nothing less than an ox stuffed with
+pistachio-nuts would have satisfied him. Would to Heaven that I were
+well rid of him!"
+
+In the meantime Yussuf stirred not, but resumed his consequence. The
+confectioner requested to know if his highness would wait till a dinner
+was prepared for him. "Indeed, friend, that is a subject of small
+concern. My object here is, that you hasten with me to the treasury to
+pay in the five thousand dirhems which are due."
+
+"Your indulgence, my aga," replied the confectioner; "I will return in
+one minute." Mallem Osman then filled a large bag with the choicest of
+his sweetmeats, and putting thirty dirhems in a paper, he approached
+Yussuf, saying, "My prince, I humbly beg your acceptance of this
+trifling present of sweetmeats, and these thirty dirhems for the
+expenses of the bath after your fatiguing journey hither. Deign also to
+favour me with your protection. Trade is scarce, and money does not come
+in. In a short time I will pay all."
+
+Yussuf, who was aware that the order had only been given that he might
+squeeze a few dirhems out of the confectioner, then spoke with much
+civility. "My advice to you, Mallem," said he, "is, that you stir not
+out of your door to-day--there is no such hurry--nor to-morrow, nay,
+even a week, or a month, or a year. I may say, stir not at all, for you
+have my protection; and therefore be under no trouble of going to the
+palace at all."
+
+It was near sunset when this affair was settled. Yussuf walked home with
+his hands full of presents, exclaiming as he went, "I am Yussuf, my
+provision is from God!" He reached his home, full of pleasing
+anticipations, and changing his dress, took out his basket and pitcher,
+returning loaded more than usual; for having gained forty-two dirhems,
+he resolved to indulge himself. "By Allah!" cried he, "I will double my
+allowance, to the confusion of those rascally Moussul merchants, who are
+such birds of ill omen." He accordingly expended double the money,
+doubling also his allowance of wax tapers and oil, so that his house was
+in a blaze of light when he sat down as usual to his feast, more happy
+than ever, drinking more, and singing twice as loudly as he had ever
+done before.
+
+Leaving him to his solitary revels, we must observe, that the caliph had
+ascertained that Yussuf had received the bastinado; and now making sure
+that he would be without provisions or wine, he resolved to pay him
+another visit. "I think, Giaffar, that I have, at last, sent that rascal
+to bed supperless in return for his calling me an infidel; and I must go
+and enjoy his wrath and indignation, increased of course by the pain of
+the blows he has received by the order of the cadi." In vain did Giaffar
+represent that it would be attacking an angry and wounded lion in his
+den; that his wrath would be such, and his strength was so enormous,
+that they could not expect less than annihilation, should they venture
+to his door. "All that may be true," replied the caliph; "but still I
+will go and see him at all risk."
+
+"I have my dagger, Commander of the Faithful," observed Mesrour, "and I
+fear him not."
+
+"Use it not, Mesrour," replied the caliph. "Get ready the dresses, and
+let us depart."
+
+"I venture to promise that we shall see no more lights this time, except
+it may be a solitary lamp to enable him to bathe his wounded feet."
+
+They went forth, and on their arrival were astonished at the blaze of
+light which proceeded from Yussuf's apartments; his singing also was
+most clamorous, and he appeared to be much intoxicated, crying out
+between his staves, "I am Yussuf! confound all Moussul merchants--my
+trust is in God!"
+
+"By the sword of the prophet!" exclaimed the caliph, "this fellow
+baffles me in everything. Have I not made the whole city uncomfortable,
+and submit to decrees which appeared to be promulgated by a madman,
+merely to chastise this wine-bibber, and behold he revels as before? I
+am weary of attempting to baffle him; however, let us find out, if
+possible, how he has provided for his table. What, ho! friend Yussuf,
+are you there? Here are your guests come again to rejoice in your good
+fortune," cried the caliph from the street.
+
+"What, again?" roared Yussuf. "Well, now, you must take the consequence.
+Fly, or you are dead men. I have sworn by Allah, not only that you
+should not come into my door, but that I would cudgel you whenever we
+met again."
+
+"Nay, thou pearl among men, thou ocean of good temper, rise and receive
+us. It is our destiny, and who can prevent it?"
+
+"Well, then," replied Yussuf, coming out to the verandah with his great
+cudgel, "if it is your destiny, it will not be my fault."
+
+"But, good Yussuf," replied the caliph, "hear us. This is the last time
+that we request admittance. We swear it by the _three_. You rail at us
+as if we harmed you; whereas, you must acknowledge that everything,
+however unfortunate at first appearance, has turned only to thy
+advantage."
+
+"That is true," replied Yussuf; "but still it is through your pernicious
+omens that I am made to change my trade every day. What am I to be
+next?"
+
+"Is not your trust in God?" replied Giaffar. "Besides, we promise thee
+faithfully that we will not say one word on the subject, and that this
+shall be the last time that we demand your hospitality."
+
+"Well," replied Yussuf, who was very drunk, "I will open the door for
+the last time, as I must not war with destiny." So saying, he reeled
+down the stairs, and let them in.
+
+The caliph found everything in extraordinary profusion. Yussuf sang for
+some time without noticing them; at last he said, "You Moussul rascals,
+why do you not ask me to narrate how I have had such good fortune? You
+are dying with envy, I presume; but now you shall hear it, and if you
+dare to go away till I have told you all, I will shower down such a
+quantity of blows upon your carcasses, as shall leave you worse than a
+bastinado of five hundred."
+
+"We are all obedience and humility, O prince of men!" replied the
+caliph.
+
+Yussuf then narrated the events of the day, concluding with, "I am
+Yussuf, my trust is in God! A beeldar will I live, a beeldar will I die,
+in spite of the caliph and his grand vizier to boot. Here's confusion to
+them both!" He then drank off a cup of rakee, and rolling over in a
+state of stupid intoxication, fell fast asleep.
+
+The caliph and Giaffar blew out the lights, and then let themselves out
+of the door, and, much amused with the adventures of Yussuf, they
+regained the private gate of the seraglio.
+
+The next morning Yussuf awoke, and finding it late, hastened to dress
+himself in his best clothes, saying to himself, "I am a beeldar, and I
+will die a beeldar." He took care to comb out his beard, and twist it in
+a fiercer manner; and then putting on his sham sword, lost no time in
+going to the palace, where he took his station among the beeldars who
+were on duty, hoping that he would be despatched by the chief on a
+similar message as that of the day before. The caliph soon afterwards
+made his appearance at the divan, and immediately recognised Yussuf in
+his partial disguise. He observed to Giaffar, "Do you see there our
+friend Yussuf? I have him at last, and now I will perplex him not a
+little before he escapes me." The chief of the beeldars being called,
+stepped forward and made his obeisance. "What is the number of your
+corps?" inquired the caliph.
+
+"Thirty in all, Most High, of which ten are every day on duty."
+
+"I will review those who are present," replied the caliph, "and examine
+each man particularly."
+
+The chief of the beeldars bowing low, retired, and turning to his men,
+with a loud voice, said, "Beeldars, it is the pleasure of the Commander
+of the Faithful, that you appear before him."
+
+This order was instantly obeyed, and Yussuf was compelled to walk with
+the rest into the immediate presence of the caliph; not, however,
+without alarm, and saying to himself, "What can all this be for? My
+usual luck. Yesterday, I cast up my reckoning with the cadi, and paid
+the balance with my heels. If I have to account with the caliph, I am
+lucky if I come off clear with my head."
+
+In the meantime the caliph asked a few questions of each beeldar, until
+he came to Yussuf, who had taken care to stand last. His manoeuvres and
+embarrassment afforded much pleasure to the caliph and Giaffar, so much,
+that they scarce could refrain from laughing outright. The last of the
+beeldars had now been examined, and had passed over to the right after
+the others, and Yussuf remained standing by himself. He shuffled from
+side to side, casting an eye now at the door, and then at the caliph,
+considering whether he should take to his heels; but he felt that it was
+useless. The caliph asked him who he was three times before Yussuf's
+confusion would allow him to answer; and the chief of the beeldars gave
+him a push in the ribs, and looking in his face, did not recognize him;
+he however supposed that he had been lately substituted by one of the
+other chiefs. "Answer the caliph, you great brute," said he to Yussuf,
+giving him another dig in the ribs with the handle of his poniard; but
+Yussuf's tongue was glued to his mouth with fear, and he stood trembling
+without giving any answer. The caliph again repeated, "What is your
+name, your father's name, and the amount of your salary as a beeldar?
+and how did you get your appointment?"
+
+"Is it to me you speak, O hadji caliph?" at last stammered out Yussuf.
+
+"Yes," replied the caliph, gravely.
+
+Giaffar, who stood near his master, then cried out, "Yes, you cowardly
+shred of a beeldar; and reply quickly, or a sword will be applied to
+your neck."
+
+Yussuf, as if talking to himself, replied, "I hope it will be _my own_
+then." He then replied to the question, "Yes, yes, it's all right--my
+father was a beeldar, and my _mother_ also before him." At this
+extravagant answer the caliph and whole court could no longer restrain
+their mirth, which gave Yussuf a little more courage.
+
+"So," replied Haroun, "it appears that you are a beeldar, and that your
+allowance is ten dinars yearly, and five pounds of mutton daily."
+
+"Yes, my Umeer," replied Yussuf, "I believe that is correct. My trust is
+in God!"
+
+"It is well. Now, Yussuf, take with you three other beeldars to the
+dungeon of blood, and bring to me the four robbers who were condemned to
+death for their manifold crimes and enormities."
+
+Here Giaffar interfered, and submitted to the caliph, whether it would
+not be better that the head jailor should produce them, which being
+ordered, that officer presently made his appearance with the four
+criminals pinioned and bareheaded. The caliph ordered three of the
+beeldars each to seize and blindfold a prisoner, to open their upper
+garments ready to unsheath their swords, and wait for the word of
+command. The three beeldars made their obeisance, obeyed the command,
+placing the criminals in a kneeling position, resting on their hams,
+with their necks bare, and their eyes covered. While the three beeldars
+stood thus in readiness, Yussuf was in a dreadful state of confusion.
+"To escape now is impossible," said he to himself. "Confound these
+Moussul merchants. They did well to say they would come no more, for in
+a few minutes I shall be no more myself."
+
+"You fellow there! you are one of the appointed beeldars, and do not
+know your duty," cried Giaffar. "Why do you not lead out the criminal,
+as your companions have done?"
+
+Yussuf, obliged to obey, now seized the fourth prisoner, covered his
+eyes, laid bare his neck, and took his stand behind him, but without
+drawing his sword. "I never shall be able to get over this," thought
+Yussuf. "In a few seconds it will prove to be but a piece of palm-wood,
+and I shall lose my head among the jeers of the people. However, my
+trust is in God; and to Shitan with all Moussul merchants." He took,
+however, his sheath and sham sword from his belt, and raised it in the
+scabbard over his shoulder.
+
+The caliph, who watched him narrowly, was highly diverted with this
+manoeuvre. "You beeldar!" cried he, "why do you not unsheath your
+sword?"
+
+"My sword," replied Yussuf, "is of that temper, that it must not too
+long glance in the eyes of the Commander of the Faithful."
+
+The caliph appeared satisfied, and turning to the first beeldar,
+commanded him to strike. In a moment the head of the robber was lying on
+the ground. "Neatly and bravely done," said the caliph; "let him be
+rewarded." He then gave command to the second to execute his criminal.
+The sword whirled in the air, and at one stroke the head of the robber
+flew some distance from the shoulders. The third criminal was despatched
+with equal dexterity. "Now," said the caliph to Yussuf, "you, my
+beeldar, cut off the criminal's head, and receive the like reward for
+your dexterity."
+
+Yussuf had by this time, to a certain degree, recovered his presence of
+mind; he had not exactly arranged his ideas, but they floated
+indistinctly in his brain. "Will your highness allow me to say a few
+words to the criminal?" demanded Yussuf, to gain time.
+
+"Be it so," replied the caliph, stuffing his robe in his mouth to
+prevent laughter.
+
+"The caliph has commanded that your head be struck off. If you would
+pronounce the profession of the true faith, now is your time, robber,
+for you have but one short minute to live."
+
+The criminal immediately cried out, "There is but one God, and Mahomet
+is his Prophet!"
+
+Yussuf then bared his muscular arm, and fiercely rolling his eyes,
+walked three times round his prisoner. "Declare now the justice of your
+fate," cried he, aloud (but at the same time saying to the man, in a low
+tone, "Swear you are innocent"). "Say, is not your sentence just?"
+
+"No--no," replied the man, in a loud voice, "I am innocent."
+
+The caliph, who was very attentive to all that passed, was much
+diverted by Yussuf's proceedings, and wondered what he would do next.
+Yussuf then walked up to the caliph, and prostrated himself. "O caliph!
+vicegerent of the Prophet! deign to listen to your faithful beeldar,
+while he narrates a strange adventure which hath befallen him within
+these few days."
+
+"Speak, beeldar, we are all attention; remember that thy words be those
+of truth."
+
+"It was on the evening before your highness issued the decree that no
+water should be supplied to the bazaar, from the Tigris, that as I was
+sitting in my house, performing my sacred duties, and studying the
+Koran, which I read in a loud voice, three merchants of Moussul claimed
+and entreated my hospitality. The Koran has pointed out hospitality as a
+virtue necessary to every true believer, and I hastened to open my door
+and receive them."
+
+"Indeed," replied the caliph, looking at Giaffar. "Tell me, beeldar,
+what sort of looking personages might these Moussul merchants be?"
+
+"Ill-favoured to a degree. One was a pot-bellied, rascally-looking
+fellow, with a great beard, who looked as if he had just come out of a
+jail. [The caliph winked at his vizier, as much as to say, There is your
+portrait.] Another was a black-bearded, beetle-browed, hang-dog looking
+rascal. [Giaffar bowed to the caliph.] And the third was a
+blubber-lipped, weazen-faced skeleton of a negro. [Mesrour clapped his
+hand to his dagger with impatience.] In short, your highness, I may
+safely say that the three criminals whose heads have just been forfeited
+to justice were, as far as appearances went, honest-looking men compared
+to the three Moussul merchants. Nevertheless, as in duty bound, I
+received these three men, gave them shelter, and spread a table of the
+best before them. They indulged in kabobs, and asking for wine and
+rakee, which, as forbidden by the law, I never taste, I went out and
+purchased it for them. They did eat and drink till the dawn broke, and
+then they departed."
+
+"Indeed," said the caliph.
+
+"The next night, to my great annoyance, they aroused me from my
+devotions as before. Again did my substance disappear in providing for
+their demands; and, after having eaten and drunk until they were
+intoxicated, they went away, and I hoped to see them no more, as they
+were not sparing in their observations upon the new decree of your
+highness, relative to the shutting up of the baths."
+
+"Proceed, good Yussuf."
+
+"The third night they again came, and having no more money to spare, and
+finding them still making my house a tavern, I hoped that they would
+come no more; but they came again, a fourth night, and then behaved most
+indecorously, singing lewd songs, and calling out for wine and rakee
+until I could bear it no more, and I then told them that I could no
+longer receive them. The fat-stomached one, whom I have before
+mentioned, then rose, and said, 'Yussuf, we have proved your
+hospitality, and we thank you. No one would have received three such
+ill-favoured persons, and have regaled them for the love of God, as you
+have done. We will now reward thee. Thou art a beeldar of the palace,
+and we will now present thee with the sword of justice, which has been
+lost since the days of the great Solomon; take this, and judge not by
+its outward appearance. When commanded to take off the head of a
+criminal, if he is guilty, the sword will flash like fire, and never
+fail; but should he be innocent, it will become a harmless lath of
+wood.' I took the present, and was about to return thanks, when the
+three ill-favoured Moussul merchants gradually took the form of
+celestial beings, and vanished."
+
+"Indeed, this is a strange story--what, did the big-bellied fellow look
+like an angel?"
+
+"As an angel of light, O caliph."
+
+"What, and the weazen-faced negro?"
+
+"Like a houri, O caliph."
+
+"Well, then," replied the caliph, "you shall now, Yussuf, try the power
+of this wonderful sword. Strike off that criminal's head."
+
+Yussuf returned to the robber, who remained kneeling, and walked round
+him, crying out with a loud voice, "O sword, if this man be guilty, do
+thy duty; but if he be, as he has declared in his dying moments,
+innocent, then become thou harmless." With these words Yussuf drew his
+sword, and exhibited a lath of palm-wood. "He is innocent, O caliph;
+this man, being unjustly condemned, ought to be set free."
+
+"Most certainly," replied the caliph, delighted with the manoeuvre of
+Yussuf, "let him be liberated. Chief of the beeldars, we cannot part
+with a man, who, like Yussuf, possesses so famous a weapon. Let there be
+ten more beeldars appointed, and let Yussuf have the command of them as
+chief, with the same perquisites and salary as the other chiefs."
+
+Yussuf prostrated himself before the caliph, delighted with his good
+fortune, and as he retired, he exclaimed, "I am Yussuf; my trust is in
+God. Allah preserve the three Moussul merchants."
+
+It was not long before the caliph, Giaffar, and Mesrour appeared again
+as the merchants to Yussuf, and heartily enjoyed his discomfiture and
+confusion, when they discovered themselves. Still Yussuf enjoyed the
+favour of Haroun to the end of his life, and was more fortunate than
+Giaffar and others, who only once fell under the wrath and suspicion of
+the all-powerful caliph.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Such, O pacha, is the history of Yussuf, the water-carrier."
+
+"Yes, and a very good story too. Have you not another, Menouni?"
+
+"Your highness," replied Mustapha, "the caravan will depart at break of
+day, and Menouni has but three hours to prepare. It can no longer be
+detained without the chief making a report to the authorities, which
+would not be well received."
+
+"Be it so," replied the pacha; "Let Menouni be rewarded, and we will
+try to find some other storyteller, until his return from his
+pilgrimage."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XIX
+
+
+"Mustapha," observed the pacha, taking his pipe out of his mouth, "what
+makes the poets talk so much about the Book of Fate?"
+
+"The Book of Fate, your highness, is where is written our _Talleh_, or
+destiny. Can I say more?"
+
+"Allah acbar! God is great! and it is well said. But why a book, when
+nobody can read it?"
+
+"These are great words, and spiced with wisdom. O pacha! doth not Hafiz
+say, 'Every moment you enjoy, count it gain.' Who can say what will be
+the event of anything?"
+
+"Wallah thaib! well said, by Allah! Then why a book, if the book is
+sealed?"
+
+"Yet there are wise men who can read our Kismet, and foretell."
+
+"Yes, very true; but I have observed that it is not until after an event
+has happened, that they tell you of it. What are these astrologers?
+_Bosh_--nothing--I have said." And the pacha remained some time smoking
+his pipe in silence.
+
+"May it please your highness," observed Mustapha, "I have outside a
+wretch who is anxious to crawl into your presence. He comes from the
+far-distant land of Kathay--an unbeliever, with two tails."
+
+"Two tails! was he a pacha in his own country?"
+
+"A pacha! Staffir Allah!--God forgive me! A dog--a most miserable
+dog--on my eyes be it; but still he hath two tails."
+
+"Let the dog with two tails be admitted," replied the pacha. "We have
+said it."
+
+A yellow-skinned, meagre, and wrinkled old Chinaman was brought in
+between two of the guards. His eyes were very small and bleared, his
+cheek-bones prominent; all that could be discovered of his nose were two
+expanded nostrils at its base; his mouth of an enormous width, with
+teeth as black as ink. As soon as the guards stopped, he slipped down
+from between them on his knees, and throwing forward his body,
+_kow-tow_-ed with his head in the dust nine times, and then remained
+with his face down on the floor.
+
+"Let the dog with two tails rise," said the pacha.
+
+This order not being immediately obeyed by the servile Chinaman, each of
+the two guards who stood by him seized one of the plaited tails of hair,
+which were nearly an ell in length, and pulled up his head from the
+floor. The Chinaman then remained cross-legged, with his eyes humbly
+fixed upon the ground.
+
+"Who art thou, dog?" said the pacha, pleased with the man's humility.
+
+"I am of Kathay and your vilest slave," replied the man, in good
+Turkish. "In my own country I was a poet. Destiny hath brought me here,
+and I now work in the gardens of the palace."
+
+"If you are a poet, you can tell me many a story."
+
+"Your slave has told thousands in his lifetime, such hath been my fate."
+
+"Talking about fate," said Mustapha, "can you tell his highness a story,
+in which destiny has been foretold and hath been accomplished? If so,
+begin."
+
+"There is a story of my own country, O vizier! in which destiny was
+foretold, and was most unhappily accomplished."
+
+"You may proceed," said Mustapha, at a sign from the pacha.
+
+The Chinaman thrust his hand into the breast of his blue cotton shirt,
+and pulled out a sort of instrument made from the shell of a tortoise,
+with three or four strings stretched across, and in a low, monotonous
+tone, something between a chant and a whine, not altogether unmusical,
+he commenced his story. But first he struck his instrument, and ran over
+a short prelude, which may be imagined by a series of false notes,
+running as follows:--
+
+Ti-tum, titum, tilly-lilly, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, titum, tilly-lilly,
+tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+As he proceeded in his story, whenever he was out of breath, he stopped,
+and struck a few notes of his barbarous music.
+
+
+
+THE WONDROUS TALE OF HAN.
+
+Who was more impassioned in his nature, who was more formed for love,
+than the great Han Koong Shew, known in the celestial archives as the
+sublime Youantée, brother of the sun and moon?--whose court was so
+superb--whose armies were so innumerable--whose territories were so
+vast--bounded as they were by the four seas, which bound the whole
+universe? yet was he bound by destiny to be unhappy, and thus do I
+commence the wondrous Tale of Han--the sorrows of the magnificent
+Youantée.
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly----
+
+Yes, he felt that some one thing was wanting. All his power, his wealth,
+his dignity, filled not his soul with pleasure. He turned from the
+writings of the great Fo--he closed the book. Alas! he sighed for a
+second self to whom he might point out--"All this is mine." His heart
+yearned for a fair damsel--a maid of beauty--to whose beauty he might
+bow. He, to whom the world was prostrate, the universe were slaves,
+longed for an amorous captivity, and sighed for chains. But where was
+the maiden to be found, worthy to place fetters upon the brother of the
+sun and moon--the magnificent master of the universe? Where was she to
+be found?
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+Yes, there was one, and but one, worthy to be his mate, worthy to be
+the queen of a land of eternal spring, filled with trees, whose stems
+were of gold, branches of silver, leaves of emerald, and whose fruits
+were the fragrant apples of immortality. And where was this moon, fit
+bride unto the sun? Was she not plunged in grief--hidden in a well of
+her own tears--even in the gardens of joy? Those eyes which should have
+sunned a court of princes, were dimmed with eternal sorrow. And who was
+the cause of this eclipse, but the miscreant, gold-loving minister,
+_Suchong Pollyhong Ka-te-tow_.
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly.
+
+The mandarins were summoned by the great Youantée, the court in its
+splendour bowed down their heads into the dust of delight as they
+listened to the miracle of his eloquence. "Hear me, ye first chop
+mandarins, peers, lords, and princes of the empire. Listen to the words
+of Youantée. Hath not each bird that skims the air, its partner in the
+nest? Hath not each beast its mate? Have not you all eyes which beam but
+upon you alone? Am I then so unfortunately great, or so greatly
+unfortunate, that I may not be permitted to descend to love? Even the
+brother of the sun and moon cannot, during his career on earth, exist
+alone. Seek, then, through the universe, a maiden for thy lord, that
+like my brother, the sun, who sinks each night into the bosom of the
+ocean, I too may repose upon the bosom of my mate. Seek, I say, search
+each corner of the world, that its treasures may be poured forth at our
+golden feet, and one gem be selected for our especial wear. But first, O
+wise men and astrologers, summon ye the planets and stars of destiny,
+that they may ascertain whether, by this conjunction, aught of evil be
+threatened to our celestial person, or to our boundless empire."
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+Where is the star which leaps not in his course with delight, to obey
+the wishes of the brother of the sun and moon? Where was the planet that
+rejoiced not to assist so near a relative? Yes, they all hearkened,
+bowing down to the astrolabes of the astrologers, like generous steeds,
+who knelt to receive their riders; yet, when they all did meet to throw
+light upon the required page of destiny, was not their brightness dimmed
+when they perceived, as they read it, that it was full of tears, and
+that joy floated but as a bubble? The wise men sighed as the decree of
+fate was handed down to them, and with their faces to the earth, thus
+did they impart the contents of the revealed page to the magnificent
+Youantée.
+
+"The brother of the sun and moon would wed. Beauty shall be laid at the
+golden feet, but the pearl beyond price will be found and lost. There
+will be joy and there will be sorrow. Joy in life, sorrow both in life
+and death; for a black dragon, foe to the celestial empire, threatens
+like an overhanging cloud. More the stars dare not reveal."
+
+Ti-tum, till-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Here the pacha looked at Mustapha and nodded his head in approbation, as
+much as to say, "Now we are coming to the point." Mustapha bowed, and
+the Chinese poet continued.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The golden eyes of the great Youantée were filled with silver tears when
+the page of destiny was made known; but the sun of hope rose, and bore
+away the sacred dew to heaven. Then called he the minister, ever to be
+disgraced in story, Suchong Pollyhong Ka-te-tow, and the emperor desired
+him to make a progress through the universe, his dominions, to find out
+the most beautiful maidens, to be brought to the celestial feet, at the
+coming feast of Lanthorns. But before they could be permitted to shoot
+up the rays of love through the mist of glory which surrounded the
+imperial throne--before their charms were to make the attempt upon the
+heart of magnanimity, it was necessary, that all their portraits should
+be submitted to the great Youantée, in the Hall of Delight. That is to
+say, out of the twenty thousand virgins whose images were to be
+impressed upon the ivory, one hundred only, selected by a committee of
+taste, composed of the first class mandarins and princes, were to be
+honoured by the beam of the celestial eye.
+
+The avaricious, gold-seeking, Suchong Pollyhong Ka-te-tow had performed
+his task; wealth poured into his coffers from the ambitious parents, who
+longed to boast of an alliance with the brother of the sun and moon, and
+many were the ill-favoured whose portraits were dismissed by the
+committee of taste, with surprise at the minister's ideas of beauty.
+
+Now there was a certain mandarin, whose daughter had long been extolled
+through the province of Kartou, as a miracle of beauty, and her father,
+Whanghang, brought her in a litter to the minister Suchong Pollyhong
+Ka-te-tow. He felt that her charms were piercing as an arrow, and that
+he had found a fit mate for the brother of the sun and moon; but his
+avarice demanded a sum which the father would not pay. Refuse to send
+her portrait he dare not; it was therefore ordered to be taken, as well
+as the others, and Whanghang considered himself as the father-in-law of
+the celestial Youantée. The young painter who was employed finished his
+task, then laid down his pencil, and died with grief and love of such
+perfection, which he never could hope to obtain. The picture was sent to
+the vile minister, who reserved it for himself, and wrote the name of
+this pearl beyond price, under that of another, unworthy to unloose her
+zone as her handmaiden. The committee of taste did, however, select that
+picture among the hundred to be placed in the Hall of Delight, not
+because the picture was beautiful, but because the fame of her beauty
+had reached the court, and they thought it right that the emperor should
+see the picture. The virgins whose pictures were thus selected, were all
+ordered to repair to the imperial palace, and the magnificent Youantée
+entered the Hall of Delight, which was illumined with ten thousand
+lanthorns, and cast his eyes over the portraits of the hundred
+beauties, but not one feature touched his heart, he turned away in
+disgust at the degenerate countenances of the age, "Is this all,"
+exclaimed he, "that the world can lay at the feet of its lord?" And the
+committee of taste prostrated themselves when they beheld his
+indignation. "And this," exclaimed he, pointing to the supposed portrait
+of the daughter of Whanghang, "who is this presumptuous one who hath
+dared to disgrace with her features the Hall of Delight?"
+
+"That, O emperor," said the wily Suchong Pollyhong Ka-te-tow, "is the
+far-famed beauty _Chaoukeun_, whose insolent father dared to say, that
+if it was not sent, he would lay his complaint at the celestial feet. In
+her province the fame of her beauty was great, and I did not like to be
+accused of partiality, so it has been placed before the imperial eye."
+
+"First, then," exclaimed the emperor, "let it be proclaimed that the
+whole province of Kartou is peopled by fools, and levy upon it a fine of
+one hundred thousand ounces of gold, for its want of taste; and next,
+let this vain one be committed to perpetual seclusion in the eastern
+tower of the imperial palace. Let the other maidens be sent to their
+parents, for as yet there is not found a fit bride for the brother of
+the sun and moon."
+
+The imperial mandates were obeyed; and thus was the first part of the
+prophecy fulfilled, that "the pearl beyond price would be _found_ and
+_lost_."
+
+Ti-tum, till-lilly, ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+Yes, she was lost, for the resplendent Chaoukeun was shut up to waste
+away her peerless beauty in sorrow and in solitude. One small
+terrace-walk was the only spot permitted her on which to enjoy the
+breezes of heaven. Night was looking down in loveliness, with her
+countless eyes, upon the injustice and cruelty of men, when the
+magnificent Youantée, who had little imagined that the brother of the
+sun and moon would be doomed to swallow the bitter pillau of
+disappointment, as had been latterly his custom, quitted the palace to
+walk in the gardens and commune with his own thoughts, unattended. And
+it pleased destiny, that the pearl beyond price, the neglected Chaoukeun
+also was induced, by the beauty and stillness of the night, to press the
+shell sand which covered the terrace-walk, with her diminutive feet, so
+diminutive, that she almost tottered in her gait. The tear trembled in
+her eye as she thought of her own happy home, and bitterly did she
+bewail that beauty, which, instead of raising her to a throne, had by
+malice and avarice condemned her to perpetual solitude. She looked
+upwards at the starry heaven, but felt no communion with its loveliness.
+She surveyed the garden of sweets from the terrace, but all appeared to
+be desolate. Of late, her only companions had been her tears and her
+lute, whose notes were as plaintive as her own.
+
+"O my mother!" exclaimed she; "beloved, but too ambitious mother! but
+for one little hour to lay this head upon your bosom! Fatal hath been
+the dream you rejoiced in at my nativity, in which the moon shone out so
+brilliantly, and then descended into the earth at your feet. I have
+shone but a little, little time, and now am I buried, as it were, in the
+earth, at my joyous age. Immured in this solitary tower, my hopes
+destroyed--my portrait cannot have been seen--and now I am lost for
+ever. Thou lute, sole companion of my woes, let us join our voices of
+complaint. Let us fancy that the flowers are listening to our grief, and
+that the dews upon the half-closed petals are tears of pity for my
+misfortunes." And Chaoukeun struck her lute, and thus poured out her
+lament:
+
+  "O tell me, thou all-glorious sun,
+    Were there no earth to drink thy light,
+  Would not, in vain, thy course be run,
+    Thy reign be o'er a realm of night?
+
+  "Thus charms were born to be enthroned
+    In hearts, and youth to be caress'd;
+  And beauty is not, if not own'd,
+    At least by one adoring breast."
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+The musical notes of the peerless Chaoukeun were not thrown away only
+upon flowers deaf and dumb, they vibrated in the ears of the magnificent
+Youantée, who had sat down on the back of an enormous metal dragon,
+which had been placed in the walk under the terrace. The emperor
+listened with surprise at her soliloquy, with admiration at her
+enchanting song. For some minutes he remained in a profound reverie, and
+then rising from the dragon, he walked towards the gate of the tower,
+and clapped his hands. The eunuch made his appearance. "Keeper of the
+Yellow Tower," said the emperor, "but now I heard the sounds of a lute."
+
+"Even so, O Sustenance of the world," responded the slave.
+
+"Was it not rather an angel than a mortal, whose mellifluous notes
+accompanied the instrument?" said the magnificent Youantée.
+
+"Certainly is she blessed beyond mortality, since her melody has found
+favour in the celestial ears," replied the black keeper of the Yellow
+Tower.
+
+"Go then, and quickly summon all our highest officers of state, to lay
+their robes upon the ground, that she may pass over them to our presence
+at the dragon below the terrace."
+
+The magnificent Youantée, brother of the sun and moon, returned to his
+former seat, filled with pleasing anticipations, while the eunuch
+hastened to obey the celestial commands. The mandarins of the first
+class hastened to obey the orders of Youantée; their furred and velvet
+cloaks, rich in gold and silver ornaments, were spread from the tower to
+the dragon at the terrace, forming a path rich and beautiful as the
+milky way in the heavens. The pearl beyond price, the peerless
+Chaonkeun, like the moon in her splendour, passed over it into the
+presence of the great Youantée.
+
+"Immortal Fo," exclaimed the emperor, as the attendants raised their
+lanterns, so as to throw light upon her countenance, "by what black
+mischance have such charms been hidden from our sight?"
+
+Then did the peerless Chaoukeun narrate, in few words, the treachery and
+avarice of Suchong Pollyhong Ka-te-tow.
+
+"Hasten, O mandarins, let the scissors of disgrace cut off the two tails
+of this wretch, and then let the sword of justice sever off his head."
+
+But the rumour of his sentence flew on the wind to Suchong Pollyhong
+Ka-te-tow; and before the executioner could arrive, he had mounted a
+horse fleeter than the wind, and with the portrait of the peerless
+Chaoukeun in his vest, had left even rumour far behind.
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+And to whom did the miscreant minister fly, to hide his devoted head? He
+flew to the wild nations of the north, the riders of wild horses, with
+sharp scimitars and long lances. For three days and three nights did the
+hoofs of his fiery steed strike fire upon the flints, which he spurned
+in his impetuous course, and then, as an immortal poet hath already
+sung, "he bowed his head and died." With the portrait of the peerless
+Chaoukeun in his bosom, and his mandarin garments raised up under each
+arm, the miscreant Suchong Pollyhong Ka-te-tow reached the presence of
+the Great Khan. "O Khan of Tartary," said he, "may thy sword be ever
+keen, thy lance unerring, and thy courser swift. I am thy slave. O thou
+who commandest a hundred thousand warriors, hath thy slave permission to
+address thee?"
+
+"Speak, and be d----d," replied the warrior chief, of few words, whose
+teeth were busy with some pounds of horse-flesh.
+
+"Thou knowest, O Khan, that it hath been the custom for ages, that the
+celestial empire should provide for thee a fair damsel for thy nuptial
+bed, and that this hath been the price paid by the celestial court, to
+prevent the ravages of thy insatiate warriors. O Khan, there is a maid,
+whose lovely features I now have with me, most worthy to be raised up
+to thy nuptial couch." And the miscreant laid at the feet of the Great
+Khan the portrait of the peerless Chaoukeun.
+
+The chief finished his repast, and then with his lance turned over the
+image of the pearl beyond all price. He looked at it, then passed it to
+those around him. The savage warriors stared at the lovely portrait, and
+admired it not--yet did they long for war. "Tell me, O chiefs," said the
+Great Khan, "is that baby-face you look at worth contending for?"
+
+And, with one voice, the chiefs replied that she was worthy to share the
+nuptial couch of the Great Khan.
+
+"Be it so," replied he, "I am no judge of beauty. Let the encampment be
+broken up--this evening we move southwards." And the Tartar chief
+entered the northern provinces of the celestial empire, with his hundred
+thousand warriors, destroying all with fire and sword, proving his
+sincere wish to unite himself to the Chinese nation by the
+indiscriminate slaughter of man, woman, and child; and his ardent love
+for the peerless Chaoukeun, by making a nuptial torch of every town and
+village.
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+But we must return to the celestial court, and astonish the world with
+the wonderful events which there took place. The astrologers and wise
+men had consulted the heavens, and had ascertained that on the
+thirty-third minute after the thirteenth hour, the marriage procession
+must set out, or the consummation would not be prosperous. Who can
+describe the pomp and glory of the spectacle, or give an adequate idea
+of its splendour? Alas! it would not be possible, even if it were
+attempted by ten thousand poets, each with ten thousand tongues of
+silver, singing for ten thousand years. Such, however, was the order of
+the procession.
+
+First walked ten thousand officers of justice, with long bamboos,
+striking right and left to clear the way, to the cadence of soft music,
+blending with the plaintive cries of those who limped away and rubbed
+their shins.
+
+Then marching, ten abreast, one hundred thousand lanthorns to assist
+the sun, partially eclipsed by the splendour of the procession.
+
+Next appeared, slowly keeping time to a dead march, five thousand
+decapitated criminals, each carrying his own head by its long tail of
+hair.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Staffir Allah! What is that but a lie?" exclaimed the pacha. "Did you
+hear what the dog has dared to breathe into our ears, Mustapha?"
+
+"Mighty pacha," replied the Chinaman, with humility, "if your wisdom
+pronounces it to be a lie--a lie it most certainly must be; still it is
+not the lie of your slave, who but repeats the story as handed down by
+the immortal eastern poet."
+
+"Nevertheless, there appears to be a trifling mistake," observed
+Mustapha. "Is the procession to proceed, O pacha?"
+
+"Yes, yes; but by the Prophet, let the dog tremble if again he presumes
+to laugh at our beards."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+After the decapitated criminals, which your highness objects to, came in
+procession those criminals with their heads on, who were to suffer for
+their offences on this day of universal happiness.
+
+First came two thousand robbers, sentenced to be hung up by their heels,
+emblematic of their wish to turn everything upside down--so to remain
+until they were pecked to death by the crows, or torn to pieces by the
+vultures.
+
+The banner of innovation.
+
+One of the robber chiefs, ordered to be choked with an abacus, which was
+suspended round his neck.
+
+Another of the robber chiefs. This man, although a follower of the
+court, and sunned in the celestial presence, had dared to utter vile
+falsehoods against the celestial dynasty. He was sentenced to have his
+skin peeled off, and to eat his own words, until he died from the
+virulent poison which they contained.
+
+The most important of all the criminals next appeared, who being great
+in favour at court, and appointed to the high office of physician to the
+celestial conscience, had been discovered in the base attempt of
+drugging it with opium; he had also committed several other enormities,
+such as being intoxicated in his mandarin robes, and throwing mud at the
+first chief mandarin; also of throwing aside his robes, mingling with
+the lower classes, and associating with mountebanks, jugglers, and
+tight-rope dancers. His enormities were written on a long scroll
+suspended round his neck. His sentence was the torture of disappointment
+and envy, previous to a condign political death.
+
+After him came a disgraced yellow mandarin, who had been a great enemy
+of the criminal who preceded him. He was seated upon a throne of jet,
+and his arms supported in derision by two prize-fighters. His crime was
+playing at pitch and toss with the lower classes. His punishment was
+merely exposure.
+
+Such were the criminals who were to suffer upon this day of universal
+happiness and delight.
+
+Then came fifty thousand archers of the blue dragon battalion, carrying
+in their hands chowries of horses' tails to clear away the blue-bottle
+flies.
+
+Next appeared ten thousand virgins, all modest, lovely, and in light
+drapery, singing hymns in praise of Ganesa on the Rat, the god of pure
+Love;
+
+Attended by ten thousand youths, who tickled the said ten thousand
+virgins, singing hymns in praise of the upright Fo.
+
+Fifty thousand archers of the green dragon battalion, each carrying a
+long peacock's feather in his right hand, to ascertain how the wind
+blew.
+
+Five hundred physicians attending the celestial court, each carrying a
+silver box with golden pills.
+
+The head physician to the celestial wits, and always in attendance upon
+a crisis. He carried in his right hand a bladder-full of peas at the end
+of a wand, to recall his majesty's wits when they wandered; and was
+followed by
+
+Fifty thousand fools marching five abreast in union,
+
+And fifty thousand rogues, marching off with everything they could lay
+their hands upon.
+
+Then came a notorious faquir and mendicant, who was leader of a
+celebrated sect. He wore but one tail instead of the two usually worn by
+our nation, but that tail was of forty feet. He was followed by numerous
+devotees, who threw their worldly goods at his feet, and in return he
+presented them with writings and harangues, which he declared were
+infallible _in all diseases_.
+
+Ten thousand young married women, each hushing an infant to repose upon
+the left breast to the sound of clarions and trumpets, emblematical of
+the peaceful and quiet state of matrimony.
+
+The banner of impudence.
+
+Five thousand political mountebanks, contradicting each other, and
+exerting themselves for the amusement of the people, who, however,
+suffered rather severely from their mad tricks.
+
+The second in command, explaining their system in an unknown tongue.
+
+The emperor's juggler, who astonished the whole empire by his
+extraordinary feats, and the rapidity with which he relieved them of all
+the money in their pockets.
+
+The banner of Love.
+
+The celestial secretary, with goose-wings on his shoulders, goose-quills
+in each hand, looking very much like a goose mounted on a mule, gaily
+caparisoned in colours quadripartite, and covered with jingling brass
+bells.
+
+Five thousand old women, singing the praises of the said secretary and
+taking snuff to the flourish of hautboys.
+
+The prosperity of the celestial empire, carried by the court fool, in a
+basket beautifully carved out of a wild cherry-stone; and guarded by
+
+Fifty thousand archers of the red dragon battalion, picking their teeth
+to soft music.
+
+Ten thousand poets, each singing at the same time, and to a different
+tune, his ode upon this joyful occasion.
+
+The immortal poet of the age, attired in velvet to his feet, and
+superbly ornamented with rings and chains of gold and precious stones.
+He carried his silver harp in his hand, and was mounted on a beautiful
+white jackass with his face towards the tail, that he might behold and
+be inspired by the charms of the peerless Chaoukeun, the pearl beyond
+all price.
+
+Then came the magnificent Youantée, and the peerless Chaoukeun, seated
+in the massive car of gossamer richly studded with the eyes of live
+humming birds, drawn by twelve beautiful blue loadstars, presented by
+the heavenly bodies to the brother of the sun and moon.
+
+Twenty thousand young men, beautiful as angels, clad in the skins of the
+black fox, and playing upon ivory jews'-harps, all mounted upon
+coal-black steeds.
+
+Twenty thousand niggers, ugly as devils, clad in the skins of the white
+polar bear, and sounding mellifluous cat-calls, all mounted upon pure
+white Arabian horses.
+
+All the first-class mandarins of the celestial empire, turning up their
+eyes to heaven, and wishing that the procession was over.
+
+All the second-class mandarins of the celestial empire, choked with
+dust, and wishing the procession at the devil.
+
+Twenty millions of the people, extolling the liberality of the great
+emperor, and crying out for bread.
+
+Ten millions of women, who had lost their children in the crowd, and
+were crying out bitterly in their search.
+
+Ten millions of children who had lost their mothers in the crowd, and
+were crying out bitterly till they found them.
+
+The remainder of the inhabitants of the celestial empire.
+
+Such was the grand and pompous marriage procession, which employed the
+whole population, so that there were no spectators except three blind
+old women, who were so overcome with delight that, when it had passed,
+they bowed their heads and died.
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+The procession arrived at the palace, and the pearl of price was now his
+bride, and the heart of Youantée was oppressed with love. Upon a
+jewelled throne they sat, side by side; but what was the blaze of the
+diamonds, compared to one glance from her lightning eye? What were the
+bright red rubies, compared to her parted coral lips--or the whiteness
+of the pearls, when she smiled, and displayed her teeth? Her arched
+eyebrows were more beautifully pencilled than the rainbow; the blush
+upon her cheek turned pale with envy every rose in the celestial
+gardens; and in compassion to the court, many of whom were already
+blind, by rashly lifting up their eyes to behold her charms, an edict
+had been promulgated, by which it was permitted to the mandarins and
+princes attending the court, to wear green spectacles to save their
+eyes. The magnificent Youantée was consumed with love as with a raging
+fever, and the physicians of the emperor were alarmed for his celestial
+health; by their advice, Chaoukeun consented only to receive him in a
+darkened chamber. All was joy. The empire rang with the praises of the
+pearl beyond all price. The gaols were ordered to be levelled to the
+ground--criminals to be pardoned--the sword of justice to remain in its
+scabbard--the bastinado to be discontinued. Even the odious lanthorn-tax
+was taken off, in honour of the peerless Chaoukeun, whose praises were
+celebrated by all the poets of the country, until they were too hoarse
+to sing, and the people too tired to listen to them.
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I'm sure I don't wonder at their being tired," observed the pacha,
+yawning, "if they were like you."
+
+"God is great," replied Mustapha, with another yawn. "Shall he proceed?"
+
+"Yes, let him go on; wake me when the story is ended," replied the
+pacha, laying down his pipe.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Alas! how soon was all this delirium of happiness to be overthrown: how
+soon was the prophecy to be fulfilled, that there should be not only joy
+in life, but also sorrow! The magnificent Youantée was roused from his
+dream of delight by courier after courier coming in, and laying at the
+celestial feet tidings of the advance of the hundred thousand warriors.
+A solemn council was summoned, and the imperial edict was passed, that
+the barbarians of the north should be driven back to their lands of
+eternal frost and snow. The imperial armies departed from the capital,
+each individual composing its hundreds of thousands, vowing by his two
+tails that he would eat all that he killed. This bloody vow was
+accomplished, for they killed none; they returned discomfited, without
+their bows, or arrows, or their swords, fleeing before the rage of the
+Tartar chief. Then rose the great Youantée in wrath, and issued another
+edict that the barbarians should be driven even into the sea which
+bounds the empire of the world. And the armies were again sent forth,
+but again they returned discomfited, saying, "How can we, who eat rice
+with chopsticks, combat with barbarians, who not only ride on horses,
+but eat them too?" The celestial edict was not attended to by the
+Tartars, for they were barbarians, and knew no better; and they
+continued to advance until within one day's progress of the celestial
+capital; and the brother of the sun and moon, the magnificent Youantée,
+was forced to submit to the disgrace of receiving an envoy from the
+barbarians, who thus spoke, in sugared words:--
+
+"The great khan of Tartary greets the magnificent Youantée; he has
+slaughtered some millions of his subjects, because they were traitors,
+and would not defend the celestial throne. He has burnt some thousands
+of his towns, that the great Youantée may order them to be rebuilt in
+greater beauty. All this has he done with much trouble and fatigue, to
+prove his regard to the magnificent Youantée. All that he asks in return
+is, that he may receive as his bride the peerless Chaoukeun, the pearl
+beyond all price."
+
+The great Youantée spoke from his celestial throne--"Return my thanks to
+the great khan your master, for his considerate conduct, and tell him,
+that he well deserves a bride from our celestial empire, but the pearl
+beyond all price is wedded to the brother of the sun and moon. Any other
+maiden in our empire shall be sent to him with gifts worthy to be
+offered by the great Youantée, and worthy to be accepted by the great
+khan of Tartary. Let it be an edict."
+
+But the Tartar replied, "O great monarch, the great khan my master does
+not require an edict, but the peerless Chaoukeun. If I return without
+her, he enters the celestial city, and spares not man, or woman, or
+child." Then fell at the celestial feet all the princes and mandarins of
+every class, performing solemnly the great _kow tow_, and the chief
+minister of state spoke thus:--"Lord of the universe, brother of the sun
+and moon, who governs the world with thine edicts, whose armies are
+invincible, and numerous as the sands upon the shores of the four seas,
+listen to thy faithful slaves. Surrender up to this barbarian the pearl
+beyond all price, so shall we all live to humble ourselves before thee."
+And all the princes and mandarins cried out with one voice, "Surrender
+up the pearl beyond all price." And all the brave generals drew their
+swords, and waved them in the air, crying out, "Surrender up to this
+barbarian the pearl beyond all price." And all the army and all the
+people joined in the request.
+
+Then rose up Youantée in great wrath, and ordered that the prime
+minister, and all the mandarins, and the princes, and all the generals,
+and all the army, and all the people, should be disgraced and
+decapitated forthwith. "Let it be an edict." But as there was no one
+left to put the great Youantée's edict into force, it was not obeyed.
+And the brother of the sun and moon perceived that he was in the
+minority; concealing therefore his bile, he graciously ordered
+refreshments for the envoy, saying, "Let the dog be fed," and retired to
+the apartment of the peerless Chaoukeun.
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+Now the beauteous empress had listened to all that had taken place in
+the great hall of audience, and she threw herself at the celestial feet,
+saying, "Let me be sacrificed--it is my destiny. Send your slave to the
+great khan to do with me as he pleases--I am all submission. They say he
+is a handsome man, and of great size and strength. It is my destiny."
+
+Then did the great Youantée shed bitter tears at his bitter fate; but he
+knew it was his destiny--and O destiny, who can resist thee? He wiped
+his celestial eyes, and leading forth the peerless Chaoukeun, put her in
+the hands of the barbarian envoy, saying, "I send your master the pearl
+beyond all price. I have worn her for some time, but still she is as
+good as new. And now let your master the great khan return, with his
+hundred thousand warriors, to the confines of our territories, as it was
+agreed. Thou hearest. It is an edict."
+
+"It is enough that my great master hath given his word, and the great
+Youantée hath given the pearl beyond all price. There needs not an
+edict," replied the envoy, departing with the peerless Chaoukeun. Thus
+was the magnificent Youantée left without a bride.
+
+Now when the envoy had brought the peerless Chaoukeun in a close litter
+to the tent of the great khan, he forthwith commanded his army to
+return. Much to the mortification of the peerless damsel, he did not
+express any curiosity to behold her, but commenced a rapid retreat, and,
+in a few days, arrived at the confines of the celestial territory, which
+was separated from the Tartar dominions by an impetuous river. As soon
+as he had forded the river, he encamped on the other side, and sat down
+with his generals to a sumptuous feast of horseflesh and quass. When
+the liquor had mounted into his brain, he desired that the litter of the
+pearl beyond all price should be brought nigh to his tent, that he might
+send for her, if so inclined. And the peerless Chaoukeun peeped out of
+the litter, and beheld the great khan as he caroused; and when she
+beheld his hairy form, his gleaming eyes, his pug-nose, and his
+tremendously wide mouth--when she perceived that he had the form and
+features of a ghoul, or evil spirit, she wrung her hands, and wept
+bitterly, and all her love returned for the magnificent Youantée.
+
+Now the great khan was drunk with quass, and he ordered the pearl beyond
+all price to be brought to him, and she replied trembling, saying, "Tell
+your lord that I am not fit to appear in his sublime presence until I
+have washed myself in the river." And those who had charge of her took
+the message to the great khan, who replied, "Let her wash, since she is
+so dirty."
+
+Then was the litter of the peerless Chaoukeun taken down to the banks of
+the river, and she stood upon a rock which overhung the black waters.
+"How callest thou this river?" said she to her attendants.
+
+And they replied, "This river, O princess, divides the territory of
+Tartary from China, and it is called the river of the Black Dragon."
+
+"Then is the prophecy fulfilled," cried the pearl beyond price. "It is
+my destiny; and destiny, who shall resist?"
+
+She raised up her arms to heaven, and uttering a loud shriek at her
+unhappy fate, she plunged headlong into the boiling waters, and
+disappeared for ever.
+
+Thus was the prophecy fulfilled. The brother of the sun and moon had
+wed--beauty had been laid at the golden feet--the pearl beyond price had
+been found and lost. There had been joy and there had been sorrow in
+life--and sorrow in death. The Black Dragon had proved the foe to the
+celestial empire, for it had swallowed up the pearl beyond all price.
+
+Ti-tum, ti-tum, tilly-lilly, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+The twang of the rude instrument awoke the pacha, who had been fast
+asleep for some time.
+
+"Is it finished, Mustapha?" said he, rubbing his eyes.
+
+"Yes, your highness; and the destiny foretold was truly accomplished."
+
+"Bismillah! but I'm glad of it. Before he had whined ten minutes, I
+foretold that I should go to sleep. My destiny has also been
+accomplished."
+
+"Will your highness foretell the destiny of this dog with two tails?"
+
+"Two tails! that reminds me that we have only had one out of him as yet.
+Let's have him again to-morrow, and have another. At all events, we
+shall have a good nap. God is great."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XX
+
+
+"Mustapha," said the pacha, "I feel as the caliph Haroun Alraschid, in
+the tale of Yussuf, related by Menouni, full of care; my soul is
+weary--my heart is burnt as roast meat."
+
+Mustapha, who had wit enough to perceive that he was to act the part of
+Giaffar, the vizier, immediately replied, "O pacha! great and manifold
+are the cares of state. If thy humble slave may be permitted to advise,
+thou wilt call in the Chinese dog with two tails, who hath as yet
+repeated but one of his tales."
+
+"Not so," replied the pacha; "I am weary of his eternal ti-tum,
+tilly-lilly, which yet ringeth in mine ears. What else canst thou
+propose?"
+
+"Alem penah! refuge of the world, wilt thou be pleased to order out thy
+troops, and witness the exercise of djireed? The moon is high in the
+heavens, and it is light as day."
+
+"Not so," replied the pacha; "I am tired of war and all that appertains
+to it. Let the troops sleep in peace."
+
+"Then, O pacha! will you permit your slave to send for some bottles of
+the fire-water of the Giaour, that we may drink and smoke until we are
+elevated to the seven heavens?"
+
+"Nay, good vizier, that is as a last resource, for it is forbidden by
+the laws of the Prophet. Think once more, and thou must have no more
+brains than a water-melon, if this time thou proposest not that which
+will give me ease."
+
+"Thy slave lives but to hear, and hears but to obey," replied Mustapha.
+"Then will it please my lord to disguise himself, and walk through the
+streets of Cairo; the moon is bright, and the hyena prowls not now, but
+mingles his howlings with those of the jackal afar off."
+
+"Your face is whitened, Mustapha, and it pleaseth us. Let the disguises
+be prepared, and we will sally forth."
+
+In a short time the disguises were ready, the vizier taking care that
+they should be those of Armenian merchants, knowing that the pacha would
+be pleased with the similarity to those worn by the great Alraschid; two
+black slaves, with their swords, followed the pacha and his vizier at a
+short distance. The streets were quite empty, and they met with nothing
+living except here and there a dog preying on the garbage and offal, who
+snapped and snarled as they passed by. The night promised nothing of
+adventure, and the pacha was in no very good humour, when Mustapha
+perceived a light through the chinks of a closed window in a small
+hovel, and heard the sound of a voice. He peeped through, the pacha
+standing by his side. After a few seconds the vizier made signs to the
+pacha to look in. The pacha was obliged to strain his fat body to its
+utmost altitude, standing on the tips of his toes to enable his eyes to
+reach the cranny. The interior of the hovel was without furniture, a
+chest in the centre of the mud floor appeared to serve as table and
+repository of everything in it, for the walls were bare. At the
+fireplace, in which were a few embers, crouched an old woman, a
+personification of age, poverty, and starvation. She was warming her
+shrivelled hands over the embers, and occasionally passed one of her
+hands along her bony arm, saying, "Yes, the time has been--the time has
+been."
+
+"What can she mean," said the pacha to Mustapha, "by 'the time has
+been'?"
+
+"It requires explanation," replied the vizier; "this is certain, that it
+must mean something."
+
+"Thou hast said well, Mustapha; let us knock, and obtain admittance."
+Mustapha knocked at the door of the hovel.
+
+"There's nothing to steal, so you may as well go," screamed the old
+woman; "but," continued she, talking to herself, "the time has been--the
+time has been."
+
+The pacha desired Mustapha to knock louder. Mustapha applied the hilt of
+his dagger, and thumped against the door.
+
+"Ay--ay--you may venture to knock now, the sultan's slippers are not at
+the door," said the old woman: "but," continued she, as before, "the
+time has been--the time has been."
+
+"Sultan's slippers! and time has been!" cried the pacha. "What does the
+old hag mean? Knock again, Mustapha."
+
+Mustapha reiterated his blows."
+
+"Ay--knock--knock--my door is like my mouth; I open it when I choose,
+and I keep it shut when I choose, as once was well known. The time has
+been--the time has been."
+
+"We have been a long time standing here, and I am tired of waiting; so,
+Mustapha, I think the time is come to kick the door open. Let it be
+done."
+
+Whereupon Mustapha put his foot to the door, but it resisted his
+efforts. "Let me assist," said the pacha, and retreated a few paces; he
+and Mustapha backed against the door with all their force. It flew open,
+and they rolled together on the floor of the hovel. The old woman
+screamed, and then, jumping on the body of the pacha, caught him by the
+throat, crying, "Thieves; murder!" Mustapha hastened to the assistance
+of his master, as did the two black slaves, when they heard the cries,
+and with some difficulty the talons of the old Jezebel were disengaged
+from the throat of the pacha, who, in his wrath, would have immediately
+sacrificed her. "Lahnet be Shitan! Curses on the devil!" exclaimed the
+pacha; "but this is pretty treatment for a pacha."
+
+"Knowest thou, vile wretch, that thou hast taken by the throat, and
+nearly strangled, the Lord of Life--the pacha himself," said Mustapha.
+
+"Well," replied the old woman, coolly, "the time has been--the time has
+been."
+
+"What meanest thou, cursed hag, that 'the time has been'?"
+
+"I mean that the time has been, when I have had more than one pacha
+strangled. Yes," continued she squatting down on the floor, and
+muttering, "the time has been."
+
+The pacha's rage was now a little appeased. "Mustapha," said the pacha,
+"let this old woman be carefully guarded; to-morrow afternoon we will
+understand the meaning of those strange words, 'the time has been.'
+Depend upon it, thereby hangs a good story; we will have that first--and
+then," whispered the pacha, "her head off afterwards."
+
+The old woman, hearing the order to take her into custody, again
+repeated. "Ah, very well--the time has been." The slaves laid hold of
+her; but she defended herself so vigorously with her teeth and nails,
+that they were under the necessity of gagging her, and tying her hand
+and foot. They then hoisted her on their shoulders, and marched off with
+her to the palace, followed by Mustapha and the pacha, the latter quite
+delighted with his adventure. When the divan of the ensuing day had
+closed, the old woman was ordered to be brought into the presence of the
+pacha; and as she refused to walk, she was brought on the shoulders of
+four of the guards, and laid on the floor of the council-chamber. "How
+dare you rebel against the sublime commands?" inquired Mustapha with
+severity.
+
+"How dare I rebel!" cried the old woman with a shrill voice. "Why, what
+right has the pacha to drag me from my poor hovel; and what can he want
+with an old woman like me? It's not for his harem, I presume."
+
+At this remark the pacha and Mustapha could not help laughing; having
+recovered his gravity, Mustapha observed, "One would imagine, old
+carrion that thou art, that the idea of such a punishment as the
+bastinado had never entered your mind."
+
+"There you are mistaken, Mr Vizier, for I have suffered both the
+bastinado and the bowstring."
+
+"And the bowstring! Holy Prophet! what a lying old hag!" exclaimed the
+pacha.
+
+"No lie, pacha, no lie!" screamed the old woman in her wrath. "I have
+said it--and the bowstring. Yes, the time has been, when I was young and
+beautiful; and do you know why I suffered? I'll tell you--because I
+would not hold my tongue--and do you think that I will now that I'm an
+old piece of carrion? Yes--yes--the time has been."
+
+"Fortunately, then," replied Mustapha, "you are not required by the
+pacha to hold your tongue. You are required to do the very contrary,
+which is, to speak."
+
+"And do you know why I received the bowstring?" screamed the old hag.
+"I'll tell you--because I would not speak; and I do not intend so to do
+now, since I find that you wish that I should."
+
+"Then it appears," said the pacha, taking the pipe out of his mouth,
+"that the bastinado was as ill-managed as the bowstring. We do these
+things better at Cairo. Hear me, old mother of Shitan! I wish to know
+what you mean by that expression which is ever in your mouth--'time has
+been.'"
+
+"It means a great deal pacha, for it refers to my life--you want the
+story."
+
+"Exactly," replied Mustapha, "so begin."
+
+"You must pay me for it--it is worth twenty pieces of gold."
+
+"Do you presume to make conditions with his sublime highness the
+pacha?" exclaimed Mustapha. "Why, thou mother of Afrits and Ghouls, if
+thou commencest not immediately, thy carcass shall be thrown over the
+walls for the wild dogs to smell at, and turn away from in disgust."
+
+"Vizier, I have lived long enough to trust nobody. My price is twenty
+pieces of gold counted out in this shrivelled hand before I begin; and
+without they are paid down--not _one word_." And the old beldam folded
+her arms, and looked the pacha boldly in the face.
+
+"God is great!" exclaimed the pacha. "We shall see." At his well-known
+signal the executioner made his appearance, and holding up the few
+scattered gray hairs which still remained upon her head, he raised his
+scimitar, awaiting the nod which was to be succeeded by the fatal blow.
+
+"Strike, pacha, strike!" cried the old woman, scornfully. "I shall only
+lose a life of which I have long been weary; but you will lose a story
+of wonder, which you are so anxious to obtain. Strike--for the last
+time, I say, 'Time has been'--before time shall be no more!"
+
+"That is true, Mustapha," observed the pacha. "I forgot the story. What
+an obstinate old devil; but I must hear the story."
+
+"If it appears good to your absolute wisdom," said Mustapha, in a low
+voice, "would it not be better to count down to this avaricious old hag
+the twenty pieces of gold which she demands? When her story is ended, it
+will be easy to take them from her, and her head from her shoulders.
+Thus will be satisfied the demands of the old woman, and the demands of
+justice."
+
+"Wallah Thaib! it is well said, by Allah! Your words are as pearls.
+Count out the money, Mustapha."
+
+"His highness the pacha has been pleased, in consideration of the fear
+and trembling with which you have entered his presence, to order that
+the sum which you require shall be paid down," said Mustapha, pulling
+out his purse from his girdle. "Murakkas, you are dismissed," continued
+the vizier to the executioner, who let go the old woman, and
+disappeared. Mustapha counted out the twenty pieces of gold, and shoved
+them towards the old woman, who, after some demur, as if imagining that
+they ought to have been brought to her, got up and took possession of
+them. She counted them over, and returned one piece as being of light
+weight. Mustapha, with a grimace, but without speaking, exchanged it for
+another.
+
+"By the beard of the Prophet!" muttered the pacha--"but never mind."
+
+The old woman took out a piece of dirty rag, wrapped up the gold pieces,
+and placing them in her vest, smoothed down her sordid garments, and
+then commenced as follows:--
+
+"Pacha, I have not always lived in a hovel. These eyes were not always
+bleared and dim, nor this skin wrinkled and discoloured. I have not
+always been covered with these filthy rags--nor have I always wanted or
+coveted the gold which you have just now bestowed on me. I have lived in
+palaces--I have commanded there. I have been robed in gold--I have been
+covered with jewels. I have dispensed life and death--I have given away
+provinces. Pachas have trembled at my frown--have received by my orders
+the bowstring--for at one time I was the favourite of the grand sultan.
+Time has been."
+
+"It must have been a long time ago, then," observed the pacha.
+
+"That is true," replied the old woman; "but I will now narrate my
+adventures."
+
+
+
+STORY OF THE OLD WOMAN.
+
+I was born in Georgia, where, as your highness knows, the women are
+reckoned to be more beautiful than in any other country, except indeed
+Circassia; but in my opinion, the Circassian women are much too tall,
+and on too large a scale, to compete with us; and I may safely venture
+my opinion, as I have had an opportunity of comparing many hundreds of
+the finest specimens of both countries. My father and mother, although
+not rich, were in easy circumstances; my father had been a janissary in
+the sultan's immediate employ, and after he had collected some property,
+he returned to his own country, where he purchased some land, and
+married. I had but one brother, who was three years older than myself,
+and one of the handsomest youths in the country. He was disfigured a
+little by a scarlet stain on his neck, somewhat in shape resembling a
+bunch of grapes, and which our national dress would not permit him to
+conceal. My father, intending that he should serve the sultan, brought
+him up to a perfect knowledge of every martial exercise. Even at
+fourteen years old, few could compete with him in the use of the bow,
+and throwing the djireed, and as a horseman he was perfect. As for me, I
+was, I am certain, intended for the sultan's seraglio, for as a child I
+was beautiful as a houri. My father was a man who would not scruple to
+part with his children for gold, provided he obtained his price. I was
+considered, and I believe that I was, the most beautiful girl in the
+country, and every care was taken that I should not injure my appearance
+or hurt my complexion by domestic labour or exposure. I was not
+permitted to assist my mother, who, induced by my father's orders,
+waited upon me. I was indulged in every whim, and I grew up as selfish
+and capricious as I was beautiful. Smile not, pacha--time has been.
+
+One day, when I was about fourteen years old, I was sitting at the
+porch, when a large body of Turkish cavalry suddenly made their
+appearance from a wood close to the house, and surrounded it. They
+evidently came for me, for they demanded me by name, threatening to burn
+the house down to the ground, if I was not immediately delivered up. Our
+house, which was situated near the confines of the country, had been
+constructed for defence; and my father, expecting assistance from his
+neighbours, refused to acquiesce in their terms. The assault was made,
+my father and mother, with all their household, were murdered, my
+brother severely wounded, the house plundered, and burnt to the outside
+walls. I was, of course, a prisoner as well as my brother. He was tied,
+wounded as he was, upon one horse, and I upon another, and in a few
+hours the party had regained the frontiers. A young man, handsome as an
+angel, was the leader of the band, and I soon perceived that all his
+thoughts and attentions, were directed to me. He watched me with the
+greatest solicitude when we halted, procured me every comfort, and was
+always hovering about my presence. From the discourse of the soldiers I
+discovered that he was the only son of the grand vizier at Stamboul. He
+had heard of my beauty, had seen me, and offered a large sum to my
+father, who had refused, as his ambition was, that I should belong to
+the sultan--in consequence I had been carried off by force. I could have
+loved the beautiful youth, although he had murdered my father and
+mother, but it was the taking me by force which steeled my heart, and I
+vowed that I never would listen to his addresses, although I was so
+completely in his power. During the time that I had been in his
+possession I had never spoken one word, and it came into my head that I
+would pretend to be dumb. In three weeks we arrived at Constantinople.
+Since I quitted the country I never had seen my brother, his wound was
+too severe to allow him to travel with the same rapidity, and it was not
+until years afterwards that I knew what had become of him. I was taken
+to Osman Ali's house, and allowed a few days' repose from the fatigue of
+the journey; after which, as I was still but a child, I was ordered to
+be instructed in music, dancing, singing, and every other accomplishment
+considered necessary for the ladies of a harem. But I adhered to my
+resolution, every method to induce me to speak was tried in vain; even
+blows, torture from pinching, and other means were resorted to, but
+would not induce me to swerve from my resolution; at last they concluded
+that I was either born dumb, or had become so from fright at the time
+that the attack and slaughter of my family took place. I was eighteen
+months in the harem of Osman Ali, and never spoke one word.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Mashallah! but this is wonderful!" exclaimed the pacha--"a woman hold
+her tongue for eighteen months! Who is to believe this?"
+
+"Not at all wonderful!" replied the old woman, "when you recollect that
+she was required to speak."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Once and once only, did I nearly break through my resolution. Two of the
+principal favourites were conversing in my presence.
+
+"I cannot imagine," said one, "what Ali can see in this little minx to
+be so infatuated with her. She is very ugly--her mouth is large--her
+teeth are yellow--and her eyes not only have no expression, but look
+different ways. She has one shoulder higher than the other, and worse
+than all, being dumb, cannot be taught anything but dancing, which only
+shows her ugly broad feet."
+
+"That is all true," replied the other. "If I was Ali, I should employ
+her as a common slave; she is fit for nothing but to roll up and beat
+carpets, boil rice, and prepare our coffee. A little of the slipper on
+her mouth would soon bring her to her senses."
+
+I must own that I was near breaking through my resolution, that I might
+have indulged my revenge, and had not the door suddenly opened, I should
+have proved to them that I could have spoken to some purpose, for never
+would I have ceased, until they had both been sewn up in sacks, and cast
+into the Bosphorus. But I restrained myself, although my cheeks burned
+with rage, and I more than once put my hand to my jewelled dagger.
+
+I was often visited by Osman Ali, who in vain attempted to make me
+speak; a harsh guttural sound was all which I would utter to express
+pain or pleasure. At last, being convinced that I was dumb, he exchanged
+me with a slave-merchant for a beautiful Circassian girl. He did not
+state my supposed infirmity, but gave it as a reason for parting with
+me, that I was too young, and required to be taught. As soon as the
+bargain was struck, and the merchant had received the money which had
+been given by Ali to effect the exchange, I was despoiled of my dress
+and ornaments, and put in a litter, to be conveyed to the house of the
+slave-merchant. As your highness may imagine, not a little tired of
+holding my tongue for a year and a half----
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"By the beard of the prophet, we can believe you on that point, good
+woman. You may proceed."
+
+"Yes, yes, I may proceed. You think women have no resolution, and no
+souls--be it so--and what you dignify with the name of perseverance in
+your own sex, you call obstinacy in ours. Be it so--time has been."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I was no sooner in the litter than I let loose my tongue, and called out
+to the women who were appointed to conduct me to the door of the harem.
+"Tell Osman Ali, that now that I am no longer his slave, I have found my
+tongue." Then closing the curtains, I was carried away. As soon as I
+arrived, I told the merchant all that had passed, and the reason why Ali
+had parted with me. The merchant, who was astonished at having made so
+good a bargain, laughed heartily at my narrative. He told me that he
+intended me for the seraglio of the sultan--flattered me by declaring
+that I should be certainly the favourite, and advised me to profit all I
+could by the masters he would provide. In the meantime, Osman Ali having
+heard from the women the message I had sent, was very wroth, and came to
+the slave-merchant to procure me again; but the slave-merchant informed
+him that the Kislar Aga of the sultan had seen me, and ordered me to be
+reserved for the imperial seraglio; by this falsehood screening himself,
+not only from Ali's importunities, but also from his vengeance. I took
+the advice of my master, and in a little more than a year became a
+proficient in music and most other accomplishments; I also learnt to
+write and read, and to repeat most of the verses of Hafiz, and other
+celebrated poets. At seventeen I was offered to the Kislar Aga as a
+prodigy of beauty and talent. The Kislar Aga came to see me, and was
+astonished; he saw at once that I should immediately become first
+favourite; and having heard me sing and play, he demanded my price,
+which was enormous. He reported me to the sultan, stating that he had
+never beheld such perfection, and at the same time informing him of the
+exorbitant demand of the slave-merchant. The sultan, who had felt little
+interest in the inmates of his harem, and was anxious for novelty,
+ordered the sum to be paid, and I was conducted to the seraglio in a
+royal litter.
+
+That I was anxious to be purchased by the sultan I confess: my pride
+rebelled at the idea of being a slave, and if I was to be so, at least I
+wished to be the slave of the sultan. I indulged the idea that I should
+soon bring him to subjection, and that the slave would lord it over her
+master, and that master the dispenser of life and death, honour and
+disgrace, to millions. I had made up my mind how to behave; the poets I
+had read had taught me but too well. Convinced that a little wilfulness
+would, from its novelty, be most likely to captivate one who had been
+accustomed to dull and passive obedience, I allowed my natural temper to
+be unchecked. The second day after my arrival, the Kislar Aga informed
+me that the sultan intended to honour me with a visit, and that the
+baths and dresses were prepared. I replied that I had bathed that
+morning, and did not intend to bathe again--as for the dresses and
+jewels, I did not require them, and that I was ready to receive my lord
+the sultan, if he pleased to come. The Kislar Aga opened his eyes with
+astonishment at my presumption, but not venturing to use force to one
+who, in his opinion, would become the favourite, he returned to the
+sultan, reporting to him what had passed. The sultan, as I expected, was
+more amused at the novelty than affronted at the want of respect. "Be it
+so," replied he; "this Georgian must have a good opinion of her own
+charms."
+
+In the evening the sultan made his appearance, and I prostrated myself
+at his feet, for I did not wish to proceed too far at once. He raised me
+up and appeared delighted.
+
+"You are right, Zara," said he; "no jewels or dress could add to the
+splendour of your beauty."
+
+"Pardon me, O gracious lord," replied I, "but if thy slave is to please
+thee, may it be by her natural charms alone. If I have the honour to
+continue in thy favour, let me adorn myself with those jewels which
+ought to decorate the chosen of her master--but as a candidate I have
+rejected them, for who knows but in a few days I may be deserted for one
+more worthy of your preference?"
+
+The sultan was delighted at my apology, and I certainly was pleased with
+him. He was then about forty years of age, very handsome and well made;
+but I was still more gratified to find that my conversation amused him
+so much that he remained with me for many hours after his usual time for
+retiring. This gave promise of an ascendancy which might survive
+personal charms. But not to detain your highness, I will at once state,
+the sultan soon thought but of me. Not only my personal attractions, but
+my infinite variety, which appeared natural, but was generally planned
+and sketched out previous to his visits, won so entirely upon him, that
+so far from being tired, his passion, I may say his love, for me was
+every day increased.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Well, it _may_ be all true," observed the pacha, looking at the
+wrinkled and hideous object before him. "What do you say, Mustapha?"
+
+"O pacha! we know not yet her history. The mother of your slave, as I
+have heard from my father, was once most beautiful. She is still in our
+harem, and _pooh_," said Mustapha, spitting, as if in abhorrence.
+
+"Right, good vizier--right--recollect, pacha, what I have said: time has
+been." The pacha nodded, and the old woman proceeded.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Once sure of the sultan's affections, I indulged myself in greater
+liberties--not with him, but with others; for I knew that he would
+laugh at the tricks I might play upon his dependents, but not be equally
+pleased with a want of respect towards himself; and other people of the
+harem were the objects of my caprice and amusement. So far from
+preventing him from noticing the other women in the harem, I would
+recommend them, and often have them in my apartments when he would visit
+me, and wish to be alone. I generally contrived to manage a little
+quarrel about once a month, as it renewed his passion. In short, the
+sultan became, as I intended, so infatuated, that he was my slave, and
+at the same time I felt an ardent attachment to him. My power was well
+known. The presents which I received from those who required my good
+offices were innumerable, and I never retained them, but sent them as
+presents to the sultan, in return for those which he repeatedly sent to
+me. This indifference on my part to what women are usually too fond of,
+increased his regard.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"By the holy Prophet but you seemed fond enough of gold just now,"
+observed the pacha.
+
+"Time has been," replied the old woman. "I speak not of the present."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+For two years I passed a happy life; but anxious as the sultan was, as
+well as myself, that I should present him with an heir, that happiness
+was denied me, and was eventually the cause of my ruin. The queen
+mother, and the Kislar Aga, both of whom I had affronted, were
+indefatigable in their attempts to undermine my power. The whole
+universe, I may say, was ransacked for a new introduction into the
+seraglio, whose novelty and beauty might seduce the sultan from my arms.
+Instead of counter-plotting, as I might have done, I was pleased at
+their frustrated efforts. Had I demanded the woolly head of the one, and
+poisoned the other, I had done wisely. I only wish I had them now; but I
+was a fool--it cannot be helped--but time has been.
+
+Like most of the sex, the ruling passion of the sultan was vanity, a
+disease which shows itself in a thousand different shapes. He was
+peculiarly proud of his person, and with reason, for it was faultless,
+with one little exception, which I had discovered, a wen, about the size
+of a pigeon's egg, under the left arm. I had never mentioned to him that
+I was aware of it; but a circumstance occurred which annoyed me, and I
+forgot my discretion.
+
+The Kislar Aga had at last discovered a Circassian slave, who, he
+thought, would effect the purpose. She was beautiful, and I had already
+engrossed the sultan's attentions for more than two years. Men will be
+fickle, and I expected no otherwise. What I required was the dominion
+over the mind; I cared little about the sultan's attentions to other
+women. Like the tamed bird which flies from its cage, and after
+wandering a short time, is glad to return to its home and reassume its
+perch, so did I consider it would be the case with the sultan. I never,
+therefore, wearied him with tears or reproaches, but won him back with
+smiles and good humour. I expected that this new face would detach him
+for a short time, and for a fortnight he never came into my apartment.
+He had never been away so long before, and I was rather uneasy. He
+visited me one morning, and I asked him to sup with me. He consented,
+and I invited three or four of the most beautiful women of the seraglio,
+as well as the lady of his new attachment, to meet him. I thought it
+wise so to do, to prove to him that I was not displeased, and trusting
+that the Circassian might suffer when in company with others of equal
+charms, who from neglect might reassume their novelty. The Circassian
+was undeniably most beautiful; but, without vanity, she was by no means
+to be compared to me; she had the advantage of novelty, and I hoped no
+more, for I felt what a dangerous rival she might prove if her wit and
+talents were equal to her personal charms. The sultan came, and I
+exerted myself to please, but, to my mortification, I was neglected; all
+his attentions and thoughts were only for my rival, who played her part
+to admiration, yielded to him that profound respect and abject
+adulation, which, on my part, had been denied him, and which he
+probably, as a novelty from a favourite, set a higher price upon. At
+last I was treated with such marked insult, that I lost my temper, and I
+determined that the sultan should do the same. I handed him a small
+apple. "Will my lord accept this apple from the hand of his slave? Is it
+not curious in shape? It reminds me of the wen under your Majesty's left
+arm."
+
+The sultan coloured with rage.
+
+"Yes," replied I, laughing, "you have one of them, you know very well."
+
+"Silence! Zara," cried the sultan, in a firm tone.
+
+"And why should I be silent, my lord? Have not I spoken the truth?"
+
+"False woman! deny what you have falsely uttered."
+
+"Sultan, I will not deny the truth. I will, if you command me, hold my
+tongue."
+
+"Your slave has been honoured with my lord's attentions, and denies the
+assertion as a calumny," observed my rival.
+
+"Peace, wretch! thou hast proved thyself unworthy of the honour, by thy
+lying tongue."
+
+"I tell thee, Zara, silence! or you shall feel my indignation."
+
+But I was now too angry, and I replied, "My lord, you well know that I
+once held my tongue for eighteen months, I therefore can be silent when
+I choose; but I can also speak when I choose, and now I do choose to
+speak. I have said it, and I will not retract my words."
+
+The sultan was white with rage; my life hung upon a thread; when the
+Circassian maliciously observed, "The bastinado might induce her to
+retract."
+
+"And shall," exclaimed the sultan, clapping his hands.
+
+The Kislar Aga appeared, in obedience to the sultan's orders; the
+executioner of the harem, and two slaves stretched me on the floor,--I
+made no resistance or complaint; my jewelled slippers were taken off,
+and all was ready for the disgraceful punishment.
+
+"Now, Zara, will you retract?" said the sultan, solemnly.
+
+"No, my lord, I will not. I repeat that you have a wen under your left
+arm."
+
+"Strike!" cried the sultan, in a paroxysm of rage. The bamboos fell, and
+I received a dozen blows. I bore them without a cry,--I was too much
+choked by my feelings.
+
+"Now, Zara, will you retract?" exclaimed the sultan, in a subdued tone.
+
+"Never, sultan; I will prove to you that a woman has more courage than
+you imagine; if I die under the punishment, my rival shall not have even
+the pleasure of a groan. You ask me to retract. I will not swerve from
+the truth. You have, and you know you have, and so does that vile
+parasite by your side know, that you have a wen under your left arm." I
+was faint with the pain, and my voice was weak and trembling.
+
+"Proceed," said the sultan.
+
+When I had received thirty blows, I fainted with the agony, and the
+sultan ordered them to desist. "I trust, Zara, you are now sufficiently
+punished for your disobedience." But I heard him not; and when the
+sultan, perceiving that I did not reply, looked at me, his heart melted.
+He felt how arbitrary, how cruel he had been. The Circassian went to
+him; he ordered her in a voice of thunder to be gone, me to be unbound
+by the other ladies, laid on the sofa, and restoratives to be procured.
+When I came to my senses, I found myself alone with the sultan. "Oh!
+Zara," said he, as the tears stood in his eyes, "why did you tempt me
+thus--why were you so obstinate?"
+
+"My lord," answered I, in a feeble voice, "leave your slave, and go to
+those who can teach their tongues to lie. I have never deceived you,
+although I may have displeased you. I have loved you with fidelity and
+truth. Now that you have witnessed what I can suffer rather than be
+guilty of falsehood, you ought to believe me. Take my life, my lord, and
+I will bless you; for I have lost you, and with you I have lost more
+than life."
+
+"Not so, Zara," replied the sultan; "I love you more than ever."
+
+"I am glad to hear you say so, my lord, although it is now of no avail.
+I am no longer yours, and never will be. I am unfit to be yours; my
+person has been contaminated by the touch of Ethiopian slaves--it has
+been polluted by the hand of the executioner--it has been degraded by a
+chastisement due only to felons. Oblige me, as a last proof of your
+kindness, by taking a life which is a burden to me."
+
+Despot as he was, the sultan was much moved; he was mortified at having
+yielded to his temper, and his passionate affection for me had returned.
+He entreated my pardon, and shed tears over me, kissed my swelled feet,
+and humiliated himself so much, that my heart relented--for I loved him
+dearly still.
+
+"Zara," exclaimed he, at last, "will you not forgive me?"
+
+"When, my lord, have I ever shown myself jealous? True love is above
+jealousy. This evening, to please you, although I have lately been
+neglected, did I not request your new favourite to meet you? In return,
+I was grossly insulted by neglect, and studied attentions to her. I was
+piqued, and revenged myself--for I am but a woman. I was wrong in so
+doing, but having told the truth, I was right in not retracting what I
+had said. Now that you have degraded me--now that you have rendered me
+unworthy of you, you ask me to forgive you."
+
+"And again I implore it, my dearest Zara!"
+
+"There are my jewels, my lord. I have no other property but what I have
+received, and cherished as presents from you. Your treasurer well knows
+that. Take my jewels, my lord, and present them to her, they will make
+her more beautiful in your sight--to me they are now worthless. Go to
+her, and in a few days you will forget that ever there was such a person
+as the unhappy, the neglected, the disgraced, and polluted Zara." And I
+burst into tears; for even with all his ill-usage, I was miserable at
+the idea of parting with him; for what will not a woman forgive a man
+who has obtained her favour and her love?
+
+"What can I do to prove that I repent?" cried the sultan. "Tell me,
+Zara. I have supplicated for pardon, what more can I do?"
+
+"Let my lord efface all traces and memory of my degradation. Was not I
+struck by two vile slaves, who will babble through the city? Was not I
+held down by an executioner? These arms, which have wound round the
+master of the world, and no other, polluted by his gripe."
+
+The sultan clapped his hands, and the Kislar Aga appeared. "Quick,"
+exclaimed he, "the heads of the slaves and executioner who inflicted the
+punishment." In a minute the Kislar Aga appeared; he perceived how
+matters stood, and trembled for his own. He held up the three heads, one
+after another, and then returned them to the sack of sawdust in which
+they had been brought.
+
+"Are you satisfied now, Zara?"
+
+"For myself, yes--but not for you. Who was it that persuaded you to
+descend from your dignity, and lower yourself, by yielding to the
+instigations of malice? Who was it that advised the _bastinado_? As a
+woman, I am too proud to be jealous of her; but as one who values your
+honour, and your reputation, I cannot permit you to have so dangerous a
+counsellor. Your virgins, your omras, your princes, will all be at her
+mercy; your throne may be overturned by her taking advantage of her
+power."
+
+The sultan hesitated.
+
+"Sultan, you have but to choose between two things; if she be alive
+to-morrow morning, I am dead by my own hand. You know I never lie."
+
+The sultan clapped his hands, the Kislar Aga again appeared. "_Her_
+head," said he, hesitatingly. The Kislar Aga waited a little, to
+ascertain if there was no reprieve, for too hasty a compliance with
+despots is almost as dangerous as delay. He caught my eye--he saw at
+once, that if not her head, it would be his own, and he quitted the
+room. In a few minutes he held up by its fair tresses the head of my
+beautiful rival; I looked at the distorted features, and was satisfied.
+I motioned with my hand, and the Kislar Aga withdrew.
+
+"Now, Zara, do you forgive me? Now do you believe that I sincerely love
+you, and have I obtained my pardon?"
+
+"Yes," replied I, "I do, sultan; I forgive you all; and now----I will
+permit you to sit by me and bathe my feet."
+
+From that day I resumed my empire with more despotic power than ever. I
+insisted that I should refuse his visits when I felt so inclined; and
+when I imagined that there was the slightest degree of satiety on his
+part, he was certain to be refused admittance for a fortnight. I became
+the depositary of his secrets and the mover of his counsels. My sway was
+unlimited, and I never abused it. I loved him, and his honour and his
+welfare were the only guides to my conduct.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"But your highness will probably be tired, and as I have now told how it
+was that I suffered the bastinado, you will perhaps wait till to-morrow
+for the history of the bowstring."
+
+"I believe that the old woman is right," said Mustapha, yawning; "it is
+late. Is it your highness's pleasure that she shall return to-morrow
+evening?"
+
+"Be it so; but let her be in close custody--you remember."
+
+"Be chesm--on my eyes be it. Guards, remove this woman from the sublime
+presence."
+
+"It appears to me," said the pacha to Mustapha, "that this old
+woman's story may be true. The description of the harem is so
+correct--commanding one day, bastinadoed the next."
+
+"Who can doubt the fact, your sublime highness? The Lord of Life
+dispenses as he thinks fit."
+
+"Very true; he might send me the bowstring to-morrow."
+
+"Allah forbid!"
+
+"I pray with you; but life is uncertain, and it is our fate. You are my
+vizier to-day, for instance, what may you be to-morrow?"
+
+"Whatever your highness may decide," replied Mustapha, not much liking
+the turn of the conversation. "Am not I your slave, and as the dirt
+under your feet--and shall I not bow to your sovereign pleasure, and my
+destiny?"
+
+"It is well said, and so must I, if the caliph sends me a Capitan Badji,
+which Allah forbid. There is but one God, and Mahomet is his Prophet."
+
+"Amen," replied Mustapha. "Will your highness drink of the water of
+Giaour?"
+
+"Yes, truly; for what says the poet? 'We are merry to-day and to-morrow
+we die.'"
+
+"Min Allah; God forbid! That old woman has lived a long while, why
+shouldn't we?"
+
+"I don't know; but she has had the bowstring and is not yet dead. We may
+not be so fortunate."
+
+"May we never have it at all; then shall we escape, O pacha."
+
+"True, Mustapha; so give me the bottle."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XXI
+
+
+The next evening the old woman made her appearance, without raising any
+difficulty, as on the previous day, and took her seat before the pacha,
+and thus continued:--
+
+As I stated to your highness last evening when I broke off my
+narrative, I was in the highest favour with the sultan, who made me his
+confidant. He had often mentioned to me the distinguished services of a
+young seraskier, whom he had lately appointed capitan pacha, to combat
+in the north against a barbarous nation called Sclavonians, or Russians.
+My curiosity was raised to see this Rustam of a warrior, for his
+exploits and unvaried success were constantly the theme of the sultan's
+encomiums. A Georgian slave, who had been the favourite previous to my
+arrival, and who had never forgiven my supplanting her, had been sent to
+him by the sultan as a compliment; and this rare distinction had been
+conferred upon him on the day when I requested leave to remain behind
+the screen in the hall of the divan, that I might behold this celebrated
+and distinguished person. He was indeed a splendid figure, and his face
+was equally perfect. He formed, in outward appearance, all that I could
+imagine of a hero. As I looked at him from behind the screen, he turned
+his head from me, and I beheld, to my surprise, the red stain on his
+neck, which told me, at once, that I had found my long-lost brother.
+Delighted at the rencontre, I retired as soon as the audience was over,
+and the sultan came to my apartment; I told him the discovery which I
+had made. The sultan appeared pleased at the information: and the next
+day sending for my brother, he asked him a few questions relative to his
+lineage and former life, which corroborated my story, and, loading him
+with fresh honours, he dismissed him. I was delighted that, in finding
+my brother, I had found one who was not unworthy of the sultan's regard,
+and I considered it a most fortunate circumstance; but how blind are
+mortals! My brother was the cause of my disgrace and eternal separation
+from the sultan. I mentioned to your highness that the Georgian slave,
+who had preceded me in the sultan's favour, had been sent as a present
+to my brother. This woman, although she had always appeared fond of me,
+was, in fact, my most bitter enemy. She was very beautiful and clever,
+and soon obtained the most unlimited influence over my brother. Yet she
+loved him not; she had but one feeling to gratify, which was revenge on
+me. My brother had so often led the troops to victory, that he had
+acquired an unbounded sway over them. Stimulated by their suggestions,
+and his own ambition, which like mine, was boundless, he was at last
+induced to plot against his master, with the intention of dethroning
+him, and reigning in his stead. To his new wife, the Georgian, he had
+intrusted his plans; and she resolved to regain the favour of the sultan
+and accomplish my ruin, by making me a party, and then communicating to
+him the treason which was in agitation. She proposed to my brother that
+he should inform me of his intentions, alleging, that in all probability
+I would assist him, as I cared little for the sultan; and at all events,
+if I did not join, my interest might save him from his wrath. For some
+time he refused to accede to her suggestions; but as she pointed out
+that if the plot were discovered, I, as his sister, would certainly
+share his fate, and that she well knew that I had never forgiven the
+punishment of the bastinado which I had received, and only waited for an
+opportunity to revenge myself, he at last consented to make me a party
+to his intentions. My brother had been allowed to visit me, and he took
+this opportunity of stating to me his schemes. I started from him with
+horror, pointed out to him his ingratitude and folly, and entreated him
+to abandon his purpose. Convinced that I was firmly attached to the
+sultan, he appeared to acquiesce in the justice of my remarks, confessed
+that he was wrong, and promised me faithfully to think no more of his
+treacherous designs. I believed him to be sincere, and I shed tears of
+joy, as I thanked him for having yielded to my entreaties. We separated,
+and in a short time I thought no more of the subject.
+
+But he had no idea of abandoning his purpose; in fact, he was already
+too deeply involved to be able to do so. His arrangements went on
+rapidly; and when all was ripe, the Georgian gave information to the
+sultan, denouncing me as a party as well as my brother.
+
+One morning as I was sitting in my apartment, arranging on a tray a
+present for my lord and master, I was surprised by the abrupt entrance
+of the Kislar Aga, accompanied by guards, who without explanation seized
+me, and led me into the presence-chamber, where the sultan and all the
+officers of state were assembled. It immediately rushed into my mind
+that my brother had deceived me. Pale with anxiety, but at the same time
+with a feeling of delight that the plot had been discovered, I entered
+the divan, where I beheld my brother in the custody of the palace-guard.
+He had been seized in the divan, as his popularity was so great, that a
+few minutes' notice would have enabled him not only to escape, but to
+have put his treasonable plans into execution; but he bore himself with
+such a haughty air, with his arms folded across his breast, that I
+thought he might be innocent; and that he had, as he promised me,
+abandoned all thoughts of rebellion.
+
+I turned towards the sultan, who fixed his eyes upon me; his brows were
+knit with anger, and he commenced, "Zara, your brother is accused of
+treason, which he denies. You, also, are charged with being privy to his
+designs. Answer me, do you know anything of these plots?"
+
+I did not know how to answer this question, and I would not tell a lie.
+I did know something about his intentions; but as he had denied the
+charge, it was not to be expected that he should be condemned by the
+mouth of his only sister. Perhaps he had, as he had promised me,
+abandoned his ideas;--perhaps it could not be proved against him. My
+answer would have been the signal for his death. I could not give the
+answer required, and I replied, "If my brother be found guilty of
+rebelling against his sovereign, let him suffer. I, my lord, have never
+plotted or rebelled against you."
+
+"Answer my question, Zara. Do you know anything about this plot? Yes or
+no. Say _no_, and I shall believe you."
+
+"Your slave has never plotted against her lord," replied I. "Further I
+cannot answer your question."
+
+"Then it is true;--and Zara--even Zara is false!" cried the sultan,
+clasping his hands in agony. "O! where can a person in my situation find
+one who is faithful and true, when Zara, even Zara is false?"
+
+"No--no, my lord," cried I, bursting into tears; "Zara is true;--always
+has been, always will be, true. _That_ I can boldly answer--but do not
+press the other question."
+
+The sultan looked at me for a short time, and then consulted with the
+viziers and others, who stood by the throne with their arms folded. The
+chief vizier replied, "Those who know of treason, and conceal it, are
+participators in the crime."
+
+"True--most true. Zara, for the last time I ask you, what do you know of
+this intended insurrection? I must be trifled with no longer. A plain
+answer, or----"
+
+"I cannot answer that question, my lord."
+
+"Zara, as you value your life, answer me immediately," cried the sultan,
+with violence;--but I answered not.
+
+Twice more did the forbearance and love of the sultan induce him to
+repeat the question; but I remained silent.
+
+He waved his hands, I was seized by the mutes, and the bowstring
+encircled my neck. All was ready, they awaited but the last signal to
+tighten the fatal cord.
+
+"Once more, Zara, will you answer; or brave me to your destruction?"
+
+"Sultan, I will at least speak to you before I die. I only wish to
+declare my fidelity and my love to you in my last moments, to tell you
+that I forgive you for that which, when the truth is known, you will
+never forgive yourself. One moment more. Let me remove this jewelled
+chain from my neck, now superseded by the bowstring. You presented it to
+me when convinced of my attachment and my love. Take it, sultan, and
+when you find one as faithful and as true, present it to her; but until
+you do so, wear it in memory of Zara. And now let me throw my veil over
+those features which have always beamed with love and delight on you,
+that when I am dead, and you call them to your recollection, they may be
+as you have been used to see them, and not black with convulsions and
+distorted with agony. My lord, my dear and honoured lord, farewell!"
+
+The sultan was deeply moved; he turned away his head, and covered his
+face with one hand, while the other dropped at his side from the
+intensity of his feelings.
+
+Although it never was so intended, this dropping of his hand was
+considered as the signal for my death. The string was tightened, and
+buried itself, cutting deeply into the flesh of a neck once as fair and
+smooth as the polished marble of Patras. For the first moments my
+torture was excruciating--my eyes were forcing out of their sockets--my
+tongue protruded from my mouth--my brain appeared to be on fire--but all
+recollection soon departed.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Staffir Allah! God forgive me! but are you not laughing at our beards,
+old scarecrow? What think you, Mustapha?" continued the pacha, turning
+to him. "What is all this but _lies_?"
+
+"Lies!" screamed the old woman. "Lies! you tell me they are lies! Well,
+well--the time has been. Pacha, after what I have suffered by telling
+the truth all my life, it is hard, in my old age, to be told that I lie;
+but you shall be convinced," and the old woman put her hands up to the
+shrivelled, pendent skin of her neck, and stretching it out smooth,
+showed a deep blue mark, which encircled it like a necklace. "Now are
+you satisfied?"
+
+The pacha nodded his head to Mustapha, as if convinced; and then said,
+"You may proceed."
+
+"Yes, I may proceed; but I tell you, pacha, that if you doubt what I say
+once more, I will return your twenty pieces of gold, and hold my tongue.
+I proved that I could do it as a young woman, and we become more
+obstinate as we get old."
+
+"That is no lie," observed Mustapha. "Continue, old woman, and we will
+not interrupt you with doubts again."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+My brother, who had watched every motion of the sultan's, and who had
+determined to reveal all rather than that I should suffer, when he
+perceived the fatal mistake, which he did not till some moments
+afterwards, uttered a loud cry, and attempted to burst from his guards.
+Roused by the cry, the sultan looked up, and perceived what had taken
+place. In a moment he darted from his throne, and was kneeling by me
+with frantic exclamations. The mutes hastily tore away the bowstring,
+but I was, to all appearance, dead.
+
+"Yes, sultan, well you may rave," exclaimed my brother; "for you have
+good cause. You have destroyed one who, as she declared with her last
+breath, was most faithful and most true. I acknowledge the conspiracy. I
+told her my intentions, and she thought that she had succeeded in
+preventing me, for I promised by _the three_ to abandon my design. She
+has been faithful both to you and to me, for she believed that, although
+accused, I had atoned for my fault by repentance."
+
+The sultan looked earnestly at my brother, but made no answer. He
+embraced me, at one moment bursting into tears, in the next calling for
+assistance. I was removed to my apartments, and after some time, the
+physicians succeeded in restoring me to life; but I was for many days
+confused and dizzy in the brain, during which time every attention and
+care was lavished on me. One evening I felt sufficiently recovered to
+speak, and I demanded of my attendants what had taken place. They
+informed me that the mutes, who had mistaken the signal, had been
+impaled, and that the Janissaries had risen and demanded my brother,
+whose execution had been deferred by the sultan; but that on the
+commotion taking place, by order of the grand vizier,--my brother had
+been executed, and his head thrown out to the rebellious troops, who had
+been dispersed, and had since been brought to subjection, and some
+hundreds of the ringleaders had been executed. I turned away at this
+intelligence, for I loved my noble but misguided brother. The movement
+occasioned excruciating pain, which arose from the deep wound made by
+the bowstring in my neck.
+
+The next morning I rose, that I might contemplate my person in the
+mirror, and I at once perceived the alteration which had taken place.
+There was a certain degree of distortion of features which I thought
+would never be removed. I felt, that although the sultan might respect
+me, I could not expect the same influence and undivided attention as
+before. With a heavy heart I threw myself on the couch, and planned for
+the future. I reflected upon the uncertain tenure by which the
+affections of a despot are held, and I resolved to part. Still I loved
+him, loved him in spite of all his cruelty; but my resolution was made.
+For six weeks I refused to see the sultan, although he inquired every
+day, and sent me magnificent presents. At the end of that period I had
+recovered, and all that remained from the effects of the bowstring was a
+slight wrinkling of the skin from distension, and the deep blue mark
+round my neck which I have just shown to your highness.
+
+When I first admitted the sultan, he was much affected. "Zara," said he,
+mournfully, "I swear by the holy prophet that I meant not to give the
+signal."
+
+"I believe you, my lord," replied I, calmly.
+
+"Neither did I intend that your brother should suffer. I meant to have
+gained your favour by his pardon."
+
+"He was a traitor, my lord, an ungrateful traitor, and deserved his
+death. So may all like him perish."
+
+"And now, Zara, may I hope for your forgiveness?"
+
+"On one condition, sultan; and swear that you will grant what I
+require."
+
+"I do, by Allah!"
+
+"It is, that you send me back to my own country."
+
+Not to detain your highness by dwelling too long upon what passed, it
+will suffice to say, that notwithstanding the entreaties of the sultan,
+and the pleadings of my own heart, my resolution was immovable. Every
+arrangement was made for my departure, and during the preparations, the
+sultan was continually with me, persuading me to abandon the idea. The
+magnificence and liberality which he showed in the costly presents
+bestowed upon me, that I might return with honour and wealth to my own
+country, more than once made me waver in my resolution. The evening
+before my departure he made a last attempt, but in vain. My refusal was
+at least softened by the tears which I shed, for now that the time of
+departure was so near, I felt how truly, how devotedly I was attached to
+him. We parted; I threw myself on the couch, and wept till the dawn of
+day, when I was summoned to commence my journey.
+
+As your highness may be aware is the custom, when my brother was
+executed, all his property was seized by the sultan, and distributed
+among the favourites. The new capitan pacha who succeeded my brother was
+called Abdallah, and was said to be an excellent soldier. Part of my
+brother's property was made over to him, and among the rest the Georgian
+slave, who had been the ruin of my brother, and had so fatally destroyed
+my happiness. To show me every attention and respect, the sultan had
+ordered Abdallah in person to escort me to my own country, with a picked
+body of cavalry. The cavalcade was magnificent--treasure had been heaped
+on treasure--present upon present; twenty women of my own country, and
+numerous slaves had been permitted to attend upon me, and the procession
+wore the appearance of a pageant. I ascended my litter with an aching
+heart; and, journeying by easy stages, arrived at the land of my
+nativity. The borders were passed, and Abdallah requested me to write an
+acknowledgment that he had done his duty, which the sultan would require
+of him upon his return. I gave him the paper, and, professing many
+wishes for my future happiness, he assembled his troops, and the escort
+turned the heads of their neighing steeds towards the city, where my
+heart had truly been left behind.
+
+It will now be necessary to revert to the Georgian slave, who had been
+presented to my brother by the sultan, and had afterwards been made over
+to Abdallah. When she heard that I was about to depart for my own
+country, loaded with presents, her rage was without bounds. Already had
+her beauty and talents made great impression upon Abdallah, and she soon
+won him over to a plot which would be advantageous to him, at the same
+time that it would throw me, whom she distrusted, into her power. She
+proposed to Abdallah that, after having escorted me to the frontiers,
+and received from me the acknowledgment required by the sultan, he
+should follow my small escort of slaves, cut them to pieces, take
+possession of me and all my treasure, and return with it to
+Constantinople, where I might be immured in his harem. The avarice of
+Abdallah was not able to withstand the temptation, and aware that there
+was no chance of the nefarious transaction being discovered by the
+sultan, he agreed to the proposal. On the second night after we had
+parted with Abdallah, a body of horsemen galloped down upon us, and all
+my attendants, male and female, were massacred. I was seized, put into a
+sack, and thrown across a horse, and as soon as the treasure could be
+collected, they set off at a rapid pace. I was nearly dead when they
+halted, and when I was removed from my painful situation I fainted away.
+
+Abdallah had never seen my face; the soldiers reported me dead, and he
+was glad when he heard of it, for it was only to please his wife that he
+had promised to bring me back. He walked up to where I lay, and was,
+even in my miserable situation, enamoured with my beauty. His heart
+acknowledged that I was the most valuable of all his plunder. Every care
+and attention was bestowed upon me, and after several hours' halt to
+allow me to refresh myself, I was placed in a small litter, and our
+journey recommenced. He was studious to obtain my favour: at first I
+spurned him: but when he told me that the Georgian slave had instigated
+him to the deed, and had insisted that he should bring me back, I well
+knew for what purpose, and thought only of revenge. I feigned to be less
+averse to him, and before our journey was over, had used all my powers
+of fascination with triumphant success. At last our wearied horses
+arrived at Stamboul, and after waiting in the suburbs till the evening
+closed in, that the cavalcade might not attract attention, it proceeded
+to the house of Abdallah, and I was once more in the precincts of a
+harem. The Georgian slave hastened to meet me when she was informed of
+our arrival, and taking off her slipper, she struck me contemptuously on
+the mouth, with such force as to cause the blood to flow.
+
+"Now, sultana," cried she, "the day is mine; again shall you receive the
+bastinado. Aye, and again shall the bowstring be applied to your proud
+neck, and more effectually than before." She then ordered her slaves to
+strip me, and put on the meanest attire. When that was done, she spat in
+my face, and left me without speaking; but the flashing of her eyes gave
+evidence of the fiery passions which were raging in her bosom.
+
+In the meantime, Abdallah had proceeded to the palace, to present to the
+sultan the document proving my safe arrival, and having so done, he
+hastened back to his own house. As soon as he entered the harem, instead
+of visiting the Georgian slave, who had arrayed herself for his
+reception, he inquired of the astonished women in which chamber I had
+been accommodated. They hesitatingly replied, pointing it out to him. He
+entered, and found me clothed in a slave's dress, with my face covered
+with blood. When I stated the treatment I had received, and the further
+threat of the bastinado and the bowstring, his rage was beyond all
+bounds. Ordering all the women to attend me, he quitted me, that I
+might resume my own dress, intimating that he hoped that I would allow
+him to sup with me that evening. My desire for revenge induced me to
+grant his request, and he quitted the harem to look after the treasure
+of which I had been robbed.
+
+In the meantime, the other women had communicated to the Georgian slave
+all that had occurred, and she was frantic at the information. Fearful
+of her, I kept my door fast until the arrival of Abdallah, who sent to
+inquire whether I would receive him. He was admitted, and again
+expressed his indignation at the conduct of my rival, offering, as a
+proof of his attachment, to abandon her to my resentment. I had no time
+for reply before the door was burst open, the Georgian flew in and aimed
+her dagger at my heart. Abdallah had sufficient time to ward the blow,
+and as the weapon passed through his left arm, with his right hand he
+dashed her on the floor. Pale with rage and pain he called his people.
+"She threatened you, Zara, with the bastinado and the bowstring. She has
+sealed her own doom."
+
+By his orders her slippers were torn off, and she received fifty blows
+of the bastinado; then, as she screamed with pain, and held up her hands
+for mercy, the mutes were summoned, and the bowstring was applied. My
+revenge was more than satiated, and I covered up my eyes that I might
+not be a witness to the dreadful spectacle. When I removed my hands, I
+found Abdallah only in the apartment, and my rival lying a blackened
+corpse upon the floor.
+
+For three years I remained in the harem of Abdallah, and, if not happy,
+was resigned to my fate. He was devotedly attached to me, and, if I
+could not return his love, I was not deficient in gratitude. At last a
+second war broke out between the Turks and Russians, and Abdallah was
+ordered to put himself at the head of his troops, and drive the invaders
+back to their regions of frost and snow. As was the custom with Turkish
+commanders, all his harem accompanied him, and after travelling about
+from one territory to another, sometimes in pursuit of, and at others
+retreating before the enemy's forces, we were shut up in the fortress of
+Ismael, with orders to defend it to the last.
+
+I shall not weary your highness with a detail of what occurred. I shall
+only say, that after the town had been nearly reduced to ashes, by the
+shells and shot, which had set fire to it at least one hundred times, it
+was taken by storm, with immense slaughter. We sat in our apartments,
+listening with terror to the alternate shouting and shrieking--the noise
+of the bursting of the shells, the whizzing of the balls, the cries of
+the wounded, and the terrific roaring of the flames, which were now
+consuming the whole town in their fury. At last our doors were burst
+open, and the enemy entered. We screamed, and would have fled, but in
+vain. What became of the rest I know not, but I was dragged over the
+dead and the dying, through smoke and through flame, until I fainted
+away with terror and exhaustion. When I recovered, I found myself in a
+hut, lying on a small bed, and attended by two bearded monsters, whom I
+afterwards discovered were Cossacks. They were chafing my limbs with
+their rough hands, without the least regard for decorum. As soon as I
+opened my eyes, one of them poured a little spirits down my throat, and
+wrapping me up in a horse-cloth, they left me--to meditate upon my
+misfortunes.
+
+I discovered that evening that I had, by the fortune of war, become the
+property of a Russian general, who had no time for making love. With him
+it was all ready made, as a matter of course. Still he was a handsome
+man, and when not tipsy, was good-humoured and generous; but the
+bivouacs, even of a general, were very different from the luxuries to
+which I had been accustomed. I lived badly, and was housed worse. It so
+unfortunately happened, that my protector was a great gambler, as indeed
+are all Russians; and one morning, to my surprise, a handsome young
+officer came into the tent and the general very unceremoniously handed
+me over to him. My beauty had been made known in the camp, and the
+Russian general, having the night before lost all his money, had staked
+me for one thousand sequins, and had lost. My new master was a careless,
+handsome youth, a colonel in the army; I could have loved him, but I had
+not time; for I had not been in his tent more than three weeks, before I
+was again gambled away, and lost to a major. I had hardly time to make
+myself comfortable in my new abode, when I was staked and lost again. In
+short, your highness, in that campaign I was the property of between
+forty and fifty Russian officers, and what with the fatigue of marching,
+the badness of provisions, and my constant unsettled state of mind and
+body, I lost much of my good looks--so much, indeed, that I found out
+that instead of being taken as a stake of one thousand sequins, I was
+not valued at more than two hundred. I can assure your highness that it
+is no joke to go through a Russian camp in that way--to be handed about
+like a purse of money, out of one man's pocket into another's. I assure
+you, that before the campaign was over, I had had quite enough of the
+Russians, and only wished that the Turkish army might rout them, and I
+could find myself once more in a harem. It was then that I first
+lamented over my hard fate, and that of the sultan. It was then that I
+first used the expression, when I thought of my condition, and that I
+said to myself, "The time has been."
+
+At last the army was ordered to march back, and being then the property
+of a Cossack, he put me on a pony, and made me keep up with the
+squadron, driving me before him with his long spear, sometimes sticking
+the point into the rear of the pony, and sometimes into me, by way of a
+joke. But I had not been more than ten days on the retreat, before he
+sold me, pony, bridle, saddle, altogether, as a bargain, to an infantry
+officer, who as soon as he had taken possession, made me dismount, while
+he got in the saddle, desiring me to lay hold of the pony's tail and
+follow him. When they halted, he made me wait upon him, and do
+everything which he required. In the morning he mounted again, and I had
+to walk after him, as before. This was hard service for one who had been
+the favourite of the sultan. For a week I contrived to hobble after him,
+but it was impossible to go on any longer. We passed through a town, and
+as soon as we were clear of the gates and he did not watch me, I let go
+the tail of the pony, and escaped without his perceiving it. I regained
+the town, and faint with hunger and fatigue, sat at the steps of a large
+house. A lady, dressed in rich furs and sables, came out, and perceiving
+that my dress was foreign, stopped, and inquired of me who I was. I told
+her in a few words: she ordered me to be received and taken care of. A
+few days afterwards she sent for me, and I then narrated to her my
+history. She was kind and generous, and I became her head attendant; I
+was contented and happy, and hoped to die in her service. But my
+misfortunes were not half over. My mistress was a lady of rank, and much
+esteemed. Her house was always full of company: she was rich, and gave
+most splendid entertainments. Her husband had been dead about two years,
+but she was still very young, and exceedingly beautiful. One evening,
+when there was a large party assembled in her rooms, the door was
+opened, and an officer came up to her and whispered in her ear. She
+coloured, trembled, and said that she would be ready in an hour. I was
+near her at the time; she beckoned to me, hastened to her room, and
+burst into a flood of tears.
+
+"I am ordered to Petersburg immediately, on a charge of treason. My
+conscience tells me that I have done nothing; but, alas! for me, the
+emperor has no mercy. Ekaterina," for that was the name I went by, "will
+you accompany me?--it will be a long, and a melancholy journey. God
+knows how it may end."
+
+I immediately consented--packed up what we required, and without
+disturbing those who were enjoying themselves, we gained the courtyard,
+and took our seats in a britska, in company with the officer. In four
+days we arrived at Petersburg, and my mistress was separated from me and
+thrown into prison. She never saw her accusers or her judges; her
+memorial to the emperor was disregarded, and she was condemned--but her
+punishment was not immediately decided upon.
+
+For three weeks my mistress remained in prison. I was, by the humanity
+of the officer, who had the charge of her, allowed to visit her for a
+few minutes every day; but it was always in the presence of a third
+person. One morning when I came, the poor lady fell upon my neck and
+sobbed a long while without speaking; the countenance of the officer was
+also melancholy to a degree, and I perceived that a tear occasionally
+trickled down his manly cheek.
+
+"Ekaterina," said she, at last, "I have heard my sentence, and am to be
+punished to-morrow. O God! forgive them their cruelty and injustice;"
+and she sank from my arms upon the floor of the dungeon.
+
+We raised her, and she recovered a little. "Yes, Ekaterina, I am to be
+punished to-morrow for a crime of which I am innocent--a punishment--God
+have mercy!--worse than death. The knout--the knout--and that attended
+with public exposure in the market-place. May God forgive the emperor
+his cruelty!"
+
+I had heard of this dreadful punishment, but little thought that women
+suffered by it. It was too barbarous.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I have not heard of it," said the pacha. "Tell me, old woman, is it
+worse than the bastinado?"
+
+"Yes, your highness. It is a whip of enormous power, so that if the
+executioner has a private order, he can kill the party on whom it is
+inflicted by two or three blows; but your highness will better
+comprehend the nature of the punishment when I describe what I
+witnessed."
+
+My dear mistress begged me, as a favour, that I would attend her to the
+place of execution, and I consented. Poor creature! she, as well as I,
+had but an imperfect idea of what she was to endure. The punishment was
+to take place in the great square, and the troops were out, and a large
+concourse of people were assembled. She appeared on the raised platform
+upon which she was to suffer, in a genteel undress, which contributed
+still more to heighten her extreme beauty. The sweetness of her
+countenance obtained for her the commiseration of those who were ordered
+and accustomed to execute the will of the despotic and cruel emperor.
+Young, lively, and admired, sought for, and caressed by everybody, high
+in rank, and rich in worldly wealth, she stood, no longer surrounded by
+the attentions and homage due to her talents, her beauty, and her wit,
+but surrounded only by stern executioners. She looked at them with
+astonishment, seeming to doubt if such preparations could be intended
+for her. One of the executioners then pulled off a kind of furred tippet
+which covered her bosom; her modesty taking the alarm, made her start
+back a few steps; she turned pale and burst into tears. Her clothes were
+soon afterwards all stripped off, and in a few moments she was all naked
+to the waist, exposed to the looks of a vast multitude, who were all
+profoundly silent. One of the executioners then seized her by both
+hands, and turning half round, threw her on his back, bending forwards,
+so as to raise her feet a few inches from the ground, and the other
+executioner, with his rough hands, and without symptoms of remorse,
+adjusted her on the back of his companion, in a posture most convenient
+for her to receive her punishment. Sometimes he pressed his large hands
+brutally upon her head, in order to make her keep it down: at others,
+like a butcher handling a lamb, he appeared to soothe her until he had
+fixed her in a favourable attitude. He then took the knout, a whip made
+of a long strip of leather, prepared for the purpose; he retreated a
+few steps, measuring the requisite distance with a steady eye, and
+looking backwards, gave a stroke with the end of the whip, so as to
+carry away a slip of skin from the neck to the bottom of the back; then
+striking his feet against the ground, he took his aim for a second blow,
+parallel to the former, so that in a few moments all the skin of her
+back was cut away in small slips, most of which remained hanging to her
+shift and dress below. I fainted with horror long before the punishment
+was over. "Good heavens!" thought I, "I have suffered the bastinado and
+the bowstring, but both were merciful compared to this. Is there no God
+in heaven to punish such despotic cruelty?" My mistress was not dead,
+and the surgeons were ordered to pay her every attention, that she might
+recover; and I thought this attention on the part of the emperor in some
+measure made amends for his barbarity. But, God in heaven! she was
+restored to life that she might be more cruelly punished; for no sooner
+was she able to bear this infliction, than they cut out her tongue, and
+then banished her to Siberia.
+
+Thus, O pacha! was my beautiful mistress treated upon mere suspicion,
+for guilty she never was. I had been permitted to see her previous to
+her latter punishment, and she fancied, poor thing, that the emperor's
+wrath had been appeased, and that she would have been permitted to
+return home, but her tongue was cut out without her receiving any
+warning of the second punishment which awaited her, and after that I was
+refused admittance, and I never saw my beautiful and ill-treated
+mistress any more. It was from the officer who had the charge of her
+that I learnt this cruel intelligence, and I went back to my lodgings
+with a heart bursting with grief and indignation.
+
+I was resolved that, if possible, I would escape from a country where
+women's tongues were cut out; but how to manage it I knew not. I had
+still some money and valuables, which had been left in my possession by
+my unfortunate mistress, and I made inquiry about the means of
+proceeding to Constantinople, where, at least, I should be in a
+civilised country. At last a Jew, who heard that I wished to go to the
+southward, offered to take me with him as soon as the snow was on the
+ground, for which I bargained for five hundred roubles. In a fortnight
+the winter had set in, and we got into a drotski, and went away. We
+arrived at Moscow, and from thence we at last gained Constantinople. On
+my arrival I selected my luggage, that I might pay the sum agreed; but
+it was snatched from me by the old rascal, who saluted me with a kick in
+the body which half-killed me. I was locked up in a room, and in half an
+hour a slave-merchant came, and I was sold for a low sum and taken away,
+remonstrating in vain against the injustice. My beauty was now gone, I
+was more than thirty years old, and hardship had done the rest.
+
+My subsequent life has been nothing but a series of changes and
+disasters. I was sold to a pastrycook, and broiled by standing over the
+oven. I grew obstinate and was punished by blows, but for those I cared
+not. The pastry was burnt, and I was resold to a barber, whose wife was
+a shrew, and half-killed me; fortunately the barber was accused of
+shaving a criminal, who had escaped from prison, and one morning was
+stretched out before his own door, with his head under his arm. His wife
+and I were both sold again as slaves.
+
+Thus did I go down-hill each year, fetching less and less, and receiving
+worse treatment, until I was embarked with several others by an
+Armenian, who was bound to Smyrna. The vessel was captured by an
+Algerine pirate, and for a long while I was kept on board to cook their
+victuals. At last she was wrecked on this coast; how I escaped I know
+not, for I was weary of life. But I was thrown up, and made my way to
+this place--where I have for many years lived in company with an old
+wretch like myself, supplicating alms. He died about a year ago, and
+left me in the hovel by myself. I still beg for my subsistence; and
+now, pacha, you have my story, and I think you will acknowledge that I
+may well say that _"Time has been."_
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"It is your kismet, your destiny, good woman. There is but one God, and
+Mahomet is his Prophet," observed the pacha. "You are dismissed."
+
+"And the gold, your highness," whispered Mustapha.
+
+"Let her retain it. Has she not been a sultana?" observed the pacha,
+with some appearance of feeling.
+
+The old woman's ears were keen, she had heard the question of Mustapha,
+and she had heard the reply of the pacha; and she easily imagined the
+rest.
+
+"And now, pacha, before I quit your presence, as I have enjoyed your
+bounty, I will, with your permission, offer you a piece of advice,
+which, from my knowledge of the world and of people's countenances, may
+be of no small service to you. Is it permitted, O pacha?"
+
+"Speak," replied the pacha.
+
+"Then, pacha, beware of that man who sits beside you; for there is that
+in his face which tells me that he will raise himself upon your fall.
+Pacha, beware!"
+
+"Hag of Jehanum!" exclaimed Mustapha, rising from his seat.
+
+The old woman held up her finger, and walked out of the divan.
+
+The pacha looked suspiciously at Mustapha, for he was of a suspicious
+nature; and Mustapha looked anything but innocent.
+
+"Doth my lord give ear to a lying tongue of an old woman?" said
+Mustapha, prostrating himself. "Hath not your slave proved himself
+faithful? Am not I as dust in thy presence? Take my life, O pacha! but
+doubt not the fidelity of thy slave."
+
+The pacha seemed pacified. "What is all this but bosh, nothing?" said
+he, rising and quitting the apartment.
+
+"Bosh!" muttered Mustapha. "The cursed old hag! I know better--there is
+no time to lose--I must be quick. When will that renegade return from
+Stamboul? It is time." And Mustapha, with a gloomy countenance, quitted
+the divan.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XXII
+
+
+Although the pacha, with the usual diplomacy of a Turk, had, so far from
+expressing his displeasure against Mustapha, treated him with more than
+usual urbanity, he had not forgotten the advice of the old woman.
+Suspicion once raised was not to be allayed, and he had consulted with
+his favourite wife, Fatima. A woman is a good adviser in cases of this
+description. The only danger which could threaten the pacha was from the
+imperial court at Stamboul; for the troops were devoted to him, and the
+people of the country had no very serious cause of complaint. By the
+advice of the favourite, the pacha sent as a present to Mustapha, a
+young and handsome Greek girl, but she was a spy in the service of the
+favourite, and had been informed that the vizier had been doomed. She
+was to discover, if she could, whether there was any intercourse between
+the renegade, who commanded the fleet, and the vizier, as from that
+quarter alone danger could be anticipated. The Greek had not been a week
+in the harem of Mustapha, before she ascertained more than was
+sufficient. The fleet had been sent to Constantinople, with presents to
+the sultan from the pacha, and its return was hourly expected.
+
+It was on the afternoon of this eventful day that the fleet hove in
+sight, and lay becalmed a few miles in the offing. Mustapha hastened to
+report it to the pacha, as he sat in his divan, hearing complaints, and
+giving judgment, although not justice. Now when the pacha heard that the
+fleet had returned, his heart misgave him, and the more so, as Mustapha
+was more obsequious and fawning than ever. He retired for a short time
+from the divan, and hastened to his favourite, Fatima.
+
+"Pacha," said she, "the fleet has arrived, and Mustapha has already
+communicated with the renegade. Depend upon it you are lost, if you do
+not forestall them. Lose no time. But stop," said she, "do not alarm the
+renegade by violence to Mustapha. To-morrow the fleet will anchor, and
+if there is mischief, it will not arrive until to-morrow--but this
+evening, you will as usual send for coffee, while you smoke and listen
+to the tales which you delight in. Drink not your coffee, for there
+shall be death in it. Be all smiles and good-humour, and leave me to
+manage the rest."
+
+The pacha smoothed his brow and returned to the divan. Business
+proceeded as usual, and at length the audience was closed. The pacha
+appeared to be in high good-humour, and so was the vizier.
+
+"Surely," said Mustapha, when the pipes were brought, "his imperial
+highness, the sultan will have sent you some mark of his distinguished
+favour."
+
+"God is great, and the sultan is wise," replied the pacha. "I have been
+thinking so too, Mustapha. Who knows but that he may add to the
+territory under my sway by another pachalik?"
+
+"I dreamt as much," replied Mustapha, "and I am anxious that the
+renegade should come on shore; but it is now dark, and he will not leave
+his vessel."
+
+"We must drive away the mists of suspense by the sunbeams of hope,"
+replied the pacha. "What am I but the sultan's slave? Shall we not
+indulge this evening in the water of the Giaour?"
+
+"What saith Hafiz? It is for wine to exalt men, and raise them beyond
+uncertainty and doubt. It overfloweth us with courage, and imparts
+visions of bliss."
+
+"Wallah Thaib, it is well said, Mustapha," said the pacha, taking a cup
+of coffee, presented by the Greek slave. Mustapha also received his cup.
+"My heart is light this evening," said the pacha, laying down his pipe,
+"let us drink deep of the forbidden juice. Where is it, Mustapha?"
+
+"It is here," replied the vizier, drinking off his coffee; while the
+pacha watched him from the corner of his small grey eye. And Mustapha
+produced the spirits, which were behind the low ottoman upon which he
+was seated.
+
+The pacha put aside his coffee, and drank a large draught. "God is
+great; drink, Mustapha," said he, handing him the bottle.
+
+Mustapha followed the example of the pacha. "May it please your
+highness," said Mustapha, "I have without a man, who they say hath
+stories to recount more delightful than those of Menouni. Hearing that
+he passed through this city, I have detained him, that he might afford
+amusement to your highness, whose slave I am. Is it your pleasure that
+he be admitted?"
+
+"Let it be so," replied the pacha.
+
+Mustapha gave the sign, and to the surprise of the pacha, in came the
+renegade, commander of the fleet, accompanied by guards and the
+well-known officer of the caliph, the _Capidji Bachi_, who held up a
+firman to his forehead.
+
+The pacha turned pale, for he knew that his hour was come. "Bismillah!
+In the name of the Most High, O officer, whom seekest thou?" exclaimed
+the pacha, with emotion.
+
+"The sultan, the Lord of Life, has sent this to you, O pacha! as a proof
+of his indulgence and great mercy." And the Capidji Bachi produced a
+silken bowstring, and at the same time he handed the fatal scroll to the
+pacha.
+
+"Mustapha," whispered the pacha, "while I read this, collect my guards;
+I will resist. I fear not the sultan at this distance, and I can soften
+him with presents."
+
+But Mustapha had no such fellow-feeling. "O pacha!" replied he, "who can
+dispute the will of heaven's vicegerent? There is but one God, and
+Mahomet is his Prophet."
+
+"I will dispute it," exclaimed the pacha. "Go out and call my trustiest
+guards."
+
+Mustapha left the divan, and returned with the mutes and some of the
+guards, who had been suborned by himself.
+
+"Traitor!" exclaimed the pacha.
+
+"La Allah, il Allah! there is but one God," said Mustapha.
+
+The pacha saw that he was sacrificed. He read the firman, pressed it to
+his forehead, in token of obedience, and prepared for death. The Capidji
+Bachi produced another firman, and presented it to Mustapha. It was to
+raise him to the pachalik.
+
+"Barik Allah! praise be to God for all things," humbly observed
+Mustapha. "What am I but the sultan's slave, and to execute his orders?
+On my head be it!"
+
+Mustapha gave the sign, and the mutes seized the unfortunate pacha.
+
+"There is but one God, and Mahomet is his Prophet," said the pacha.
+"Mustapha," continued he, turning round to him with a sardonic smile,
+"may your shadow never be less--but you have swallowed the coffee."
+
+The mutes tightened the string. In a minute a cloak was thrown over the
+body of the pacha.
+
+"The coffee," muttered Mustapha, as he heard the pacha's last words. "I
+thought it had a taste. Now he's sent to Jehanum for his treachery." And
+all the visions of power and grandeur, which had filled the mind of the
+new pacha, were absorbed by fear and dismay.
+
+The Capidji Bachi, having performed his duty, withdrew. "And now,"
+exclaimed the renegade, "let me have my promised reward."
+
+"Your reward--true. I had forgotten," replied Mustapha, as the pain
+occasioned by the working of the poison distorted his face. "Yes, I had
+forgotten," continued Mustapha, who, certain that his own end was
+approaching, was furious as a wild beast, with pain and baffled
+ambition. "Yes, I had forgotten. Guards, seize the renegade."
+
+"They must be quicker than you think for," replied Huckaback, darting
+from the guards and drawing his scimitar, while, with his fingers in his
+mouth, he gave a shrill whistle. In rushed a large body of soldiers and
+sailors of the fleet, and the guards were disarmed. "Now, pacha of one
+hour old, what sayest thou?"
+
+"It is my destiny," replied Mustapha, rolling on the floor in agony.
+"There is but one God, and Mahomet is his Prophet." And Mustapha
+expired.
+
+"The old fool has saved me some trouble," observed the renegade. "Take
+away these carcases, and proclaim Ali as the new pacha."
+
+Thus perished the two barbers, and thus did Huckaback, under the name of
+Ali, reign in their stead. But his reign, and how long it lasted, is one
+of the many tales not handed down to posterity.
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13673 ***
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #13673 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/13673)
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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Pacha of Many Tales, by Captain Frederick
+Marryat
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: The Pacha of Many Tales
+
+Author: Captain Frederick Marryat
+
+Release Date: October 7, 2004  [eBook #13673]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PACHA OF MANY TALES***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Ted Garvin, Project Gutenberg Beginners Projects, and
+the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team
+
+
+
+THE PACHA OF MANY TALES
+
+by
+
+CAPTAIN MARRYAT
+
+
+
+
+
+List of Tales
+
+
+Story of the Camel-Driver
+Story of the Greek Slave
+Story of the Monk
+Story of the Monk (continued)
+Huckaback
+Manuscript of the Monk
+Third Voyage of Huckaback
+Fourth Voyage of Huckaback
+Fifth Voyage of Huckaback
+Sixth Voyage of Huckaback
+The Last Voyage of Huckaback
+The Scarred Lover
+The Story of Hudusi
+Tale of the English Sailor
+The Water-Carrier
+The Wondrous Tale of Han
+Story of the Old Woman
+
+
+
+
+Prefatory Note
+
+
+The Pacha of Many Tales, as indeed its title suggests, is constructed in
+direct imitation of the _Arabian Nights_. A Pacha of olden days,
+enchanted by the stories of Schezehezerade, becomes emulous of the great
+Haroun, and determines to procure his own stock of entertainment. By the
+assistance of a wily barber-vizier he succeeds in the attempt, and
+listens with greedy credulity to the marvellous histories herein set
+forth.
+
+On one occasion an English sailor is dragged into the august presence,
+and demands, with all the dogged independence of his race, the reasons
+for such treatment.
+
+"You must tell lies, and you will have gold," replies the vizier.
+
+"Tell lies," says Jack Tar, "that is, spin yarns. Well, I can do that."
+
+The volume before us could not be more suggestively described. It is a
+collection of admirable short stories of intrigue and adventure,
+traveller's wonders narrated with a perfect air of good faith and no
+regard for truth or probability. All the countries on the globe, and
+many existing only in the imagination, are called into requisition to
+produce a brilliant phantasmagoria of manners and customs. The stories
+move rapidly and defy criticism by the very occasion of their being,
+invented to amuse and astonish a jaded autocrat.
+
+Hence we feel no shock in reading of an island where the commonest
+utensils are made of gold, a nursery of whales, five months in the
+interior of an iceberg, or a journey among the clouds during a
+thunderstorm. The demand for brevity strengthens Marryat's style, and
+saves him from padding. He is very happy in contriving expediences, and
+evinces considerable wit in the conception, for instance, of Yussuf the
+water-carrier. Some of the stories, again, are really dramatic, and the
+"Second Voyage of Huckaback" (p. 126) reaches a height of weird horror
+that recalls, without paling before the thought, certain passages in
+_The Ancient Mariner_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_The Pacha of Many Tales_ was first published in _The Metropolitan
+Magazine_, 1831-1835. During its appearance Marryat printed in the same
+magazine (in 1833) a drama, _The Monk of Seville_, of which the plot is
+almost exactly identical with _The Story of the Monk_ (p. 44). "Port
+Royal Tom," the shark, and his Government pension, also appear in _Jacob
+Faithful_, Chap. XXV.
+
+_The Pacha of Many Tales_ is here printed, with a few corrections, from
+the second edition in 3 vols. A.K. Newman & Co., 1844.
+
+R.B.J
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Chapter I
+
+
+Every one acquainted with the manners and customs of the East must be
+aware, that there is no situation of eminence more unstable, or more
+dangerous to its possessor, than that of a pacha. Nothing, perhaps,
+affords us more convincing proof of the risk which men will incur, to
+obtain a temporary authority over their fellow-creatures, than the
+avidity with which this office is accepted from the sultan; who, within
+the memory of the new occupant, has consigned scores of his predecessors
+to the bowstring. It would almost appear, as if the despot but elevated
+a head from the crowd, that he might obtain a more fair and
+uninterrupted sweep for his scimitar, when he cut it off; only exceeded
+in his peculiar taste by the king of Dahomy, who is said to ornament the
+steps of his palace with heads, fresh severed, each returning sun, as we
+renew the decoration of our apartments from our gay parterres. I make
+these observations, that I may not be accused of a disregard to
+chronology, in not precisely stating the year, or rather the months,
+during which flourished one of a race, who, like the flowers of the
+Cistus, one morning in all their splendour, on the next, are strewed
+lifeless on the ground to make room for their successors. Speaking of
+such ephemeral creations, it will be quite sufficient to say, "There
+_was_ a Pacha."
+
+Would you inquire by what means he was raised to the distinction? It is
+an idle question. In this world, preeminence over your fellow-creatures
+can only be obtained, by leaving others far behind in the career of
+virtue or of vice. In compliance with the dispositions of those who
+rule, faithful service in the one path or the other will shower honour
+upon the subject, and by the breath of kings he becomes ennobled to look
+down upon his former equals.
+
+And as the world spins round, the _why_ is of little moment. The honours
+are bequeathed, but not the good, or the evil deeds, or the talents by
+which they were obtained. In the latter, we have but a life interest,
+for the entail is cut off by death. Aristocracy in all its varieties is
+as necessary, for the well binding of society, as the divers grades
+between the general and the common soldier are essential in the field.
+Never then inquire, why this or that man has been raised above his
+fellows; but, each night as you retire to bed, thank Heaven that you are
+not _a King_.
+
+And if I may digress, there is one badge of honour in our country, which
+I never contemplate without serious reflection rising in my mind. It is
+the _bloody_ hand in the dexter chief of a baronet,--now often worn, I
+grant, by those who, perhaps, during their whole lives have never raised
+their hands in anger. But my thoughts have returned to days of yore--the
+iron days of _ironed men_, when it _was_ the symbol of faithful service
+in the field--when it really was bestowed upon the "hand embrued in
+blood;" and I have meditated, whether that hand, displayed with
+exultation in this world, may not be held up trembling in the next--in
+judgment against itself.
+
+And I, whose memory stepping from one legal murder to another, can walk
+dry-footed over the broad space of five-and-twenty years of time,--but
+the "damned spots" won't come out--so I'll put my hands in my pockets
+and walk on.
+
+Conscience, fortunately or unfortunately, I hardly can tell which,
+permits us to form political and religious creeds, most suited to
+disguise or palliate our sins. Mine is a military conscience, and I
+agree with Bates and Williams, who flourished in the time of Henry V.,
+that it is "all upon the King:" that is to say, it was all upon the
+king; and now our constitution has become so incomparably perfect, that
+"the king can do no wrong;" and he has no difficulty in finding
+ministers, who voluntarily impignorating themselves for all his actions
+in this world, will, in all probability, not escape from the clutches of
+the great _Pawnbroker_ in the next--from which facts I draw the
+following conclusions:--
+
+1st. That his Majesty (God bless him!) will go to heaven.
+
+2ndly. That his Majesty's ministers will all go to the devil.
+
+3rdly. That I shall go------on with my story.
+
+As, however, a knowledge of the previous history of our pacha will be
+necessary to the development of our story, the reader will in this
+instance be indulged. He had been brought up to the profession of a
+barber; but, possessing great personal courage, he headed a popular
+commotion in favour of his predecessor, and was rewarded by a post of
+some importance in the army. Successful in detached service, while his
+general was unfortunate in the field, he was instructed to take off the
+head of his commander, and head the troops in his stead; both of which
+services he performed with equal skill and celerity. Success attended
+him, and the pacha, his predecessor, having in his opinion, as well as
+in that of the sultan, remained an unusual time in office, by an
+accusation enforced by a thousand purses of gold, he was enabled to
+produce a bowstring for his benefactor; and the sultan's "firman"
+appointed him to the vacant pachalik. His qualifications for office were
+all superlative: he was very short, very corpulent, very illiterate,
+very irascible, and very stupid.
+
+On the morning after his investment, he was under the hands of his
+barber, a shrewd intelligent Greek, Mustapha by name. Barbers are
+privileged persons for many reasons: running from one employer to
+another to obtain their livelihood, they also obtain matter for
+conversation, which, impertinent as it may sometimes be, serves to
+beguile the tedium of an operation which precludes the use of any organ
+except the ear. Moreover, we are inclined to be on good terms with a
+man, who has it in his power to cut our throats whenever he pleases--to
+wind up, the personal liberties arising from his profession, render all
+others trifling; for the man who takes his sovereign by the nose, cannot
+well after that be denied the liberty of speech.
+
+Mustapha was a Greek by birth, and inherited all the intelligence and
+adroitness of his race. He had been brought up to his profession when a
+slave; but at the age of nineteen, he accompanied his master on board of
+a merchant vessel bound to Scio; this vessel was taken by a pirate, and
+Demetrius (for such was his real name) joined this band of miscreants,
+and very faithfully served his apprenticeship to cutting throats, until
+the vessel was captured by an English frigate. Being an active,
+intelligent person, he was, at his own request, allowed to remain on
+board as one of the ship's company, assisted in several actions, and
+after three years went to England, where the ship was paid off. For some
+time, Demetrius tried to make his fortune, but without success, and it
+was not until he was reduced to nearly his last shilling, that he
+commenced the trade of hawking rhubarb about in a box: which speculation
+turned so profitable, that he was enabled in a short time to take his
+passage in a vessel bound to Smyrna, his own country. This vessel was
+captured by a French privateer; he was landed, and, not being considered
+as a prisoner, allowed to act as he thought proper. In a short time he
+obtained the situation of valet and barber to a "millionaire," whom he
+contrived to rob of a few hundred Napoleons, and with them to make his
+escape to his own country. Demetrius had now some knowledge of the
+world, and he felt it necessary that he should become a True Believer,
+as there would be more chance of his advancement in a Turkish country.
+He dismissed the patriarch to the devil, and took up the turban and
+Mahomet; then quitting the scene of his apostasy, recommenced his
+profession of barber in the territory of the pacha; whose good-will he
+had obtained previous to the latter's advancement to the pachalik.
+
+"Mustapha," observed the pacha, "thou knowest that I have taken off the
+heads of all those who left their slippers at the door of the late
+pacha."
+
+"Allah Kebur! God is most powerful! So perish the enemies of your
+sublime highness. Were they not the sons of Shitan?" replied Mustapha.
+
+"Very true; but, Mustapha, the consequence is that I am in want of a
+vizier; and whom do I know equal to that office?"
+
+"While your sublime highness is pacha, is not a child equal to the
+office? Who stumbles, when guided by unerring wisdom?"
+
+"I know that very well," replied the pacha; "but if I am always to
+direct him, I might as well be vizier myself; besides, I shall have no
+one to blame, if affairs go wrong with the Sultan. Inshallah! please the
+Lord, the vizier's head may sometimes save my own."
+
+"Are we not as dogs before you?" replied Mustapha: "happy the man, who,
+by offering his own head may preserve that of your sublime highness! It
+ought to be the proudest day of his life."
+
+"At all events it would be the last," rejoined the pacha.
+
+"May it please your sublime highness," observed Mustapha, after a pause,
+"if your slave may be so honoured as to speak in your presence, a vizier
+should be a person of great tact; he should be able to draw the line as
+nicely as I do when I shave your sublime head, leaving not a vestige of
+the hair, yet entering not upon the skin."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha."
+
+"He should have a sharp eye for the disaffected to the government,
+selecting them and removing them from among the crowd, as I do the few
+white hairs which presume to make their appearance in your sublime and
+magnificent beard."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha."
+
+"He should carefully remove all impurities from the state, as I have
+this morning from your sublime ears."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha."
+
+"He should be well acquainted with the secret springs of action, as I
+have proved myself to be in the shampooing which your sublime highness
+has just received."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha."
+
+"Moreover, he should be ever grateful to your highness for the
+distinguished honour conferred upon him."
+
+"All that you say is very true, Mustapha, but where am I to meet with
+such a man?"
+
+"This world is convenient in some points," continued Mustapha; "if you
+want either a fool or a knave, you have not far to go to find them; but
+it is no easy task to select the person you require. I know but one."
+
+"And who is he?"
+
+"One whose head is but as your footstool," answered the barber,
+prostrating himself,--"your sublime highness's most devoted slave,
+Mustapha."
+
+"Holy Prophet! Then you mean yourself!--Well, now I think of it, if one
+barber can become a pacha, I do not see why another would not make a
+vizier. But then what am I to do for a barber? No, no, Mustapha; a good
+vizier is easy to be found, but a good barber, you know as well as I do,
+requires some talent."
+
+"Your slave is aware of that," replied Mustapha, "but he has travelled
+in other countries, where it is no uncommon circumstance for men to hold
+more than one office under government; sometimes much more incompatible
+than those of barber and vizier, which are indeed closely connected. The
+affairs of most nations are settled by the potentates during their
+toilet. While I am shaving the head of your sublime highness, I can
+receive your commands to take off the heads of others; and you can have
+your person and your state both put in order at the same moment."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha; then, on condition that you continue your office
+of barber, I have no objection to throw that of vizier into the
+bargain."
+
+Mustapha again prostrated himself, with his tweezers in his hand. He
+then rose, and continued his office.
+
+"You can write, Mustapha," observed the pacha, after a short silence.
+
+"Min Allah! God forbid that I should acknowledge it, or I should
+consider myself as unfit to assume the office in which your sublime
+highness has invested me."
+
+"Although unnecessary for me, I thought it might be requisite for a
+vizier," observed the pacha.
+
+"Reading may be necessary, I will allow," replied Mustapha; "but I trust
+I can soon prove to your highness that writing is as dangerous as it is
+useless. More men have been ruined by that unfortunate acquirement, than
+by any other; and dangerous as it is to all, it is still more dangerous
+to men in high power. For instance, your sublime highness sends a
+message in writing, which is ill-received, and it is produced against
+you; but had it been a verbal message, you could deny it, and bastinado
+to death the Tartar who carried it, as a proof of your sincerity.
+
+"Very true, Mustapha."
+
+"The grandfather of your slave," continued the barber-vizier, "held the
+situation of receiver-general at the custom-house; and he was always in
+a fury when he was obliged to take up the pen. It was his creed, that no
+government could prosper when writing was in general use. 'Observe,
+Mustapha,' said he to me one day, 'here is the curse of writing,--for
+all the money which is paid in, I am obliged to give a receipt. What is
+the consequence? that government loses many thousand sequins every year;
+for when I apply to them for a second payment, they produce their
+receipt. Now if it had not been for this cursed invention of writing,
+Inshallah! they should have paid twice, if not thrice over. Remember,
+Mustapha,' continued he, 'that reading and writing only clog the wheels
+of government.'"
+
+"Very true, Mustapha," observed the pacha, "then we will have no
+writing."
+
+"Yes, your sublime highness, every thing in writing from others, but
+nothing in writing from ourselves. I have a young Greek slave, who can
+be employed in these matters. He reads well. I have lately employed him
+in reading to me the stories of 'Thousand and one Nights.'"
+
+"Stories," cried the pacha; "what are they about? I never heard of them;
+I'm very fond of stories."
+
+"If it would pleasure your sublime highness to hear these stories read,
+the slave will wait your commands," replied the vizier.
+
+"Bring him this evening, Mustapha; we will smoke a pipe, and listen to
+them; I'm very fond of stories--they always send me to sleep."
+
+The business of the day was transacted with admirable precision and
+despatch by the two quondam barbers, who proved how easy it is to
+govern, where there are not "three estates" to confuse people. They sat
+in the divan as highwaymen loiter on the road, and it was "Your money or
+your life" to all who made their appearance.
+
+At the usual hour the court broke up, the guards retired, the money was
+carried to the treasury, the executioner wiped his sword, and the lives
+of the pacha's subjects were considered to be in a state of comparative
+security, until the affairs of the country were again brought under
+their cognizance on the ensuing day.
+
+In obedience to the wish expressed by the pacha, Mustapha made his
+appearance in the afternoon with the young Greek slave. The new vizier
+having taken a seat upon a cushion at the feet of the pacha, the pipes
+were lighted, and the slave was directed to proceed.
+
+The Greek had arrived to the end of the First Night, in which
+Schezehezerade commences her story, and the Sultan, who was anxious to
+hear the termination of it, defers her execution to the following day.
+
+"Stop," cried the pacha, taking the pipe from his lips; "how long
+before the break of day did that girl call her sister?"
+
+"About half an hour, your sublime highness."
+
+"Wallah! is that all she could tell of her story in half an
+hour?--There's not a woman in my harem who would not say as much in five
+minutes."
+
+The pacha was so amused with the stories, that he never once felt
+inclined to sleep; on the contrary, the Greek slave was compelled to
+read every afternoon, until his legs were so tired that he could hardly
+stand, and his tongue almost refused its office; consequently, they were
+soon finished; and Mustapha not being able to procure any more, they
+were read a second time. After which the pacha, who felt the loss of his
+evening's amusement, became first puzzled how to pass away his time;
+then he changed to hypochondriacism, and finally became so irritable,
+that even Mustapha himself, at times, approached him with some degree of
+awe.
+
+"I have been thinking," observed the pacha, one morning, when under the
+hands of Mustapha, in his original capacity, "that it would be as easy
+for me to have stories told me, as the caliph in the Arabian Nights."
+
+"I wonder not that your highness should desire it. Those stories are as
+the opium to Theriarkis, filling the soul with visions of delight at the
+moment, but leaving it palsied from over-excitement, when their effect
+has passed away. How does your sublime highness propose to obtain your
+end; and in what manner can your slave assist to produce your wishes?"
+
+"I shall manage it without assistance; come this evening and you shall
+see, Mustapha."
+
+Mustapha made his appearance in the afternoon, and the pacha smoked his
+pipe for some time, and appeared as if communing with himself; he then
+laid it down, and clapping his hands, desired one of the slaves to
+inform his favourite lady, Zeinab, that he desired her presence.
+
+Zeinab entered with her veil down. "Your slave attends the pleasure of
+her lord."
+
+"Zeinab," said the pacha, "do you love me?"
+
+"Do not I worship the dust that my lord treads on?"
+
+"Very true--then I have a favour to request--observe, Zeinab--it is my
+wish that"--(here the pacha took a few whiffs from his pipe--) "The fact
+is--I wish you to dishonour my harem as soon as possible."
+
+"Wallah sel Nebi!!--by Allah and the Prophet! your highness is in a
+merry humour this evening," replied Zeinab, turning round to quit the
+apartment.
+
+"On the contrary, I am in a serious humour; I mean what I have said; and
+I expect that you will comply with my wishes."
+
+"Is my lord mad? or has he indulged too freely in the juice of the grape
+forbidden by our prophet? Allah Kebur! God is most powerful--The Hakim
+must be sent for."
+
+"Will you do as I order you?" said the pacha, angrily.
+
+"Does my lord send for his slave to insult her! My blood is as water, at
+the dreadful thought!--Dishonour the harem!--Min Allah! God
+forbid!--Would not the eunuch be ready and the sack?"
+
+"Yes, they would, I acknowledge; but still it must be done."
+
+"It shall not be done," replied the lady:--"Has my lord been visited by
+heaven? or is he possessed by the Shitan?"--And the lady burst into
+tears of rage and vexation as she quitted the apartment.
+
+"There's obstinacy for you--women are nothing but opposition. If you
+wish them to be faithful, they try day and night to deceive you; give
+them their desires and tell them to be false, they will refuse. All was
+arranged so well, I should have cut off all their heads, and had a fresh
+wife every night until I found one who could tell stories; then I should
+have rose up and deferred her execution to the following day."
+
+Mustapha, who had been laughing in his sleeve at the strange idea of
+the pacha, was nevertheless not a little alarmed. He perceived that the
+mania had such complete possession, that, unless appeased, the results
+might prove unpleasant even to himself. It occurred to him, that a
+course might be pursued to gratify the pacha's wishes, without
+proceeding to such violent measures. Waiting a little while until the
+colour, which had suffused the pacha's face from anger and
+disappointment, had subsided, he addressed him:
+
+"The plan of your sublime highness was such as was to be expected from
+the immensity of your wisdom; but hath not the prophet warned us, that
+the wisest of men are too often thwarted by the folly and obstinacy of
+the other sex. May your slave venture to observe, that many very fine
+stories were obtained by the caliph Haroun, and his vizier Mesrour, as
+they walked through the city in disguise. In all probability a similar
+result might be produced, if your highness were to take the same step,
+accompanied by the lowest of your slaves, Mustapha."
+
+"Very true," replied the pacha, delighted at the prospect, "prepare two
+disguises, and we will set off in less than an hour--Inshallah, please
+the Lord, we have at last hit upon the right path."
+
+Mustapha, who was glad to direct the ideas of the pacha into a more
+harmless channel, procured the dresses of two merchants, (for such, he
+observed, were the usual habiliments put on by the caliph and his vizier
+in the Arabian Nights), and he was aware that his master's vanity would
+be gratified at the idea of imitating so celebrated a personage.
+
+It was dusk when they set off upon their adventures. Mustapha directed
+some slaves well armed to follow at a distance, in case their assistance
+might be required. The strict orders which had been issued on the
+accession of the new pacha (to prevent any riot or popular commotion),
+which were enforced by constant rounds of the soldiers on guard,
+occasioned the streets to be quite deserted.
+
+For some time the pacha and Mustapha walked up one street and down
+another, without meeting with anything or any body that could administer
+to their wishes. The former, who had not lately been accustomed to
+pedestrian exercise, began to puff and show symptoms of weariness and
+disappointment, when at the corner of a street they fell in with two
+men, who were seated in conversation; and as they approached softly, one
+of them said to the other, "I tell you, Coja, that happy is the man who
+can always command a hard crust like this, which is now wearing away my
+teeth."
+
+"I must know the reason of that remark," said the pacha; "Mesrour
+(Mustapha, I mean), you will bring that man to me to-morrow, after the
+divan is closed."
+
+Mustapha bowed in acquiescence, and directing the slaves who were in
+attendance to take the man into custody, followed the pacha, who,
+fatigued with his unusual excursion, and satisfied with the prospect of
+success, now directed his steps to the palace and retired to bed.
+Zeinab, who had lain awake until her eyes could remain open no longer,
+with the intention of reading him a lecture upon decency and sobriety,
+had at last fallen asleep, and the tired pacha was therefore permitted
+to do the same.
+
+When Mustapha arrived at his own abode, he desired that the person who
+had been detained should be brought to him.
+
+"My good man," said the vizier, "you made an observation this evening
+which was overheard by his highness the pacha, who wishes to be
+acquainted with your reasons for stating 'that happy was the man who
+could at all times command a hard crust, like that which was wearing
+away your teeth.'"
+
+The man fell down on his knees in trepidation. "I do declare to your
+highness, by the camel of the Holy Prophet," said he, in a faltering
+voice, "that I neither meant treason, nor disaffection to the
+government."
+
+"Slave! I am not quite sure of that," replied Mustapha, with a stern
+look, in hopes of frightening the man into a compliance with his
+wishes--"there was something very enigmatical in those words. Your
+'_hard crust_' may mean his sublime highness the pacha; 'wearing away
+your teeth' may imply exactions from the government; and as you affirmed
+that he was happy who could _command_ the hard crust--why it is as much
+as to say that you would be very glad to create a rebellion."
+
+"Holy Prophet! May the soul of your slave never enter the first heaven,"
+replied the man, "if he meant anything more than what he said; and if
+your highness had been as often without a mouthful of bread as your
+slave has been, you would agree with him in the justice of the remark."
+
+"It is of little consequence whether I agree with you or not," replied
+the vizier; "I have only to tell you that his sublime highness the pacha
+will not be satisfied, unless you explain away the remark, by relating
+to him some story connected with the observation."
+
+"Min Allah! God forbid that your slave should tell a story to deceive
+his highness."
+
+"The Lord have mercy upon you if you do not," replied the vizier; "but,
+to be brief, if you can invent a good and interesting story, you will
+remove the suspicions of the pacha, and probably be rewarded with a few
+pieces of gold; if you cannot, you must prepare for the bastinado, if
+not for death. You will not be required to appear in the sublime
+presence before to-morrow afternoon, and will therefore have plenty of
+time to invent one."
+
+"Will your highness permit your slave to go home and consult his wife?
+Women have a great talent for storytelling. With her assistance he may
+be able to comply with your injunctions."
+
+"No," replied Mustapha, "you must remain in custody; but, as on this
+occasion she may be of the greatest assistance to you, you may send for
+her. They have indeed a talent! As the young crocodile, from instinct,
+runs into the Nile as soon as it bursts its shell, so does woman, from
+her nature, plunge into deceit, before even her tongue can give
+utterance to the lies which her fertile imagination has already
+conceived."
+
+And with this handsome compliment to the sex, Mustapha gave his final
+orders and retired.
+
+Whether the unfortunate man, thus accused of treason, derived any
+benefit from being permitted to "retain counsel," will be shown by the
+following story, which he told to the pacha when summoned on the ensuing
+day.
+
+
+
+STORY OF THE CAMEL-DRIVER.
+
+That your highness should wish for an explanation of the very doubtful
+language which you overheard last night, I am not surprised; but I trust
+you will acknowledge, when I have finished my narrative, that I was
+fully justified in the expressions which I made use of. I am by birth
+(as my dress denotes) a Fellah of this country, but I was not always so
+poor as I am now. My father was the possessor of many camels, which he
+let out for hire to the merchants of the different caravans which
+annually leave this city. When he died, I came into possession of his
+property, and the good-will of those whom he had most faithfully served.
+The consequence was, that I had full employ, my camels were always
+engaged, and, as I invariably accompanied them that they might not be
+ill-treated, I have several times been to Mecca, as this ragged green
+turban will testify. My life was one of alternate difficulty and
+enjoyment. I returned to my wife and children with delight after my
+journeys of suffering and privation, and fully appreciated the value of
+my home from the short time that my occupation would permit me to remain
+there. I worked hard and became rich.
+
+It was during a painful march through the Desert with one of the
+caravans, that a favourite she-camel foaled. At first it was my
+intention to leave the young one to its fate, as my camels had already
+suffered much; but, on examination, the creature showed such strength
+and symmetry that I resolved to bring it up. I therefore divided half of
+one of the loads between the other camels, and tied the foal upon the
+one which I had partly relieved for the purpose. We arrived safely at
+Cairo; and, as the little animal grew up, I had more than ever reason to
+be satisfied that I had saved its life. All good judges considered it a
+prodigy of beauty and strength, and prophesied that it would some day be
+selected as the holy camel, to carry the Koran in the pilgrimage to
+Mecca. And so it did happen about five years afterwards, during which
+interval I accompanied the caravans as before, and each year added to my
+wealth.
+
+My camel had by this time arrived to his full perfection; he stood
+nearly three feet higher than any other; and, when the caravan was
+preparing, I led him to the sheiks, and offered him as a candidate for
+the honour. They would have accepted him immediately, had it not been
+for a Maribout, who, for some reason or another, desired them not to
+employ him, asserting that the caravan would be unlucky if my camel was
+the bearer of the holy Koran.
+
+As this man was considered to be a prophet, the sheiks were afraid, and
+would not give a decided answer. Irritated at the Maribout's
+interference, I reviled him; he raised a hue and cry against me; and,
+being joined by the populace, I was nearly killed. As I hastened away,
+the wretch threw some sand after me, crying out, "Thus shall the caravan
+perish from the judgment of heaven, if that cursed camel is permitted to
+carry the holy word of the prophet." The consequence was, that an
+inferior camel was selected, and I was disappointed. But on the ensuing
+year the Maribout was not at Cairo; and, as there was no animal equal to
+mine in beauty, it was chosen by the sheiks without a dissentient voice.
+
+I hastened home to my wife, overjoyed with my good fortune, which I
+hoped would bring a blessing upon my house. She was equally delighted,
+and my beautiful camel seemed also to be aware of the honour to which he
+was destined, as he repaid our caresses, curving and twisting his long
+neck, and laying his head upon our shoulders.
+
+The caravan assembled: it was one of the largest which for many years
+had quitted Cairo, amounting in all to eighteen thousand camels. You may
+imagine my pride when, as the procession passed through the streets, I
+pointed out to my wife the splendid animal, with his bridle studded with
+jewels and gold, led by the holy sheiks in their green robes, carrying
+on his back the chest which contained the law of our prophet, looking
+proudly on each side of him as he walked along, accompanied by bands of
+music, and the loud chorus of the singing men and women.
+
+As on the ensuing day the caravan was to form outside of the town, I
+returned home to my family, that I might have the last of their company,
+having left my other camels, who were hired by the pilgrims, in charge
+of an assistant who accompanied me in my journeys. The next morning I
+bade adieu to my wife and children; and was quitting the house, when my
+youngest child, who was about two years old, called to me, and begged me
+to return one moment, and give her a farewell caress. As I lifted her in
+my arms, she, as usual, put her hand into the pocket of my loose jacket
+to search, as I thought, for the fruit that I usually brought home for
+her when I returned from the bazaar; but there was none there: and
+having replaced her in the arms of her mother, I hastened away that I
+might not be too late at my post. Your highness is aware that we do not
+march one following another, as most caravans do, but in one straight
+line abreast. The necessary arrangement occupies the whole day previous
+to the commencement of our journey, which takes place immediately after
+the sun goes down. We set off that evening, and after a march of two
+nights, arrived at Adjeroid, where we remained three days, to procure
+our supplies of water from Suez, and to refresh the animals, previous to
+our forced march over the desert of El Tyh.
+
+The last day of our repose, as I was smoking my pipe, with my camels
+kneeling down around me, I perceived a herie[1] coming from the
+direction of Cairo, at a very swift pace; it passed by me like a flash
+of lightning, but still I had sufficient time to recognise in its rider
+the Maribout who had prophesied evil if my camel was employed to carry
+the Koran on the pilgrimage of the year before.
+
+  [1] A swift dromedary.
+
+The Maribout stopped his dromedary at the tent of the Emir Hadjy, who
+commanded the caravan. Anxious to know the reason of his following us,
+which I had a foreboding was connected with my camel, I hastened to the
+spot. I found him haranguing the Emir and the people who had surrounded
+him, denouncing woe and death to the whole caravan if my camel was not
+immediately destroyed, and another selected in his stead. Having for
+some time declaimed in such an energetic manner as to spread
+consternation throughout the camp, he turned his dromedary again to the
+west, and in a few minutes was out of sight.
+
+The Emir was confused; murmurings and consultations were arising among
+the crowd. I was afraid that they would listen to the suggestions of the
+Maribout; and, alarmed for my camel, and the loss of the honour
+conferred upon him, I was guilty of a lie.
+
+"O! Emir," said I, "listen not to that man who is mine enemy: he came to
+my house, he ate of my bread, and would have been guilty of the basest
+ingratitude by seducing the mother of my children; I drove him from my
+door, and thus would he revenge himself. So may it fare with me, and
+with the caravan, as I speak the truth."
+
+I was believed; the injunctions of the Maribout were disregarded, and
+that night we proceeded on our march through the plains of El Tyh.
+
+As your highness has never yet made a pilgrimage, you can have no
+conception of the country which we had to pass through: it was one vast
+region of sand, where the tracks of those who pass over it are
+obliterated by the wind,--a vast sea without water,--an expanse of
+desolation. We plunged into the desert; and as the enormous collection
+of animals, extending as far as the eye could reach, held their
+noiseless way, it seemed as if it were the passing by of shadows.
+
+We met with no accident, notwithstanding the prophecies of the Maribout;
+and, after a fatiguing march of seven nights, arrived safely at Nakhel,
+where we replenished our exhausted water-skins. Those whom I knew joked
+with me, when we met at the wells, at the false prophecies of my enemy.
+We had now three days of severe fatigue to encounter before we arrived
+at the castle of Akaba, and we recommenced our painful journey.
+
+It was on the morning of the second day, about an hour after we had
+pitched out tents, that the fatal prophecy of the Maribout, and the
+judgment of Allah upon me, for the lie which I had called on him to
+witness, was fulfilled.
+
+A dark cloud appeared upon the horizon; it gradually increased, changing
+to a bright yellow; then rose and rose until it had covered one-half of
+the firmament, when it suddenly burst upon us in a hurricane which
+carried every thing before it, cutting off mountains of sand at the
+base, and hurling them upon our devoted heads. The splendid tent of the
+Emir which first submitted to the blast, passed close to me, flying
+along with the velocity of the herie, while every other was either
+levelled to the ground or carried up into the air, and whirled about in
+mad gyration.
+
+Moving pillars of sand passed over us, overthrowing and suffocating man
+and beast; the camels thrust their muzzles into the ground, and,
+profiting by their instinct, we did the same, awaiting our fate in
+silence and trepidation. But the simoom had not yet poured upon us all
+its horrors: in a few minutes nothing was to be distinguished, all was
+darkness, horrible darkness, rendered more horrible by the ravings of
+dying men, the screams of women, and the mad career of horses and other
+animals, which breaking their cords, trod down thousands in their
+endeavours to escape from the overwhelming fury of the desert storm.
+
+I had laid myself down by one of my camels, and thrusting my head under
+his side, awaited my death with all the horror of one who felt that the
+wrath of heaven was justly poured upon him. For an hour I remained in
+that position, and surely there can be no pains in hell greater than
+those which I suffered during that space of time. The burning sand
+forced itself into my garments, the pores of my skin were closed, I
+hardly ventured to breathe the hot blast which was offered as the only
+means of protracted existence. At last I fetched my respiration with
+greater freedom, and no more heard the howling of the blast. Gradually I
+lifted up my head, but my eyes had lost their power, I could distinguish
+nothing but a yellow glare. I imagined that I was blind, and what chance
+could there be for a man who was blind in the desert of El Tyh? Again I
+laid my head down, thought of my wife and children, and abandoning
+myself to despair, I wept bitterly.
+
+The tears that I shed had a resuscitating effect upon my frame. I felt
+revived, and again lifted up my head--I could see! I prostrated myself
+in humble thanksgiving to Allah, and then rose upon my feet. Yes, I
+could see; but what a sight was presented to my eyes! I could have
+closed them for ever with thankfulness. The sky was again serene, and
+the boundless prospect uninterrupted as before; but the thousands who
+accompanied me, the splendid gathering of men and beasts, where were
+they? Where was the Emir Hadjy and his guards? where the mamelukes, the
+agas, the janissaries, and the holy sheiks? the sacred camel, the
+singers, and musicians? the varieties of nations and tribes who had
+joined the caravan? All perished!! Mountains of sand marked the spots
+where they had been entombed, with no other monuments save here and
+there part of the body of a man or beast not yet covered by the desert
+wave. All, all were gone, save one; and that one, that guilty one, was
+myself, who had been permitted to exist, that he might behold the awful
+mischief which had been created by his presumption and his crime.
+
+For some minutes I contemplated the scene, careless and despairing; for
+I imagined that I had only been permitted to outlive the whole, that my
+death might be even more terrible. But my wife and children rushed to my
+memory, and I resolved for their sakes to save, if possible, a life
+which had no other ties to bind it to this earth. I tore off a piece of
+my turban, and cleansing the sand out of my bleeding nostrils, walked
+over the field of death.
+
+Between the different hillocks I found several camels, which had not
+been covered. Perceiving a water-skin, I rushed to it, that I might
+quench my raging thirst; but the contents had been dried up--not a drop
+remained. I found another, but I had no better success. I then
+determined to open one of the bodies of the camels, and obtain the water
+which it might still have remaining in its stomach. This I effected, and
+having quenched my thirst--to which even the heated element which I
+poured down, seemed delicious--I hastened to open the remainder of the
+animals before putrefaction should take place, and collect the scanty
+supplies in the water-skins. I procured more than half a skin of water,
+and then returned to my own camel, which I had lain down beside of,
+during the simoom. I sat on the body of the animal, and reflected upon
+the best method of proceeding. I knew that I was but one day's journey
+from the springs; but how little chance had I of reaching them! I also
+knew the direction which I must take. The day had nearly closed, and I
+resolved to make the attempt.
+
+As the sun disappeared, I rose, and with the skin of water on my back
+proceeded on my hopeless journey. I walked the whole of that night, and,
+by break of day, I imagined that I must have made about half the
+progress of a caravan; I had, therefore, still a day to pass in the
+desert, without any protection from the consuming heat, and then another
+night of toil. Although I had sufficient water, I had no food. When the
+sun rose, I sat down upon a hillock of burning sand, to be exposed to
+his rays for twelve everlasting hours. Before the hour of noon arrived,
+my brain became heated--I nearly lost my reason. My vision was
+imperfect, or rather I saw what did not exist. At one time lakes of
+water presented themselves to my eager eyes; and so certain was I of
+their existence, that I rose and staggered till I was exhausted in
+pursuit of them. At another, I beheld trees at a distance, and could see
+the acacias waving in the breeze; I hastened to throw myself under their
+shade, and arrived at some small shrub, which had thus been magnified.
+
+So was I tormented and deceived during the whole of that dreadful day,
+which still haunts me in my dreams. At last the night closed in, and the
+stars as they lighted up, warned me that I might continue my journey. I
+drank plentifully from my water-skin, and recommenced my solitary way. I
+followed the track marked out by the bones of camels and horses of
+former caravans which had perished in the desert, and when the day
+dawned, I perceived the castle of Akaba at a short distance. Inspired
+with new life, I threw away the water-skin, redoubled my speed, and in
+half an hour had thrown myself down by the side of the fountain from
+which I had previously imbibed large draughts of the refreshing fluid.
+What happiness was then mine! How heavenly, to lay under the shade,
+breathing the cool air, listening to the warbling of the birds, and
+inhaling the perfume of the flowers, which luxuriated on that delightful
+spot! After an hour I stripped, bathed myself, and, taking another
+draught of water, fell into a sound sleep.
+
+I awoke refreshed, but suffering under the cravings of hunger, which now
+assailed me. I had been three days without food; but hitherto I had not
+felt the want of it, as my more importunate thirst had overcome the
+sensation. Now that the greater evil had been removed, the lesser
+increased and became hourly more imperious. I walked out and scanned the
+horizon with the hopes of some caravan appearing in sight, but I watched
+in vain; and returned to the fountain. Two more days passed away, and no
+relief was at hand: my strength failed me; I felt that I was dying; and,
+as the fountain murmured, and the birds sang, and the cool breeze
+fanned my cheeks, I thought that it would have been better to have been
+swallowed up in the desert than to be tantalised by expiring in such a
+paradise. I laid myself down to die, for I could sit up no more; and as
+I turned round to take a last view of the running water, which had
+prolonged my existence, something hard pressed against my side. I
+thought it was a stone, and stretched out my hand to remove it, that I
+might be at ease in my last moments; but when I felt, there was no stone
+there; it was something in the pocket of my jacket. I put my hand in,
+unconscious what it could be; I pulled it out, and looking at it before
+I threw it away, found that it was a piece of _hard dry bread_. I
+thought that it had been sent to me from heaven, and it was as pure an
+offering as if it had come from thence, for it was the gift of innocence
+and affection--it was the piece of bread which my little darling girl
+had received for her breakfast, and which on my departure she had thrust
+into my pocket, when I imagined she had been searching for fruit. I
+crawled to the spring, moistened it, and devoured it, with tears of
+gratitude to heaven, mingled with the fond yearnings of a father's
+heart.
+
+It saved my life; for the next day a small caravan arrived, which was
+bound to Cairo. The merchants treated me with great kindness, tied me on
+one of the camels, and I once more embraced my family, whom I had never
+thought to see again. Since that I have been poor, but contented--I
+deserved to lose all my property for my wickedness, and I submit with
+resignation to the will of Allah.
+
+And now I trust that your highness will acknowledge that I was justified
+in making use of the expression, that "Happy was the man who could _at
+all times_ command a _crust of bread_!"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Very true," observed the pacha; "that's not a bad story: Mustapha, give
+him five pieces of gold, and allow him to depart."
+
+The camel-driver quitted the divan, prostrating himself before the
+pacha, and overjoyed at the fortunate termination of what had threatened
+so much danger. The pacha was silent for a little while, during which he
+puffed his pipe--when he observed:--
+
+"Allah Kebur, God is most powerful! That man has suffered much--and what
+has he to show for it?--a green turban--He is a Hadjy; I never thought
+that we should have heard so good a story about a 'crust of bread.' His
+description of the simoom parched up my entrails. What think you,
+Mustapha, cannot a true believer go to heaven, without a visit to the
+tomb of the prophet?"
+
+"The holy Koran does not say otherwise, your highness, it inculcates
+that all who can, should do so, as the path will be rendered easier. Min
+Allah! God forbid! Has your highness ever had the time to go to Mecca,
+and is not your highness to go to heaven?"
+
+"Very true, Mustapha, I never had time. In my youth I was busy shaving
+heads, after that, Wallah! I had enough to do, splitting them; and now
+am not I fully occupied in taking them off? Is it not so, Mustapha; are
+not these the words of truth?"
+
+"Your highness is all wisdom. There is but one God, and Mahomet is his
+prophet; and when the latter said, that a visit to the holy shrine would
+be a passport to heaven, it was intended to employ those who were idle,
+not to embarrass true believers who work hard in the name of the Most
+High!"
+
+"Min Allah! God forbid! the case is clear," replied the pacha, "why, if
+every body were to go to Mecca, what then, Mustapha?"
+
+"Your highness--it is the opinion of your slave, if such were to take
+place, that all the fools would have left the country."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha; but my mouth is parched up with the sand of that
+simoom--Sherbet I cannot drink, Rakee I must not, the Hakim has forbid
+it; what must it be then, Mustapha?"
+
+"Hath the holy prophet forbidden wine to true believers in case of
+sickness; is not your highness sick; was the wine of Shiraz given by
+Allah to be thrown away? Allah Karim! God is most merciful; and the wine
+was sent that true believers might, in this world, have a foretaste of
+the pleasures awaiting them in the next."
+
+"Mustapha," replied the pacha, taking his pipe out of his mouth, "by the
+beard of the holy prophet, your words are those of wisdom. Is a pacha to
+be fed on water-melons? Staffir Allah! do we believe the less, because
+we drink the wine? Slave, bring the pitcher. There is but one God, and
+Mahomet is his prophet."
+
+"The words of the prophet, your highness, are plain: he says, 'True
+believers drink no wine,' which means, that his followers are not to go
+about the streets, drunken like the Giaours of Franguistan, who come
+here in their ships. Why is wine forbidden? because it makes men drunk.
+If then we are not drunk, we keep within the law. Why was the law made?
+Laws cannot be made for all; they must therefore be made for the control
+of the majority--Is it not so? Who are the majority? Why the poor. If
+laws were made for the rich and powerful, such laws would not suit the
+community at large. Mashallah! there are no laws for pachas, who have
+only to believe that there is one God and Mahomet is his prophet. Does
+your slave say well?"
+
+"Excellently well, Mustapha," replied the pacha, lifting the pitcher to
+his mouth for a minute, and then passing it to Mustapha.
+
+"Allah Karim! God is most merciful! your slave must drink; is it not the
+pleasure of your highness? As the wine poured down the throat of your
+highness, pervades through your whole frame to the extremities, so does
+your slave participate in your bounty. Do I not sit in your sublime
+presence? Can the sun shine without throwing out heat; therefore if your
+highness drink, must not I drink? Allah Acbar! who shall presume not to
+follow the steps of the pacha?" So saying, Mustapha lifted up the
+pitcher, and, for a minute, it was glued to his lips.
+
+"I think that story should be written down," observed the pacha, after
+a pause of a few moments.
+
+"I have already given directions, your highness, and the Greek slave is
+now employed about it, improving the language to render it more pleasing
+to the ears of your sublime highness, should it be your pleasure to have
+it read to you on some future day."
+
+"That is right, Mustapha, if I recollect well, the Caliph Haroun used to
+command them to be written in letters of gold, and be deposited in the
+archives: we must do the same."
+
+"The art no longer exists, your highness."
+
+"Then we must be content with Indian-ink," replied the pacha, lifting
+the pitcher to his mouth, and emptying it.
+
+"The sun will soon be down, Mustapha, and we must set off."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter II
+
+
+The pacha called for coffee, and in a few minutes, accompanied, as
+before, by Mustapha and the armed slaves, was prowling through the city
+in search of a story-teller. He was again fortunate, as after a walk of
+half an hour, he overheard two men loudly disputing at the door of a
+small wine-shop, frequented by the Greeks and Franks living in the city,
+and into which many a slave might be observed to glide, returning with a
+full pitcher for the evening's amusement of his Turkish master, who, as
+well as his betters, clandestinely violated the precepts of the Koran.
+
+As usual he stopped to listen, when one of the disputants exclaimed--"I
+tell thee, Anselmo, it is the vilest composition that was ever drunk:
+and I think I ought to know, after having distilled the essence of an
+Ethiopian, a Jew, and a Turk."
+
+"I care nothing for your distillations, Charis," replied the other, "I
+consider that I am a better judge than you: I was not a monk of the
+Dominican order for fifteen years, without having ascertained the merit
+of every description of wine."
+
+"I should like to know what that fellow means by _distilling people_,"
+observed the pacha, "and also why a Dominican monk should know wine
+better than others. Mustapha, I must see those two men."
+
+The next morning the men were in attendance, and introduced; when the
+pacha requested an explanation from the first who had spoken. The man
+threw himself down before the pacha, with his head on the floor of the
+divan, and said,--"First promise me, your highness, by the sword of the
+prophet, that no harm shall result to me from complying with your
+request; and then I shall obey you with pleasure."
+
+"Mashallah! what is the Kafir afraid of? What crimes hath he committed,
+that he would have his pardon granted before he tells his story?" said
+the pacha to Mustapha.
+
+"No crime towards your state, your sublime highness; but when in another
+country, I was unfortunate," continued the man--"I cannot tell my story,
+unless your highness will condescend to give your promise."
+
+"May it please your highness," observed Mustapha, "he asserts his crime
+to have been committed in another state. It may be heavy, and I suspect
+'tis murder;--but although we watch the flowers which ornament our
+gardens, and would punish those who cull them, yet we care not who
+intrudes and robs our neighbour--and thus, it appears to me, your
+highness, that it is with states, and sufficient for the ruler of each
+to watch over the lives of his own subjects."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha," rejoined the pacha; "besides, we might lose the
+story. Kafir, you have our promise, and may proceed."
+
+The Greek slave (for such he was) then rose up, and narrated his story
+in the following words.
+
+
+
+STORY OF THE GREEK SLAVE.
+
+I am a Greek by birth; my parents were poor people residing at Smyrna. I
+was an only son, and brought up to my father's profession,--that of a
+cooper. When I was twenty years old, I had buried both my parents, and
+was left to shift for myself. I had been for some time in the employ of
+a Jewish wine-merchant, and I continued there for three years after my
+father's death, when a circumstance occurred which led to my subsequent
+prosperity and present degradation.
+
+At the time that I am speaking of, I had, by strict diligence and
+sobriety, so pleased my employer, that I had risen to be his foreman;
+and although I still superintended and occasionally worked at the
+cooperage, I was intrusted with the drawing off and fining of the wines,
+to prepare them for market. There was an Ethiopian slave, who worked
+under my orders, a powerful, broad-shouldered, and most malignant
+wretch, whom my master found it almost impossible to manage; the
+bastinado, or any other punishment, he derided, and after the
+application only became more sullen and discontented than before. The
+fire that flashed from his eyes, upon any fault being found by me on
+account of his negligence, was so threatening, that I every day expected
+I should be murdered. I repeatedly requested my master to part with him;
+but the Ethiopian being a very powerful man, and able, when he chose, to
+move a pipe of wine without assistance, the avarice of the Jew would not
+permit him to accede to my repeated solicitations.
+
+One morning I entered the cooperage, and found the Ethiopian fast asleep
+by the side of a cask which I had been wanting for some time, and
+expected to have found ready. Afraid to punish him myself, I brought my
+master to witness his conduct. The Jew, enraged at his idleness, struck
+him on the head with one of the staves. The Ethiopian sprang up in a
+rage, but on seeing his master with the stave in his hand, contented
+himself with muttering, "That he would not remain to be beaten in that
+manner," and re-applied himself to his labour. As soon as my master had
+left the cooperage, the Ethiopian vented his anger upon me for having
+informed against him, and seizing the stave, flew at me with the
+intention of beating out my brains. I stepped behind the cask; he
+followed me, and just as I had seized an adze to defend myself, he fell
+over the stool which lay in his way--he was springing up to renew the
+attack, when I struck him a blow with the adze which entered his skull,
+and laid him dead at my feet.
+
+I was very much alarmed at what had occurred; for although I felt
+justified in self-defence, I was aware that my master would be very much
+annoyed at the loss of the slave, and as there were no witnesses, it
+would go hard with me when brought before the cadi. After some
+reflection I determined, as the slave had said "He would not remain to
+be beaten," that I would leave my master to suppose he had run away, and
+in the mean time conceal the body. But to effect this was difficult, as
+I could not take it out of the cooperage without being perceived. After
+some cogitation, I decided upon putting it into the cask, and heading it
+up. It required all my strength to lift the body in, but at last I
+succeeded. Having put in the head of the pipe, I hammered down the hoops
+and rolled it into the store, where I had been waiting to fill it with
+wine for the next year's demand. As soon as it was in its place, I
+pumped off the wine from the vat, and having filled up the cask and put
+in the bung, I felt as if a heavy load had been removed from my mind, as
+there was no chance of immediate discovery.
+
+I had but just completed my task, and was sitting down on one of the
+settles, when my master came in, and inquired for the slave. I replied
+that he had left the cooperage, swearing that he would work no more.
+Afraid of losing him, the Jew hastened to give notice to the
+authorities, that he might be apprehended; but after some time, as
+nothing could be heard of the supposed runaway, it was imagined that he
+had drowned himself in a fit of sullenness, and no more was thought
+about him. In the meanwhile I continued to work there as before, and as
+I had the charge of every thing I had no doubt but that, some day or
+another, I should find means of quietly disposing of my incumbrance.
+
+The next spring, I was busy pumping off from one cask into the other,
+according to our custom, when the aga of the janissaries came in. He was
+a great wine-bibber, and one of our best customers. As his dependents
+were all well-known, it was not his custom to send them for wine, but to
+come himself to the store and select a pipe. This was carried away in a
+litter by eight strong slaves, with the curtains drawn close, as if it
+had been a new purchase which he had added to his harem. My master
+showed him the pipes of wine prepared for that year's market, which were
+arranged in two rows; and I hardly need observe that the one containing
+the Ethiopian was not in the foremost. After tasting one or two which
+did not seem to please him, the aga observed, "Friend Issachar, thy
+tribe will always put off the worst goods first, if possible. Now I have
+an idea that there is better wine in the second tier, than in the one
+thou hast recommended. Let thy Greek put a spile into that cask,"
+continued he, pointing to the very one in which I had headed up the
+black slave. As I made sure that as soon as he had tasted the contents
+he would spit them out, I did not hesitate to bore the cask and draw off
+the wine, which I handed to him. He tasted it and held it to the
+light--tasted it again and smacked his lips--then turning to my master,
+exclaimed, "Thou dog of a Jew! wouldst thou have palmed off upon me vile
+trash, when thou hadst in thy possession wine which might be sipped with
+the Houris in Paradise?"
+
+The Jew appealed to me if the pipes of wine were not all of the same
+quality; and I confirmed his assertion.
+
+"Taste it then," replied the aga, "and then taste the first which you
+recommended to me."
+
+My master did so, and was evidently astonished. "It certainly has more
+body," replied he; "yet how that can be, I know not. Taste it,
+Charis."--I held the glass to my lips, but nothing could induce me to
+taste the contents. I contented myself with agreeing with my master (as
+I conscientiously could), "that it certainly had more _body_ in it than
+the rest."
+
+The aga was so pleased with the wine, that he tasted two or three more
+pipes of the back tier, hoping to find others of the same quality,
+probably intending to have laid in a large stock; but finding no other
+of the same flavour, he ordered his slaves to roll the one containing
+the body of the slave into the litter, and carried it to his own house.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Stop a moment, thou lying kafir!" said the pacha, "dost thou really
+mean to say that the wine was better than the rest?"
+
+"Why should I tell a lie to your sublime highness--am not I a worm that
+you may crush? As I informed you, I did not taste it, your highness; but
+after the aga had departed, my master expressed his surprise at the
+excellence of the wine, which he affirmed to be superior to any thing
+that he had ever tasted--and his sorrow that the aga had taken away the
+cask, which prevented him from ascertaining the cause. But one day I was
+narrating the circumstance to a Frank in this country, who expressed no
+surprise at the wine being improved. He had been a wine-merchant in
+England, and he informed me that it was the custom there to throw large
+pieces of raw beef into the wine to feed it; and that some particular
+wines were very much improved thereby."
+
+"Allah Kebur! God is great!" cried the pacha--"Then it must be so--I
+have heard that the English are very fond of beef. Now go on with thy
+story."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Your highness cannot imagine the alarm which I felt when the cask was
+taken away by the aga's slaves. I gave myself up for a lost man, and
+resolved upon immediate flight from Smyrna. I calculated the time that
+it would take for the aga to drink the wine, and made my arrangements
+accordingly. I told my master that it was my intention to leave him, as
+I had an offer to go into business with a relation at Zante. My master,
+who could not well do without me, entreated me to stay; but I was
+positive. He then offered me a share of the business if I would remain,
+but I was not to be persuaded. Every rap at the door, I thought that the
+aga and his janissaries were coming for me; and I hastened my departure,
+which was fixed for the following day,--when in the evening my master
+came into the store with a paper in his hand.
+
+"Charis," said he, "perhaps you have supposed that I only offered to
+make you a partner in my business to induce you to remain, and then to
+deceive you. To prove the contrary, here is a deed drawn up by which you
+are a partner, and entitled to one-third of the future profits. Look at
+it, you will find that it has been executed in due form before the
+cadi."
+
+He had put the paper into my hand, and I was about to return it with a
+refusal, when a loud knocking at the door startled us both. It was a
+party of janissaries despatched by the aga, to bring us to him
+immediately. I knew well enough what it must be about, and I cursed my
+folly in having delayed so long; but the fact was, the wine proved so
+agreeable to the aga's palate that he had drunk it much faster than
+usual; besides which, the body of the slave took up at least a third of
+the cask, and diminished the contents in the same proportion. There was
+no appeal, and no escape. My master, who was ignorant of the cause, did
+not seem at all alarmed, but willingly accompanied the soldiers. I, on
+the contrary, was nearly dead from fear.
+
+When we arrived, the aga burst out in the most violent exclamations
+against my master--"Thou rascal of a Jew!" said he, "dost thou think
+that thou art to impose upon a true believer, and sell him a pipe of
+wine which is not more than two-thirds full,--filling it up with trash
+of some sort or another. Tell me what it is that is so heavy in the cask
+now that it is empty?"
+
+The Jew protested his ignorance, and appealed to me: I, of course,
+pretended the same. "Well, then," replied the aga, "we will soon see.
+Let thy Greek send for his tools, and the cask shall be opened in our
+presence; then perhaps thou wilt recognise thine own knavery."
+
+Two of the janissaries were despatched for the tools, and when they
+arrived I was directed to take the head out of the cask. I now
+considered my death as certain--nothing buoyed me up but my observing
+that the resentment of the aga was levelled more against my master than
+against me; but still I thought that, when the cask was opened, the
+recognition of the black slave must immediately take place, and the
+evidence of my master would fix the murder upon me.
+
+It was with a trembling hand that I obeyed the orders of the aga--the
+head of the pipe was taken out, and, to the horror of all present, the
+body was exposed; but instead of being black, it had turned _white_,
+from the time which it had been immersed. I rallied a little at this
+circumstance, as, so far, suspicion would be removed.
+
+"Holy Abraham!" exclaimed my master, "what is that which I see!--A dead
+body, so help me God!--but I know nothing about it--do you, Charis?" I
+vowed that I did not, and called the Patriarch to witness the truth of
+my assertion. But while we were thus exclaiming, the aga's eyes were
+fixed upon my master with an indignant and deadly stare which spoke
+volumes; while the remainder of the people who were present, although
+they said nothing, seemed as if they were ready to tear him into pieces.
+
+"Cursed unbeliever!" at last uttered the Turk, "is it thus that thou
+preparest the wine for the disciples of the Prophet?"
+
+"Holy father Abraham!--I know no more than you do, aga, how that body
+came there; but I will change the cask with pleasure, and will send you
+another."
+
+"Be it so," replied the aga; "my slave shall fetch it now." He gave
+directions accordingly, and the litter soon reappeared with another pipe
+of wine.
+
+"It will be a heavy loss to a poor Jew--one pipe of good wine," observed
+my master, as it was rolled out of the litter; and he took up his hat
+with the intention to depart.
+
+"Stay," cried the aga, "I do not mean to rob you of your wine."
+
+"Oh, then, you will pay me for it," replied my master; "aga, you are a
+considerate man."
+
+"Thou shalt see," retorted the aga, who gave directions to his slaves to
+draw off the wine in vessels. As soon as the pipe was empty, he desired
+me to take the head out; and when I had obeyed him, he ordered his
+janissaries to put my master in. In a minute he was gagged and bound,
+and tossed into the pipe; and I was directed to put in the head as
+before. I was very unwilling to comply; for I had no reason to complain
+of my master, and knew that he was punished for the fault of which I had
+been guilty. But it was a case of life or death,--and the days of
+self-devotion have long passed away in our country. Besides which, I had
+the deed in my pocket by which I was a partner in the business, and my
+master had no heirs,--so that I stood a chance to come into the whole of
+his property. Moreover----
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Never mind your reasons," observed the pacha, "you headed him up in the
+cask--go on."
+
+"I did so, your highness; but although I dared not disobey, I assure you
+that it was with a sorrowful heart--the more so, as I did not know the
+fate which might be reserved for myself."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+As soon as the head was in, and the hoops driven on, the aga desired
+his slaves to fill the cask up again with the wine; and thus did my poor
+master perish.
+
+"Put in the bung, Greek," said the aga, in a stern voice.
+
+I did so, and stood trembling before him.
+
+"Well! what knowest thou of this transaction?"
+
+I thought, as the aga had taken away the life of my master, that it
+would not hurt him if I took away a little from his character. I
+answered that I really knew nothing, but that, the other day, a black
+slave had disappeared in a very suspicious manner--that my master made
+very little inquiry after him--and I now strongly suspected that he must
+have suffered the same fate. I added, that my master had expressed
+himself very sorry that his highness had taken away the pipe of wine, as
+he would have reserved it.
+
+"Cursed Jew!" replied the aga; "I don't doubt but he has murdered a
+dozen in the same manner."
+
+"I am afraid so, sir," replied I, "and suspect that I was to have been
+his next victim; for when I talked of going away, he persuaded me to
+stay, and gave me this paper, by which I was to become his partner with
+one-third of the profits. I presume that I should not have enjoyed them
+long."
+
+"Well, Greek," observed the aga, "this is fortunate for you; as, upon
+certain conditions, you may enter upon the whole property. One is, that
+you keep this pipe of wine with the rascally Jew in it, that I may have
+the pleasure occasionally to look at my revenge. You will also keep the
+pipe with the other body in it, that it may keep my anger alive. The
+last is, that you will supply me with what wine I may require, of the
+very best quality, without making any charge. Do you consent to these
+terms, or am I to consider you as a party to this infamous transaction?"
+
+I hardly need observe that the terms were gladly accepted. Your highness
+must be aware that nobody thinks much about a Jew. When I was questioned
+as to his disappearance, I shrugged up my shoulders and told the
+inquirers, confidentially, that the aga of the janissaries had put him
+_in prison_, and that I was carrying on the business until his release.
+
+In compliance with the wishes of the aga, the two casks containing the
+Jew and the Ethiopian slave, were placed together on settles higher than
+the rest, in the centre of the store. He would come in the evening, and
+rail at the cask containing my late master for hours at a time; during
+which he drank so much wine, that it was a very common circumstance for
+him to remain in the house until the next morning.
+
+You must not suppose, your highness, that I neglected to avail myself
+(unknown to the aga) of the peculiar properties of the wine which those
+casks contained. I had them spiled underneath, and, constantly running
+off the wine from them, filled them up afresh. In a short time there was
+not a gallon in my possession which had not a _dash_ in it of either the
+Ethiopian or the Jew; and my wine was so improved, that it had a most
+rapid sale, and I became rich.
+
+All went on prosperously for three years; when the aga, who during that
+time had been my constant guest, and at least three times a-week had
+been intoxicated in my house, was ordered with his troops to join the
+Sultan's army. By keeping company with him, I had insensibly imbibed a
+taste for wine, although I never had been inebriated. The day that his
+troops marched, he stopped at my door, and dismounting from his Arabian,
+came in to take a farewell glass, desiring his men to go on, and that he
+would ride after them. One glass brought on another, and the time flew
+rapidly away. The evening closed in, and the aga was, as usual, in a
+state of intoxication;--he insisted upon going down to the store, to
+rail once more at the cask containing the body of the Jew. We had long
+been on the most friendly terms, and having this night drunk more than
+usual, I was incautious enough to say--"Prithee, aga, do not abuse my
+poor master any more, for he has been the making of my fortune. I will
+tell you a secret now that you are going away--there is not a drop of
+wine in my store that has not been flavoured either by him, or by the
+slave in the other cask. That is the reason why it is so much better
+than other people's."
+
+"How!" exclaimed the aga, who was now almost incapable of speech. "Very
+well, rascal Greek! die you shall, like your master. Holy prophet! what
+a state for a Mussulman to go to Paradise in--impregnated with the
+essence of a cursed Jew!--Wretch! you shall die--you shall die."
+
+He made a grasp at me, and missing his foot, fell on the ground in such
+a state of drunkenness as not to be able to get up again. I knew that
+when he became sober, he would not forget what had taken place, and that
+I should be sacrificed to his vengeance. The fear of death, and the wine
+which I had drunk, decided me how to act. I dragged him into an empty
+pipe, put the head in, hooped it up, and rolling it into the tier,
+filled it with wine. Thus did I revenge my poor master, and relieved
+myself from any further molestation on the part of the aga.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"What!" cried the pacha, in a rage, "you drowned a true believer--an aga
+of janissaries! Thou dog of a kafir--thou son of Shitan--and dare avow
+it! Call in the executioner."
+
+"Mercy! your sublime highness, mercy!" cried the Greek--"Have I not your
+promise by the sword of the prophet? Besides, he was no true believer,
+or he would not have disobeyed the law. A good Mussulman will never
+touch a drop of wine."
+
+"I promised to forgive, and did forgive, the murder of the black slave;
+but an aga of janissaries!--Is not that quite another thing?" appealed
+the pacha to Mustapha.
+
+"Your highness is just in your indignation--the kafir deserves to be
+impaled. Yet there are two considerations which your slave ventures to
+submit to your sublime wisdom. The first is, that your highness gave an
+unconditional promise, and swore by the sword of the prophet."
+
+"Staffir Allah! what care I for that! Had I sworn to a true believer, it
+were something."
+
+"The other is, that the slave has not yet finished his story, which
+appears to be interesting."
+
+"Wallah! that is true. Let him finish his story."
+
+But the Greek slave remained with his face on the ground; and it was not
+until a renewal of the promise, sworn upon the holy standard made out of
+the nether garments of the prophet, by the pacha, who had recovered his
+temper, and was anxious for the conclusion of the story, that he could
+be induced to proceed, which he did as follows:--
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+As soon as I had bunged up the cask, I went down to the yard where the
+aga had left his horse, and having severely wounded the poor beast with
+his sword, I let it loose that it might gallop home. The noise of the
+horse's hoofs in the middle of the night, aroused his family, and when
+they discovered that it was wounded and without its rider, they imagined
+that the aga had been attacked and murdered by banditti when he had
+followed his troop. They sent to me to ask at what time he had left my
+house; I replied, an hour after dark--that he was very much intoxicated
+at the time--and had left his sabre, which I returned. They had no
+suspicions of the real facts, and it was believed that he had perished
+on the road.
+
+I was now rid of my dangerous acquaintance, and although he certainly
+had drunk a great quantity of my wine, yet I recovered the value of it
+with interest, from the flavour which I obtained from his body and which
+I imparted to the rest of my stock. I raised him up alongside of the two
+other casks; and my trade was more profitable and my wines in greater
+repute than ever.
+
+But one day the cadi, who had heard my wine extolled, came privately to
+my house; I bowed to the ground at the honour conferred, for I had long
+wished to have him as a customer. I drew some of my best--"This,
+honourable sir," said I, presenting the glass, "is what I call my aga
+wine: the late aga was so fond of it, he used to order a whole cask at
+once to his house, and had it taken there in a litter."
+
+"A good plan," replied the cadi, "much better than sending a slave with
+a pitcher, which gives occasion for remarks: I will do the same; but,
+first, let me taste all you have."
+
+He tasted several casks, but none pleased him so much as the first which
+I had recommended. At last he cast his eyes upon the three casks raised
+above the others.
+
+"And what are those?" inquired he.
+
+"Empty casks, sir," replied I; but he had his stick in his hand, and he
+struck one.
+
+"Greek, thou tellest me these casks are empty, but they do not sound so;
+I suspect that thou hast better wine than I have tasted: draw me off
+from these immediately."
+
+I was obliged to comply--he tasted them--vowed that the wine was
+exquisite, and that he would purchase the whole. I stated to him that
+the wine in those casks was used for flavouring the rest; and that the
+price was enormous, hoping that he would not pay it. He inquired how
+much--I asked him four times the price of the other wines.
+
+"Agreed," said the cadi; "it is dear--but one cannot have good wine
+without paying for it:--it is a bargain."
+
+I was very much alarmed; and stated that I could not part with those
+casks, as I should not be able to carry on my business with reputation,
+if I lost the means of flavouring my wines, but all in vain; he said
+that I had asked a price and he had agreed to give it. Ordering his
+slaves to bring a litter, he would not leave the store until the whole
+of the casks were carried away, and thus did I lose my Ethiopian, my
+Jew, and my aga.
+
+As I knew that the secret would soon be discovered, the very next day I
+prepared for my departure. I received my money from the cadi, to whom I
+stated my intention to leave, as he had obliged me to sell him those
+wines, and I had no longer hopes of carrying on my business with
+success. I again begged him to allow me to have them back, offering him
+three pipes of wine as a present if he would consent, but it was of no
+use. I chartered a vessel, which I loaded with the rest of my stock;
+and, taking all my money with me, made sail for Corfu, before any
+discovery had taken place. But we encountered a heavy gale of wind,
+which, after a fortnight (during which we attempted in vain to make head
+against it), forced us back to Smyrna. When the weather moderated, I
+directed the captain to take the vessel into the outer roadstead that I
+might sail as soon as possible. We had not dropped anchor again more
+than five minutes when I perceived a boat pulling off from the shore in
+which was the cadi and the officers of justice.
+
+Convinced that I was discovered, I was at a loss how to proceed, when
+the idea occurred to me that I might conceal my own body in a cask, as I
+had before so well concealed those of others.
+
+I called the captain down into the cabin, and telling him that I had
+reason to suspect that the cadi would take my life, offered him a large
+part of the cargo if he would assist me.
+
+The captain who, unfortunately for me, was a Greek, consented. We went
+down into the hold, started the wine out of one of the pipes, and having
+taken out the head, I crawled in, and was hooped up.
+
+The cadi came on board immediately afterwards and inquired for me. The
+captain stated that I had fallen overboard in the gale, and that he had
+in consequence returned, the vessel not being consigned to any house at
+Corfu.
+
+"Has then the accursed villain escaped my vengeance!" exclaimed the
+cadi; "the murderer, that fines his wines with the bodies of his
+fellow-creatures: but you may deceive me, Greek, we will examine the
+vessel."
+
+The officers who accompanied the cadi proceeded carefully to search
+every part of the ship. Not being able to discover me, the Greek captain
+was believed; and, after a thousand imprecations upon my soul, the cadi
+and his people departed.
+
+I now breathed more freely, notwithstanding I was nearly intoxicated
+with the lees of the wine which impregnated the wood of the cask, and I
+was anxious to be set at liberty; but the treacherous captain had no
+such intention, and never came near me. At night he cut his cable and
+made sail, and I overheard a conversation between two of the men, which
+made known to me his intentions: these were to throw me overboard on his
+passage, and take possession of my property. I cried out to them from
+the bung-hole: I screamed for mercy, but in vain. One of them answered,
+that, as I had murdered others, and put them into casks, I should now be
+treated in the same manner.
+
+I could not but mentally acknowledge the justice of my punishment, and
+resigned myself to my fate; all that I wished was to be thrown over at
+once and released from my misery. The momentary anticipation of death
+appeared to be so much worse than the reality. But it was ordered
+otherwise: a gale of wind blew up with such force, that the captain and
+crew had enough to do to look after the vessel, and, either I was
+forgotten or my doom was postponed until a more seasonable opportunity.
+
+On the third day I heard the sailors observe that, with such a wretch as
+I was remaining on board, the vessel must inevitably be lost. The
+hatches were then opened: I was hoisted up and cast into the raging sea.
+The bung of the cask was out, but by stuffing my handkerchief in, when
+the hole was under water, I prevented the cask from filling; and when it
+was uppermost, I removed it for a moment to obtain fresh air. I was
+dreadfully bruised by the constant rolling, in a heavy sea, and
+completely worn out with fatigue and pain; I had made up my mind to let
+the water in and be rid of my life, when I was tossed over and over with
+such dreadful rapidity as prevented my taking the precaution of keeping
+out the water. After three successive rolls of the same kind, I found
+that the cask, which had been in the surf, had struck on the beach. In a
+moment after, I heard voices, and people came up to the cask and rolled
+me along. I would not speak, lest they should be frightened and allow me
+to remain on the beach, where I might again be tossed about by the
+waves; but as soon as they stopped, I called in a faint voice from the
+bung-hole, begging them for mercy's sake to let me out.
+
+At first they appeared alarmed; but, on my repeating my request, and
+stating that I was the owner of the ship which was off the land, and the
+captain and crew had mutinied and tossed me overboard, they brought some
+tools and set me at liberty.
+
+The first sight that met my eyes after I was released, was my vessel
+lying a wreck; each wave that hurled her further on the beach, breaking
+her more and more to pieces. She was already divided amid-ships, and the
+white foaming surf was covered with pipes of wine, which, as fast as
+they were cast on shore, were rolled up by the same people who had
+released me. I was so worn out, that I fainted where I lay. When I came
+to, I found myself in a cave upon a bundle of capotes, and perceived a
+party of forty or fifty men, who were sitting by a large fire, and
+emptying with great rapidity one of my pipes of wine.
+
+As soon as they observed that I was coming to my senses, they poured
+some wine down my throat, which restored me. I was then desired by one
+of them, who seemed to be the chief, to approach.
+
+"The men who have been saved from the wreck," said he, "have told me
+strange stories of your enormous crimes--now, sit down, and tell me the
+truth--if I believe you, you shall have justice--I am cadi here--if you
+wish to know where you are, it is upon the island of Ischia--if you wish
+to know in what company, it is in the society of those who by illiberal
+people are called pirates: now tell the truth."
+
+I thought that with pirates my story would be received better than with
+other people, and I therefore narrated my history to them, in the same
+words that I now have to your highness. When I had finished, the
+captain of the gang observed:--
+
+"Well, then, as you acknowledge to have killed a slave, to have assisted
+at the death of a Jew, and to have drowned an aga, you certainly deserve
+death; but, on consideration of the excellence of the wine, and the
+secret which you have imparted to us, I shall commute your sentence. As
+for the captain and the remainder of the crew, they have been guilty of
+treachery and piracy on the high seas--a most heinous offence, which
+deserves instant death; but as it is by their means that we have been
+put in possession of the wine, I shall be lenient. I therefore sentence
+you all to hard labour for life. You shall be sold as slaves in Cairo,
+and we will pocket the money and drink your wine."
+
+The pirates loudly applauded the justice of a decision by which they
+benefited, and all appeal on our parts was useless. When the weather
+became more settled, we were put on board one of their small xebeques,
+and on our arrival at this port were exposed for sale and purchased.
+
+Such, pacha, is the history which induced me to make use of the
+expressions which you wished to be explained; and I hope you will allow
+that I have been more unfortunate than guilty, as on every occasion in
+which I took away the life of another, I had only to choose between that
+and my own.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Well, it is rather a curious story," observed the pacha, "but still, if
+it were not for my promise, I certainly would have your head off for
+drowning the aga--I consider it excessively impertinent in an
+unbelieving Greek to suppose that his life is of the same value as that
+of an aga of janissaries, and follower of the prophet; but, however, my
+promise was given, and you may depart."
+
+"The wisdom of your highness is brighter than the stars of heaven,"
+observed Mustapha. "Shall the slave be honoured with your bounty?"
+
+"Mashallah! bounty! I've given him his life, and, as he considers it of
+more value than an aga's, I think 'tis a very handsome present. Drown an
+aga, indeed!" continued the pacha, rising, "but it certainly was a very
+curious story. Let it be written down, Mustapha. We'll hear the other
+man to-morrow."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter III
+
+
+"Mustapha," said the pacha the next day, when they had closed the hall
+of audience, "have you the other Giaour in readiness?"
+
+"Bashem ustun! Upon my head be it, your highness. The infidel dog waits
+but the command to crawl into your sublime presence."
+
+"Let him approach, that our ears may be gratified. Barek Allah! Praise
+be to God. There are others who can obtain stories besides the Caliph
+Haroun."
+
+The slave was ordered into the pacha's presence. He was a dark man with
+handsome features, and he walked in with a haughty carriage, which
+neither his condition nor tattered garments could disguise. When within
+a few feet of the carpet of state he bowed and folded his arms in
+silence. "I wish to know upon what grounds you asserted that you were so
+good a judge of wine the other evening, when you were quarrelling with
+the Greek slave."
+
+"I stated my reason at the time, your highness, which was, because I had
+been for many years a monk of the Dominican order."
+
+"I recollect that you said so. What trade is that, Mustapha?" inquired
+the pacha.
+
+"If your slave is not mistaken, a good trade every where. The infidel
+means that he was a mollah or dervish among the followers of Isauri."[2]
+
+  [2] Jesus Christ.
+
+"May they and their fathers' graves be eternally defiled," cried the
+pacha. "Do not they drink wine and eat pork? Have you nothing more to
+say?" inquired the pacha.
+
+"My life has been one of interest," replied the slave, "and if it will
+please your highness, I will narrate my history."
+
+"It is our condescension. Sit down and proceed."
+
+
+
+STORY OF THE MONK.
+
+May it please your highness, I am a Spaniard by birth, and, a native of
+Seville; but whether my father was a grandee, or of a more humble
+extraction, I cannot positively assert. All that I can establish is,
+that when reason dawned, I found myself in the asylum instituted by
+government, in that city, for those unfortunate beings who are brought
+up upon black bread and oil, because their unnatural parents either do
+not choose to incur the expense of their maintenance, or having, in the
+first instance, allowed unlawful love to conquer shame, end by
+permitting shame to overcome maternal love.
+
+It is the custom, at a certain age, to put these children out to
+different trades and callings; and those who show precocity of talent
+are often received into the bosom of the church.
+
+Gifted by nature with a very fine voice and correct ear for music, I was
+selected to be brought up as a chorister in a Dominican convent of great
+reputation. At the age of ten years, I was placed under the charge of
+the leader of the choir. Under his directions, I was fully occupied
+receiving my lessons in singing, or at other times performing the junior
+offices of the church, such as carrying the frankincense or large wax
+tapers in the processions. As a child my voice was much admired; and
+after the service was over, I often received presents of sweetmeats from
+the ladies, who brought them in their pockets for the little Anselmo. As
+I grew up, I became a remarkable proficient in music; at the age of
+twenty, I possessed a fine counter-tenor; and flattered by the
+solicitations of the superior of the convent and other dignitaries of
+the church, I consented to take the vows, and became a member of the
+fraternity.
+
+Although there was no want of liberty in our convent, I was permitted
+even more than the rest of the monks. I gave lessons in music and
+singing, and a portion of my earnings were placed in the superior's
+hands for the benefit of the fraternity. Independent of this, my
+reputation was spread all over Seville; and hundreds used to attend the
+mass performed in our church, that they might hear the voice of brother
+Anselmo. I was therefore considered as a valuable property, and the
+convent would have suffered a great deal by my quitting it. Although I
+could not be released from my vows, still I could by application have
+been transferred to Madrid; and the superior, aware of this
+circumstance, allowed me every indulgence, with the hopes of my being
+persuaded to remain. The money which I retained for my own exigencies
+enabled me to make friends with the porter, and I obtained egress or
+ingress at any hour. I was a proficient on the guitar; and incongruous
+as it may appear with my monastic vows, I often hastened from the
+service at vespers to perform in a serenade to some fair senora, whose
+_inamorato_ required the powers of my voice to soften her to his wishes.
+
+My sedillas and canzonettas were much admired; and eventually no
+serenade was considered as effective, without the assistance of the
+counter-tenor of Anselmo. I hardly need observe that it was very
+profitable; and that I had the means of supplying myself with luxuries
+which the rules of our order did not admit. I soon became irregular and
+debauched; often sitting up whole nights with the young cavaliers,
+drinking and singing amorous songs for their amusement. Still, however,
+my conduct was not known, or was overlooked for the reasons which I have
+stated before.
+
+When once a man indulges to excess in wine, he is assailed by, and
+becomes an easy prey to every other vice. This error soon led me into
+others; and, regardless of my monastic vows, I often felt more inclined
+to serenade upon my own account than on that of my employers. I had the
+advantage of a very handsome face, but it was disguised by the shaven
+crown and the unbecoming manner of cutting the hair; the coarse and
+unwieldly monastic dress belonging to our order hid the symmetry of my
+limbs, which, might have otherwise attracted notice on the Prado. I soon
+perceived that, although my singing was admired by the other sex, their
+admiration went no further. They seemed to consider that in every other
+point I was, as I ought to have been, dead to the world.
+
+There was a young lady, Donna Sophia, whom I had for some time
+instructed in music, who appeared to be more favourably inclined. She
+was an excellent performer, and passionately fond of the science: and I
+have always observed, your highness, that between the real amateurs of
+harmony there is a sympathy, a description of free-masonry, which
+immediately puts them on a level, and on terms of extreme intimacy; so
+much so, that were I a married man, and my wife extremely partial to
+music, I should be very careful how I introduced to her a person of a
+similar feeling, if I possessed it not myself. I was very much in the
+good graces of this young lady, and flattered myself with a successful
+issue: when one day, as we were singing a duet, a handsome young officer
+made his appearance. His hair, which was of the finest brown, curled in
+natural ringlets: and his clothes were remarkably well-fitted to his
+slender and graceful figure. He was a cousin, who had just returned from
+Carthagena; and as he was remarkably attentive, I soon perceived that
+all my advances had been thrown away, and that I was more and more in
+the background each morning that I made my appearance.
+
+Annoyed at this, I ventured to speak too freely; and during his absence
+calumniated him to the Donna Sophia, hoping by these means to regain my
+place in her affections; but I made a sad mistake: for not only were my
+services dispensed with for the future, but, as I afterwards
+discovered, she stated to her cousin the grounds upon which I had been
+dismissed.
+
+I returned to the convent in no pleasant mood, when I was informed that
+my presence had been demanded by the superior. I repaired to the
+parlour, where he stated that my licentious conduct had come to his
+ears; and after much upbraiding, he concluded by ordering me to submit
+to a severe penance. Aware that disobedience would only be followed up
+by greater severity, I bowed with humility in my mien, but with
+indignation in my breast; and returning to my cell, resolved upon
+immediately writing for my removal to Madrid. I had not been there many
+minutes when the porter brought me a note. It was from Donna Sophia,
+requesting to see me that evening, and apologising for her apparent
+ill-usage, which she had only assumed the better to conceal her
+intentions; being afraid, at our last interview, that her mother was
+within hearing.
+
+I was in raptures when I perused the note, and hastened to comply with
+her request. Her directions were to repair to the back door, which
+looked out upon some fields, and give three taps. I arrived, and as soon
+as I raised my hand to give the signal, was seized by four men in masks,
+who gagged and bound me. They then stripped off my friar's dress, and
+scourged me with nettles, until I was almost frantic with the pain. When
+their vengeance was satisfied, they cast me loose, removed the gag, and
+ran away. As I then suspected, and afterwards discovered to be true, I
+was indebted to the young officer for this treatment, in return for what
+I had said, and which his mistress had repeated. Smarting with pain, and
+boiling with rage, I dragged on my clothes as well as I could, and began
+to reflect in what manner I should act. Conceal my situation from the
+other members of the convent I could not; and to explain it would not
+only be too humiliating, but subject me to more rigorous discipline. At
+last, I considered that out of evil might spring good; and gathering a
+large bundle of the nettles, which grew under the walls, I crawled back
+to the convent. When I attained my cell, I threw off my gown, which was
+now unbearable from the swelling of my limbs, and commenced thrashing
+the walls of my cell and my bed with the nettles which I had procured.
+
+After a short time I moaned piteously, and continued so to do, louder
+and louder, until some of the friars got up to inquire the reason; when
+they found me, apparently, castigating myself in this cruel manner. When
+they opened the door, I threw myself on the bed, and cried still more
+vociferously. This certainly was the only part of my conduct which was
+not deceptive, for I was in the most acute agony. To their inquiries, I
+told them that I had been guilty of great enormities; that the superior
+had reproved me, and ordered me penance; and that I had scourged myself
+with nettles; requesting them to continue the application as my strength
+had failed me. With this injunction they were too humane to comply. Some
+went for the surgeon of the convent, while others reported the
+circumstance to the superior. The former applied remedies which assuaged
+the pain: the latter was so pleased at my apparent contrition, that he
+gave me absolution, and relieved me from the penance to which I had been
+subjected. When I recovered, I was more in favour, and was permitted the
+same indulgences as before.
+
+But I was some days confined to my bed, during which I was continually
+reflecting upon what had passed. I perceived, to my misery, the pale
+which I had placed between me and the world, by embracing a monastic
+life; and how unfit I was, by temperament, to fulfil my vows. I cursed
+my father and mother, who had been the original cause of my present
+situation. I cursed the monastic dress which blazoned forth my unhappy
+condition. Then I thought of the treacherous girl, and planned schemes
+of revenge. I compared my personal qualifications with those of the
+young officer; and vanity suggested, that were it not for my vile
+professional disguise, the advantage was on my side. At last I decided
+upon the steps that I would take.
+
+As I before stated, my purse was well supplied from the lessons which I
+gave in music, and from assisting at the serenades. When I was
+sufficiently recovered to go out, I proceeded to a barber, and on the
+plea of continual headache, for which it had been recommended that I
+should shave my head, requested him to make me a false tonsure. In a few
+days it was ready, and being very well made, no difference could be
+perceived between the wig and my own hair, which was then removed. So
+far I had succeeded; but as the greatest caution was necessary in a
+proceeding of this nature, to avoid suspicion, I returned to the
+convent, where I remained quiet for several days. One evening I again
+sallied forth, and when it was quite dark repaired to the _friperie_
+show of a Jew, where I purchased a second--hand suit of cavalier's
+clothes, which I thought would fit me. I concealed them in my cell, and
+the next morning, went in search of a small lodging in some obscure
+part, where I might not be subject to observation. This was difficult,
+but I at last succeeded in finding one to let, which opened upon a
+general staircase of a house, which was appropriated to a variety of
+lodgers, who were constantly passing and repassing. I paid the first
+month in advance, stating it would be occupied by a brother, whom I
+daily expected; in the meantime took possession of the key. I bought a
+small chest, which I had conveyed to my lodgings, and having removed my
+cavalier's dress from the convent, locked it up. I then remained quiet
+as before, not only to avoid suspicion, but to ingratiate myself with
+the superior, by my supposed reformation.
+
+After a few days, I sallied forth, and leaving a note for one of the
+most skilful perruquiers of Seville, desired him to call at my lodgings,
+at an hour indicated. Having repaired there, to be ready to receive him,
+I took off my monk's dress and false tonsure, which I locked up in my
+chest; I tied a silk handkerchief round my head, and got into bed,
+leaving the cavalier's suit on my chair near to me. The perruquier
+knocked at the appointed time. I desired him to come in, apologised for
+my servant being absent on a message, and stating that I had been
+obliged to shave my head on account of a fever, from which I had now
+recovered, requested that he would provide me with a handsome wig. I
+explained at his request the colour and description of hair which I had
+lost; and in so doing, represented it as much lighter than my own really
+was, and similar to that of the young officer, whose ringlets had been
+the cause of my last disaster. I paid him a part of the price down, and
+having agreed upon the exact time at which it should be delivered, he
+departed; when I rose from my bed, I resumed my monastic dress and
+tonsure, and returned to the convent.
+
+During the whole of the time occupied by these transactions, I had been
+assiduous in laying up money, which before I had squandered as fast as I
+obtained it, and had realised a considerable sum. I could not help
+comparing myself to a chrysalis previous to its transformation. I had
+before been a caterpillar, I was now all ready to burst my confinement,
+and flit about as a gaudy butterfly. Another week, I continued my
+prudent conduct, at the end of which I was admitted to my superior, in
+whose hands I placed a sum of money which I could very conveniently
+spare, and received his benediction and commendations for having weaned
+myself from my former excesses. With a quickened pulse, I hastened to my
+lodgings, and throwing off my hateful gown and tonsure, dressed myself
+in my new attire.
+
+The transformation was complete. I could not recognise myself. I hardly
+could believe that the dashing young cavalier that confronted me in the
+mirror, was the brother Anselmo. "Is this a face," said I, communing
+with myself, "to be disfigured with a vile tonsure? are these limbs to
+be hid under the repulsive garment of a monk?" Again I surveyed myself,
+and it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from
+contemplating my metamorphosis. I was indeed a butterfly. At last, I
+determined upon sallying forth. I locked up my monastic dress and
+descended the staircase. I must acknowledge, that it was with
+trepidation I ventured into the street, but I had soon reason to take
+confidence, for I was met by one of my most intimate friends, who looked
+in my face, and passed on without the slightest recognition. Overjoyed
+at this circumstance, I took courage, and boldly proceeded to the Prado,
+where I was greeted with favourable glances from the women, and sneers
+from the men, both of which I considered equally flattering. In the
+evening, I returned to my lodgings, resumed the habit of my order, and
+gained the convent. I now felt that there was no chance of discovery,
+and anticipated the happiness which had been denied me. I subsequently
+ordered the most fashionable and expensive clothes, hired my lodgings
+for six months, assumed the name of Don Pedro, made the acquaintance of
+many young men, and amongst others of the officer who had treated me so
+ill. He took a fancy to me, which I encouraged to further my views. I
+became his confidant, he informed me of his amour with his cousin,
+adding that he was tired of the business, and wished to break with her;
+also, as an excellent joke, the punishment which he had inflicted upon
+the friar Anselmo.
+
+He was a great proficient with the small sword, an accomplishment, which
+of course had been neglected in my education, and which I accounted for
+by stating that until the death of my elder brother, I had been intended
+for the church. I accepted his offer to be my instructor, and my first
+rudiments in the science were received from him. Afterwards I applied to
+a professor, and, constantly practising, in the course of a few months,
+I knew, from occasional trials of skill with the officer, that I was his
+superior. My revenge, which hitherto had been controlled was now ripe.
+
+But in narrating my adventures abroad, it must not be supposed that I
+neglected every thing that prudence or caution could suggest, to avoid
+discovery. On the contrary, now that I had the means of enjoying
+myself, I was more careful that I did not by any indiscretion excite
+surmises. I generally devoted four days out of the seven in the week to
+the convent and to my professional occupation as music-master. To
+increase the difficulty of identification, I became more serious in my
+manner, more dirty in my person, as the brother Anselmo. I pretended to
+have imbibed a fancy for snuff, with which I soiled my face and monastic
+attire, and seldom if ever spoke, or if I did, in a very solemn voice.
+So far from suspicion, I every day gained more and more the good will of
+the superior. My absence in the day-time was not noticed, as it was
+known that I gave lessons in music, and my irregularity during the night
+was a secret between the porter and myself.
+
+I hardly need observe that, as Don Pedro, I always lamented not having
+been gifted with a voice, and have even in the presence of my
+companions, sent a billet to brother Anselmo to serenade a lady whom I
+courted as Don Pedro. I do not believe until ulterior circumstances,
+that there was ever in the mind of any the slightest idea that, under my
+dissimilar habits, I was one and the same person.
+
+But to continue: one day the young officer, whose name was Don Lopez,
+informed me that he did not know how to act; he was so pestered with the
+jealousy and reproaches of his mistress; and requested my advice as to
+how to proceed. I laughed at his dilemma. "My dear Lopez," replied I,
+"introduce me to her, and depend upon it, that she will give you no more
+trouble. I will make love to her, and, pleased with her new conquest,
+she will soon forget you."
+
+"My good fellow," replied he, "your advice is excellent: will you come
+with me this afternoon?"
+
+Once more I was in the presence of her whom I had loved, but loved no
+more, for I now only felt and lived for revenge. She had not the most
+distant recognition of me. Piqued as she was with Don Lopez, and
+fascinated with my exertions to please, I soon gained an interest; but
+she still loved him, between the paroxysms of her hate. Trying all she
+could to recover him at one moment, and listening to my attentions at
+another, he at last accused her of perfidy, and took his leave for ever.
+Then her violence broke out, and as a proof of my attachment, she
+demanded that I should call him to account. I wished no better, and
+pretending to be so violently attached to her that I was infatuated, I
+took an occasion of his laughing at me, to give him the lie, and demand
+satisfaction. As it was in the presence of others, there was no recall
+or explanation allowed. We met by agreement, alone, in the very field
+where I had received my chastisement; I brought with me my monastic
+habit and tonsure, which I concealed before his arrival among the very
+nettles which he had gathered for my chastisement. The conflict was not
+long: after a few thrusts and parries, he lay dying at my feet. I
+immediately threw over my dress that of the friar, and exchanging the
+wig for the tonsure, stood by him. He opened his eyes, which had closed
+from the fainting, occasioned by the sudden gush from his wound, and
+looked at me with amazement.
+
+"Yes, Don Lopez," said I, "in Don Pedro behold the Friar Anselmo; he
+whom you scourged with nettles; he who has revenged the insult." I then
+threw off the monk's dress, and exposed to him the other beneath it, and
+changing my tonsure for the wig, "now you are convinced of the truth,"
+added I, "and now I have my revenge."
+
+"I am, I am," replied he faintly; "but if you have slain me as Don
+Pedro, now that I am dying, I entreat you, as brother Anselmo, to give
+me absolution. Carry not your revenge so far as to deny me this."
+
+I could not refuse; and I gave absolution in the one costume, to the man
+who had fallen by my hand in the other: for my own part, I thought it
+was an absurdity, but my revenge was satisfied, and I would not refuse
+him such a poor consolation.
+
+A few minutes afterwards he expired, and I hastened to my lodgings,
+changed my dress, and repaired to the convent, where, as Don Pedro I
+wrote to Donna Sophia, informing her of what had taken place, and of my
+having absconded until the hue and cry should be over. For three weeks I
+remained in the convent, or only appeared abroad as the Friar Anselmo. I
+brought a considerable sum to the superior for the use of the church,
+partly to satisfy the qualms of conscience which assailed me for the
+crime which I had committed; partly that I might continue in his good
+graces.
+
+At the expiration of the time I sent a note to the young lady, as from
+Don Pedro, acquainting her with my return, and my intention to call upon
+her in the dusk of the evening. I went to my lodgings, dressed myself as
+Don Pedro, and tapping at her door, was admitted; but instead of being
+cordially greeted, as I expected, I was repulsed, loaded with abuse, and
+declared an object of detestation. It appeared that, although in her
+rage at the desertion of her lover, she had listened to the dictates of
+revenge, now that he was no more, all her affection for him had revived.
+I returned her upbraiding, and quitted the room to leave the house: but
+she had no intention that I should escape, and had stationed two of her
+relations below, ready to intercept me.
+
+She called to them as I descended the stairs; when I arrived at the
+hall, I found them with drawn swords to dispute my passage. I had no
+resource but to fight my way; and charging them furiously, I severely
+wounded one, and shortly afterwards disarmed the other, just as the
+enraged fair one, who perceived that I was gaining the day, had run
+behind me and seized my arms; but she was too late: I threw her
+indignantly upon the wounded man, and walked out of the house. As soon
+as I was in the street, I took to my heels, gained my lodgings, changed
+my dress, and repaired to the convent.
+
+This adventure sobered me much. I now remained quiet for some months,
+never assuming my dress as Don Pedro, lest the officers of justice
+should lay hold of me. I became more rigid and exact in my duties, and
+more austere in my manner.
+
+The several confessional chairs in our church were usually occupied by
+the senior monks, although, when absent from sickness or other causes,
+the juniors occasionally supplied their place. One of the monks had been
+taken ill, and I knew that the mother of the young lady, who was very
+strict in her religious duties, confessed at that chair every Friday; I
+took possession of it, with the hopes that I should find out some means
+of prosecuting my revenge. The young lady also confessed at the same
+chair, when she did come, which was but seldom. Since the death of her
+lover, she had never made her appearance.
+
+As I anticipated, the mother came, and after having run over a string of
+peccadilloes, for which I ordered a slight penance, I inquired, through
+the punctured communication on the side of the confessional chair,
+whether she had not children, to which she answered in the affirmative.
+I then asked when her daughter had confessed last. She mentioned a long
+date, and I commenced a serious expostulation upon the neglect of
+parents, desiring that her daughter might be brought to confess, or
+otherwise I should be obliged to inflict a penance of some hundred
+Pater-Nosters and Ave-Marias upon herself, for not attending to her
+parental duties. The old lady, who had no wish to submit to her own
+penance, promised to bring her daughter the next day, and she was true
+to her word. Donna Sophia appeared to come very unwillingly. As soon as
+she had taken her seat by the confessional chair, she made a confession
+of a hundred little nothings, and having finished her catalogue, stopped
+as if waiting for absolution.
+
+"Have you made no reservation?" inquired I, in the low muttering tone
+which is used at the confessional; for although neither party can
+distinguish the person of the other, I did not wish her to recognise my
+voice.
+
+"Every thing," replied she, in a faint whisper.
+
+"My daughter," replied I, "by your trembling answer, I know that you
+are deceiving yourself and me. I am an old man, and have been too many
+years in this chair, not to ascertain by the answers which I receive,
+whether the conscience is unloaded. Yours, I am convinced, has something
+pressing heavily upon it; something for which you would fain have
+absolution, but which you are ashamed to reveal. If not a principal, you
+have been a party to crime; and never shall you have absolution until
+you have made a full confession." Her heart swelled with emotion, she
+attempted to speak, and burst into tears. "These are harbingers of
+good," observed I; "I am now convinced that my supposition was correct:
+pour out your soul in tribulation, and receive that comfort which I am
+empowered to bestow. Courage, my daughter! the best of us are but
+grievous sinners." As soon as she could check her sobbing, she commenced
+her confession; narrating her penchant for me, her subsequent attachment
+to the young officer, my abuse of him, and the punishment which had
+ensued--his desertion, the introduction of Don Pedro, her pique at
+having instigated him to kill her lover, his death, and all that I have
+narrated to your highness.
+
+"These are serious crimes, my daughter! grievous indeed; you have
+yielded to the tempter in your own person, caused the death of one man,
+you have led another astray, and have deceived him, when he claimed the
+reward of his iniquity; but all these are trifles compared to the
+offence upon the holy monk, which is the worst of sacrilege. And what
+was his fault? that he cautioned you against a person, whose subsequent
+conduct has proved, that the worthy man was correct in his suppositions.
+
+"In every way you have offended Heaven; a whole life will be scarce
+sufficient for the task of repentance, laying aside the enormous crime
+of sacrilege, which, in justice, ought to be referred to the
+Inquisition. Excommunication is more fitting in your case than
+absolution." I waited some time before I again spoke, during which she
+sobbed bitterly. "My daughter," observed I, "before I can decide upon
+what is to be done to save you from everlasting perdition, it is
+necessary that you humble yourself before the religious man, whose
+person you have abused. Send to the convent to which he belongs, and
+entreat him to come; and when you have confessed your crime, offer to
+him the same implements of punishment, which through your instigation
+were so sacrilegiously applied. Submit to his sentence, and the penance
+which he may prescribe. When you have done that, repair again to me. I
+shall be in this chair the day after to-morrow."
+
+The girl muffled up her face, waited a few minutes to compose herself,
+and then returned to her mother, who wondered what could have detained
+her so long.
+
+That evening, I received a note from Donna Sophia, requesting me to call
+on the ensuing day. I found her in her room, she had been weeping
+bitterly, and when I entered coloured up with shame and vexation; but
+she had been too much frightened on the day before, to resist the
+injunctions which she had received: a large bundle of nettles lay on the
+chair; and when I entered she turned the key of the door, and falling
+down on her knees, with many tears made a full confession. I expressed
+the utmost horror and surprise; she embraced my knees, implored my
+pardon, and then, pointing to the nettles, requested I would use them if
+I thought proper. Having said this, she covered her face with her hands,
+and remained on her knees in silence.
+
+I must confess, that when I called to mind the punishment which had been
+inflicted on me through her means, and the manner in which she had
+attempted to betray me to my death, I felt very much inclined to revenge
+myself by scourging her severely; but although the affection I once felt
+for her had passed away, I had a natural tenderness for the sex, which
+made me abandon this petty revenge. My object was to remove her, so that
+I might not be recognised in my worldly attire; and she, I knew, was the
+only person who could prove that I had killed her lover. I therefore
+raised her up, and telling her that I was satisfied with her
+repentance, and, as far as I was personally concerned, forgave her
+ill-treatment, desired her to repair to her confessor, who was the
+proper person to award a punishment for such a catalogue of heinous
+crimes. The next day I was in the confessional, when she narrated all
+that had passed: I then told her she had nothing to do, but to
+propitiate Heaven by dedicating her musical talents to its service;
+pointing out, that her only chance of salvation was from immediately
+taking the veil. I refused to listen to any other species of penance,
+however severe, for which she gladly would have compromised the
+sentence. Goaded by her conscience, miserable at the desertion and death
+of her lover, and alarmed at the threats of excommunication, in less
+than a week she repaired to the Ursuline Convent; and, after a short
+probation, she took the veil, and was admitted as one of the sisterhood.
+
+As soon as my only accuser was fairly locked up, I occasionally resumed
+my dress and wig. I say occasionally, because in the society which I
+chiefly delighted in, and in which I became the connoisseur of good
+wine, that I asserted myself to be, when your highness overheard me, I
+had no occasion for it, being quite as well received when I sang and
+played the guitar in my monkish dress, as I should have been in my
+other. Besides which, I never had to pay when in that costume, as I was
+obliged to do when I sported the other; which was only put on when I
+wished to make myself agreeable to any fair one. I hardly need observe,
+that I took great care to avoid the society in the one dress with which
+I mixed in the other. This disguise I continued very successfully for
+three years, when a circumstance occurred, which ended in my discovery,
+and my eventually becoming a slave in your highness's dominions.
+
+For some time I had taught the niece of an elderly lady, who was of
+noble family and very rich. The aunt was always present at the lessons;
+and, knowing that she was very devout, I rejected all songs that were of
+an amorous tendency, and would only practise such as were unimpeachable.
+In my demeanour I was always sedate and respectful--full of humility
+and self-accusation. When I received my money from the old lady, I used
+to thank her in the name of our convent, for whose use it was to be
+appropriated, and call her donation a charity, for which Heaven would
+reward her. Her confessor died, and the old lady chose me to supply his
+place. This was what I was anxious to obtain, and I redoubled my zeal,
+my humility, and my flattery.
+
+It was not that I had originally any design upon the affections of the
+niece, although she was a very pretty girl, but upon the old lady's
+purse, for I knew that she could not last for many years. On the
+contrary, I was anxious, if possible, to have the niece removed, as it
+was supposed that she would inherit the old lady's doubloons; but this
+required time and opportunity, and, in the mean while, I assiduously
+cultivated the old lady's good graces. She used to confess once a week;
+and I often observed that she acknowledged as a sin, thinking too much
+of one who had led her from her duty in former days, and for whom she
+still felt too much worldly passion. One evening when the clock had
+struck ten, we had laid down the cards, which we occasionally played, it
+being the day and her usual hour for confessing. Again she repeated the
+same offence, and I then delicately hinted, that she might be more at
+ease if she were to confide to me the circumstances connected with her
+compunctions. She hesitated; but on my pointing out to her that there
+ought to be no reservation, and that the acknowledgment of the
+compunction arising from a sin was not that of the sin itself, she
+acquiesced. Her confession referred to her early days, when, attached to
+a young cavalier, against the wishes of her parents, under a solemn
+promise of marriage, she had consented to receive him into her chamber.
+The intercourse continued for some time, when it was discovered. Her
+lover had been waylaid and murdered by her relations, and she had been
+thrown into a convent. There she had been confined, and the child
+removed as soon as it was born: she had resisted all the force and
+threats employed to induce her to take the veil; and at the death of
+her father had been released and came into possession of her property,
+of which they could not deprive her: that she made every endeavour to
+find out to where her child had been removed, and at last discovered
+that it had been sent to the Foundling Asylum; but this information was
+not obtained until some years afterwards, and all the children sent
+there at the period had been dispersed. Never having married, her
+thoughts would revert to the scenes which had taken place with her
+adored Felix, although years had rolled away, and she felt that she was
+wrong to dwell upon what in itself had been so criminal.
+
+I listened to her story with great interest, for the idea occurred to
+me, that I might be the unfortunate offspring of their loves, and if
+not, that in all probability the old lady might be induced so to
+believe. I inquired whether her child had any marks by which he could be
+recognised. She answered, that she made most particular inquiries of the
+people who attended her, and that one of the women had stated that the
+child had a large wart upon the back of its neck: this however was not
+likely to remain, and she had abandoned all hopes of its discovery.
+
+I observed that warts were easily removed when contracted accidentally,
+but that those which appeared at the birth were no more to be removed
+than moles. I then turned the conversation, by stating that I could not
+consider her conduct criminal; it was more than could be expected from
+human nature, that she should not retain affection for one who had lived
+with her as a husband, and died for her sake. I gave her absolution for
+half a dozen Ave-Marias, and took my leave for the night. When I lay on
+my pallet, I reflected upon what had passed; the year and month agreed
+exactly with the time at which I had been sent to the Asylum. A wart, as
+she very truly observed, might disappear. Might not I be the very son
+whom she was lamenting? The next morning I repaired to the Asylum, and
+demanded the date of my reception, with all the particulars, which were
+invariably registered in case of the infants being eventually claimed.
+It was in the month of February. There was one other entry in the same
+month, same day, and nearly the same hour as my own.
+
+"At nine at night, a male infant left at the door in a basket, parties
+absconded, no marks, named Anselmo."
+
+"At ten at night, a male infant brought to the door in a capote, parties
+absconded, no marks, named Jacobo."
+
+It appeared then that there were two children brought within an hour of
+each other to the Asylum, and that I was one of them. In the evening I
+returned to the old lady, and accidentally resumed the subject of her
+not having made further search for her child, and asked if she had the
+precise date. She answered that she had it in her memory too well, and
+it was on the 18th of February; and that when she referred to the
+Asylum, they had informed her that the children brought in February had
+no marks; that they had all been sent away, but where they could not
+tell, as the former governor had died, and he was the only person who
+could give the information. That either I or the other was her child was
+clear, but to prove which, was impossible. It however made me less
+scrupulous about my plan of proceeding, which was to identify myself
+with the child she had lost. It was useless to prove that I was sent in
+on that day as there was a competitor; besides which, my monastic vows
+were at variance with my speculation: I therefore resolved to satisfy
+her, if I could not satisfactorily prove it to myself or to the rest of
+the world, and I took my measures accordingly.
+
+It was in my worldly disguise, that I determined to attempt my purpose;
+and as it was necessary to have a wart on my neck, I resolved to obtain
+one as soon as possible. This was easily managed: a friar of the convent
+was troubled with these excrescences, and I jocularly proposed a trial
+to see whether it was true that the blood of them would inoculate. In a
+fortnight I had a wart on my finger which soon became large, and I then
+applied the blood of it to my neck. Within three months I had a large
+wart on the back, of my neck, or rather a conglomeration of them, which
+I had produced by inoculation, assisted by constant irritation: during
+this period I was not so frequent in my attendance upon the old lady,
+excusing myself on account of the duties of the convent which devolved
+upon me. The next point was how to introduce myself in my other apparel.
+This required some reflection, as it would be but occasionally that I
+could make my appearance. After some reflection, I determined that the
+niece should assist me, for I knew that even if I succeeded in my plans,
+she would be a participator in the property which I wished to secure.
+Often left in her company, I took opportunities of talking of a young
+friend whom I highly extolled. When I had raised her curiosity, I
+mentioned in a laughing manner, that I suspected he was very much
+smitten with her charms, as I had often found him watching at the house
+opposite. An admirer is always a source of gratification to a young
+girl; her vanity was flattered, and she asked me many particulars. I
+answered them so as to inflame her curiosity, describing his person in a
+very favourable manner, and extolling his good qualities. I also
+minutely described his dress. After the music lesson was over, I
+returned to my lodgings, arrayed myself in my best suit, and putting on
+my curling ringlets, walked up and down before the window of the house.
+The niece soon recognised me as the person whose dress and appearance I
+had so minutely described, one moment showing herself at the window, at
+another darting away with all the coquetry of her sex. I perceived that
+she was flattered with her conquest; and, after parading myself for a
+short time, I disappeared.
+
+When I called the next day in my monastic costume, I had a billet-doux
+ready in my pocket. The singing commenced: I soon found out that she had
+a prepossession, from her selecting a song which in the presence of her
+aunt I should have put on one side, but it now suited my purpose that
+she should be indulged. When the aunt made her appearance we stopped,
+and commenced another: by this little ruse I became a sort of
+confidant, and the intimacy which I desired was brought about. When we
+had practised two or three songs, Donna Celia, the aunt, left the room:
+I then observed that I had seen the young cavalier whom I had mentioned,
+and that he appeared to be more infatuated than ever: that he had
+requested me as a favour to speak on his behalf, but that I had
+threatened to acquaint her aunt if he mentioned the subject; for I
+considered that my duty as a confessor in the family would be very
+irreconcileable with carrying clandestine love-messages. I acknowledged
+that I pitied his condition; for to see the tears that he shed, and
+listen to the supplications which he had made, would have softened
+almost any body; but that notwithstanding my great regard for him, I
+thought it inconsistent with my duty to interfere in such a business: I
+added, that he had told me that he had walked before the house yesterday
+afternoon, with the hopes of meeting one of the servants, whom he might
+bribe to convey a letter; and that I had threatened to acquaint Donna
+Celia if he mentioned the subject again. Donna Clara (for such was her
+name) appeared very much annoyed at my pretended rigour, but said
+nothing. After a little while, I asked her if she had seen him; she
+replied in the affirmative without further remarks. Her work-box lay
+upon the sofa, upon which she had been seated, and I put the note in it
+without being perceived. The lesson was finished, and I repaired to her
+aunt's apartments to pay her a visit in the quality of confessor. After
+half-an-hour's conversation, I returned through the saloon, where I had
+left Donna Clara: she was at her embroidery, and had evidently seen and
+read the note, for she coloured up when I entered. I took no notice,
+but, satisfied that she had read it, I bade her adieu. In the note, I
+had implored her for an answer, and stated that I should be under her
+window during the whole night. As soon as it was dark, I dressed myself
+as Don Pedro and repaired to the street, striking a few notes on the
+guitar to attract her attention. I remained there more than
+half-an-hour, when the casement opened, and a little hand threw out a
+billet, which fell at my feet: I kissed it with apparent rapture, and
+retired. When I gained my lodgings, I opened it, and found it as
+favourable as I could hope. My plan then was to act as her confidant.
+
+When I called the next day, I told her that, satisfied with the
+honourable intentions of the young cavalier, he had overcome my
+scruples, and I had consented to speak in his behalf: that I thought it
+was not right; but the state of the young man was so deplorable, that I
+could not withstand his entreaties; but that I expected that no steps
+would be taken by either party without my concurrence; and with this
+proviso, if she was pleased with the young cavalier, I would exert my
+influence in their behalf. Donna Clara's face beamed with delight at my
+communication: and she candidly acknowledged, as she had before in the
+note, that his person and his character were by no means displeasing. I
+then produced another note, which I said he had prevailed upon me to
+deliver. After this, affairs went on successfully. I repeatedly met her
+in the evening; and although I at first was indifferent, yet I soon
+became attached from the many amiable and endearing qualities which love
+had brought to light. She one day observed that there was a strong
+resemblance between Don Pedro and me, but the possibility of a serious
+shaven monk, and a gay cavalier with his curling locks, being one and
+the same person, never entered her head. When I considered matters ripe,
+I called upon Donna Celia, and, with the preamble that I had something
+of importance to communicate, informed her I had discovered that a young
+man was attached to her niece; and that I strongly suspected the regard
+was reciprocal; that I knew the young cavalier very well, who was very
+amiable, and possessed many good qualities, but there seemed to be a
+mystery about his family, as he never mentioned them. I ended by
+observing, that I considered it my duty to acquaint her with the
+circumstance; as if she objected to the match, or had other views for
+her niece, an immediate stop ought to be put to their correspondence.
+
+The old lady was very much astonished at the information, and very angry
+that her niece should have presumed to make an acquaintance without her
+knowledge. I waited until she had said all she could think of, and then
+calmly took up the right of a confessor, pointing out that she had
+herself fallen into the same error in her youthful days; that the young
+man had confessed to me that his views were honourable; but had not an
+idea, at the time, that I was acquainted with the family. Donna Celia
+then appeared to be more pacified, and asked many questions: all that
+she seemed to object to, was the mystery about his family, which at her
+request I promised to clear up before any other steps should be taken.
+Cautioning her against any violence of language to her niece, I took my
+leave. As I went out I spoke a few words to Clara, informing her of the
+_dénouement_ which had taken place, and recommending her by no means to
+irritate her aunt, but to be very penitent when she was reproved. Clara
+obeyed my injunctions, and the next day, when I called, I found her
+sitting by the side of Donna Celia, who was apparently reconciled. I
+motioned Clara out of the room, when Donna Celia informed me that she
+had acknowledged her error; and as she had promised for the future to be
+regulated by her advice, she had overlooked her indiscretion. When she
+had finished: "Prepare yourself, madam," said I, "for strange
+tidings--the ways of Heaven are wonderful. Last evening I had an
+explanation with the young cavalier, Don Pedro, and he proves to
+be--that son whose loss you have so much lamented."
+
+"Merciful heaven!" cried the old lady, and she fainted away. As soon as
+she recovered, she cried out, "Oh where is he! bring him to me--let a
+mother's eyes be blessed with his sight--let the yearnings of a mother's
+heart be recompensed in his embraces--let the tears of affection be wept
+upon his bosom."
+
+"Calm yourself, my dear madam," replied I: "the proofs you have not yet
+seen. First be satisfied, and then indulge in your delightful
+anticipation. When I pressed Don Pedro upon the subject of his family, I
+told him candidly that his only chance of success was unlimited
+confidence: he acknowledged that he had been sent to the Asylum when an
+infant, and that he did not know his parents; that the mystery and
+consequent stigma on his birth had been a source of mortification to him
+through life. I asked him if he knew his age, or had a copy of the
+register of his reception. He took it out of a small cabinet; it was on
+the 18th of February, in the same year that your child was sent there.
+Still as I was not sure, I stated that I would call upon him this
+morning, and see what could be done; assuring him that his candid avowal
+had created strong interest in his favour. This morning I repaired to
+the Asylum, when I examined the register. Two children were brought in
+on that night: here is the extract, and I feel much mortified, as you
+will observe, that no marks are mentioned. If, therefore, the wart you
+spoke of was not still remaining, the uncertainty would have been as
+great as ever. When I returned to him about an hour since, I renewed the
+subject, and stated that I thought it was the custom to make a note of
+any particular marks upon the children, by which they might be
+eventually reclaimed. He replied that it was customary when they were
+indelible, but not otherwise: that he had no indelible mark, although a
+large wart had been on the back of his neck as long as he could
+remember; 'but,' added he, 'it is of no use,--all hopes of finding my
+parents have long since been abandoned, and I must submit to my
+unfortunate destiny. I have thought upon what has passed, and I feel
+that I have acted wrong. Without family and without name, what right
+have I to aspire to the hand of any young lady of good parentage? I have
+made the resolution to conquer my feelings; and before the intimacy has
+been carried on to an extent that a rupture would occasion any pangs to
+her that I adore, I will retire from Seville, and lament in solitude my
+unfortunate condition.'
+
+"'Are you capable of making such a sacrifice, Don Pedro?' said I.--'I
+am, Father Anselmo,' replied he: 'I will always act as a man of honour
+and of family, although I cannot prove my descent.'
+
+"'Then,' said I, 'Don Pedro, do me the favour to call upon me this
+evening at my convent, and I hope to have some pleasing intelligence to
+impart.' I then left him, to come here and acquaint you with the joyful
+discovery."--"But why did you not bring him here immediately?" cried
+Donna Celia.
+
+"Madam, I have important duties at my convent which will occupy me with
+the superior till late at night. These must be attended to; and it is
+not impossible that the affairs of our convent may require my absence
+for some time, as there are new leases of our lands to be granted, and I
+have reason to expect that the superior may dispatch me on that
+business. I will acquaint the young man with what has been discovered,
+and will then send him to your arms; but it were advisable that you
+allow a few hours to repose after the agitation which you have
+undergone, and previous to the affecting scene that will naturally take
+place. I wish I could be present; for it is not often, in this world,
+that we can witness the best affections of the heart in their virtuous
+action."
+
+I then took my leave, requesting Donna Celia to inform her niece of the
+circumstances, as I presumed there would now be no obstacle to the
+mutual attachment of the young people.
+
+My reason for an early departure was that I might arrange the story I
+should tell, when, as Don Pedro, my new mother would demand from me the
+events of my life. I had also to request leave of absence, which I
+obtained in expectation of some property being left to the convent by an
+elderly gentleman residing at Alicant, who was expected to die, and from
+whom I produced a letter, requesting my presence. As I was on the best
+terms with the superior, and there was a prospect of obtaining money,
+his consent was given. That I should be there in time, I was permitted
+to depart that evening. I took my leave of the superior, and the rest of
+the monks, intending never to return, and hastened to my lodgings, where
+I threw off my monastic habit, which from that hour has never been
+resumed. I repaired to Donna Celia's house, was admitted and ushered
+into a room to await her arrival. My person had been set off to the best
+advantage. I had put on a new wig, a splendid velvet cloak, silk doublet
+and hose; and as I surveyed myself for a second or two in the mirror, I
+felt the impossibility of recognition, mingled with pride at my handsome
+contour. The door opened, and Donna Celia came in, trembling with
+anxiety. I threw myself on my knees, and in a voice apparently choked
+with emotion, demanded her blessing. She tottered to the sofa
+overpowered by her feelings; and still remaining on my knees, I seized
+her hand, which I covered with kisses.
+
+"It is--it is my child," cried she at last; "all powerful nature would
+have told me so, if it had not been proved," and she threw her arms
+round my neck, as she bent over me and shed tears of gratitude and
+delight. I do assure your highness that I caught the infection, and
+mingled my tears with hers; for I felt then, and I even now firmly
+believe, that I was her son. Although my conscience for a moment
+upbraided me, during a scene which brought back virtuous feelings to my
+breast, I could not but consider, that a deception which could produce
+so much delight and joy, was almost pardonable. I took my seat beside
+her, and she kissed me again and again, as one minute she would hold me
+off to look at me, and the next strain me in her embraces.
+
+"You are the image of your father, Pedro," observed she, mournfully,
+"but God's will be done. If he has taken away, he also hath given, and
+truly grateful am I for his bounty." When we had in some degree
+recovered our agitation, I entreated her to narrate to me the history of
+my father of which I had heard but little from the good brother Anselmo,
+and she repeated to me those events of her youthful days which she had
+communicated before.
+
+"But you have not been introduced to Clara: the naughty girl little
+thought that she was carrying on an amour with her own cousin."
+
+When Donna Celia called her down, I made no scruple of pressing the dear
+girl to my heart, and implanting a kiss upon her lips: with our eyes
+beaming with love and joy, we sat down upon the sofa, I in the centre,
+with a hand locked in the hand of each. "And now, my dear Pedro, I am
+anxious to hear the narrative of your life," said Donna Celia: "that it
+has been honourable to yourself, I feel convinced." Thanking her for her
+good opinion, which I hoped neither what had passed, or might in future
+occur, would be the means of removing, I commenced the history of my
+life in the following words.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Commenced the history of your life?" interrupted the pacha. "Does the
+slave laugh at our beards? What then is all this you have been telling
+us?"
+
+"The truth, your highness," replied the Spaniard. "What I am about to
+tell, is the history of my life, which I invented to deceive the old
+lady Donna Celia, and which is all false."
+
+"I understand, Mustapha, this kafir is a regular Kessehgou,[3] he makes
+one story breed another; but it is late, see that he attends to-morrow
+afternoon, Bero! Go, infidel, the muezzin calls to prayers."
+
+  [3] Eastern story-teller.
+
+The Spaniard quitted the sublime presence, and in obedience to the call
+of the muezzin, the pacha and Mustapha paid their customary evening
+devotions--to the bottle.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter IV
+
+
+The next day the Spanish slave was summoned to continue his narrative.
+
+"Your sublime highness of course recollects where I lest off yesterday
+evening," commenced the slave.
+
+"Perfectly well," replied the pacha, "you left off at the beginning of
+your story; but I hope you will finish it this evening, as I have
+already forgotten a great deal of what you said."
+
+"Your highness may recollect that I was seated--"
+
+"Yes, in our presence," interrupted the pacha; "such was our
+condescension to a Giaour. Now go on with your story."
+
+"With due submission to your highness, I was seated on a sofa, between
+my mother Donna Celia and my mistress Donna Clara."
+
+"Very true; I recollect now that you were."
+
+"A hand clasped in the hand of each."
+
+"Exactly," replied the pacha, impatiently.
+
+"And was about to tell a story of my own invention, to deceive the old
+lady my mother."
+
+"Anna Senna! curses on your mother!" cried the pacha, in an angry tone.
+"Sit down and continue your story. Is a pacha nothing? Is the lion to be
+chafed by a jackall? Wallah le Nebi! By God and the Prophet! do you
+laugh at our beard? The story!"
+
+"The story requested by your highness," replied the slave, with great
+coolness, "was commenced in the following words."
+
+
+
+STORY OF THE MONK.
+
+What occurred during my infancy, my dearest mother, I do not recollect;
+but I can retrace to the age of seven years, when I found myself in
+company with a number of others, from the squalling infant of a few days
+old, up to about my own age. I also recollect that our fare was
+indifferent, and our punishment severe.
+
+"Poor child!" exclaimed Donna Celia, pressing my hand which was still
+locked in hers. I continued there until the age of ten, when an old lady
+who came to the Asylum, took a fancy to me; for I often heard it
+remarked, that I was a very handsome boy, although I have rather grown
+out of my good looks lately, Clara.
+
+A pressure of my other hand, and a negative smile, was the answer; and I
+proceeded--
+
+The old lady Donna Isabella, who was of the noble family of Guzman,
+wanted a page, and intended to bring me up in that capacity. She carried
+me to her house, where I was clad in a fancy dress. I used to sit by her
+side on the carpet, and run upon any message which might be required; in
+fact, I was a sort of human bell, calling up every body and fetching
+every thing that was wanted; but I was well fed, and very proud of a
+little dagger which I wore in my girdle. The only part of my education
+to which I objected, was learning to read and write from a priest, who
+was domiciled in the family, and who had himself as great an aversion to
+teaching as I had to learning. Had the affair rested entirely between
+us, we might have arranged matters so as to please both parties; but as
+the old lady used to prove my acquirements by making me read to her, as
+she knotted, we neither of us could help fulfilling our engagements. By
+dint of bullying and beating, at last I was sufficiently enlightened to
+be able to read a romance to my mistress, or answer an invitation-note
+in the negative or affirmative. My mistress had two nieces who lived
+with her, both nearly grown up when I entered the family. They taught me
+dancing for their own amusement, as well as many other things, and by
+their care I improved very much, even in reading and writing. Although a
+child, I had a pleasure in being taught by two pretty girls. But it is
+necessary that I should be more particular in my description of these
+two young ladies. The eldest, whose name was Donna Emilia, was of a
+prudent, sedate description, always cheerful, but never boisterous; she
+constantly smiled, but seldom, if ever, indulged in a laugh. The
+youngest, Donna Teresa, was very different--joyous and light-hearted,
+frank and confiding in her temper, generous in disposition: her faults
+arose from an excess of every feeling--a continual running into
+extremes. Never were two sisters more fond of each other: it appeared as
+if the difference between their dispositions but added to their
+attachment. The serious character of the elder was roused to playfulness
+by the vivacity of the younger, and the extravagance of the younger was
+kept in due bounds by the prudence of the elder. As a child I liked
+Donna Emilia, but I was devotedly fond of Donna Teresa.
+
+I had been three years in this situation, when legal business required
+the presence of Donna Isabella at Madrid. The young ladies, who were
+both very handsome, and remarkably like each other in person, were much
+admired by the cavaliers. Two had gained the victory over the rival
+candidates--Don Perez was the favoured suitor of Donna Emilia, while Don
+Florez was proud to wear the chains of the lively Teresa. Donna Isabella
+had, however, no intention that her nieces should quit her for the
+present, and aware, by the serenading which took place every night, that
+there were pretenders to her nieces' smiles, she hastened back to
+Seville sooner than she had intended.
+
+Although I had not been trusted by either, I had an idea of what was
+going on; but with more prudence than most boys of my age, I made no
+remarks either to my mistress or to the young ladies. We had returned to
+Seville about a month, when Donna Emilia called me aside, and said,
+"Pedro, can you keep a secret?"
+
+I told her--"Yes, if I was paid for it."
+
+"And what do you want to induce you to keep it, you little miser?"
+
+I replied--"From her, only a kiss."
+
+She called me a little rogue, gave me the kiss, and then told me, that a
+cavalier would be under the window a little after vesper bell, and that
+I must give him a billet, which she put into my hand. Of course, having
+received my payment before hand, I consented. At the time mentioned I
+looked out of the gate, and perceiving a cavalier under the window, I
+accosted him, "What ho, Senor, what is it you expect from a fair lady?"
+
+"A billet, my little page," replied he.
+
+"Then here you have it," replied I, pulling it out of my vest. He put a
+doubloon in my hand, and immediately disappeared.
+
+I liked the gold very much, but I preferred the other payment more. I
+put the money into my pocket, and returned into the house. I had hardly
+come into the hall, when Donna Teresa, the other young lady, accosted
+me. "Pedro, I have been looking for you--can you keep a secret?"
+
+"Yes, if I am paid for it," replied I, as before.
+
+"And what must it be that will keep that little tongue of yours from
+chattering?"
+
+"From you," replied I, "it must be a kiss."
+
+"Oh! you little mannikin--I'll give you twenty;" and she did so, until
+she almost took away my breath. "And now," said she, "there is a senor
+waiting below for a note, which you must take him." I took the note, and
+when I came to the gate, found a cavalier there, as she had mentioned.
+"Oh, Senor," said I, "what are you waiting for, is it a billet-doux from
+a sweet lady?"
+
+"It is, my pretty boy," answered he.
+
+"Perhaps this will interest you," replied I, handing him the note. He
+snatched it from me, and would have departed. "Senor," said I, "I cannot
+allow my mistress to be affronted. Her favours are beyond all price, but
+still they are always coupled with gold. Since you are so poor, and gold
+must pass, here is a piece for you," and I offered him the doubloon
+which I had received from the other cavalier.
+
+"You are a witty boy," replied he, "and have corrected my negligence,
+for it was nothing more, I assure you. Add this to the other,"--and he
+put a quarter-doubloon in my hand and disappeared. I returned to the
+house, and as I had been some time away from my mistress I went into
+the saloon--where she was sitting alone.
+
+"Pedro, come hither, child, you know how good I have been to you, and
+how carefully I have brought you up. Now tell me, can you keep a
+secret?"--"Yes, madam," replied I, "I can keep yours, for it is my
+duty."
+
+"That's a good child; well then, I have an idea that my two nieces are
+followed by some of the gay cavaliers, who saw them at Madrid, and I
+wish you to find out if it is true.--Do you understand?"
+
+"Oh, yes, madam," replied I; "I do perfectly."
+
+"Well then, do you watch,--and Pedro, here are two reals for you, to buy
+sugar-plums."
+
+Thus did I enter in one day into the real occupation of a page. I added
+the two reals to the gold, and, as you may suppose, meant to serve as I
+was paid. But, as I found out afterwards, I had made a terrible mistake
+with the two billets-doux. That of Donna Emilia I had given to Don
+Florez, who was Donna Teresa's admirer; that of Donna Teresa I had given
+to Don Perez, who was the lover of Donna Emilia; but I had better
+explain to you, before I go on, what did not come to my knowledge until
+the _dénouement_ took place. Don Perez, the lover of Emilia, was a young
+man who was entitled to large property, at the death of an uncle, to
+whom he was heir by entail. Don Florez, on the contrary, was in
+possession of a splendid fortune, and able to choose for himself. From
+fear of discovery, the notes were both in a disguised hand, and not
+signed by the respective Christian names of the ladies. Donna Emilia's
+ran thus:--"I found your note in the spot agreed, but my aunt has taken
+away the key of the shrubbery, and is I believe suspicious.--Why are you
+so urgent?--I trust your affection, like mine, will but increase from
+delay. It will be impossible to meet you to-night; but I have entered
+the page in my service, and will write soon." That of Donna Teresa,
+which I put in the hands of Don Perez, ran as follows:--"I can no longer
+refuse your solicitations for an interview. My aunt has locked up the
+shrubbery, but if you have courage enough to scale the garden-wall, I
+will meet you in the saloon which opens upon the garden; but not a word
+must be said, as the servants are continually passing the door--neither
+can we have a light--I must trust to your honour."
+
+Don Perez was delighted at Donna Emilia's having at last yielded to his
+entreaties for a meeting; and Don Florez, as much annoyed at the
+reserved conduct of his mistress, went home accusing her of coquetry. At
+the appointed hour, Don Perez met his supposed mistress in the saloon.
+The two sisters were confidantes, and as I was in their secret, they
+made no scruple of talking before me. The next day, when their aunt left
+the room, they began arguing upon the personal merits of the respective
+cavaliers. After a good-humoured controversy, they appealed to me.
+"Come, Pedro," said Teresa, "you shall decide.--Which do you think the
+handsomest cavalier?"
+
+"Why," answered I, "I think that your senor is, for a fair man, the
+handsomest I ever saw--but still the beautiful dark eyes of the Donna
+Emilia's cavalier are equally prepossessing."
+
+"Why Pedro, you have mistaken the two," said Emilia, "it is Don Perez,
+the fair one, who is my admirer, and the dark senor is Don Florez, who
+is in love with my sister." I perceived that I had made a mistake when I
+delivered the notes, and Teresa coloured up. But I had sense enough to
+answer--"Very true, madam, you are right, I now recollect that I am
+confounding the two."
+
+Shortly afterwards the aunt came into the room, and Teresa quitted it,
+beckoning me to follow her. As soon as I had joined her, she said, "Now,
+Pedro, tell the truth: did you not make the mistake that you stated, and
+deliver my note to the fair cavalier, Don Perez."
+
+I answered, "that I had, as I had already delivered Emilia's note to the
+dark gentleman." Donna Teresa put her hands over her face and wept
+bitterly,--"Pedro, you must now keep this secret, for it is of the
+greatest importance.--My God, what will become of me?" cried she, and
+for some time she was in the greatest distress: at last she wiped her
+eyes, and after much reflection, she took up paper and wrote a
+note.--"Pedro, take this note to the direction; recollect it is for the
+dark cavalier that it is intended." Teresa had read the note of Emilia
+to Don Perez, which had been received by Don Florez--in consequence her
+present note ran thus:--"You may think me harsh for having refused to
+see you last night, but I was afraid. Do not accuse me with trifling
+with your feelings, I will meet you in the saloon that leads to the
+garden, which was last night occupied; come at ten this evening."
+
+I went out with the note and gave it into the hands of Don Florez. "My
+dear boy, tell Donna Teresa I will not fail; I know now why she could
+not receive me last night; I only hope I may be as fortunate as Don
+Perez." He put a doubloon in my hand, and I went away. I had not quitted
+the street when I met Don Perez.
+
+"Ah! my little page, this is indeed lucky; just step to my rooms while I
+write a note to Donna Emilia." I did so, and he gave me a
+quarter-doubloon as before. "I thank you, senor," replied I; what with
+the doubloons of Don Florez and your quarter-doubloons, I shall soon be
+a rich man."
+
+"How say you," replied he, "Don Florez give you doubloons--then he
+spoils the market; but I must not allow him to pay you better than I do,
+or I shall not be served so faithfully.--Here's a doubloon and a half,
+which, with what you have already received, will make the accounts
+square." I made my bow, and with many thanks withdrew.
+
+Young as I was, I had an idea that something had occurred at the
+mistaken meeting of last night, which seriously affected Donna Teresa.
+As I was much more partial to her than to her sister, I resolved not to
+deliver the note of Don Perez to Emilia, until I had consulted Donna
+Teresa. On my return, I beckoned her into her chamber, and told her the
+answer of Don Florez, with his observation, "that he hoped he should be
+as fortunate as Don Perez was last night." She coloured with shame and
+vexation; and I then told her how I had met Don Perez, and what had
+passed. I then gave her the note, and asked whether I should deliver it
+or not. She hastily tore it open--it ran as follows:--"How can I
+sufficiently express my gratitude to my adored Emilia, for her kindness
+to me last night? Tell me, dearest angel, when am I to have the pleasure
+of meeting you again in the saloon? Till you once more grant me the
+favour, life will be a blank."
+
+"Pedro," said she, "you have indeed done me a service--you have been my
+preserver. How can I ever repay you?"
+
+"Give me a double allowance of kisses, this time," replied I.
+
+"I will give you a thousand," answered she, and she kissed and blessed
+me while tears ran down her cheeks; she then took some paper, and
+imitating the hand-writing, wrote as follows:--"I must submit to your
+wishes, Donna Emilia; and while your sister blesses Don Florez, must
+yield to the severity of your disposition. Still I hope that you will
+relent--I am very miserable; write to me, if you have any love still
+remaining for your adorer.----Perez."
+
+"Take this to Emilia, my sweet child.--What can I do to reward you?"
+
+"Why you must take care of my money," said I, "for if my mistress finds
+it out, I shall never be able to tell how I came by it." She smiled
+mournfully as she received my doubloons, and locked them up in a
+trinket-box. "I will add to your wealth, Pedro," said she.
+
+"No," replied I, "only kisses from you." I told her why her aunt gave me
+the two reals, and we separated. I delivered the note to Donna Emilia,
+who in the afternoon put an answer into my hand; but I would not act
+without Donna Teresa knowing what took place, and it occurred to me,
+that it would be very possible to repair the mischief, which my mistake
+had occasioned. I therefore took the answers of Donna Emilia to her
+lover to Donna Teresa, and told her what I thought, "My dear Pedro, you
+are indeed a treasure to me," replied Teresa.
+
+She opened Emilia's note, which ran as follows:--"You accuse me of
+unkindness, which I do not deserve. Heaven knows my heart is but too
+yielding. I will arrange a meeting as soon as I possibly can; but as I
+before said, my aunt is suspicious, and I cannot make up my mind, like
+Teresa, to run the risk of discovery."
+
+Teresa tore up this note, and wrote as follows:--"If a woman has the
+misfortune to yield too much to the solicitations of her lover, he
+becomes arrogant, and claims as a right, what only can be received as a
+favour. I consider that what passes in darkness should remain as secret
+in the breast, and as silent in the tongue. I now tell you candidly,
+that I shall consider it as an insult, if ever you refer to the meeting
+of last night; and to punish you for your arrogant request of another,
+shall treat you with the same reserve as before. Recollect that the
+least intimation of it, however private we may be, will be the signal of
+your dismissal. At the same time, expecting implicit obedience to this
+command, I shall punish you no further, if you offend not again. When I
+feel inclined to see you, I will let you know. Till then, Yours, etc."
+
+I took this note to Don Perez, whom I found at his lodgings drinking in
+company with Don Florez, for they had no secrets from each other. Perez
+opened the note, and appeared a little astonished.--"Read this, Florez,"
+said he, "and tell me if woman is not a riddle."
+
+"Well, now I like her spirit," replied Florez, "some women would have
+been dying with apprehension at your leaving them: she, on the contrary,
+considers that you are under greater obligations than before; and
+assumes her dominion over you. I recommend you to comply with her
+injunctions, if you wish to retain her love."
+
+"I don't know but what you are right, Florez; and as we are lords and
+masters after marriage, it is but fair, that they should hold their
+uninterrupted sway before. I feel more attached to her than ever, and if
+she chooses to play the tyrant, why she shall. It shows her good sense;
+for keeping us off, is the only way to induce us to go on."
+
+I returned home, delivering a note from Don Perez to Emilia, stating his
+intention to abide by her wishes, and stated to Donna Teresa all that
+had passed between the cavaliers.
+
+"Thanks to your prudence and sagacity, my dear little Pedro, all as yet
+is well; but it may yet be discovered; for I will now confide to you,
+that the tenderness last night, intended for Don Florez, was by your
+mistake, and the darkness and silence prescribed at the meeting,
+lavished upon my sister's admirer. But all will I trust be well, and I
+shall not suffer for an unintentional misfortune."
+
+That evening Don Florez was received by Teresa in the saloon; and the
+next morning, I was sitting as usual by my mistress, when she asked,
+"Well, Pedro, have you discovered anything?"
+
+"Yes, madam," replied I.
+
+"And what is it, child?"
+
+"Why, madam, a gentleman asked me to give a letter, but I would not."
+
+"Who was it for, child?"
+
+"I don't know, madam, for I refused to take it in my hand."
+
+"Well, Pedro, you were right; the next time he offers you a letter take
+it, and bring it to me."
+
+"I will, madam," said I.
+
+"Here are two reals for you, child--have you spent the last I gave you?"
+
+I left the room--when Donna Emilia met me outside, and put a note into
+my hand for Don Perez. I first took it to my friend Teresa, who opened
+it:--"At last my affection has borne down my resolution, and I consent
+to see you. There is no other way but in the saloon. Be careful not to
+offend me, or it will be for the last time."
+
+"This may go, Pedro," said Teresa, "and you may call at Don Florez'
+lodgings as you pass by."
+
+I delivered the note to Don Perez, and before he had finished it, Don
+Florez entered the room.--"Congratulate me, my dear friend," said he. "I
+was received as kindly as I could wish."
+
+"And my fair one has not taken long to relent," answered Perez, "for I
+have an appointment with her this evening. Pedro, tell your mistress,
+that I do not write, but that I bless her for her kindness, and shall
+not fail to meet her.--Do you understand? Well, what are you waiting
+for? Oh! you little rogue, I understand," and he threw me a
+doubloon.--"Florez, you give that boy too much money, and I am obliged
+to do the same." Florez laughed, and I again took my departure.
+
+Thus did I continue in my vocation for some time, when the old lady fell
+sick and died. She divided her fortune between her two nieces, and as
+they were now independent, they married their respective lovers; but the
+old lady forgot to mention me in her will, and I should have been turned
+adrift on the world had it not been for Donna Teresa, who immediately
+appointed me as her own attendant. I was as happy as before, although no
+more doubloons fell into my hands, after the marriages took place. It
+appears that Don Perez was so much afraid of offending Donna Emilia,
+that he never ventured to speak of the meeting, which he supposed he had
+had with her in the saloon, until after marriage: then, feeling himself
+quite at liberty, he had laughed at her on the subject. Donna Emilia was
+all astonishment, declared most positively that it had not taken place;
+and although he at first ridiculed the idea of her denial, yet
+recollecting that he still had her notes in his possession, he brought
+them out, and showed her the one in which she had prohibited him from
+speaking on the subject. Donna Emilia protested that it was not her
+writing, and was confounded at the apparent mystery. She stated that
+Teresa had agreed to meet Don Florez in the saloon that night.
+
+"On the contrary," replied Don Perez, "he received a letter from Donna
+Teresa, refusing him a meeting, at the same time that I received this
+from you, giving me the assignation."
+
+Donna Emilia burst into tears. "I see how it is," replied she, "the page
+by mistake has given the note which I wrote you to Don Florez, and
+Teresa's note fell into your hands. You have taken an unworthy advantage
+of the circumstance, and have met my sister. Never make me believe, Don
+Perez, that you were not aware of the mistake, when she received you in
+the saloon--or that she could not distinguish you from Don Florez. Cruel
+sister, thus to rob me of my happiness! Treacherous Don Perez, thus to
+betray your friend and me!"
+
+Don Perez tried all he could to pacify his wife, but in vain. Her
+jealousy, her pride, and her conscientious scruples were roused, and she
+would not listen to any reasoning or protestations. Although he was
+almost certain, that the fact was as his wife had stated, he determined
+to make sure by referring to me. He came to Don Florez' house, and after
+staying a little while with him and his wife, during which he appeared
+so uneasy that they asked him whether he was unwell, he went away making
+a sign for me to follow him. He then entered into all the particulars,
+and asked me about the delivery of the notes. I took it for granted,
+that an explanation had taken place between him and his wife--my only
+object was to save Donna Teresa.
+
+"Senor, whether what Donna Emilia says is true, I know not," replied I;
+"but, that it was not Donna Teresa who met you, I can certify, for I was
+in her room with her that night till she went to bed, playing at piquet
+for sugar-plums."
+
+"Then who could it be," observed he.
+
+"I know not, senor, for I did not go downstairs, where my mistress was,
+because she had sent me to bed, and I knew that I should have been
+scolded for being up. Therefore I cannot say whether Donna Emilia was
+with you or not."
+
+Don Perez meditated some time, and then came to the conclusion that his
+wife was ashamed of having been too indulgent to him in an unguarded
+moment, and would not acknowledge it. Still he was far from being
+satisfied. He returned home to explain what he had gathered to his wife,
+but found that she had left the house some time before, without stating
+whither she was going. As soon as Don Perez left the house, I hastened
+to my mistress, to acquaint her with what had passed, and what I had
+told him.
+
+"I thank you for your kind intention, Pedro, but I am afraid that all
+will be discovered. It is a judgment on me for my folly and
+indiscretion."
+
+In the meantime, Donna Emilia, who had taken refuge in a neighbouring
+convent, sent for Don Florez. He found her in the convent-parlour in
+tears. Convinced by her jealousy, that her sister had an attachment to
+Don Perez, and that there had been a mutual understanding, she stated to
+Don Florez the whole of the circumstances, and pointing out to him how
+treacherously they both had been treated, acquainted him with her
+intention to retire from the world.
+
+Don Florez, stirred to madness by the information, exclaimed--"It was
+for this, then, that she put me off on that night, and was kind to me
+the next. Cursed dupe that I have been; but, thank heaven, it is not too
+late to be revenged. Don Perez, you shall pay dearly for this." So
+saying, he quitted Donna Emilia, uncertain whether he should first wreak
+his vengeance upon Don Perez or his wife. But this point was soon
+decided, for at the convent gate he encountered Don Perez, who had been
+informed whither his wife had retreated.
+
+"You are the person I have been anxiously wishing to see, Don
+Perez--treacherous villain, void of all honour."
+
+"Not so, Don Florez. I am an unfortunate man, who is half mad by a
+cruel mistake which has occurred. Recall your words, for they are
+unjust."
+
+"I do not intend to recall them, but assert the truth with the point of
+my rapier. If you are not as great a coward, as you are a villain, you
+will follow me."
+
+"Such language will admit of no reply. I am at your service," cried Don
+Perez.
+
+The two brothers-in-law walked in silence, until they reached a field
+hard by, where they threw off their cloaks, and fought with the fury of
+demons. Victory was decided in favour of Don Perez; his sword passed
+through the heart of his adversary, who never spoke again. Don Perez
+viewed the body with a stern countenance, wiped his sword, took up his
+cloak, and walked straight to the house of Don Florez. "Donna Teresa,"
+said he (I only was present), "I call upon you, as you value salvation
+in the day of judgment, to tell me the truth. Was it you, that, by an
+unfortunate mistake, I met one night in the saloon, and were those
+caresses, intended for Don Florez, bestowed upon me?"
+
+There was a wildness, a ferocity in his air that frightened her; she
+stammered out at last--"for my sins, it is true; but you know, too well,
+that I never was false in heart, although when I found out my mistake, I
+attempted to conceal my indiscretion."
+
+"Had you, madam, been as virtuous as your sister, all this mischief
+would not have happened--and your husband would not now be lying a
+corpse, by the hand of his brother."
+
+Donna Teresa fainted at the intelligence, and Don Perez immediately
+quitted the house. I hastened to her assistance, and succeeded in
+restoring her to life.
+
+"It is but too true," said she, mournfully; "crime will always meet with
+punishment, in this world, or in the next. By permitting my love to
+overcome the dictates of virtue, by being too fond of my husband, I have
+murdered him. Oh God! I have murdered him, and rendered the lives of two
+others as much a burden to them as my own will ever be. My poor, dear
+sister, where is she?"
+
+I tried all my powers of consolation, but in vain: all she requested
+was that I would find out where her sister was, and let her know. I set
+off upon my melancholy task, and met the people bearing in the body of
+Don Florez. I shuddered as it passed by, when I recollected how
+principal a part I had acted in the tragedy. I soon gained the
+information, and brought it to Donna Teresa. She dressed herself in deep
+mourning, and, desiring me to follow her, knocked at the convent gate,
+and requesting to see the superior, was admitted. The superior came out
+of the parlour to receive her, not wishing that any one should enter,
+while Donna Emilia was in such a state of misery and despair.
+
+"It is my sister that I come to see, madam, and I must not be refused;
+lead me to her, and be witness of the scene, if you please."
+
+The superior, who was not aware that Emilia would have refused to see
+Donna Teresa, led the way, and we were ushered into the presence of
+Emilia, who, looking up as Donna Teresa entered, turned away from her as
+if in abhorrence.
+
+"Emilia," said my mistress, "we are born of the same mother, we have
+lived as children, and we have grown up together; never did we have a
+secret from each other, till this unfortunate mistake occurred. On my
+knees, I request you to listen to me, and to believe what I say."
+
+"Plead your cause with your husband, Teresa; it is more necessary to
+pacify him than me."
+
+"I have no husband, Emilia; he is now pleading his own cause with
+God--for he has fallen by the sword of yours."
+
+Donna Emilia started.
+
+"Yes, Emilia, dear, dear sister, it is but too true, and still more
+true, that you have caused his death. Do not kill me too, Emilia, by
+refusing to believe what I declare, as I hope for eternal
+salvation,--that I never was aware of the mistake, until the boy
+discovered it to me, on the ensuing day. If you knew the shame, the
+vexation, the fear of discovery which racked my frame, when I was but
+too sure of it, you would forgive my having tried to hide a fault, the
+knowledge of which would make others miserable, as well as me. Say you
+believe me--say you forgive me, Emilia. Oh! Emilia, cannot you forgive a
+sister?"
+
+Emilia answered not, and Teresa, clinging to her knees, and embracing
+them, sobbed hysterically. At this moment, Don Perez, who had obtained
+admittance to see his wife, came into the room, and walking up to the
+part in which the two unfortunate ladies remained in the attitudes
+described, said,--"You, Teresa, who have been the original cause of this
+unhappy business, I mean not to reproach again. Your punishment has been
+greater than your offence. It is to you, madam, I must address myself,
+who, by not believing in the words of truth, have caused me to slay my
+dearest friend and brother, and, after having unwittingly wounded him in
+the tenderest point, add to the injury by taking away his life. Are you
+yet satisfied, madam? Are you satisfied with having embittered my days
+by your injustice and unworthy suspicions--by having reduced your
+unfortunate, yet not guilty sister, to the state of an unhappy, lonely
+woman, now suing in vain for pardon at your feet; by having been the
+occasion of the death of your brother by marriage--her husband and my
+friend? Say, madam, are you yet satisfied, or will you have more victims
+to your unbelief?"
+
+Emilia answered not, but continued with her face averted.
+
+"Be it so, then, madam;" replied Don Perez; and, before any one was
+aware of his intention, he drew his sword, and fell upon it. "Now,
+Emilia, let the sacrifice of my life be a proof to you of my sincerity.
+As I hope for pardon, I have told the truth;" and Don Perez fell on his
+back, and was dead.
+
+Emilia started round when he fell, and threw herself down by his side in
+horror and amazement. The film that passion had thrown over her eyes was
+removed, as she witnessed the last melancholy result of her unbelief.
+When Don Perez ceased speaking, she threw herself on his body, in an
+agony of grief.--"I do, I do believe--Perez, I do, I do! Oh! indeed I do
+believe--speak to me, Perez--O God, he is dying!--Sister, Teresa, come,
+come, he'll speak to you--he's not angry with you--Sister, sister,
+speak--O God! O God!" screamed the unhappy woman, "he's dead--and I have
+murdered him!"--and she dashed her head upon the floor. Teresa hastened
+to her sister, and held her in her arms, while the tears poured fast. It
+was some time before reason resumed her seat; at last, exhausted by the
+violence of her feelings, she was relieved with a flood of tears.
+
+"Who is it?--you, Teresa--kind sister, whom I have used so ill--I do
+believe you--I do believe, Teresa; God forgive me! kiss me, sister, and
+say that you forgive me--for am I not punished?"
+
+"It is all my fault," answered Teresa, bursting into tears: "Oh! how
+wicked, how foolish have I been!"
+
+"No, no, sister, your fault is small, compared to mine; you allowed your
+passion to overcome you, but it arose from an excess of love, the best
+feeling in our nature--the only remnant of heaven left us since our
+fall. I too have allowed my passion to overcome me; but whence has it
+arisen?--from hatred and jealousy, feelings which were implanted by
+demons, and which create a hell, wherever they command. But it is done,
+and repentance comes too late."
+
+The unfortunate sisters embraced each other and mingled their tears
+together; and I hardly need say, that the Lady Abbess and I could not
+restrain our meed of pity at the affecting scene. As the evening closed,
+they separated, each to attend to the same mournful duty, of watching by
+the bodies of their husbands, and bedewing them with their tears. A few
+days after the interments took place, Emilia sent for her sister, and
+after an affectionate interview, took the veil in the convent to which
+she had retired--endowing the church with her property. Donna Teresa did
+not take the veil; but employed herself in the more active duties of
+charity and benevolence--but she gradually wasted away--her heart was
+broken. I stayed with her for three years, when she died, leaving a
+considerable sum to me, and the remainder of her wealth to beneficent
+institutions. This is about five years ago, since when I have been
+living on the property, which is nearly all expended by my extravagance.
+The stigma on my birth is, however, the only subject which has weighed
+upon my spirits--this is providentially removed, and I trust that I
+shall not disgrace the mother who has so kindly acknowledged me, or the
+dear girl who has honoured this faulty person with her attachment.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+My mother and Clara thanked me when I had concluded my narrative, and we
+remained unto a late hour entering upon family affairs, and planning for
+the future. My mother informed me that upon the estates she had only a
+life interest, as they were entailed, and would revert to a cousin; but
+that she had laid by a considerable sum of money, intending it as a
+dowry for my Clara, and that she hoped to increase it before she died.
+As I was anxious to quit Seville, where I feared daily discovery, I
+proposed that we should retire to the estate near Carthagena, by which
+not only a considerable expense would be saved, but I should feel more
+happy in the company of Clara and herself. My mother and my intended
+gladly consented to the proposal, not only for the above reasons, but
+because she was aware that the questions which might be asked about me
+would tend to the injury of her character. In less than a fortnight the
+establishment at Seville was broken up, and we retired to the country,
+where I was made happy by the possession of my Clara. I now considered
+myself as secure from any discovery, and although I had led a life of
+duplicity, meant by future good conduct to atone for the past. Whether
+Donna Celia was my mother or not, I felt towards her as if she was, and
+after some time from habit considered it an established fact. My Clara
+was as kind and endearing as I could desire, and for five years I was as
+happy as I could wish. But it was not to last; I was to be punished for
+my deceit. My marriage with Clara, and the mystery attached to my
+birth, which was kept secret, had irritated the heir of the estate, who
+had been in hopes, by marrying Clara himself, to secure the personal as
+well as the real property. We occasionally met, but we met with rancour
+in our hearts, for I resented his behaviour towards me. Fearful of
+discovery, I had never paid any attention to music since my marriage; I
+had always pretended that I could not sing. Even my wife was not aware
+of my talent; and although latterly I had no fear of the kind, yet as I
+had always stated my inability, I did not choose to bring forth a
+talent, the reason for concealing which I could not explain even to my
+wife and mother, without acknowledging the deception of which I had been
+guilty.
+
+It happened that one evening at a large party I met my cousin, the heir
+of the entailed estates. We were very joyous and merry, and had drunk a
+good deal more than usual. The wine was powerful, and had taken effect
+upon most of us. Singing was introduced, and the night passed merrily
+away, more visitors occasionally dropping in. My cousin was much elated
+with wine, and made several ill-natured remarks, which were meant for
+me. I took no notice for some time, but, as he continued, I answered
+with such spirit, as to arouse his indignation. My own blood boiled; but
+the interference of mutual friends pacified us for the time, and we
+renewed our applications to the bottle. My cousin was called upon for a
+song; he had a fine voice and considerable execution, and was much
+applauded.
+
+"Now, then," said he, in an ironical tone, "perhaps Don Pedro will
+oblige the company; although perhaps the real way to oblige them will be
+by not attempting that of which he is not capable."
+
+Stung with this sarcasm, and flushed with wine, I forgot my prudence.
+Snatching the guitar from him, after a prelude which created the
+greatest astonishment of all present, I commenced one of my most
+successful airs: I sang it in my best style, and it electrified the
+whole party. Shouts proclaimed my victory, and the defeat of my
+relative. Some embraced me in their enthusiasm, and all loudly encored;
+but as soon as there was a moment's silence, I heard a voice behind me
+observe--"Either that is the monk Anselmo's voice, or the devil's."
+
+I started at the words, and turned round to the speaker, but he had
+mingled with the crowd, and I could not discover who it was. I perceived
+that my relative had followed him on; and I now cursed my own
+imprudence. As soon as I could, I made my escape from the company, and
+returned home. As I afterwards found out, my relative had immediately
+communicated with the person who had made the observation. He was one of
+the priests who knew me at Seville. From him, my cousin gained the
+information that brother Anselmo had left the convent about five years
+ago, and not having returned, it was thought that an accident had
+happened to him. But a discovery had since been made, which led them to
+suppose, that brother Anselmo had, for some time, been carrying on a
+system of deception. You may remember I stated, that when I resumed my
+worldly apparel to introduce myself as the son of Donna Celia, I changed
+the dress at my lodgings. I locked up my friar's dress and the false
+tonsure in the chest, intending to have returned, and destroyed it; but
+I quite forgot it, and left Seville with the key of my lodgings in my
+pocket. The landlord waited until his rent was due, when, not hearing
+anything of me, he broke open the door and found the chest. This he
+opened, and discovered the false tonsure and friar's gown. Knowing the
+monastic order to which it belonged, and suspecting some mischief, he
+took it to our convent, and all the habits of the monks being numbered
+in the inside, it was immediately recognised as mine: the false tonsure
+also betrayed that I must have been breaking through the rules of my
+order, and the most rigorous search after me was made for some time
+without success. Possessed of this information, my vindictive relative
+repaired to Seville to ascertain the exact date of my quitting the
+convent, and found that it was about a fortnight previous to Donna
+Celia having quitted Seville. He then repaired to the landlord for
+further information. The landlord stated that the lodgings had been
+taken by a monk, for his brother, who had occupied them. He described
+the brother's person, which exactly corresponded with mine; and my
+relation was convinced that the monk Anselmo and Don Pedro were one and
+the same person. He immediately gave notice to the Inquisition. In the
+mean time, I was in the greatest consternation. I felt that I should be
+discovered, and reflected upon my conduct. I had lately abjured all
+deceit, and had each day gained a step in the path of virtue. I
+acknowledged with bitterness, that I deserved all that threatened me,
+and that sooner or later, vice will meet with its reward. Had I at first
+made known my situation to Donna Celia, she would have had interest
+enough (believing me to be her son), to have obtained a dispensation of
+my vows. I then might have boldly faced the world--but one act of
+duplicity required another to support it, and thus had I entangled
+myself in a snare, by which I was to be entrapped at last. But it was
+not for myself that I cared; it was for my wife whom I doted on--for my
+mother (or supposed mother), to whom it would be the bitterness of
+death. The thoughts of rendering others miserable as well as myself
+drove me to distraction--and how to act I knew not.
+
+After much reflection, I resolved as a last resource, to throw myself
+upon the generosity of my adversary; for although inimical to me, he
+bore a high character as a Spanish cavalier. I desired to be informed
+the moment that he returned from Seville; and when the intelligence
+came, I immediately repaired to his house, and requested an audience. I
+was admitted, when Don Alvarez, for that was his name, addressed me.
+
+"You wish to speak with me, Don Pedro--there are others at your house by
+this time, who wish to speak with you."
+
+I guessed that he meant the officers of the Inquisition, but pretending
+not to understand the remark, I answered him: "Don Alvarez, the enmity
+that you have invariably shown towards me has, I am sure, proceeded
+from the affront, which you consider that your noble family has
+received, by your cousin having formed an alliance with one of unknown
+parentage. I have long borne with your pointed insults, out of respect
+for her who gave me birth; I am now about to throw myself upon your
+generosity, and probably when I inform you, that I am the unhappy issue
+of the early amour of Donna Celia (which of course you have heard of), I
+may then claim your compassion, if not your friendship, from having at
+least some of the same noble blood in my veins."
+
+"I was not indeed aware of it," replied Don Alvarez, with agitation; "I
+would to heaven you had confided in me before."
+
+"Perhaps it would have been better," replied I, "but permit me to prove
+my assertions." I then stated my having been the friar Anselmo, the
+discovery of my birth by accident, and the steps which I had taken. "I
+am aware," continued I, "that I have been much to blame, but my love for
+Donna Clara made me regardless of consequences. Your unfortunate enmity
+induced me, in an unguarded moment, to expose myself, and it will
+probably end in my destruction."
+
+"I acknowledge the truth of your remark, and that no power can save you.
+I lament it, Don Pedro; but what is done cannot be undone. Even now the
+officers of the Inquisition are at your house." As he uttered these
+words, a loud knocking at the door announced that they had followed me.
+"This must not be, Don Pedro," said Don Alvarez, "step this way." He
+opened a panel, and desired me to go in--and he hardly had time to shut
+it before the officers came into the room.
+
+"You have him here, Don Alvarez, have you not?" inquired the chief.
+
+"No, unfortunately," replied he, "I tried to detain him, but suspecting
+some discovery he forced his way out, sword in hand, and has gone I do
+not know in what direction; but he cannot be far--saddle all the horses
+in my stable and pursue the sacrilegious wretch. I would sacrifice half
+my worldly wealth, that he should not escape my vengeance."
+
+As Don Alvarez was the informant, and uttered these words with the
+apparent violence of rage, the inquisitors had no suspicion, but
+hastened to comply with his request. As soon as they had departed, he
+opened the panel and let me out.
+
+"So far, Don Pedro, have I proved the sincerity of my assertion; but
+now, what remains to be done?"
+
+"But one thing, Don Alvarez, to conceal the truth from my poor wife and
+mother. I could bear it all with firmness, but for them" (and I fell on
+a sofa and burst into tears). Don Alvarez was much affected.
+
+"Oh, Don Pedro! it is too late now, or I should say, 'What a warning
+this ought to be to us--that honesty is the best policy!' Had you
+communicated to me the mystery of your birth, this never would have
+occurred. Instead of having been your persecutor, I should have been
+your friend.--What can I do?"
+
+"Kill me, Don Alvarez," replied I, baring my breast, "and I will bless
+you for the deed. My death may afflict them, but they will recover from
+their grief in time; but to know that I am murdered by the Inquisition,
+as a sacrilegious impostor, will bring them to their grave with shame
+and mortification."
+
+"Your observation is correct, but kill you I must not. I will, however,
+so far comply with your wishes, that I will bear the news of your death,
+and their hatred of the deed, rather than the family should be
+disgraced." He then went to his scrutoire, and taking out a bag of one
+thousand pistoles--"This is all the money that I have at present--it
+will serve you for some time. Put on one of my servant's dresses, and I
+will accompany you to a seaport and secure your safety before I leave
+you. I will then state, that I met you in a fair duel, and will bribe
+the officers of the Inquisition to hold their tongues about the
+circumstances which have been communicated."
+
+The advice was good and I agreed to it; following him as a servant, I
+arrived safely at Carthagena, whence I took a passage for New Spain. We
+sailed, and before we were clear of the Straits of Gibraltar, we were
+attacked by one of the cruisers of the state. We fought desperately, but
+were overpowered by numbers, and they took possession after we had lost
+more than half of our crew. They brought us into this port, where, with
+the rest, I was sold as a slave.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Such is my history," ended the Spaniard, "which I trust has afforded
+some amusement to your sublime highness."
+
+The immediate answer of the pacha was a loud yawn.
+
+"Shukur Allah! Praise be to God you have done talking. I do not
+understand much about it," continued the pacha, turning round to
+Mustapha, "but how can we expect a good story from an unbelieving dog of
+a Christian?"
+
+"Wallah Thaib! Well said, by God!" replied Mustapha; "who was Lokman,
+that they talk of his wisdom? Are not these words of more value than
+strung pearls?"
+
+"What was the name of the country?" demanded the pacha.
+
+"Spain, your sublime highness; the infidel tribes which you allow to
+remain there, are employed in cultivating the olive for true believers."
+
+"Very true," rejoined the pacha; "I remember now. Let the Kafir taste of
+our bounty. Give him two pieces of gold, and allow him to depart."
+
+"May the shadow of your sublime highness never be less," said the
+Spaniard. "I have here a manuscript which I received from an ancient
+monk of our order when at the point of death. At the time of my capture
+it was thrown on one side, and I preserved it as curious. It refers to
+the first discovery of an island. As your highness is pleased to be
+amused with stories, it may be worth while to have it translated." The
+Dominican then handed from his breast a discoloured piece of parchment.
+
+"Very good," replied the pacha, rising. "Mustapha! let it be put into
+Arabic by the Greek slave, who shall read it to us some evening when we
+have no story-tellers."
+
+"Be Chesm! Upon my eyes be it," replied Mustapha, bowing low, as the
+pacha retired to his harem.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter V
+
+
+The pacha had repeated his perambulations for many nights, without
+success; and Mustapha, who observed that he was becoming very impatient,
+thought it advisable to cater for his amusement.
+
+Among those who used to repair to Mustapha when he exercised his former
+profession, was a French renegade, a man of considerable talent and
+ready invention, but a most unprincipled scoundrel, who, previous to the
+elevation of Mustapha, had gained his livelihood by daring piratical
+attempts in an open boat. He was now in the employ of the vizier,
+commanding an armed xebeque which the latter had purchased. She passed
+off as a government cruiser, but was in reality a pirate. Selim, for
+that was the name which the renegade had adopted when he abjured his
+faith, condemned every vessel that had the misfortune to meet with him,
+taking out the cargoes, burning the hull, and throwing the crews
+overboard, with the privilege of swimming on shore if they could. By
+this plan he avoided the inconveniences attending any appeals from the
+jurisdiction of the High Court of Admiralty, which he had established
+upon the seas.
+
+The consequence was, that his cruises were more successful than ever,
+and Mustapha, who was not content with pillaging the pacha's subjects on
+dry land, was amassing a large fortune at their expense by his maritime
+speculations.
+
+Occasionally, bales or packages would be recognised when landed as
+having the identical marks and numbers of those which had been shipped
+from the quay but a fortnight before; but the renegade could always give
+a satisfactory explanation to the vizier; and after a Jew, who could not
+bear the idea of parting with his property without remonstrance, had
+been impaled, people shrugged up their shoulders and said nothing.
+
+Now it occurred to Mustapha, that Selim might be able to assist his
+views. He talked fast and loud, vaunted his own exploits, curled his
+whiskers as he swore to the most improbable assertions, and had become a
+general nuisance and terror since he had obtained the vizier's
+protection.
+
+Mustapha sent for him, and, as a preliminary question, inquired if ever
+he had read the Arabian Nights.
+
+"Yes, vizier," replied the renegade; "many years before I turned Turk."
+
+"Do you recollect the voyages of Sindbad the Sailor?"
+
+"To be sure I do; he is the only man that could ever hold a candle to me
+in lying."
+
+"Well, then, his highness the pacha delights in such stories; and it is
+my wish that you prepare to recount your own voyages, as Sindbad has
+done before you."
+
+"But what am I to get for it?"
+
+"My good-will and protection; besides which, his highness, if pleased,
+will not fail to order you a handsome present."
+
+"Well," replied Selim, "any man who can produce gold in this world will
+always be able to change it for base metal. I can coin lies in my mint
+faster than he can coin sequins in his; and since you wish it, and say
+that it will be profitable, why--I am very much at his service."
+
+"Then, Selim, observe my directions, for every thing must appear
+accidental."
+
+In pursuance to the orders received from Mustapha, the renegade remained
+that evening at the corner of a certain street, through which Mustapha
+took care that the pacha should pass in his disguise. When he perceived
+their approach, the renegade exclaimed. "Allah, Allah! when is the happy
+time to come, promised in my seventh and last voyage?"
+
+"Who are you, and why do you call upon Heaven for happy times?" inquired
+the pacha.
+
+"I am Huckaback the Sailor," replied the renegade, "who, after a life of
+danger and disaster, am anxiously awaiting the fulfilment of a promise
+from the Most High."
+
+"I must see this man to-morrow," observed the pacha:--"Mustapha, as you
+value your life, see that he attends."
+
+The vizier bowed, and the pacha returned to the palace without further
+adventure.
+
+The next day, as soon as the business of the divan had closed, the
+renegade was ordered in. Prostrating himself before the pacha, he then
+rose, and, folding his arms over his breast, awaited his commands in
+silence.
+
+"I have sent for you, Huckaback, to inquire the meaning of the words you
+made use of last night: and to know what was the promise made to you in
+your seventh and last voyage; but I will thank you to begin at the
+first, as I wish to hear the history of all your voyages."
+
+"May it please you highness, as I live but to obey you, all that has
+occurred in my eventful life shall, if you command it, be submitted to
+your ear. It will, however, be necessary that I should revert to my
+early days to enable your highness more fully to comprehend the whole."
+
+"Aferin! well said," replied the pacha; "I don't care how long a story
+it is, provided that it is a good one:" and Selim, having obeyed a sign
+from his highness, intimating that he might sit down, commenced as
+follows.
+
+
+
+HUCKABACK.
+
+I am a native of Marseilles, your highness, where I was brought up to
+the profession of my father; a profession (continued the wily renegade),
+which, I have no hesitation to assert, has produced more men of general
+information, and more men of talent, than any other--I mean that of a
+barber.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Wallah Thaib; well said, by Allah!" observed Mustapha.
+
+The pacha nodded his approbation, and the renegade proceeded with his
+story.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I was gifted by nature with a ready invention, and some trouble and
+expense were bestowed upon my education. To the profession of a barber,
+my father added that of bleeding and tooth-drawing. At ten years old I
+could cut hair pretty well. People did say, that those upon whom I had
+operated, looked as if their heads had been gnawed by the rats; but it
+was the remark of envy, and as my father observed, "there must be a
+beginning to every thing."
+
+At fifteen, I entered upon the rudiments of shaving; and after having
+nearly ruined my father's credit, from the pounds of flesh which I
+removed with the hair of my customers (who were again consoled by his
+observing that "there must be a beginning to every thing"), I became
+quite expert. I was subsequently initiated into the higher branches of
+tooth-drawing and bleeding. In the former, at first I gave great
+dissatisfaction, either from breaking the decayed tooth short off, and
+leaving the stump in the socket, or from mistaking the one pointed out,
+and drawing a sound engine of mastication in its stead. In the latter, I
+made more serious mistakes, having more than once cut so deep as to open
+the artery, while I missed the vein; in consequence of which I was never
+afterwards employed, except by a husband to relieve a scolding wife, or
+by nephews who were anxious about the health of an everlasting uncle.
+But, as my father wisely observed, "there must be a beginning to
+everything;" and, as I could only practise upon living subjects,
+"individuals must suffer for the good of the community at large." At the
+age of twenty I was an accomplished barber.
+
+But rapid as was my career, I was not fated to continue in it long. Like
+the shot propelled from the mouth of the cannon, which, in its extreme
+velocity, is turned from the direction which has been given it by
+glancing along the weakest substance, so was my course of life changed
+from its direction by meeting with a woman.
+
+My father had a good customer; he had shaved him every morning for
+years, had extracted every tooth in his head, and was now winding up his
+long account by bleeding him daily, under the direction of an ignorant
+apothecary. I was often at the house--not to bleed him, for my father
+either thought him too valuable, or was too grateful for past favours to
+trust him in my hands;--but I held the basin, procured water, and
+arranged the bandages. He had a daughter, a lovely girl, whom I adored
+in secret; but her rank in life was too far above mine to allow me to
+express my feelings. I was then a handsome young man, although Time has
+since exerted his utmost, through jealousy, to make me appear almost as
+old and ill-favoured as himself. The young lady took a fancy to me,
+complained of the toothache, and asked for remedies. I offered to
+extract the tooth; but either having heard of my reputation, or not
+wishing to remove the excuse for our interviews, or, what is still more
+probable, having no toothache whatever, she would not consent.
+
+The death of her mother, which had taken place when she was a child, had
+left her without guidance,--and the helpless situation of her father,
+without protection. Naturally of a warm temperament, and yielding to the
+impulse of her feelings, she carried on an intimacy which could only end
+in her disgrace; and, at the expiration of a year, her situation could
+no longer be concealed. I was now in a dilemma. She had two brothers in
+the army, who were returning home, and I dreaded their vengeance. I
+loved her very much, but I loved myself more; so, one evening, I packed
+up all that I could call my own, and all that I could lay my hands on
+belonging to my honoured parent, and shipped on board a Genoese vessel,
+which was then standing out of the harbour. She was a large ship,
+mounting twelve long guns, with a complement of sixty men; being what is
+termed in European countries a "letter of marque." This implies that she
+fights her way without convoy, capturing any of the enemy's vessels she
+may happen to fall in with, who are not strong enough to resist her. We
+had cleared out for Genoa with a cargo of lead, which lay at the bottom
+of the hold, and which merely served for ballast.
+
+I soon found out, by the conversation of the crew, that we were not to
+proceed to Genoa direct; in fact, your highness, she was a pirate,
+manned by a most desperate set of men. As soon as my qualifications were
+made known, I had the honour to remove the beards of sixty of the
+greatest villains that ever were permitted to exist, receiving nothing
+but blows and curses for my trouble. I certainly improved very much in
+my profession; for it was as much as my life was worth to draw blood,
+although they made no scruple of carrying on a conversation during the
+whole time of the operation. We had taken the cargoes out of several
+vessels, all of which were added to the "manifest" by our correct
+captain; when one day, we were chased by an English frigate. I never met
+the English on shore, but I must say that, afloat, they are the most
+impertinent people that swim on the seas. They cannot be content with
+minding their own business, although they have plenty on their hands,
+but they must interfere in that of others. They board you, and insist
+upon knowing where you come from, whither you are bound, and what you
+have on board; examining you with as much scrutiny as if they had been
+the delegated custom-house officers of the whole world.
+
+Now it did not exactly suit our captain to submit to such a rigorous
+search; he therefore made all sail for an island about seven miles
+distant, and anchored under the protection of a battery. Austria--the
+nation to whom the island belonged--was not at war with England; she was
+preserving what is called an "armed neutrality."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Pray what is the meaning of an armed neutrality?" demanded the pacha.
+
+"It varies according to circumstances, your highness; but, generally
+speaking, it means a charge of bayonets."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The frigate followed; and being prevented by the shallowness of the
+water from approaching sufficiently near to us herself, sent her boats
+to examine us: but as there were six of them full of men, and each
+mounting a gun at her bow, our captain thought it advisable to refuse
+them permission to come on board. As a hint that he disapproved of their
+measures, he poured his whole broadside of round and grape into them,
+when they were about a quarter of a mile distant: upon which they gave
+three cheers, and were obstinate enough to pull faster towards us than
+ever.
+
+We received them with all the honours of war, in the shape of cutlasses,
+pistols and boarding pikes; but they were very determined. As soon as
+one was knocked down, another jumped up in his place; and somehow or
+another they had possession of the ship in less time than I have been
+telling the story. I was on the poop, when an English sailor, with a
+pigtail as thick as a cable made a cut at me: I ran back to avoid the
+blow, and, in so doing, came with such force against another of their
+men, that we both tumbled overboard together. I lost my cutlass, but he
+had not parted with his; and as soon as we rose to the surface, he
+seized me by the collar, and presented the point to my breast. It seemed
+to be all the same to him whether he fought on the deck or in the water.
+Fortunately I shifted a little on one side, and he only drove it
+through my jacket. I recollected that I had my razor in my pocket, which
+I took out under the water unperceived, and, closing with him before he
+could repeat his thrust, I cut his throat from ear to ear, and then made
+for the shore as fast as I could. As I swam remarkably well, I had no
+great difficulty in reaching it. As soon as I landed, I looked back, and
+observing that the English boats were towing our vessel out I made all
+the haste I could to the fort, which was close at hand. There I was
+hospitably received, and we sat up till past midnight, drinking,
+smoking, and abusing the English.
+
+The next morning, a felucca anchored to procure some water, and, as she
+was proceeding to Toulon, I requested a passage. We sailed with a fine
+breeze; but a heavy gale came on, which tossed us about for many days,
+and the master of the vessel had no idea to where she had been driven.
+He consoled us, however, by asserting that we could never go to the
+bottom, as there was a lady of great sanctity passenger in the cabin,
+who had been sent for to assume the office of lady abbess of a convent
+near Marseilles, and whom the saints would indubitably preserve.
+
+This was some comfort, although fine weather would have been greater.
+The gale continued; and the next morning we thought that we descried
+land on the lee beam. The following night we were certain of our
+conjectures having been correct, for the vessel was thrown on shore, and
+in a few minutes went to pieces. I had the good fortune to save myself
+upon a part of the wreck, and lay half-dead upon the beach until the
+morning. When the day broke, I looked around me: there were the
+fragments of the vessel strewed upon the beach, or tossed in mockery by
+the surge; and close to me lay the dead body of the lady, whose sanctity
+the captain had assured us would be a safeguard to us all. I then turned
+from the beach to look at the inland country, and perceived, to my
+astonishment, that I was not three miles from my native city,
+Marseilles. This was a horrid discovery; for I knew that I should
+receive no mercy, and could not proceed a mile without being recognised.
+What to do was now the subject of my thoughts; and at last, as I viewed
+the body of the dead lady, it occurred to me that I might pass myself
+off for her.
+
+I stripped it of its outer garment, and having then hauled my own
+clothes upon the corpse, and covered it over with sea-weed, I dressed
+myself in the religious habit which she had worn, and sat down awaiting
+the arrival of the people, which I knew must soon take place. I was then
+without a symptom of beard; and, from the hardship and ill-treatment
+which I had received on board of the Genoese, was thin and sallow in the
+face. It was easy in a nun's dress to mistake me for a woman of
+thirty-five years of age, who had been secluded in a cloister. In the
+pockets of her clothes I found letters, which gave me the necessary clue
+to my story, and I resolved to pass myself off as La Soeur Eustasie,
+rather than be put in prison, or run through the body.
+
+I had scarcely time to finish reading these documents, when a party,
+attracted by the fragments on the beach, came up to me. I narrated the
+loss of the vessel, the death of the whole crew, my name and condition,
+my having come over at the request of the bishop to assume the guidance
+of the convent of St Therese; and added, that I had called upon the
+Virgin in my distress, who had come to my aid, and floated me on shore
+with as much care and comfort as if I had been reposing on cushions of
+down. The report was spread and credited; for the circumstance of a
+helpless woman being the sole survivor of a whole crew was miracle
+enough in itself.
+
+The bishop's carriage was sent for me, and I was conducted into the
+town, followed by a concourse of priests, monks, and common people, who
+were anxious to kiss even the ground that had been trod upon by a
+personage so especially under the protection of Heaven. I was conducted
+to the bishop's palace, where I held a sort of court, being visited by
+deputations from the official bodies, the governor, and all the people
+of consequence. After a sojourn of three days, I removed to the convent
+of which I was the supposed abbess, and was enthusiastically received by
+the nuns, who flocked round me with mingled veneration and delight.
+
+On the second day of my establishment as abbess, the two elder sisters,
+who could with difficulty be got rid of even when I retired to bed the
+night before, introduced the whole of the nuns in rotation, beginning
+with the elder, and ending with those who last took the vow of chastity.
+I felt little interest, I must confess, at the commencement of my levee;
+but as it came near to a close, many beautiful countenances attracted my
+attention and I gave the kiss of peace with more zest than prudence
+would have justified. The last of the sisterhood came forward, and was
+introduced as Soeur Marie. Gracious Heaven! it was the poor girl whom I
+had deserted. I started when I saw her advance: her eyes were bent upon
+the ground, as if in reverence to my acknowledged sanctity. As she knelt
+before me to receive the kiss, she raised them up. Love can pierce
+through all disguises.--At the moment, she thought that she beheld her
+fugitive lover, and caught her breath in amazement--but recollection
+pointed out to her the utter impossibility of the fact, and she sighed
+at the uncommon likeness, as she received the kiss from those lips which
+had indeed been so often pressed to hers before.
+
+When the ceremony had been gone through I complained of fatigue, and
+requested to be left alone.
+
+I wished to reflect upon what had passed, and determine how I was to
+act: to escape the danger which threatened me, I had placed myself in a
+situation of still greater difficulty. Where could it end? After a long
+reverie, I decided that I would make Marie my confidante, and trust to
+circumstances to guide my future conduct. I rang the bell, and,
+requesting the presence of the elder sister of the convent, commenced an
+inquiry into the different characters of the nuns who had been
+presented.
+
+Flattered by the confidence demanded, there was no end to the loquacity
+and the ill-natured remarks of the old beldame: she held her list in her
+hand, and ran over the families and private history of each. It was two
+hours before she had finished, which she did with Marie, of whose
+history she gave me a most minute detail; and if she was as correct in
+her reports of all the others, I certainly had no reason to compliment
+myself upon being abbess, as far as the previous characters of the nuns
+under my surveillance were concerned. "Good sister," replied I, "I thank
+you for your information, which I shall not fail to profit by in my
+plans for the improvement of the morality of those under my charge. I
+have always made it a rule, that one of the sisterhood should remain in
+my room every night, to watch and do penance. I have found that when
+coupled with my seasonable exhortations, it has produced an excellent
+effect. Of course I allude not to sage and devout women like you; I
+refer to those who in their folly and their flow of youthful passions,
+have not yet humbled themselves sufficiently by abstinence and
+mortification. Who would you propose to watch here this night?"
+
+The old beldame, who I had perceived by the violence of her manner, had
+a dislike to Marie, immediately mentioned her as one to whom severe
+penance would be of especial benefit. I conversed with her for another
+half-hour; then, wishing her good-night, prepared for bed, and requested
+that Marie might be summoned to attend.
+
+Marie entered with her book of _Prières_ in her hand, and, bowing humbly
+to me as she passed, sat down near to the lamp which was lighted before
+an image of the Virgin, at the farther end of the room, and commenced
+her task of watching and of prayer.
+
+"Marie," said I, as I stood by the bed: she uttered a faint scream as
+she heard my voice for the first time, and throwing herself down upon
+her knees before the image of the Virgin, covered her face with her
+hands, and appeared to be in silent but earnest supplication.
+
+"Marie," again said I, "come here." She rose, and came trembling to the
+foot of the bed. "To you, and to you alone, do I intrust a secret which,
+if discovered, would subject me to a painful and ignominious death. You
+were not deceived, when you started at the face beneath the nun's
+attire; and you must now be certain, from the voice which you have
+heard, that I am indeed François. How I became the lady abbess of this
+convent you have yet to learn." I then narrated what I have already done
+to your highness. "By what means," continued I, "I am to deliver myself
+from this dangerous situation, I know not; I have, however, one
+consolation, in finding myself once more in company with the object of
+my love.
+
+"Come hither, Marie; it is indeed your own François." Marie remained at
+the foot of the bed, but advanced not; and I perceived that the tears
+fell fast, as she cast her eyes to heaven.
+
+"Speak to me, Marie, if ever you loved me."
+
+"That I loved you, François, you know full well: not even your unkind
+desertion could affect that love, which was unchangeable. I dared all
+for your sake; my brothers, my father, could not extort the secret from
+me, and their suspicions, although directed towards you, could never be
+confirmed. I bore the offspring of my guilt in solitary anguish,
+afterwards loaded with reproaches when I needed comfort and consolation,
+and stunned with imprecations when I required soothing and repose. I
+buried it with shame and sorrow and contumely. You had abandoned me, and
+I felt that all ties to this world were over. I took the veil, and never
+was the world quitted by so willing a votary as myself. I have since
+been peaceful, if not happy."
+
+"And now, Marie, you shall be happy," cried I, stretching out my arms to
+her. "Come to me, I will explain my motives for leaving Marseilles, and
+what my future intentions were, if they had not been frustrated by
+unforeseen events. All shall yet be well."
+
+"François, all is well. I have taken a solemn vow--it is registered in
+heaven. You have by fraud and imposition entered into a holy place, and
+assumed a holy character. Add not to your crime by even harbouring the
+idea of impropriety, and add not to my humiliation by supposing for a
+moment that I am capable of being a participator. Holy Virgin," cried
+she, falling on her knees, "I demand thy powerful aid in this conflict
+of worldly passions and holy wishes. Oh! make me dead to all but thee,
+and to the spouse whom I have accepted at thy hands."
+
+She then rose and continued--"How you will be able to leave this
+convent, François, I know not; but your secret is safe with me, provided
+that you do not again request my presence, as you have this night. My
+prayers shall ever be for you, but we must meet no more;" and Marie
+waved her hand mournfully, and quitted the apartment.
+
+Although I had always a great contempt for the Catholic religion, of
+which I at that period was a member, I was awed by the beauty of virtue
+as it appeared in Marie, and I passed the night in melancholy
+reflections. I felt more love for her than ever, and determined upon
+persuading her to quit the convent and become my wife. The next morning
+I sent for her.
+
+"Marie, you gave yourself to heaven, when you imagined that you had no
+tie upon earth. You were deceived; there was one whom you still loved,
+and who still adored you. Vows made in delusion are not registered.
+Leave this convent with me, become my wife, and you will do your duty
+better towards heaven than by pining between these walls, which contain
+nothing but envy, hatred, and remorse."
+
+"François, you have had my answer. What has been done, cannot be undone.
+Save yourself, and leave me to my unhappy fate," answered Marie; then
+bursting into tears, "O François, why, why did you leave me without one
+word? Had you but pointed out your danger to me, I should have been the
+first to have insisted upon your absence, and all, all would have been
+borne with patience, if not with pleasure, for your sake. If what you
+now say is truth, all would have been well; but now I have naught to
+cheer me in my lonely pilgrimage, and naught to wish but that it soon
+may come unto its close. I forgive you, François, but pity me, for I
+deserve your pity."
+
+"Once more, Marie, I entreat you to consent to my proposal."
+
+"Never, François; I will not be less faithful to my God than I was to
+you. He will not desert me; and if I suffer now, will reward me for it
+hereafter." And Marie again quitted my apartment.
+
+My situation in the nunnery now became insupportable, and I determined
+to escape. I pleaded ill health and kept my bed. The physician of a
+neighbouring convent, who had a great reputation, was sent for against
+my wishes. When I heard of his arrival, I dressed to receive him, for I
+was fearful of some scrutiny. He inquired what ailed me: I answered that
+I had no pain, but that I was convinced I should soon depart. He felt my
+pulse, and not being able to discover symptoms of disease took his
+leave.
+
+To the elder sisters who visited me, I spoke in enigmas, and told them
+that I had a summons, that they must expect soon to find me gone: and
+the sanctity of my reputation make them receive my innuendoes as
+inspired remarks. One night, I complained of being much worse, and
+requested their early retiring: they would have sent for the physician,
+but I forbade it, telling them I was beyond a physician's cure: kissing
+them all, and pronouncing over them a solemn blessing, I dismissed them.
+As soon as it was dark, I threw off my nun's attire, leaving it in my
+bed, as if I had slipped out of it; and as the windows of my apartment,
+which looked into the convent garden, were not barred, unclothed as I
+was I dropped down, and reached the ground in safety. I took the
+precaution, when I was outside, to shut the window, that my having
+escaped should not enter their ideas, and climbing a tree which overhung
+the wall of the garden, dropped from a bough on the other side, and
+found myself at liberty. As I knew that the farther I was from the
+nunnery, the less chance I had of being supposed an impostor, I gained
+the high road, and ran as fast as I could in the direction from
+Marseilles to Toulouse.
+
+I had proceeded several miles without encountering any body at that
+still hour of the night, occasionally alarmed at the barking of some
+snarling cur, as I passed through the small villages in my route,--when,
+worn out with fatigue and cold, I sat down under a hedge to screen
+myself from the cold "mistral" which blew. As the wind lulled, I heard
+sounds of voices in lamentation, which appeared to proceed from the road
+at a short distance. I rose, and continued my route, when I stumbled
+over the body of a man. I examined him by the faint light that was
+emitted from the stars. He was quite dead; and it immediately occurred
+to me that a robbery had been committed, and the lamentations which I
+had heard proceeded from those who had escaped with their lives. The
+cloak of the dead man was lying underneath him; it was a capote, such as
+are worn by officers. I unclasped it from his neck, round which it was
+fastened with two bear's-paws chased in silver, and, wrapping it round
+my benumbed limbs, proceeded further on to where I now occasionally
+heard voices much plainer than before. I again fell in with two more
+prostrate bodies, and, as the day had now begun to break, perceived that
+they were clothed like people of low condition. Passing my hand over
+their faces, I felt that they were quite dead and stiff. Afraid that if
+found close to the spot, and unable to give any account of myself, I
+should be accused of murder, I thought of immediate flight; but the
+plaintive voice of a woman met my ears, and it was an appeal that I
+could not resist. I proceeded a few yards further, and perceived a
+carriage, the horses of which lay dead in their traces, with the driver
+beside them. To the hind wheels were secured with ropes an elderly man
+and a young woman.
+
+"God be praised, my dear father, help is at hand!" said the young woman,
+as I approached; and as I came close to them, she cried out, "Oh, I know
+him by his cloak; it's the gentleman who defended us so gallantly, and
+whom we supposed to have been killed. Are you much hurt, sir?"
+
+Aware that I had better be any body than myself, with my usual invention
+and presence of mind I replied, "Not much, madam, thanks be to heaven! I
+was stunned, and they left me for dead: I am happy that I am still
+alive, to be of service to you:" and I immediately proceeded to cast
+loose the ropes by which the father and daughter (as by their
+conversation they appeared to be) had been confined to the wheels. The
+robbers had stripped them both nearly to the skin, and they were so
+numbed with the cold that they could scarcely stand when they were
+unbound,--the poor girl especially, who shivered as if suffering under a
+tertian ague. I proposed that they should enter the carriage as the best
+shelter they could receive from the bitter keen wind which blew, and
+they agreed to the prudence of my suggestion.
+
+"If I am not requesting too great a favour, sir," said the old
+gentleman, "I wish you would lend my poor daughter that cloak, for she
+is perishing with the cold."
+
+"I will with pleasure, sir, as soon as you are both in the carriage,"
+replied I; for I had made up my mind how to proceed. I assisted them in,
+and, shutting the door, slipped off the cloak and put it in at the
+window, saying, "Believe me, madam, I should have offered it to you
+before, but the fact is, the rascals served me, as I lay stunned, in the
+same manner as they have you, and I must now go in search of something
+to cover myself." I then went off at a quick pace, hearing the young
+woman exclaim, "Oh, my father, he has stripped himself to cover me!"
+
+I immediately returned to the body of the gentleman whose cloak I had
+borrowed, and for whom I had no doubt that I had been mistaken. I
+stripped off all the clothes from his rigid limbs, and put them on: they
+fitted me exactly, and, what was more fortunate, were not stained with
+blood, as he had received his death-wound from a bullet in the brain. I
+then dragged the body to the other side of the hedge, where I threw it
+into a ditch, and covered it with long grass, that it might not be
+discovered. Daylight had made its appearance before I had completed my
+toilet; and when I came back to the carriage, the old gentleman was loud
+in his thanks. I told him that in returning to strip one of the other
+bodies I had found my own clothes in a bundle, which the robbers had
+left in their haste to escape from pursuit.
+
+The young lady said nothing, but sat shrouded up in the cloak, in one
+corner of the carriage. I now entered into conversation with the old
+gentleman, who explained to me how the attack began, before I had come
+to their assistance: and from the information I received from him, I was
+enabled to form a very good idea of the story that I was to tell. I
+found that I had been on horseback with my servant, when I rode to their
+assistance; that we had been both supposed to be killed, and that we
+were about five miles from any post town.
+
+By this time it was broad daylight, and I made another discovery, which
+was, that I was wearing an officer's undress. Anxious to gratify my
+curiosity by a sight of the young lady, I turned to her, as she lay
+muffled up in the cloak, and expressed a hope that she did not feel
+cold. She put her head out, and answered in the negative with such a
+sweet smile, upon such a sweet face as I never had before witnessed. I
+looked at her as if transfixed, and did not take my eyes off until she
+blushed, and again sank back as before.
+
+This brought me to my recollection; I offered to go for assistance, and
+my services were thankfully accepted. I passed by the men who had been
+killed, as I went on my mission; one was habited in a livery similar to
+the coach-man who lay dead by his horses; the other was in that of a
+groom, and I took it for granted that he had been my servant. I searched
+in his pockets for information, and, collecting the contents, commenced
+reading them as I walked along.
+
+By his memoranda I found out that I had come from Aix. By letters and
+papers in my own pockets I ascertained who I was, who my father was, to
+what regiment I belonged, that I was on leave of absence, and that I had
+a brother, whose affectionate letter I read carefully for further
+information. I had not time to count a considerable sum of money, which
+was in my purse, before I fell in with a countryman, who was leading his
+horses to the plough. Briefly narrating the circumstances, I offered him
+a handsome remuneration, if he would mount one of his horses, and
+procure immediate assistance. Having seen him off in a hand-gallop, I
+returned to the carriage to try if it were possible to have one more
+view of that face which had so enchanted me. I stated the good fortune I
+had met with, and my hopes of a speedy deliverance from their trouble. I
+answered the old gentleman's inquiry of the name and condition of the
+person to whom he and his daughter had been so much indebted, talked of
+my father the Compte de Rouillé, of my regiment, and then requested a
+similar confidence.
+
+He was le Marquis de Tonseca, and the young lady was his daughter; they
+were proceeding to their chateau about seven miles distant, where he
+hoped I would accompany them, and allow him an opportunity of showing
+his gratitude.
+
+I hesitated, talked of engagements--not that I intended to refuse the
+invitation, but because the young lady had not joined in the request. My
+plan had the desired effect; again the lovely face appeared from under
+the cloak, and the sweetest voice in the world expressed a wish that I
+would not refuse her father's invitation. I blushed, and stammered
+consent. Pleased at her victory, she smiled, and again was folded up in
+the cloak, which I could have torn to pieces for its envious
+concealment.
+
+Assistance had now arrived; a crowd of people, headed by an officer to
+take the _procés verbal_, and two pair of post-horses came up; the
+depositions of the Marquis and myself were briefly taken; his as to what
+he had seen, and mine "to the best of my knowledge and belief." The
+papers were signed, the dead bodies were carried off, the horses put to,
+and, at the request of the Marquis, I took my seat in the carriage
+between him and his daughter, and we proceeded to the chateau.
+
+In two hours we arrived at a magnificent pile, which bespoke the wealth
+and ancestry of the owner, and I had the pleasure of carrying in my
+arms, up the long flight of steps by which we ascended to the entrance,
+the beautiful girl, muffled up as she was in the cloak. As soon as I had
+laid her down upon a sofa, I left her to the care of the females who
+were in attendance and quitted the room. The Marquis had retired to his
+own apartment, to supply the deficiencies in his attire, and for a short
+time I was left alone to my own reflections. What is to be the result of
+all this? thought I. Is there to be no end of my assumption of the
+clothes and titles of other people,--this continual transmigration
+before death? Yet how much more has it depended upon circumstances than
+upon myself!
+
+After much reflection, I determined upon letting things take their own
+course, trusting to my own ready invention and good fortune for the
+issue. I felt it to be impossible to tear myself from the sweet creature
+whose personal charms had already fascinated me, and I vowed that there
+was no risk, no danger, that I would not brave to obtain her love.
+
+In an hour we met at the breakfast-table, and I was more than ever
+enchanted;--but I will not detain your highness by dwelling too long
+upon the subject.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"No, don't, yaha bibi, my friend," said the pacha, yawning, "your story
+gets very dry already. We'll suppose the cypress waist, the stag's eyes,
+and full moon of her face. We Mussulmans don't talk so much about women;
+but I suppose as you were a Frenchman, and very young then, you knew no
+better. Why you talk of women as if they had souls!" The renegade did
+not think it advisable to express his opinion in contradiction to that
+of his highness, and the assertions of the prophet. "It cannot be said
+that I behaved to them as if they had," replied he; "and before I
+changed my religion, I was often smitten with remorse for my selfish and
+unfeeling conduct towards Marie; but all that is past, I am now a Turk;"
+and the renegade passed his hand over his brow; for some long-smothered
+feelings of virtue had been conjured up by remorse, as he was reminded
+of the career of guilt which he had run through, and which he had
+climaxed by the denial of his Redeemer. After a short pause he
+continued--
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+For a week I remained in the society of the Marquis and his daughter,
+daily ingratiating myself more and more with both. I had not declared my
+passion to his daughter, for there was something that irresistibly
+prevented me; yet I knew that I was not viewed with indifference. Our
+party was then increased by the appearance of the Bishop of Toulouse,
+the brother of the Marquis, who came to congratulate him and his niece
+upon their fortunate escape. I was presented as the gentleman who had so
+materially assisted. The bishop stared at me with surprise.
+
+"It is strange," observed he, "that a body has been found in a ditch,
+near to where the robbery occurred, and has been recognised to be that
+of the very young officer to whom you now introduce me. How can this
+be?"
+
+The marquis and his daughter appeared astonished at the intelligence
+(and in truth so was I), but it was only for a second. "How say you,
+sir," exclaimed I, with trepidation, "a body recognised as the son of
+the Comte de Rouillé? My poor, poor brother! my dear Victor, have you
+then perished? what injustice have I done you!" Throwing myself on the
+fauteuil, I covered my face with my handkerchief, as if overpowered with
+grief; but, in reality, I was reflecting what I should say next.
+
+"Your brother!" exclaimed the Marquis in surprise.
+
+"Yes, Marquis, my brother. I will now state the circumstances which
+induced me to conceal from you that he was in my company at the time of
+the attack. When I galloped to your assistance, I was followed by my
+brother, who was riding with me to Marseilles, and of whom you recollect
+I have spoken; but after the first discharge of firearms I found that he
+was not at my side, and I imagined that he had deserted me from fear. I
+could not bear that such a disgrace upon the family should be known, and
+I therefore made no mention of him when I came back. Little did I think,
+that while I was accusing him in my heart of cowardice, he was dead, and
+his heart's blood had been poured out in my defence. Victor, my dear
+Victor!" continued I, "how great has been my injustice, and what can
+repay me for your loss?" and I threw myself down on the sofa, as if
+frantic with grief.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Huckaback," observed the pacha, "it appears to me that in your younger
+days you were a great scoundrel."
+
+"I acknowledge it," replied the renegade; "but, in extenuation, your
+highness must call to mind that at that time I was a Christian."
+
+"By the beard of the prophet, that is well said, and very true!" replied
+the pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Marquis and his brother were shocked at having so unintentionally
+plunged me into affliction. They offered consolation, but finding their
+endeavours fruitless, quitted the room, thinking it advisable to leave
+me to myself. Cerise, for that was the name of the daughter, remained,
+and after a short pause came to me, and in her silvery voice, as she
+laid her hand upon my shoulder, addressed me:
+
+"Console yourself, my dear Felix;" but I made no answer. "How unhappy I
+am!" said she: "it was in my defence that he lost his life: it was to
+your courage that I am indebted for my preservation:--he is dead, and
+you are miserable. Can nothing repay you for the loss of your
+brother?--Nothing, Felix?"
+
+I raised my head; her eyes were swimming with tears, and beaming with
+love. As I resumed my seat upon the sofa, I drew her gently towards me.
+She offered no resistance, and in a moment she had sunk down by my side,
+as my arms entwined her beauteous form.
+
+"Yes," murmured I, "Cerise, I am repaid." Smiling through her blushes,
+she disengaged herself, and rose to depart. Returning once more at my
+request, I imprinted a kiss upon her brow: she waved her hand, and
+hastened out of the room.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"That was a very nice girl, by your description," interrupted the pacha:
+"pray what might you pay for such a girl in your country?"
+
+"She was beyond all price," replied the renegade, with an absent air, as
+if communing with times past. "Love is not to be bought. The Moslem
+purchases the slave and blind submission to his will, but he makes not
+love."
+
+"No, he buys it ready made," replied the pacha; "and I must say I wish
+you had done the same: for, with all this love making, you get on but
+slowly with your story. Proceed."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I remained another week, when the bishop, who had not yet taken his
+departure, one morning drove over to Marseilles, and returned to dinner.
+"I was sent for," observed he, as we sat down to table, "to consult as
+to the propriety of requesting from the Pope the canonisation of the
+Soeur Eustasie, of whom you have heard so much, and whose disappearance
+has been attributed to miraculous agency: but during our consultation, a
+piece of information was sent in, which has very much changed the
+opinion of parties as to her reputed sanctity. It appears that near the
+spot where the vessel was wrecked they have discovered the body of a
+woman dressed in man's clothes; and it is now supposed that some
+miscreant has personified her at the Convent, and has subsequently
+escaped. The officers of justice are making the strictest search, and if
+the individual is found, he will be sent to Rome to be disposed of by
+the Inquisition."
+
+As your highness may imagine, this was not very agreeable news; I almost
+started from my chair when I heard it; but I had sufficient mastery over
+myself to conceal my feelings, although every morsel that I put into my
+mouth nearly choked me.
+
+But before dinner was over the plot thickened; a letter was brought to
+the Marquis from my adopted father the Comte de Rouillé stating that
+such contradictory reports had been received, that he could not
+ascertain the truth. From one he heard that his eldest son was alive,
+and at the château; from others that he had been murdered: others
+congratulated him in their letters upon the escape of one of his sons.
+He requested the Marquis to inform him of the real state of affairs, and
+to let him know by the bearer whether his eldest son was with him, or
+whether he had met with the unfortunate death that was reported; and as
+his youngest son was at home, and had been there for some months, he
+could not but imagine, as both of them were mentioned in the reports,
+that there might be some imposture in the business.
+
+I perceived by the change of countenance in the Marquis that affairs
+were not going well, and was to a certain degree prepared, when he
+gravely handed the letter to the bishop, who, having read it, passed it
+over to me, saying, with a stern look, "This concerns you, sir." I read
+it with a composed countenance, and, returning it to the Marquis, I
+observed with a sigh, "There is no kindness in such deception, the blow
+will only fall heavier upon the old man when it does come. You are
+aware, sir, I mentioned it to you (or rather, I believe, it was to
+Mademoiselle Cerise), that my father is blind, and has been so for the
+last two years. They have been afraid to tell him the truth, and have
+made him believe that Victor is there. You must know, sir, that it was
+clandestinely that my dear brother quitted his father's house to
+accompany me. Unhappy hour when I yielded to his entreaties! But,
+Monsieur le Marquis, I perceive it is now imperative that I should go to
+my father; he will need the assurance of my existence to support him in
+his grief. I will therefore, with your permission, write a few lines by
+the bearer of this communication, and to-morrow morning at daylight must
+unwillingly tear myself away from your charming society."
+
+The cool and confident air with which I answered, removed suspicion; and
+having written a few lines to the Comte, and requested from the Marquis
+the loan of his seal, I applied the wax, and desired the servant to
+deliver it as an answer to the messenger, whom I was not sorry to see
+galloping by the window. "Oh," cried I, "'tis Pierre: had I known that,
+I should have asked him some questions."
+
+This well-timed exclamation of mine, I perceived, did not fail to have
+its weight. We again sat down to table, and I was treated with more than
+usual kindness by the Marquis and his brother, as if in compensation for
+their having, for a moment, harboured a suspicion of my honesty. But I
+was ill at ease, and I felt that I never had acted with more prudence
+than in proposing my early departure.
+
+In the evening I was alone with Cerise. Since the news of my brother's
+death, and the scene that followed, we had sworn unalterable love; and
+in that instance only was I sincere. I loved her to desperation, and I
+doat on her memory now, though years have rolled away, and she has long
+been mingled with the dead. Yes, Cerise, if from the regions of bliss,
+where thy pure spirit dwells, thou canst look down upon a wretch so
+loaded with guilt as I am, oh, turn not away with horror, but view with
+pity one who loved as fondly as man could love, and hereafter will care
+little for all that Paradise can offer, if thy fair spirit must not bid
+him welcome!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I wish, Huckaback," observed the pacha, angrily, "that you would go on
+with your story: you are talking to a dead woman, instead of a live
+pacha."
+
+"I entreat your pardon," replied the renegade; "but to amuse your
+highness, I have entered into scenes which long have been dismissed from
+my memory; and the feelings attending them will rise up, and cannot well
+be checked. I will be more careful as I proceed."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Cerise was melancholy at the idea of my departure. I kissed the tears
+away, and the time flew rapidly. I persuaded her to allow me an
+interview after the family had retired, as I had much to say to her.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Well, well, we'll suppose all that," observed the pacha, impatiently:
+"now go on; you remember you were to set off in the morning."
+
+"Yes, yes, your highness," replied the renegade, somewhat displeased.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+And I did set off in the morning upon one of the Marquis's horses, and
+rode as hard as I could to Toulon. I determined again to try my fortune
+at sea, as I was afraid that I should be discovered if I remained on
+shore. I purchased a small venture with the money in my purse, and
+having made my agreement with the captain of a vessel bound to St
+Domingo, exchanged my dress for a jacket and trousers, and was again at
+the mercy of the waves.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Such, your highness, is the history of my First Voyage, and the
+incidents which resulted from it."
+
+"Well," said the pacha, rising, "there was too much love and too little
+sea in it; but, I suppose, if you had left the first out it would not
+have been so long. Mustapha, give him five pieces of gold, and we will
+have his Second Voyage to-morrow."
+
+As soon as the pacha had retired, the renegade growled out, "If I am to
+tell any more stories, I must not be checked and dictated to. I could
+have talked for an hour after I had met Cerise, if I had not been
+interrupted: as it was, I cut the matter short."
+
+"But, Selim," replied Mustapha, "the pacha is not fond of these sort of
+adventures; he likes something much more marvellous. Could you not
+embellish a little?"
+
+"How do you mean?"
+
+"Holy prophet! what do I mean!--Why, tell a few lies,--not adhere quite
+so much to matter of fact."
+
+"Adhere to matter of fact, vizier!--why, I have not stated a single fact
+yet!"
+
+"What! is not all this true?"
+
+"Not one word of it, as I hope to go to heaven!"
+
+"Bismillah!--what, not about Marie and the Convent--and Cerise?"
+
+"All lies from beginning to end."
+
+"And were you never a barber?"
+
+"Never in my life."
+
+"Then why did you make such long apostrophes to the dead Cerise, when
+you observed that the pacha was impatient."
+
+"Merely because I was at fault, vizier, and wished to gain time, to
+consider what I should say next."
+
+"Selim," replied Mustapha, "you have great talent; but mind that your
+next voyage is more wonderful; I presume it will make no difference to
+you."
+
+"None whatever; but the pacha is not a man of taste. Now give me my five
+pieces, and I'll be off: I'm choked with thirst, and shall not be
+comfortable till I have drunk at least a gallon of wine."
+
+"Holy prophet! what a Turk!" exclaimed the vizier, lifting up his hands.
+"Here is your money, Kafir;--don't forget to be here to-morrow."
+
+"Never fear me, vizier; your slave lives but to obey you, as we Turks
+say."
+
+"We Turks!" muttered the vizier, as he cast his eyes upon the retiring
+figure of the renegade. "Well of all the scoundrels--" "Well," muttered
+the renegade, who was now out of hearing, "of all the scoundrels--" Whom
+they were referring to in their separate soliloquies must be left to the
+reader's imagination; for caution prevented either of the parties from
+giving vent to the remainder of their thoughts.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter VI
+
+
+"Mashallah! How wonderful is God! Did the Caliph Haroun ever hear such
+stories?" observed the pacha, taking the pipe from his mouth, as he was
+indulging in company with Mustapha: "that infidel tells strange
+histories of strange countries--What will his mouth open to next?"
+
+"The Shaitan Bacheh, for a son of the devil he still is, although he
+wears the turban and bows to Allah, will prove a treasury of amusement
+to your sublime highness," replied Mustapha: "but what are the words of
+the sage?--'If thou hast gold in thy hazneh, keep it locked and add
+thereto; thus shalt thou become rich.'"
+
+"They are the words of wisdom," replied the pacha.
+
+"Then may I advise your highness to walk out this evening in search of
+more, and not exhaust that which is in your possession?"
+
+"Wallah Thaib! It is well said!" answered the pacha, rising from his
+musnud or carpet of state: "the moon is up--when all is ready we will
+proceed."
+
+In a quarter of an hour the pacha, attended by Mustapha and the armed
+slaves as before, again set out upon their perambulations through the
+city of Cairo.
+
+They had not walked more than half-an-hour when they observed two men
+sitting at the door of a fruit-shop, at high words with each other. The
+pacha held up his finger to Mustapha, as a sign to stop, that he might
+over-hear their discourse.
+
+"I tell you, Ali, that it is impossible to hear those long stories of
+yours without losing one's temper."
+
+"Long stories!" whispered the pacha to Mustapha with delight: "the very
+thing!--Shukur Allah! Thanks be to God!"
+
+"And I tell you in reply, Hussan, that yours are ten times worse. You
+never have spoken for ten minutes, without my feeling an inclination to
+salute your mouth with the heel of my slipper. I wish there was any one
+who would hear us both and decide the point."
+
+"That I will," said the pacha, going up to them: "to-morrow I will hear
+both your stories, and decide upon the merits of each."
+
+"And who are you?" observed one of the men, with surprise.
+
+"His highness the pacha," replied Mustapha, coming forward. Both the men
+prostrated themselves, while the pacha directed Mustapha that they
+should be brought before him on the following day: and the vizier,
+having given them in charge to the slaves who had followed at a
+distance, returned home with the pacha; who was delighted at the rich
+harvest which he expected to reap from the two people who accused each
+other of telling such long stories.
+
+When the divan of the following day had closed, the two men were
+summoned into the presence of the pacha.
+
+"I shall now decide upon the merits of your stories," observed he. "Sit
+down there both of you, and agree between yourselves which of you will
+begin."
+
+"May it please your highness, you will never be able to listen to this
+man Ali," observed Hussan: "you had better send him away."
+
+"Allah preserve your highness from all evil," replied Ali, "but more
+especially from the talking of Hussan, which is as oppressive as the hot
+wind of the desert."
+
+"I have not sent for you to hear you dispute in my presence, but to hear
+your stories. Ali, do you begin."
+
+"I do assure your highness," interrupted Hussan, "that you will not
+listen to him three minutes."
+
+"I do assure you," retorted the pacha, "that if you say one word more,
+until you are ordered, you will be rewarded with the bastinado for your
+trouble. Ali, begin your story."
+
+"Well, your highness, it was about thirty years ago, _you know_, that I
+was a little boy, _you know_."
+
+Here Hussan lifted up his hands, and smiled.
+
+"Well, your highness, _you know_----"
+
+"I don't know, Ali; how can I know until you tell me," observed the
+pacha.
+
+"Well, then, your highness must know that ever since I was born I have
+lived in the same street where your highness saw us seated last night,
+and thirty years, you know is a long period in a man's life. My father
+was a gardener, and people of his condition, _you know_, are obliged to
+get up early, that they may be in time for the market, where, _you
+know_, they bring their vegetables for sale."
+
+"This is all very true, I dare say," observed the pacha; "but you will
+oblige me by leaving out all those _you knows_, which I agree with your
+comrade Hussan to be very tedious."
+
+"That's what I have already told him, your highness--'Ali,' _says I_,
+'if you can only leave out your _you knows_,' _says I_, 'your story
+might be amusing, but,' _says I_----"
+
+"Silence with your _says I's_," observed the pacha; "have you forgotten
+the bastinado? there seems to be a pair of you. Ali, go on with the
+story and remember my injunction; the felek and ferashes are at hand."
+
+"Well, your highness, one morning he rose earlier than usual, as he was
+anxious to be the first in the market with some onions, which, _you
+know_, are very plentiful; and having laden his ass, he set off, at a
+good round pace, for the city. There, _you know_, he arrived at the
+market-place a little after the day had dawned, when, _you know_,----"
+
+"Did you not receive my orders to leave out _you know_? Am I to be
+obeyed or not? Now go on, and if you offend again, you shall have the
+bastinado till your nails drop off."
+
+"I shall observe your highness's wishes," replied Ali.--"A little after
+the day had dawned, _you_--, no, he, I mean, observed an old woman
+sitting near one of the fruit-stalls, with her head covered up in an old
+dark-blue capote; and as he passed by, _you_--she I mean, held out one
+of her fingers, and said, 'Ali Baba,' for that was my father's name,
+'Listen to good advice; leave your laden beast, and follow me.' Now my
+father, _you know_, not being inclined to pay any attention to such an
+old woman, _you know_, replied, _you know_,----"
+
+"Holy Allah!" exclaimed the pacha in a rage to Mustapha, "what does this
+man deserve?"
+
+"The punishment due to those who dare to disobey your highness's
+commands."
+
+"And he shall have it: take him out; give him one hundred blows of the
+bastinado; put him on an ass with his face turned towards the tail; and
+let the officer who conducts him through the town proclaim, 'Such is the
+punishment awarded by the pacha to him who presumes to say that his
+highness knows, when in fact, he knows nothing.'"
+
+The guards seized upon the unfortunate Ali to put in execution the will
+of the pacha; and as he was dragged away, Hussan cried out, "I told you
+so; but you would not believe me."
+
+"Well," replied Ali, "I've one comfort, your story's not told yet. His
+highness has yet to decide which is the best."
+
+After a few minutes' pause, to recover himself from the ruffling of his
+temper, the pacha addressed the other man--"Now, Hussan, you will begin
+your story, and observe that I am rather in an ill-humour."
+
+"How can your highness be otherwise, after the annoyance of that bore
+Ali? I said so; 'Ali,' _says I_,----"
+
+"Go on with your story," repeated the pacha angrily.
+
+"It was about two years ago, your highness, when I was sitting at the
+door of the fruit-shop, which your highness might have observed when you
+saw us last night, that a young female, who seemed above the common
+class, came in, followed by a porter. 'I want some melons,' says she. 'I
+have very fine ones, so walk in,' _says I_: and I handed down from the
+upper shelf, where they were placed, four or five musk, and four or five
+water-melons.
+
+"'Now,' _says I_, 'young woman, you'll observe that these are much finer
+melons,' _says I_, 'than you usually can procure; therefore the lowest
+price that I can take,' _says I_, 'is----'"
+
+"Why, your _says I's_ are much worse than Ali's _you knows_; leave them
+out, if you please, and proceed with your story," cried the pacha, with
+increased ill-humour.
+
+"I will obey, your highness, if possible. I stated the lowest price, and
+she lifted up her veil--'I have an idea,' said she, as she allowed me to
+look upon one of the prettiest faces in the world, 'that they are to be
+had cheaper.'
+
+"I was so struck with her beauty, that I was quite speechless. 'Am I not
+right?' said she, smiling. 'From you, madam,' _says I_, 'I can take
+nothing; put as many in the basket of your porter as you please.' She
+thanked me, and put into the basket all that I had handed down. 'Now,'
+_says she_, 'I want some dates, the best and finest that you have.' I
+handed some down that would have been admired by the ladies of your
+highness's harem. 'These, madam,' _says I_, 'are the best dates that are
+to be found in Cairo.' She tasted them, and asked the price; I mentioned
+it. 'They are dear,' replied she, 'but I must have them cheaper;' and
+again she lifted her veil. 'Madam,' _says I_, 'these dates are much too
+cheap at the price which I have mentioned; it really is impossible to
+take one para less; observe, madam,' _says I_, 'the beauty of them, feel
+the weight, and taste them,' _says I_, 'and you must acknowledge,' _says
+I_, 'that they are offered to you at a price which,' _says I_----"
+
+"Holy prophet!" cried the pacha in a rage; "I will hear no more of your
+_says I's_: if you cannot tell your story without them, you shall fare
+worse than Ali."
+
+"May it please your highness, how will it be possible for you to know
+what I said, unless I point out to you what I did say? I cannot tell my
+story without it."
+
+"I'll see that," replied the pacha, in a savage tone; and, making the
+sign, the executioner made his appearance. "Now, then, go on with your
+story; and, executioner, after he has repeated _says I_ three times, off
+with his head! Go on."
+
+"I shall never be able to go on, your highness; consider one moment how
+harmless my _says I's_ are to the detestable _you knows_ of Ali. That's
+what I always told him; 'Ali,' _says I_, 'if you only knew,' _says I_,
+'how annoying you are! Why there,' _says I_!" At this moment the blow of
+the scimitar fell, and the head of Hussan rolled upon the floor; the
+lips from the force of habit still quivering in their convulsions, with
+the motioning which would have produced _says I_, if the channel of
+sound had not been so effectually interrupted.
+
+"That story's ended!" observed the pacha in a rage. "Of all the
+nuisances I ever encountered, these two men have beat them all. Allah
+forbid that I ever should again meet with a _says I_, or a _you know_!"
+
+"Your highness is all wisdom," observed Mustapha; "may such ever be the
+fate of those who cannot tell their stories without saying what they
+said." The pacha, irritated at his disappointment, and little soothed by
+the remark of Mustapha, without making any answer to it, was about to
+retire to his harem, when Mustapha, with a low salaam, informed him that
+the renegade was in attendance to relate his Second Voyage, if he might
+be permitted to kiss the dust of his presence. "Khoda shefa midêhed--God
+gives relief," replied the pacha, as he resumed his seat: "let him
+approach."
+
+The renegade entered and, having paid the customary obeisance, took his
+seat, and commenced the narrative of his Second Voyage.
+
+May it please your most sublime highness, the day after I embarked, we
+sailed with a fair wind, and having cleared the Straits, flattered
+ourselves with the prospect of a successful voyage; but we were
+miserably disappointed, for three days afterwards we fell in with a
+small brig under English colours. As she was evidently a merchant
+vessel, we paid no attention to her running down to us, supposing that
+she was out of her reckoning, and wished to know her exact position on
+the chart. But as soon as she was close to us, instead of passing under
+our stern, as we expected, she rounded-to, and laid us by the board.
+Taken by surprise, and having no arms, we were beaten down below, and in
+a few minutes the vessel remained in the possession of our assailants.
+They held a short consultation, and then, opening the hatches, a
+boatswain pulled out his whistle, and in a tremendous voice roared out,
+"_All hands ahoy_!" which was followed by his crying out, "_Tumble up
+there, tumble up_!" As we understood this to be a signal for our
+appearance on deck, we obeyed the summons. When we all came up, we found
+out that if we had had any idea that they were enemies, we might have
+beaten them off, as they were only fifteen in number, while we mustered
+sixteen. But it was too late: we were unarmed, and they had each of them
+a cutlass, with two pistols stuck in their girdles. As soon as we were
+all on deck, they bound our arms behind us with ropes, and ranged us in
+a line. Having inquired of each of us our respective ranks and
+professions, they held a short consultation, and the boatswain
+addressing me said--"Thank heaven, you scoundrel, that you were brought
+up as a barber, for it has saved your life!"
+
+He then cut loose the cords which bound me, and I remained at liberty.
+"Now then, my lads!" continued the boatswain, "_come, every man his
+bird_!" and, so saying, he seized upon the captain of the vessel, and
+leading him to the gangway, passed his sword through his body, and
+tossed him into the sea.
+
+In the same manner each of the murderous villains led forward the man
+he had selected, and putting an end to his life, either by the sword or
+pistol, launched the corpse into the waves.
+
+My blood curdled as I beheld the scene, but I said nothing. I considered
+myself too fortunate to escape with life. When it was all over, the
+boatswain roared out, "_That job's done_! Now, Mr Barber, swab up all
+this here blood, and be d----d to you! and recollect that you are one of
+us." I obeyed in fear and silence, and then returned to my former
+station near the taffrail.
+
+The people who had captured us, as I afterwards found out, were part of
+the crew of an English Guineaman, who had murdered the master and mate,
+and had taken possession of the vessel. As our brig was a much finer
+craft in every respect, they determined upon retaining her, and
+scuttling their own. Before night, they had made all their arrangements,
+and were standing to the westward with a fine breeze.
+
+But exactly as the bell struck eight for midnight, a tremendous voice
+was heard at the hatchway, if possible, more than a hundred times louder
+than the boatswain's, roaring out "_All hands ahoy_!"
+
+The concussion of the air was so great, that the ship trembled, as if
+she had been struck with a thunderbolt; and as soon as the motion had
+subsided, the water was heard to rush into every part of the hold. Every
+body ran on deck astonished with the sound, expecting the vessel
+immediately to go down, and looking at each other with horror as they
+stood trembling in their shirts. The water continued to rush into the
+vessel, until it reached the orlop beams; then, as suddenly, it stopped.
+
+When the panic had, to a certain degree, subsided, and they perceived
+that the water did not increase, all hands applied to the pumps, and by
+eight o'clock in the morning the vessel was free. Still the
+unaccountable circumstance weighed heavy on the minds of the seamen, who
+walked the deck without speaking to each other, or paying any attention
+to the ship's course; and as no one took the command, no one was ordered
+to the helm.
+
+For my own part, I thought it a judgment upon them for their cruelty;
+and, expecting that worse would happen, I had made up my mind to my
+fate. I thought of Marie, and hoping for pardon yet fearing the worst, I
+vowed, if I escaped, that I would amend my life.
+
+At night we again retired to our hammocks, but no one slept, so afraid
+were we of a second visitation. The bell was not struck by the men, but
+it struck itself, louder than I ever heard it before; and again the
+dreadful voice was heard, "_All hands ahoy_!" again the water rushed in,
+and again we ran on deck. As before, it mounted as high as the orlop
+beams; it then stopped, and was pumped out again by eight o'clock on the
+ensuing morning.
+
+For a month, during which time we never saw land, for we had lost all
+reckoning, and no one cared to steer--the same dreadful visitation took
+place. Habit had to a degree hardened the men; they now swore and got
+drunk as before, and even made a jest of the _boatswain of the middle
+watch_, as they called him, but at the same time they were worn out with
+constant fatigue; and one night they declared that they would pump no
+longer. The water remained in the vessel all that day, and we retired to
+our hammocks as usual; when at midnight, the same voice was again heard
+at the hatchway, not followed by the rush of water, but by a shriek of
+"_Tumble up there, tumble up_!"
+
+We all started at the summons, and hastened on deck; there was something
+that impelled us in spite of ourselves. Never shall I forget the horrid
+sight which presented itself: stretched in a row on the deck of the
+vessel lay the fifteen bloody corpses of my shipmates who had been
+murdered. We stood aghast; the hair rose straight up from our heads, as
+we viewed the supernatural reappearances. After a pause of about five
+minutes, during which we never spoke or even moved, one of the corpses
+cried out in a sepulchral voice, "_Come, every man his bird_!" and held
+up its arms as it lay.
+
+The man, whose office it had been to take the living body to the
+gangway, and after killing it to throw it overboard, advanced towards
+it; he was evidently impelled by a supernatural power, for never shall I
+forget the look of horror, the faint scream of agony, which escaped him
+as he obeyed the summons. Like the trembling bird fascinated by the
+snake, he fell into the arms of the dead body; which grasping him tight,
+rolled over and over in convolutions like a serpent, until it gained the
+break of the gangway, and then tumbled into the sea with its murderer
+entwined in its embraces. A flash of lightning succeeded, which blinded
+us for several minutes; and when we recovered our vision, the remainder
+of the bodies had disappeared.
+
+The effect upon the guilty wretches was dreadful; there they lay, each
+man on the deck where he had crouched down, when the lightning had
+flashed upon him: the sun rose upon them, yet they moved not; he poured
+his beams on their naked bodies when at his meridian height, yet they
+still remained: the evening closed in, and found them in the same
+positions. As soon as it was dark, as if released from a spell, they
+crawled below, and went into their hammocks: at midnight again the bell
+struck; again the voice was heard, followed by the shriek; again they
+repaired on deck: the fourteen remaining bodies lay in a row: another of
+the murderers was summoned, obeyed, and disappeared: again the flash of
+lightning burst upon us, and all had vanished; and thus it continued
+every night, until the boatswain, who was reserved for the last, was
+dragged overboard after the rest by the corpse of the captain; and then
+a tremendous voice from the maintop, followed by exulting laughter,
+cried out, "_That job's done_." Immediately after which, the water
+rushed out of the bottom of the vessel, and she was clear as before.
+
+Returning thanks to heaven that I was not a party sufferer with the
+rest, I lay down, and for the first time for many weeks fell into a
+sound sleep. How long I slept, I know not: it may have been days; but I
+awoke at last by the sound of voices, and found that the people on
+board of a vessel bound from Mexico to the South of Spain, perceiving
+the brig lying with her sails torn, and her yards not trimmed, had sent
+a boat to ascertain whether there was any body remaining in her. I was
+afraid that if I told them what had happened, they either would not
+believe me, or else would refuse to take on board a person who had been
+in company with such examples of divine vengeance. I therefore stated
+that we had been attacked by dysentery about six weeks before, and all
+had died except myself, who was supercargo of the brig.
+
+As their vessel was but half full, the cargo, consisting chiefly of
+cochineal and copper, which is stowed in small space, the captain
+offered to take as many of my goods as he could stow, provided I would
+allow him the freight. This I willingly consented to, and, examining the
+manifest, selected the most valuable, which were removed to the Spanish
+vessel.
+
+We had a favourable wind; and having run through the Straits, expected
+in a day or two we should anchor at Valencia, to which port she was
+bound; but a violent gale came on from the N.E. which lasted many days,
+and drove us over to the African shore. To increase our misfortunes, the
+ship sprung a leak, and made so much water that we could scarcely keep
+her free.
+
+The Spaniards are but indifferent sailors, your highness, and in a storm
+are more inclined to pray than to work: they became frightened, gave
+over pumping, and having lighted a candle before the image of St
+Antonio, which was fixed on the stern of the vessel, began to call upon
+him for assistance. Not immediately obtaining their request, they took
+the image out of the shrine, abused it, called it every vile name that
+they could think of, and ended with tying it against the main-mast, and
+beating it with ropes.
+
+In the meantime the vessel filled more and more; whereas, if, instead of
+praying, they had continued at the pumps, we should have done well
+enough, as the gale was abating, and she did not make so much water as
+before.
+
+Enraged at their cowardice, and at the idea of losing so much property
+as I had on board (for I considered it as my own), I seized the image
+from the mast, and threw it overboard, telling them to go to their pumps
+if they wished to be saved. The whole crew uttered a cry of horror, and
+would have thrown me after the image, but I made my escape up the
+rigging, from whence I dared not descend for many hours.
+
+Having now no saint to appeal to, they once more applied to the pumps.
+To their astonishment, the vessel made no more water, and in the course
+of a few hours she was free.
+
+The next morning the gale was over, and we were steering for Valencia. I
+observed that the captain and sailors avoided me, but I cared little
+about it, as I felt that my conduct had saved the ship as well as my own
+property. On the second day we anchored in the bay, and were boarded by
+the authorities, who went down into the cabin, and had a long
+conversation with the captain. They quitted the ship, and about an hour
+afterwards I proposed going ashore, but the captain said that he could
+not permit it until the next morning. While I was expostulating with him
+as to the reasons for my detention, a boat rowed alongside, from out of
+which came two personages dressed in black. I knew them to be familiars
+of the Inquisition; and it immediately occurred to me that my
+personification of the lady abbess had been discovered, and that my doom
+was sealed. The captain pointed me out; they collared and handed me into
+the boat, and pulled for the shore in silence.
+
+When we landed, I was put into a black coach, and conveyed to the palace
+of the Inquisition, where I was thrown into one of the lowest dungeons.
+The next day the familiars appeared, and led me to the hall of judgment,
+where I was asked whether I confessed my crime. I replied that I did not
+know what I was accused of. They again asked me if I would confess, and
+on my making the same answer I was ordered to the torture.
+
+As I knew that I had no chance, I thought I might as well avoid
+unnecessary pain, and declared that I did confess it.
+
+"What instigated you to the deed?"
+
+Not well knowing what to reply, as I was not exactly aware of the nature
+of my offence, I answered that it was the blessed Virgin.
+
+"Blasphemer!" cried the grand inquisitor, "what! the blessed Virgin
+desired you to throw St Antonio overboard?"
+
+"Yes," replied I (glad that at all events the crime was not what I had
+anticipated), "she did, and told me that it would be the saving of the
+vessel."
+
+"Where were you?"
+
+"On the deck."
+
+"Where did you see her?"
+
+"She was sitting on a small blue cloud, a little above the topsail yard.
+'Fear not, François,' said she, motioning with her hand, 'to throw the
+image overboard.'" The inquisitors were astonished at my boldness: a
+consultation was held, as to whether I should be treated as a
+blasphemer, or the circumstance blazoned into a miracle. But it
+unfortunately happened for me that a miracle had occurred very lately;
+and there were very few people to be burnt at the _auto da fé_ of the
+ensuing month.
+
+It was therefore decided against me. I was reviled, abused, and
+sentenced to the flames; but I determined, as my only chance, to put a
+good face upon the matter to the very last. Looking up, as if to a point
+in the ceiling of the dark hall of judgment, and holding my hands
+before, as if in amazement--"Holy Virgin," cried I, bending on my knee,
+"I thank thee for the sign. My Lord," continued I fiercely, "I fear you
+not; you have sentenced me to perish by the flames; I tell you that I
+shall leave my dungeon with honour, and be as much courted as I have
+been now reviled."
+
+The inquisitors were for a moment staggered, but their surprise gave
+place to their cruelty, when they considered how long they had tortured
+thousands for doubting points to which they themselves had never for a
+moment given credence. I was remanded to my dungeon; and the gaoler, who
+had never before witnessed such boldness in the hall of justice, and was
+impressed with the conviction that I was supported as I had affirmed,
+treated me with kindness, affording me comforts, which, had it been
+known, would have cost him his situation.
+
+In the meantime the cargo of the vessel was landed at the Custom House,
+and she was hauled on shore to have her bottom caulked and pitched,
+when, to the astonishment of the captain and crew, the hole which had
+occasioned the leak was discovered with the head of the figure of the
+saint, which I had thrown overboard, so firmly wedged in, that it
+required some force to pull it out. "A miracle! a miracle!" was cried
+from the quays, and proclaimed through every part of the town. It was
+evident that the Virgin had instigated me to throw over the image, as
+the only means of stopping the leak. The friars of the nearest convent
+claimed the image from their propinquity, and came down to the ship in
+grand procession to carry it to their church. The grand inquisitor,
+hearing the circumstance, acknowledged to the bishop and heads of the
+clergy my intrepid behaviour in the hall of judgment; and not three
+hours after the ship had been hauled on shore, I was visited in my
+dungeon by the grand inquisitor, the bishop, and a long procession, my
+pardon requested, and the kiss of peace demanded and given. I was taken
+away with every mark of respect, and looked upon as one under special
+favour of the Virgin. "Did I not say, my lord, that I should leave my
+dungeon in honour?"
+
+"You did, my friend," answered the inquisitor; and I heard him mutter,
+"either there is such a person as the Virgin Mary, or you are a most
+ready-witted scoundrel."
+
+During my stay at Valencia, I was courted and feasted by everybody, and
+sold my goods at an enormous price; for everyone thought that to possess
+anything that had belonged to me must bring them good fortune. I
+received many handsome presents, had divers requests to become a member
+of the different fraternities of monks, and eventually quitted the town
+with a large sum of money, with which I proceeded to Toulon, with the
+intention of making some inquiry after my dear Cerise, whose image was
+still the object of my dreams, as well as of my waking thoughts.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Stop," said the pacha; "I wish to know, whether you believe that the
+Virgin, as you call her, did thrust the head of the image into the hole
+in the bottom of the ship."
+
+"May it please your highness, I do not. I believe it originated from
+nothing but cause and effect. It is the nature of a whirlpool to draw
+down all substances that come within its vortex. The water pouring into
+the bottom of the ship is but the vortex of a whirlpool reversed; and
+the image of the saint, when it was thrown overboard to leeward of the
+ship, which was pressed down upon it by the power of the wind, was
+forced under the water, until it was taken into the vortex of the leak,
+and naturally found its way into the hole."
+
+"I dare say you are very right," answered the pacha, "but I don't
+understand a word you have said."
+
+"Such your highness were the adventures attending my second voyage,"
+concluded the renegade, with an inclination of his head.
+
+"And a very good voyage too! I like it better than your first. Mustapha,
+give him ten pieces of gold: you will bring him here to-morrow, and we
+will hear what happened in his third."
+
+"You observe," said Mustapha, when the pacha had retired, "my advice was
+good."
+
+"Most excellent!" replied the renegade, holding out his hand for the
+money: "To-morrow I'll lie like any barber."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter VII
+
+
+"Khoda shefa midêhed--God gives relief!" cried the pacha, as the divan
+closed: and, certainly, during its continuance many had been relieved of
+their worldly goods, and one or two from all future worldly thoughts or
+wanderings.--"What have we to-day, Mustapha?"
+
+"May your highness's shadow never be less!" replied the vizier. "Have we
+not the slave who offered to lay his story at your sublime feet, on the
+same evening that we met those sons of Shitan--Ali and Hussan, who
+received the punishment merited by their enormous crimes? Have we not
+also the manuscript of the Spanish slave, now translated by my faithful
+Greek; who tells me that the words are flowing with honey, and their
+music is equal to that of the bulbul when singing to his favourite
+rose?"
+
+"And the Giaour who relates his voyages and travels," interrupted the
+pacha--"where is he? No Kessehgou of our own race tells stories like
+unto his."
+
+"The Giaour is on the waters, your highness. He is a very _rustam_ on
+board of a ship, and brings wealth to the _hazneh_ of your sublime
+highness. He consulted the astrologers, and the stars were propitious.
+To-morrow I expect he will return."
+
+"Well, then, we must content ourselves with what is offered. Let the
+slave approach, and we will listen to his story, since we cannot have
+the wonderful tales of Huckaback."
+
+"Whose dog was Lokman, to be compared to your sublime highness in
+wisdom?" replied Mustapha. "What are the words of Hafiz--'Every moment
+that you enjoy, count it gain. Who shall say what will be the event of
+any thing?'"
+
+The slave, who had been detained by the orders of Mustapha, was ordered
+to appear. During his confinement, Mustapha had been informed by his
+people that he was "visited by Allah;" or in other words, that he was a
+madman. Nevertheless, Mustapha--who was afraid to release a man (or
+rather, a story) without the consent of the pacha, and could not send
+for the renegade to supply any defalcation--considered that, upon the
+whole, it was better that he should be admitted to the presence of the
+pacha.
+
+"You asked me to hear your story," observed the pacha, "and I have
+consented,--not to please you, but to please myself, because I am fond
+of a good story: which I take it for granted yours will be, or you would
+not have presumed to make the request. Now you may go on."
+
+"Pacha," replied the slave, who had seated himself in a corner, working
+his body backward and forward, "it is the misfortune of those who not
+aware--of the excitement which--as I before stated to your
+highness--exceeds in altitude the lofty and snow-covered peak of
+Hebrus--and, nevertheless, cannot be worth more than four or five
+paras--"
+
+"Holy prophet! what is all this?" interrupted the pacha; "I cannot
+understand a word that you say. Do you laugh at our beard? Speak more
+intelligibly. Remember!"
+
+"I remember it as if it were now," continued the maniac, "although years
+have rolled away. Never will it be effaced from my recollection while
+this heart, broken as it is, continues to beat, or this brain may be
+permitted to burn. The sun had just disappeared behind the rugged
+summits of the mountain which sheltered my abode from the unkind
+north-east wind: the leaves of the vines that hung in festoons on the
+trellis before my cottage, which, but a minute before, pierced by his
+glorious rays, had appeared so brilliant and transparent, had now
+assumed a browner shade, and, as far as the eye could reach, a thin blue
+vapour was descending the ravine: the distant sea had changed its
+intense blue for a sombre grey, while the surf rolled sullenly to the
+beach, as if in discontent that it could no longer reflect the colours
+of the prism as before, when it seemed to dance with joy under the
+brilliant illumination of the god of day--"
+
+"Poof!" ejaculated the pacha, fanning himself.
+
+"My boat was on the beach; my eyes were fixed upon it, in happy vacancy,
+until the shades of night prevented my discerning the nets which were
+spread upon its gunnel. I turned round at the soft voice of my Etana,
+who was seated near me with her infant in her arms, and watching the
+little one's impatience, as it would demand a more rapid flow of milk
+from that snowy breast, and the fond smile of the delighted mother, as
+she bent over the first dear pledge of our affection. I felt
+happy--almost too happy: I had all I wished--yes I had,"--and the maniac
+paused and smote his forehead, "but it is past now."
+
+After a second or two he resumed--
+
+"For my part it has always been my opinion that when the wind backs to
+the south-east, the fish repair to the deep water; and if you will be
+careful when you gather the grapes not to throw in the stalks, that the
+wine will, as I before stated to your highness, only increase the
+extreme difficulty of ascertaining how far a man could conscientiously
+demand, that is to say, in proportion to the degree of intellect, stated
+at different intervals, and extending down the crags of the whole
+ravine."
+
+"I cannot, positively, understand a word of all this!" exclaimed the
+pacha, with irritation; "can you, Mustapha?"
+
+"How is it possible for your slave to comprehend that which is concealed
+from the wisdom of your highness?"
+
+"Very true," replied the pacha.
+
+"Your highness will understand it all by-and-bye," observed the maniac;
+"but it will be necessary that you wait until I have finished the story,
+when it will all reel off like a skein of silk, which at present but
+appears to be ravelled."
+
+"Well then," replied the pacha, "I wish you would begin at the end of
+your story, and finish with the beginning. Now go on."
+
+"There is nought under heaven so interesting--so graceful--so pleasing
+to contemplate as a young mother with her first-born at her breast. The
+soft lisps and caresses of childhood--the expanding graces of the
+budding maiden--the blushing, smiling, yet trembling bride, all lose in
+the comparison with woman in her beauty fulfilling her destiny on earth;
+her countenance radiating with those intense feelings of delight, which
+more than repay her for her previous hours of sorrow and of anguish. But
+I'm afraid I tire your highness."
+
+"Wallah el Nebi!--by God and his Prophet, you do indeed. Is it all to be
+like that?"
+
+"No! pacha. I wish to heaven that it had been. Merciful God!--why didst
+thou permit the blow?--Was not I grateful?--Were not my eyes suffused
+with tears, springing from gratitude and love, at the very moment when
+they rushed in--when their murdering weapons were pointed to my
+breast--when the mother shrieked as they tore away the infant as a
+useless encumbrance, and dashed it to the ground--when I caught it up,
+and the pistol of the savage Turk put an end to its existence? I see it
+now, as I kissed the little ruby fountain which bubbled from its heart:
+I see her too, as they bore her away senseless in their arms. Pacha, in
+one short minute I was bereft of all--wife, child, home, liberty, and
+reason; and here I am, a madman and a slave!"
+
+The maniac paused: then starting upon his feet, he commenced in a loud
+voice:--"But I know who they were--I know them all, and I know where she
+is too: and now, pacha, you shall do me justice. This is he who stole my
+wife; this is he who murdered my child; this is he who keeps her from my
+arms: and thus I beard him in your presence:"--and as he finished his
+exclamations, he sprang upon the terrified Mustapha, seizing him by the
+beard with one hand, while with the other he beat his turban about his
+head.
+
+The guards rushed in, and rescued the vizier from the awkward position
+in which he was placed by his own imprudence, in permitting the man to
+appear at the divan.
+
+The rage of the pacha was excessive; and the head of the maniac would
+have been separated from his body, had it not been for the prudence of
+Mustapha, who was aware that the common people consider idiots and
+madmen to be under the special protection of heaven, and that such an
+act would be sufficient to create an insurrection. At his intercession,
+the man was taken away by the guards, and not released until he was a
+considerable distance from the palace.
+
+"Allah Karim!--God is merciful!" exclaimed the pacha as soon as the
+maniac had been carried away. "I'm glad that he did not think it was me
+who had his wife."
+
+"Allah forbid that your highness should have been so treated. He has
+almost ruined the beard of your slave," replied the vizier, adjusting
+the folds of his turban.
+
+"Mustapha, make a memorandum never again to accept an offer. I'm
+convinced that a volunteer story is worth nothing."
+
+"Your highness speaks the truth--no man parts readily with what is worth
+retaining--gold is not kicked up with the sandal, nor diamonds to be
+found glittering in the rays of the sun. If we would obtain them, we
+must search and labour in the dark mine.--Will your highness be pleased
+to hear the manuscript which had been translated by the Greek slave?"
+
+"Be it so," replied the pacha, not in the very best of humours.
+
+The Greek made his appearance and made his salutation, and then read as
+follows:--
+
+
+
+MANUSCRIPT OF THE MONK,
+
+RECORDING THE DISCOVERY OF THE ISLAND OF MADEIRA.
+
+Before I am summoned to that offended tribunal, to propitiate which I
+have passed so many years in penitence and prayer, let me record for
+the benefit of others the history of one, who, yielding to fatal
+passion, embittered the remainder of his own days, and shortened those
+of the adored partner of his guilt. Let my confession be public, that
+warning may be taken from my example; and may the sincerity with which I
+acknowledge my offence, and the tears which I have shed, efface it from
+the accumulated records of the wilfulness and disobedience of man!
+
+In a few days this attenuated frame will be mingled with the dust from
+which it sprung, and scattered by the winds of heaven, or by the labour
+of future generations, as chance may dictate, will yield sustenance to
+the thistle which wars against the fertility of nature, or the grain
+which is the support of our existence,--to the nightshade with its
+deadly fruit, or the creeping violet with its sweet perfume. The heart
+which has throbbed so tumultuously with the extreme of love, and which
+has been riven with the excess of woe, will shortly pant no more. The
+mind which has been borne down by the irresistible force of
+passion,--which has attempted to stem the torrent, but in vain, and,
+since the rage of it has passed away, has been left like the once
+fertile valley which has been overflown, a waste of barrenness and
+desolation,--will shortly cease from its wearied action. In a few brief
+days I must appear in the presence of an offended, yet merciful Saviour,
+who, offering every thing, weeps at the insanity of our rejection. Let
+then the confessions of Henrique serve as a beacon to those who are
+inclined to yield to the first impulse; when, alarmed at the discovery
+of their errors, they will find that conviction has arrived too late,
+and that, like me, they will be irresistibly impelled against the
+struggles of reason and of conscience.
+
+I am an Englishman by birth: my parents were called away before I was
+five years old; yet still I have a dreaming memory of my mother--a faint
+recollection of one at whose knees I used, each night, to hold up my
+little hands in orison, and who blessed her child as she laid him to
+repose.
+
+But I lost those whose precepts might have been valuable to me in
+after-life, and was left to the guardianship of one who thought that, in
+attending to my worldly interests, he fulfilled the whole duty which was
+required of him. My education was not neglected, but there was no one to
+advise me upon points of more serious importance. Naturally of a fiery
+and impatient temper,--endued with a perseverance which was only
+increased by the obstacles which presented themselves, I encouraged any
+feeling to be working in my mind in preference to repose, which was
+hateful. To such excess did it arrive as I grew up, that difficulty and
+danger, even pain and remorse, were preferable to that calm sunshine of
+the breast which others consider so enviable. I could exist but by
+strong sensations: remove them, and I felt as does the habitual drunkard
+in the morning, until his nerves have been again stimulated by a
+repetition of his draughts. My pursuits were of the same tendency:
+constant variety and change of scene were what I coveted. I felt a
+desire "to be imprisoned in the viewless winds, and blown with restless
+violence about the pendent world." At night I was happy; for as soon as
+sleep had sealed my eyes, I invariably dreamt that I had the power of
+aerostation, and, in my imagination, cleaved through the air with the
+strength of an eagle, soaring above my fellow-creatures, and looking
+down upon them and their ceaseless drudgery with contempt.
+
+To a mind thus constituted by nature, and unchecked by counsel, it is
+not surprising that the darling wish and constant idea was to roam the
+world; and the vast ocean, which offered to me the means of gratifying
+my passion, was an object of love and adoration. If I had not the wings
+of the eagle with which fancy had supplied me in my dreams, still I
+could fly before the wings of the wind, and, as in my aerial excursions
+when asleep, leave no track behind. As soon as I had arrived at the age
+which allowed me to take possession of my property, I sought the element
+so congenial to my disposition. For some years I continued the
+profession, and was fortunate in my speculations; but I cared little for
+gain; my delight was in roving from clime to clime, flying before the
+gale,--in looking with defiance at the vast mountainous seas which
+threatened to overwhelm me,--in the roaring of the wind,--in the mad
+raging of the surf,--in the excitement of battle, even in the
+destruction and disasters of the wreck.
+
+It may be a source of astonishment that I arrived at the age of thirty
+without ever feeling the sensation of love; but so it was. This most
+powerful of excitements, which was so to influence my future existence,
+had not yet been called into action: but it was roused at last, and,
+like the hurricane, swept every thing before it in ruin and desolation.
+I was at Cadiz, where I had arrived with a valuable cargo, when it was
+proposed that I should witness the ceremony of taking the White Veil. As
+the young woman who professed was of a noble family, and the solemnity
+was to be conducted with the greatest splendour, I consented. The
+magnificent decorations of the church, the harmony of the singing, the
+solemn pealing of the organ, the splendid robes of the priests in
+contrast with the sombre humility of the friars and nuns, the tossing of
+the censers, the ascending clouds of frankincense, and, above all, the
+extreme beauty of the fair devotee,--produced feelings of interest which
+I had not imagined could have been raised from any description of
+pageantry. When the ceremony was over, I quitted the church with new and
+powerful sensations, which at the time I could not precisely analyse.
+But when I lay down on my couch, I perceived that, although the
+splendour of the rites were but faint in my recollection, the image of
+the sweet girl kneeling before the altar was engraven on my heart. I
+felt an uneasiness, a restlessness, a vacuum in my bosom, which, like
+that in the atmosphere, is the forerunner of the tempest. I could not
+sleep; but, tossing from one side to the other during the whole night,
+rose the next morning feverish and unrefreshed.
+
+Following, as usual, the impulse of my feelings, I repaired to her
+relative, who had taken me to witness the ceremony, and persuaded him to
+introduce me at the wicket of the convent.
+
+As she had yet one year of probation previous to her taking the final
+vows, which were for ever to seclude her from the world, in seeing her
+there was no difficulty. Her duteous resignation to the will of her
+parents, her serene and beautiful countenance, her angelic smile,--all
+contributed to the increase of my passion; and, after an hour's
+conversation, I left her with my heart in a state of tumult, of which it
+is not easy to express the idea. My visits were repeated again and
+again. In a short time I declared my sentiments, and found that I was
+listened to without offending. Before I quitted Cadiz, which my
+engagements rendered imperative, I obtained from her a reciprocal
+acknowledgment. And as there were still nine months to pass away
+previous to her decision upon a monastic life, before that period had
+elapsed, I faithfully promised to return, and claim her as my own. As we
+professed the same faith, and she had only been sacrificed that the
+possessions of her brother might not be diminished by the fortune which
+her marriage would require, I did not anticipate any objections from her
+parents. I required no dower, having more than sufficient to supply her
+with every luxury. We parted; our hands trembled as we locked our
+fingers through the grating; our tears fell, but could not be mingled;
+our lips quivered, but could not meet; our hearts were beating with
+excess of love; but I could not strain her in my embrace. "In three
+months more, Rosina!" exclaimed I, as I walked backward from the
+grating, my eyes still fixed upon her. "Till then, farewell, Henrique!
+Relying upon your faith and honour, I shall not hesitate to cherish your
+dear image in my heart;"--and, overcome by her feelings, Rosina burst
+into tears, and hurried from my sight.
+
+I sailed with prosperous gales, and arrived safely at my own country.
+My ventures were disposed of: I realised a large sum of money, had
+completed all my arrangements, and in a few days intended to return to
+Cadiz, to fulfil my engagement with Rosina. I was in the metropolis,
+impatiently waiting for the remainder of the freight to be put on board
+of the vessel in which I had taken my passage, when, one evening, as I
+was sauntering in the Park, anticipating the bliss of rejoining the
+object of my affection, I was rudely pushed aside by a personage richly
+attired, who was escorting two of the ladies of the court. Fired at the
+insult, and, as usual, acting upon the first impulse, I struck him in
+the face, and drew my sword--forgetting, at the time that I was in the
+precincts of the Palace. I was seized and imprisoned: my offence was
+capital; my adversary a relation of the king's. I offered a large sum
+for my release; but when they found out that I was wealthy, they
+rejected, as I increased, my offers, until I was compelled to sacrifice
+one half of my worldly possessions to escape from the severity of the
+Star Chamber. But the loss of property was nothing; I had still more
+than enough: it was the dreadful length of my confinement, during which
+anxiety had swelled hours into days, and days into months of torture and
+suspense. I had been incarcerated more than a year before I could obtain
+my release. When in my imagination I conjured up Rosina lamenting my
+infidelity, reproaching me in her solitude for my broken vows, and
+(there was madness in the very thought) yielding in her resentment and
+her grief to the solicitations of her parents, and taking the veil,--I
+was frantic; I tore my hair, beat the walls of my prison, raved for
+liberty, and offered to surrender up every shilling that I possessed.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"By the beard of the prophet, this tires me," exclaimed the pacha.
+"Murakhas, you are dismissed."
+
+The Greek slave bowed and retired.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter VIII
+
+
+The next morning the pacha observed to Mustapha, "I have been thinking
+whether, as we have no story, it would not be as well to let the Greek
+finish the story of yesterday evening."
+
+"True, O pacha," replied Mustapha, "better is hard fare than no food--if
+we cannot indulge in the pillau, we must content ourselves with boiled
+rice."
+
+"It is well said, Mustapha, so let him proceed."
+
+The Greek slave was then ordered in, and re-commenced as follows:--
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Freedom was obtained at last; I flew to the sea-coast, chartered a small
+vessel, and chiding the winds as we scudded along, because they would
+not blow with a force equal to my impetuous desires, arrived at Cadiz.
+It was late in the evening when I disembarked and repaired to the
+convent; so exhausted was I by contending hopes and fears, that it was
+with difficulty I could support my own weight. I tottered to the wicket,
+and demanded my Rosina.
+
+"Are you a near relation," inquired the portress, "that you request the
+presence of a sister?" Her interrogation decided the point; Rosina had
+taken the veil, had abjured the world and me for ever. My brain reeled,
+and I fell senseless on the pavement. Alarmed at the circumstance, the
+portress ran to the Lady Abbess, informing her that a person had asked
+for Sister Rosina, and, receiving her answer, had fallen senseless at
+the wicket. Rosina was present at the narration; her heart told her who
+it was; also told her that I had not been faithless. Joy at my fidelity,
+and grief at her own precipitancy, which rendered it unavailing,
+overpowered her, and she was led to her cell in a state as pitiable as
+mine.
+
+When I recovered my senses, I found myself in bed. I had been there for
+weeks in a state of mental alienation. With reason and memory, misery
+returned; but I was no longer in the frenzy of excitement; my mind was
+as exhausted as my body, and I felt a species of calm despair. Convinced
+that all was lost, that an insuperable bar was placed between Rosina and
+me, I reasoned myself into a kind of philosophy, and resolved, as soon
+as I could recover my strength, to fly from a place which had been the
+scene of so much anticipated happiness, and of so much real woe.
+
+One desire still remained; it was to see Rosina previous to my
+departure, that I might explain the cause of my delay. Conviction told
+me that it was wrong; but the impulse I could not resist: had I not
+yielded to it, I should have been unfortunate, but not guilty.
+
+I wrote to her upbraiding her for her precipitation, and imploring a
+final interview. Her answer was affecting--it brought showers of tears
+from my eyes, and again inflamed my love. The interview was refused, as
+it could be productive of no benefit, and would only call forth feelings
+in opposition to her duty; but it was so kindly, so gently negatived,
+that it was evident her inclination was at variance with her pen; and on
+my repeating the request, as a proof that her affection had been
+sincere, she unwillingly acceded.
+
+We met--for our misery--for our guilt, we met.--From that moment, I
+resolved never to abandon her--religion, virtue, morality, every feeling
+was borne away by the re-appearance of the object of my adoration; and
+before the interview was over, I again dared to breathe vows of fidelity
+to one who had devoted herself to her God. "This cannot be, Henrique,"
+said Rosina; "we must meet no more; reflect, and you will be convinced
+of its impropriety. No dispensation from the vow will be permitted by my
+parents--all hopes of union in this world are over--Oh! may we meet in
+heaven!" and she clasped her hands in anguish as she disappeared.
+
+I returned home, every pulse beating to madness. Again I addressed her,
+imploring another meeting; but received a firm denial. So far from being
+baffled at this addition to the obstacles which presented themselves, it
+but increased my determination to surmount them. To overcome her duty to
+her parents, to induce her to trample on her vows to God, to defy the
+torments of the Inquisition, to release her from bolts and bars, to
+escape from a fortified and crowded city--each and every difficulty but
+inflamed my ardour--every appeal of conscience but added to my willful
+determination.
+
+Although hitherto I had abhorred deceit, my first act was one of
+duplicity. I wrote to her, stating that I had been permitted an
+interview with her friends, and had made known to them what had passed;
+that they had listened to me, and were disposed to yield; and although
+it was kept a secret from her, in a few months her vows would be
+dispensed with.
+
+How cruel--how selfish was my conduct! but it answered my intention.
+Buoyed up with the prospect of future happiness, Rosina no longer
+struggled against the fatal passion--no longer refused to see me, and
+listen to my vows of eternal fidelity. Deeper and deeper did she drink
+of the intoxicating draught, until it had effaced from her mind, as it
+had already done from mine, every other sensation than that of love.
+Although I could have kissed the ground which she trod upon, and have
+suffered the torments of a martyr for her sake, it was with the pleasure
+of a demon that I witnessed my success, and hailed her falling off from
+religion and from virtue.
+
+Six months had passed away, during which, by bribes to the portress, and
+the yielding of my mistress, I had contrived to obtain admittance by
+night into the convent garden. One evening I informed her that her
+parents, menaced by their confessor, had rescinded their promise to me,
+and had decided upon not obtaining her dispensation. Every thing had
+been prepared, that she might have no time for reflection: hurried away
+by her own feelings, my persuasions, and my protestations, she
+consented to fly with me to my own country. I bore the trembling,
+fainting girl in my arms--effected my escape from the convent and the
+city--embarked on board of a vessel which I had ready to weigh at a
+moment's warning, and was soon far distant from the port of Cadiz.
+
+It was near midnight when we embarked, and I bore my treasure down into
+the cabin of the vessel, muffled up in my cloak. Her nun's dress had not
+been laid aside; for I had not provided myself with any other change of
+raiment.
+
+Before morning it blew fresh. Rosina, who, as well as I, had abandoned
+herself to that powerful love which engrossed us, lay supported in my
+arms, when the captain of the vessel, coming down to speak to me,
+perceived that she was arrayed in the religious attire. He started when
+he viewed it, and hastily quitted the cabin. I had a presentiment that
+all was not right, and, removing my arms from Rosina, repaired on deck,
+where I found him in consultation with the crew. The subject in
+agitation was their immediate return to Cadiz to deliver us to the
+Inquisition. I resisted the suggestion; claimed the vessel as my own,
+having chartered her, and threatened immediate death to any one who
+should attempt to alter her course; but it was in vain. Their horror at
+the sacrilege, and their fear of being implicated in, and suffering the
+dreadful penalties attending it, bore down all my arguments; my promises
+and my threats were alike disregarded.
+
+I was seized, overpowered, and the vessel steered in for land. I raved,
+stamped, and imprecated in vain: at last I declared that we all should
+suffer together, as I would denounce them as having been aware of my
+intentions, and state that it was only in consequence of my having
+refused to submit to farther extortion, that they had not fulfilled
+their agreement. This startled them; for they knew that the Inquisition
+gladly seized upon all pretexts; and that even if not convicted, their
+imprisonment would be long. Again they consulted; and heaving the vessel
+to the wind, they hoisted out the long boat. Having thrown into her a
+scanty supply of provisions and water, with a few necessaries, they
+brought up the terrified Rosina from the cabin, and, placing her in the
+boat, released and ordered me to follow. As soon as I was in the boat,
+they cut the rope by which it was towed, and we were soon left at a
+distance astern.
+
+Glad to escape from the cruelty of man, I cared little for the danger to
+which we were subjected from the elements. I consoled my frightened
+Rosina; I stepped the mast, hoisted the sail, and steered in a southerly
+direction, with the intention of landing on some part of the African
+coast. So far from being alarmed at my situation, I felt happy. I was in
+a frail bark; but I had within it all that I cared for in this world. I
+sailed I knew not where, but Rosina was in my company; I felt the
+uncertainty of our fate, but was more than compensated by the certainty
+of possession. The wind rose, the sea ran high, and curled in
+threatening foam; we darted with rapidity before it; and steering with
+one arm, while Rosina was clasped in the other, I delighted in our
+romantic situation; and, pleased with the excitement which it created, I
+was blind to the danger which we encountered.
+
+For six days we ran before the wind, when an accumulation of clouds upon
+the southern horizon indicated that we should have a change. I had no
+compass in the boat, but had steered by the sun during the day, and by
+the stars during the night. I now considered myself well to the
+southward, and determined upon running eastward, that I might gain the
+African shore; but the gale was too strong to permit me to bring the
+broadside of my small bark to the wind, and I was compelled to continue
+my course in a southerly direction.
+
+For the first time, a sensation of alarm came over me: we had but two
+days' more sustenance, and Rosina was worn out by constant exposure. I
+myself felt the necessity of repose: it was with difficulty that I could
+keep my eyelids raised; every minute Nature imperiously demanded her
+rights, and I nodded at the helm.
+
+I was in a melancholy reverie, when I thought that I perceived, as the
+clouds on the horizon occasionally opened, something that had the
+appearance of the summit of a precipice. They closed again; I watched
+them with anxiety until they gradually rolled away, and discovered a
+lofty island, covered with trees and verdure down to the water's edge. I
+shouted with delight, and pointed it out to Rosina, who answered my
+exultations with a faint smile. My blood curdled at the expression of
+her countenance: for many hours she had been in deep thought; and I
+perceived that the smile was forced to please me, the intelligence I had
+imparted affording her but little pleasure. I ascribed it to weariness
+and exhaustion; and hoping soon to be able to relieve her, I steered
+direct for the only part of the shore which promised us a safe descent.
+In an hour I was close to it; and, anxious to land before dark, I
+steered the boat with the sail hoisted through the surf, which was much
+heavier than I expected. As soon as her bow struck the beach, the boat
+was thrown on her broadside, and it required all my exertion to save my
+beloved, which I did not effect without our being completely washed by
+the surf, which, in a few minutes, dashed the boat to pieces. I bore her
+to a cave at a short distance from where we landed; and, wrapping her up
+in a cloak which I had saved from the boat, took away her nun's attire,
+and exposed it to dry in the powerful rays of the sun. I went in search
+of food, which I soon obtained: banana and cocoanuts grew in profusion
+and in beauty, and fresh water ran down in noisy rills. I bore them to
+her, and congratulated her that we were now beyond all pursuit, and in a
+spot which promised to supply us with all that we required. She smiled
+languidly; her thoughts were elsewhere. Her clothes were dry, and I
+brought them to her: she shuddered at the sight of them, and seemed to
+muster up her resolution before she could put them on. Night closed in
+upon us, and we remained in the cave: our bed was formed of the cloaks
+and the sail of the boat and, locked in each other's arms, separated
+from all the world, and living but for each other, we fell asleep. The
+morning broke: not a cloud was to be seen through the blue expanse. We
+walked out, and dwelt in silent admiration upon the splendour of the
+scene. The island was clothed in beauty; the sun poured his genial rays
+upon the wild fertility of nature; the birds were warbling forth their
+notes of joy; the sea was calm and clear as a mirror, reflecting the
+steep hills which towered above each other. "Here then, Rosina," cried
+I, at last, with rapture, "we have all that we require, blessed in each
+other's love."
+
+Rosina burst into tears: "All--all, Henrique, except an approving
+conscience, without which I feel that I cannot live. I love you--love
+you dearly--dote upon you, Henrique: you cannot doubt it after all that
+has occurred: but now that the delirium of passion has subsided,
+conscience has been busy--too busy, for it has embittered all; and I
+feel that happiness is flown for ever. I wedded myself to God; I chose
+my Saviour as my spouse; I vowed myself to him--was received by him at
+the altar; and I abandoned this world for that which is to come. What
+have I done?--I have been unfaithful to him--left him, to indulge a
+worldly passion, sacrificed eternity for perishable mortality, and there
+is a solemn voice within that tells me I am an outcast from all heavenly
+joys. Bear with me, dear Henrique! I mean not to reproach you, but I
+must condemn myself;--I feel that I shall not long remain here, but be
+summoned before an offended Lord.
+
+"Merciful Saviour!" cried she, falling on her knees, with imploring eyes
+to heaven, "punish him not--pardon him his faults; for what are they,
+compared to mine? he made no vows, he has committed no infidelity, he is
+not the guilty one. Spare him, O Lord, and justly punish her who has
+seduced him into crime!"
+
+My heart smote me; I threw myself on the ground, and wept bitterly. I
+felt that it had been my duplicity which had destroyed her virtuous
+resolutions; my selfishness which had ruined her peace of mind and had
+plunged her into guilt. She knelt by me, persuading me to rise, curbing
+her own feelings as she kissed the tears from my cheeks, promising never
+to wound my peace again. But it was gone--gone for ever; my crime burst
+on me in all its magnitude; I felt that I had been guilty of a grievous
+and unpardonable sin, and had ruined the one I loved as well as myself.
+She was still on her knees; kneeling by her side, I prayed to offended
+heaven for mercy and forgiveness. She joined me in my fervent
+aspirations; and, with the tears of repentance flowing down our cheeks,
+we remained some time in the attitude of supplication. At last we rose,
+"Do you not feel happier, Rosina?" inquired I; Rosina smiled mournfully
+in reply, and we returned to the cave.
+
+For many hours we spoke not, but remained in sad communion with our own
+thoughts. The night again closed in, and we lay down to repose; and, as
+I clasped her in my arms, I felt that she shuddered, and withdrew. I
+released her, and retired to the other side of the cave, for I knew her
+feelings and respected them. From that hour she was no more to me than a
+dear and injured sister; and, although her frame hourly wasted away, her
+spirits seemed gradually to revive. At the expiration of a fortnight,
+she was too much reduced to rise from her bed, and I passed day and
+night sitting by her side in repentance and in tears, for I knew that
+she was dying. A few hours before she breathed her last she appeared to
+recover a little, and thus addressed me:--
+
+"Henrique, within this hour a balm has been poured into my breast, for a
+voice tells me we are both forgiven. Great is our crime; but our
+repentance has been sincere, and I feel assured that we shall meet in
+heaven. For your kindness--for your unceasing love, you have my thanks,
+and an attachment which heaven does not forbid--for now it is pure. We
+have sinned, and we have pleaded, and obtained our pardon together:
+together shall we be, hereafter. Bless you, Henrique! pray for my soul,
+still clinging to its earthly love, but pardoned by him who knows our
+imperfection. Pure Mother of God, plead for me! Holy Saviour, who
+despised not the tears and contrition of the Magdalen, receive an
+unfaithful, but repentant spouse unto your bosom; for when I made my
+vow, thou knowest that my heart--"
+
+With what agony of grief did I hang over the body! with what bitter
+tears did I wash the clay-cold face, so beautiful, so angelic in its
+repose! In the morning, I dug her grave; and cleansing my hands, which
+were bleeding, from the task, returned to the corpse, and bore it, in
+its nun's attire, to the receptacle which I had prepared. I laid it in;
+and, collecting the flowerets which blossomed round, strewed them over,
+and watched till sunset; when I covered her up, laying the earth, in
+small handfuls, as lightly on her dear remains, as the mother would the
+coverlid upon her sleeping babe. Long it was before I could prevail on
+myself to soil that heavenly face, or hide it from my aching eyes. When
+I had, I felt that Rosina was indeed no more, and that I was indeed
+alone.
+
+For two years I remained in solitude. I erected a rude chapel over her
+grave, and there passed my days in penance and contrition. Vessels
+belonging to other nations visited the island, and returning home with
+the intelligence, it was taken possession of and colonised. To their
+astonishment, they found me; and, when I narrated my story and my
+wishes, allowed me a passage to their country. Once more I embarked on
+the trackless wave, no longer my delight; and as the shore receded, I
+watched the humble edifice which I had raised over the remains of my
+Rosina: it appeared to me as if a star had settled over the spot, and I
+hailed it as an harbinger of grace. When I landed, I repaired to the
+convent to which I now belong; and, taking the vows of abstinence and
+mortification, have passed the remainder of my days in masses for the
+soul of my Rosina, and prayers for my own redemption.
+
+Such is the history of Henrique; and may it be a warning to those who
+allow their reason to be seduced by passion, and check not the first
+impulse towards wrong, when conscience dictates that they are straying
+from the paths of virtue!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Holy Allah!" exclaimed the pacha, yawning; "is this the bulbul singing
+to the rose?--What is it all about, Mustapha? or what is it written for,
+but to send one asleep? Murakhas, you are dismissed," continued the
+pacha to the Greek slave, who retired.
+
+Mustapha, who perceived that the pacha was disappointed in the
+entertainment of the evening, immediately addressed him:--"The soul of
+your sublime highness is sad, and the mind is wearied.--What says the
+sage? and are not his words of more value than large pearls? 'When thou
+art sick, and thy mind is heavy, send for wine. Drink, and thank Allah
+that he has given relief.'"
+
+"Wallah Thaib!--it is well said," replied the pacha: "Is not the
+'fire-water' of the Franks to be obtained?"
+
+"Is not the earth, and what the earth contains, made for your sublime
+highness?" replied Mustapha, drawing from his vest a bottle of spirits.
+
+"God is great!" said the pacha, taking the bottle from his mouth, after
+a long draught, and handing it to his vizier.
+
+"God is most merciful!" replied Mustapha, recovering his breath, and
+wiping down his beard with the sleeve of his kalaât, as he respectfully
+passed the bottle over to his superior.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter IX
+
+
+"Hham d'illah! Praise be to God!" exclaimed the pacha, as the divan
+closed. "This is dry work, hearing petitions for three hours, and not a
+sequin to my treasury. Mustapha, has the renegade come back?"
+
+"The Kafir waits to kiss the dust of your sublime feet," replied the
+vizier.
+
+"Let him approach, then, Mustapha," said the pacha joyfully, and the
+renegade immediately made his appearance.
+
+"Kosh amedeid, you are welcome, Huckaback. We have had our ears poisoned
+since you quitted us. I forget where it was that you left off."
+
+"May it please your highness, at the ending of my second voyage, in
+which----"
+
+"I remember--when the Frankish woman god, stopped the leak. You may
+proceed."
+
+The renegade bowed, and commenced his third voyage, as follows:--
+
+"I believe that I stated to your highness, at the end of my second
+voyage, I determined to go to Toulon, and make some inquiry after my
+dear Cerise."
+
+"I recollect you did," interrupted the pacha, "but I tell you again, as
+I told you before, that I want to know nothing about her. Have the
+goodness to skip all that part, or it will be five sequins out of your
+girdle."
+
+"Your highness shall be obeyed," replied the renegade, who, after musing
+a short time, continued.
+
+
+
+THIRD VOYAGE OF HUCKABACK.
+
+I was so affected at the intelligence of Cerise having destroyed
+herself, that I found it impossible to remain on shore. Having met with
+the captain of a whaler, who expatiated on the fortune which might be
+realised by embarking in the speculation, I purchased a large ship, and
+fitted it out for a voyage to Baffin's Bay. This consumed all the money
+I had left, but as I expected to return with ten times the sum, I made
+no scruple of parting with it.
+
+My crew consisted of about thirty men, all strong fellows; ten of them
+Englishmen, and the remainder from my own country. We stood to the
+northward, until we reached the ice, which floated high as mountains,
+and steering in between it, we at last came to a fine open water, where
+a large quantity of whales were blowing in every direction. Our boats
+were soon hoisted out, and we were extremely fortunate, having
+twenty-three fish on board, and boiled down before the season was over.
+
+I now considered my fortune made; and the ship being full up to the
+beams, we made all sail to return home. But a heavy gale came on from
+the southward, which drove all the ice together, and our ship with it,
+and we were in great danger of being squeezed to atoms. Fortunately, we
+made fast in a bight, on the lee side of a great iceberg, which
+preserved us, and we anxiously awaited for the termination of the gale,
+to enable us to proceed. But when the gale subsided, a hard frost came
+on, and we were completely frozen up, where we lay--the ice formed round
+to the depth of several feet, and lifted the ship, laden as she was, out
+of the water.
+
+The English, who were experienced fishermen, told us, that we had no
+chance of being released until next spring. I ascended to the mast-head,
+and perceived that for miles, as far as the eye could scan the horizon,
+there was nothing but one continued succession of icebergs and floes
+inseparably united. Despairing, therefore, of any release, until the
+cold weather should break up, I made all arrangements for remaining
+during the winter. Our provisions were very short, and we were obliged
+to make use of the whale oil, but it soon produced such dysenteries,
+that it was no longer resorted to.
+
+After two months, the cold became intense, and our fuel ran short. At
+the end of three months the crew complained of scurvy, and could not
+move about the decks. At the end of the fourth month, they had all died
+except the chief harpooner, a fat porpus of an Englishman, and myself.
+
+The bodies remained on the deck, for the cold was so intense that they
+would not have been tainted for centuries; and, as at the end of five
+months, the provisions were all expended, we were again obliged to
+resort to the whale oil.
+
+The whale oil produced a return of our complaints, and having no other
+resource, we were forced by imperious hunger to make our repasts from
+one of the bodies of our dead shipmates. They were so hard, that it was
+with difficulty that we could separate a portion with an axe, and the
+flesh broke off in fragments, as if we had been splitting a piece of
+granite; but it thawed before the fire, which we had contrived to keep
+alight, by supplying it from the bulwarks of the quarter-deck, which we
+cut away as we required them. The old harpooner and I lived together on
+the best terms for a month, during which we seldom quitted the cabin of
+the vessel, having now drawn down the third dead body, which we cut up
+as we required it with less difficulty than before, from the change in
+the weather.
+
+The ice continued breaking up, and all day and night we were startled at
+the loud crashing which took place, as the icebergs separated from each
+other. But my disgust at feeding upon human flesh produced a sort of
+insanity. I had always been partial to good eating, and was by no means
+an indifferent cook; and I determined to try whether something more
+palatable could not be provided for our meals; the idea haunted me day
+and night, and at last I imagined myself a French restaurateur; I tied a
+cloth before me as an apron, put on a cotton nightcap instead of my fur
+cap, and was about to make a trial of my skill, when I discovered that I
+had no lard, no fat of any kind except train oil, which I rejected as
+not being suitable to the "_cuisine Française_." My messmates who lay
+dead, were examined one by one, but they had fallen away so much
+previous to their decease, that not a symptom of fat was to be
+perceived. Without fat I could do nothing; and as I thought of it in
+despair, my eye was caught by the rotundity of paunch which still
+appertained to the English harpooner, the only living being besides
+myself out of so many. "I must have fat," cried I fiercely, as I
+surveyed his unwieldy carcase. He started when he observed the rolling
+of my eyes, and perceiving that I was advancing towards him, sharpening
+my knife, he did not think it prudent to trust himself longer in my
+company. Snatching up two or three blankets, he ran on deck, and
+contrived to ascend to the main-top before I could follow him. There he
+held me at bay, and I continued watching him from below with my large
+carving knife in my hand, which I occasionally whetted. He remained
+aloft all night, and so did I on deck, to get possession of him when he
+should descend. I was so eager in my frenzy to obtain him, that I felt
+neither cold nor hunger; the weather during the day was now warm enough
+to be pleasant, but the nights were piercing. My fat shipmate remained
+in the top for three days and nights, during which period I never
+removed from my post. At the close of the third day he looked over the
+top brim, and implored my mercy. When he showed himself I hardly knew
+him, so much had he wasted away, and it then struck me, that if he
+remained aloft much longer he would have no more fat than the others,
+and would not serve my purpose. I therefore pledged him my honour, that
+I would not attempt his life for ten days; and as he was perishing with
+the cold, he agreed to the armistice, and once more descended to the
+deck. But I was saved the crime of murder, for he was so ravenous when
+he came down, that he ate nearly the whole of a man's leg, and died from
+repletion during the night. I cannot express to your highness the
+satisfaction that I felt at finding that the carcase of the harpooner
+was in my possession. I surveyed my treasure over and over again with
+delight. I could now cook my French dishes. He was soon dissected, and
+all his unctuous parts carefully melted down, and I found that I had a
+stock which would last me as long as the bodies which I had remaining to
+exercise my skill upon. The first day I succeeded admirably--I cooked my
+dishes; and when they were ready I took off my night-cap and apron,
+passed my fingers through my hair, and fancied myself a garçon at a
+restaurateur's. I laid the cloth, put the dishes on the table, and when
+it was complete, went on deck and then returned as the _bon vivant_ who
+had ordered the dinner.
+
+Never was any meal so delicious to my insane fancy. I devoured every
+thing which I cooked, and drank water for champagne. I meditated upon
+what I should have for dinner on the ensuing day, and then retired to my
+bed. In the meantime the ice had separated, and the ship was again
+afloat; but I cared not: all my ideas were concentrated in the pleasures
+of the table--and the next morning I went on deck to obtain a piece of
+meat, when I was astonished at a terrific growl. I turned my head and
+perceived an enormous white bear, who was making sad depredations in my
+larder, having nearly finished the whole body of one of my dead
+shipmates. He was as large as an ox, so large that when he made a rush
+at me, and I slipped down the ladder, he could not follow me. I again
+looked up, and perceived that he had finished his meal. After walking
+round the decks two or three times, smelling at every thing, he plunged
+overboard and disappeared.
+
+Glad to be rid of so unpleasant a visitor, I came up, and cutting off
+the meat I required, again exerted my cookery, was again satisfied and
+went to sleep. I never felt so happy as I then did in my insane
+condition. All I thought of, all I wished, I could command--my happiness
+was concentrated in eating my fellow-creatures, cooked in a proper
+manner, instead of the usual method of bolting them down to satisfy the
+cravings of imperious hunger. I woke the next morning as usual, and when
+I crawled on deck, was again saluted with the angry growl of the bear,
+who was busy making a repast upon another body--when he had finished he
+plunged into the sea as before.
+
+I now thought it high time to put an end to these depredations on my
+larder, which in a few days would have left me destitute. My invention
+was called into action, and I hit upon a plan, which I thought would
+succeed. I dragged all the bodies to the after part of the quarter-deck,
+and blocked it up before the cabin-hatch with swabs and small sails, so
+as to form a sort of dam about eight inches high. I then went below and
+brought up forty or fifty buckets of train oil, which I poured upon the
+deck abaft, so that it was covered with oil to the height of several
+inches. On the ensuing morning the bear came as I expected, and
+commenced his repast; I had stationed myself aloft, in the mizen-top,
+with several buckets of oil, which I poured upon him. His fur was
+otherwise well saturated with what he had collected when he lay down on
+the deck to devour one of the bodies more at his ease. When I had poured
+all my buckets of oil over him but one, I threw the empty buckets down
+upon him. This enraged him, and he mounted the rigging to be revenged. I
+waited until he had arrived at the futtock shrouds, when I poured my
+last bucket upon him, which quite blinded him, and then gained the deck
+by sliding down the back stays on the opposite side.
+
+A bear can climb fast, but is very slow in his descent--the consequence
+was that I had plenty of time for my arrangements. I ran below, and
+lighting a torch of oakum, which I had prepared in readiness, placed it
+to his hinder quarters as he descended. The effect was exactly what I
+had anticipated; his thick fur, covered in every part with oil, was
+immediately in a blaze, and burnt with such rapidity, that before he
+could recover his feet on deck, he was like an immense ball of fire. I
+retreated to the companion-hatch to watch his motions. His first act was
+to return to the quarter-deck and roll himself in the oil, with an idea
+of quenching the flames, but this added fuel to them, and the animal
+roaring in his agony at last jumped into the sea and disappeared.
+
+Having thus rid myself of my intruder I returned to my cooking. The ship
+was now clear of ice, the weather was warm, the bodies of my shipmates
+emitted a fetid smell, but I saw and smelt nothing; all that I observed
+was that the barley which had been scattered on the deck by the fowls,
+had sprung up about the decks, and I congratulated myself upon the
+variety it would give to my culinary pursuits. I continued to cook, to
+eat, and to sleep as before, when a circumstance occurred, which put an
+end to all my culinary madness. One night I found the water washing by
+the side of my standing bed-place in the cabin, and jumping out in alarm
+to ascertain the cause, I plunged over head and ears. The fact was, that
+the ship, when lifted by the ice, had sprung a leak which had gradually
+filled her without my perceiving it. My fear of drowning was so great,
+that I ran into the very danger which I would have avoided. I darted out
+of the cabin windows into the sea, whereas had I gone upon deck I should
+have been safe: for a little reflection might have told me that a vessel
+laden with oil could not have sunk--but reflection came too late, and
+benumbed with the coldness of the waters, I could have struggled but a
+few seconds more, when I suddenly came in contact with a spar somewhat
+bigger than a boat's mast. I seized it to support myself, and was
+surprised at finding it jerked from me occasionally; as if there was
+somebody else who had hold of it, and who wished to force me to let it
+go; but it was quite dark, and I could distinguish nothing. I clung to
+it until daylight appeared, when what was my horror to perceive an
+enormous shark close to me. I nearly let go my hold and sunk, so
+paralysed was I with fear, I anticipated every moment to feel his teeth
+crushing me in half, and I shut my eyes that I might not add to the
+horrors of my death by being a witness to the means. Some minutes had
+elapsed, which appeared to me as so many hours, when surprised at being
+still alive, I ventured to open my eyes. The shark was still at the same
+distance from me, and on examination I perceived that the boat's mast or
+spar, to which I was clinging, had been passed through his nose in a
+transverse direction, being exactly balanced on either side. The shark
+was of the description found in the North Seas, which is called by the
+sailors the blind shark. I now perfectly understood that he had been
+caught and _spritsail yarded_, as the seamen term it, and then turned
+adrift for their diversion. The buoyancy of the spar prevents the animal
+from sinking down under the water, and this punishment of their dreaded
+enemy is a very favourite amusement of sailors.
+
+I summoned up all my courage, and being tired of holding on by the
+spar, resolved to mount upon his back, which I accomplished without
+difficulty, and I found the seat on his shoulders before the dorsal fin,
+not only secure but very comfortable. The animal, unaccustomed to carry
+weight, made several attempts to get rid of me, but not being able to
+sink I retained my seat. He then increased his velocity, and we went on
+over a smooth sea, at the rate of about three knots an hour. For two
+days I continued my course to the southward, upon my novel conveyance,
+during which I had nothing to eat except a few small barnacles, and some
+parasitical vermin, peculiar to the animal, which I discovered under his
+fins. I also found a small _remora_, or sucking fish, near his tail, but
+when I put it to my mouth, it fixed itself so firmly on both my lips
+that I thought they were sealed for ever. No force could detach it, and
+there it hung like a padlock for many hours, to my great mortification
+and annoyance, but at last it died from being so long out of water, and
+when it dropped off I devoured it.
+
+On the third day I observed land at a distance; it appeared to be an
+island, but I had no idea what it could be. My steed continued his
+course straight towards it, and being blind ran his nose right upon the
+shore; before he found out his mistake I slipped off his back, and
+climbing the steep side of the island, was once more, as I thought, on
+terra firm. Tired with long watching, I lay down and fell fast asleep.
+
+I was awakened by something touching me on the shoulder, and opening my
+eyes, I perceived that I was surrounded by several people, whom I
+naturally inferred to be the natives of the island. They were clad in
+dresses, which appeared to me to be made of black leather, consisting of
+a pair of trousers, and a long pea-jacket, very similar to those worn by
+the Esquimaux Indians, which we occasionally fell in with in the
+Northern Ocean. They each held a long harpoon, formed entirely of bone,
+in their right hands.
+
+I was not a little surprised at being addressed in the Patois dialect
+of the Basques in my own country, which is spoken about Bayonne and
+other parts adjacent to the Pyrennees. To their questions I answered
+that I was the only survivor of the crew of a whaler, which had been
+frozen up in the ice, during the winter; that she had filled with water,
+and that I had saved myself upon the back of a shark.
+
+They expressed no surprise at my unheard-of conveyance to the island; on
+the contrary, they merely observed, that sharks were too vicious to
+ride; and asked me to accompany them to their town, an invitation which
+I gladly accepted. As I walked along I observed that the island was
+composed of white porous pumice stone, without the least symptoms of
+vegetation; not even a piece of moss could I discover--nothing but the
+bare pumice stone, with thousands of beautiful green lizards, about ten
+inches long, playing about in every part. The road was steep, and in
+several parts the rock was cut into steps to enable you to ascend. After
+an hour's fatiguing walk, which I never should have accomplished in my
+weak state, without the assistance of the islanders, we arrived at the
+summit. The view which met my eyes was striking. I was on the peak of a
+chain of hills, forming an immense amphitheatre, encircling a valley
+which appeared about fifteen miles in diameter, and the major part of
+which was occupied by a lake of water.
+
+I could discern what appeared to be the habitations of men on different
+parts of the lake; but there was not a tree or a shrub to be seen.
+
+"What," demanded I of the man who appeared to take the lead of the rest
+of the party, "have you no trees here?"
+
+"None whatever; and yet we can do very well without them. Do you not
+observe that there is no mould; that the island is composed entirely of
+pumice stone?"
+
+"I do," replied I. "Pray what is the name of your barren spot--and in
+what part of the world are we?"
+
+"As for its name, we call it Whale Island," replied the man; "but as
+for where we are, we cannot exactly tell ourselves, for we are a
+floating island, being composed entirely of pumice stone, whose specific
+gravity, as you must know, is much lighter than that of water."
+
+"How strange," observed I; "I cannot believe that you are in earnest."
+
+"And yet not quite so strange as you imagine," replied my conductor. "If
+you examine the structure of this island, from where you now stand, you
+will perceive at once, that it has been the crater of some large
+volcano. It is easy to imagine, that after having reared its head above
+the surface of the sea, by some of those sudden caprices of ever-working
+nature, the base has again sunk down, leaving the summit of the crater
+floating on the ocean. Such is our opinion of the formation of this
+island; and I doubt whether your geologists on the continent would
+produce a more satisfactory theory."
+
+"What? you have communicated with Europe, then?" cried I, delighted at
+the hopes of return.
+
+"We have had communication, but we do not communicate again. In the
+winter time, this island, which, strange as it may appear to you, does
+not change its position many hundred miles in the course of centuries,
+is enclosed with the icebergs in the north: when the spring appears, we
+are disengaged, and then drift a degree or two to the southward, seldom
+more."
+
+"Are you not then affected by the winds and tides?"
+
+"Of course we are: but there is a universal balance throughout nature,
+and everything finds its level. There is order, when there appears
+disorder--and no stream runs in one direction, without a counter stream,
+to restore the equilibrium. Upon the whole, what with the under
+currents, and the changes which continually take place, I should say
+that we are very little, if at all, affected by the tides--which may be
+considered as a sort of exercise, prescribed by nature to keep the ocean
+in good health. The same may be affirmed with respect to the winds.
+Wind is a substance, as well as water, capable of great expansion, but
+still a substance. A certain portion has been allotted to the world for
+its convenience, and there is a regularity in its apparent variability.
+It must be self-evident, when all the wind has been collected to the
+eastward, by the north-west gales which prevail in winter, that it must
+be crowded and penned up in that quarter, and, from its known expansive
+powers, must return and restore the equilibrium. That is the reason that
+we have such a long continuance of easterly winds, in the months of
+February and March."
+
+"You said that you had communication with Europe?"
+
+"We have occasionally visits perforce, from those who are cast away in
+ships or boats; but the people who come here, have never returned. The
+difficulty of leaving the island is very great: and we flatter
+ourselves, that few who have remained any time with us, have ever felt
+the desire."
+
+"What--not to leave a barren rock, without even a blade of grass upon
+it."
+
+"Happiness," replied my conductor, "does not consist in the variety of
+your possessions, but in being contented with what you have"--and he
+commenced the descent of the hill.
+
+I followed him in a melancholy mood, for I could imagine little comfort
+in such a sterile spot.
+
+"I am not a native of this island," observed he, as we walked along; "it
+is more than four hundred years since it was first inhabited, by the
+crew of a French vessel, which was lost in the Northern Ocean. But I do
+not wish to leave it. I was cast on it in a whale boat, when separated
+from the ship in a snow-storm, about twenty-five years ago. I am now a
+married man, with a family, and am considered one of the wealthiest
+inhabitants of the island, for I possess between forty and fifty
+whales."
+
+"Whales!" exclaimed I, with astonishment.
+
+"Yes," replied my conductor, "whales, which are the staple of this
+island, and without them we should not be so prosperous and so happy as
+we are. But you have much to see and learn; you will by-and-bye
+acknowledge that there is nothing existing in the world, which, from
+necessity and by perseverance, man cannot subject to his use. Yon lake
+which covers the bottom of our valley, is our source of wealth and
+comfort, and yields us an increase as plentiful as the most fertile
+plains of Italy or France."
+
+As we arrived close to the foot of the hills, I perceived several black
+substances on the shores of the lake. "Are those whales?" inquired I.
+
+"They were whales, but they are now houses. That one by itself is mine,
+which I hope you will consider as yours, until you have made up your
+mind as to what you will do."
+
+We descended to the beach, and his companions, wishing me good-morning,
+left me with my conductor, who led the way to his house. It was composed
+of the skin of one entire whale, much larger than ever I had seen in the
+Northern Ocean. The backbone and ribs of the animal served as rafters to
+extend the skin, which wore the resemblance of a long tent; it was
+further secured by ropes, formed of the twisted sinews which passed over
+the top, and were made fast to stakes of bone firmly fixed in the ground
+on each side. When I entered, I found to my surprise that there was
+plenty of light, which was supplied from windows, composed of small
+panes of whalebone ground down very thin, and at the further end the
+head and scull of the animal formed a kitchen, the smoke from the fire
+escaping through the spiracles or breathing-holes above.
+
+On each side of the room into which I was ushered were raised seats,
+covered with seal skins, and the other end of the house was divided off
+with a species of black skin, into sleeping apartments for the master of
+the house and his family. There was not the least smell, as I
+anticipated before I entered this strange dwelling-place.
+
+I was introduced to his wife, who welcomed me with cordiality. She was
+dressed in the same dark skin as her husband, but of a much finer
+texture, and had a scarlet cap on her head, as well as scarlet
+trimmings to the front and bottom of her dress, which on the whole was
+not only comfortable but becoming in its appearance.
+
+A bowl of milk was presented to me, to refresh me after my walk and long
+abstinence.
+
+"How!" observed I, "have you milk here without pasture?"
+
+"Yes," replied my host, "drink it, and tell me if you think it
+palatable."
+
+I did so, and found it very little different from the asses' milk of my
+own country--perhaps with a little more acidity of taste. In the
+meantime several varieties of shell-fish, and a large cheese, were
+placed upon the table, which, as well as the stools, was composed
+entirely of bone.
+
+"And cheese, too?" said I.
+
+"Yes, and you will find it not bad. It is the milk of the whale which
+you have drank, and the cheese is prepared from the same."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Friend Huckaback," observed the pacha, "I think you are telling me
+lies. Who ever heard of whale's milk?"
+
+"Allah forbid that I should attempt to deceive a person of your
+highness's judgment; it could only end in mortification and defeat to
+myself."
+
+"That's very true," observed the pacha.
+
+"Your highness has not called to mind, that the whale is what
+naturalists call a 'hot-blood animal,' with arteries and circulation of
+blood similar to the human species; and that it brings forth its young
+alive, and nurses it at the breast."
+
+"Very true," observed the pacha. "I had forgot that."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+My conductor resumed as follows:--"As I told you before, the whale is
+the staple of this island. You observe that his skin serves us as a
+house; from his bones we form all our implements--from his sinews, our
+thickest ropes down to our finest thread. The dress we wear is composed
+of the belly part of the skin, dressed with a sort of soap, composed of
+the alkali obtained from the sea-weed which abounds in the lake, and the
+oil of the whale. His blubber serves us for fuel and candle; his flesh
+for meat, and the milk is invaluable to us. It is true, we have other
+resources; we have our lizards, and a variety of fish and shell-fish;
+and when we are shut up in the winter among the icebergs, we procure the
+flesh and skins of the seals and the polar bear. But we have no
+vegetable of any kind; and although the want of bread may at first be
+unpleasant, a few weeks will reconcile you to the privation. But it is
+time to repose after your fatigues--I will report your arrival to the
+great harpooner, after I have shown you to your chamber." He then
+conducted me to an inner room, where I found a couch, composed of the
+skins of the polar bears, on which I threw myself, and in a few minutes
+was fast asleep.
+
+The next morning I was awakened by my host. "If you wish to see the
+whales milked, this is the hour that they are called in; a short walk
+will explain more to you than many hours' conversation."
+
+I arose perfectly refreshed from my long nap, and followed my conductor.
+We passed a large tank. "This is our water; we are obliged not to waste
+it, although we have a sufficiency; the tank is coated by a cement,
+formed of lime, obtained by the burning of the shells of fish. We make
+all our vessels that are submitted to the fire, of the same substance,
+mixed with pounded lava; it is burnt in the fire, and glazed with
+sea-salt."
+
+We arrived at the edge of the lake, where we came to a large shallow
+dock, cut out of the lava in the side, in which were about two dozen
+young whales, who followed my host as he walked round the edge.
+
+These are my calves; we do not admit the mothers until we have first
+drawn off what milk we require.
+
+Several men now came down to the beach: one of them blew a horn, formed
+out of a part of the horn of a sea unicorn, and immediately a herd of
+whales collected at the sound, and swam towards the beach. They all
+answered to their names; and when the men waded in the water up to
+their knees, quietly grounded on their sides, so as to present one of
+their udders to them, clear of the water. This was squeezed by four men,
+and the contents received into a large pail, composed of the bones of a
+whale, neatly hooped together by the same substance.
+
+As soon as the breast of the animal was empty, with a lash of its tail
+it recovered the deep water, and swam round and round in small circles,
+near to the spot.
+
+"We always leave one breast for the calf," observed my host; "when they
+are all milked, I shall open the pen and let the mothers in."
+
+"What are those enormous whales which are playing at a distance?"
+
+"They are our whale oxen," answered my host; "we find that they grow to
+an enormous size. Our houses are built of their skins."
+
+"Is that a dead whale on the beach?"
+
+"It is one of our whale boats," replied he, "but formed, as you
+supposed, from the skin of a whale, hardened by frequent applications of
+oil and lime. We use them to catch the whales when we want them."
+
+"You do not use the harpoon, then?"
+
+"Only when we kill; in general we noose the tail, and fasten the rope to
+one of these boats, which are so buoyant, that the whale cannot take it
+down, and soon tires with his own exertions. I am now speaking of the
+males reserved for breeding, or strange whales, who sometimes find their
+way into our lake during the winter: our own are so domesticated from
+their infancy, that we have little trouble with them; but it is time
+that we return."
+
+"Here," observed my host, as we passed a whale-house, "is one of our
+manufactories; we will step in. This is the common stuff of the country,
+which is used for partitions in houses, &c. This is a finer sort, such
+as I wear at present. Here we have the skin of the whale calf, which is
+usually worn by the women. This is the most expensive article of our
+manufactures; it is the belly part of the calf's skin, which being
+white, admits of a dye from the murex--a shell fish, very common on our
+shores."
+
+"Have you money?" inquired I.
+
+"None--we exchange; but the chief article of exchange, and which serves
+as money, is the whale cheese, which keeps for years, and improves in
+quality. That fine cloth is worth eight new cheeses a square yard, which
+is very dear."
+
+We arrived at the house, where we found our repast ready; an excellent
+stew received my commendation.
+
+"It is one of our favourite dishes," replied my host; "it is made of
+lizards' tails."
+
+"Lizards' tails!"
+
+"Yes; I am about to procure some for dinner, and you shall see my
+preserve."
+
+In the course of the day I walked with my host a short distance up the
+hill, when we stopped at a large pit, covered with a net work, made of
+whales' sinews. The man who accompanied us, descended, and soon returned
+with a pail full of lizards, confined by a similar net over them. He
+then took them out one by one, and pulled their tails, which were
+immediately left in his hand. He then notched the stump, and threw the
+animal into the pit.
+
+"Of what use is it to return the animals?" observed I.
+
+"Because their tails will grow again, by next year."
+
+"But why, then, were the stumps notched in the middle?"
+
+"That they might have two tails instead of one, which is invariably the
+case," replied my host.
+
+But I will not tire your highness with an account of all that I saw, and
+which occurred during my stay on that island. If I were to enter into
+the excellence of their government, which consisted of a Great
+Harpooner, and two councils of first and second Harpoons, or of the
+manners and customs of the inhabitants, ceremonies at births, and
+marriages, and deaths--of their amusements, and their ingenious supply
+of all their wants, it would afford materials for at least two volumes
+quarto, without margin. I shall therefore confine myself to stating,
+that after a sojourn of six months, I became so impatient to quit the
+island, that I determined to encounter any risk, rather than not
+accomplish it.
+
+My host, and all the principal inhabitants, finding that no persuasions
+could induce me to stay, consented at last to furnish me with the means
+which I had hit upon to make my escape.
+
+I omitted to mention to your highness, the whales had been rendered so
+docile, that they not only were used for draught on the lake, but even
+for carrying on their backs. I never could be persuaded to mount one, I
+had such a horror of being seated on a fish's back, after my travelling
+on the shark; but I had often crossed the lake in one of the great whale
+boats towed by one or two of the animals fastened to it by loops over
+their tails. This conveyance suggested to me the idea of my escape,
+which I proposed to make by means of one of these large whale boats,
+covered completely in, and to be towed out of the mouth of the lake by
+one of the draught whales.
+
+At my request, a boat was prepared, and covered in, with whalebone
+windows to admit light; a stock of provisions were supplied me
+sufficient for a long voyage; and the whale being _put to_, I departed
+amidst the tears and lamentations of the friendly islanders, who looked
+upon me as a man bent upon my own destruction. But I was aware that the
+fishery would soon commence, and had great hopes of being picked up by
+one of the vessels. I was soon clear of the lake; and the lad who was on
+the back of the draught whale, having towed me out in pursuance of his
+orders, until the island appeared like a cloud on the horizon, cast me
+loose and hastened back, that he might return home before dark.
+
+For three weeks I remained in the inside of this enormous boat, or
+rather I may say fish tossed upon the waves, but without injury, from
+its extreme buoyancy. One morning I was awakened from a sound sleep by a
+sudden blow on the outside of my vessel. I imagined that I had come in
+contact with an iceberg, but the sound of voices convinced me, that at
+last I had fallen in with my fellow-creatures. A harpoon was now driven
+in, which I narrowly escaped, and a volley of execrations followed, by
+which I knew immediately that the people were English.
+
+After a few minutes, they commenced sawing a hole in the side of my
+whale boat; and a piece being removed, a head was put in. Fearful of
+another harpoon, I had raised up my large white bear's skin as a
+defence, and the man perceiving it, immediately withdrew his head,
+swearing that there was a white bear in the belly of the whale. The boat
+shoved off, and they commenced firing musket balls, which pierced my
+boat through and through, and I was obliged to lie down at the bottom to
+save my life. After about twenty shots, the boat again came along side,
+and a man, putting his head in, and perceiving me at the bottom of the
+boat, covered over with the bear's skin, imagined that the animal had
+been killed, and reported to his companions. With some degree of
+apprehension they climbed in at the hole which they had cut, when I
+lifted up my bear's skin, and made my appearance, dressed in the black
+skin worn by the inhabitants of Whale's Island. This frightened them
+still more; one roared out that it was the devil, and they all ran to
+make their escape at the hole by which they entered, but in their
+eagerness they prevented each other.
+
+It was with difficulty that I convinced them that I was harmless, which
+I did at last; and having explained in a few words how I came there,
+they permitted me to go with them on board of the ship. The captain was
+very sulky when he heard the story; he had imagined it to be a dead
+whale, and had ordered it to be towed alongside, to cut off the blubber.
+Disappointed in his expectations, he swore that I was a Jonas, who had
+come out of the whale's belly, and there would be no luck in the ship,
+if I remained. The sailors, whose profits in the voyage were regulated
+by the number of fish taken, thought this an excellent reason for
+throwing me overboard; and had there not been two sail in sight,
+standing towards them, I certainly should have had some more adventures
+to narrate. At last they consented to put me on board of one which had
+hoisted French colours. She was from Havre, and having twelve fish on
+board, was returning home. The captain consented to give me a passage,
+and in two months I was once more in my native country.
+
+Such, your highness, were the adventures of my Third Voyage.
+
+"Well, the story of the Island was rather too long," observed the pacha,
+"but altogether, it was amusing. Mustapha, I think it is worth ten
+pieces of gold."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter X
+
+
+The next day the renegade commenced his fourth voyage in the following
+words.
+
+
+
+FOURTH VOYAGE OF HUCKABACK.
+
+Your highness may imagine, that I ought to have been pretty well tired
+of going to sea, after so many mishaps; but there is a restlessness
+attending a person who has once been a rover, that drives him from
+comfort and affluence in possession, to seek variety through danger and
+difficulty in perspective. Yet I cannot say that it was my case in the
+present instance, for I was forced to embark against my inclination. I
+had travelled through France to Marseilles, with a small sum of money
+presented me by the captain of the ship who gave me a passage home, for
+I could no longer bear the idea of not again seeing my father, if he was
+alive; and I felt no apprehensions from the circumstance of the lady
+abbess, as I knew how soon every thing in this world is forgotten, and
+that I was so altered from time and hardship, that I was not likely to
+be recognised.
+
+On my arrival at my native city, I proceeded to the well-known shop,
+where I had been accustomed to exercise my talents, under my father's
+superintendence. The pole was extended from the door, the basin still
+turned round in obedience to the wind; but when I entered the shop,
+which was crowded with people (for it was Saturday afternoon), I
+perceived that all the operators were unknown to me, and that my father
+was not there. One of the expectants, who waited his turn, politely made
+room for me beside him on the bench, and I had time to look about me
+before I made any interrogations.
+
+The shop had been newly painted, a looking-glass of considerable
+dimensions had been added, and the whole wore the appearance of a more
+thriving establishment.
+
+"You are a stranger, Monsieur?" observed my neighbour.
+
+"I am," replied I; "but I have been at Marseilles before, and when I was
+last here I used to frequent this shop. There was a short stout man who
+was at the head of it, but I do not recollect his name."
+
+"Oh--Monsieur Maurepas. He is dead; he died about two months since."
+
+"And what has become of his family?"
+
+"He had but one son, who had an intrigue with the daughter of an old
+officer in this town, and was obliged to leave it. No one has heard of
+him since: he is supposed to have been lost at sea, as the vessel in
+which he embarked never arrived at the port to which she was bound. The
+old man died worth money, and there is a law-suit for his property now
+carried on between two distant relations."
+
+"What became of the lady you were speaking of?"
+
+"She retired to a convent, not three miles off, and is since dead. There
+was some mystery about the abbess, and she was supposed to be able to
+explain it. I believe she was pronounced 'contumacious' by the
+Inquisition, and put into prison, where she died from the severity of
+her treatment."
+
+My heart smote me when I heard this. The poor girl had endured all this
+severity on my account, and was faithful even to the last. I fell into a
+reverie of most painful feelings. Cerise, too, whose fate I had before
+ascertained when I was at Toulouse--Dear, dear Cerise!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I tell you again, Huckaback, I wish to have no more of Cerise," cried
+the pacha. "She is dead, and there's an end of her."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The information that I received made me doubtful how to proceed; I could
+easily prove my identity, but I had a degree of apprehension that I
+might be catechised in such a manner as to raise suspicions. At the same
+time without a you in the world, I did not much like the idea of
+abandoning all claim to my father's property. I had formerly dressed the
+peruke of an elderly gentleman who practised in the law, and with whom I
+was a great favourite. Although five years had elapsed since I first ran
+away from my father, I thought it very likely that he might be still
+alive. I resolved to call at his house. When I knocked and asked if he
+was at home, the girl who opened the door replied in the affirmative,
+and I was shown into the same little study, littered with papers, into
+which I formerly used to bring him his peruke.
+
+"Your pleasure, sir?" inquired the old man, peering at me through his
+spectacles.
+
+"I wish," replied I, "to ask your opinion relative to a disputed
+succession."
+
+"What is the property?"
+
+"That of Monsieur Maurepas, who died some short time since."
+
+"What, have we another claimant? If so, as I am employed by one party
+already, you must go elsewhere. I wish François would make his
+appearance and claim his own, poor fellow."
+
+Delighted to find that the old gentleman had still a regard for me, I
+made no scruple of making myself known.
+
+"I am François, sir," replied I.
+
+The old gentleman rose from his seat, and coming close to me, looked at
+me earnestly in the face. After a minute's scrutiny,
+
+"Well--I do believe you are; and pray, sir, where have you been all this
+while?"
+
+"That's what I cannot very well tell, but I have seen and suffered
+much."
+
+"But that's what you must tell, if you wish to obtain your
+property--that is to say, you must tell me. Don't be afraid, François:
+it is a part of our profession to be confidants to strange secrets, and
+I think there are many locked up in this breast of more importance than
+any which you can disclose."
+
+"But, sir, if my life is concerned."
+
+"What then--your life will be safe. If I told all I knew, I could hang
+half Marseilles. But laying my professional duty aside, I wish you well;
+so now sit down, and let me hear your narrative."
+
+I felt that I could confide in my old acquaintance, and I therefore
+commenced a detail of my adventures. When I stated my being wrecked near
+Marseilles, he interrupted me, laughing--
+
+"And you were the holy abbess?"
+
+"I was."
+
+"Well, I thought I recollected your face, when I came with the rest of
+the Tom Fools to pay my respects to you: and when it was whispered that
+a man had personified the holy abbess, I said to myself,'that it was
+either François or the devil, 'but I never mentioned my suspicions."
+
+When I had finished my narrative, he observed, "Now, François, there
+will be some risk of proving your identity in a court of justice, which
+the other parties will insist upon. What I should advise you to do, is,
+to compromise with the party that employs me. Make over to him a
+conveyance of all the property, on condition of your receiving one half,
+or more if we can get it. I will represent you as a careless young man,
+anxious to obtain money and spend it. If he agrees, you will obtain a
+good round sum without risk, and I shall oblige both my clients, which
+is always my endeavour."
+
+I agreed to the good sense of the proposal, and my old friend advanced
+me some louis to enable me to improve my appearance. Advising me not to
+show myself too much, he offered me a bed at his house. I left him to
+procure a more decent wardrobe; and for better disguise, fitted myself
+with an officer's undress suit, and having purchased a few other
+necessaries, returned to his house.
+
+"Well, upon my honour, you do justice to your dress. I don't wonder at
+Mademoiselle de Fonseca falling in love with you. That is a sad story
+though--I don't know whether I ought to trust you with my housekeeper,
+for she is very young and very pretty. Promise me, on your honour, that
+you will not make love to the poor girl, for I have an affection for
+her, and will not have her added to your list of broken hearts."
+
+"Mention it not, I beg, sir," replied I, mournfully; "my heart is dead
+and buried with her whose name I have just mentioned."
+
+"Well, then, go up stairs and introduce yourself. I have people waiting
+in the next room."
+
+I obeyed his directions, and when I entered the parlour above, perceived
+a youthful figure working at her needle, with her back towards me. She
+turned her head at my approach--what was my amazement, what was my
+delight, when I beheld Cerise!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Holy prophet," exclaimed the pacha, "is that woman come to life again?"
+
+"She was never dead, your highness, and will occupy your attention more
+than once, if I am to proceed with my voyages."
+
+"But I hope there will be no more love scenes."
+
+"Only the present one, your highness: for after that we were married."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Cerise looked at me for one moment, screamed, and fell lifeless on the
+floor. I caught her in my arms, and as she lay senseless, called her by
+her name, and imprinted a hundred kisses on her lips.
+
+The noise had alarmed the old gentleman, who unobserved by me, came in,
+and witnessed the scene. "Upon my honour, sir, considering your promise
+to me just now, you are making rather free."
+
+"'Tis Cerise, my dear sir--Cerise!"
+
+"Cerise de Fonseca?"
+
+"Yes, the same, the dear girl whom I have ever lamented."
+
+"Upon my soul, Mr François, you've a talent for adventures," said the
+old gentleman, leaving the room, and returning with a tumbler of water.
+Cerise was soon restored, and lay trembling in my arms. Our old friend,
+who considered that he was '_de trop_,' quitted the room, and left us
+together.
+
+I will not dwell upon a scene which can have no charms to those, who,
+like your highness, buy love ready made; I shall therefore narrate the
+history of Cerise, which at my request was imparted, previous to her
+receiving a similar confidence on my part.
+
+"Allow me to observe, Felix (or what is your name, you impostor?"), said
+Cerise, half reproachfully, and half in jest.
+
+"My name is François."
+
+"Well, then, François; but I never shall like that name so well as
+Felix, for it was to Felix that--but there's nothing in a name after
+all--except that the first is engraven on my heart, and cannot be
+effaced. But let me tell my story, and allow me to commence with an
+observation, which my acquaintance with you, and subsequent reflections,
+have deeply impressed upon my mind. It unfortunately happens, that
+those who are highest in rank, in this world, pay dearly for it in a
+point upon which almost all the real happiness of life consists. I mean
+in the choice of the partner with whom they are destined to walk the
+pilgrimage of life hand in hand; and the higher their rank, the more
+strictly are they debarred from making a selection, which the meanest
+peasant can enjoy without control.
+
+"A king has no choice, he must submit to the wishes of his subjects, and
+the interests of his country. The aristocracy in our country are little
+better off, at least the female part of it, for they are dragged from
+convents to the altar, and offered up as a sacrifice to family
+connection At the time that we were, or were supposed to be (for as yet
+it is a mystery to me), assisted by you on the road--"
+
+"In one point not a supposition certainly, my Cerise, for I took off my
+only garment to cover you."
+
+"You did--you did--I think I see you now, leaving the side of the
+chariot; I loved you from that moment--but to continue: I was then going
+down to the chateau, to be introduced to my future husband, whom I had
+never seen, although the affair had been long arranged.
+
+"My father had no idea that any harm could result from a few days'
+acquaintance; and he felt too grateful to forbid you the house; but he
+little knew how situation and opportunity will overcome time; and I knew
+more of you in a few days than I thought I could have known of any man
+in so many years. That I loved you--loved you dearly--you know well.
+
+"But to proceed: (nay, don't kiss me so, or I shall never tell my
+story). The next morning I heard that you had gone, as you had told me
+it was your intention; but my father's horse did not come back--my
+father was grave, and the bishop more gloomy than usual. Two days
+afterwards I was informed by my father that you were an impostor, that
+all had been discovered, and that if taken you would probably be seized
+by the Inquisition; but you had fled the country, and were supposed to
+have embarked at Toulon. He added, that my intended husband would
+arrive in a few days.
+
+"I considered all that he had told me, and I formed the following
+conclusions:--first, that you were not the person that you described
+yourself to be; and, secondly, that he had discovered our attachment,
+and had insisted upon your not re-appearing--but that you had deserted
+me, and left the country, I knew, after what had passed, _to be
+impossible_. But whether you were Monsieur de Rouillé or not, you were
+all I coveted, and all that I adored; and I vowed that for you I would
+live or die. I felt assured that one day or another, you would come
+back, and that conviction supported me. My future husband appeared--he
+was odious. The time fixed for our wedding drew nigh--I had but one
+resource, which was flight. A young girl who attended me (you recollect
+her, she came and told us the bishop was coming, when we were in the
+garden), I knew to be attached to me. I took her in confidence, and
+through her means I obtained a peasant's dress, with the promise of
+shelter in her father's cottage, some leagues distant. The night before
+the marriage was to take place, I ran down to the river that flows past
+the chateau, threw my bonnet and shawl on the bank, and then made my
+escape to where her father was waiting to receive me, in a cart which he
+had provided as a conveyance. The girl, who was left, managed admirably:
+it was supposed that I had drowned myself, and as they had no further
+occasion for her services, she was dismissed, and joined me at her
+father's cottage. I remained there for more than a year, when I thought
+it advisable to move, and come to Marseilles, where I obtained the
+situation of housekeeper to this old gentleman, who has treated me more
+like a daughter than a domestic. Now, Mr François, can you give so good
+an account of yourself?"
+
+"Not quite, Cerise; but I can honestly declare, that when I thought you
+alive, I never forgot you, and believing you dead, I never ceased to
+lament you, nor have I looked at a woman since. Our old friend below can
+prove it, by my answer when he cautioned me against the charms of his
+housekeeper."
+
+I did not, your highness, tell the whole truth to Cerise; for I have
+always considered it perfectly justifiable to retain facts which cannot
+add to people's happiness. I declared that I left her because my life
+would have been forfeited if I had remained, and I valued it only for
+her sake. That I always intended to return, and when I quitted Valencia,
+and had become a man of property, I immediately proceeded to make
+inquiries, and heard the news of her death. Neither did I acquaint her
+with the profession which I had followed; I merely stated that my father
+was a man of eminence, and that he had died rich--for although people of
+good family will sometimes bow to love, taking the risk of high or low
+birth, they are always mortified when they discover that their ticket in
+the lottery has turned up a blank.
+
+Cerise was satisfied--we renewed our vows--and the old gentleman, who
+declared that of all the secrets in his possession ours would be the
+most dangerous to him if discovered, was not sorry to see us united, and
+quit the house.
+
+I obtained two-thirds of my fortune from the claimant, and with it and
+my wife repaired to Toulon.
+
+For one year I enjoyed uninterrupted happiness. My wife was everything
+to me, and so far from leaving her in search of variety, I could not
+bear to go out of the house unless she accompanied me: but we were
+living much too fast, and at the end of the year I found one-third of my
+property had been spent. My affection would not permit me to reduce my
+wife to beggary, and I determined to take some measures to secure the
+means of future existence. Consulting her on the occasion, with many
+tears Cerise acknowledged my prudence, and having divided the remainder
+of my property, one half of which I laid out in merchandise, and the
+other I gave to her, for her support during my absence, I embarked on
+board of a vessel bound to the West Indies.
+
+We made the islands without any accident, and I was extremely
+successful in my speculations; I began to think that fortune was tired
+of persecuting me, but knowing how treacherous she was, I shipped one
+half of my return cargo in another vessel, that I might have more than
+one chance.
+
+When our captain was ready to sail, the passengers repaired on board,
+and amongst others a rich old gentleman who had come from Mexico, and
+who had been waiting for a passage home to France. He was very ill when
+he came on board, and I recommended his losing a little blood, offering
+my services on the occasion. They were accepted; the old gentleman
+recovered, and we were very intimate afterwards. We had been about a
+fortnight clear of the island, when a hurricane came on, the equal to
+which in force I never beheld. The sea was one sheet of foam, the air
+was loaded with spray, which was thrown with such violence against our
+faces that we were blinded; and the wind blew so strong that no one
+could stand up against it. The vessel was thrown on her beam ends, and
+we all gave ourselves up for lost. Fortunately the masts went by the
+board, and the ship righted. But when the hurricane abated, we were in
+an awkward predicament; the spare spars had been washed overboard, and
+we had no means of rigging jury-masts and making sail. There we lay
+rolling in a perfect calm which succeeded, and drifting to the northward
+by the influence of what is called the Gulf Stream.
+
+One morning, as we were anxiously looking out for a vessel, we perceived
+something at a distance, but could not ascertain what it was.
+
+At first we imagined that it was several casks floating, which had been
+thrown overboard, or had forced their way out of the hold of some vessel
+which had foundered at sea. But at last we discovered that it was an
+enormous serpent, coming directly on towards the vessel, at the rate of
+fifteen or twenty miles an hour. As it approached, we perceived to our
+horror, that it was about a hundred feet long, and as thick as the
+main-mast of a seventy-four; it occasionally reared its head many feet
+above the surface, and then plunging it down again continued its rapid
+course. When it neared us to within a mile, we were so alarmed that we
+all ran down below. The animal came to the ship, and rearing its body
+more than half way out of the water, so that if our masts had been
+standing, his head would have been as high as our topsail-yards, looked
+down on deck. He then lowered his great diamond-shaped head, and
+thrusting it down the hatchway, seized one of the men in his teeth,
+plunged into the sea and disappeared.
+
+We were all horror-struck, for we expected his reappearance, and had no
+means of securing ourselves below, every grating and skylight having
+been washed overboard in the hurricane. The old gentleman was more
+alarmed than the rest. He sent for me and said,
+
+"I did look forward to once more seeing my relations in France, but that
+hope is now abandoned. My name is Fonseca, I am a younger brother of a
+noble family of that name, and I intended, if not to enrich my brother,
+at least to endow his daughter with the wealth I have brought with me.
+Should my fears be verified, I trust to your honour for the performance
+of my request. It is, to deliver this casket, which is of great value,
+into the hand of either one or the other. Here is a letter with their
+address, and here is the key; the remainder of my property on board, if
+saved, in case of my death, is yours, and here is a voucher for you to
+show in case of necessity."
+
+I took the casket, but did not tell him that I was the husband of his
+niece--as he might have disinherited her for having married so much
+below her rank in life. The old gentleman was right in his supposition,
+the serpent returned in the afternoon, and seizing him as he had the
+sailor, in the morning, again, plunged into the sea; and so he continued
+bearing two or three off every day, until I was the only one left. On
+the eighth day he had taken off the last but me, and I knew that my
+fate must be decided in the evening; for large as he was, he could
+penetrate every part of the ship, and could draw you to him, when you
+were many feet distant, by sucking in his breath.
+
+There happened to be two casks, of a material lately invented in
+England, which we were taking to France on trial; during the hurricane,
+one had burst, and the stench proceeding from it was intolerable.
+Although it had gradually evaporated, I perceived that whenever the
+serpent approached any thing that had been defiled with it, he
+immediately turned away, as if the smell was as unbearable to him as it
+was to us. I don't know what it was composed of, but the English called
+it _coal tar_. It struck me that I might save myself my means of this
+offensive composition. I knocked out the head of the remaining cask, and
+arming myself with a broom dipped in it, I jumped into the cask which
+contained the remainder, and awaited my fate with anxiety. The serpent
+came; as usual, forced his head and part of his body down the hatchway,
+perceived me, and with eyes darting fire reached out his head to seize
+me. I dashed the broom into his mouth, and bobbed my head immediately
+under the coal tar. When I lifted it up again, almost suffocated, the
+animal had disappeared. I crawled out, and looking over the side,
+perceived him lashing the ocean in his fury, plunging and diving to rid
+himself of the composition with which I had filled his mouth. After
+exhausting himself with his furious endeavours, he went down, and I saw
+him no more.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Did you never see him again?" inquired the pacha.
+
+"Never but that once; nor has the animal been seen before or since,
+except by the Americans, who have much better eyes than the people of
+Europe can boast of."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The vessel drifted to the northward with the Gulf Stream, until she was
+close to the land, when a pilot boat came out and boarded her. The
+people belonging to her were much annoyed to find me on board. Had there
+been no one in her, they would have claimed the whole vessel and cargo,
+whereas they were now only entitled to one-eighth. I understood English
+enough to hear them propose and agree to throw me overboard. I
+immediately ran down below to secure my casket, and when I returned on
+deck, they launched me over the side. I sank down, and diving under the
+counter, laid hold of the rudder chains, unperceived by them. In the
+meantime another pilot boat came to us, and sent her boat or board; I
+swam to it and was hauled in. The captains being rivals, I was taken to
+New York as evidence against the people who had attempted my life. I
+stayed there just long enough to sell my seven-eighths of the cargo, and
+see the men hung, and I then took a passage in a vessel bound to
+Bourdeaux, where I arrived in safety. From thence I repaired to Toulon,
+and found my dear Cerise as beautiful and as fond as ever.
+
+I was now a rich man; I bought a large estate, with a marquisate
+attached to it. I also purchased the chateau of Fonseca, and made a gift
+of it to my dear wife. I was pleased at having the means of raising her
+again to that rank in society, which she had quitted for my sake. For
+some years we lived happily, although we had no children. After that,
+events happened which again sent me to sea. Such, your highness, is the
+history of my Fourth Voyage.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Well," observed the pacha, "I never heard of so large a snake before;
+did you, Mustapha?"
+
+"Never, your highness; but travellers see strange things. What is to be
+the extent of your highness' bounty?"
+
+"Give him ten pieces of gold," said the pacha, rising from the throne,
+and waddling behind the curtain.
+
+Mustapha told out the sequins. "Selim, if I might advise you, it would
+please his highness better, if you continued more at sea, and dealt a
+little more in the marvellous. That wife of yours, Cerise, as you call
+her, is rather a bore."
+
+"Well, I'll get rid of her to-morrow; but I can tell you, vizier, that I
+deserve all my pay, for it's rather fatiguing work--besides, my
+conscience."
+
+"Holy prophet! hear him--his conscience! go, hypocrite, drown it in wine
+to-night, and it will be dead to-morrow; and don't forget to kill your
+wife."
+
+"Allow me to observe, that you Turks have very little taste;
+nevertheless, I will get rid of her after your own fashion, for she
+shall go to the bottom of the sea--Bashem ustun, on my head be it."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XI
+
+
+The next morning the pacha hurried over the business of the day, for
+Mustapha had intimated that the renegade considered his fifth voyage to
+be one of great marvels. Selim was introduced as before, and commenced
+the narrative.
+
+
+
+FIFTH VOYAGE OF HUCKABACK.
+
+Your highness may be surprised, that being in the possession of wealth,
+rank, and my charming Cerise, I should have again ventured upon the
+treacherous ocean. Of course your highness has heard of the revolution
+which took place in France, and all the horrors which attended it.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"France! Yes, I believe there is a country of that name; I can't say
+that I ever heard of the revolution. Holy prophet! but these people have
+strange ideas," continued the pacha to the vizier; "to imagine that we
+must know or care about what is going on in their barbarous countries.
+You may proceed, Huckaback."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It will be necessary to say a few words upon the subject, your
+highness, but I will be as concise as possible. One day, a party of men
+from my native city (Marseilles), dressed in red caps, their shirt
+sleeves tucked up, and armed with various weapons, surrounded my
+château, insisting upon my immediately informing them whether I was for
+the summoning of the estates-general. I answered, most certainly, if
+they wished it. They cheered me, and went away.
+
+Shortly afterwards, they came to ascertain if I approved of the national
+convention. I answered, that I approved of it excessively. They were
+satisfied, and again disappeared. They came a third time, to inquire if
+I was a republican, to which I gave the affirmative. A fourth, to know
+whether I sided with the Girondists; I declared myself one of that
+party, and hoped that I should be asked no more questions. But before
+two or three months had passed away, another party came to ascertain
+whether I was a real Jacobin, which I solemnly pronounced myself to
+be;--a second time, to know whether I thought proper to be called
+citizen, or have my head cut off; I declared in favour of the former,
+and made them a present of my title of marquis. But at last they
+surrounded my house with loud cries, declaring that I was an aristocrat,
+and insisted upon carrying my head away upon a pike. This I considered a
+subject of remonstrance. I assured them that I was no aristocrat,
+although I had purchased the property, and that, on the contrary, I was
+a citizen barber from Marseilles; that I had relinquished the title of
+marquis, which I had bought with the property, and had therefore no
+claim whatever to aristocracy. But they insisted upon proofs, and
+ordering my valets to bring down the materials, desired me to shave a
+dozen of their party. I shaved for my life, and acquitted myself so much
+to their satisfaction that they all embraced me, and were about to
+depart, when one of the women demanded that my wife (whose
+aristocratical descent was known) should be surrendered up, as a proof
+of my sincerity. We all have our moments of weakness; had I had the
+prudence to comply with the request, things would have ended happily,
+but I was foolish enough, although I had been married twelve years, to
+demur at the prospect of the head of my charming Cerise being carried
+away on a pike. I represented to them (as she clung to me for
+protection), that although of noble descent, she had reduced herself to
+my level by marrying a citizen barber. After a short consultation, they
+agreed that she was sufficiently degraded to live. They contented
+themselves with breaking open my cellar, that they might drink my
+health, and departed. But, your highness, I had soon cause to repent of
+my folly. Cerise was a charming woman, and an affectionate wife in
+adversity, but prosperity was her ruin, as well as mine. She had already
+had an affair with a Comte, who had lately been dismissed for a handsome
+young abbé; but we do not mind these little _égaremens_ in our country,
+and I neither had leisure nor inclination to interfere with her
+arrangements. Satisfied with her sincere friendship for me, I could
+easily forgive a few trifling infidelities, and nothing had disturbed
+the serenity or gaiety of our establishment until this unfortunate
+_exposé_ which I was obliged to make, and to prove the truth of in her
+presence, viz., that I had been a barber. Her pride revolted at the idea
+of having formed such a connection, her feelings towards me were changed
+to those of the most deadly hatred; and although I had saved her life,
+she ungratefully resolved to sacrifice mine. The little abbé's head had
+been taken off several weeks before, and she now formed a liaison with
+one of the jacobin associés, on condition that he would prove his
+attachment, by denouncing me as an aristocrat.
+
+Fortunately, I had notice given to me in sufficient time to make my
+escape to Toulon. Leaving my wife, and, what was of more consequence,
+the whole of my property, in the hands of the jacobin, I joined the mob,
+and vowing vengeance upon all aristocrats, became one of the most
+violent leaders of the _sans culottes_. Two months afterwards, when the
+gates of Toulon had been opened to the army, and I was assisting at a
+noyade, I had the pleasure of seeing my jacobin _locum tenens_, who had
+been denounced in his turn, tied back to back to a female; it was my
+adored Cerise. I had no time to speak to her, for they were hurried on
+board of the vessel. It sank with them, and some hundreds more; and as
+the beautiful auburn hair of my wife was borne up from her shoulders,
+upon which it had been hanging loose, and floated a second or two on the
+wave after her head had disappeared, I sighed at the remembrance of the
+transitory enjoyment of competence and love which I had shared with my
+charming Cerise.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"And is she really dead now, Huckaback?" inquired the pacha.
+
+"Yes, your highness, she is."
+
+"_Allah karim_--God is most merciful. There is an end of that woman at
+last; now the story will go on."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I have reason to believe that I should have become a person of some
+consequence if I had been able to remain in France, but another foolish
+attempt on my part to save the life of the old lawyer at Marseilles, who
+had assisted me in recovering part of my father's property, rendered me
+suspected. Aware that between suspicion and the guillotine there were
+but few hours of existence, I contrived to get on board of an Italian
+brig that had put in from stress of weather, and made my escape. The
+vessel was bound to North America for a cargo of salt fish, to be
+consumed on the ensuing Lent, and had a crew of fifteen men. The captain
+was very ill when we sailed, owing, as he said, to a cup of wine which
+his wife had mixed with her tears, and persuaded him to drink at their
+parting. He gradually declined as we proceeded on our voyage, until at
+last he was not able to quit his bed; and no person on board except
+myself having any knowledge of keeping a ship's reckoning, that duty
+devolved upon me.
+
+A few days before his death, the captain sent for me. "François," said
+he, "my wife has poisoned me, that I might not return to interrupt a
+connection which she had formed during my absence. I have no children,
+and no relations that have ever cared for me. I am the owner of the
+cargo, as well as the captain of this vessel, and it is my intention to
+make it over to you; I consider that you have the greatest claim to it,
+as there is nobody on board except yourself who can navigate her.
+Understand me, it is not out of any particular regard, so much as to
+prevent my wife from obtaining my property, that I select you as my
+heir; you have, therefore, to thank heaven for your good fortune, more
+than you have me. I have but one request to make in return, which is,
+that you will faithfully promise to cause five hundred masses to be said
+for my soul, upon your arrival in Italy."
+
+I readily made the promise which he required, and the captain drew up a
+will, which he read and executed before the whole of the crew, by which
+the vessel and cargo were made over to me. Two days afterwards he
+expired. We sewed him up in a hammock, and threw him overboard. Although
+it was quite calm at the time, a gale sprung up immediately afterwards,
+which eventually increased to a hurricane.
+
+We were obliged to bear up, and for several days scudded under bare
+poles, until I found that we were in the very centre of the Atlantic,
+out of the track of any vessels. Gradually the weather became more
+settled, and we again spread our canvas to the breeze. To my surprise, I
+observed, that although by my reckoning we were nearly one thousand
+miles from any land, several aquatic birds were hovering about the ship,
+of a description that seldom go far from the shore. I watched them as
+the sun went down, and perceived that they took their flight to the
+south-east. Anxious to discover any land, not hitherto described, I
+steered the ship in that direction during the night, and early on the
+next morning we found ourselves close to an island, apparently ten or
+fifteen miles long, very high, and of a conical shape, which I knew was
+not laid down upon any chart. I resolved to examine it, and dropped my
+anchor in a small bay, at the bottom of which a few houses announced
+that it was inhabited; although I could not distinguish any thing like
+guns or fortification. We had not furled our sails, when a boat shoved
+off from the shore, and pulled towards us. She soon came alongside, and
+astonished us as much by the peculiarity of her structure, as by the
+appearance of the people who were on board.
+
+She was a wide canoe, very beautifully carved and inlaid, or rather
+veneered, with gold ornaments. She had a flag, hoisted to a staff,
+hanging over the stern, the field of which was white, with a
+representation of a fountain, worked in gold thread, in the centre. The
+three men who were in her, particularly the one seated in the stern
+sheets, were very richly attired in dresses worked in gold thread. But
+what astonished us more than all was the peculiarity of their
+complexions, which, although they were very well-featured men, were of a
+beautiful light blue--their eyes black, and their hair of a rich auburn.
+
+The personage in the stern sheets ascended the side, and addressing me
+in excellent Portuguese, inquired if I could speak the language.
+
+I answered in the affirmative, and he then welcomed us in the name of
+the king, upon my arrival at the island--asking me the number of my
+crew, whether I had any sick on board, and many other particulars, all
+of which he noted down upon tablets of gold, with a piece of red
+cinnabar.
+
+Having replied to all his interrogations, I then obtained from him the
+following particulars, viz., that the island had been originally peopled
+by one of the ships belonging to Vasco de Gama's squadron, which,
+returning from the East Indies laden with the produce of the east, and
+specimens of the various inhabitants of the newly discovered
+territories, had been cast away and utterly wrecked. That the island,
+which otherwise was fertile and well stocked, was one mine of gold,
+which in the absence of other metals, they were necessitated to employ
+for every article and utensil in common use. But the greatest curiosity
+which the island contained, was a fountain of water at the foot of the
+centre peak, of a beautiful colour, and producing longevity to those who
+drank of it; from which it had received the name of the Isle of the
+Golden Fountain. That when they had landed, about three hundred years
+ago, they consisted of various nations and colours, male and female; but
+the climate and the use of the waters, had, in the course of time,
+produced the change in their complexions which we beheld, and all the
+inhabitants were now of that peculiar tint, with the exception that the
+females were not so dark as the men. Few ships had ever touched there;
+and the crews of those who had fallen in with the island, had preferred
+remaining, which accounted for its being so totally unknown; that the
+king was very partial to strangers, and always received them at his
+palace, which was built close to the Golden Fountain. He concluded by
+requesting me to accompany him on shore, and pay my respects--stating,
+that if I wished to quit the island, his majesty would permit me to load
+my vessel with as much as she could carry, of the metal so precious in
+other countries, but so little valued in this.
+
+I must acknowledge that I was quite overjoyed at his narration. I
+considered my fortune to be made, and hastened to accompany the
+ambassador, who stated that the king would not be pleased if I did not
+permit the major part of my ship's company to attend me to the palace.
+As the men were very eager to go on shore after the account which they
+had heard, and he assured me that the wind never blew home in the bay,
+which was on the lee side of the island, I consented to their wishes,
+and allowed all but two to quit the vessel.
+
+We were much surprised when we landed at the village, to perceive that
+even the pig-troughs, posts, and rails, and indeed every article in
+which metal could be employed, were of solid gold; but we had not time
+for examination, as we found several sledges, drawn by small bullocks,
+waiting for us near the beach.
+
+We mounted, and the animals set off in a swift canter, upon a smooth
+and ascending road, and in less than two hours we arrived at the king's
+palace, which was an extensive building, not very remarkable in its
+structure, excepting the unusual sight of the large columns of gold,
+supporting the porticos, which extended from it on every side. But when
+we had alighted and were proceeding through the porticos, I was
+astonished at the wonderful finish of the statues which embellished
+them. They were mounted on plinths of the burnished metal, and carved
+out of a sort of light blue chalcedony, which, joined with their
+masterly execution, gave them the appearance of life. I was surprised at
+the strange attitudes which the sculptors had chosen to represent, all
+more or less distorted, although the human proportions were admirable.
+Some appeared as if they had been placed on their legs when asleep,
+others laughing or crying, nay, one or two were represented in the act
+of vomiting. Amongst the whole I could not perceive one image in which
+the human form was represented in a noble or graceful posture, and I
+pitied the taste of those who could have employed workmen of such
+extraordinary talents in representing the image of his Maker, under such
+a degrading variety of postures. I was about to make this remark to my
+conductor, but I was checked by the remembrance, that I was in a king's
+palace, not in a studio; and that kings have their fancies, which they
+are not inclined to submit to public criticism.
+
+When we arrived at the end of the portico, two lofty doors were thrown
+open, and we were struck dumb with the magnificence of the scene which
+presented itself to our eyes.
+
+The king was seated on a throne of the most splendid workmanship; the
+precious metal had been oxydised to every shade of colour, and was
+wrought in beautiful Mosaic: the walls and ceiling were entirely covered
+with the same, in some parts burnished, to reflect as mirrors, in others
+elaborately carved in ornamental fretwork, as peculiar from the elegance
+of its design, as from the superiority of its execution. On each side
+of the throne extending to the door at which we entered, were a row of
+ladies, and behind them raised on a platform about two feet higher,
+another row of courtiers--all dressed in stuffs of cloth of gold, which
+were embroidered with flowers of variously coloured metal, so as to
+present the most perfect imitation of nature. The women were very fair
+compared to the men, and their cerulian tint was far from being
+disagreeable, as it gave a transparency to their complexions; but none
+of them could be compared to the king's daughter, who was nearly white,
+and of the most perfect symmetry in feature and in form; her auburn hair
+was so long, that it hung down to the bottom of her dress, and was
+ornamented with small chains and ornaments of polished steel, which were
+entwined in its tresses. She sat at the foot of the throne, near to the
+king, and I was so astonished at her heavenly appearance, that I could
+not remember the compliments which I had intended to pay his majesty,
+but remained speechless before him.
+
+The king received us very graciously, asking me many questions, and
+broke up the audience (after half an hour), desiring some of the
+handsomest ladies to select one of my companions, and each hold herself
+responsible for his comfort and amusement. I forgot to mention, that as
+every country has its peculiar customs, one here appeared to me very
+singular. When I asked the Gentleman usher what was the usual homage
+paid to the king of the country, he informed me that you advanced your
+hand before you, on a level with your face, and snapped your fingers at
+him. That the louder you could snap them, the more accomplished and
+elegant you were considered. But in my confusion I quite forgot his
+injunctions; and it was not until the ladies all snapped their fingers
+in obedience to the commands of their sovereign, that I recollected the
+omission which I had been guilty of. Before the king retired, he
+intimated that he expected we should take up our abodes at the palace
+for some days, and we should have the honour of sitting at his table,
+in the afternoon's banquet.
+
+The whole of the company separated; those who had charge of my
+companions leading them different ways, leaving me alone with the
+princess, who had risen from her seat when directed by her father to
+take charge of me. I could have fallen down and worshipped her: as it
+was, I involuntarily dropped on one knee, and looked up in her face as
+if I had been contemplating a celestial visitant.
+
+She smiled and addressed me: "I am ordered to attend to your happiness
+and comfort, and I obey my father's commands with pleasure. I only trust
+that your happiness may be more lasting than it usually is in this
+deceitful world," and she sighed deeply.
+
+I continued in my position at her feet, and encouraged by her urbanity,
+poured forth a torrent of what to the many are considered compliments,
+but which to her were but truths. I became eloquent from excitation, and
+being at this time, as I before observed to your highness, a very
+personable man, I perceived that she was pleased with my efforts to
+obtain her favour.
+
+"I have more than once had this duty allotted to me, when strangers have
+visited the island," observed she; "but I have always been wearied, and
+have called in my women to assist me. I never yet have seen one like
+you; you are gentle, and of a very different description from those who
+generally have been introduced as the captains of vessels which have
+arrived here. I then was indifferent, if not glad, when my duty was at
+an end; but I feel otherwise now"--and she again sighed.
+
+"If it depended upon me, fair princess, and upon my wishes, I am afraid
+that you would consider the duration of it to be most tedious. Never
+have I beheld any creature so perfect and so beautiful! O that your task
+might be continued for the term of my existence!"
+
+"It probably may," answered she, gravely, and then, as if recollecting
+herself, she assumed a more cheerful air, and continued: "but we are
+losing time, which should be otherwise employed. Come, sir, permit me to
+obey my father's commands, and try to beguile the hours by contributing
+to your amusement."
+
+Offering me her hand, which I respectfully raised to my lips, she then
+conducted me over the palace, directing my attention to every object
+that she considered worthy of notice; and we had passed two or three
+hours in conversation, and remarks upon the objects before us, when I
+expressed my wish to behold the curious fountain from which the island
+took its name.
+
+"I shall obey you," replied she: and again her face assumed a mournful
+cast. She led the way to a hall of black marble, in the centre of which
+the fountain threw up its water to the height of twelve or fourteen
+feet, and fell into a spacious basin. The water of it, when in a body,
+shone with all the colours of the rainbow, and the sparkling drops which
+were thrown out on every side, were brilliant as the purest gold.
+
+"How beautiful!" exclaimed I, after some minutes of silent admiration.
+"These, then, are the waters of longevity."
+
+"And also of intoxication," replied the princess. "They will be produced
+at the banquet of the king, and, O sir! be temperate, very temperate, in
+the use of them."
+
+I promised that I would, and we continued our walk to the porticos of
+the palace, where I pointed to the statues of blue chalcedony, and
+begged her to inform me by whom they had been executed, and why they
+were all in such grotesque and absurd positions.
+
+"That is a question which I cannot answer, further than that they were
+made in the island. We must now return, as the king's banquet will be
+ready."
+
+We sat down at the table of the king, that is to say, I and my
+companions; for no courtiers, male or female, were permitted to have the
+same honour. Each lady stood behind the person who had been intrusted to
+her charge, and waited upon him. My gallantry, as a Frenchman, was
+sorely wounded at the idea of my charming princess performing the duties
+of a menial, and I expressed my feelings to her in a low tone of voice.
+She shook her head, as if to rebuke me, and I said no more. When we had
+finished the banquet, his majesty ordered the water of the golden
+fountain to be produced, which it immediately was, by those in
+attendance, and extolling its virtues, desired a cup to be filled for
+each guest, which was handed to him by the attendant ladies.
+
+As the princess presented the cup, she contrived to press one of her
+fingers against mine, before she removed them, to remind me of my
+promise. I drank but sparingly, but the effects were instantaneous--my
+spirits rose buoyant, and I felt a sort of intellectual intoxication. At
+a sign made by the king, the ladies now took their seats beside us, and
+by their attentions and caresses, increased the desire for the water,
+which they supplied in abundance. I must confess that at each sip that I
+took, the princess, who had taken her seat by me, appeared so much more
+charming in my eyes, that notwithstanding the repeated pressure of her
+foot to remind me of my promise, I could not resist the impulse to
+drink.
+
+The boatswain and one of the seamen were very drunken characters, and
+had very soon poured down so much of the water, that they dropped off
+their stools on the marble pavement, without sense or motion. This
+recalled me to my senses, which were rapidly stealing away; I rose from
+my seat, and pointing out to my companions that it would ill become them
+to intoxicate themselves in the presence of his majesty, requested that
+they would drink no more, but leave the table before they were
+incapacitated from paying the proper attentions to their fair
+conductors. The last argument had more weight than the first, and
+notwithstanding the remonstrances of the king, who showed the greatest
+anxiety that we should remain, the party rose from the table and
+separated. The two men who were intoxicated were carried away by some
+of the courtiers, and the king with marks of displeasure quitted the
+hall. I was again left alone with my charming princess, and inflamed
+with the exhilarating draught which I had taken, I threw myself at her
+feet, declaring my violent passion, and my wish never to quit the
+island, if I could be blessed with a reciprocal feeling on her part. I
+perceived that I had made an impression, and following up my success, I
+protested and she listened, until the evening closed in and found us
+still seated upon the steps of the throne. At last, she rose and said,
+"I know not whether you be sincere in what you say, but I must
+acknowledge that I hope you are; and I shall be very miserable if it
+should prove otherwise. But you are now under the effects of the
+intoxicating water, and may deceive yourself. Come, sir, it is time that
+I conduct you to your chamber, where you must sleep away the
+exhilarating effects of the golden fountain. To-morrow morning, if you
+are of the same opinion, I may be induced to make a discovery."
+
+The next morning I awoke without any headache from the intemperance of
+the previous night. As soon as I quitted the apartment I met the
+princess outside. "I am still in the same mind, dear princess," said I,
+implanting a kiss upon her hand, "to live for you alone, or die if I
+cannot remain with you."
+
+She smiled and answered, "Then for you will I sacrifice every thing; for
+until I beheld you, I never was aware that I had a heart. Rise and
+follow me, and you shall know all."
+
+"We passed the large hall, with which the whole of the bed-chambers
+communicated, and she conducted me through a dark passage to a room, in
+which were several golden plinths without statues. At the further end of
+it I perceived, to my horror, that two of them were already occupied
+with the forms of the boatswain and sailor who had been intoxicated the
+night before. They were now changed into the same blue chalcedony of
+which the statues in the porticos were composed.
+
+"Do you recognise these figures?" inquired the princess.
+
+"I do, indeed," answered I with amazement.
+
+"Such are the effects," continued she, "of intoxication from the water
+of the golden fountain. They contain in solution so large a quantity of
+the matter which by mineralogists is denominated silex, that once allow
+the senses to be overpowered by repeated draughts, and in a few hours
+the effects which you behold will be produced. It is by these means that
+my father has obtained the variety and number of statues which you have
+seen--all of whom were once visitors to the island in different ships,
+not one of the crews of which have ever returned. It has also the power
+of producing longevity, and hardening the hearts of those who use it in
+moderation. My father's cruelty, therefore, is not thought of by his
+subjects, who, if convicted of any heinous crime, are forced to drink
+this water, and are erected as monuments of his displeasure in various
+parts of the island. You may ask, how is it that I have not as little
+remorse as the other inhabitants? The fact is, that I was naturally of a
+kind and tender heart; and my mother, who lamented it because she felt
+that it would not add to my happiness in this world of cruelty and
+deceit, was more than ever anxious that I should drink the waters; but
+what is forced upon us in childhood, is generally remembered as we grow
+up with disgust. The consequence is, that I have never used the waters
+since her death, which happened when I was but seven years old. Had I
+not made this discovery, in all probability you and all your companions
+would have fallen victims this evening, when the banquet will be spread
+and the water will be produced as before. My prepossession in your
+favour has, I trust, been the means of preserving the lives of those who
+remain."
+
+"Cursed treachery!" exclaimed I; "and now, what is to be done?"
+
+"You must escape. Caution your men not to drink this evening, and make
+some excuse to repair on board for an hour or two in the forenoon of
+to-morrow. As for me----"
+
+"Without you, princess, I cannot--will not go. Either consent to
+accompany me, or here I stay, risking all; for I had sooner be a
+senseless statue upon a plinth in the portico of your abode, than quit
+the island with a broken heart."
+
+"Then he is true; and there are some who are good--some who are not
+deceitful in this world;" exclaimed the princess, falling on her knees,
+as the tears trickled down her cheeks. "I am sure you'll treat me
+kindly," continued she, holding my hand in hers; "if you do not, I shall
+die."
+
+I pressed her to my bosom, and vowed to love her till death; and we
+hastened back to my chamber, that we might consult upon our
+arrangements. I found an opportunity, in the course of the forenoon, to
+acquaint all my companions of their danger, except one whom I could not
+meet with.
+
+In the evening we again sat down to the banquet, and soon after the
+water had been produced, the one who had not been warned fell off his
+chair in a state of intoxication. I made this an excuse for drinking no
+more. Assuming an angry tone towards my companions, I apologised to the
+king for their want of respect in his presence, and rose from the table
+in spite of all his remonstrances. The next morning I stated to the king
+that I wished to return to my ship for an hour or two, that I might
+bring him a present of ivory, which I had been informed would be
+acceptable. The princess offered to attend us, and the king, satisfied
+with her surveillance, consented to our departure, on condition that we
+would not fail to return in time for the banquet, which we most
+faithfully promised. While the sledges were preparing, I requested the
+princess to obtain several flasks of the golden water, that I might
+present them as curiosities to all the learned societies in Europe. This
+she accomplished, and stowing them in her own sledge with several
+articles of wearing apparel, not only took them from the palace
+unperceived, but they were carried on board without the knowledge of my
+companions. I immediately cut my cables, and made all sail out of the
+bay without any molestation, as the natives did not suspect my
+intentions; I never felt more happy than when I found myself once more
+floating on the wave, in company with my beautiful princess, whose
+affectionate manners endeared me to her more and more every day.
+
+Unfortunately, in our hurry to escape, we quite overlooked the
+circumstance of our water casks being nearly empty, and we were soon
+reduced to half a pint per diem. To render our situation more
+disastrous, the weather became intensely hot, and the people, in spite
+of all my remonstrances, contrived every night to steal a part of the
+water which was not yet expended, so that at last we found ourselves
+becalmed, without a drop of water on board.
+
+But all my apprehensions were now swallowed up by one of greater
+interest. A fever seized my dear princess, who, accustomed to every
+luxury, and a beautiful climate, could not bear up against the close
+confinement of a vessel under a tropical sun. Notwithstanding all my
+care and attention, in three days after she was attacked she expired in
+my arms, blessing me for my attachment and my love, and regretting that
+she was summoned from the world so soon after she had discovered that
+there was an object in it worth living for. I threw myself upon----
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Here the renegade appeared to be much affected; he covered his face with
+the wide sleeve of his under garment, and was silent.
+
+"By God and his prophet, these Franks are great fools about women,"
+observed the pacha to Mustapha. "I must own, though, that I like this
+princess better than Cerise, and I am very sorry that she is dead. Come,
+Huckaback, go on. Where did you throw yourself?"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+On her body (continued the renegade, mournfully), where I remained for
+many hours. At last I rose in a frenzy quite indifferent as to life or
+death. I went on deck, where I found my crew much in the same condition,
+from their agonising thirst; but I mocked them, and laughed at the
+smooth expanse of water, which, far as the eye could reach, was not
+rippled by the slightest breeze, and turned my eyes up in derision to
+the sun, who poured down his vertical streams of light and heat, as if
+he would consume us with his powerful rays. I thought but of one
+subject, I had but one desire, which was, to rejoin the object of my
+adoration. On a sudden I called to mind the flasks of golden water,
+which till then I had forgotten, and rushing down into the cabin, I
+determined to intoxicate myself, and quit this world of disappointment
+and unrealised fruition. As if fearful that the spirit of my loved
+princess should have already so far journeyed to the realms of bliss,
+that I might not be able to discern her when I had shaken off the
+incumbrance of an earthly body, and was at liberty to pursue, I seized a
+flask, and pouring out the water with a hand trembling with anxiety,
+drank off a glass. I was hastily refilling it, when the gurgling sound
+struck upon the ears of my companions, who rushing down like the
+fainting animals who hear the music of the fountain in the desert,
+poured tumultuously into the cabin, and in spite of all my remonstrances
+to leave me sufficient for the completion of my desires, seized upon the
+flask in my hand, as well as upon all those that remained, emptied them
+in a few seconds with their copious draughts, and returned laughing and
+shouting to the deck above.
+
+The water which I had already drunk produced one good effect; it
+hardened my heart for the time, and I fell into a sort of stoical
+indifference, which lasted many hours. I then repaired on deck, where I
+found all my companions changed into blue chalcedony--not one alive. The
+heavens, too, had changed; clouds obscured the sun, the wind was rising,
+and ever and anon a mournful gust blew through the shrouds; the birds
+were screaming on the wing, and the water line of the black horizon was
+fringed with a narrow ridge of foam. The thunder rolled at a distance,
+and I perceived that convulsion of the elements was at hand. The sails
+were all set, and without assistance I could not reduce them; but I was
+indifferent to my fate. The lightning now darted in every direction, and
+large drops of rain pattered on the deck. With the means of existence,
+the desire of life returned: I spread out the spare sails, and as the
+torrents descended, and the vessel bowed to her gunwale in submission of
+the blast, I filled the empty casks. I thought of nothing else until my
+task was completed. I strode carelessly over the bodies of my
+companions, the sails were blown from the yards, the yards themselves
+were snapped asunder, the topmasts fell over the sides, the vessel flew
+before the boiling surge; but I heeded not--I filled the casks with
+water. When I had finished my labours, a reaction took place, and I
+recollected the loss which I had sustained. I descended to the cabin.
+There she lay in all her beauty. I kissed the cold cheek, I wrapped up
+the adored image, carried it on deck, and launched it into the wave;
+and, as it disappeared under the raging billows, I felt as if my heart,
+in its struggles to escape, had burst the strings which confined it in
+my bosom, and had leapt into the angry flood to join her. Exhausted with
+my feelings, I fell down in a swoon; how long I remained I cannot
+exactly say, but it was nearly dark when I lost my recollection, and
+broad daylight when I recovered. The vessel was still flying before the
+gale, which now roared in its resistless fury; the tattered fragments of
+the sails were blown out before the lower yards like so many streamers
+and pennants, and the wrecks of the topmasts were still towing alongside
+through the foaming surge. The indurated bodies of my companions were
+lying about the decks, washed by the water which poured into the vessel,
+as she rolled deeply from one side to the other, presenting her gunwales
+as if courting the admittance of the wave. "Are you, then, tired of your
+existence, as well as I?" thought I, apostrophising the vessel. "Have
+you found out at last, that while you swim you've nought to encounter
+but difficulty and danger? That you enter your haven but to renew your
+tasks, and again become a beast of burthen; that when empty you must bow
+to the slightest breeze, and when laden must groan and labour for the
+good of others. Have----"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Holy prophet! I never heard of people talking to ships before, and I
+don't understand it," observed the pacha. "Leave out all you said to the
+ship, and all the ship said to you in reply, and go on with your story."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The gale lasted for three days, and then it as suddenly fell calm. I had
+observed by the compass that we had been running to the eastward, and I
+supposed that we were not very far from the Western Isles. As I surveyed
+the bodies of my companions, it occurred to me that they ought to fetch
+a high price in Italy as specimens of art, and I resolved to dispose of
+them as the work of men. Having no other employment, I brought up the
+spare planks from below, and made packing-cases for them all. It was
+with some difficulty that I contrived, by means of tackles, to lower
+them to the hold, which I succeeded in accomplishing with safety
+excepting in one instance, when, from the tackle-fall giving way, the
+image fell to the bottom of the vessel, and being very brittle, was
+broken into pieces. As it was no longer of any value as a statue, I
+broke it up to examine it, and I can assure your highness that it was
+very wonderful to witness how every part of the human body was changed
+into flint, of a colour corresponding with that which it had been when
+living. The heart was red, and on my arrival in Italy I had several
+seals made from it, which were pronounced by the lapidaries who cut them
+to be of the finest blood-red cornelian. I have now a piece of the dark
+stone of which the liver was composed, which I keep for striking a
+light. As it afterwards proved, almost all of it was valuable, for the
+alternate fat and lean formed a variety of beautiful onyxes and
+sardonyx, which I disposed of very advantageously to the cameo
+engravers. I was several days employed in packing up, but I had plenty
+of provisions and water, and had no doubt but that I should be seen by
+some vessel before they were expended. Three weeks had elapsed, when one
+morning I went on deck, and saw land on both sides of me. I immediately
+recognised the Rock of Gibraltar, and the Straits, through which I was
+drifting. I was boarded by a Spanish gun-boat from Algesiras, and having
+stated that all my crew had died two months before of the yellow fever,
+I was towed in, put into quarantine for forty days, and then permitted
+to equip my vessel and procure sailors. This I was enabled to do by
+selling two of the flasks which held the water, and which, like all the
+other utensils of the island from which I had escaped, were of pure
+gold.
+
+I did not think it prudent to go to Leghorn, where not only the vessel
+might be recognised, and the widow give me some trouble, but the statues
+also might have been identified as the men who had sailed in the vessel,
+and occasion my being burnt as a necromancer by the Inquisition. I
+directed my course for Naples, where I arrived in safety. Having
+disembarked my metamorphosed crew, I hired a large room to exhibit them,
+and expected to realise a considerable sum; but as I could not name the
+artist, and the figures had not the grace which the Italians admire,
+they remained on my hands, and were even found fault with as not being
+well executed. I sold two of the least prepossessing to a Sicilian
+nobleman, who I understood had a large country seat decorated with
+monstrosities; and I then determined, as I had received a high price for
+the pieces of the one which had been broken up, to retail the others in
+the same way. It answered admirably, and I received more money for the
+fragments than I had asked for the images in an unmutilated state. The
+remainder of the golden flasks also realised a large sum; I produced
+them one by one, and disposed of them to English collectors, as having
+been purloined by the excavators from the ruins of Pompeii. I had now
+plenty of money, and resolved to return to my native city. An
+opportunity offering, I embarked, and safely arrived at Marseilles.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Did you fulfil your promise to the Italian captain, by having five
+hundred masses said for his soul?" inquired Mustapha.
+
+"Upon my salvation! I never thought of it to this moment," replied the
+renegade.
+
+"Such, your highness, are the adventures of my Fifth Voyage; and I trust
+that the narration of them has afforded you entertainment."
+
+"Yes," observed the pacha, rising, "that was something like a voyage.
+Mustapha, give him thirty pieces of gold. Huckaback, we will hear your
+sixth voyage to-morrow"--and the pacha retired behind the screen, and,
+as usual, went into the apartment of the women.
+
+"Pray, Selim, was there any truth in that history of the princess? I
+thought at first that it was all invention; but when you wept----"
+
+"That was for the sake of effect," answered the renegade: "when I get
+warmed with my story, I often work myself up to a degree that I almost
+believe it myself."
+
+"Holy prophet! what a talent!" rejoined Mustapha. "What an excellent
+prime minister you would have made in your own country! Here's your
+money; will your next voyage be as good?"
+
+"I'll try, at all events; as I find that the _principal_ increases with
+the _interest_" said the renegade, chinking the sequins in his hand.
+"_Au revoir_, as we say in France"--and the renegade quitted the divan.
+
+"Allah--what a talent!" muttered the vizier to himself, as the renegade
+disappeared.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XII
+
+
+On the ensuing day, after the usual business of the divan had been gone
+through, the renegade was called in, and taking his seat, commenced the
+narrative of his sixth voyage.
+
+
+
+SIXTH VOYAGE OF HUCKABACK.
+
+May it please your highness.
+
+It was my intention to have remained quietly on shore, after so many
+hairbreadth escapes and singular adventures; but I found France so
+changed, that I was disgusted with my own country. Every thing was
+upside down--the nobles, the wealthy, the talented, either were
+murdered, or living in abject poverty in other countries, while the
+lower classes had usurped their place, and governed the land. But what
+decided me once more to go to sea, was that the continual demands for
+fresh levies to recruit the republican armies, convinced me that I had
+no chance of long remaining in quiet. Of two evils I preferred what I
+considered to be the least, and rather than die in a ditch on shore, I
+preferred the dangers which might be incurred afloat. I bought a large
+ship, and fitted her for a voyage of speculation to Lima in South
+America. As the English cruisers covered the seas, and I was resolved
+that I would not be taken by a vessel of small force, I shipped with me
+a complement of forty men, and had twelve guns mounted on her decks. We
+escaped through the gut of Gibraltar, and steered our course for Cape
+Horn, the southernmost point of America. Nothing worth narrating
+occurred until we made the land, when a strong adverse gale came on,
+which, after attempting in vain to beat against it, blew away most of
+our sails and finally obliged us to bear up, and run away to the
+southward and eastward.
+
+From the working and straining of the vessel, the decks had become so
+leaky, that the water ran through every part of the ship. Our provisions
+(particularly our bread) being spoiled, and obliged to be thrown
+overboard, we were necessitated to be put upon short allowance. As we
+had no hopes of being able to support ourselves upon what was left until
+our arrival at Lima, I determined to run for the nearest island, where I
+might obtain a fresh supply, and then renew our attempt to beat round
+the Cape. I was in some doubts where to proceed, but after running
+eastward for a fortnight, we discovered land on the lee bow, which I
+considered to be the uninhabited Island of New Georgia; but as we
+approached it, we thought that we perceived people on the beach, and
+when within five miles we could plainly distinguish that they were
+soldiers in their uniforms, ranged up, rank and file. The colour of
+their clothes could not be made out with the glass, but it was easy to
+be distinguished that they had yellow facings; from which I inferred
+that they were our enemies the English. "Peste!" thought I, "is it
+possible that these grasping islanders have made a settlement on this
+place? Where will they go to next?" The different companies appeared to
+be from one to two dozen in number; sometimes they stood quite still, at
+others they walked a little way on the beach; but they constantly
+adhered to their rank-and-file position, and as I could not perceive
+that they had any muskets in their hands, I inferred that they were
+merely practising the marching evolutions. No houses or fortifications
+were distinguishable, and I determined to run the ship nearer in, that I
+might observe their motions. I did so, and when within two miles, I
+again rounded to, and putting my eye to the glass, perceived to my
+astonishment that a whole regiment of them ran into the surf, and
+reappeared on the outside of it, in the form of aquatic birds, swimming
+and diving in every direction. I now began to suspect, that it was an
+enchanted island, and not forgetting the lesson of the Golden Fountain,
+I made all sail, and we soon left it out of sight astern. I think it
+right to state to your highness, that on mentioning this circumstance to
+an Englishman, who had been employed in the spermaceti whale fishery, he
+asserted that they really were birds, called Patagonian penguins, who
+had often deceived others by their martial appearance. He stated that
+they had no wings, but only flappers, and when on shore, invariably
+stood upright like men in ranks--that they were about three or four feet
+high when in this posture, and had two broad yellow streaks on each side
+of their necks. How far his assertions were true I do not know, for the
+people of that country, who have doubled the Cape, consider themselves
+entitled to tell any falsehoods which they think proper, and to shoot
+you if you venture to express a doubt as to their veracity; one of my
+chief reasons for disliking the English is, that they are such
+abominable liars.
+
+We now steered more to the southward, and in three days discovered
+another small island. It was apparently well wooded, although not large.
+We hove to, to windward of it, and not perceiving any inhabitants, I
+lowered down a boat, and sent the first mate on shore to reconnoitre. He
+returned in an hour, informing me that the island was covered with
+cocoa-nut trees in full bearing, and that he had seen several wild pigs,
+but no symptoms of its being inhabited--that there was no anchorage that
+he could discover, as the shore rose perpendicularly, like a wall, from
+the ocean. We therefore ran to leeward, and discovered that a reef of
+coral rocks extended nearly two miles from that side of the island. The
+boats were again lowered, and after surveying, the mate reported that
+there was a passage, with plenty of water, for the ship, through the
+very centre of the reef, which would bring her into a small bay, where
+she might lay in perfect security. Before night we had gained the
+anchorage, and furled sails. The next morning I went on shore to
+reconnoitre; we found some springs of fresh water, cocoa-nuts and other
+trees in abundance, and occasionally fell in with herds of wild pigs,
+which appeared, with the exception of birds, to be the only animals
+that existed upon the island. Satisfied that I now had an opportunity of
+revictualling my ship, I unbent my sails, struck my topmasts, unrove my
+running rigging, and, in short, made every preparation for a long stay.
+I then sent parties on shore to erect tents, and shoot the wild pigs,
+while I superintended the fixing of coppers on the beach to boil the
+salt out of the sea water, which would be necessary for curing the
+provisions. I also dug shallow pans in the rock, close to the water's
+edge, that I might gain as much salt as possible by means of
+evaporation. Every thing was prepared in the course of the day, and the
+major part of my ship's company were landed, and slept in the tents. In
+three days we had salted down several casks of pork, and had collected a
+large quantity of cocoa-nuts.
+
+On the fourth morning I heard a dispute among the men, some of them
+swearing that they would not remain, and that the ship ought to go to
+sea immediately. Astonished at these remarks, after they had expressed
+themselves so well pleased, I inquired the reason. They answered, that
+there was magic in the island, and on my requiring an explanation, they
+took me to the salt pans, which, upon our arrival, had been cut in the
+rocks within a foot of the water's edge, but had now receded from the
+shore to a distance of nine or ten feet. I must own that I was surprised
+at the circumstance, which was quite unaccountable: but still did not
+feel inclined to leave the island, without first obtaining the necessary
+supply of provisions. I pointed out to the men, that although I could
+not explain so strange an incident, yet as we had seen and heard
+nothing, and should certainly starve if we went to sea without
+provisions, it would be better to remain until we had procured a supply:
+observing that it was not impossible that the water might have receded,
+instead of the island having advanced. The latter remark seemed to quiet
+them, although at the time that I made it, I knew it to be incorrect, as
+the rocks above water near the beach were not higher out of it than
+before. This the seamen did not pay attention to, and I took care not to
+point it out to them. They agreed with my supposition, that the water
+had receded, and said no more about it.
+
+We remained a fortnight longer, during which the same phenomenon
+continued, each day the salt pans and coppers being further off from the
+beach. At last the men perceiving that the rocks did not rise higher
+from the water again became alarmed, and broke out into open mutiny. By
+this time I had cured a sufficiency of provisions, and I made no
+objection, indeed I must confess that I was by no means easy in my own
+mind at these supernatural appearances. We struck our tents, sent every
+thing on board, rove the rigging, bent the sails, and prepared for our
+departure. Soon after we repaired on board, I happened to cast my eyes
+upon the lead line, which was hanging over from the main chains, and
+observed that it lay in a bight; hauling up the slack, I found, to my
+surprise, that instead of five fathoms water in which we had anchored,
+we were in less than three.
+
+At first it occurred to me that this was a floating island, like the one
+I before described, and that it was gradually rising more to the
+surface; but this idea did not satisfy me. Throwing the lead and line in
+the boat, I pushed off, and sounded in several directions, and had the
+mortification to find that in the passage which the ship had entered,
+there was now not sufficient water for her to go out again, even if we
+were to have discharged the whole cargo. I soon discovered the cause of
+this apparent mystery; for as I went further out on the reef, I found
+that whole trees and solid masses of coral had sprung up to the water's
+edge, in parts which I knew were several fathoms deep when we entered. I
+had often heard that the islands in these seas were formed by corals,
+but I had no idea of the rapidity with which they were extended.
+
+Your highness must know that all the zoophite, or animal plants, are
+composed of small insects, who work in millions under the water, until
+they rise to the top. Such was the case in the present instance, and
+thus by the labours of the minutest of the creation, in the short space
+of three weeks my ship was shut up so as to render escape hopeless.
+
+I returned on board, and explained to the men the real cause of the
+apparently supernatural effects of what we had witnessed. Satisfied that
+my assertions were correct, they seemed to care little at being obliged
+to remain on an island which afforded them the means of such comfortable
+subsistence. As nothing could be done for the ship, we went on shore
+again, and repitching the tents, waited quietly until we might be taken
+off by some vessel who should chance to pass that way.
+
+In a fortnight the ship was aground, and the island continued to
+increase so rapidly, that in two months she was raised high and dry out
+of the water, about half a mile from the beach. The vegetation seemed to
+advance as regularly and as rapidly as the island, and after the rainy
+season the trees had grown up so high, that the ship was completely hid
+in a large wood, and it was just possible to see her lower masts above
+the branches. For some time the men seemed perfectly contented. We had
+plenty of stores in the ship of every description; the cargo I had taken
+on board was chiefly manufactures, and as the island provided fresh
+meat, fish, and fruit, they were in want of nothing. But sailors are
+such changeable and restless beings, that I really believe they would
+soon be tired of paradise itself. After a sojourn of nine months, during
+which they perhaps lived better than they ever had before, they began to
+murmur and talk of getting away in some manner or another. As my cargo
+was valuable, I was in hopes that a vessel would visit the island, and
+take it on board: I therefore made every remonstrance that I could
+imagine to induce them to wait some time longer; but they would not
+listen to me, and made preparations for building a vessel at the weather
+side of the island, out of the materials that the ship afforded. The
+reason why they chose the weather side was, that they perceived that the
+island only increased to leeward; whereas to windward it was a
+perpendicular rock of coral, which you could not obtain bottom
+along-side of, with two hundred fathoms of line. They had cut a slip out
+of the rock, and were already occupied with driving out the bolts and
+fastenings of the ship that was shored up in the woods, when one evening
+we perceived a large fleet of canoes coming towards us. As I knew that I
+could not be far from the Sandwich Islands, I immediately pronounced
+them to come from that quarter, in which supposition I was correct; for
+although the island was not inhabited, the islanders had for some years
+been aware of its existence, and came to gather the crop of cocoa-nuts
+which it annually produced. I advised my men to keep quiet in the woods,
+removing the tents and every object that might create suspicion of our
+being on the island; but they were of a different opinion, and as they
+had lately discovered the means of collecting the toddy from the
+cocoa-nut trees, and distilling arrack, they had been constantly drunk,
+mutinous, and regardless of my authority. They thought it would be much
+easier to take the large canoes from the islanders, and appropriate them
+to their own use, than to build a vessel, and notwithstanding my
+entreaties, they persisted in their resolution to make the attempt.
+
+As the canoes approached, we counted fourteen, all of a very large size,
+and with my glass I could distinguish that they had fifty or sixty
+persons on board of each, including the women. I pointed this out to the
+sailors, stating that I did not believe there were more than ten women
+in each canoe, so that the men must amount to seven hundred, a force
+much too large to give them any chance of success in their rash
+intentions. But I did more harm than good; the mention of the women
+seemed to inspire them with fresh ardour, and they vowed that they would
+kill all the men, and then would be content to remain on the island
+with the women. They armed themselves with muskets, and retired among
+the trees as the canoes approached, fearful that the islanders would not
+land if they were discovered. The canoes ran between the reefs, and in a
+few minutes the whole of the islanders disembarked; not conceiving it
+necessary to leave any but the women in the canoes, the water being as
+smooth as a fish-pond.
+
+The arrangements of my men were certainly very good: they allowed the
+islanders to go up to the tents, which were now more than a mile from
+the beach, and then walking down under cover of the trees, rushed to the
+canoes, and putting one man in each with their muskets and ammunition,
+shoved them off and made them fast to the coral rocks, about two hundred
+yards distant. The screams of the women, and the shoving off of the
+canoes, alarmed the men, who hastened down to ascertain the cause. As
+soon as they came within half musket shot, the sailors who were on
+shore, amounting to twenty-five, fired a volley out of the wood, which
+killed and wounded a great number. The islanders retreated in confusion,
+then gave a loud shout and advanced. Another volley was fired, and they
+again retreated, bearing off their killed and wounded. They now held a
+consultation, which ended in their dividing into two bodies, one of
+which separated from the other, so that they might attack the party in
+the wood from two different points.
+
+In the meantime several of the women leaped overboard and swam on shore,
+and the men in the boats were so busy in preventing the others from
+following, that they could give no assistance to the party in the wood,
+although they were within musket-shot. The conduct of the islanders
+puzzled our men, and although I had taken no part in this murderous
+attack, yet as I now considered my life at stake, I thought that I must
+assist. I therefore advised them to retreat to the ship, which, if they
+once gained possession of, they would be enabled to keep the islanders
+at bay. My advice was followed, and creeping through the thick
+underwood, we reached the ship in safety, having climbed up by
+rope-ladders, which were hanging from her, to enable us to go on board,
+to fetch any articles we required. We hauled them up after us, and
+waited the issue. In a few minutes, one of the parties of the islanders
+came up, and seeing the ship with us on board, gave a loud yell, and let
+fly their spears. We returned a volley which killed many, but they were
+very brave, and continued the attack although we fired twenty or thirty
+rounds with great execution.
+
+The other party now came up, and the conflict continued; they made every
+attempt to climb the stern and sides of the vessel, but were repulsed;
+and as the evening closed in, they retired, taking away their killed and
+wounded, which we estimated at two hundred men. When they retreated, we
+fired some of our large guns in that direction, as much to frighten the
+islanders, as to let our comrades in the canoes know where we were.
+
+We kept a sharp look out till dark, but saw no more of them. I proposed
+that we should attempt to communicate with the men in the canoes, and
+desire them to permit some of them to drift on shore after taking out
+the women, as the islanders would then in all probability go away. But
+as the men very justly remarked, nobody in the first place would venture
+on such a dangerous service, and in the next, if the islanders obtained
+some of their canoes, they would attack the others and overpower the
+sailors that were in them. This plan was therefore justly overruled. I
+then proposed that one man should steal down to the beach, swim off, and
+desire the fourteen men to take all the women into one canoe, and pull
+round to the north side of the island during the night, leaving the
+remainder for the islanders to go away in. This was considered a good
+scheme, but no one would volunteer, and, as I had proposed it, I thought
+that I was in honour bound to go, as otherwise the men would, in future,
+have had no opinion of me. I therefore stated my intention, and taking
+my musket and ammunition, I slipped down by a rope. As soon as I was on
+my legs, I perceived something crawling out of the wood towards the
+ship. I could not exactly decipher what it was, so I crept under the
+counter of the vessel, where it was so dark that I could not be
+distinguished. As it approached, I made it out to be one of the
+islanders with a faggot of wood on his back; he placed it close to the
+side of the vessel, and then crawled back as before. I now perceived
+that there were hundreds of these faggots about the ship, which the
+islanders had contrived to carry there during the night; for although
+the moon was up, yet the vessel was so inclosed with trees that the
+light did not penetrate. I immediately comprehended that it was their
+intention to set fire to the vessel, and I was thinking of communicating
+the information to my companions on board, when two more crawled from
+the woods, and deposited their bundles so close to me, that we were
+nearly in contact. I therefore was obliged to leave those who were on
+board to make the best of it, and imitating the islanders, I crawled
+from the vessel into the brushwood, trailing the gun after me. It was
+fortunate that I took this precaution, for in the very part of the wood
+where I crept to, there were dozens of them making up faggots, but it
+was too thick with underwood, and too dark to distinguish anything,
+although I heard them close to me breaking off the branches. I did the
+same as I went on, to avoid discovery, until I had passed by them, when
+I continued my route to where the canoes had been left. I arrived in
+safety at the outskirts of the wood close to the beach, and perceived
+the canoes still lying at the rocks, to which they had been taken; but
+the moon shone bright, and I hesitated to walk out in the light, until I
+ascertained whether there were any islanders on the beach. As I waited a
+short time in the dark shade of the trees, close to one of the springs
+of fresh water, I heard a moan close to me, and looking in that
+direction I perceived a body on the ground. I went towards it, and could
+distinguish very plainly that it was one of the women who had swam on
+shore. She was nearly lifeless, and feeling, as every man must have
+done, compassion at her unfortunate condition, I knelt down by her to
+see if I could afford her any assistance. As she had very little clothes
+round her body, I discovered, by passing my hand over her, that she was
+wounded with a musket-ball above the knee, and was exhausted from pain
+and loss of blood. I tore my neckcloth and shirt into bandages, and
+bound up her leg; I then fetched some water from the spring in my hat,
+which I poured into her mouth, and threw over her face. She appeared to
+recover, and I felt happy that I had been of some use, and not being
+able to descry any of the islanders, was proceeding to the beach, that I
+might swim off to the canoes, when just as I walked out of the shade,
+two or three muskets were fired by those on board. These were followed
+by others, and loud yells from the islanders, who had swum off in
+hundreds, and were attacking our people. The conflict was very short,
+for the men, not being able to load their muskets quickly enough, were
+overpowered by the islanders, who climbed into the canoes, and in a few
+minutes they were all paddled to the beach.
+
+I now thought that it was all over with my men on board of the ship, and
+so it proved; for an hour before daylight the islanders lighted the
+faggots, and, at the same time, attacked the vessel with great fury. The
+fire continued to blaze higher and higher, the muskets were constantly
+discharging, and the shouts and yells continued for about an hour, when
+I heard no more reports from the muskets, and took it for granted that
+my men were overcome, which was the case, as I afterwards found out;
+many were killed by the spears when on board, others when they leaped
+from the vessel to avoid the flames, and the remainder had been
+suffocated.
+
+As the sun rose above the horizon, a loud explosion took place, by which
+I knew that the flames had communicated with the magazine, and that the
+ship had been blown to atoms. I determined to hide myself in the bushes,
+with the hope of not being discovered. Before I went, I made a hasty
+visit to the poor wounded woman, to see how she was. It was broad
+daylight, and I found that I had afforded succour to a very beautiful
+young girl, about sixteen or seventeen years old. As she still appeared
+faint, I brought her some more water, and when I gave it to her, she
+expressed her gratitude with her eyes. Examining the bandages, which had
+slipped a little on one side, I replaced them, and then darted into the
+thickest of the underwood. As I pressed on, bent half double, my head
+suddenly came in contact with something hard; I looked up, and found
+that it was the head of one of the islanders, who was also forcing his
+way through the bushes, an immense, powerful man, who immediately sprung
+upon me, and pinned me to the ground. He was followed by several others
+who came to his assistance, and all resistance was useless. They pulled
+some of the creeping withies, that grow in those countries, and bound me
+hand and foot; then selecting a large pole, they made me fast to it, and
+carried me away. When they arrived at the beach, I was laid down on my
+back, exposed to the burning sun. Left to my own reflections, and
+calling to mind all that I could recollect from the voyages and travels
+which I had read, I concluded that I was to be made a sacrifice of to
+their gods. I prayed to heaven for mercy, and resigned myself to my
+fate, which appeared inevitable.
+
+The islanders had all assembled on the beach close to where I lay. The
+dead bodies of their companions, who had fallen in the conflict, and the
+wounded, were carried into the canoes. They formed a circle round the
+fire, which they had kindled, made several speeches, and danced a
+war-dance. I turned round on my side, and perceived to my horror, that
+they had collected all the bodies of my companions, and were devouring
+them. What they did not feel inclined to eat, they packed up in baskets,
+and put into the canoes. I anticipated that such would be my own
+fate--not at present, as they had more than they could consume--but that
+I should be reserved for a festival, after their arrival in their own
+country. Nor was I incorrect in my supposition; they collected together
+all the bones, which they carried with them, and putting me on board,
+hoisted their mat sails, and steered away for their own islands.
+
+On the third day we arrived, when I was carried on shore and confined in
+what I believe was a burying ground. They stuffed me every day with pork
+and other victuals to keep me alive, and in good condition, but they
+never cast me loose from the pole to which I was bound. I heard
+processions, shouts, and lamentations for the dead; but I could see
+nothing, for I was now too weak to turn on my side. When I had been a
+week in this confined state, the agony arising from the swelling of my
+limbs, and from the increased tightness of the ligatures was so great,
+that I called for death to relieve me from my sufferings; and when I
+once more found myself raised upon the shoulders of men, I was as
+impatient for my approaching fate, as I should have been, under other
+circumstances, for my release. My senses were gradually overpowered by
+the pain, which was so much increased by the renewed suspension of my
+body.
+
+I have a distinct recollection of being placed on the ground in a large
+circle--of the screams of a woman, and of a confused uproar, which
+followed. When I came to my senses, I found myself in a hut, unbound,
+and lying upon soft mats, with fomentations applied to my limbs; and
+when my eyes opened, I beheld, hanging over me with an air of the
+tenderest solicitude, the beautiful savage, whom I had found wounded,
+and had succoured on the night of the affray. I subsequently learnt,
+that when I had been brought into the circle, she had recognised me as
+the person who had assisted her; that she claimed my life, pointing to
+her wound, and producing the bandages with which I had bound it up, and
+which were identified with the remainder, as part of the dress which I
+still wore. A council was held, and as it appeared that I could not have
+been with the party in the ship, for I had been taken prisoner in the
+woods, near to where the girl lay, after many speeches pro and con, it
+was decided that my life should be spared, and that I should be married
+to the girl who had been the means of preserving it. She had carried me
+away to her hut, and was now returning the debt of gratitude which she
+had incurred.
+
+Owing to her unwearied kindness and attention, I soon recovered, and
+before I was aware that I was to be her husband I courted her by signs,
+and all the little attentions that could be suggested by gratitude and
+love. As soon as I was supposed to be sufficiently recovered I was led
+into a large circle of the islanders, to be formally admitted into their
+society. A venerable old man made a speech, which I presume was not a
+very good one from its extreme length, and then several men laid hold of
+me, and throwing me on the ground, face downwards, sat astride on me,
+and commenced running needles into the upper part of my thighs. The pain
+was excessive, but as all the islanders were tattooed about the loins, I
+presumed it was an operation that I must submit to, and I bore it with
+fortitude.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"And pray what is that tattooing?"
+
+"Tattooing, may it please your highness, is puncturing the skin with
+needles or sharp points--and then rubbing Indian ink or gun-powder into
+the wounds. This leaves an indelible mark of a deep blue tint. All the
+islanders in those seas practise it, and very often the figures that are
+drawn are very beautiful."
+
+"Mashallah! How wonderful is God! I should like to see it," rejoined the
+pacha.
+
+"Allah forbid," replied the renegade, "that I should expose my person to
+your highness. I know my duty better."
+
+"Yes, but I must see it, yaha bibi, my friend!" continued the pacha,
+impatiently; "never mind your person. Come--obey my orders."
+
+The renegade was a little at a nonplus, as he never had undergone the
+operation which he had described. Fortunately for the support of his
+veracity, it happened that during one of his piratical excursions, in
+an idle fit, he had permitted one of his companions to tattoo a small
+mermaid on his arm.
+
+"Min Allah! God forbid," rejoined the renegade; "my life is at the
+disposal of your highness, and I had sooner that you should take it,
+than I would affront your august eyes with the exposure in question;
+fortunately I can gratify your highness's curiosity without offending
+decency--as, after they had finished the operation I was describing,
+they made the figure of their most respected deity upon my arm." The
+renegade then pulled up his sleeve, and showed the figure of a mermaid,
+with a curling tail, a looking-glass in one hand and a comb in the
+other. "Here your highness will perceive a specimen of their rude art.
+This is a representation of their goddess, Bo-gee. In one hand she holds
+an iron rake, with which she tattoos those who are good, and the mark
+serves as a passport when they apply for admittance into the regions of
+bliss. In the other, she brandishes a hot iron plate, with which she
+brands those who are sentenced to be punished for their sins."
+
+"Allah Karim--God is merciful! And why has she a fish's tail?" inquired
+the pacha.
+
+"The people I am describing, inhabit a cluster of islands, and it is to
+enable her to swim from one to the other, as her presence may be
+required."
+
+"Very true," observed the pacha--"now you may go on with your story."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+As I mentioned to your highness, they tattooed me without mercy; the
+operation lasted an hour, when they put me on my feet again. Another
+speech was made, which I understood as little of as the former; they
+left me with my wife, and the ceremony was at an end.
+
+I must say I wished that I had not been naturalised and married both on
+the same day. I was so swelled and so stiff with the tattooing, that it
+was with difficulty I could, with the assistance of my wife, walk back
+to my hut. However, by the remedies which she constantly applied, in
+the course of three days I felt no further inconvenience.
+
+I now considered myself settled for the remainder of my life. I was
+passionately attached to Naka-poop, for such was the name of my young
+wife, and notwithstanding my French education, could not but acknowledge
+that her natural and unsophisticated manners were more graceful and more
+fascinating, than is all the studied address of my own country-women.
+She was of high rank in her own country, being nearly allied to the
+king; and for two years my life slipped away, in uninterrupted happiness
+and peace. But alas!--and the renegade covered up his face.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Come, Huckaback, you surely have been too much accustomed to lose your
+wives by this time, to make a fuss about it. These Franks are strange
+people," observed the pacha to the vizier; "they've a tear for every
+woman."
+
+"Your highness must excuse me; I shall not offend again, for I never
+married afterwards. My charming Naka-poop died in child-bed, and the
+island became so hateful to me, that I determined to quit it. An
+opportunity occurred by an American vessel, which arrived with some
+Missionaries."
+
+"What are Missionaries?" inquired the pacha.
+
+"People who came to inform the islanders, that Bo-gee was not a goddess,
+and to persuade them to embrace the true faith."
+
+"Very right," replied the pacha, "there is but one God, and Mahomet is
+his prophet. Well----"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+As I understood both languages, I was employed as an interpreter, but it
+was impossible to explain what the Missionaries intended to convey, as
+the language of the islanders had not words that were analogous. A
+council was held, and the answer which the Missionaries received was as
+follows:--
+
+"You tell us that your God rewards the good and punishes the wicked--so
+does Bo-gee. We speak one language, you speak another. Perhaps the name
+of your God means Bo-gee in ours. Then we both worship the same God,
+under different names. No use to talk any more; take plenty of pigs and
+yams, and go home."
+
+The Missionaries took their advice, their pigs and their yams, and I
+went home with them. We arrived at New York, where I claimed and
+received from the Bible Society my pay as interpreter to the
+Missionaries from the time that they landed up to the day of our return.
+I never should have thought of claiming it, had it not been for the
+advice of one of the Missionaries, who took a fancy to me.
+
+With the money that I received I paid my passage in a vessel bound to
+Genoa, where I arrived in safety, but without the means of subsistence.
+But what doth the poet say, "Necessity is a strong rider with sharp
+stirrups, who maketh the sorry jade do that which the strong horse
+sometimes will not do." Having no other resource, I determined once more
+to try my fortune upon the ocean.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Allah wakbar--God is everywhere! It was your talleh--your destiny,
+Huckaback."
+
+"It was his kismet--his fate, your sublime highness," rejoined Mustapha,
+"that he should go through those perils to amuse your leisure hours."
+
+"Wallah Thaib--well said, by Allah! Let the slave rejoice in our bounty.
+Give him ten pieces of gold; we will open our ears to his next voyage
+to-morrow. Murakhas, you are dismissed."
+
+"May your sublime shadow never be less," replied Huckaback, as he
+salaamed out of the pacha's presence.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XIII
+
+
+THE LAST VOYAGE OF HUCKABACK.
+
+Your highness will be surprised at the unheard-of adventures that
+occurred to me in my last voyage, and I think I can boldly assert that
+no man, either before or since, has explored so much, or has been in the
+peculiarly dangerous situations in which I have been placed by destiny.
+
+Notwithstanding the danger which I incurred from my former expedition to
+the Northern Ocean, I was persuaded to take the command of a whaler
+about to proceed to those latitudes: we sailed from Marseilles early in
+the year that we might arrive at the northward in good time, and be able
+to quit the Frozen Ocean before the winter had set in. We were very
+fortunate on our arrival at Baffin's Bay, and very soon had eighteen
+fish on board. The autumn was hardly commenced before I proposed to
+return, and we were steering in a southerly direction, when we
+encountered two or three large icebergs, upon the edges of which the
+walruses or sea-horses were lying in herds. As we had some casks still
+empty, I determined to fill them with the oil to be obtained from these
+animals, and hoisted out my boats to attack them. We killed a large
+number, which we sent on board, and continued our fishery with great
+success, having only lost one boat, the bottom plank of which had been
+bitten out by the tusks of one of these unwieldy animals. Of a sudden
+the wind changed to the southward, and the small icebergs which were
+then to windward rapidly closed with the large one upon which we were
+fishing. The harpooners observed it, and recommended me to return to the
+ship, but I was so amused with the sport that I did not heed their
+advice. A sea-horse was lying in a small cave accidentally formed on the
+upright edge of the iceberg, and wishing to attack him, I directed my
+boat to pull towards it. At this time there was not more than twenty
+yards of water between the two icebergs, and a sudden squall coming on,
+they closed with great rapidity. The men in the other boats immediately
+pulled away, and, as I afterwards learnt, when I arrived at Marseilles,
+they escaped, and returned home in the ship; but those in mine, who were
+intent upon watching me, as I stood in the bow of the boat with the
+harpoon to strike the animal, did not perceive the danger until the
+stern of the boat was touched by the other iceberg. The two now coming
+within the attraction of cohesion of floating bodies, were dashed like
+lightning one against the other, jamming the men, as well as the boat,
+into atoms.
+
+Being in the bow of the boat, and hearing the crash, I had just time, in
+a moment of desperation, to throw myself into the cave upon the back of
+the sea-horse, when the two enormous bodies of ice came in contact--the
+noise I have no doubt was tremendous, but I did not hear it, as I was
+immediately enclosed in the ice. Although at first there were
+interstices, yet, as the southerly gale blew the icebergs before it into
+the northern region, all was quickly cemented together by the frost, and
+I found myself pent up in an apartment not eight feet square, in company
+with a sea-horse.
+
+I shall not detain your highness by describing my sensations: my ideas
+were, that I was to exist a certain time, and then die for want of fresh
+air; but they were incorrect. At first, indeed, the cave was intolerably
+hot from the accumulation of breath, and I thought I should soon be
+suffocated. I recollected all my past sins, I implored for mercy, and
+lay down to die; but I found that the ice melted away with the heat, and
+that, in so doing, a considerable portion of the air was liberated, so
+that in a few minutes my respiration became more free. The animal in the
+meantime, apparently frightened at his unusual situation, was perfectly
+quiet; and, as the slightest straw will be caught at by the drowning
+man, so did the idea of my preservation come into my head. I considered
+how much air so enormous an animal must consume, and determined upon
+despatching him, that I might have more for my own immediate wants. I
+took out my knife, and inserting it between the vertebral bones that
+joined his head to his neck, divided the spinal marrow, and he
+immediately expired.
+
+When I found that he was quite dead, I crawled from his shoulders, and
+took up a more convenient berth in that part of the cave which was
+before his head, to which I had been afraid to venture while the animal
+was alive, lest he should attack me with his enormous tusks. The air
+soon became more pure, and I breathed freely. Your highness may be
+surprised at the assertion; but, whether I obtained air from the ice
+itself, or whether the ice was sufficiently porous to admit of it, I
+know not; but from that time I had no difficulty of respiration. In our
+country we have had instances of women and children, who have been
+buried in the snow for two months, and yet have been taken out alive,
+and have recovered, although they had little or no nourishment during
+their inhumation. I recollected this, and aware that the carcase of the
+animal would supply me for years, I began to indulge a hope that I might
+yet be saved, if driven sufficiently to the southward to admit of my
+being thawed out. I was convinced that the ice about me could not be
+more than six or eight feet thick, as I had sufficient light to
+distinguish the day from the night. Afterwards my eye-sight became so
+much more acute, that I could see very well to every corner of the cave
+in which I was embedded.
+
+During the first month the calls of hunger obliged me to make frequent
+attacks upon the carcase of the sea-horse; after that, my appetite
+decreased, until at length I would not touch a mouthful of food in a
+week,--I presume from the want of fresh air and exercise, neither of
+which I could be said to enjoy. I had been about two months in this
+hole, when a violent shock like that of an earthquake took place, and I
+fell from the top of the cave to the bottom, and for a minute was
+knocked about like a pea in a rattle. I had almost lost my senses before
+it was over, and I found myself lying upon what was before the top of
+the cave. From these circumstances I inferred that the iceberg in which
+I was inclosed had come in contact with another, and that I had been
+broken off from it, and was floating on the sea with other pieces,
+which, when collected in large quantities, are termed a floe of ice.
+Whether my situation was changed for the better I knew not, but the
+change inspired me with fresh hopes. I now calculated that five months
+had elapsed, and that it was the depth of winter, therefore I had no
+chance of being released until the ensuing spring.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Allah Wakbar, God is every where!" interrupted the pacha. "But I wish
+to know, Huckaback, how you were so exactly aware of the time which had
+passed away."
+
+"Min Bashi, and head of thousands!" replied Huckaback, "I will explain
+to your highness. I once jammed my nail at the bottom, and I expected to
+lose it. It did not however come off, but grew up as before, and I had
+the curiosity to know how often people changed their nails in the course
+of a year. It was exactly two months, and from this I grounded my
+calculations. I observed specks on my nails, and as they grew up, so did
+I calculate time."
+
+"Mashallah, how wonderful is God! Wallah Thaib! Well said, by Allah! I
+never should have thought of that," observed the pacha. "Proceed with
+your story."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The five months had elapsed, according to my calculations, when one
+morning I heard a grating noise close to me; soon afterwards I perceived
+the teeth of a saw entering my domicile, and I correctly judged that
+some ship was cutting her way through the ice. Although I could not make
+myself heard, I waited in anxious expectation of deliverance. The saw
+approached very near to where I was sitting, and I was afraid that I
+should be wounded, if not cut in halves; but just as it was within two
+inches of my nose, it was withdrawn. The fact was, that I was under the
+main floe, which had been frozen together, and the firm ice above having
+been removed and pushed away, I rose to the surface. A current of fresh
+air immediately poured into the small incision made by the saw, which
+not only took away my breath from its sharpness, but brought on a
+spitting of blood. Hearing the sound of voices, I considered my
+deliverance as certain. Although I understood very little English, I
+heard the name of Captain Parry frequently mentioned--a name, I presume,
+that your highness is well acquainted with.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Pooh! never heard of it," replied the pacha.
+
+"I am surprised, your highness; I thought every body must have heard of
+that adventurous navigator. I may here observe that I have since read
+his voyages, and he mentions, as a curious fact, the steam which was
+emitted from the ice--which was nothing more than the hot air escaping
+from my cave when it was cut through--a singular point, as it not only
+proves the correctness of his remarks, but the circumstance of my having
+been there, as I am now describing it to your highness."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+But, alas! my hopes soon vanished: the voices became more faint, I felt
+that I was plunged under the floe to make room for the passage of the
+ship, and when I rose, the water which had filled the incision made by
+the saw, froze hard, and I was again closed in--perhaps for ever. I now
+became quite frantic with despair, I tore my clothes, and dashed my head
+against the corners of the cave, and tried to put an end to my hated
+existence. At last, I sank down exhausted with my own violent efforts,
+and continued sullen for several days.
+
+But there is a buoyant spirit in our composition which raises our heads
+above the waters of despair. Hope never deserts us, not even in an
+iceberg. She attends us and supports us to the last; and although we
+reject her kind offices in our fury, she still watches by us, ready to
+assist and console us, when we are inclined to hearken to her
+encouraging whispers.
+
+I once more listened to her suggestions, and for six months fed upon
+them, aided by occasional variations of the flesh of the sea-horse. It
+was now late in the summer, and the ice in which I was bound up had
+evidently melted away. One morning I was astonished by perceiving that
+the light of the sun seemed to change its position regularly every
+quarter of an hour. Had it done so occasionally during the day, and at
+no stated intervals, I should have imagined that the ice that I was
+inclosed in, altered its position from the winds and currents; but the
+regularity astonished me. I watched it, and I found that the same
+phenomenon occurred, but at shorter intervals, and it continued until
+the light shifted from side to side every minute.
+
+After some reflection, the horrid idea occurred to me that I must have
+been drifted to the coast of Norway, and was in the influence of the
+dreadful whirlpool, called the Maelstroom, and that, in a few minutes, I
+should be engulfed for ever, and, whilst I was thinking that such might
+be the case, the light revolved each fifteen seconds. "Then it is!"
+cried I in despair, and, as I uttered the words, it became quite dark,
+and I knew that I had sunk in the vortex, and all was over.
+
+It may appear strange to your highness, that after the first pang,
+occasioned by the prospect of perdition, had passed away, that so far
+from feeling a horror at my situation, I mocked and derided it. I could
+feel no more, and I waited the result with perfect indifference. From
+the marks in my nails, I afterwards found out that I was nearly six
+months in the interior of the earth. At last, one day I was nearly
+blinded by the powerful light that poured through my tenement, and I
+knew that I was once more floating on the water.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Allah Kebir! God is most powerful!" exclaimed the pacha. "Holy
+prophet, where was it that you came up again?"
+
+"In the harbour of Port Royal in Jamaica. Your highness will hardly
+credit it, but on my honour it is true."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The heat of the sun was so great, that in a very short time the ice that
+surrounded me was thawed, and I found myself at liberty; but I still
+floated upon the body of the sea-horse, and the ice which was under the
+water. The latter soon vanished, and striding the back of the dead
+animal, although nearly blind by the rays of the sun, and suffocated
+with the sudden change of climate, I waited patiently to gain the shore,
+which was not one mile distant; but, before I could arrive there, for
+the sea breeze had not yet set in, an enormous shark, well known among
+the English by the name of Port Royal Tom, who had daily rations from
+government, that by remaining in the harbour he might prevent the
+sailors from swimming on shore to desert, ranged up alongside of me. I
+thought it hard that I should have to undergo such new dangers, after
+having been down the Maelstroom, but there was no help for it. He opened
+his enormous jaws, and had I not immediately shifted my leg, would have
+taken it off. As it was, he took such a piece out of my horse, as to
+render it what the sailors call _lopsided_. Again he attacked it, and
+continued to take piece after piece off my steed, until I was afraid
+that he would come to the rider at last, when fortunately a boat full of
+black people, who were catching flying fish, perceived me and pulled to
+my assistance. They took me on shore and carried me to the governor, to
+whom I gave a history of my adventures; but Englishmen suppose that
+nobody can meet with wondrous adventures except themselves. He called me
+a liar, and put me in the Clink, and a pirate schooner having been
+lately taken and the crew executed, I was declared to have been one of
+them; but, as it was clearly proved that the vessel only contained
+thirty men, and they had already hung forty-seven, I was permitted to
+quit the island, which I did in a small vessel bound to America, on
+condition that I would work my passage.
+
+We had gained to the northward of the Bahama Isles, and were standing to
+the westward before a light breeze, when early one morning several
+waterspouts were observed to be forming in various directions. It was my
+watch below, but as I had never seen one of these curious phenomena of
+nature, I went on deck to indulge my curiosity.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Pray what is a waterspout?" inquired the pacha; "I never heard of one
+before."
+
+"A waterspout, your highness, is the ascent of a large body of water
+into the clouds--one of those gigantic operations by which nature,
+apparently without effort, accomplishes her will, pointing out to man
+the insignificance of his most vaunted undertakings."
+
+"Humph! that's a waterspout, is it?" replied the pacha; "I'm about as
+wise as before."
+
+"I will describe it more clearly to your highness, for there is no one
+who has a better right to know what a waterspout is, than myself."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+A black cloud was over our heads, and we perceived that for some time it
+was rapidly descending. The main body then remained stationary, and a
+certain portion of it continued bellying down until it had assumed the
+form of an enormous jelly-bag. From the end of this bag a thin, wiry,
+black tongue of vapour continued to descend until it had arrived half
+way between the cloud and the sea. The water beneath, then ruffled on
+its surface, increasing its agitation more and more until it boiled and
+bubbled like a large cauldron, throwing its foam aside in every
+direction. In a few minutes a small spiral thread of water was perceived
+to rise into the air, and meet the tongue which had wooed it from the
+cloud. When the union had taken place, the thread increased each moment
+in size, until it was swelled into a column of water several feet in
+diameter, which continued to supply the thirsty cloud until it was
+satiated and could drink no more. It then broke, the sea became smooth
+as before, and the messenger of heaven flew away upon the wings of the
+wind, to dispense its burthen over the parched earth in refreshing and
+fertilising showers.
+
+While I was standing at the taffrail in admiration of this wonderful
+resource of nature, the main boom jibbed and struck me with such force,
+that I was thrown into the sea. Another waterspout forming close to the
+vessel, the captain and crew were alarmed and made all sail to escape,
+without regarding me; for they were aware that if it should happen to
+break over them, they would be sent to the bottom with its enormous
+weight. I had scarcely risen to the surface, when I perceived that the
+water was in agitation round me, and all my efforts to swim from the
+spot were unavailing, for I was within the circle of attraction. Thus
+was I left to my fate, and convinced that I could not swim for many
+minutes, I swallowed the salt water as fast as I could, that my
+struggles might the sooner be over.
+
+But as the sea boiled up, I found myself gradually drawn more to the
+centre, and when exactly in it, I was raised in a sitting posture upon
+the spiral thread of water, which, as I explained to your highness,
+forced itself upwards to join the tongue protruded by the cloud. There I
+sat, each second rising higher and higher, balanced like the gilt ball
+of pith, which is borne up by the vertical stream of the fountain which
+plays in the inner court of your highness's palace. I cast my eyes down,
+and perceived the vessel not far off, the captain and crew holding up
+their eyes in amazement at the extraordinary spectacle.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I don't wonder at that," observed the pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I soon reached the tongue of the cloud, which appeared as if impatient
+to receive me--the hair of my head first coming within its attractive
+powers was raised straight on end--then seized as it were and twisted
+it round. I was dragged up by it each moment with increased velocity, as
+I whirled round in my ascent. At last I found myself safely landed, and
+sat down to recover my breath which I had nearly lost for ever.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"And, pray, where did you sit, Huckaback?"
+
+"On the cloud, your highness."
+
+"Holy prophet! What, a cloud bear your weight?"
+
+"If your highness will call to mind that at the same time the cloud took
+up several tons of water, you cannot be surprised at its supporting me."
+
+"Very true," replied the pacha. "This is a very wonderful story, but
+before you go on, I wish to know what the cloud was made of."
+
+"That is rather difficult to explain to your highness. I can only
+compare it to a wet blanket. I found it excessively cold and damp, and
+caught a rheumatism while I was there, which I feel to this day."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+When the cloud was saturated, the column divided, and we rapidly
+ascended until the cold became intense. We passed a rainbow as we
+skimmed along, and I was very much surprised to find that the key of my
+chest and my clasp knife, forced themselves through the cloth of my
+jacket, and flew with great velocity towards it, fixing themselves
+firmly to the violet rays, from which I discovered that those peculiar
+rays were magnetic. I mentioned this curious circumstance to an English
+lady whom I met on her travels, and I have since learnt that she has
+communicated the fact to the learned societies as a discovery of her
+own. However, as she is a very pretty woman, I forgive her. Anxious to
+look down upon the earth, I poked a hole with my finger through the
+bottom of the cloud, and was astonished to perceive how rapidly it was
+spinning round. We had risen so high as to be out of the sphere of its
+attraction, and in consequence remained stationary. I had been up about
+six hours, and although I was close to the coast of America when I
+ascended, I could perceive that the Cape of Good Hope was just heaving
+in sight. I was enabled to form a very good idea of the structure of the
+globe, for at that immense height I could see to the very bottom of the
+Atlantic Ocean. Depend upon it, your highness, if you wish to discover
+more than other people can, it is necessary to be "up in the clouds."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Very true," replied the pacha, "but go on."
+
+I was very much interested in the chemical process of turning the salt
+water into fresh, which was going on with great rapidity while I was
+there. Perhaps your highness would like me to explain it, as it will not
+occupy your attention more than an hour.
+
+"No, no, skip that, Huckaback, and go on."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+But as soon as I had gratified my curiosity, I began to be alarmed at my
+situation, not so much on account of the means of supporting existence,
+for there was more than sufficient.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"More that sufficient! Why, what could you have to eat?"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Plenty of fresh fish, your highness, which had been taken up in the
+column of water at the same time I was, and the fresh water already lay
+in little pools around me. But the cold was dreadful, and I felt that I
+could not support it many hours longer, and how to get down again was a
+problem which I could not solve.
+
+It was however soon solved for me, for the cloud having completed its
+chemical labours, descended as rapidly as it had risen, and joined many
+others, that were engaged in sharp conflict. As I beheld them darting
+against each other, and discharging the electric fluid in the violence
+of their collision, I was filled with trepidation and dismay, lest,
+meeting an adversary, I should be hurled into the abyss below, or be
+withered by the artillery of heaven. But I was fortunate enough to
+escape. The cloud which bore me descended to within a hundred yards of
+the earth, and then was hurried along by the wind with such velocity and
+noise, that I perceived we were assisting at a hurricane.
+
+As we neared the earth, the cloud, unable to resist the force of its
+attraction, was compelled to deliver up its burthen, and down I fell,
+with such torrents of water, that it reminded me of the deluge. The
+tornado was now in all its strength. The wind roared and shrieked in its
+wild fury, and such was its force that I fell in an acute angle.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"What did you fall in?" interrupted the pacha. "I don't know what that
+is."
+
+"I fell in a slanting direction, your highness, describing the
+hypotenuse between the base and perpendicular, created by the force of
+the wind, and the attraction of gravitation."
+
+"Holy prophet! who can understand such stuff? Speak plain, do you laugh
+at our beards?"
+
+"Min Allah! God forbid! Your servant would indeed eat dirt," replied
+Huckaback.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I meant to imply, that so powerful was the wind, it almost bore me up,
+and when I first struck the water, which I did upon the summit of a
+wave, I bounded off again and _ricochetted_ several times from one wave
+to another, like the shot fired from a gun along the surface of the sea,
+or the oyster-shell skimmed over the lake by the truant child. The last
+bound that I gave, pitched me into the rigging of a small vessel on her
+beam ends, and I hardly had time to fetch my breath before she turned
+over. I scrambled up her bends, and fixed myself astride upon her keel.
+
+There I remained for two or three hours, when the hurricane was
+exhausted from its own violence. The clouds disappeared, the sun burst
+out in all its splendour, the sea recovered its former tranquillity,
+and Nature seemed as if she was maliciously smiling at her own mischief.
+The land was close to me, and the vessel drifted on shore. I found that
+I was at the Isle of France, having, in the course of twelve hours thus
+miraculously shifted my position from one side of the globe unto the
+other. I found the island in a sad state of devastation; the labour of
+years had been destroyed in the fury of an hour--the crops were swept
+away--the houses were levelled to the ground--the vessels in fragments
+on the beach--all was misery and desolation. I was however kindly
+received by my countrymen, who were the inhabitants of the isle, and, in
+four-and-twenty hours, we all danced and sang as before. I invented a
+very pretty quadrille, called the Hurricane, which threw the whole
+island into an ecstacy, and recompensed them for all their sufferings.
+But I was anxious to return home, and a Dutch vessel proceeding straight
+to Marseilles, I thought myself fortunate to obtain a passage upon the
+same terms as those which had enabled me to quit the West Indies. We
+sailed, but before we had been twenty-four hours at sea, I found that
+the captain was a violent man, and a most dreadful tyrant. I was not
+very strong, and not being able to perform the duty before the mast, to
+which I had not been accustomed, I was beat so unmercifully, that I was
+debating in my mind, whether I should kill the captain and then jump
+overboard, or submit to my hard fate; but one night as I lay groaning on
+the forecastle after a punishment I had received from the captain, which
+incapacitated me from further duty, an astonishing circumstance occurred
+which was the occasion, not only of my embracing the Mahomedan religion,
+but of making use of those expressions which attracted your highness's
+attention when you passed in disguise. "Why am I thus ever to be
+persecuted?" exclaimed I in despair. And, as I uttered these words, a
+venerable personage, in a flowing beard, and a book in his hand,
+appeared before me, and answered me. "Because, Huckaback, you have not
+embraced the true faith."
+
+"What is the true faith?" inquired I, in fear and amazement.
+
+"There is but one God," replied he, "and I am his prophet."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Merciful Allah!" exclaimed the pacha, "why, it must have been Mahomed
+himself."
+
+"It was so, your highness, although I knew it not at the time."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Prove unto me that it is the true faith," said I.
+
+"I will," replied he; "I will turn the heart of the infidel captain,"
+and he disappeared. The next day the captain of the vessel, to my
+astonishment, came to me as I lay on the forecastle, and begging my
+pardon for the cruelty that he had been guilty of, shed tears over me,
+and ordered me to be carried to his cabin. He laid me in his own bed,
+and watched me as he would a favourite child. In a short time I
+recovered; after which he would permit me to do no duty, but insisted
+upon my being his guest, and loaded me with every kindness.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"God is great!" ejaculated the pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I was lying in my bed, meditating upon these things, when the venerable
+form again appeared to me.
+
+"Art them now convinced?"
+
+"I am," replied I.
+
+"Then prove it by submitting to the law the moment that you are able.
+You shall be rewarded--not at once, but when your faith has been proved.
+Mark me, follow your profession on the seas, and, when once you find
+yourself sitting in the divan at Cairo, with two people originally of
+the same profession as yourself, without others being present, and have
+made this secret known, then you shall be appointed to the command of
+the pacha's fleet, which under your directions shall always meet with
+success. Such shall be the reward of your fidelity."
+
+It is now four years that I have embraced the true faith, and, sinking
+under poverty, I was induced to make use of the exclamation that your
+highness heard; for how can I ever hope to meet two barbers at the divan
+without other people being present?
+
+"Holy prophet! how strange! Why Mustapha was a barber, and so was I,"
+cried the pacha.
+
+"God is great!" answered the renegade, prostrating himself. "Then I
+command your fleet?"
+
+"From this hour," replied the pacha. "Mustapha, make known my wishes."
+
+"The present in command," replied Mustapha, who was not a dupe to the
+wily renegade, "is a favourite with the men."
+
+"Then send for him and take off his head. Is he to interfere with the
+commands of Mahomed?"
+
+The vizier bowed, and the pacha quitted the divan.
+
+The renegade, with a smile upon his lips, and Mustapha with
+astonishment, looked at each other for a few seconds; "You have a great
+talent, Selim," observed the vizier.
+
+"Thanks to your introduction, and to my own invention, it will at last
+be called into action. Recollect, vizier, that I am grateful--you
+understand me;" and the renegade quitted the divan, leaving Mustapha
+still in his astonishment.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XIV
+
+
+"Mustapha," said the pacha, taking his pipe out of his mouth, after half
+an hour's smoking in silence, "I have been thinking it very odd that our
+holy prophet (blessed be his name!) should have given himself so much
+trouble about such a son of Shitan as that renegade rascal, Huckaback,
+whose religion is only in his turban. By the sword of the prophet, is it
+not strange that he should send him to command my fleet?"
+
+"It was the will of your sublime highness," replied Mustapha, "that he
+should command your fleet."
+
+"Mashallah! was it not the will of the prophet?"
+
+Mustapha smoked his pipe, and made no reply.
+
+"He was a great story-teller," observed the pacha, after another pause.
+
+"He was," drily replied Mustapha. "No Kessehgou of our true believers
+could equal him; but that is now over, and the dog of an Isauri must
+prove himself a Rustam in the service of your sublime highness. Aware
+that your highness would require amusement, and that it was the duty of
+your slave, who shines but by the light of your countenance, to procure
+it, I have since yesterday, when the sun went down, despairing to find
+his glory eclipsed by that of your sublime highness, ordered most
+diligent search to be made through the whole of the world, and have
+discovered, that in the caravan now halted on the outskirts of the town,
+there was a famous Kessehgou proceeding to Mecca to pay his homage to
+the shrine of our prophet; and I have dispatched trusty messengers to
+bring him into the presence of the Min Bashi, to whom your slave, and
+the thousands whom he rules, are but as dust:" and Mustapha bowed low.
+
+"Aferin, excellent:" exclaimed the pacha; "and when will he be here?"
+
+"Before the tube now honoured by kissing the lips of your highness shall
+have poured out in ecstasy the incense of another bowl of the fragrant
+weed, the slippers of the Kessehgou will be left at the threshold of the
+palace. Be chesm, on my eyes be it."
+
+"'Tis well, Mustapha. Slave," continued the pacha, addressing the Greek
+who was in attendance, with his arms folded and his eyes cast down to
+the ground; "coffee--and the strong water of the Giaour."
+
+The pacha's pipe was refilled, the coffee was poured down their
+respective throats, and the forbidden spirits quaffed with double
+delight, arising from the very circumstance that they were forbidden.
+
+"Surely there must be some mistake, Mustapha. Does not the Koran say,
+that all that is good is intended for true believers; and is not this
+good? How then can it be forbidden? Could it be intended for the
+Giaours? May they, and their fathers' graves, be eternally defiled!"
+
+"Amen!" replied Mustapha, laying down the cup, and drawing a deep sigh.
+
+Mustapha was correct in his calculations. Before the pacha had finished
+his pipe, the arrival of the story-teller was announced; and after
+waiting a few minutes from decorum, which seemed to the impatient pacha
+to be eternal, Mustapha clapped his hands, and the man was ushered in.
+
+"Kosh amedeid! you are welcome," said the pacha, as the Kessehgou
+entered the divan: he was a slight, elegantly moulded person, of about
+thirty years of age.
+
+"I am here in obedience to the will of the pacha," replied the man in a
+most musical voice, as he salaamed low. "What does his highness require
+of his slave Menouni?"
+
+"His highness requires a proof of thy talent, and an opportunity to
+extend his bounty."
+
+"I am less than dust, and am ready to cover my head with ashes, not to
+feel my soul in the seventh heaven at the condescension of his highness;
+yet would I fain do his bidding and depart, for a vow to the prophet is
+sacred, and it is written in the Koran----"
+
+"Never mind the Koran just now, good Menouni; we ask of thee a proof of
+thy art. Tell me a story."
+
+"Most proud shall I be of the honour. Will not my face be whitened to
+all eternity? Shall your slave relate the loves of Leilah and Majnoun?"
+
+"No, no," replied the pacha; "something that will interest me."
+
+"Then will I narrate the history of the Scarred Lover."
+
+"That sounds well, Mustapha," observed the pacha.
+
+"Who can foresee so well as your sublime highness?" replied Mustapha.
+"Menouni, it is the pleasure of the pacha that you proceed."
+
+"Your slave obeys. Your sublime perspicuity is but too well acquainted
+with geography----?"
+
+"Not that I know of. Hath he ever left his slippers at our threshold,
+Mustapha?"
+
+"I suspect," replied Mustapha, "that he goes all over the world, and
+therefore he must have been here. Proceed, Menouni, and ask not such
+questions. By virtue of his office, his sublime highness knows every
+thing."
+
+"True," said the pacha, shaking his beard with great dignity and
+satisfaction.
+
+"I did but presume to put the question," replied Menouni, whose voice
+was soft and silvery as a flute on a summer's silent eve, "as, to
+perfectly understand the part of the world from which my tale has been
+transmitted, I thought a knowledge of that science was required; but I
+have eaten dirt, and am covered with shame at my indiscretion, which
+would not have occurred, had it not been that the sublime sultan, when I
+last had the honour to narrate the story, was pleased to interrupt me,
+from his not being quite convinced that the parts of the world were
+known to him. But I will now proceed with my tale, which shall go
+forward with the majestic pace of the camel, proud in his pilgrimage
+over the desert, towards the shrine of our holy prophet."
+
+
+
+THE SCARRED LOVER.
+
+In the north-eastern parts of the vast peninsula of India, there did
+exist a flourishing and extended kingdom, eminent for the beauty of the
+country, the fertility of the soil, and the salubrity of the climate.
+This kingdom was bounded on the east by a country named Lusitania, that
+lies northerly towards the coast of Iceland, so called from the
+excessive heat of the winter. On the south it was bounded by a slip of
+land, the name of which has slipped my memory; but it runs into the seas
+under the dominion of the Great Cham of Tartary. On the west it is
+bounded by another kingdom, the name of which I have also forgotten; and
+on the north, by another kingdom, the name of which I do not remember.
+After this explanation, with your sublime highness's knowledge, to which
+that of the sage Lochman was but in comparison as the seed is to the
+water-melon, I hardly need say that it was the ancient kingdom of
+Souffra.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Menouni, you are quite right," observed the pacha. "Proceed."
+
+"Fortunate is your slave to stand in the presence of so much wisdom,"
+continued Menouni, "for I was in doubt: the splendour of your presence
+had startled my memory, as the presence of the caravan doth the zebra
+foal of the desert."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+In this delightful kingdom, where the nightingales sang away their
+existence in their love for the rose, and the roses gave forth their
+perfume until the air was one continued essence of delight, such as is
+inhaled by the true believers when they first approach the gates of
+paradise, and are enchanted by the beckoning of the Houris from the
+golden walls, there lived a beautiful Hindu princess, who walked in
+loveliness, and whose smile was a decree to be happy to all on whom it
+fell; yet for reasons which my tale shall tell, she had heard the
+nightingale complain for eighteen summers, and was still unmarried. In
+this country, which at that time was peopled by Allah with infidels, to
+render it fertile for the true believers, and to be their slaves upon
+their arrival, which did occur some time after the occurrences which I
+now relate; it was not the custom for the females of Souffra to lead
+the life of invisibility, permitted only to those who administer to the
+delights of the followers of the Koran; and although it was with
+exceeding modesty of demeanour, still did they, on great occasions,
+expose their charms to the public gaze, for which error, no doubt if
+they had had souls, beautiful as they were, they would have been damned
+to all eternity. Civilisation, as Menou hath said, must extend both far
+and wide, before other nations will be so polished as to imitate us in
+the splendour, the security, and the happiness of our harems; and when I
+further remark to your highness----
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Proceed, good Menouni," interrupted Mustapha; "his highness is not fond
+of remarks."
+
+"No, by our beard," rejoined the pacha; "it is for you to tell your
+story, and for me to make remarks when it is over."
+
+"I stand in the presence of wisdom," said Menouni, who bowed low and
+proceeded.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The beauteous Babe-bi-bobu, for such was the name of the princess, and
+which, in the language of the country, implied "the cream-tart of
+delight," was left Queen of the Souffrarians by the death of her father;
+and by his will, sworn to by all the grandees of the empire, she was
+enjoined, at twelve years of age, to take to herself a husband; but it
+was particularly expressed that the youth so favoured should be of the
+same high caste as herself, and without _scar_ or _blemish_. When,
+therefore, two years after her father's death, the beautiful
+Babe-bi-bobu had attained the age of twelve years, swift runners on
+foot, and speedy messengers mounted upon the fleetest dromedaries and
+Arab horses of the purest race, were dispatched through all the kingdom
+of Souffra to make known the injunctions of the will; the news of which
+at last flew to the adjacent kingdoms, and from them to all the corners
+of the round world, and none were ignorant. In the kingdom of Souffra,
+from which the choice was to be made, all the youth of caste were in a
+state of fermentation, because they had a chance of obtaining the
+honour; and all those of lower caste were in a state of fermentation, to
+think they had no chance of obtaining such an honour; and all the women
+of high caste, or low caste, or no caste, were all in a state of
+fermentation, because--because----
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Because they always are so," interrupted the pacha. "Proceed, Menouni."
+
+"I thank your sublime highness for having relieved me in my case of
+difficulty; for who can give reasons for the conduct of women?"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It is sufficient to say, that the whole country was in a state of
+fermentation, arising from hope, despair, jealousy, envy, curiosity,
+surmising, wondering, doubting, believing, disbelieving, hearing,
+narrating, chattering, interrupting, and many other causes, too tedious
+to mention. At the first intelligence every Souffrarian youth new-strung
+his mandolin, and thought himself sure to be the happy man. Hope was
+triumphant through the land, roses advanced to double their price: the
+attar was adulterated to meet the exorbitant demand; and nightingales
+were almost worshipped; but this could not last. Doubt succeeded to the
+empire of hope, when reflection pointed out to them, that out of three
+millions of very eligible youths, only one could be made happy. But when
+the counsellors are so many, the decision is but slow; and so numerous
+were the meetings, the canvassings, the debates, the discussions, the
+harangues, and the variety of objections raised by the grandees of the
+country, that at the age of eighteen, the beauteous bird of paradise,
+still unmated, warbled her virgin strain in the loneliness of the royal
+groves.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"But why," interrupted the pacha, "why did they not marry her, when
+there were three millions of young men ready to take her? I can't
+understand the cause of six years' delay."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The reason, most sublime, was, that the grandees of Souffra were not
+endowed with your resplendent wisdom, or the beautiful Babe-bi-bobu had
+not so long languished for a husband. All this delay was produced by
+doubt, which the poets truly declare to be the father of delay. It was a
+doubt which arose in the mind of one of the Brahmins, who, when a doubt
+arose in his mind, would mumble it over and over, but never masticate,
+swallow, or digest it; and thus was the preservation of the royal line
+endangered. For years had the aspirants for regal dignity, and more than
+regal beauty, hovered round the court, each with his mandolin on his
+arm, and a huge packet of love-sonnets borne behind him by a slave, and
+yet all was doubt; and the beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu remained
+unmarried.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I doubt whether we shall ever come to the doubt," interrupted the pacha
+impatiently, "or the princess to a husband."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The doubt shall now be laid at your excellency's feet. It was, as to the
+exact meaning of the words, without _scar_ or _blemish_, and whether
+_moles_ were to be considered as _scars_ or _blemishes_. The Brahmin was
+of opinion that moles _were_ blemishes, and many others agreed with him;
+that is, all those who had no moles on their persons were of his
+opinion; while, on the other hand, those who were favoured by nature
+with those distinguishing marks, declared that so far from their _being_
+scars or blemishes, they must be considered as additional beauties
+granted by heaven to those most favoured. The dispute ran high, and the
+beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu remained unmarried. This great question
+was at last very properly referred to the mufti; these sages handled it,
+and turned it, and twisted it, added to it, multiplied it, subtracted
+from it, and divided it, debated it fasting, debated it on a full
+stomach, nodded over it, dreamt on it, slept on it, woke up with it,
+analysed it, criticised it, and wrote forty-eight folio volumes, of
+which twenty-four were advocates of, and twenty-four opponents to, the
+question; the only conclusion which they could come to at last was, that
+_moles_ were _moles_: and the beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu remained
+unmarried.
+
+The question was then taken up by the dervishes and fakirs of the
+country in a religious point of view; they split into two parties, tried
+the question by a dispute under a banyan tree, which lasted eighteen
+months, and still not half of the holy men had given their sentiments
+upon the question; tired of talking, they proceeded to blows, and then
+to anathematisation and excommunication of each other; lastly, they had
+recourse to impalement to convince each other; more than a thousand
+perished on each side: and still the beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu
+remained unmarried.
+
+The colleges and schools of the kingdom took up the question, and argued
+it metaphysically, and after having irrecoverably lost, between the two
+sides, twenty-two millions of threads of arguments, the question was as
+fresh as ever, and the beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu remained
+unmarried.
+
+But this was not all; for at last the whole nation joined in the
+quarrel, splitting into violent and angry factions, which divided town
+against town, inhabitants against inhabitants, house against house,
+family against family, husband against wife, father against son, brother
+against sister; and in some cases, where he had doubts on both sides, a
+man against himself. The whole nation flew to arms, distinguishing
+themselves as Molists and Anti-Molists; four hundred insurrections, and
+four civil wars, were the consequence; and what was a worse consequence,
+the beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu remained unmarried. Your sublime
+highness must allow that it was a very nice question----
+
+"What is your opinion, Mustapha?" demanded the pacha.
+
+"Is your slave to speak? Then I would say, that it was absurd to make
+such a mountain of a mole-hill."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha. This princess will never be married; so proceed,
+good Menouni."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I should observe to your sublime highness, that the Molists were the
+strongest party, and the most arrogant; not content with wearing the
+marks of nature, they stuck upon their faces fictitious moles of every
+hue and colour, and the most violent partisans appeared as if they were
+suffering from some cutaneous disorder. It was also a singular
+circumstance, that no Molist was ever known to change sides, whereas,
+after bathing, many of the Anti-Molists were found most shamefully to
+apostatise. Everything was disastrous, and the country in a state of
+anarchy and confusion, when the question was most fortunately settled by
+the remark of a little slave about twelve years old, who was regularly
+flogged by his master every morning that he got up, upon a suspicion of
+Molism, and as regularly every evening by his mistress, on a second
+suspicion of Anti-Molism. This poor little fellow whispered to another
+boy, that moles were blemishes or not, just as people happened to think
+them, but, as for his part, he thought nothing about the matter. The
+espionage at that time was so strict, that even a whisper was to be
+heard at the distance of miles, and this observation was reported; it
+certainly was new because it was neutral, when neutrality was not
+permitted or thought of; it was buzzed about; the remark was declared
+wonderful, it ran like wildfire through the suburbs, it roared through
+the city, it shook the very gates of the palace; at last it reached the
+holy in divan, who pronounced it to be inspiration from the Deity, and
+immediately there was issued a solemn edict, in which it was laid down
+as a most positive and important article of Souffrarian faith, that
+moles were not scars, and only blemishes when they were considered so
+to be. Everyone praised the wisdom of this edict; it was read and
+subscribed to as an article of faith; towns greeted towns, house
+congratulated house, and relations shook hands; what was still stranger
+was, husbands and wives were reconciled--and what was even more
+delightful, there was now some chance of the beautiful Princess
+Babe-bi-bobu no longer remaining unmarried.
+
+This fortunate edict, by which it was clear that those who believed a
+mole to be a blemish were quite safe, and those who did not believe it,
+were in no manner of danger, set everything to rights; the metropolis
+was again filled with aspirants, the air tortured with the music of the
+mandolins, and impregnated with the attar of roses. Who can attempt to
+describe the sumptuousness of the palace, and the splendour of the hall
+in which the beautiful princess sat, to receive the homage of the flower
+of the youth of her kingdom. Soothingly soft, sweetly, lovingly soft,
+were the dulcet notes of the warbling Asparas, or singing girls, now
+ebbing, now flowing in tender gushes of melody, while down the sides of
+the elegant and highly pillared hall, now advancing, now retreating, the
+dancing girls, each beautiful as Artee herself in her splendour, seemed
+almost to demand, in their aggregate, that gaze of homage due only to
+the peerless individual who at once burned and languished on her emerald
+throne. Three days had the princess sat in that hall of delight, tired
+and annoyed with the constant stream of the Souffra youths, who
+prostrated themselves and passed on. The fourth morning dawned, and none
+could say that either by gesture, sigh, or look, they had been
+distinguished by even a shadow of preference. And the noble youths
+communed in their despair, and murmured among themselves; many a foot
+was stamped with unbecoming impatience, and many a moustache twisted
+with a pretty indignation. The inhabitants of the capital blamed the
+impetuosity of the youths; to say the least of it, if it were not
+disloyal, it was ungallant, and what was worse, they showed no regard
+for the welfare of the citizens, over whom they each aspired to reign as
+sovereign, for they must be aware that now was the time that the
+citizens, from such an influx of aspirants, were reaping a golden
+harvest. And they added, with great truth, that a princess who had been
+compelled to wait six years to satisfy the doubts of others, had a most
+undeniable right to wait as many days to satisfy her own. On the fourth
+day, the beautiful Babe-bi-bobu again took her seat on the golden
+cushions, with her legs crossed, and her little feet hidden under the
+folds of her loose, azure-coloured satin trousers, and it was supposed
+that there was more brightness in her eyes, and more animation in her
+countenance than on the previous days; but still the crowd passed on
+unnoticed. Even the learned Brahmins, who stood immovable in rows on
+each side of her throne, became impatient: they talked about the
+fickleness of the sex, the impossibility of inducing them to make up
+their minds; they whispered wise saws and sayings from Ferdistan and
+others, about the caprice of women, and the instability of their
+natures, and the more their legs ached from such perpetual demand upon
+their support, the more bitter did they become in their remarks. Poor,
+prosing old fools! the beauteous princess had long made up her mind, and
+had never swerved from it through the tedious six years during which the
+doubts and discussions of those venerable old numskulls had embroiled
+the whole nation in the Molean and Anti-Molean controversy.
+
+It was about the first hour after noon that the beautiful Babe-bi-bobu,
+suddenly rising from her recumbent attitude, clapped her pretty little
+hands, the fingers of which were beautifully tipped with henna, and
+beckoning to her attendants, retired gracefully from the hall of
+audience. The surprise and commotion was great, and what made her
+conduct more particular was, that the only son of the chief Brahmin who
+had first raised the question, and headed the Anti-Molist party, was at
+the moment of the princess's departure, prostrate before the throne,
+with his forehead, indeed, to the ground, but his bosom swelling high
+with hope and ambition.
+
+Within a bower of orange trees, in the deep recesses of the royal
+gardens, to which she had hastened, sat the panting princess. She
+selected some flowers from those which were scattered round her, and
+despatched them to her favourite musician and attendant, Acota. Who was
+there in the whole kingdom of Souffra who could so sweetly touch the
+mandolin as Acota? Yet, who was there, not only in Souffra, but in all
+the adjacent countries, who struck such occasional discordant notes as
+Acota, and that in the ear of the beautiful princess Babe-bi-bobu, who,
+far from being displeased, appeared to approve of his occasional
+violence, which not only threatened to crack the strings of the
+instrument, but the tympanums of those who were near, who longed to
+escape, and leave the princess to enjoy the dissonance alone, little
+thinking that the discord was raised that their souls' harmony might be
+undisturbed by the presence of others, and that the jarring of the
+strings was more than repaid to the princess, by the subsequent music of
+Acota's voice.
+
+Acota seated himself, at a signal from the princess, and commenced his
+playing, if such it could be called, thrumming violently, and jarring
+every chord of his instrument to a tone of such dissonance, that the
+attendant girls put their fingers into their ears, and pitied the
+beautiful Babe-bi-bobu's bad taste in music.
+
+"Ah! Acota," said the princess, opening upon him all the tenderness of
+her large and beaming eyes, "how weary am I of sitting on my cushion,
+and seeing fop after fop, fool after fool, dawdle down upon their faces
+before me; and, moreover, I am suffocated with perfumes. Strike your
+mandolin again louder, beloved of my soul--still louder, that I may be
+further relieved of this unwished-for crowd."
+
+Thereupon, Acota seized his mandolin, and made such an unaccountable
+confusion of false notes, such a horrid jarring, that all the birds
+within one hundred yards shrieked as they fled, and the watchful old
+chamberlain, who was always too near the princess, in her opinion, and
+never near enough, in his own, cried out, "Yah--yah--baba senna, curses
+on his mother, and his mandolin into the bargain!" as his teeth
+chattered; and he hastened away, as fast as his obesity would permit
+him. The faithful damsels who surrounded the princess could neither
+stand it nor sit it any longer--they were in agonies, all their teeth
+were set on edge; and at last, when Acota, with one dreadful crash,
+broke every string of his instrument, they broke loose from the reins of
+duty, and fled in every direction of the garden, leaving the princess
+and Acota alone.
+
+"Beloved of my soul," said the princess, "I have at last invented a plan
+by which our happiness will be secured!" and in a low tone of voice, but
+without looking at each other, that they might not attract the
+observation of the chamberlain, they sweetly communed. Acota listened a
+few minutes to the soft voice of the princess, and then took up his
+broken-stringed mandolin, and with a profound reverence for the benefit
+of the old chamberlain, he departed.
+
+In the meantime, a rumour was spread abroad that at sunset a public
+examination of all the candidates was to take place on the bank of the
+rapid-flowing river, which ran through a spacious meadow near to the
+city, in order to reject those candidates who might prove, by _any scar
+or blemish_ not to come expressly within the meaning of the old king's
+will. Twelve old fakirs, and twenty-four mollahs with spectacles, were
+appointed as examining officers. It was supposed, as this was a
+religious ceremony, that all the females of Souffra, who were remarkable
+for their piety, would not fail to attend--and all the world were eager
+for the commencement of the examination. O then it was pleasant to see
+the running, and mounting, and racing, among the young Souffrarian
+rayahs, who were expected to be examined; and a stranger would have
+thought that a sudden pestilence had entered the city, from the
+thousands upon thousands who poured out from it, hastening to the river
+side, to behold the ceremony. But to the astonishment of the people,
+almost all the rayahs, as soon as they were mounted, left the city in an
+opposite direction, some declaring, that they were most surely without
+_scar or blemish_, but still they could not consent to expose their
+persons to the gaze of so many thousands; others declared, that they
+left on account of _scars and honourable wounds_ received in battle, and
+until that afternoon, the Souffrarians were not aware of how much
+modesty and how much courage they had to boast in their favoured land;
+and many regretted, as they viewed the interminable line of gallant
+young men depart, that the will of the late king should have made scars
+received in battle to be a bar to advancement; but they were checked by
+the Brahmins, who told them that there was a holy and hidden mystery
+contained in the injunction of the old king's will.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"By the beard of the prophet, it takes a long time to get a husband for
+this princess of yours, Menouni," observed the pacha with a yawn.
+
+"Your sublime highness will not be surprised at it, when you consider
+the conditions of the old king's will."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The examination was most strict, and even a small cut was sufficient to
+render a young man ineligible; a corn was considered as a blemish--and a
+young man even having been bled by a leech to save his life, lost him
+all chance of the princess.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Pray may I ask, if a barber had cut the skin in shaving their heads,
+was that considered as a scar?"
+
+"Most decidedly, your highness."
+
+"Then those fakirs and mollahs, with their spectacles, and the Brahmins,
+were a parcel of fools. Were they not, Mustapha?"
+
+"Your highness's wisdom is like the overflowing of the honey pot,"
+replied Mustapha.
+
+"Your know, Mustapha, as well as I do, that it is almost impossible not
+to draw blood, if there happens to be a pimple, or a bad razor; but,
+however, proceed, Menouni, and if possible marry this beautiful
+princess."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+About two hours before sunset the beautiful Babe-bi-bobu, "the
+cream-tart of delight," more splendidly dressed than before, again
+entered the hall of audience, and found to her surprise, that there
+remained out of the many thousands of young rayahs, not fifty who could
+pretend to the honour of her hand and throne. Among them, no longer
+dressed as a musician, but robed in the costume of his high caste, stood
+the conscious and proud Acota, and, although his jewels might not have
+vied with those worn by others who stood by him, yet the brightness of
+his eyes more than compensated. Next to Acota stood Mezrimbi, the son of
+the chief Brahmin, and he, only, could be compared to Acota in personal
+beauty; but his character was known--he was proud, overbearing, and
+cruel. The beauteous Babe-bi-bobu feared him, for there was a clause in
+her father's will, by which, if the first choice of the princess should
+prove by any intermediate accident to be ineligible, his father, the
+chief Brahmin, was empowered to make a selection for the princess, and
+his decision was to be equally inviolable. The beauteous eyes of the
+princess first lighted upon the form of Mezrimbi, and she trembled, but
+the proud bearing of Acota reassured her, and waving her hand as she
+sat, she addressed the assembled youths as follows:--
+
+"Faithful and gentle rayahs, impute it to no want of modesty that, for
+once, I sink the graceful bashfulness of the virgin, and assume the more
+forward deportment of the queen. When all appear to possess such merit,
+how can I slight all but one by my decision? Let me rather leave it to
+the immortal Vishnu to decide who is most worthy to reign over this our
+kingdom of Souffra. Let Vishnu prompt you to read your destiny; I have
+placed a flower in this unworthy bosom, which is shortly to call one of
+you its lord. Name then, the flower, and he who first shall name it, let
+him be proclaimed the lawful king of Souffra. Take then, your
+instruments, noble rayahs, and to their sounds, in measured verse, pour
+out the name of the hidden flower, and the reason for my choice. Thus
+shall fate decide the question, and no one say that his merits have been
+slighted."
+
+Having finished her address, the beauteous princess let fall her veil,
+and was silent. A shout of applause was followed by wild strummings and
+tunings of mandolins, and occasional scratching of heads or turbans, to
+remember all that Hafiz had ever written, or to aid their attempts at
+improviso versification. Time flew on, and no one of the young rayahs
+appeared inclined to begin. At last one stepped forward, and named the
+rose, in a borrowed couplet. He was dismissed with a graceful wave of
+the hand by the princess, and broke his mandolin in his vexation, as he
+quitted the hall of audience. And thus did they continue, one after
+another, to name flower after flower, and quit the hall of audience in
+despair. Then might these beautiful youths, as they all stood before the
+princess, be compared, themselves, to the most beauteous flowers, strong
+rooted in their hopes, and basking in the sun of her presence; and, as
+their hopes were cut off, what were they but the same flowers severed
+from their stalks, and drooping before the sunny beams, now too powerful
+to be borne, or loaded with the dew of tears, removed to fade away
+unheeded? There were but few left, when Mezrimbi, who had, as he
+thought, hit upon the right name, and who, watching the countenance of
+Acota, which had an air of impatient indifference upon it, which induced
+Mezrimbi to suppose that he had lighted upon the same idea, and might
+forestall him, stepped forward with his mandolin. Mezrimbi was
+considered one of the best poets in Souffra; in fact, he had every
+talent, but not one virtue. He bent forward in an elegant attitude, and
+sang as follows:--
+
+  "Who does the nightingale love? Alas! we
+  Know. She sings of her love in the silence of
+  Night, and never tells the name of her adored one.
+
+  "What are flowers but the language of love?
+  And does not the nightingale rest her breast
+  Upon the thorn as she pours out her plaintive notes?
+
+  "Take then out of thy bosom the sweet flower of May
+  Which is hidden there, emblematical of thy love,
+  And the pleasing pain that it has occasioned."
+
+When Mezrimbi had finished the two first verses, the beauteous princess
+started with fear that he had gained her secret, and it was with a
+feeling of agony that she listened to the last; agony succeeded by a
+flow of joy, at his not having been successful. Impatiently she waved
+her hand, and as impatiently did Mezrimbi depart from her presence.
+
+Acota then stepped forward, and after a prelude, the beauty of which
+astonished all those around the queen's person, for they had no idea
+that he could play in tune, sang in a clear melodious voice the
+following stanzas:--
+
+  "Sweet, blushing cheek! the rose is there,
+  Thy breath, the fragrance of its bowers;
+  Lilies are on thy bosom fair,
+  And e'en thy very words seem flowers.
+
+  "But lily, rose, or flower, that blows
+  In India's garden, on thy breast
+  Must meet its death--by breathing sweets
+  Where it were ecstasy to rest.
+
+  "A blossom from a nettle ta'en,
+  Is in thy beauteous bosom bound,
+  Born amid stings, it gives no pain,
+  'Tis sweetness among venom found."
+
+Acota was silent. The beauteous princess, as the minstrel finished, rose
+slowly and tremulously from her cushions, and taking the blossom of a
+nettle from her bosom, placed it in the hands of the happy Acota,
+saying, with a great deal of piety, "It is the will of Heaven."
+
+"But how was it possible for Acota to find out that the princess had a
+nettle blossom in her bosom?" interrupted the pacha. "No man could ever
+have guessed it. I can't make that out. Can you, Mustapha?"
+
+"Your sublime highness is right; no man ever could have guessed such a
+thing," replied Mustapha. "There is but one way to account for it, which
+is, that the princess must have told him her intentions when they were
+alone in the royal garden."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha--well, thank Allah, the princess is married at
+last."
+
+"I beg pardon of your sublime highness, but the beauteous princess is
+not yet married," said Menouni; "the story is not yet finished."
+
+"Wallah el nebi!" exclaimed the pacha. "By God and his prophet, is she
+never to be married?"
+
+"Yes, your sublime highness, but not just yet. Shall I proceed?"
+
+"Yes, Menouni, and the faster you get on the better."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Amidst the cries of 'Long live Acota, Souffraria's legitimate king.'"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Legitimate. Pray, good Menouni, what may that word mean?"
+
+"Legitimate, your sublime highness, implies that a king and his
+descendants are chosen by Allah to reign over a people."
+
+"Well, but I don't see that Allah had much to do with the choice of
+Acota."
+
+"Nor with the choice of any other king, I suspect, your sublime
+highness; but still the people were made to believe so, and that is all
+that is sufficient. Allah does not interfere in the choice of any but
+those who reign over true believers. The Sultan is the Holy Prophet's
+vicegerent on earth--and he, guided by the prophet, invests virtue and
+wisdom with the Kalaats of dignity, in the persons of his pachas."
+
+"Very true," said the pacha, "the Sultan is guided by Allah, and,"
+continued he in a low tone to Mustapha, "a few hundred purses to boot.
+Menouni, you may proceed."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Amidst the cries of "Long live Acota, Souffraria's legitimate king!"
+Acota was led to the throne by the attendant grandees of the nation,
+where he received the homage of all present. It was arranged by the
+grandees and mollahs that the marriage should take place the next day.
+The assembly broke up, and hastened in every direction to make
+preparations for the expected ceremony.
+
+But who can describe the jealousy, the envy, and the indignation which
+swelled in the breasts of Mezrimbi and his father, the chief Brahmin?
+They met, they consulted, they planned, and they schemed. Acota was not
+yet king, although he was proclaimed as such--he was not king until his
+marriage with the beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu, "the cream-tart of
+delight," and should he be scarred or blemished before the marriage of
+the ensuing day, then must the Brahmin, by the will of the old king,
+choose his successor; and who could he choose but his own son?
+
+"Father," said young Mezrimbi, his beautiful countenance distorted by
+the vilest passions of Jehanum, "I have planned as follows:--I have
+mutes ready to obey my wishes, and a corrosive burning acid, which will
+eat deeply into the flesh of the proud Acota. I know that he will pass
+the time away in the garden of the royal grove. I know even the bower in
+which he hath wooed and won the fair princess. Let us call these mutes,
+explain to them what we wish, and by to-morrow's sun the throne of
+Souffraria will fall to the race of Mezrimbi. Are we not of the purest
+blood of the plains, and is not Acota but a rayah of the mountains?"
+
+And the chief Brahmin was pleased with his son's proposal; the mutes
+were summoned, the black, tongueless, everythingless, hideous creatures,
+bowed in their humility, and followed their master, who, with the chief
+Brahmin, ventured by a circuitous route to invade the precincts of the
+royal grove. Slowly and cautiously did they proceed towards the bower,
+where, as Mezrimbi had truly said, Acota was waiting for his beloved
+princess. Fortunately, as they approached, a disturbed snake, hissing in
+his anger, caused an exclamation from the old Brahmin, which aroused
+Acota from his delicious reverie. Through the foliage he perceived and
+recognised Mezrimbi, his father, and the mutes. Convinced that they
+meditated mischief towards himself, he secreted himself among the
+rose-bushes, lying prostrate on the ground; but in his haste, he left
+his cloak and mandolin. Mezrimbi entered the bower, and explained to the
+mutes by signs what it was which he desired, showed them the cloak and
+mandolin to make known the object of his wrath, and put into their hands
+the bottle of corrosive acid. They satisfied him that they comprehended
+his wishes, and the party then retired, the chief Brahmin quitting the
+grove for his own house, the mutes lying in wait under some bushes for
+the arrival of Acota, and Mezrimbi walking away into the recesses of the
+grove, anxious as to the issue of the plot. Acota, perfectly aware of
+what was intended, laughed in his sleeve, and thanked Allah for this
+fortunate discovery; he crawled away on his hands and knees, so as not
+to be perceived, and hid himself, with his cloak and mandolin, watching
+in turn the motions of the others--and thus did all parties watch until
+the sun descended behind the blue hills which divided the kingdom of
+Souffraria from that of the other kingdom, which my treacherous memory
+has dared to forget in your highness's sublime presence. Mezrimbi was
+the only one who was not motionless: he paced up and down in all the
+anxiety of anticipation and doubt, and at last he stopped, and, tired
+out with contending feelings, sat down at the foot of a tree, close to
+where Acota was concealed. The nightingale was pouring forth her sweet
+melody, and, friendly to lovers, she continued it until Mezrimbi, who
+had listened to it, and whose angry feelings had been soothed with her
+dulcet strains, fell fast asleep. Acota perceived it, and approaching
+him softly, laid his cloak over him, and taking up his mandolin, struck
+a chord, which he knew would not be lost upon the quick-eared mutes,
+although not so loud as to awake Mezrimbi. Acota was right; in a minute
+he perceived the dark beings crawling through the underwood like jackals
+who had scented out their prey, and Acota was again concealed in the
+thick foliage. They approached like shadows in the dark, and perceived
+the sleeping Mezrimbi with the cloak of Acota and the mandolin, which
+Acota, after striking it, had laid by his side. It was sufficient.
+Mezrimbi's face was covered with the burning acid before even he was
+awakened; his screams were smothered in a shawl, and satisfied with
+having obeyed the injunctions of their master, the mutes hastened back
+to report their success, taking, however, the precaution of tying the
+hands and feet of Mezrimbi, that he might not go home to receive any
+help in his distress. They escaped out of the gardens, and reported to
+the chief Brahmin the success of the operations, and how they had left
+him, Acota, in the woods. The old Mezrimbi, upon reflection, thought it
+advisable that the person of Acota should be in his power, that he might
+be able to produce him when required upon the ensuing day. He therefore
+desired the mutes to go back and bring Acota to the house, keeping a
+strict guard that he might not escape.
+
+When the mutes had quitted Mezrimbi, Acota rose from his hiding place,
+and went towards the unfortunate wretch, who still groaned with pain,
+but his face was muffled up in the shawl, so that his features were
+hidden. At first Acota had intended to have reviled and scoffed at his
+treacherous enemy, but his good heart forbade it. Another idea then came
+into his head. He took off the cloak of Mezrimbi, and substituted his
+own; he exchanged turbans and scimitars, and then left him and went
+home. Shortly after Acota had quitted the wood, the mutes returned,
+lifted the miserable Mezrimbi on their shoulders and carried him to the
+house of the chief Brahmin, who having ordered him to be guarded in an
+outhouse, said his prayers and went to bed.
+
+The sun rose and poured his beaming rays upon the land of Souffraria,
+and thousands and thousands of the inhabitants had risen before him, to
+prepare for the day of delight, the day on which they were to be blessed
+with a king--the day on which the beauteous Princess Babe-bi-bobu, the
+cream-tart of delight, was no longer to remain unmarried. Silks and
+satins from China, shawls and scarfs from Cashmere, jewels, and gold,
+and diamonds--horses, and camels, and elephants, were to be seen spread
+over the plains, and the city of Souffra. All was joy, and jubilee, and
+feasting, and talking, for the beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu was that
+day to be married.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I wish to heaven she was," observed the pacha, impatiently.
+
+"May it please your sublime highness, she soon will be."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+At an early hour the proclamation was made that the princess was about
+to take unto herself a husband from the high caste youths of Souffra,
+and that all whom it might concern should repair to the palace, to be
+present at the ceremony. As it concerned all Souffra--all Souffra was
+there. The sun had nearly reached to the zenith, and looked down almost
+enviously upon the gay scene beneath, broiling the brains of the good
+people of Souffra, whose heads paved, as it were, the country for ten
+square miles, when the beauteous Princess Babe-bi-bobu made her
+appearance in the hall of audience, attended by her maidens and the
+grandees of Souffra, who were the executors to her father's will. At the
+head of them was the chief Brahmin, who looked anxiously among the crowd
+for his son Mezrimbi, who had not made his appearance that morning. At
+last he espied his rich dress, his mantle, his turban and jewelled
+scimitar, but his face was muffled up in a shawl, and the chief Brahmin
+smiled at the witty conceit of his son, that of having his own beauteous
+person muffled as well as that of the now _scarred_ Acota. And then
+silence was commanded by a thousand brazen trumpets, and enforced by the
+discharge of two thousand pieces of artillery, ten square miles of
+people repeated the order for silence, in loud and reiterated
+shouts--and at last silence obeyed the order, and there was silence. The
+chief Brahmin rose, and having delivered an extemporaneous prayer,
+suitable to the solemnity and importance of the occasion, he proceeded
+to read the will of the late king--he then descanted upon the Molean
+controversy, and how it was now an article of the Souffrarian faith,
+which it was heresy and impalement not to believe, that "moles were not
+scars, and only blemishes when they were considered so to be." The
+choice of the princess, continued the learned Brahmin, has however not
+been made; she has left to chance that which was to have proceeded from
+her own free will, and that without consulting with the ministers of our
+holy religion. My heart told me yesterday that such was not right, and
+contrary not only to the king's will, but the will of Heaven; and I
+communed deeply on the subject after I had prayed nine times--and a
+dream descended on me in my sleep, and I was told that the conditions of
+the will would be fulfilled. How to explain this answer from above I
+know not: perhaps the youth who was fortunate in discovering the flower,
+is also the youth of the princess's choice.
+
+"Even so," replied the princess, in a soft, melodious voice, "and
+therefore is my father's will obeyed."
+
+"Where, then, is the fortunate youth?" said the chief Brahmin; "let him
+appear."
+
+Babe-bi-bobu, who, as well as others, had in vain looked round for
+Acota, was astonished at his not making his appearance, and still more
+so when he did, as they thought, appear, led in by the four black mutes,
+with his face enveloped in a shawl.
+
+"This, then," said the chief Brahmin, "is the favoured youth, Acota.
+Remove the shawl, and lead him to the princess."
+
+The mutes obeyed, and to the horror of Babe-bi-bobu, there stood Acota,
+as she thought, with a face so scarred and burnt, that his features were
+not distinguishable. She started from her throne, uttered one wild
+shriek, which was said to have been heard by the whole ten square miles
+of population, and fainted in the arms of her attendants.
+
+"We know his dress, most noble grandees," continued the chief Brahmin,
+"but how can we recognise in that object, the youth without scar or
+blemish? It is the will of Heaven," continued the chief Brahmin, piously
+and reverently bending low. And all the other grandees replied in the
+same pious manner, "It is the will of Heaven." "I say," continued the
+chief Brahmin, "that this must have been occasioned by the princess not
+having chosen as ordained by the will of her father, but having
+impiously left to chance what was to have been decided by free will. Is
+not the hand, the finger of Providence made manifest?" continued he,
+appealing to the grandees. And they all bowed low, and declared that the
+hand and finger of Providence were manifest; while the mutes, who knew
+that it was their hands and fingers which had done the deed, chuckled as
+well as they could with the remnants of their tongues. "And now,"
+continued the chief Brahmin, "we must obey the will of the late king,
+which expressly states, that if any accident should happen after the
+choice of the princess had been made, that I, the chief of our holy
+religion, should select her husband. By virtue, then, of my power, I
+call thee forth, my son, Mezrimbi, to take his place. Bow down to
+Mezrimbi, the future king of Souffraria."
+
+Acota, muffled up to the eyes, and dressed in the garments of Mezrimbi,
+stepped forth, and the chief Brahmin, and all present, in pursuance to
+his order, prostrated themselves before Acota, with their foreheads in
+the dust. Acota took that opportunity of removing the shawl, and, when
+they rose up, stood by the throne, resplendent in his beauty and his
+pride. At the sight of him, the chief Brahmin raised a cry, which was
+heard, not only further than the shriek of the beautiful Princess
+Babe-bi-bobu, but had the effect of recalling her to life and
+recollection. All joined in the cry of astonishment when they beheld
+Acota in the garments of Mezrimbi.
+
+"Who, then, art thou?" exclaimed the chief Brahmin, to his son, in
+Acota's dress.
+
+"I am," exclaimed his son, exhausted with pain and mortification, "I
+am--I was Mezrimbi."
+
+"Grandees," cried Acota, "as the chief Brahmin has already asserted, and
+as you have agreed, in that you behold the finger of Heaven, which ever
+punishes hypocrisy, cruelty, and injustice;" and the chief Brahmin fell
+down in a fit, and was carried out, with his unfortunate son Mezrimbi.
+
+In the meantime the beauteous Princess Babe-bi-bobu had recovered, and
+was in the arms of Acota, who, resigning her to her attendant maidens,
+addressed the assembly in a speech of so much eloquence, so much beauty,
+and so much force, that it was written down in letters of gold, being
+considered the _ne plus ultra_ of the Souffrarian language; he explained
+to them the nefarious attempt of Mezrimbi to counteract the will of
+Heaven, and how he had fallen into the snare which he had laid for
+others. And when he had finished, the whole assembly hailed him as their
+king; and the population, whose heads paved, as it were, a space of ten
+square miles, cried out, "Long life to the king Acota, and his beautiful
+princess Babe-bi-bobu, the cream-tart of delight!"
+
+Who can attempt to describe the magnificent procession which took place
+that evening, who can describe the proud and splendid bearing of king
+Acota, or the beaming eyes of the beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu. Shall
+I narrate how the nightingales sang themselves to death--shall I----
+
+"No, pray don't," interrupted the pacha, "only let us know one
+thing--was the beautiful Babe-bi-bobu married at last?"
+
+"She was, that very evening, your sublime highness."
+
+"Allah be praised!" rejoined the pacha. "Mustapha, let Menouni know what
+it is to tell a story to a pacha, even though it is rather a long one,
+and I thought the princess would never have been married." And the pacha
+rose and waddled to his harem.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XV
+
+
+On the ensuing day, the pacha was sitting at his divan, according to his
+custom, Mustapha by his side, lending his ear to the whispers of divers
+people who came to him in an attitude of profound respect. Still they
+were most graciously received, as the purport of their intrusion was to
+induce the vizier to interest himself in their behalves when their cause
+came forward to be heard and decided upon by the pacha, who in all cases
+was guided by the whispered opinion of Mustapha. Mustapha was a
+good-hearted man: he was always grateful, and if any one did him a good
+turn, he never forgot it. The consequence was, that an intimation that a
+purse of so many sequins would be laid at his feet if the cause to be
+heard was decided in favour of the applicant, invariably interested
+Mustapha in the favour of that party; and Mustapha's opinion was always
+coincided in by the pacha, because he had (or supposed that he had) half
+of the sequins so obtained. True, the proverb says, "you should be just
+before you are generous;" but Mustapha's arguments when he first
+proposed to the pacha this method of filling the royal treasury, were so
+excellent, that we shall hand them down to posterity. "In the first
+place," said Mustapha, "it is evident that in all these causes the
+plaintiffs and defendants are both rascals. In the second place, it is
+impossible to believe a word on either side. In the third place,
+exercising the best of your judgment, you are just as likely to go wrong
+as right. In the fourth place, if a man happens to be wronged by our
+decision, he deserves it as a punishment for his other misdeeds. In the
+fifth place, as the only respectability existing in either party
+consists in their worldly wealth, by deciding for him who gives most,
+you decide for the most respectable man. In the sixth place, it is our
+duty to be grateful for good done to us, and in so deciding, we exercise
+a virtue strongly inculcated by the Koran. In the seventh place, we
+benefit both parties by deciding quickly, as a loss is better than a
+lawsuit. And in the eighth and last place, we want money."
+
+On this day a cause was being heard, and, although weighty reasons had
+already decided the verdict, still, _pro formâ_, the witnesses on both
+sides were examined; one of these, upon being asked whether he witnessed
+the proceedings, replied, "That he had no doubt, but there was doubt on
+the subject, but that he doubted whether the doubts were correct."
+
+"Doubt--no doubt--what is all this? do you laugh at our beards?" said
+Mustapha sternly, who always made a show of justice. "Is it the fact or
+not?"
+
+"Your highness, I seldom met a fact, as it is called, without having
+half a dozen doubts hanging to it," replied the man: "I will not,
+therefore, make any assertion without the reservation of a doubt."
+
+"Answer me plainly," replied the vizier, "or the ferashes and bamboo
+will be busy with you very shortly. Did you see the money paid?"
+
+"I believe as much as I can believe any thing in this world, that I did
+see money paid; but I doubt the sum, and I doubt the metal, and I have
+also my other doubts. May it please your highness, I am an unfortunate
+man, I have been under the influence of doubts from my birth; and it has
+become a disease which I have no doubt will only end with my existence.
+I always doubt a fact, unless----"
+
+"What does the ass say? What is all this but Bosh?--nothing. Let him
+have a fact."
+
+The pacha gave the sign--the ferashes appeared--the man was thrown, and
+received fifty blows of the bastinado. The pacha then commanded them to
+desist. "Now, by our beard, is it not a fact that you have received the
+bastinado? If you still doubt the fact, we will proceed."
+
+"The fact is beyond a doubt," replied the man, prostrating himself. "But
+excuse me, your sublime highness, if I do continue to assert that I
+cannot always acknowledge a fact, without such undeniable proofs as your
+wisdom has been pleased to bring forward. If your highness were to hear
+the history of my life, you would then allow that I have cause to
+doubt."
+
+"History of his life! Mustapha, we shall have a story."
+
+"Another fifty blows on his feet would remove all his doubts, your
+highness," replied Mustapha.
+
+"Yes; but then he will be beaten out of his story. No, no; let him be
+taken away till the evening, and then we shall see how he will make out
+his case."
+
+Mustapha gave directions, in obedience to the wish of the pacha. In the
+evening, as soon as they had lighted their pipes, the man was ordered
+in, and in consideration of his swelled feet, was permitted to sit down,
+that he might be more at ease when he narrated his story, which was as
+follows.
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF HUDUSI.
+
+Most sublime pacha, allow me first to observe, that, although I have
+latterly adhered to my own opinions, I am not so intolerant as not to
+permit the same licence to others: I do not mean to say that there are
+not such things as facts in this world, nor to find fault with those who
+believe in them. I am told that there are also such things as flying
+dragons, griffins, and other wondrous animals, but surely it is quite
+sufficient for me, or any one else, to believe that these animals
+exist, when it may have been our fortune to see them; in the same
+manner, I am willing to believe in a fact, when it is cleared from the
+mists of doubt; but up to the present, I can safely say, that I seldom
+have fallen in with a fact, unaccompanied by _doubts_, and every year
+adds to my belief, that there are few genuine facts in existence. So
+interwoven in my frame is doubt, that I sometimes am unwilling to admit,
+as a fact, that I exist. I believe it to be the case, but I feel that I
+have no right to assert it, until I know what death is, and may from
+thence draw an inference, which may lead me to a just conclusion.
+
+My name is Hudusi. Of my parents I can say little. My father asserted
+that he was the bravest janissary in the sultan's employ, and had
+greatly distinguished himself. He was always talking of Rustam, as being
+a fool compared to him; of the number of battles he had fought, and of
+the wounds which he had received in leading his corps on all desperate
+occasions; but as my father often bathed before me, and the only wound I
+could ever perceive was one in his rear, when he spoke of his bravery, I
+_very much doubted the fact_.
+
+My mother fondled and made much of me, declared that I was the image of
+my father, a sweet pledge of their affections, a blessing sent by Heaven
+upon their marriage; but, as my father's nose was aquiline, and mine is
+a snub, or aquiline reversed; his mouth large, and mine small; his eyes
+red and ferrety, and mine projecting; and, moreover, as she was a very
+handsome woman, and used to pay frequent visits to the cave of a sainted
+man in high repute, of whom I was the image, when she talked of the
+janissary's paternity, I _very much doubted the fact_.
+
+An old mollah taught me to read and write and repeat the verses of the
+Koran--and I was as much advanced as any boy under his charge--but he
+disliked me very much for reasons which I never could understand, and
+was eternally giving me the slipper. He declared that I was a reprobate,
+an unbeliever, a son of Jehanum, who would be impaled before I was much
+older; but here I am, without a stake through my body at the age of
+forty-five; and your highness must acknowledge that when he railed all
+this in my ears, I was justified in _very much doubting the fact_.
+
+When I was grown up, my father wanted me to enrol myself in the corps of
+janissaries, and become a lion-killer like himself; I remonstrated, but
+in vain; he applied, and I was accepted, and received the mark on my
+arm, which constituted me a janissary. I put on the dress, swaggered and
+bullied with many other young men of my acquaintance, who were all
+ready, as they swore, to eat their enemies alive, and who curled their
+mustachios to prove the truth of what they said. We were despatched to
+quell a rebellious pacha--we bore down upon his troops with a shout,
+enough to frighten the devil, but the devil a bit were they frightened,
+they stood their ground; and as they would not run, we did, leaving
+those who were not so wise, to be cut to pieces. After this, when any of
+my companions talked of their bravery, or my father declared that he
+should be soon promoted to the rank of a Spahi, and that I was a lion's
+whelp, I _very much doubted the fact_.
+
+The pacha held out much longer than was at first anticipated; indeed, so
+long as to cause no little degree of anxiety in the capital. More troops
+were despatched to subdue him; and success not attending our efforts,
+the vizier, according to the custom, was under the disagreeable
+necessity of parting with his head, which was demanded because we turned
+tail. Indeed, it was to oblige us, that the sultan consented to deprive
+himself of the services of a very able man; for we surrounded the
+palace, and insisted that it was all his fault, but, considering our
+behaviour in the field of battle, your highness must admit that there
+was reason to _doubt the fact_.
+
+We were again despatched against this rebellious pacha, who sat upon the
+parapets of his stronghold, paying down thirty sequins for the head of
+every janissary brought to him by his own troops, and I am afraid a
+great deal of money was spent in that way. We fell into an ambuscade,
+and one half of the corps to which my father belonged were cut to
+pieces, before we could receive any assistance. At last the enemy
+retired. I looked for my father, and found him expiring; as before, he
+had received a wound on the wrong side, a spear having transfixed him
+between the shoulders. "Tell how I died like a brave man," said he, "and
+tell your mother that I am gone to Paradise." From an intimate knowledge
+of my honoured father's character, in the qualities of thief, liar, and
+coward, although I promised to deliver the message, _I very much doubted
+these facts_.
+
+That your highness may understand how it was that I happened to be left
+alone, and alive on the field of battle, I must inform you, that I
+inherited a considerable portion of my father's courageous temper, and
+not much liking the snapping of the pistols in my face, I had thrown
+myself down on the ground, and had remained there very quietly,
+preferring to be trampled on, rather than interfere with what was going
+on above.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"By the sword of the prophet! there is one fact--you were a very great
+coward," observed the pacha.
+
+"Among my other doubts, your highness, I certainly have some doubts as
+to my bravery."
+
+"By the beard of the pacha, I have no doubts on the subject," observed
+Mustapha.
+
+"Without attempting to defend my courage, may I observe to your
+highness, that it was a matter of perfect indifference to me whether the
+sultan or the pacha was victorious; and I did not much admire hard
+blows, without having an opportunity of putting a few sequins in my
+pocket. I never knew of any man, however brave he might be, who fought
+for love of fighting, or amusement; we all are trying in this world to
+get money; and that is, I believe, the secret spring of all our
+actions."
+
+"Is that true, Mustapha?" inquired the pacha.
+
+"May it please your sublime highness, if not the truth, it is not very
+far from it. Proceed, Hudusi."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The ideas which I have ventured to express before your sublime highness,
+were running in my mind, as I sat down among the dead and dying, and I
+thought how much better off were the pacha's soldiers than those of our
+sublime sultan, who had nothing but hard blows, while the pacha's
+soldiers received thirty sequins for the head of everyone of our corps
+of janissaries; and one idea breeding another, I reflected that it would
+be very prudent, now that the pacha appeared to be gaining the
+advantage, to be on the right side. Having made up my mind upon this
+point, it then occurred to me, that I might as well get a few sequins by
+the exchange, and make my appearance before the pacha, with one or two
+of the heads of the janissaries, who were lying close to me. I therefore
+divested myself of whatever might give the idea of my belonging to the
+corps, took off the heads and rifled the pockets of three janissaries,
+and was about to depart, when I thought of my honoured father, and
+turned back to take a last farewell. It was cruel to part with a parent,
+and I could not make up my mind to part with him altogether, so I added
+his head, and the contents of his sash, to those of the other three, and
+smearing my face and person with blood, with my scimitar in my hand and
+the four heads tied up in a bundle, made my way for the pacha's
+stronghold; but the skirmishing was still going on outside of the walls,
+and I narrowly escaped a corps of janissaries, who would have recognised
+me. As it was, two of them followed me as I made for the gate of the
+fortress; and, encumbered as I was, I was forced to turn at bay. No man
+fights better than, and even a man who otherwise would not fight at all,
+will fight well, when he can't help it. I never was so brave in my life.
+I cut down one, and the other ran away, and this in the presence of the
+pacha, who was seated on the embrasure at the top of the wall; and thus
+I gained my entrance into the fort. I hastened to the pacha's presence,
+and laid at his feet the four heads. The pacha was so pleased at my
+extraordinary valour, that he threw me a purse of five hundred pieces of
+gold, and ordered me to be promoted, asking me to what division of his
+troops I belonged. I replied, that I was a volunteer. I was made an
+officer, and thus did I find myself a rich man and a man of consequence
+by merely changing sides.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"That's not quite so uncommon a method of getting on in the world as you
+may imagine," observed Mustapha, drily.
+
+"Mustapha," said the pacha, almost gasping, "all these are words,
+wind--bosh. By the fountains that play round the throne of Mahomet, but
+my throat feels as hot and as dry with this fellow's doubts, as if it
+were paved with live cinders. I doubt whether we shall be able ever to
+moisten it again."
+
+"That doubt, your sublimity ought to resolve immediately. Hudusi,
+murakhas--my friend, you are dismissed."
+
+Hardly had the doubter gathered up his slippers, and backed out from the
+presence, when the pacha and his minister were, with an honest rivalry,
+endeavouring to remove at once their doubts and their thirst, and were
+so successful in their attempts, that they, in a short time, exchanged
+their state of dubiety into a very happy one of ebriety.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XVI
+
+
+The next morning the pacha and his minister, after the business of the
+divan, with their heads aching from the doubts of Hudusi, or the means
+that they had taken to refute them, in not the best humour in the world
+listened to the continuation of them as follows:--
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I have heard it observed, continued Hudusi, that the sudden possession
+of gold will make a brave man cautious, and he who is not brave, still
+more dastardly than he was before. It certainly was the case with me; my
+five hundred pieces of gold had such an effect, that everything in the
+shape of valour oozed out at my fingers' ends. I reflected again, and
+the result was that I determined to have nothing more to do with the
+business, and that neither the sultan nor the pacha should be the better
+for my exertions. That night we made a sally; and as I was considered a
+prodigy of valour, I was one of those who were ordered to lead on my
+troop. I curled my moustachios, swore I would not leave a janissary
+alive, flourished my scimitar, marched out at the head of my troop, and
+then took to my heels, and in two days arrived safely at my mother's
+house. As soon as I entered, I tore my turban, and threw dust upon my
+head, in honour of my father's memory, and then sat down. My mother
+embraced me--we were alone.
+
+"And your father? Is it for him that we are to mourn?"
+
+"Yes," replied I, "he was a lion, and he is in Paradise."
+
+My mother commenced a bitter lamentation; but of a sudden recollecting
+herself, she said, "But, Hudusi, it's no use tearing one's hair and good
+clothes for nothing. Are you sure that your father is dead?"
+
+"Quite sure," replied I. "I saw him down."
+
+"But he may only be wounded," replied my mother.
+
+"Not so, my dearest mother, abandon all hope, for I saw his head off."
+
+"Are you sure it was his body that you saw with the head off?"
+
+"Quite sure, dear mother, for I was a witness to its being cut off."
+
+"If that is the case," replied my mother, "he can never come back again,
+that's clear. Allah acbar--God is great. Then must we mourn." And my
+mother ran out into the street before the door, shrieking and screaming,
+tearing her hair and her garments, so as to draw the attention and
+sympathy of all her neighbours, who asked her what was the matter. "Ah!
+wahi, the head of my house is no more," cried she, "my heart is all
+bitterness--my soul is dried up--my liver is but as water; ah! wahi, ah!
+wahi," and she continued to weep and tear her hair, refusing all
+consolation. The neighbours came to her assistance; they talked to her,
+they reasoned with her, restrained her violence, and soothed her into
+quietness. They all declared that it was a heavy loss, but that a true
+believer had gone to Paradise; and they all agreed that no woman's
+conduct could be more exemplary, that no woman was ever more fond of her
+husband. I said nothing, but I must acknowledge that, from her previous
+conversation with me, and the quantity of pilau which she devoured that
+evening for her supper, I _very much doubted the fact_.
+
+I did not remain long at home, as, although it was my duty to acquaint
+my mother with my father's death, it was also my duty to appear to
+return to my corps. This I had resolved never more to do. I reflected
+that a life of quiet and ease was best suited to my disposition, and I
+resolved to join some religious sect. Before I quitted my mother's roof
+I gave her thirty sequins, which she was most thankful for, as she was
+in straitened circumstances. "Ah!" cried she, as she wrapt up the money
+carefully in a piece of rag, "if you could only have brought back your
+poor father's head, Hudusi!"--I might have told her that she had just
+received what I had sold it for--but I thought it just as well to say
+nothing about it; so I embraced her, and departed.
+
+There was a sort of dervishes, who had taken up their quarters about
+seven miles from the village where my mother resided, and as they never
+remained long in one place, I hastened to join them. On my arrival, I
+requested to speak with their chief, and imagining that I was come with
+the request of prayers to be offered up on behalf of some wished-for
+object, I was admitted.
+
+"Khoda shefa midêhed--God gives relief," said the old man. "What wishest
+thou, my son? Khosh amedeed--you are welcome."
+
+I stated my wish to enter into the sect, from a religious feeling; and
+requested that I might be permitted.
+
+"Thou knowest not what thou askest, my son. Ours is a hard life, one of
+penitence, prostration, and prayer--our food is but of herbs and the
+water of the spring; our rest is broken, and we know not where to lay
+our heads. Depart, yaha bibi, my friend, depart in peace."
+
+"But, father," replied I (for to tell your highness the truth,
+notwithstanding the old man's assertions, as to their austerities of
+life, I very much doubted the fact), "I am prepared for all this, if
+necessary, and even more. I have brought my little wealth to add to the
+store, and contribute to the welfare of your holy band; and I must not
+be denied." I perceived that the old man's eyes twinkled at the bare
+mention of gold, and I drew from my sash five-and-twenty sequins, which
+I had separated from my hoard, with the intention of offering it. "See,
+holy father," continued I, "the offering which I would make."
+
+"Barik Allah--praise be to God," exclaimed the dervish, "that he has
+sent us a true believer. Thy offering is accepted, but thou must not
+expect yet to enter into the austerities of our holy order. I have many
+disciples here, who wear the dress, and yet they are not as regular as
+good dervishes should be; but there is a time for all things, and when
+their appetite to do wrong fails them, they will (Inshallah, please
+God), in all probability, become more holy and devout men. You are
+accepted." And the old man held out his hand for the money, which he
+clutched with eagerness, and hid away under his garment. "Ali," said he
+to one of the dervishes who had stood at some distance during my
+audience, "this young man--what is your name--Hudusi--is admitted into
+our fraternity. Take him with thee, give him a dress of the order, and
+let him be initiated into our mysteries, first demanding from him the
+oath of secrecy. Murakhas, good Hudusi, you are dismissed."
+
+I followed the dervish through a narrow passage, until we arrived at a
+door, at which he knocked; it was opened, and I passed through a
+courtyard, where I perceived several of the dervishes stretched on the
+ground in various postures, breathing heavily and insensible.
+
+"These," said my conductor, "are holy men who are favoured by Allah.
+They are in a trance, and during that state are visited by the Prophet,
+and are permitted to enter the eighth heaven, and see the glories
+prepared for true believers." I made no reply to his assertion, but as
+it was evident that they were all in a state of beastly intoxication, I
+_very much doubted the fact_.
+
+I received my dress, took an oath of secrecy, and was introduced to my
+companions, whom I soon found to be a set of dissolute fellows,
+indulging in every vice, and laughing at every virtue; living in
+idleness, and by the contributions made to them by the people, who
+firmly believed in their pretended sanctity. The old man, with the white
+beard, who was their chief, was the only one who did not indulge in
+debauchery. He had outlived his appetite for the vices of youth, and
+fallen into the vice of age--a love for money, which was insatiable. I
+must acknowledge that the company and mode of living were more to my
+satisfaction than the vigils, hard fare, and constant prayer, with which
+the old man had threatened me, when I proposed to enter the community,
+and I soon became an adept in dissimulation and hypocrisy, and a great
+favourite with my brethren.
+
+I ought to have observed to your sublimity, that the sect of dervishes
+of which I had become a member, were then designated by the name of
+_howling_ dervishes; all our religion consisted in howling like jackals
+or hyenas, with all our might, until we fell down in real or pretended
+convulsions. My howl was considered as the most appalling and unearthly
+that was ever heard, and, of course, my sanctity was increased in
+proportion. We were on our way to Scutari, where was our real place of
+residence, and only lodged here and there on our journey to fleece those
+who were piously disposed. I had not joined more than ten days when
+they continued their route, and after a week of very profitable
+travelling, passed through Constantinople, crossed the Bosphorus, and
+regained their place of domiciliation, and were received with great joy
+by the inhabitants, to whom the old chief and many others of our troop
+were well known.
+
+Your sublime highness must be aware that the dervishes are not only
+consulted by, but often become the bankers of, the inhabitants, who
+intrust them with the care of their money. My old chief (whose name I
+should have mentioned before was Ulu-bibi) held large sums in trust for
+many of the people with whom he was acquainted; but his avarice inducing
+him to lend the money out on usury, it was very difficult to recover it
+when it was desired, although it was always religiously paid back. I had
+not been many months at Scutari, before I found myself in high favour,
+from my superior howling and the duration of my convulsions. But during
+this state, which by habit soon became spasmodic, continuing until the
+vital functions were almost extinct, the mind was as active as ever, and
+I lay immersed in a sea of doubt which was most painful. In my state of
+exhaustion I doubted everything. I doubted if my convulsions were
+convulsions or only feigned; I doubted if I was asleep or awake; I
+doubted whether I was in a trance, or in another world, or dead, or----
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Friend Hudusi," interrupted Mustapha, "we want the facts of your story,
+and not your doubts. Say I not well, your highness? What is all this but
+bosh?--nothing."
+
+"It is well said," replied the pacha.
+
+"Sometimes I thought that I had seized possession of a fact, but it
+slipped through my fingers like the tail of an eel."
+
+"Let us have the facts, which did not escape thee, friend, and let the
+mists of doubt be cleared away before the glory of the pacha," replied
+Mustapha.
+
+One day I was sitting in the warmth of the sun, by the tomb of a true
+believer, when an old woman accosted me. "You are welcome," said I.
+
+"Is your humour good?" said she.
+
+"It is good," replied I.
+
+She sat down by me, and after a quarter of an hour she continued: "God
+is great," said she.
+
+"And Mahomet is his Prophet," replied I. "In the name of Allah, what do
+you wish?"
+
+"Where is the holy man? I have money to give into his charge. May I not
+see him?"
+
+"He is at his devotions--but what is that? Am not I the same? Do I not
+watch when he prayeth--Inshallah--please God, we are the same. Give me
+the bag."
+
+"Here it is," said she, pulling out the money: "seven hundred sequins,
+my daughter's marriage-portion; but there are bad men, who steal, and
+there are good men, whom we can trust. Say I not well?"
+
+"It is well said," replied I; "and God is great."
+
+"You will find the money right," said she. "Count it."
+
+I counted it, and returned it into the goat-skin bag. "It is all right.
+Leave me, woman, for I must go in."
+
+The old woman left me, returning thanks to Allah that her money was
+safe, but from certain ideas running in my mind, I very _much doubted
+the fact_. I sat down full of doubts. I doubted if the old woman had
+come honestly by the money; and whether I should give it to the head
+dervish. I doubted whether I ought to retain it for myself, and whether
+I might not come to mischief. I also had my doubts----
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I have no doubt," interrupted Mustapha, "but that you kept it for
+yourself. Say--is it not so?"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Even so did my doubts resolve into that fact. I settled it in my mind,
+that seven hundred sequins, added to about four hundred still in my
+possession, would last some time, and that I was tired of the life of a
+howling dervish. I therefore set up one last long final howl to let my
+senior know that I was present, and then immediately became absent. I
+hastened to the bazaar, and purchasing here and there--at one place a
+vest, at another a shawl, and at another a turban--I threw off my dress
+of a dervish, hastened to the bath, and after a few minutes under the
+barber, came out like a butterfly from its dark shell. No one would have
+recognised in the spruce young Turk, the filthy dervish. I hastened to
+Constantinople, where I lived gaily, and spent my money; but I found
+that to mix in the world, it is necessary not only to have an attaghan,
+but also to have the courage to use it; and in several broils which took
+place, from my too frequent use of the water of the Giaour, I invariably
+proved that, although my voice was that of a lion, my heart was but as
+water, and the finger of contempt was but too often pointed at the beard
+of pretence. One evening, as I was escaping from a coffee-house, after
+having drawn my attaghan, without having the courage to face my
+adversary, I received a blow from his weapon which cleft my turban, and
+cut deeply into my head. I flew through the streets upon the wings of
+fear, and at last ran against an unknown object, which I knocked down,
+and then fell along side of, rolling with it in the mud. I recovered
+myself, and looking at it, found it to be alive, and, in the excess of
+my alarm, I imagined it to be Shitan himself; but if not the devil
+himself, it was one of the sons of Shitan, for it was an unbeliever, a
+Giaour, a dog to spit upon; in short, it was a Frank hakim--so renowned
+for curing all diseases that it was said he was assisted by the Devil.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Lahnet be Shitan! Curses on the devil!" said Mustapha, taking his pipe
+out of his mouth and spitting.
+
+"Wallah Thaib! It is well said," replied the pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I was so convinced that it was nothing of this world, that, as soon as
+I could recover my legs, I made a blow at him with my attaghan, fully
+expecting that he would disappear in a flame of fire at the touch of a
+true believer; but, on the contrary, he had also recovered his legs, and
+with a large cane with a gold top on it, he parried my cut, and then
+saluted me with such a blow on my head, that I again fell down in the
+mud, quite insensible. When I recovered, I found myself on a mat in an
+outhouse, and attended by my opponent, who was plastering up my head.
+"It is nothing," said he, as he bound up my head; but I suffered so much
+pain, and felt so weak from loss of blood, that in spite of his
+assertions, I very much doubted the fact. Shall I describe this son of
+Jehanum? And when I do so, will not your highness doubt the fact? Be
+chesm, upon my head be it, if I lie. He was less than a man, for he had
+no beard; he had no turban, but a piece of net-work, covered with the
+hair of other men in their tombs, which he sprinkled with the flour from
+the baker's, every morning, to feed his brain. He wore round his neck a
+piece of linen, tight as a bowstring, to prevent his head being taken
+off by any devout true believer, as he walked through the street. His
+dress was of the colour of hell, black, and bound closely to his body,
+yet must he have been a great man in his own country, for he was
+evidently a pacha of two tails, which were hanging behind him. He was a
+dreadful man to look upon, and feared nothing; he walked into the house
+of pestilence--he handled those whom Allah had visited with the
+plague--he went to the bed, and the sick rose and walked. He warred with
+destiny; and no man could say what was his fate until the Hakim had
+decided. He held in his hand the key of the portal, which opened into
+the regions of death; and--what can I say more?--he said live, and the
+believer lived; he said die, and the houris received him into Paradise.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"A yesedi! a worshipper of the devil," exclaimed Mustapha.
+
+"May he and his father's grave be eternally defiled!" responded the
+pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I remained a fortnight under the Hakim's hands before I was well enough
+to walk about; and when I had reflected, I doubted whether it would not
+be wiser to embrace a more peaceful profession. The Hakim spoke our
+language well, and one day said to me, "Thou art more fit to cure than
+to give wounds. Thou shalt assist me, for he who is now with me will not
+remain." I consented, and putting on a more peaceful garb, continued
+many months with the Frank physician, travelling everywhere, but seldom
+remaining long in one place; he followed disease instead of flying from
+it, and I had my doubts whether, from constant attendance upon the
+dying, I might not die myself, and I resolved to quit him the first
+favourable opportunity. I had already learnt many wonderful things from
+him; that blood was necessary to life, and that without breath a man
+would die, and that white powders cured fevers, and black drops stopped
+the dysentery. At last we arrived in this town, and the other day, as I
+was pounding the drug of reflection in the mortar of patience, the
+physician desired me to bring his lancets, and to follow him. I paced
+through the streets behind the learned Hakim, until we arrived at a mean
+house, in an obscure quarter of this grand city over which your highness
+reigns in justice. An old woman full of lamentation, led us to the sick
+couch, where lay a creature, beautiful in shape as a houri. The Frank
+physician was desired by the old woman to feel her pulse through the
+curtain, but he laughed at her beard (for she had no small one), and
+drew aside the curtains and took hold of a hand so small and so
+delicate, that it were only fit to feed the Prophet himself near the
+throne of the angel Gabriel, with the immortal pilau prepared for true
+believers. Her face was covered, and the Frank desired the veil to be
+removed. The old woman refused, and he turned on his heel to leave her
+to the assaults of death. The old woman's love for her child conquered
+her religious scruples, and she consented that her daughter should
+unveil to an unbeliever. I was in ecstasy at her charms, and could have
+asked her for a wife; but the Frank only asked to see her tongue. Having
+looked at it, he turned away with as much indifference as if it had been
+a dying dog. He desired me to bind up her arm, and took away a basin
+full of her golden blood, and then put a white powder into the hands of
+the old woman, saying that he would see her again. I held out my hand
+for the gold, but there was none forthcoming.
+
+"We are poor," cried the old woman, to the Hakim, "but God is great."
+
+"I do not want your money, good woman," replied he; "I will cure your
+daughter." Then he went to the bedside and spoke comfort to the sick
+girl, telling her to be of good courage, and all would be well.
+
+The girl answered in a voice sweeter than a nightingale's, that she had
+but thanks to offer in return, and prayers to the Most High. "Yes," said
+the old woman, raising her voice, "a scoundrel of a howling dervish
+robbed me at Scutari of all I had for my subsistence, and of my
+daughter's portion, seven hundred sequins, in a goat-skin bag!"--and
+then she began to curse. May the dogs of the city howl at her ugliness!
+How she did curse! She cursed my father and mother--she cursed their
+graves--flung dirt upon my brother and sisters, and filth upon the whole
+generation. She gave me up to Jehanum, and to every species of
+defilement. It was a dreadful thing to hear that old woman curse. I
+pulled my turban over my eyes, that she might not recognise me, and
+lifted up my garment to cover my face, that I might not be defiled with
+the shower of curses which were thrown at me like mud, and sat there
+watching till the storm was over. Unfortunately, in lifting up my
+garment, I exposed to the view of the old hag the cursed goat-skin bag,
+which hung at my girdle, and contained, not only her money, but the
+remainder of my own. "Mashallah--how wonderful is God!" screamed the
+old beldame, flying at me like a tigress, and clutching the bag from my
+girdle. Having secured that, she darted at me with her ten nails, and
+scored down my face, which I had so unfortunately covered in the first
+instance, and so unfortunately uncovered in the second. What shall I say
+more? The neighbours came in--I was hurried before the cadi, in company
+with the old woman and the Frank physician. The money and bag were taken
+from me--I was dismissed by the Hakim, and after receiving one hundred
+blows from the ferashes, I was dismissed by the cadi. It was my
+fate--and I have told my story. Is your slave dismissed?
+
+"No," replied the pacha; "by our beard, we must see to this, Mustapha;
+say, Hudusi, what was the decision of the cadi? Our ears are open."
+
+"The cadi decided as follows:--That I had stolen the money, and
+therefore I was punished with the bastinado; but, as the old woman
+stated that the bag contained seven hundred sequins, and there were
+found in it upwards of eleven hundred, that the money could not belong
+to her. He therefore retained it until he could find the right owner.
+The physician was fined fifty sequins for looking at a Turkish woman,
+and fifty more for shrugging up his shoulders. The girl was ordered into
+the cadi's harem, because she had lost her dowry; and the old woman was
+sent about her business. All present declared that the sentence was
+wisdom itself; but, for my part, _I very much doubted the fact_."
+
+"Mustapha," said the pacha, "send for the cadi, the Frank physician, the
+old woman, the girl, and the goat-skin bag; we must examine into this
+affair."
+
+The officers were despatched, and in less than an hour, during which the
+pacha and his vizier smoked in silence, the cadi and the others made
+their appearance.
+
+"May your highness's shadow never be less!" said the cadi, as he
+entered.
+
+"Mobarek! may you be fortunate!" replied the pacha. "What is this we
+hear, cadi? There is a goat-skin bag and a girl, that are not known to
+our justice. Are there secrets like those hid in the well of
+Kashan--speak! what dirt have you been eating?"
+
+"What shall I say?" replied the cadi; "I am but as dirt; the money is
+here, and the girl is here. Is the pacha to be troubled with every
+woman's noise, or am I to come before him with a piece or two of
+gold--Min Allah--God forbid! Have I not here the money, and _seven more
+purses_? Was not the girl visited by the angel of death; and could she
+appear before your presence lean as a dog in the bazaar? Is she not
+here? Have I spoken well?"
+
+"It is well said, cadi. Murakhas--you are dismissed."
+
+The Frank physician was then fined one hundred sequins more; fifty for
+feeling the pulse, and fifty more for looking at a Turkish woman's
+tongue. The young woman was dismissed to the pacha's harem, the old
+woman to curse as much as she pleased, and Hudusi with full permission
+to _doubt_ anything but the justice of the pacha.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XVII
+
+
+"Mashallah! God be praised! we are rid of that fellow and his doubts. I
+have been thinking, Mustapha, as I smoked the pipe of surmise, and
+arrived at the ashes of certainty, that a man who had so many doubts,
+could not be a true believer. I wish I had sent him to the mollahs; we
+might have been amused with his being impaled, which is a rare object
+now-a-days."
+
+"God is great," replied Mustapha, "and a stake is a strong argument, and
+would remove many doubts. But I have an infidel in the court-yard who
+telleth of strange things. He hath been caught like a wild beast; it is
+a Frank Galiongi, who hath travelled as far as that son of Shitan,
+Huckaback; he was found in the streets, overpowered by the forbidden
+juice, after having beaten many of your highness's subjects, and the
+cadi would have administered the bamboo, but he was as a lion, and he
+scattered the slaves as chaff, until he fell, and could not rise again.
+I have taken him from the cadi, and brought him here. He speaketh but
+the Frankish tongue, but the sun who shineth on me knoweth I have been
+in the Frank country; and Inshallah! please the Lord, I can interpret
+his meaning."
+
+"What sort of a man may he be, Mustapha?"
+
+"He is a baj baj--a big belly--a stout man; he is an Anhunkher, a
+swallower of iron. He hath sailed in the war vessels of the Franks. He
+holdeth in one hand a bottle of the forbidden liquor; in the other, he
+shakes at those who would examine him, a thick stick. He hath a large
+handful of the precious weed which we use for our pipes in one of his
+cheeks, and his hair is hanging behind down to his waist, in a rolled up
+mass, as thick as the arm of your slave."
+
+"It is well--we will admit him; but let there be armed men at hand. Let
+me have a full pipe! God is great," continued the pacha, holding out his
+glass to be filled; "and the bottle is nearly empty. Place the guards,
+and bring in the infidel."
+
+The guards in a few minutes brought into the presence of the pacha a
+stout-built English sailor, in the usual dress, and with a tail which
+hung down behind, below his waist. The sailor did not appear to like his
+treatment; and every now and then, as they pushed and dragged him in,
+turned to one side or the other, looking daggers at those who conducted
+him. He was sober, although his eyes bore testimony to recent
+intoxication, and his face, which was manly and handsome, was much
+disfigured by an enormous quid of tobacco in his right cheek, which gave
+him an appearance of natural deformity. As soon as he was near enough to
+the pacha, the attendants let him go. Jack shook his jacket, hitched up
+his trousers, and said, looking furiously at them, "Well, you beggars,
+have you done with me at last?"
+
+Mustapha addressed the sailor in English, telling him that he was in the
+presence of his highness the pacha.
+
+"What, that old chap, muffled up in shawls and furs--is he the pacha?
+Well, I don't think much o' he;" and the sailor turned his eyes round
+the room, gaping with astonishment, and perfectly unmindful how very
+near he was to one who could cut off his head or his tail, by a single
+movement of his hand.
+
+"What sayeth the Frank, Mustapha?" inquired the pacha.
+
+"He is struck dumb with astonishment at the splendour of your majesty,
+and all that he beholds."
+
+"It is well said, by Allah!"
+
+"I suppose I may just as well come to an anchor," said the sailor,
+suiting the action to the word, and dropping down on the mats. "There,"
+continued he, folding his legs in imitation of the Turks, "as it's the
+fashion to have a cross in your hawse, on this here country, I can be a
+bit of a lubber as well as yourselves. I wouldn't mind if I blew a
+cloud, as well as you, old fusty-musty."
+
+"What does the Giaour say? What son of a dog is this, to sit in our
+presence?" exclaimed the pacha.
+
+"He saith," replied Mustapha, "that in his country, no one dare stand in
+the presence of the Frankish king; and, overcome by his humility, his
+legs refuse their office, and he sinks to the dust before you. It is
+even as he sayeth, for I have travelled in their country, and such is
+the custom of that uncivilised nation. Mashallah! but he lives in awe
+and trembling."
+
+"By the beard of the Prophet, he does not appear to show it outwardly,"
+replied the pacha; "but that may be the custom also."
+
+"Be chesm, on my eyes be it," replied Mustapha, "it is even so. Frank,"
+said Mustapha, "the pacha has sent for you that he may hear an account
+of all the wonderful things which you have seen. You must tell lies, and
+you will have gold."
+
+"Tell lies! that is, spin a yarn; well, I can do that, but my mouth's
+baked with thirst, and without a drop of something, the devil a yarn
+from me, and so you may tell the old Billygoat, perched up there."
+
+"What sayeth the son of Shitan?" demanded the pacha, impatiently.
+
+"The unbeliever declareth that his tongue is glued to his mouth from the
+terror of your highness's presence. He fainteth after water to restore
+him, and enable him to speak."
+
+"Let him be fed," rejoined the pacha.
+
+But Mustapha had heard enough to know that the sailor would not be
+content with the pure element. He therefore continued, "Your slave must
+tell you, that in the country of the Franks they drink nothing but the
+fire-water, in which the true believers but occasionally venture to
+indulge."
+
+"Allah acbar! nothing but fire-water? What, then, do they do with common
+water?"
+
+"They have none but from heaven--the rivers are all of the same
+strength."
+
+"Mashallah! how wonderful is God! I would we had a river here. Let some
+be procured, then, for I wish to hear his story."
+
+A bottle of brandy was sent for, and handed to the sailor, who put it to
+his mouth, and the quantity he took of it before he removed the bottle
+to recover his breath, fully convinced the pacha that Mustapha's
+assertions were true.
+
+"Come, that's not so bad," said the sailor, putting the bottle down
+between his legs; "and now I'll be as good as my word, and I'll spin old
+Billy a yarn as long as the main-top bowling."
+
+"What sayeth the Giaour?" interrupted the pacha.
+
+"That he is about to lay at your highness's feet the wonderful events of
+his life, and trusts that his face will be whitened before he quits your
+sublime presence. Frank, you may proceed."
+
+"To lie till I'm black in the face--well, since you wish it; but, old
+chap, my name arn't Frank. It happens to be Bill; howsomever, it warn't
+a bad guess for a Turk; and now I'm here, I'd just like to ax you a
+question. We had a bit of a hargument the other day, when I was in a
+frigate up the Dardanelles, as to what your religion might be. Jack
+Soames said that you warn't Christians, but that if you were, you could
+only be Catholics; but I don't know how he could know anything about it,
+seeing that he had not been more than seven weeks on board of a
+man-of-war. What may you be--if I may make so bold as to ax the
+question?"
+
+"What does he say?" inquired the pacha, impatiently.
+
+"He says," interrupted Mustapha, "that he was not so fortunate as to be
+born in the country of the true believers, but in an island full of fog
+and mist, where the sun never shines, and the cold is so intense, that
+the water from heaven is hard and cold as a flint."
+
+"That accounts for their not drinking it. Mashallah! God is great! Let
+him proceed."
+
+"The pacha desires me to say that there is but one God, and Mahomet is
+his Prophet; and begs that you will go on with your story."
+
+"Never heard of the chap--never mind--here's saw wood."
+
+
+
+TALE OF THE ENGLISH SAILOR.
+
+I was born at Shields, and bred to the sea, served my time out of that
+port, and got a berth on board a small vessel fitted out from Liverpool
+for the slave trade. We made the coast, unstowed our beads, spirits, and
+gunpowder, and very soon had a cargo on board; but the day after we
+sailed for the Havannah, the dysentery broke out among the niggers--no
+wonder, seeing how they were stowed, poor devils, head and tail, like
+pilchards in a cask. We opened the hatches, and brought part of them on
+deck, but it was of no use, they died like rotten sheep, and we tossed
+overboard about thirty a day. Many others, who were alive, jumped
+overboard, and we were followed by a shoal of sharks, splashing, and
+darting, and diving, and tearing the bodies, yet warm, and revelling in
+the hot and bloody water. At last they were all gone, and we turned back
+to the coast to get a fresh supply. We were within a day's sail of the
+land, when we saw two boats on our weather bow: they made signals to us,
+and we found them to be full of men; we hove to, and took them on board,
+and then it was that we discovered that they had belonged to a French
+schooner, in the same trade, which had started a plank, and had gone
+down like a shot, with all the niggers in the hold.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Now, give the old gentleman the small change of that, while I just wet
+my whistle."
+
+Mustapha having interpreted, and the sailor having taken a swig at the
+bottle, he proceeded.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+We didn't much like having these French beggars on board, and it wasn't
+without reason, for they were as many as we were. The very first night
+they were overheard by a negro who belonged to us, and had learnt
+French, making a plan for overpowering us, and taking possession of the
+vessel; so when we heard that, their doom was sealed. We mustered
+ourselves on the deck, put the hatches over some o' the French, seized
+those on deck, and--in half an hour, they all walked the plank.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I do not understand what you mean," said Mustapha.
+
+"That's 'cause you're a lubber of a landsman. The long and short of
+walking a plank is just this. We passed a wide plank over the gunnel,
+greasing it well at the outer end, led the Frenchmen up to it
+blindfolded, and wished them 'bon voyage,' in their own lingo, just out
+of politeness. They walked on till they toppled into the sea, and the
+sharks didn't refuse them, though they prefer a nigger to anything
+else."
+
+"What does he say, Mustapha?" interrupted the pacha. Mustapha
+interpreted.
+
+"Good; I should like to have seen that," replied the pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Well, as soon as we were rid of the Frenchmen, we made our port, and
+soon had another cargo on board, and, after a good run, got safe to the
+Havannah, where we sold our slaves; but I didn't much like the sarvice,
+so I cut the schooner, and sailed home in summer, and got back safe to
+England. There I fell in with Betsy, and as she proved a regular
+out-and-outer, I spliced her; and a famous wedding we had of it, as long
+as the rhino lasted; but that wasn't long, the more's the pity; so I
+went to sea for more. When I came back after my trip, I found that Bet
+hadn't behaved quite so well as she might have done, so I cut my stick,
+and went away from her altogether.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Why didn't you put her in a sack?" inquired the pacha, when Mustapha
+explained.
+
+"Put her head in a bag--no, she wasn't so ugly as all that," replied the
+sailor. "Howsomever, to coil away."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I joined a privateer brig, and after three cruises I had plenty of
+money, and determined to have another spell on shore, that I might get
+rid of it. Then I picked up Sue, and spliced again; but, Lord bless your
+heart, she turned out a regular-built Tartar--nothing but fight fight,
+scratch scratch, all day long, till I wished her at old Scratch. I was
+tired of her, and Sue had taken a fancy to another chap; so says she one
+day, "As we both be of the same mind, why don't you sell me, and then we
+may part in a respectable manner." I agrees, and I puts a halter round
+her neck, and leads her to the market-place, the chap following to buy
+her.
+
+"Who bids for this woman?" says I.
+
+"I do," say he.
+
+"What will you give?"
+
+"Half-a-crown," says he.
+
+"Will you throw a glass of grog into the bargain?"
+
+"Yes," says he.
+
+"Then she's yours; and I wish you much joy of your bargain." So I hands
+the rope to him, and he leads her off.
+
+"How much did you say he sold his wife for?" said the pacha to
+Mustapha, when this part of the story was repeated to him.
+
+"A piastre, and a drink of the fire-water," replied the vizier.
+
+"Ask him if she was handsome," said the pacha.
+
+"Handsome," replied the sailor to Mustapha's inquiry; "yes, she was as
+pretty a craft to look at as you may set your eyes upon; fine round
+counter--clean run--swelling bows--good figure-head, and hair enough for
+a mermaid."
+
+"What does he say?" inquired the pacha.
+
+"The Frank declareth that her eyes were bright as those of the gazelle,
+that her eyebrows were as one, her waist as that of the cypress, her
+face as the full moon, and that she was fat as the houris that await the
+true believers."
+
+"Mashallah! all for a piastre. Ask him, Mustapha, if there are more
+wives to be sold in that country?"
+
+"More," replied the sailor, in answer to Mustapha; "you may have a ship
+full in an hour. There's many a fellow in England who would give a
+handful of coin to get rid of his wife."
+
+"We will make further inquiry, Mustapha; it must be looked to. Say I not
+well?"
+
+"It is well said," replied Mustapha. "My heart is burnt as roast meat at
+the recollection of the women of the country; who are, indeed, as he
+hath described houris to the sight. Proceed, Yaha Bibi, my friend, and
+tell his----"
+
+"Yaw Bibby! I told you my name was Bill, not Bibby; and I never yaws
+from my course, although I heaves to sometimes, as I do now, to take in
+provisions." The sailor took another swig, wiped his mouth with the back
+of his hand, and continued--"Now for a good lie."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I sailed in a brig for the Brazils, and a gale came on, that I never
+seed the like of. We were obliged to have three men stationed to hold
+the captain's hair on his head; and a little boy was blown over the
+moon, and slid down by two or three of her beams, till he caught the
+mainstay, and never hurt himself."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Good," said Mustapha, who interpreted.
+
+"By the beard of the Prophet, wonderful!" exclaimed the pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Well, the gale lasted for a week, and at last one night, when I was at
+the helm, we dashed on the rocks of a desolate island. I was pitched
+right over the mountains, and fell into the sea on the other side of the
+island. I swam on shore, and got into a cave, where I fell fast asleep.
+The next morning I found that there was nothing to eat except rats, and
+they were plentiful; but they were so quick, that I could not catch
+them. I walked about, and at last discovered a great many rats together;
+they were at a spring of water, the only one, as I afterwards found, on
+the island. Rats can't do without water, and I thought I should have
+them there. I filled up the spring, all but a hole which I sat on the
+top of. When the rats came again, I filled my mouth with water, and held
+it wide open; they ran up to drink, and I caught their heads in my
+teeth, and thus I took as many as I wished.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Aferin, excellent!" cried the pacha, as soon as this was explained.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Well, at last a vessel took me off, and I wasn't sorry for it, for raw
+rats are not very good eating. I went home again, and I hadn't been on
+shore more than two hours, when who should I see but my first wife, Bet,
+with a robin-redbreast in tow. 'That's he!' says she. I gave fight, but
+was nabbed and put into limbo, to be tried for what they call _biggery_,
+or having a wife too much.
+
+"How does he mean?--desire him to explain," said the pacha, after
+Mustapha had conveyed the intelligence. Mustapha obeyed.
+
+"In our country one wife is considered a man's allowance, and he is not
+to take more, that every Jack may have his Jill. I had spliced two, so
+they tried me, and sent me to Botany Bay for life."
+
+This explanation puzzled the pacha. "How--what sort of a country must it
+be, when a man cannot have two wives? Inshallah! please the Lord, we may
+have hundreds in our harem! Does he not laugh at our beards with lies?
+Is this not all _bosh_, nothing?"
+
+"It is even so, as the Frank speaketh," replied Mustapha. "The king of
+the country can take but one wife. Be chesm, on my eyes be it, if it is
+not the truth."
+
+"Well," rejoined the pacha, "what are they but infidels? They deserve to
+have no more. Houris are for the faithful. May their fathers' graves be
+defiled. Let the Giaour proceed."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Well, I was started for the other side of the water, and got there safe
+enough, as I hope one day to get to Heaven, wind and weather permitting,
+but I had no idea of working without pay, so one fine morning I slipt
+away into the woods, where I remained with three or four more for six
+months. We lived upon kangaroos, and another odd little animal, and got
+on pretty well.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"What may the dish of kangaroos be composed of?" inquired Mustapha, in
+obedience to the pacha.
+
+"'Posed of! why, a dish of kangaroos be made of kangaroos to be sure."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+But I'll be dished if I talked about anything but the animal, which we
+had some trouble to kill; for it stands on its big tail, and fights with
+all four feet. Moreover, it be otherwise a strange beast; for its young
+ones pop out of its stomach, and then pop in again, having a place
+there on purpose, just like the great hole in the bow of a timber ship;
+and as for the other little animal, it swims in the ponds, lays eggs,
+and has a duck's bill, yet still it be covered all over with hair like a
+beast.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The vizier interpreted. "By the Prophet, but he laughs at our beards!"
+exclaimed the pacha, angrily. "These are foolish lies."
+
+"You must not tell the pacha such foolish lies. He will be angry," said
+Mustapha. "Tell lies, but they must be good lies."
+
+"Well, I'll be----," replied the sailor, "if the old beggar don't doubt
+the only part which is true out of the whole yarn. Well, I will try
+another good un to please him."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+After I had been there about six months I was tired; and as there was
+only twenty thousand miles between that country and my own, I determined
+to swim back.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Mashallah! swim back--how many thousand miles?" exclaimed Mustapha.
+
+"Only twenty thousand--a mere nothing."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+So one fine morning I throws a young kangaroo on my shoulder, and off I
+starts. I swam for three months, night and day, and then feeling a
+little tired, I laid to on my back, and then I set off again; but by
+this time I was so covered with barnacles, that I made but little way.
+So I stopped at Ascension, scraped and cleaned myself, and then, after
+feeding for a week on turtle, just to keep the scurvy out of my bones, I
+set off again; and as I passed the Gut, I thought I might just as well
+put in here; and here I arrived, sure enough, yesterday, about three
+bells in the morning watch, after a voyage of five months and three
+days.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+When Mustapha translated all this to the pacha, the latter was lost in
+astonishment. "Allah Wakbar! God is everywhere! Did you ever hear of
+such a swimmer? Twenty thousand miles--five months and three days. It is
+a wonderful story! Let his mouth be filled with gold."
+
+Mustapha intimated to the sailor the unexpected compliment about to be
+conferred on him, just as he had finished the bottle and rolled it away
+on one side. "Well, that be a rum way of paying a man. I have heard it
+said that a fellow _pursed_ up his mouth; but I never afore heard of a
+mouth being a purse. Howsomever, all's one for that; only, d'ye see, if
+you are about to stow it away in bulk, it may be just as well to get rid
+of the dunnage." The sailor put his thumb and forefinger into his cheek,
+and pulled out his enormous quid of tobacco. "There now, I'm ready, and
+don't be afraid of choking me." One of the attendants then thrust
+several pieces of gold into the sailor's mouth, who, spitting them all
+out into his hat, jumped on his legs, made a jerk of his head with a
+kick of the leg behind to the pacha; and declaring that he was the
+funniest old beggar he had ever fallen in with, nodded to Mustapha, and
+hastened out of the divan.
+
+"Mashallah! but he swims well," said the pacha, breaking up the
+audience.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XVIII
+
+
+The departure of the caravan was delayed for two or three days by the
+vizier upon various pretexts--although it was his duty to render it
+every assistance--that Menouni might afford further amusement to the
+pacha. Menouni was well content to remain, as the liberality of the
+pacha was not to be fallen in with every day, and the next evening he
+was again ushered into the sublime presence.
+
+"Khosh amedeid! you are welcome," said the pacha, as Menouni made his
+low obeisance, "Now let us have another story. I don't care how long it
+is, only let us have no more princesses to be married. That Babe-bi-bobu
+was enough to tire the patience of a dervish."
+
+"Your sublime highness shall be obeyed," replied Menouni. "Would it
+please you to hear the story of Yussuf, the Water carrier?"
+
+"Yes, that sounds better. You may proceed."
+
+
+
+THE WATER-CARRIER.
+
+May it please your highness, it so happened that the great Haroun
+Alraschid was one night seized with one of those fits of sleepless
+melancholy with which it had pleased Allah to temper his splendid
+destiny, and which fits are, indeed, the common lot of those who are
+raised by fortune above the ordinary fears and vicissitudes of life.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I can't say that I ever have them," observed the pacha. "How is that,
+Mustapha?"
+
+"Your highness has as undoubted a right to them as the great caliph,"
+replied Mustapha, bowing; "but if I may venture to state my opinion,"
+continued he, drawing down to the ear of the pacha, "you have discovered
+the remedy for them in the strong water of the Giaour."
+
+"Very true," replied the pacha; "Haroun Alraschid, if I recollect right,
+was very strict in his observances of the precepts of the Koran. After
+all, he was but a pastek--a water-melon. You may proceed, Menouni."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The caliph, oppressed, as I before observed to your highness, with this
+fit of melancholy, despatched Mesrour for his chief vizier, Giaffar
+Bermukki, who, not unaccustomed to this nocturnal summons, speedily
+presented himself before the commander of the faithful. "Father of true
+believers! descendant of the Prophet!" said the minister, with a
+profound obeisance, "thy slave waits but to hear, and hears but to
+obey."
+
+"Giaffar," replied the caliph, "I am overwhelmed with distressing
+inquietude, and would fain have thee devise some means for my relief.
+Speak--what sayest thou?"
+
+"Hasten, O my prince, to thy favourite garden of the Tierbar, where,
+gazing on the bright moon, and listening to the voice of the bul-bul,
+you will await in pleasing contemplation the return of the sun."
+
+"Not so," replied the caliph.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"By the beard of the Prophet! the caliph was right, and that Giaffar was
+a fool. I never heard that staring at the moon was an amusement before,"
+observed the pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Not so," urged the caliph. "My gardens, my palaces, and my possessions,
+are no more to me a source of pleasure."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"By the sword of the Prophet! Now the caliph appears to be the fool,"
+interrupted the pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Shall we then repair to the Hall of the Ancients, and pass the night in
+reviving the memory of the wise, whose sayings are stored therein?"
+continued Giaffar.
+
+"Counsel avails not," replied the caliph; "the records of the past will
+not suffice to banish the cares of the present."
+
+"Then," said the vizier, "will the light of the world seek refuge from
+his troubles in a disguise, and go forth with the humblest of his slaves
+to witness the condition of his people?"
+
+"Thou hast said well," replied the caliph; "I will go with thee into the
+bazaar, and witness unknown the amusements of my people after the
+labours of the day."
+
+Mesrour, the chief eunuch, was at hand, and hastened for the needful
+disguises. After having clad themselves as merchants of Moussul, and
+tinged their faces of an olive hue, the caliph, accompanied by Giaffar
+and Mesrour, the latter armed with a scimitar, issued forth from the
+secret door of the seraglio. Giaffar, who knew from experience the
+quarter likely to prove most fertile in adventure, led the caliph past
+the mosque of Zobeide, and crossing the Bridge of Boats over the Tigris,
+continued his way to that part of the city on the Mesopotamian side of
+the river which was inhabited by the wine-sellers and others, who
+administered to the irregularities, as well as to the wants of the good
+people of Bagdad. For a short time they wandered up and down without
+meeting anybody; but passing through a narrow alley, their steps were
+arrested by the sound of a most potent pair of lungs, carolling forth a
+jovial song. The caliph waited awhile, in expectation of its ceasing;
+but he might apparently have waited until dawn of day, for verse was
+poured forth after verse: a small interval between them filled up by the
+musical gurgling of liquor from a bottle, and the gulps of the votary of
+Bacchus. At length, his patience being exhausted, the caliph ordered
+Mesrour to knock loudly at the singer's dwelling. Hearing the noise, the
+fellow opened the _jalouise_, and came out into the verandah above.
+Looking down, and perceiving the three interrupters of his mirth, he
+bawled out--"What rascals are you that disturb an honest man at his
+devotions?--Begone!--fly!--away with you, scum of the earth!"
+
+"Truly, charitable sir," replied Giaffar in a humble tone, "We are
+distressed merchants, strangers in this city, who have lost our way, and
+fear to be seized by the watch--perhaps carried before the cadi. We
+beseech thee, therefore, to admit us within thy doors, and Allah will
+reward thy humanity."
+
+"Admit you within my doors!--not I, indeed. What, you wish to get into
+my house to gormandise and swill at my expense. Go--go!"
+
+The caliph laughed heartily at this reply, and then called out to the
+man, "Indeed we are merchants, and seek but for shelter till the hour of
+prayer."
+
+"Tell me, then," replied the man, "and mind you tell me the truth. Have
+you eaten and drunk your fill for the night?"
+
+"Thanks and praise be to Allah, we have supped long since, and
+heartily," returned the caliph.
+
+"Since that is the case, you may come up, but recollect it is upon one
+condition, that you bind yourselves not to open your lips whatever you
+may see me do; no matter whether it please you or not."
+
+"What you desire is so reasonable," called out the caliph, "that we
+should be ignorant as Yaboos, if we did not at once comply."
+
+The man gave one more scrutinising glance at the pretended merchants;
+and then, as if satisfied, descended and opened his door. The caliph and
+his attendants followed him up to his room, where they found a table
+laid out for supper, on which was a large pitcher of wine, half a
+roasted kid, a bottle of rakee, preserves, confections, and various
+kinds of fruit; odoriferous flowers were also on the table, and the
+lighting up of the room was brilliant. The host, immediately on their
+entering, tossed off a bumper of wine, as if to make up for the time he
+had lost, and pointing to a corner, bade the intruders to sit down
+there, and not to disturb him any more. He commenced his solitary feast,
+and after another bumper of wine, as if tired of his own company, he
+gruffly demanded, "Where do you fellows come from, and whither are you
+going?"
+
+"Sir," replied Giaffar, who had been whispering with the caliph, "we are
+merchants of Moussul, who have been to an entertainment at the country
+seat of a khan of Bagdad. We feasted well, and left our friend just as
+the day closed in. Whereupon we lost our way, and found ourselves in
+this street; hearing the musical accents of your voice, we exclaimed,
+'Are not those notes delightful?--one who has so sweet a voice must be
+equally sweet in disposition. Let us entreat the hospitality of our
+brother for the remainder of the night, and in the morning we will
+depart in peace.'"
+
+"I do not believe a word that you have said, you ill-looking thief. You
+are spies or thieves, who would profit by getting into people's houses
+at unseasonable hours. You, barrel-stomach, you with whiskers like a
+bear," continued he to the vizier, "hang me if ever I saw such a
+rascally face as yours; and you, you black-faced nigger, keep the whites
+of your eyes off my supper-table, or by Allah I'll send you all to
+Jehanum. I see you are longing to put your fingers on the kid: but if
+you do, I've a bone-softener, which, by the blessed Prophet, shall break
+every bone in your three skins." So saying the man, taking a large
+cudgel from the corner of the room, laid it by the dish of kid, into
+which he then plunged his fingers, and commenced eating heartily.
+
+"Giaffar," said the caliph, in an undertone, "contrive to find out who
+this ferocious animal may be, and how he contrives to live so merrily?"
+
+"In the name of Allah, let us leave him alone," replied Giaffar, in a
+fright, "for should he strike us on the head with that cudgel, we should
+be despatched without anyone being the wiser."
+
+"Pish! fear nothing," replied the caliph. "Ask him boldly his name and
+trade."
+
+"Oh, my Commander," replied Giaffar, "to hear is but to obey, yet do I
+quake most grievously at the threats of this villainous fellow. I
+entreat thee that I may defer the questions until wine shall have
+softened down his temper."
+
+"Thou cowardly vizier. Must I then interrogate him myself?" replied the
+caliph.
+
+"Allah forbid," replied Giaffar; "I will myself encounter the wrath of
+this least of dogs, may his grave be defiled."
+
+During this parley, their host, who had become more good-humoured in his
+cups, cast his eyes upon them.
+
+"What in the name of Shitan, are you chaps prating and chatting about?"
+inquired he.
+
+Giaffar, perceiving him in a more favourable mood, seized the occasion
+to speak. "Most amiable and charitable sir," replied he, "we were
+talking of your great liberality and kindness in thus permitting us to
+intrude upon your revels. We only request, in the name of friendship,
+the name and profession of so worthy a Mussulman, that we may remember
+him in our prayers."
+
+"Why, thou impudent old porpus; did you not promise to ask no questions?
+In the name of friendship! Truly it is of long standing."
+
+"Still I pray Allah that it may increase. Have we not sat a considerable
+time in your blessed presence--have you not given us refuge? All we now
+ask is the name and profession of one so amiable and so kind-hearted?"
+
+"Enough," replied the host, pacified with the pretended humility of the
+vizier. "Silence, and listen. Do you see that skin which hangs over my
+head?" The caliph and his companions looked up and perceived the tanned
+skin of a young ox, which appeared to have been used for carrying water.
+"It is that by which I gain my daily bread. I am Yussuf, son of Aboo
+Ayoub, who dying some five years ago, left me nothing but a few dirhems
+and this strong carcass of mine, by which to gain a livelihood. I was
+always fond of sports and pastimes--overthrew everybody who wrestled
+with me; nay, the man who affronts me, receives a box on the ear which
+makes it ring for a week afterwards."
+
+"Allah preserve us from affronting him!" whispered the caliph.
+
+"When old Aboo died, I perceived, if I did not speedily turn my strength
+to some account, I should starve; so it struck me that there were no
+people more merry than the water-carriers, who supply for a few paras to
+the houses of this city the soft water of the river. I resolved to
+become one, but instead of going backwards and forwards with a goatskin
+on my shoulders, I went down to the curriers, and selected the soft skin
+of the young ox which hangs above me, fitted it to my shoulders, and
+filling it at the river, marched up to the bazaar. No sooner did I
+appear than all the water-carriers called out, 'That villain, Yussuf, is
+about to take away our bread. May Shitan seize him. Let us go to the
+cadi and complain.' The cadi listened to their story, for they accused
+me of witchcraft, saying that no five men could lift the skin when it
+was full. He sent one of his beeldars to summon me before him. I had
+just filled my skin at the river, when the officer came from this
+distributor of bastinadoes. I followed him to the court, laden as I was.
+The crowd opened to let me pass, and I appeared before the cadi, who was
+much astonished at my showing so little inconvenience from such an
+enormous burthen. 'Oh! Yussuf,' cried he, 'hear and answer; thou art
+accused of witchcraft.' 'Who accuses me, O cadi?' replied I, throwing
+down my skin of water. Whereupon two hang-dogs stepped forward, and
+cried with loud voices, 'Behold us here, O wise and just one.' The cadi
+put one aside, and questioned the other, who swore on the book that the
+devil had given me a _pig's_ skin and had promised that as long as I
+served the followers of the Prophet out of the unclean vessel, he would
+enable me to carry as much as ten men. The second witness confirmed this
+evidence; and added, that he heard me talking with the devil, who
+offered to turn himself into a yaboo, and carry water for me, which I
+had civilly declined, for what reason he knew not, as he did not hear
+the rest of the conversation.
+
+"At this evidence, the cadi and mollahs who sat with him, turned up
+their eyes with horror, and proceeded to discuss the degree of
+punishment which so enormous a crime deserved, quite forgetting to ask
+me if I had anything to offer in my defence. At last they settled that,
+as a commencement, I should receive five hundred bastinadoes on the
+soles of my feet, and if I lived, about as many more on my belly. The
+cadi was about to pronounce his irrevocable _fetva_, when I took the
+liberty of interrupting this rapid course of justice. 'O cadi,' said I,
+'and ye, mollahs, whose beards drop wisdom, let your slave offer, at the
+footstool of justice, the precious proofs of innocence.' 'Produce them
+quickly, then, thou wedded to Shitan and Jehanum,' replied the cadi.
+Whereupon I loosened the string which attached the mouth, and allowed
+all the water to run out of the skin. I then turned the skin inside out,
+and showing to them the horns of the young ox, which fortunately I had
+not cut off, I demanded of the cadi and of the mollahs if any of them
+had ever seen a pig with horns. At this they every one fell a laughing,
+as if I had uttered a cream of a joke. My innocence was declared, and my
+two accusers had the five hundred bastinadoes shared between them. The
+water-carriers were too much alarmed at the result of this attempt, to
+attack me any more, and the true believers, from the notoriety of the
+charge, and my acquittal of having rendered them unclean, from the use
+of swinish skin, all sought my custom. In short, I have only to fill my
+skin, to empty it again, and I daily realise so handsome an income, that
+I have thrown care to the dogs, and spend in jollity every night what I
+have worked hard for every day. As soon as the muezzin calls to evening
+prayers, I lay aside my skin, betake myself to the mosque, perform my
+ablutions, and return thanks to Allah. After which I repair to the
+bazaar, purchase meat with one dirhem, rakee with another, others go for
+fruit and flowers, cakes, sweetmeats, bread, oil for my lamps, and the
+remainder I spend in wine. As soon as all is collected, I arrive at my
+own house, put everything in order, light up my lamps and enjoy myself
+after my own fashion. So now you know all I choose to tell you, and
+whether you are merchants or spies in disguise, I care not. Be satisfied
+and depart, for the dawn is here."
+
+The caliph, who had been much amused with Yussuf's account of himself,
+replied, "In truth, you are a wonderful man, and it must be allowed
+that, in separating yourself from your fellows, you escape many troubles
+and inconveniences."
+
+"Ay," replied Yussuf; "thus have I lived for five years. Every night has
+my dwelling been lighted up as you see it, and my fortunate stars have
+never suffered me to go without meat and drink, such as you three now
+smell and long for, but shall not put your fingers to."
+
+"But, friend Yussuf," observed Giaffar, "suppose that to-morrow, the
+caliph should issue a decree, putting an end to the trade of supplying
+with water, and declare that whoever was found with a skin-full should
+be hanged. In such a case, what would you do? You could not light up
+your lamps; you could not enjoy your kabobs and pillau, neither would
+you be able to purchase fruits, sweetmeats, or a drop of wine."
+
+"May Shitan seize your unlucky soul, you tun-bellied beast of ill-omen!
+for the bare supposition of such a thing; depart--depart quickly, and
+never let me see you again."
+
+"My good friend, Yussuf, I did but jest; five years, as you observe,
+have passed away without a day's intermission of your enjoyment, nor is
+it probable that the caliph will ever issue such a ridiculous and
+unheard-of decree. I only observed, that supposing he did, what could
+you do, never leaving a single asper for the next day's provision?"
+
+At the repetition of the vizier's speech, Yussuf became highly
+exasperated. "You dare to repeat to me your unlucky words and
+ill-omens,--and you ask me what I would do! Now hear me: by the beard of
+the Prophet, should the caliph issue such a decree, with this good
+cudgel I will search all Bagdad, until I find you all. You, and you,"
+continued Yussuf, looking fiercely at the caliph and the vizier, "I will
+beat until you are as black as he is (pointing to Mesrour), and him I
+will cudgel until he is as white as the flesh of the kid I have been
+regaling on. Depart at once, you shall no longer pollute my roof."
+
+The caliph was so much diverted with the anger of Yussuf, and yet in
+such dread of showing it, that he was obliged to thrust the end of his
+robe into his mouth, as they walked out under a shower of curses from
+the water-carrier.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"By the sword of the Prophet, but they were well out of this scrape!"
+observed the pacha. "May the grave of the rascal's mother be defiled! to
+offer to cudgel the vice-regent of the Prophet."
+
+"The caliph was in disguise, and Yussuf knew him not," replied
+Mustapha.
+
+"Those who threaten me in disguise, will find that no excuse, we swear
+by our beard," replied the pacha. "Proceed Menouni."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It was daylight before the great Haroun re-entered the secret gate of
+the seraglio, and retired to his couch. After a short slumber he arose,
+performed his ablutions, and proceeded to the divan, where he found the
+principal officers of his court, the viziers, omras, and grandees,
+assembled to receive him; his imagination, however, still dwelt upon the
+events of the preceding night, and after the ordinary business of the
+day had been transacted, and the petitioners who attended had been
+dismissed, he called for his grand vizier, who presented himself with
+the customary obeisances.
+
+"Giaffar," said the caliph, "issue a decree to the governor of the city
+that it be proclaimed throughout the streets of Bagdad, that no person
+whatever, shall, for the space of three days, carry water from the river
+to the bazaars for sale, and that whoever trespasses shall be hanged."
+
+The governor, Khalid ben Talid, immediately that he received the fetva,
+took the proper measures to have it promulgated. Heralds were despatched
+throughout the various quarters of the city, who proclaimed the will of
+the caliph. The people wondered, but submitted.
+
+Yussuf, who had performed his morning devotions, had reached the banks
+of the Tigris, and just filled, and hoisted on his shoulders, his
+ox-skin of water, when the appearance of one of the heralds attracted
+his attention; he listened to the legal proclamation, and let down his
+ox-skin with a curse upon all merchants of Moussul.
+
+"Confusion to the scoundrels, who last night prophesied such an unlucky
+event! If I could but lay hands upon them!" exclaimed Yussuf. "They did
+but hint it, and behold, it is done."
+
+Whilst Yussuf was thus lamenting over his empty water-skin, some of the
+other water-carriers came up, and began to console him after the fashion
+of Job's comforters.
+
+"Surely," said one, "you need not be troubled at this edict, you gain
+more than any five of us every day, and you have no wife nor child to
+provide for. But I, wretched man that I am, will have the misery of
+beholding my wife and children starving before the expiration of the
+three days."
+
+Another said, "Be comforted, Yussuf, three days will soon pass away, and
+then you will relish your kabobs and your rakee, your sweetmeats and
+your wine, with greater pleasure, having been so long deprived of them."
+
+"Besides," added a third, "you must not forget, Yussuf, that the prophet
+has declared that a man is eternally damned, body and soul, who is
+constantly drunk as you are."
+
+These observations kindled Yussuf's bile to that degree, that he was
+nearly venting his spleen upon his sarcastic consolers. He turned away,
+however, in his rage, and throwing his empty skin over his shoulders,
+proceeded slowly towards the mosque of Zobeide, cursing as he went
+along, all Moussul merchants down to the fiftieth generation. Passing
+the great baths, he was accosted by one of the attendants with whom he
+was intimate, who inquired, why he was so depressed in spirits.
+
+"That cold-blooded caliph of ours, Haroun Alraschid, has put an end to
+my earnings for three days, by threatening to hang any water-carrier who
+shall carry his load to the bazaar. You know, my friend, that I never
+have put by a single para, and I fear that in three days my carcase will
+become shrivelled with famine, and dried up for the want of a cup of
+rakee."
+
+"Which thou hast often divided with me before now," replied the other;
+"so even now will I divide my work with you, Yussuf. Follow me, if you
+do not object to the employment, which requires little more than
+strength, and, by Allah, you have that, and to spare. Surely, upon a
+pinch like this, you can take up a hair-bag, and a lump of soap, and
+scrub and rub the bodies of the true believers. Those hands of yours, so
+enormous and so fleshy, are well calculated to knead the muscles and
+twist the joints of the faithful. Come, you shall work with us during
+these three days at the hummaum, and then you can return to your old
+business."
+
+"Thy words of comfort penetrate deep into my bosom," replied Yussuf,
+"and I follow thee."
+
+The bath-rubber then took him in, bound an apron round his waist, and
+lent him a bag, three razors, pumice-stone for scrubbing the soles of
+the feet, a hair bag, and a sponge. Having caparisoned and furnished him
+with implements, he led Yussuf into the apartment where was the
+reservoir of hot water, and desired him to wait for a customer. Yussuf
+had not long sat down on the edge of the marble bath, when he was
+summoned to perform his duties on a hadji who, covered with dust and
+dirt, had evidently just returned from a tedious pilgrimage.
+
+Yussuf set to work with spirit; seizing the applicant with one hand, he
+stripped him with the other, and first operated upon the shaven crown
+with his razor. The hadji was delighted with the energy of his
+attendant. Having scraped his head as clean as he could with an
+indifferent razor, Yussuf then soaped and lathered, scrubbed and sponged
+the skin of the pilgrim, until it was as smooth and glossy as the back
+of a raven. He then wiped him dry, and taking his seat upon the backbone
+of his customer, he pinched and squeezed all his flesh, thumped his
+limbs, twisted every joint till they cracked like faggots in a blaze,
+till the poor hadji was almost reduced to a mummy by the vigour of the
+water-carrier, and had just breath enough in his body to call out,
+"Cease, cease, for the love of Allah--I am dead, I am gone." Having said
+this, the poor man fell back nearly senseless. Yussuf was very much
+alarmed; he lifted up the man, poured warm water over him, wiped him
+dry, and laid him on the ottoman to repose, covering him up. The hadji
+fell into a sound slumber, and in half an hour awoke so refreshed and
+revived, that he declared himself quite a new man.
+
+"It is only to hadjis," observed Yussuf, "that I give this great proof
+of my skill."
+
+The man put his hand into his pocket, pulled out three dirhems, and
+presented them to Yussuf, who was astounded at such liberality, and
+again expressing his satisfaction, the hadji left the hummaum. Delighted
+with his success, Yussuf continued his occupation, and attended with
+alacrity every fresh candidate for his joint-twisting skill. By the time
+that evening prayers commenced, he had kneaded to mummies half a dozen
+more true believers, and had received his six dirhems, upon which he
+determined to leave off for that day.
+
+Having left the bath, he dressed himself, went home, took his leathern
+pitcher, dish, and basket, and went to the bazaar, where he purchased a
+piece of mutton, and left it at the most noted kabob-makers in the
+district to be cooked; he then purchased his wine and rakee, wax tapers,
+and flowers, pistachio-nuts, dried fruit, bread, and oil for his lamps.
+When he had completed his purchases he called at the cook's shop, where
+he found his mutton nicely kabobed, and smoking in the dish. Paying the
+cook, and putting it into his basket, he hastened home over the bridge
+of boats, exulting in his good fortune. When he arrived, he swept out
+his room, dressed himself in better clothes, lighted his lamps, spread
+out his table, and then squatted himself down, with his legs twisted
+under him, and tossing off a bumper of wine, he exclaimed, "Well, I am
+lucky; nevertheless, here's confusion to all Moussul merchants, with
+their vile omens. Allah send their unlucky footsteps here
+to-night--that's all."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Here Menouni stopped, and made his salaam. "May it please your highness
+to permit your slave to retire for the night, for the tale of Yussuf,
+the water-carrier, cannot be imparted to your highness in one evening."
+
+The pacha, although much amused, was also a little tired. "Be it so,
+good Menouni, but recollect, Mustapha, that the caravan must not depart
+until I hear the end of this story."
+
+"Be chesm, on my eyes be it," replied Mustapha; and they all retired for
+the night.
+
+"What is the cause?" demanded the pacha, hastily, as next day Mustapha
+listened with apparent patience to the long details of one of the
+petitioners for justice.
+
+"It is, O lord of wisdom, a dispute between these men, as to a sum of
+money, which they received as guides to a Frank, who journeyed into the
+interior. The one was hired for the journey, but not being well
+acquainted with the road, called in the assistance of the other; they
+now dispute about the division of the money, which lies at my feet in
+this bag."
+
+"It appears that the one who was hired did not know the way."
+
+"Even so," replied Mustapha.
+
+"Then he was no guide, and doth not deserve the money. And the other, it
+appears, was called in to assist?"
+
+"Thy words are the words of wisdom," replied Mustapha.
+
+"Then was he not a guide, but only an assistant; neither can he be
+entitled to the money, as guide. By the beard of the Prophet, justice
+must not be fooled thus, and the divan, held in our presence, be made
+foolish by such complaints. Let the money be distributed among the poor,
+and let them each have fifty bastinadoes on the soles of the feet. I
+have said it."
+
+"Wallah Thaib--it is well said," replied Mustapha, as the two disputants
+were removed from the presence.
+
+"Now call Menouni," said the pacha, "for I am anxious to hear the story
+of Yussuf, and the future proceedings of the caliph; and a part of this
+bag of money will reward him for the honey which falls from his lips."
+
+Menouni made his appearance, and his obeisance; the pacha and Mustapha
+received their pipes from the Greek slave, and the Kessehgou then
+proceeded with his story.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The great caliph, Haroun Alraschid, had as usual held his afternoon
+audience; the court was dismissed. Haroun, whose whole thoughts were
+upon the bankrupt condition of Yussuf, and who was anxious to know how
+he had got on after the fetva had been promulgated, sent for his vizier,
+Giaffar. "I wish to ascertain," said the caliph to the vizier, "if the
+unlucky Yussuf has managed to provide for his bacchanalian revels
+to-night?"
+
+"There can be no doubt, O vice-regent of the Prophet," replied Giaffar,
+"that the young man is seated in the dark, in a most dismal mood,
+without either wine or kabob, or aught to comfort him."
+
+"Send for Mesrour, then; we will again resume our disguises, and pay him
+a visit."
+
+"Let the humblest of your slaves," interposed Giaffar, in a great
+fright, "represent at the footstool of your highness a true picture of
+what we may anticipate. Doubtless this lion-slayer of Shitan, being
+famished, will not forget our prophecy, and ascribing its fulfilment to
+our bad omens, will, in his mood, sacrifice us to his empty stomach.
+
+"Your wisdom is great, Giaffar," replied the caliph; "the man is truly a
+savage, and doubtless will rage with hunger, nevertheless, we will go
+and see in what state he may be."
+
+Giaffar trembled at the idea of being subjected to the wrath of such a
+fellow as Yussuf, but made no reply. He went for Mesrour and the
+dresses, and having put them on, they all three issued forth from the
+private gate of the seraglio. They had nearly reached the end of the
+narrow lane in which Yussuf's house was situated, when the strong
+reflection of the lights from the windows told them that, at all events,
+he was not lamenting his hard fate in darkness; and as they approached,
+the sound of his jovial voice proved also that it was neither in silence
+that he submitted to his destiny. As they came under the window, he
+ceased singing, and ejaculated a loud curse upon all Moussul merchants,
+wishing that he might only see them once again before the devil had
+them. The caliph laughed at this pious wish, and taking up a handful of
+pebbles, threw them at the jalousies of Yussuf's windows.
+
+"Who the devil is there?" roared the water-carrier; "is it you, ye
+bankrupt vagabonds, who have annoyed me? Begone, or by the sword of the
+Prophet, I'll impale you all three on my broomstick."
+
+"Dost thou not know us, Yussuf?" replied the caliph; "we are your
+friends, and once more request admission under thy hospitable roof."
+
+Yussuf came out into the verandah. "Oh! it is you, then; now take my
+advice,--go in peace. I am now in good humour, and peaceably disposed;
+but had I fallen in with you to-day, I would have twisted off your
+necks."
+
+"Nay, good Yussuf," replied Giaffar, "we have heard of the unaccountable
+and mad decree of the caliph, and have called to know how thou hast
+fared, and if we can be of service to one so hospitable and kind."
+
+"You lie, I believe," replied Yussuf; "but I'm in good humour, so you
+shall come in, and see how well I fare. I am Yussuf, and my trust is in
+God." He then went down and admitted them, and they viewed with surprise
+the relics of the feast. "Now, then," observed Yussuf, who was more than
+half drunk, "you know my conditions; there is my meat, there is my wine,
+there is my fruit; not a drop or a taste shall you have. Keep your
+confounded sharp eyes off my sweetmeats, you black-bearded rascal,"
+continued Yussuf, addressing the caliph. "You have your share of them."
+
+"Indeed, most hospitable sir, we covet not your delicacies: all we wish
+to know is the reason of this unheard of decree, and how you have
+contrived to supply your usual merry table."
+
+"You shall hear," replied the water-carrier. "My name is Yussuf, and my
+trust is in God. When the decree of the caliph came to my ears this
+morning, I became as one deprived of sense; but wandering near the
+hummaum of Giaffar Bermuki, a friendly servant of the baths accosted
+me." Yussuf then stated how he had gained his money, much to their
+amusement. "Now," continued he, "I will no longer be a water-carrier,
+but an attendant at the bath will I live and die. May all evil fall upon
+the cold-blooded caliph; but thanks to Allah, it never will enter his
+head to shut up the baths."
+
+"But," observed Giaffar, "suppose the caliph were to-morrow morning to
+take it into his head to shut up the baths."
+
+"Now, may all the ghouls seize thee when thou visitest thy father's
+tomb," cried Yussuf, jumping up in a fury, "thou bear-whiskered rascal!
+Did not I caution thee against evil predictions--and did you not swear
+that you would deal no more in surmises? The devil must attend you, and
+waft your supposes into the ear of the caliph, upon which to frame out
+his stupid fetvas."
+
+"I heartily ask your forgiveness, and I am dumb," replied Giaffar.
+
+"Then you are wise for once; prove yourself still wise, and hasten away
+before I reach my cudgel."
+
+Perceiving that Yussuf's eyes twinkled with anger, they thought it right
+to follow his advice. "We shall see you again, good Yussuf," said the
+caliph, as they descended.
+
+"To the devil with you all three, and never let me see your ugly faces
+again," replied the water-carrier, slamming the door after they were
+out. The caliph went away much amused, and with his attendants, entered
+the private gate of the seraglio.
+
+The next morning the caliph held a solemn divan, at which all the
+mollahs, as well as all the chief officers, were present, and he issued
+a decree, that every bath throughout Bagdad should be shut for three
+days, on pain of impalement. The inhabitants of Bagdad were swallowed up
+with wonder and perplexity. "How," exclaimed they, "what can this mean?
+Yesterday we were ordered not to use the waters of the Tigris, to-day
+the baths are denied us. Perhaps, to-morrow the mosques may be ordered
+to be shut up," and they shook their heads, as if to hint to each other
+that the caliph was not in his senses; but they exclaimed, "In Allah
+only safety is to be found." Nevertheless, the decree was enforced by
+the proper officers, who went round to the different baths. First they
+closed the Hummaum Alraschid, next that of Ziet Zobiede, then the bath
+of Giaffar Bermuki, at which Yussuf had found employment the day before.
+When it was closed, the master and attendants looked at the door, and
+they reproached the assistants, who had befriended Yussuf, saying, he
+was a water-carrier, and the business was stopped by a decree. You have
+brought him to the baths, and now they are shut. In the meantime, Yussuf
+was perceived striding towards the bath, muttering to himself, "I am
+Yussuf; my trust is in God. As an assistant at the hummaum will I live
+and die." Ignorant of the decree, he approached the door of the
+building, round which the servants were clustered, and accosted them.
+"How now, my friends, do you wait for the key? if anything ails the
+lock, trust to the strength of Yussuf."
+
+"Have you not heard that the caliph has ordered the baths to be shut for
+three days, on pain of impalement?"
+
+Yussuf started back with astonishment. "Now, may the graves of their
+fathers be eternally defiled--those confounded Moussul Merchants! Their
+supposes always come to pass. I will seek them out and be revenged." So
+saying, Yussuf, who had come prepared with his brushes, razors, and
+soap, turned off in a rage, and hastened through the streets for an hour
+or two, looking at every passenger, to ascertain if he could find those
+upon whom he would have wreaked his vengeance.
+
+After a long walk, Yussuf sat down on a large stone. "Well," said he, "I
+am still Yussuf, and my trust is in God; but it would be better, instead
+of looking after these rascals, if I were to look out for some means of
+providing myself with a supper to-night." So saying, he rose, went home,
+put on some clothes of better materials, and twisting up his red cotton
+sash for a turban, he took up his praying-carpet, with a determination
+to go to the bazaar and sell it for what it would fetch. As he passed
+the mosque of Hosein, he observed several mollahs, reading and
+expounding the more abstruse passages of the Koran. Yussuf knelt and
+prayed awhile, and returning to the door of the mosque he was accosted
+by a woman, who appeared to be waiting for some one. "Pious sir," said
+she, "I perceive by your goodly habit and appearance that you are one of
+the cadi's law officers."
+
+"I am as you please--I am Yussuf, and my trust is in God."
+
+"Oh! my hadji, then become my protector. I have an unjust debtor who
+refuses me my due."
+
+"You cannot intrust a better person," replied Yussuf. "I am a strong arm
+of the law, and my interest at court is such that I have already
+procured two decrees."
+
+"Those are great words, O hadji."
+
+"Tell me, then, who is this debtor, that I may seize him and carry him
+before the cadi. Haste to tell me, and for a few dirhems I will gain
+your cause, right or wrong."
+
+"My complaint is against my husband, who has divorced me, and
+notwithstanding, refuses me my dowry of five dinars, my clothes, and my
+ornaments."
+
+"What is your husband's trade?"
+
+"Pious sir, he is an embroiderer of papouches."
+
+"Let us lose no time, my good woman; show me this miracle of injustice,
+and by Allah, I will confound him."
+
+Upon this the woman unbound the string of coins from her head, and
+cutting off three dirhems, presented them to Yussuf. Yussuf seized the
+money, and tucking up his sleeves, that he might appear more like an
+officer he bade her to lead to the delinquent. The woman led him to the
+great mosque, where her husband, a little shrivelled-up man, was
+performing his duties with great devotion. Yussuf, without saying a
+word, took him up, carpet and all, and was about to carry him off.
+
+"In the name of the Prophet, to what class of madmen do you belong?"
+screamed the astonished devotee.
+
+"Release me; do not crush my poor ribs within your grasp. Set me down,
+and I will walk with you, as soon as I have put on slippers."
+
+The people crowded round to know what was the matter. "Ho, ho, that will
+presently appear," replied Yussuf. "His wife is his creditor, and I am
+her law officer; my demand is, that you restore to her fifty dinars,
+besides all the gold jewels and ornaments she has had these last fifty
+years."
+
+"How can that be," replied the little man, "seeing that I am not forty
+years old?"
+
+"That may be the case in fact," replied Yussuf; "but law is a very
+difficult thing, as you will find out. So come along with me to the
+cadi."
+
+The party then proceeded on their way to the cadi, but they had not gone
+many yards, when the papouche-maker whispered to Yussuf, "Most valiant
+and powerful sir, I quarrelled with my wife last night, on account of
+her unreasonable jealousy. I did pronounce the divorce, but there was no
+one to hear. If we slept together once more, she would be pacified.
+Therefore, most humane sir, I entreat you to interfere."
+
+"Was there no witness?" inquired Yussuf.
+
+"None, good sir," replied the man, slipping five direhms into the hand
+of Yussuf.
+
+"Then I decide that there is no divorce," replied Yussuf, pocketing the
+money, "and therefore you are no debtor. Woman, come hither. It appears
+that there was no divorce--so says your husband--and you have no witness
+to prove it. You are therefore no creditor. Go to your husband, and walk
+home with him; he is not much of a husband, to be sure, but still he
+must be cheap at the three dirhems which you have paid me. God be with
+you. Such is my decree."
+
+The woman, who had already repented of her divorce, was glad to return,
+and with many compliments, they took their leave of him. "By Allah!"
+exclaimed Yussuf, "but this is good. I will live and die an officer of
+the law." So saying he returned home for his basket, purchased his
+provisions and wine, and lighting up his house, passed the evening in
+carousing and singing as before.
+
+While Yussuf was thus employed, the caliph was desirous of ascertaining
+the effect of the new decree, relative to the baths. "Giaffar," said he,
+"I wonder whether I have succeeded in making that wine-bibber go to bed
+supperless? Come, let us pay him a visit."
+
+"For the sake of Islam, O caliph," replied Giaffar, "let us forbear to
+trifle with that crackbrained drunkard any more. Already has Allah
+delivered us out of his hands. What may we not expect if he is hungry
+and desolate?"
+
+"Your wisdom never grows less," replied the caliph; "those are the words
+of truth: nevertheless, I must go and see the madman once more."
+
+Giaffar, not being able to prevail, prepared the dresses, and they,
+accompanied by Mesrour, again sallied forth by the private gate of the
+seraglio. Once more were they surprised at witnessing the same
+illumination of the house, and one of the jalousies having burst open
+with the wind, they perceived the shadow of Yussuf, reflected on the
+wall, his beard wagging over his kabobs, and a cup of wine in his hand.
+
+"Who is there?" cried Yussuf, when Giaffar, at the command of the
+caliph, knocked at the door.
+
+"Your friends, dear Yussuf--your friends, the Moussul merchants. Peace
+be with you."
+
+"But it's neither peace nor welcome to you, you owls," replied Yussuf,
+walking out into the verandah. "By Allah! if you do not walk away, and
+that quickly, I shall come down to you with my bone polisher."
+
+"Indeed, friend Yussuf," replied Giaffar, "we have but two words to say
+to you."
+
+"Say them quickly, then, for you enter not my doors again, you wretched
+fellows, who have ruined all the water-carriers and all the bath-people
+in Bagdad."
+
+"What is that you mean?" replied the caliph; "we are lost in mystery."
+
+"What!" replied Yussuf: "have you not heard the decree of this
+morning?"
+
+"Gentle sir, we have been so busy sorting our wares, that we have not
+stepped out this day, and are ignorant of all that hath passed in
+Bagdad."
+
+"Then you shall come up and learn; but first swear by Moses, Esau, and
+the Prophet, that you will not _suppose_, for all you have imagined has
+proved as true as if it had been engraven on the ruby seal of Solomon."
+
+These conditions were readily accepted by the caliph and his companions,
+and they were then admitted upstairs, where they found everything
+disposed in the usual order, and the same profusion. When they had taken
+their seats in the corner of the room, Yussuf said, "Now my guests, as
+you hope for pardon, tell me, do you know nothing of what has happened
+to me this day--and what the blockhead of a caliph has been about?"
+Haroun and the vizier could with difficulty restrain their laughter, as
+they shook their heads. "Yes," continued Yussuf, "that vicegerent of a
+tattered beard, and more tattered understanding, has issued a decree for
+closing the baths for three days, by which cruel ordinance, I was again
+cast adrift upon the sea of necessity. However, Providence stood my
+friend, and threw a few dirhems in my way, and I have made my customary
+provision in spite of the wretch of a caliph, who I fully believe is an
+atheist and no true believer."
+
+"Inshallah," said the caliph to himself, "but I'll be even with you some
+day, at least."
+
+Yussuf then filled his cup several times, and was in high glee, as he
+narrated the events of the day, concluding with, "I am Yussuf--I put my
+trust in God. As an officer of the law I intend to live and die, and
+to-morrow I shall attend the hall of the cadi."
+
+"But," said Giaffar, "suppose----"
+
+"Suppose! by the beard of the Prophet, if you dare to suppose again in
+my presence, I will pound your fat stomach into a jelly," cried Yussuf,
+seizing his cudgel.
+
+"No, no, my friend, I merely wished to say----"
+
+"Say nothing," roared Yussuf, "or you never speak again."
+
+"Then we will only think, my friend."
+
+"That I will allow, and I also think as well as you. My thoughts are,
+that it will be wise for you to quit as fast as you can, for I have the
+cudgel in my hand, and am not in the very best of humours." The caliph
+and his attendants were of the same opinion, and took their leave of
+their irritated host.
+
+At the next morning's levee, Giaffar entered the divan at the head of
+the chief officers of the law, and viziers of the different departments,
+prostrating himself before the throne, he called down increase of years
+and prosperity on the caliph. "Giaffar," replied Haroun, "issue
+immediate orders, under the imperial firmaum, that strict inquiries be
+made into those officers of justice who attend the halls of the cadis.
+All those who have been lawfully selected shall be retained, with a
+present and increase of salary, while those who have assumed their name
+and office, without warranty or permission, shall be dismissed with the
+bastinado."
+
+The orders of the caliph were immediately obeyed. In the meantime,
+Yussuf, who had fallen asleep over his wine, did not awaken till long
+after the sun was up. He immediately rose, dressed himself with care,
+and hastened to the hall of the cadi, and took his station among the
+officers of the law, who looked at him with surprise and displeasure. At
+this moment the caliph's firmaum was delivered to the cadi, who, lifting
+it up to his forehead, in token of respect and obedience, caused it to
+be read to him. He then cried with a loud voice, "Bring in purses of
+gold, and let also the fellah and rods for the bastinado be brought in.
+Close up the gates of the cutchery, that none escape; and ye officers of
+justice, be ready to answer as your names are called." Yussuf, whose
+eyes were wide open, as well as his ears, said to himself, "My God! what
+new event is now to come to pass?"
+
+The orders of the cadi having been obeyed, the officers were severally
+called forward, and having proved themselves regularly appointed,
+received their rewards, and were dismissed. Yussuf's ideas were so
+confused by what appeared to him such an unmitigated destiny, that he
+did not perceive that he was left standing alone. It was not until the
+second time that the cadi called to him, that Yussuf moved towards him.
+
+"Who are you?" inquired the cadi.
+
+"I am Yussuf, and my trust is in God," replied he.
+
+"What is your profession?"
+
+"I am a water-carrier."
+
+"Such being the case, why did you join the officers of the law?"
+
+"I only entered upon the calling yesterday, O cadi; but nothing is
+difficult to me. Provided I gain but my six dirhems a day, I have no
+objection to become a mollah."
+
+The cadi and bystanders were unable to restrain their mirth,
+nevertheless, his feet were secured to the pole; and when hoisted up,
+they commenced the bastinado, taking care, however, to strike the pole
+much oftener than his toes. Having finished, he was released, and turned
+out of the hall of justice, very much mortified and melancholy, but
+little hurt by the gentle infliction. "Well," thought Yussuf, "fate
+appears determined that I shall change my mode of gaining my livelihood
+every day. Had I not allowed those Moussul rascals to enter my house,
+this never would have happened."
+
+As he said this, he perceived one of the _beeldars_, or officers of the
+caliph's household, pass by him. "That would be a nice office," thought
+Yussuf, "and the caliph does not count his people like the cadi. It
+requires but an impudent swagger, and you are taken upon your own
+representation." Accordingly, nowise disheartened, and determined to
+earn his six dirhems, he returned home, squeezed his waist into as
+narrow a compass as he could, gave his turban a smart cock, washed his
+hands, and took a peeled almond-wand in his hand. He was proceeding down
+stairs, when he recollected that it was necessary to have a sword, and
+he had only a scabbard, which he fixed in his belt, and cutting a piece
+of palm-wood into the shape of a sword, he fixed it in, making the
+handle look smart with some coloured pieces of cotton and silk, which he
+sewed with packthread. Thus marched he out, swaggering down the streets,
+and swinging his twig of almond-tree in his hand. As he strutted along
+everyone made way for him, imagining him to be one of those insolent
+retainers of office who are supported by the great khans. Thus he
+continued a straight course, until he arrived at the market-place, where
+a multitude was assembled round two men, who were fighting desperately.
+Yussuf pressed forward, the crowd making way for him on both sides,
+either taking him for an officer of the household, or dreading the force
+of his nervous and muscular proportions. When he reached the combatants,
+they were covered with dirt and blood, and engaged so furiously, that no
+one dared separate them. Yussuf, perceiving the dread which he inspired,
+and that he was taken, as he wished to be, for a beeldar, first clapped
+his hand to the handle of his pretended sword, and then struck the
+combatants several sharp blows with his almond stick, and thus induced
+them to leave off fighting. The sheick, or head of the bazaar, then
+approached Yussuf, and making an obeisance, presented him with six
+dirhems, with a prayer that he would seize the culprits, and carry them
+before the caliph for punishment, as disturbers of the public peace.
+
+Yussuf, securing the money in his girdle, seized up the two combatants,
+and carrying one under each arm, walked off with them. A great crowd
+followed, with many prayers for the release of the prisoners; but Yussuf
+turned a deaf ear, until another six dirhems were dropped into his vest,
+with a prayer for mercy. Upon this Yussuf consented to release them, and
+walked away, hardly able to contain his exultation. "I am Yussuf," cried
+he, "and I trust in God. As a beeldar will I live and die. By Allah! I
+will go to the palace, and see how it fares with my brother beeldars."
+
+Now there were thirty beeldars in the service of the caliph, who
+attended the palace in rotation, ten each day. On reaching the court of
+the palace, Yussuf took his station where the ten beeldars on duty were
+collected together. He observed, however, that they were very different
+from himself, very slight young men, and dressed in a very superior
+style. He felt some contempt for their effeminate appearance, contrasted
+with his own muscular frame, but could not keep his eyes off their
+handsome and stylish dress. Meanwhile, the chief of the beeldars
+perceived him, and knowing that he did not belong to the palace,
+imagined from his appearance, and his presenting himself among them,
+that he must be one in the service of one of the great omrahs who were
+at Bagdad, who, having nothing to do at home, had come as a visitor to
+the palace. He remarked this to his brother beeldars, saying, "This
+fine-built stranger ought to be considered as our guest. Let us show him
+all courtesy, for he is of our profession, and therefore we shall not do
+ourselves credit, if we do not prove that we have the power to serve
+him." The other beeldars agreeing with him, the chief went to the
+secretary of the treasury, and procured an order of notice upon a rich
+confectioner, to pay into the treasury the sum of five thousand dirhems,
+due by him upon several accounts therein specified. The vizier's seal
+having been attached to it, he went with it to where Yussuf was
+standing. "What, ho! brother beeldar," said the chief.
+
+"I am Yussuf, and my trust is in God; I am ready to obey your commands,"
+said the water-carrier, advancing with great humility.
+
+"May I request, brother beeldar, that you will do us of the palace, the
+very great favour to carry this paper, bearing the vizier's seal, to
+Mallem Osman, the great confectioner, and request the immediate payment
+of five thousand dirhems. You know your profession; of course the money
+is not expected, but whatever he may offer for your affording him a
+respite, put down to the friendship and good will of the beeldars of
+the palace, and remember us when you feast in your own dwelling."
+
+Yussuf, highly delighted, put the order into his cap, made a low salaam,
+and departed on his message. Deeming it beneath his new-fledged dignity
+to walk, he mounted one of the asses ready for hire at the corner of the
+streets, ordering the driver to hasten before to clear the way, and
+ascertain which was the dwelling of the confectioner. The house of
+Mallem Osman was soon discovered, for he was the most celebrated of his
+trade, and had an immense business. Yussuf rode up on the beast, which
+was not half as large as himself, and stopped at the shop, where the
+confectioner was superintending his work-people. "I am Yussuf, and my
+trust is in God," said Yussuf, looking at the confectioner. The
+confectioner heeded him not, when Yussuf strutted into the shop. "I
+merely wait upon you, good Mallem Osman, to request that you will
+immediately repair to the palace, carrying with you five bags, each
+containing one thousand dirhems, of which there appears at present to be
+no chance of receiving an asper. This paper, sealed by the vizier,
+contains the order; and as you have the honour of being the caliph's
+debtor, you will do well to rise and accompany me forthwith to the
+palace, not forgetting the needful."
+
+At this speech Mallem started up from his seat, advanced most
+submissively to Yussuf, took the paper and raised it to his head,
+addressing Yussuf with the most abject servility, "O most excellent,
+most valiant, and most powerful beeldar, how well doth the caliph select
+his officers! How favoured am I by Allah with your happy presence! I am
+your slave--honour me by refreshing yourself in my dwelling."
+
+Yussuf then threw the driver of the beast half a dirhem, and dismissed
+him, breathed as if fatigued with his journey, and wiped his brow with
+his sleeve. The confectioner placed him in his own seat, and sent
+hastily to the bazaar for a large dishful of kabob, spread a napkin
+before Yussuf, and slicing a pomegranate, strewed it over with pounded
+sugar, and placed it before him, along with some sweet cakes and some
+honey. "O chief of beeldars!" said the confectioner, "it is my prayer
+that you deign to break your fast in the house of your servant. Will you
+amuse yourself with these trifles while something better is preparing?"
+Here one of the shopmen brought a bowl, into which he poured sherbet of
+the distilled juice of the lotus-flower mingled with rose-water. The
+master placed this also before Yussuf, and entreated him to eat; but
+Yussuf, affecting the great man, held his head up in the air and would
+not even look that way. "Condescend to oblige me by tasting this
+sherbet, O chief!" continued the confectioner: "or I swear by Allah,
+that I will divorce my youngest and most favourite wife."
+
+"Hold--hold, brother!" replied Yussuf; "rather than that the innocent
+should suffer, I will comply with your request; although, to say the
+truth, I have no appetite, having taken my breakfast from the caliph's
+table in ten dishes, each dish containing three fowls dressed in a
+different fashion. I am so full that I can scarce draw my breath."
+
+"I fully comprehend that it is out of compassion to your slave that you
+comply with my request."
+
+"Well," said Yussuf, "to oblige you;" and taking up the bowl of sherbet,
+which contained some pints, to the amazement of the confectioner, at one
+long draught he swallowed it all down. The kabob now made its
+appearance, wrapped up in thin cakes of fine wheaten flour. Yussuf
+swallowed this also with a rapidity which was astonishing to behold, nor
+did he cease eating till the whole table cleared. The confectioner was
+amazed. "This fellow," thought he, "breakfasted upon ten dishes, each
+containing three fowls. How fortunate for me! What would he have done
+had he come here fainting? Nothing less than an ox stuffed with
+pistachio-nuts would have satisfied him. Would to Heaven that I were
+well rid of him!"
+
+In the meantime Yussuf stirred not, but resumed his consequence. The
+confectioner requested to know if his highness would wait till a dinner
+was prepared for him. "Indeed, friend, that is a subject of small
+concern. My object here is, that you hasten with me to the treasury to
+pay in the five thousand dirhems which are due."
+
+"Your indulgence, my aga," replied the confectioner; "I will return in
+one minute." Mallem Osman then filled a large bag with the choicest of
+his sweetmeats, and putting thirty dirhems in a paper, he approached
+Yussuf, saying, "My prince, I humbly beg your acceptance of this
+trifling present of sweetmeats, and these thirty dirhems for the
+expenses of the bath after your fatiguing journey hither. Deign also to
+favour me with your protection. Trade is scarce, and money does not come
+in. In a short time I will pay all."
+
+Yussuf, who was aware that the order had only been given that he might
+squeeze a few dirhems out of the confectioner, then spoke with much
+civility. "My advice to you, Mallem," said he, "is, that you stir not
+out of your door to-day--there is no such hurry--nor to-morrow, nay,
+even a week, or a month, or a year. I may say, stir not at all, for you
+have my protection; and therefore be under no trouble of going to the
+palace at all."
+
+It was near sunset when this affair was settled. Yussuf walked home with
+his hands full of presents, exclaiming as he went, "I am Yussuf, my
+provision is from God!" He reached his home, full of pleasing
+anticipations, and changing his dress, took out his basket and pitcher,
+returning loaded more than usual; for having gained forty-two dirhems,
+he resolved to indulge himself. "By Allah!" cried he, "I will double my
+allowance, to the confusion of those rascally Moussul merchants, who are
+such birds of ill omen." He accordingly expended double the money,
+doubling also his allowance of wax tapers and oil, so that his house was
+in a blaze of light when he sat down as usual to his feast, more happy
+than ever, drinking more, and singing twice as loudly as he had ever
+done before.
+
+Leaving him to his solitary revels, we must observe, that the caliph had
+ascertained that Yussuf had received the bastinado; and now making sure
+that he would be without provisions or wine, he resolved to pay him
+another visit. "I think, Giaffar, that I have, at last, sent that rascal
+to bed supperless in return for his calling me an infidel; and I must go
+and enjoy his wrath and indignation, increased of course by the pain of
+the blows he has received by the order of the cadi." In vain did Giaffar
+represent that it would be attacking an angry and wounded lion in his
+den; that his wrath would be such, and his strength was so enormous,
+that they could not expect less than annihilation, should they venture
+to his door. "All that may be true," replied the caliph; "but still I
+will go and see him at all risk."
+
+"I have my dagger, Commander of the Faithful," observed Mesrour, "and I
+fear him not."
+
+"Use it not, Mesrour," replied the caliph. "Get ready the dresses, and
+let us depart."
+
+"I venture to promise that we shall see no more lights this time, except
+it may be a solitary lamp to enable him to bathe his wounded feet."
+
+They went forth, and on their arrival were astonished at the blaze of
+light which proceeded from Yussuf's apartments; his singing also was
+most clamorous, and he appeared to be much intoxicated, crying out
+between his staves, "I am Yussuf! confound all Moussul merchants--my
+trust is in God!"
+
+"By the sword of the prophet!" exclaimed the caliph, "this fellow
+baffles me in everything. Have I not made the whole city uncomfortable,
+and submit to decrees which appeared to be promulgated by a madman,
+merely to chastise this wine-bibber, and behold he revels as before? I
+am weary of attempting to baffle him; however, let us find out, if
+possible, how he has provided for his table. What, ho! friend Yussuf,
+are you there? Here are your guests come again to rejoice in your good
+fortune," cried the caliph from the street.
+
+"What, again?" roared Yussuf. "Well, now, you must take the consequence.
+Fly, or you are dead men. I have sworn by Allah, not only that you
+should not come into my door, but that I would cudgel you whenever we
+met again."
+
+"Nay, thou pearl among men, thou ocean of good temper, rise and receive
+us. It is our destiny, and who can prevent it?"
+
+"Well, then," replied Yussuf, coming out to the verandah with his great
+cudgel, "if it is your destiny, it will not be my fault."
+
+"But, good Yussuf," replied the caliph, "hear us. This is the last time
+that we request admittance. We swear it by the _three_. You rail at us
+as if we harmed you; whereas, you must acknowledge that everything,
+however unfortunate at first appearance, has turned only to thy
+advantage."
+
+"That is true," replied Yussuf; "but still it is through your pernicious
+omens that I am made to change my trade every day. What am I to be
+next?"
+
+"Is not your trust in God?" replied Giaffar. "Besides, we promise thee
+faithfully that we will not say one word on the subject, and that this
+shall be the last time that we demand your hospitality."
+
+"Well," replied Yussuf, who was very drunk, "I will open the door for
+the last time, as I must not war with destiny." So saying, he reeled
+down the stairs, and let them in.
+
+The caliph found everything in extraordinary profusion. Yussuf sang for
+some time without noticing them; at last he said, "You Moussul rascals,
+why do you not ask me to narrate how I have had such good fortune? You
+are dying with envy, I presume; but now you shall hear it, and if you
+dare to go away till I have told you all, I will shower down such a
+quantity of blows upon your carcasses, as shall leave you worse than a
+bastinado of five hundred."
+
+"We are all obedience and humility, O prince of men!" replied the
+caliph.
+
+Yussuf then narrated the events of the day, concluding with, "I am
+Yussuf, my trust is in God! A beeldar will I live, a beeldar will I die,
+in spite of the caliph and his grand vizier to boot. Here's confusion to
+them both!" He then drank off a cup of rakee, and rolling over in a
+state of stupid intoxication, fell fast asleep.
+
+The caliph and Giaffar blew out the lights, and then let themselves out
+of the door, and, much amused with the adventures of Yussuf, they
+regained the private gate of the seraglio.
+
+The next morning Yussuf awoke, and finding it late, hastened to dress
+himself in his best clothes, saying to himself, "I am a beeldar, and I
+will die a beeldar." He took care to comb out his beard, and twist it in
+a fiercer manner; and then putting on his sham sword, lost no time in
+going to the palace, where he took his station among the beeldars who
+were on duty, hoping that he would be despatched by the chief on a
+similar message as that of the day before. The caliph soon afterwards
+made his appearance at the divan, and immediately recognised Yussuf in
+his partial disguise. He observed to Giaffar, "Do you see there our
+friend Yussuf? I have him at last, and now I will perplex him not a
+little before he escapes me." The chief of the beeldars being called,
+stepped forward and made his obeisance. "What is the number of your
+corps?" inquired the caliph.
+
+"Thirty in all, Most High, of which ten are every day on duty."
+
+"I will review those who are present," replied the caliph, "and examine
+each man particularly."
+
+The chief of the beeldars bowing low, retired, and turning to his men,
+with a loud voice, said, "Beeldars, it is the pleasure of the Commander
+of the Faithful, that you appear before him."
+
+This order was instantly obeyed, and Yussuf was compelled to walk with
+the rest into the immediate presence of the caliph; not, however,
+without alarm, and saying to himself, "What can all this be for? My
+usual luck. Yesterday, I cast up my reckoning with the cadi, and paid
+the balance with my heels. If I have to account with the caliph, I am
+lucky if I come off clear with my head."
+
+In the meantime the caliph asked a few questions of each beeldar, until
+he came to Yussuf, who had taken care to stand last. His manoeuvres and
+embarrassment afforded much pleasure to the caliph and Giaffar, so much,
+that they scarce could refrain from laughing outright. The last of the
+beeldars had now been examined, and had passed over to the right after
+the others, and Yussuf remained standing by himself. He shuffled from
+side to side, casting an eye now at the door, and then at the caliph,
+considering whether he should take to his heels; but he felt that it was
+useless. The caliph asked him who he was three times before Yussuf's
+confusion would allow him to answer; and the chief of the beeldars gave
+him a push in the ribs, and looking in his face, did not recognize him;
+he however supposed that he had been lately substituted by one of the
+other chiefs. "Answer the caliph, you great brute," said he to Yussuf,
+giving him another dig in the ribs with the handle of his poniard; but
+Yussuf's tongue was glued to his mouth with fear, and he stood trembling
+without giving any answer. The caliph again repeated, "What is your
+name, your father's name, and the amount of your salary as a beeldar?
+and how did you get your appointment?"
+
+"Is it to me you speak, O hadji caliph?" at last stammered out Yussuf.
+
+"Yes," replied the caliph, gravely.
+
+Giaffar, who stood near his master, then cried out, "Yes, you cowardly
+shred of a beeldar; and reply quickly, or a sword will be applied to
+your neck."
+
+Yussuf, as if talking to himself, replied, "I hope it will be _my own_
+then." He then replied to the question, "Yes, yes, it's all right--my
+father was a beeldar, and my _mother_ also before him." At this
+extravagant answer the caliph and whole court could no longer restrain
+their mirth, which gave Yussuf a little more courage.
+
+"So," replied Haroun, "it appears that you are a beeldar, and that your
+allowance is ten dinars yearly, and five pounds of mutton daily."
+
+"Yes, my Umeer," replied Yussuf, "I believe that is correct. My trust is
+in God!"
+
+"It is well. Now, Yussuf, take with you three other beeldars to the
+dungeon of blood, and bring to me the four robbers who were condemned to
+death for their manifold crimes and enormities."
+
+Here Giaffar interfered, and submitted to the caliph, whether it would
+not be better that the head jailor should produce them, which being
+ordered, that officer presently made his appearance with the four
+criminals pinioned and bareheaded. The caliph ordered three of the
+beeldars each to seize and blindfold a prisoner, to open their upper
+garments ready to unsheath their swords, and wait for the word of
+command. The three beeldars made their obeisance, obeyed the command,
+placing the criminals in a kneeling position, resting on their hams,
+with their necks bare, and their eyes covered. While the three beeldars
+stood thus in readiness, Yussuf was in a dreadful state of confusion.
+"To escape now is impossible," said he to himself. "Confound these
+Moussul merchants. They did well to say they would come no more, for in
+a few minutes I shall be no more myself."
+
+"You fellow there! you are one of the appointed beeldars, and do not
+know your duty," cried Giaffar. "Why do you not lead out the criminal,
+as your companions have done?"
+
+Yussuf, obliged to obey, now seized the fourth prisoner, covered his
+eyes, laid bare his neck, and took his stand behind him, but without
+drawing his sword. "I never shall be able to get over this," thought
+Yussuf. "In a few seconds it will prove to be but a piece of palm-wood,
+and I shall lose my head among the jeers of the people. However, my
+trust is in God; and to Shitan with all Moussul merchants." He took,
+however, his sheath and sham sword from his belt, and raised it in the
+scabbard over his shoulder.
+
+The caliph, who watched him narrowly, was highly diverted with this
+manoeuvre. "You beeldar!" cried he, "why do you not unsheath your
+sword?"
+
+"My sword," replied Yussuf, "is of that temper, that it must not too
+long glance in the eyes of the Commander of the Faithful."
+
+The caliph appeared satisfied, and turning to the first beeldar,
+commanded him to strike. In a moment the head of the robber was lying on
+the ground. "Neatly and bravely done," said the caliph; "let him be
+rewarded." He then gave command to the second to execute his criminal.
+The sword whirled in the air, and at one stroke the head of the robber
+flew some distance from the shoulders. The third criminal was despatched
+with equal dexterity. "Now," said the caliph to Yussuf, "you, my
+beeldar, cut off the criminal's head, and receive the like reward for
+your dexterity."
+
+Yussuf had by this time, to a certain degree, recovered his presence of
+mind; he had not exactly arranged his ideas, but they floated
+indistinctly in his brain. "Will your highness allow me to say a few
+words to the criminal?" demanded Yussuf, to gain time.
+
+"Be it so," replied the caliph, stuffing his robe in his mouth to
+prevent laughter.
+
+"The caliph has commanded that your head be struck off. If you would
+pronounce the profession of the true faith, now is your time, robber,
+for you have but one short minute to live."
+
+The criminal immediately cried out, "There is but one God, and Mahomet
+is his Prophet!"
+
+Yussuf then bared his muscular arm, and fiercely rolling his eyes,
+walked three times round his prisoner. "Declare now the justice of your
+fate," cried he, aloud (but at the same time saying to the man, in a low
+tone, "Swear you are innocent"). "Say, is not your sentence just?"
+
+"No--no," replied the man, in a loud voice, "I am innocent."
+
+The caliph, who was very attentive to all that passed, was much
+diverted by Yussuf's proceedings, and wondered what he would do next.
+Yussuf then walked up to the caliph, and prostrated himself. "O caliph!
+vicegerent of the Prophet! deign to listen to your faithful beeldar,
+while he narrates a strange adventure which hath befallen him within
+these few days."
+
+"Speak, beeldar, we are all attention; remember that thy words be those
+of truth."
+
+"It was on the evening before your highness issued the decree that no
+water should be supplied to the bazaar, from the Tigris, that as I was
+sitting in my house, performing my sacred duties, and studying the
+Koran, which I read in a loud voice, three merchants of Moussul claimed
+and entreated my hospitality. The Koran has pointed out hospitality as a
+virtue necessary to every true believer, and I hastened to open my door
+and receive them."
+
+"Indeed," replied the caliph, looking at Giaffar. "Tell me, beeldar,
+what sort of looking personages might these Moussul merchants be?"
+
+"Ill-favoured to a degree. One was a pot-bellied, rascally-looking
+fellow, with a great beard, who looked as if he had just come out of a
+jail. [The caliph winked at his vizier, as much as to say, There is your
+portrait.] Another was a black-bearded, beetle-browed, hang-dog looking
+rascal. [Giaffar bowed to the caliph.] And the third was a
+blubber-lipped, weazen-faced skeleton of a negro. [Mesrour clapped his
+hand to his dagger with impatience.] In short, your highness, I may
+safely say that the three criminals whose heads have just been forfeited
+to justice were, as far as appearances went, honest-looking men compared
+to the three Moussul merchants. Nevertheless, as in duty bound, I
+received these three men, gave them shelter, and spread a table of the
+best before them. They indulged in kabobs, and asking for wine and
+rakee, which, as forbidden by the law, I never taste, I went out and
+purchased it for them. They did eat and drink till the dawn broke, and
+then they departed."
+
+"Indeed," said the caliph.
+
+"The next night, to my great annoyance, they aroused me from my
+devotions as before. Again did my substance disappear in providing for
+their demands; and, after having eaten and drunk until they were
+intoxicated, they went away, and I hoped to see them no more, as they
+were not sparing in their observations upon the new decree of your
+highness, relative to the shutting up of the baths."
+
+"Proceed, good Yussuf."
+
+"The third night they again came, and having no more money to spare, and
+finding them still making my house a tavern, I hoped that they would
+come no more; but they came again, a fourth night, and then behaved most
+indecorously, singing lewd songs, and calling out for wine and rakee
+until I could bear it no more, and I then told them that I could no
+longer receive them. The fat-stomached one, whom I have before
+mentioned, then rose, and said, 'Yussuf, we have proved your
+hospitality, and we thank you. No one would have received three such
+ill-favoured persons, and have regaled them for the love of God, as you
+have done. We will now reward thee. Thou art a beeldar of the palace,
+and we will now present thee with the sword of justice, which has been
+lost since the days of the great Solomon; take this, and judge not by
+its outward appearance. When commanded to take off the head of a
+criminal, if he is guilty, the sword will flash like fire, and never
+fail; but should he be innocent, it will become a harmless lath of
+wood.' I took the present, and was about to return thanks, when the
+three ill-favoured Moussul merchants gradually took the form of
+celestial beings, and vanished."
+
+"Indeed, this is a strange story--what, did the big-bellied fellow look
+like an angel?"
+
+"As an angel of light, O caliph."
+
+"What, and the weazen-faced negro?"
+
+"Like a houri, O caliph."
+
+"Well, then," replied the caliph, "you shall now, Yussuf, try the power
+of this wonderful sword. Strike off that criminal's head."
+
+Yussuf returned to the robber, who remained kneeling, and walked round
+him, crying out with a loud voice, "O sword, if this man be guilty, do
+thy duty; but if he be, as he has declared in his dying moments,
+innocent, then become thou harmless." With these words Yussuf drew his
+sword, and exhibited a lath of palm-wood. "He is innocent, O caliph;
+this man, being unjustly condemned, ought to be set free."
+
+"Most certainly," replied the caliph, delighted with the manoeuvre of
+Yussuf, "let him be liberated. Chief of the beeldars, we cannot part
+with a man, who, like Yussuf, possesses so famous a weapon. Let there be
+ten more beeldars appointed, and let Yussuf have the command of them as
+chief, with the same perquisites and salary as the other chiefs."
+
+Yussuf prostrated himself before the caliph, delighted with his good
+fortune, and as he retired, he exclaimed, "I am Yussuf; my trust is in
+God. Allah preserve the three Moussul merchants."
+
+It was not long before the caliph, Giaffar, and Mesrour appeared again
+as the merchants to Yussuf, and heartily enjoyed his discomfiture and
+confusion, when they discovered themselves. Still Yussuf enjoyed the
+favour of Haroun to the end of his life, and was more fortunate than
+Giaffar and others, who only once fell under the wrath and suspicion of
+the all-powerful caliph.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Such, O pacha, is the history of Yussuf, the water-carrier."
+
+"Yes, and a very good story too. Have you not another, Menouni?"
+
+"Your highness," replied Mustapha, "the caravan will depart at break of
+day, and Menouni has but three hours to prepare. It can no longer be
+detained without the chief making a report to the authorities, which
+would not be well received."
+
+"Be it so," replied the pacha; "Let Menouni be rewarded, and we will
+try to find some other storyteller, until his return from his
+pilgrimage."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XIX
+
+
+"Mustapha," observed the pacha, taking his pipe out of his mouth, "what
+makes the poets talk so much about the Book of Fate?"
+
+"The Book of Fate, your highness, is where is written our _Talleh_, or
+destiny. Can I say more?"
+
+"Allah acbar! God is great! and it is well said. But why a book, when
+nobody can read it?"
+
+"These are great words, and spiced with wisdom. O pacha! doth not Hafiz
+say, 'Every moment you enjoy, count it gain.' Who can say what will be
+the event of anything?"
+
+"Wallah thaib! well said, by Allah! Then why a book, if the book is
+sealed?"
+
+"Yet there are wise men who can read our Kismet, and foretell."
+
+"Yes, very true; but I have observed that it is not until after an event
+has happened, that they tell you of it. What are these astrologers?
+_Bosh_--nothing--I have said." And the pacha remained some time smoking
+his pipe in silence.
+
+"May it please your highness," observed Mustapha, "I have outside a
+wretch who is anxious to crawl into your presence. He comes from the
+far-distant land of Kathay--an unbeliever, with two tails."
+
+"Two tails! was he a pacha in his own country?"
+
+"A pacha! Staffir Allah!--God forgive me! A dog--a most miserable
+dog--on my eyes be it; but still he hath two tails."
+
+"Let the dog with two tails be admitted," replied the pacha. "We have
+said it."
+
+A yellow-skinned, meagre, and wrinkled old Chinaman was brought in
+between two of the guards. His eyes were very small and bleared, his
+cheek-bones prominent; all that could be discovered of his nose were two
+expanded nostrils at its base; his mouth of an enormous width, with
+teeth as black as ink. As soon as the guards stopped, he slipped down
+from between them on his knees, and throwing forward his body,
+_kow-tow_-ed with his head in the dust nine times, and then remained
+with his face down on the floor.
+
+"Let the dog with two tails rise," said the pacha.
+
+This order not being immediately obeyed by the servile Chinaman, each of
+the two guards who stood by him seized one of the plaited tails of hair,
+which were nearly an ell in length, and pulled up his head from the
+floor. The Chinaman then remained cross-legged, with his eyes humbly
+fixed upon the ground.
+
+"Who art thou, dog?" said the pacha, pleased with the man's humility.
+
+"I am of Kathay and your vilest slave," replied the man, in good
+Turkish. "In my own country I was a poet. Destiny hath brought me here,
+and I now work in the gardens of the palace."
+
+"If you are a poet, you can tell me many a story."
+
+"Your slave has told thousands in his lifetime, such hath been my fate."
+
+"Talking about fate," said Mustapha, "can you tell his highness a story,
+in which destiny has been foretold and hath been accomplished? If so,
+begin."
+
+"There is a story of my own country, O vizier! in which destiny was
+foretold, and was most unhappily accomplished."
+
+"You may proceed," said Mustapha, at a sign from the pacha.
+
+The Chinaman thrust his hand into the breast of his blue cotton shirt,
+and pulled out a sort of instrument made from the shell of a tortoise,
+with three or four strings stretched across, and in a low, monotonous
+tone, something between a chant and a whine, not altogether unmusical,
+he commenced his story. But first he struck his instrument, and ran over
+a short prelude, which may be imagined by a series of false notes,
+running as follows:--
+
+Ti-tum, titum, tilly-lilly, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, titum, tilly-lilly,
+tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+As he proceeded in his story, whenever he was out of breath, he stopped,
+and struck a few notes of his barbarous music.
+
+
+
+THE WONDROUS TALE OF HAN.
+
+Who was more impassioned in his nature, who was more formed for love,
+than the great Han Koong Shew, known in the celestial archives as the
+sublime Youantée, brother of the sun and moon?--whose court was so
+superb--whose armies were so innumerable--whose territories were so
+vast--bounded as they were by the four seas, which bound the whole
+universe? yet was he bound by destiny to be unhappy, and thus do I
+commence the wondrous Tale of Han--the sorrows of the magnificent
+Youantée.
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly----
+
+Yes, he felt that some one thing was wanting. All his power, his wealth,
+his dignity, filled not his soul with pleasure. He turned from the
+writings of the great Fo--he closed the book. Alas! he sighed for a
+second self to whom he might point out--"All this is mine." His heart
+yearned for a fair damsel--a maid of beauty--to whose beauty he might
+bow. He, to whom the world was prostrate, the universe were slaves,
+longed for an amorous captivity, and sighed for chains. But where was
+the maiden to be found, worthy to place fetters upon the brother of the
+sun and moon--the magnificent master of the universe? Where was she to
+be found?
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+Yes, there was one, and but one, worthy to be his mate, worthy to be
+the queen of a land of eternal spring, filled with trees, whose stems
+were of gold, branches of silver, leaves of emerald, and whose fruits
+were the fragrant apples of immortality. And where was this moon, fit
+bride unto the sun? Was she not plunged in grief--hidden in a well of
+her own tears--even in the gardens of joy? Those eyes which should have
+sunned a court of princes, were dimmed with eternal sorrow. And who was
+the cause of this eclipse, but the miscreant, gold-loving minister,
+_Suchong Pollyhong Ka-te-tow_.
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly.
+
+The mandarins were summoned by the great Youantée, the court in its
+splendour bowed down their heads into the dust of delight as they
+listened to the miracle of his eloquence. "Hear me, ye first chop
+mandarins, peers, lords, and princes of the empire. Listen to the words
+of Youantée. Hath not each bird that skims the air, its partner in the
+nest? Hath not each beast its mate? Have not you all eyes which beam but
+upon you alone? Am I then so unfortunately great, or so greatly
+unfortunate, that I may not be permitted to descend to love? Even the
+brother of the sun and moon cannot, during his career on earth, exist
+alone. Seek, then, through the universe, a maiden for thy lord, that
+like my brother, the sun, who sinks each night into the bosom of the
+ocean, I too may repose upon the bosom of my mate. Seek, I say, search
+each corner of the world, that its treasures may be poured forth at our
+golden feet, and one gem be selected for our especial wear. But first, O
+wise men and astrologers, summon ye the planets and stars of destiny,
+that they may ascertain whether, by this conjunction, aught of evil be
+threatened to our celestial person, or to our boundless empire."
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+Where is the star which leaps not in his course with delight, to obey
+the wishes of the brother of the sun and moon? Where was the planet that
+rejoiced not to assist so near a relative? Yes, they all hearkened,
+bowing down to the astrolabes of the astrologers, like generous steeds,
+who knelt to receive their riders; yet, when they all did meet to throw
+light upon the required page of destiny, was not their brightness dimmed
+when they perceived, as they read it, that it was full of tears, and
+that joy floated but as a bubble? The wise men sighed as the decree of
+fate was handed down to them, and with their faces to the earth, thus
+did they impart the contents of the revealed page to the magnificent
+Youantée.
+
+"The brother of the sun and moon would wed. Beauty shall be laid at the
+golden feet, but the pearl beyond price will be found and lost. There
+will be joy and there will be sorrow. Joy in life, sorrow both in life
+and death; for a black dragon, foe to the celestial empire, threatens
+like an overhanging cloud. More the stars dare not reveal."
+
+Ti-tum, till-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Here the pacha looked at Mustapha and nodded his head in approbation, as
+much as to say, "Now we are coming to the point." Mustapha bowed, and
+the Chinese poet continued.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The golden eyes of the great Youantée were filled with silver tears when
+the page of destiny was made known; but the sun of hope rose, and bore
+away the sacred dew to heaven. Then called he the minister, ever to be
+disgraced in story, Suchong Pollyhong Ka-te-tow, and the emperor desired
+him to make a progress through the universe, his dominions, to find out
+the most beautiful maidens, to be brought to the celestial feet, at the
+coming feast of Lanthorns. But before they could be permitted to shoot
+up the rays of love through the mist of glory which surrounded the
+imperial throne--before their charms were to make the attempt upon the
+heart of magnanimity, it was necessary, that all their portraits should
+be submitted to the great Youantée, in the Hall of Delight. That is to
+say, out of the twenty thousand virgins whose images were to be
+impressed upon the ivory, one hundred only, selected by a committee of
+taste, composed of the first class mandarins and princes, were to be
+honoured by the beam of the celestial eye.
+
+The avaricious, gold-seeking, Suchong Pollyhong Ka-te-tow had performed
+his task; wealth poured into his coffers from the ambitious parents, who
+longed to boast of an alliance with the brother of the sun and moon, and
+many were the ill-favoured whose portraits were dismissed by the
+committee of taste, with surprise at the minister's ideas of beauty.
+
+Now there was a certain mandarin, whose daughter had long been extolled
+through the province of Kartou, as a miracle of beauty, and her father,
+Whanghang, brought her in a litter to the minister Suchong Pollyhong
+Ka-te-tow. He felt that her charms were piercing as an arrow, and that
+he had found a fit mate for the brother of the sun and moon; but his
+avarice demanded a sum which the father would not pay. Refuse to send
+her portrait he dare not; it was therefore ordered to be taken, as well
+as the others, and Whanghang considered himself as the father-in-law of
+the celestial Youantée. The young painter who was employed finished his
+task, then laid down his pencil, and died with grief and love of such
+perfection, which he never could hope to obtain. The picture was sent to
+the vile minister, who reserved it for himself, and wrote the name of
+this pearl beyond price, under that of another, unworthy to unloose her
+zone as her handmaiden. The committee of taste did, however, select that
+picture among the hundred to be placed in the Hall of Delight, not
+because the picture was beautiful, but because the fame of her beauty
+had reached the court, and they thought it right that the emperor should
+see the picture. The virgins whose pictures were thus selected, were all
+ordered to repair to the imperial palace, and the magnificent Youantée
+entered the Hall of Delight, which was illumined with ten thousand
+lanthorns, and cast his eyes over the portraits of the hundred
+beauties, but not one feature touched his heart, he turned away in
+disgust at the degenerate countenances of the age, "Is this all,"
+exclaimed he, "that the world can lay at the feet of its lord?" And the
+committee of taste prostrated themselves when they beheld his
+indignation. "And this," exclaimed he, pointing to the supposed portrait
+of the daughter of Whanghang, "who is this presumptuous one who hath
+dared to disgrace with her features the Hall of Delight?"
+
+"That, O emperor," said the wily Suchong Pollyhong Ka-te-tow, "is the
+far-famed beauty _Chaoukeun_, whose insolent father dared to say, that
+if it was not sent, he would lay his complaint at the celestial feet. In
+her province the fame of her beauty was great, and I did not like to be
+accused of partiality, so it has been placed before the imperial eye."
+
+"First, then," exclaimed the emperor, "let it be proclaimed that the
+whole province of Kartou is peopled by fools, and levy upon it a fine of
+one hundred thousand ounces of gold, for its want of taste; and next,
+let this vain one be committed to perpetual seclusion in the eastern
+tower of the imperial palace. Let the other maidens be sent to their
+parents, for as yet there is not found a fit bride for the brother of
+the sun and moon."
+
+The imperial mandates were obeyed; and thus was the first part of the
+prophecy fulfilled, that "the pearl beyond price would be _found_ and
+_lost_."
+
+Ti-tum, till-lilly, ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+Yes, she was lost, for the resplendent Chaoukeun was shut up to waste
+away her peerless beauty in sorrow and in solitude. One small
+terrace-walk was the only spot permitted her on which to enjoy the
+breezes of heaven. Night was looking down in loveliness, with her
+countless eyes, upon the injustice and cruelty of men, when the
+magnificent Youantée, who had little imagined that the brother of the
+sun and moon would be doomed to swallow the bitter pillau of
+disappointment, as had been latterly his custom, quitted the palace to
+walk in the gardens and commune with his own thoughts, unattended. And
+it pleased destiny, that the pearl beyond price, the neglected Chaoukeun
+also was induced, by the beauty and stillness of the night, to press the
+shell sand which covered the terrace-walk, with her diminutive feet, so
+diminutive, that she almost tottered in her gait. The tear trembled in
+her eye as she thought of her own happy home, and bitterly did she
+bewail that beauty, which, instead of raising her to a throne, had by
+malice and avarice condemned her to perpetual solitude. She looked
+upwards at the starry heaven, but felt no communion with its loveliness.
+She surveyed the garden of sweets from the terrace, but all appeared to
+be desolate. Of late, her only companions had been her tears and her
+lute, whose notes were as plaintive as her own.
+
+"O my mother!" exclaimed she; "beloved, but too ambitious mother! but
+for one little hour to lay this head upon your bosom! Fatal hath been
+the dream you rejoiced in at my nativity, in which the moon shone out so
+brilliantly, and then descended into the earth at your feet. I have
+shone but a little, little time, and now am I buried, as it were, in the
+earth, at my joyous age. Immured in this solitary tower, my hopes
+destroyed--my portrait cannot have been seen--and now I am lost for
+ever. Thou lute, sole companion of my woes, let us join our voices of
+complaint. Let us fancy that the flowers are listening to our grief, and
+that the dews upon the half-closed petals are tears of pity for my
+misfortunes." And Chaoukeun struck her lute, and thus poured out her
+lament:
+
+  "O tell me, thou all-glorious sun,
+    Were there no earth to drink thy light,
+  Would not, in vain, thy course be run,
+    Thy reign be o'er a realm of night?
+
+  "Thus charms were born to be enthroned
+    In hearts, and youth to be caress'd;
+  And beauty is not, if not own'd,
+    At least by one adoring breast."
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+The musical notes of the peerless Chaoukeun were not thrown away only
+upon flowers deaf and dumb, they vibrated in the ears of the magnificent
+Youantée, who had sat down on the back of an enormous metal dragon,
+which had been placed in the walk under the terrace. The emperor
+listened with surprise at her soliloquy, with admiration at her
+enchanting song. For some minutes he remained in a profound reverie, and
+then rising from the dragon, he walked towards the gate of the tower,
+and clapped his hands. The eunuch made his appearance. "Keeper of the
+Yellow Tower," said the emperor, "but now I heard the sounds of a lute."
+
+"Even so, O Sustenance of the world," responded the slave.
+
+"Was it not rather an angel than a mortal, whose mellifluous notes
+accompanied the instrument?" said the magnificent Youantée.
+
+"Certainly is she blessed beyond mortality, since her melody has found
+favour in the celestial ears," replied the black keeper of the Yellow
+Tower.
+
+"Go then, and quickly summon all our highest officers of state, to lay
+their robes upon the ground, that she may pass over them to our presence
+at the dragon below the terrace."
+
+The magnificent Youantée, brother of the sun and moon, returned to his
+former seat, filled with pleasing anticipations, while the eunuch
+hastened to obey the celestial commands. The mandarins of the first
+class hastened to obey the orders of Youantée; their furred and velvet
+cloaks, rich in gold and silver ornaments, were spread from the tower to
+the dragon at the terrace, forming a path rich and beautiful as the
+milky way in the heavens. The pearl beyond price, the peerless
+Chaonkeun, like the moon in her splendour, passed over it into the
+presence of the great Youantée.
+
+"Immortal Fo," exclaimed the emperor, as the attendants raised their
+lanterns, so as to throw light upon her countenance, "by what black
+mischance have such charms been hidden from our sight?"
+
+Then did the peerless Chaoukeun narrate, in few words, the treachery and
+avarice of Suchong Pollyhong Ka-te-tow.
+
+"Hasten, O mandarins, let the scissors of disgrace cut off the two tails
+of this wretch, and then let the sword of justice sever off his head."
+
+But the rumour of his sentence flew on the wind to Suchong Pollyhong
+Ka-te-tow; and before the executioner could arrive, he had mounted a
+horse fleeter than the wind, and with the portrait of the peerless
+Chaoukeun in his vest, had left even rumour far behind.
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+And to whom did the miscreant minister fly, to hide his devoted head? He
+flew to the wild nations of the north, the riders of wild horses, with
+sharp scimitars and long lances. For three days and three nights did the
+hoofs of his fiery steed strike fire upon the flints, which he spurned
+in his impetuous course, and then, as an immortal poet hath already
+sung, "he bowed his head and died." With the portrait of the peerless
+Chaoukeun in his bosom, and his mandarin garments raised up under each
+arm, the miscreant Suchong Pollyhong Ka-te-tow reached the presence of
+the Great Khan. "O Khan of Tartary," said he, "may thy sword be ever
+keen, thy lance unerring, and thy courser swift. I am thy slave. O thou
+who commandest a hundred thousand warriors, hath thy slave permission to
+address thee?"
+
+"Speak, and be d----d," replied the warrior chief, of few words, whose
+teeth were busy with some pounds of horse-flesh.
+
+"Thou knowest, O Khan, that it hath been the custom for ages, that the
+celestial empire should provide for thee a fair damsel for thy nuptial
+bed, and that this hath been the price paid by the celestial court, to
+prevent the ravages of thy insatiate warriors. O Khan, there is a maid,
+whose lovely features I now have with me, most worthy to be raised up
+to thy nuptial couch." And the miscreant laid at the feet of the Great
+Khan the portrait of the peerless Chaoukeun.
+
+The chief finished his repast, and then with his lance turned over the
+image of the pearl beyond all price. He looked at it, then passed it to
+those around him. The savage warriors stared at the lovely portrait, and
+admired it not--yet did they long for war. "Tell me, O chiefs," said the
+Great Khan, "is that baby-face you look at worth contending for?"
+
+And, with one voice, the chiefs replied that she was worthy to share the
+nuptial couch of the Great Khan.
+
+"Be it so," replied he, "I am no judge of beauty. Let the encampment be
+broken up--this evening we move southwards." And the Tartar chief
+entered the northern provinces of the celestial empire, with his hundred
+thousand warriors, destroying all with fire and sword, proving his
+sincere wish to unite himself to the Chinese nation by the
+indiscriminate slaughter of man, woman, and child; and his ardent love
+for the peerless Chaoukeun, by making a nuptial torch of every town and
+village.
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+But we must return to the celestial court, and astonish the world with
+the wonderful events which there took place. The astrologers and wise
+men had consulted the heavens, and had ascertained that on the
+thirty-third minute after the thirteenth hour, the marriage procession
+must set out, or the consummation would not be prosperous. Who can
+describe the pomp and glory of the spectacle, or give an adequate idea
+of its splendour? Alas! it would not be possible, even if it were
+attempted by ten thousand poets, each with ten thousand tongues of
+silver, singing for ten thousand years. Such, however, was the order of
+the procession.
+
+First walked ten thousand officers of justice, with long bamboos,
+striking right and left to clear the way, to the cadence of soft music,
+blending with the plaintive cries of those who limped away and rubbed
+their shins.
+
+Then marching, ten abreast, one hundred thousand lanthorns to assist
+the sun, partially eclipsed by the splendour of the procession.
+
+Next appeared, slowly keeping time to a dead march, five thousand
+decapitated criminals, each carrying his own head by its long tail of
+hair.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Staffir Allah! What is that but a lie?" exclaimed the pacha. "Did you
+hear what the dog has dared to breathe into our ears, Mustapha?"
+
+"Mighty pacha," replied the Chinaman, with humility, "if your wisdom
+pronounces it to be a lie--a lie it most certainly must be; still it is
+not the lie of your slave, who but repeats the story as handed down by
+the immortal eastern poet."
+
+"Nevertheless, there appears to be a trifling mistake," observed
+Mustapha. "Is the procession to proceed, O pacha?"
+
+"Yes, yes; but by the Prophet, let the dog tremble if again he presumes
+to laugh at our beards."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+After the decapitated criminals, which your highness objects to, came in
+procession those criminals with their heads on, who were to suffer for
+their offences on this day of universal happiness.
+
+First came two thousand robbers, sentenced to be hung up by their heels,
+emblematic of their wish to turn everything upside down--so to remain
+until they were pecked to death by the crows, or torn to pieces by the
+vultures.
+
+The banner of innovation.
+
+One of the robber chiefs, ordered to be choked with an abacus, which was
+suspended round his neck.
+
+Another of the robber chiefs. This man, although a follower of the
+court, and sunned in the celestial presence, had dared to utter vile
+falsehoods against the celestial dynasty. He was sentenced to have his
+skin peeled off, and to eat his own words, until he died from the
+virulent poison which they contained.
+
+The most important of all the criminals next appeared, who being great
+in favour at court, and appointed to the high office of physician to the
+celestial conscience, had been discovered in the base attempt of
+drugging it with opium; he had also committed several other enormities,
+such as being intoxicated in his mandarin robes, and throwing mud at the
+first chief mandarin; also of throwing aside his robes, mingling with
+the lower classes, and associating with mountebanks, jugglers, and
+tight-rope dancers. His enormities were written on a long scroll
+suspended round his neck. His sentence was the torture of disappointment
+and envy, previous to a condign political death.
+
+After him came a disgraced yellow mandarin, who had been a great enemy
+of the criminal who preceded him. He was seated upon a throne of jet,
+and his arms supported in derision by two prize-fighters. His crime was
+playing at pitch and toss with the lower classes. His punishment was
+merely exposure.
+
+Such were the criminals who were to suffer upon this day of universal
+happiness and delight.
+
+Then came fifty thousand archers of the blue dragon battalion, carrying
+in their hands chowries of horses' tails to clear away the blue-bottle
+flies.
+
+Next appeared ten thousand virgins, all modest, lovely, and in light
+drapery, singing hymns in praise of Ganesa on the Rat, the god of pure
+Love;
+
+Attended by ten thousand youths, who tickled the said ten thousand
+virgins, singing hymns in praise of the upright Fo.
+
+Fifty thousand archers of the green dragon battalion, each carrying a
+long peacock's feather in his right hand, to ascertain how the wind
+blew.
+
+Five hundred physicians attending the celestial court, each carrying a
+silver box with golden pills.
+
+The head physician to the celestial wits, and always in attendance upon
+a crisis. He carried in his right hand a bladder-full of peas at the end
+of a wand, to recall his majesty's wits when they wandered; and was
+followed by
+
+Fifty thousand fools marching five abreast in union,
+
+And fifty thousand rogues, marching off with everything they could lay
+their hands upon.
+
+Then came a notorious faquir and mendicant, who was leader of a
+celebrated sect. He wore but one tail instead of the two usually worn by
+our nation, but that tail was of forty feet. He was followed by numerous
+devotees, who threw their worldly goods at his feet, and in return he
+presented them with writings and harangues, which he declared were
+infallible _in all diseases_.
+
+Ten thousand young married women, each hushing an infant to repose upon
+the left breast to the sound of clarions and trumpets, emblematical of
+the peaceful and quiet state of matrimony.
+
+The banner of impudence.
+
+Five thousand political mountebanks, contradicting each other, and
+exerting themselves for the amusement of the people, who, however,
+suffered rather severely from their mad tricks.
+
+The second in command, explaining their system in an unknown tongue.
+
+The emperor's juggler, who astonished the whole empire by his
+extraordinary feats, and the rapidity with which he relieved them of all
+the money in their pockets.
+
+The banner of Love.
+
+The celestial secretary, with goose-wings on his shoulders, goose-quills
+in each hand, looking very much like a goose mounted on a mule, gaily
+caparisoned in colours quadripartite, and covered with jingling brass
+bells.
+
+Five thousand old women, singing the praises of the said secretary and
+taking snuff to the flourish of hautboys.
+
+The prosperity of the celestial empire, carried by the court fool, in a
+basket beautifully carved out of a wild cherry-stone; and guarded by
+
+Fifty thousand archers of the red dragon battalion, picking their teeth
+to soft music.
+
+Ten thousand poets, each singing at the same time, and to a different
+tune, his ode upon this joyful occasion.
+
+The immortal poet of the age, attired in velvet to his feet, and
+superbly ornamented with rings and chains of gold and precious stones.
+He carried his silver harp in his hand, and was mounted on a beautiful
+white jackass with his face towards the tail, that he might behold and
+be inspired by the charms of the peerless Chaoukeun, the pearl beyond
+all price.
+
+Then came the magnificent Youantée, and the peerless Chaoukeun, seated
+in the massive car of gossamer richly studded with the eyes of live
+humming birds, drawn by twelve beautiful blue loadstars, presented by
+the heavenly bodies to the brother of the sun and moon.
+
+Twenty thousand young men, beautiful as angels, clad in the skins of the
+black fox, and playing upon ivory jews'-harps, all mounted upon
+coal-black steeds.
+
+Twenty thousand niggers, ugly as devils, clad in the skins of the white
+polar bear, and sounding mellifluous cat-calls, all mounted upon pure
+white Arabian horses.
+
+All the first-class mandarins of the celestial empire, turning up their
+eyes to heaven, and wishing that the procession was over.
+
+All the second-class mandarins of the celestial empire, choked with
+dust, and wishing the procession at the devil.
+
+Twenty millions of the people, extolling the liberality of the great
+emperor, and crying out for bread.
+
+Ten millions of women, who had lost their children in the crowd, and
+were crying out bitterly in their search.
+
+Ten millions of children who had lost their mothers in the crowd, and
+were crying out bitterly till they found them.
+
+The remainder of the inhabitants of the celestial empire.
+
+Such was the grand and pompous marriage procession, which employed the
+whole population, so that there were no spectators except three blind
+old women, who were so overcome with delight that, when it had passed,
+they bowed their heads and died.
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+The procession arrived at the palace, and the pearl of price was now his
+bride, and the heart of Youantée was oppressed with love. Upon a
+jewelled throne they sat, side by side; but what was the blaze of the
+diamonds, compared to one glance from her lightning eye? What were the
+bright red rubies, compared to her parted coral lips--or the whiteness
+of the pearls, when she smiled, and displayed her teeth? Her arched
+eyebrows were more beautifully pencilled than the rainbow; the blush
+upon her cheek turned pale with envy every rose in the celestial
+gardens; and in compassion to the court, many of whom were already
+blind, by rashly lifting up their eyes to behold her charms, an edict
+had been promulgated, by which it was permitted to the mandarins and
+princes attending the court, to wear green spectacles to save their
+eyes. The magnificent Youantée was consumed with love as with a raging
+fever, and the physicians of the emperor were alarmed for his celestial
+health; by their advice, Chaoukeun consented only to receive him in a
+darkened chamber. All was joy. The empire rang with the praises of the
+pearl beyond all price. The gaols were ordered to be levelled to the
+ground--criminals to be pardoned--the sword of justice to remain in its
+scabbard--the bastinado to be discontinued. Even the odious lanthorn-tax
+was taken off, in honour of the peerless Chaoukeun, whose praises were
+celebrated by all the poets of the country, until they were too hoarse
+to sing, and the people too tired to listen to them.
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I'm sure I don't wonder at their being tired," observed the pacha,
+yawning, "if they were like you."
+
+"God is great," replied Mustapha, with another yawn. "Shall he proceed?"
+
+"Yes, let him go on; wake me when the story is ended," replied the
+pacha, laying down his pipe.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Alas! how soon was all this delirium of happiness to be overthrown: how
+soon was the prophecy to be fulfilled, that there should be not only joy
+in life, but also sorrow! The magnificent Youantée was roused from his
+dream of delight by courier after courier coming in, and laying at the
+celestial feet tidings of the advance of the hundred thousand warriors.
+A solemn council was summoned, and the imperial edict was passed, that
+the barbarians of the north should be driven back to their lands of
+eternal frost and snow. The imperial armies departed from the capital,
+each individual composing its hundreds of thousands, vowing by his two
+tails that he would eat all that he killed. This bloody vow was
+accomplished, for they killed none; they returned discomfited, without
+their bows, or arrows, or their swords, fleeing before the rage of the
+Tartar chief. Then rose the great Youantée in wrath, and issued another
+edict that the barbarians should be driven even into the sea which
+bounds the empire of the world. And the armies were again sent forth,
+but again they returned discomfited, saying, "How can we, who eat rice
+with chopsticks, combat with barbarians, who not only ride on horses,
+but eat them too?" The celestial edict was not attended to by the
+Tartars, for they were barbarians, and knew no better; and they
+continued to advance until within one day's progress of the celestial
+capital; and the brother of the sun and moon, the magnificent Youantée,
+was forced to submit to the disgrace of receiving an envoy from the
+barbarians, who thus spoke, in sugared words:--
+
+"The great khan of Tartary greets the magnificent Youantée; he has
+slaughtered some millions of his subjects, because they were traitors,
+and would not defend the celestial throne. He has burnt some thousands
+of his towns, that the great Youantée may order them to be rebuilt in
+greater beauty. All this has he done with much trouble and fatigue, to
+prove his regard to the magnificent Youantée. All that he asks in return
+is, that he may receive as his bride the peerless Chaoukeun, the pearl
+beyond all price."
+
+The great Youantée spoke from his celestial throne--"Return my thanks to
+the great khan your master, for his considerate conduct, and tell him,
+that he well deserves a bride from our celestial empire, but the pearl
+beyond all price is wedded to the brother of the sun and moon. Any other
+maiden in our empire shall be sent to him with gifts worthy to be
+offered by the great Youantée, and worthy to be accepted by the great
+khan of Tartary. Let it be an edict."
+
+But the Tartar replied, "O great monarch, the great khan my master does
+not require an edict, but the peerless Chaoukeun. If I return without
+her, he enters the celestial city, and spares not man, or woman, or
+child." Then fell at the celestial feet all the princes and mandarins of
+every class, performing solemnly the great _kow tow_, and the chief
+minister of state spoke thus:--"Lord of the universe, brother of the sun
+and moon, who governs the world with thine edicts, whose armies are
+invincible, and numerous as the sands upon the shores of the four seas,
+listen to thy faithful slaves. Surrender up to this barbarian the pearl
+beyond all price, so shall we all live to humble ourselves before thee."
+And all the princes and mandarins cried out with one voice, "Surrender
+up the pearl beyond all price." And all the brave generals drew their
+swords, and waved them in the air, crying out, "Surrender up to this
+barbarian the pearl beyond all price." And all the army and all the
+people joined in the request.
+
+Then rose up Youantée in great wrath, and ordered that the prime
+minister, and all the mandarins, and the princes, and all the generals,
+and all the army, and all the people, should be disgraced and
+decapitated forthwith. "Let it be an edict." But as there was no one
+left to put the great Youantée's edict into force, it was not obeyed.
+And the brother of the sun and moon perceived that he was in the
+minority; concealing therefore his bile, he graciously ordered
+refreshments for the envoy, saying, "Let the dog be fed," and retired to
+the apartment of the peerless Chaoukeun.
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+Now the beauteous empress had listened to all that had taken place in
+the great hall of audience, and she threw herself at the celestial feet,
+saying, "Let me be sacrificed--it is my destiny. Send your slave to the
+great khan to do with me as he pleases--I am all submission. They say he
+is a handsome man, and of great size and strength. It is my destiny."
+
+Then did the great Youantée shed bitter tears at his bitter fate; but he
+knew it was his destiny--and O destiny, who can resist thee? He wiped
+his celestial eyes, and leading forth the peerless Chaoukeun, put her in
+the hands of the barbarian envoy, saying, "I send your master the pearl
+beyond all price. I have worn her for some time, but still she is as
+good as new. And now let your master the great khan return, with his
+hundred thousand warriors, to the confines of our territories, as it was
+agreed. Thou hearest. It is an edict."
+
+"It is enough that my great master hath given his word, and the great
+Youantée hath given the pearl beyond all price. There needs not an
+edict," replied the envoy, departing with the peerless Chaoukeun. Thus
+was the magnificent Youantée left without a bride.
+
+Now when the envoy had brought the peerless Chaoukeun in a close litter
+to the tent of the great khan, he forthwith commanded his army to
+return. Much to the mortification of the peerless damsel, he did not
+express any curiosity to behold her, but commenced a rapid retreat, and,
+in a few days, arrived at the confines of the celestial territory, which
+was separated from the Tartar dominions by an impetuous river. As soon
+as he had forded the river, he encamped on the other side, and sat down
+with his generals to a sumptuous feast of horseflesh and quass. When
+the liquor had mounted into his brain, he desired that the litter of the
+pearl beyond all price should be brought nigh to his tent, that he might
+send for her, if so inclined. And the peerless Chaoukeun peeped out of
+the litter, and beheld the great khan as he caroused; and when she
+beheld his hairy form, his gleaming eyes, his pug-nose, and his
+tremendously wide mouth--when she perceived that he had the form and
+features of a ghoul, or evil spirit, she wrung her hands, and wept
+bitterly, and all her love returned for the magnificent Youantée.
+
+Now the great khan was drunk with quass, and he ordered the pearl beyond
+all price to be brought to him, and she replied trembling, saying, "Tell
+your lord that I am not fit to appear in his sublime presence until I
+have washed myself in the river." And those who had charge of her took
+the message to the great khan, who replied, "Let her wash, since she is
+so dirty."
+
+Then was the litter of the peerless Chaoukeun taken down to the banks of
+the river, and she stood upon a rock which overhung the black waters.
+"How callest thou this river?" said she to her attendants.
+
+And they replied, "This river, O princess, divides the territory of
+Tartary from China, and it is called the river of the Black Dragon."
+
+"Then is the prophecy fulfilled," cried the pearl beyond price. "It is
+my destiny; and destiny, who shall resist?"
+
+She raised up her arms to heaven, and uttering a loud shriek at her
+unhappy fate, she plunged headlong into the boiling waters, and
+disappeared for ever.
+
+Thus was the prophecy fulfilled. The brother of the sun and moon had
+wed--beauty had been laid at the golden feet--the pearl beyond price had
+been found and lost. There had been joy and there had been sorrow in
+life--and sorrow in death. The Black Dragon had proved the foe to the
+celestial empire, for it had swallowed up the pearl beyond all price.
+
+Ti-tum, ti-tum, tilly-lilly, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+The twang of the rude instrument awoke the pacha, who had been fast
+asleep for some time.
+
+"Is it finished, Mustapha?" said he, rubbing his eyes.
+
+"Yes, your highness; and the destiny foretold was truly accomplished."
+
+"Bismillah! but I'm glad of it. Before he had whined ten minutes, I
+foretold that I should go to sleep. My destiny has also been
+accomplished."
+
+"Will your highness foretell the destiny of this dog with two tails?"
+
+"Two tails! that reminds me that we have only had one out of him as yet.
+Let's have him again to-morrow, and have another. At all events, we
+shall have a good nap. God is great."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XX
+
+
+"Mustapha," said the pacha, "I feel as the caliph Haroun Alraschid, in
+the tale of Yussuf, related by Menouni, full of care; my soul is
+weary--my heart is burnt as roast meat."
+
+Mustapha, who had wit enough to perceive that he was to act the part of
+Giaffar, the vizier, immediately replied, "O pacha! great and manifold
+are the cares of state. If thy humble slave may be permitted to advise,
+thou wilt call in the Chinese dog with two tails, who hath as yet
+repeated but one of his tales."
+
+"Not so," replied the pacha; "I am weary of his eternal ti-tum,
+tilly-lilly, which yet ringeth in mine ears. What else canst thou
+propose?"
+
+"Alem penah! refuge of the world, wilt thou be pleased to order out thy
+troops, and witness the exercise of djireed? The moon is high in the
+heavens, and it is light as day."
+
+"Not so," replied the pacha; "I am tired of war and all that appertains
+to it. Let the troops sleep in peace."
+
+"Then, O pacha! will you permit your slave to send for some bottles of
+the fire-water of the Giaour, that we may drink and smoke until we are
+elevated to the seven heavens?"
+
+"Nay, good vizier, that is as a last resource, for it is forbidden by
+the laws of the Prophet. Think once more, and thou must have no more
+brains than a water-melon, if this time thou proposest not that which
+will give me ease."
+
+"Thy slave lives but to hear, and hears but to obey," replied Mustapha.
+"Then will it please my lord to disguise himself, and walk through the
+streets of Cairo; the moon is bright, and the hyena prowls not now, but
+mingles his howlings with those of the jackal afar off."
+
+"Your face is whitened, Mustapha, and it pleaseth us. Let the disguises
+be prepared, and we will sally forth."
+
+In a short time the disguises were ready, the vizier taking care that
+they should be those of Armenian merchants, knowing that the pacha would
+be pleased with the similarity to those worn by the great Alraschid; two
+black slaves, with their swords, followed the pacha and his vizier at a
+short distance. The streets were quite empty, and they met with nothing
+living except here and there a dog preying on the garbage and offal, who
+snapped and snarled as they passed by. The night promised nothing of
+adventure, and the pacha was in no very good humour, when Mustapha
+perceived a light through the chinks of a closed window in a small
+hovel, and heard the sound of a voice. He peeped through, the pacha
+standing by his side. After a few seconds the vizier made signs to the
+pacha to look in. The pacha was obliged to strain his fat body to its
+utmost altitude, standing on the tips of his toes to enable his eyes to
+reach the cranny. The interior of the hovel was without furniture, a
+chest in the centre of the mud floor appeared to serve as table and
+repository of everything in it, for the walls were bare. At the
+fireplace, in which were a few embers, crouched an old woman, a
+personification of age, poverty, and starvation. She was warming her
+shrivelled hands over the embers, and occasionally passed one of her
+hands along her bony arm, saying, "Yes, the time has been--the time has
+been."
+
+"What can she mean," said the pacha to Mustapha, "by 'the time has
+been'?"
+
+"It requires explanation," replied the vizier; "this is certain, that it
+must mean something."
+
+"Thou hast said well, Mustapha; let us knock, and obtain admittance."
+Mustapha knocked at the door of the hovel.
+
+"There's nothing to steal, so you may as well go," screamed the old
+woman; "but," continued she, talking to herself, "the time has been--the
+time has been."
+
+The pacha desired Mustapha to knock louder. Mustapha applied the hilt of
+his dagger, and thumped against the door.
+
+"Ay--ay--you may venture to knock now, the sultan's slippers are not at
+the door," said the old woman: "but," continued she, as before, "the
+time has been--the time has been."
+
+"Sultan's slippers! and time has been!" cried the pacha. "What does the
+old hag mean? Knock again, Mustapha."
+
+Mustapha reiterated his blows."
+
+"Ay--knock--knock--my door is like my mouth; I open it when I choose,
+and I keep it shut when I choose, as once was well known. The time has
+been--the time has been."
+
+"We have been a long time standing here, and I am tired of waiting; so,
+Mustapha, I think the time is come to kick the door open. Let it be
+done."
+
+Whereupon Mustapha put his foot to the door, but it resisted his
+efforts. "Let me assist," said the pacha, and retreated a few paces; he
+and Mustapha backed against the door with all their force. It flew open,
+and they rolled together on the floor of the hovel. The old woman
+screamed, and then, jumping on the body of the pacha, caught him by the
+throat, crying, "Thieves; murder!" Mustapha hastened to the assistance
+of his master, as did the two black slaves, when they heard the cries,
+and with some difficulty the talons of the old Jezebel were disengaged
+from the throat of the pacha, who, in his wrath, would have immediately
+sacrificed her. "Lahnet be Shitan! Curses on the devil!" exclaimed the
+pacha; "but this is pretty treatment for a pacha."
+
+"Knowest thou, vile wretch, that thou hast taken by the throat, and
+nearly strangled, the Lord of Life--the pacha himself," said Mustapha.
+
+"Well," replied the old woman, coolly, "the time has been--the time has
+been."
+
+"What meanest thou, cursed hag, that 'the time has been'?"
+
+"I mean that the time has been, when I have had more than one pacha
+strangled. Yes," continued she squatting down on the floor, and
+muttering, "the time has been."
+
+The pacha's rage was now a little appeased. "Mustapha," said the pacha,
+"let this old woman be carefully guarded; to-morrow afternoon we will
+understand the meaning of those strange words, 'the time has been.'
+Depend upon it, thereby hangs a good story; we will have that first--and
+then," whispered the pacha, "her head off afterwards."
+
+The old woman, hearing the order to take her into custody, again
+repeated. "Ah, very well--the time has been." The slaves laid hold of
+her; but she defended herself so vigorously with her teeth and nails,
+that they were under the necessity of gagging her, and tying her hand
+and foot. They then hoisted her on their shoulders, and marched off with
+her to the palace, followed by Mustapha and the pacha, the latter quite
+delighted with his adventure. When the divan of the ensuing day had
+closed, the old woman was ordered to be brought into the presence of the
+pacha; and as she refused to walk, she was brought on the shoulders of
+four of the guards, and laid on the floor of the council-chamber. "How
+dare you rebel against the sublime commands?" inquired Mustapha with
+severity.
+
+"How dare I rebel!" cried the old woman with a shrill voice. "Why, what
+right has the pacha to drag me from my poor hovel; and what can he want
+with an old woman like me? It's not for his harem, I presume."
+
+At this remark the pacha and Mustapha could not help laughing; having
+recovered his gravity, Mustapha observed, "One would imagine, old
+carrion that thou art, that the idea of such a punishment as the
+bastinado had never entered your mind."
+
+"There you are mistaken, Mr Vizier, for I have suffered both the
+bastinado and the bowstring."
+
+"And the bowstring! Holy Prophet! what a lying old hag!" exclaimed the
+pacha.
+
+"No lie, pacha, no lie!" screamed the old woman in her wrath. "I have
+said it--and the bowstring. Yes, the time has been, when I was young and
+beautiful; and do you know why I suffered? I'll tell you--because I
+would not hold my tongue--and do you think that I will now that I'm an
+old piece of carrion? Yes--yes--the time has been."
+
+"Fortunately, then," replied Mustapha, "you are not required by the
+pacha to hold your tongue. You are required to do the very contrary,
+which is, to speak."
+
+"And do you know why I received the bowstring?" screamed the old hag.
+"I'll tell you--because I would not speak; and I do not intend so to do
+now, since I find that you wish that I should."
+
+"Then it appears," said the pacha, taking the pipe out of his mouth,
+"that the bastinado was as ill-managed as the bowstring. We do these
+things better at Cairo. Hear me, old mother of Shitan! I wish to know
+what you mean by that expression which is ever in your mouth--'time has
+been.'"
+
+"It means a great deal pacha, for it refers to my life--you want the
+story."
+
+"Exactly," replied Mustapha, "so begin."
+
+"You must pay me for it--it is worth twenty pieces of gold."
+
+"Do you presume to make conditions with his sublime highness the
+pacha?" exclaimed Mustapha. "Why, thou mother of Afrits and Ghouls, if
+thou commencest not immediately, thy carcass shall be thrown over the
+walls for the wild dogs to smell at, and turn away from in disgust."
+
+"Vizier, I have lived long enough to trust nobody. My price is twenty
+pieces of gold counted out in this shrivelled hand before I begin; and
+without they are paid down--not _one word_." And the old beldam folded
+her arms, and looked the pacha boldly in the face.
+
+"God is great!" exclaimed the pacha. "We shall see." At his well-known
+signal the executioner made his appearance, and holding up the few
+scattered gray hairs which still remained upon her head, he raised his
+scimitar, awaiting the nod which was to be succeeded by the fatal blow.
+
+"Strike, pacha, strike!" cried the old woman, scornfully. "I shall only
+lose a life of which I have long been weary; but you will lose a story
+of wonder, which you are so anxious to obtain. Strike--for the last
+time, I say, 'Time has been'--before time shall be no more!"
+
+"That is true, Mustapha," observed the pacha. "I forgot the story. What
+an obstinate old devil; but I must hear the story."
+
+"If it appears good to your absolute wisdom," said Mustapha, in a low
+voice, "would it not be better to count down to this avaricious old hag
+the twenty pieces of gold which she demands? When her story is ended, it
+will be easy to take them from her, and her head from her shoulders.
+Thus will be satisfied the demands of the old woman, and the demands of
+justice."
+
+"Wallah Thaib! it is well said, by Allah! Your words are as pearls.
+Count out the money, Mustapha."
+
+"His highness the pacha has been pleased, in consideration of the fear
+and trembling with which you have entered his presence, to order that
+the sum which you require shall be paid down," said Mustapha, pulling
+out his purse from his girdle. "Murakkas, you are dismissed," continued
+the vizier to the executioner, who let go the old woman, and
+disappeared. Mustapha counted out the twenty pieces of gold, and shoved
+them towards the old woman, who, after some demur, as if imagining that
+they ought to have been brought to her, got up and took possession of
+them. She counted them over, and returned one piece as being of light
+weight. Mustapha, with a grimace, but without speaking, exchanged it for
+another.
+
+"By the beard of the Prophet!" muttered the pacha--"but never mind."
+
+The old woman took out a piece of dirty rag, wrapped up the gold pieces,
+and placing them in her vest, smoothed down her sordid garments, and
+then commenced as follows:--
+
+"Pacha, I have not always lived in a hovel. These eyes were not always
+bleared and dim, nor this skin wrinkled and discoloured. I have not
+always been covered with these filthy rags--nor have I always wanted or
+coveted the gold which you have just now bestowed on me. I have lived in
+palaces--I have commanded there. I have been robed in gold--I have been
+covered with jewels. I have dispensed life and death--I have given away
+provinces. Pachas have trembled at my frown--have received by my orders
+the bowstring--for at one time I was the favourite of the grand sultan.
+Time has been."
+
+"It must have been a long time ago, then," observed the pacha.
+
+"That is true," replied the old woman; "but I will now narrate my
+adventures."
+
+
+
+STORY OF THE OLD WOMAN.
+
+I was born in Georgia, where, as your highness knows, the women are
+reckoned to be more beautiful than in any other country, except indeed
+Circassia; but in my opinion, the Circassian women are much too tall,
+and on too large a scale, to compete with us; and I may safely venture
+my opinion, as I have had an opportunity of comparing many hundreds of
+the finest specimens of both countries. My father and mother, although
+not rich, were in easy circumstances; my father had been a janissary in
+the sultan's immediate employ, and after he had collected some property,
+he returned to his own country, where he purchased some land, and
+married. I had but one brother, who was three years older than myself,
+and one of the handsomest youths in the country. He was disfigured a
+little by a scarlet stain on his neck, somewhat in shape resembling a
+bunch of grapes, and which our national dress would not permit him to
+conceal. My father, intending that he should serve the sultan, brought
+him up to a perfect knowledge of every martial exercise. Even at
+fourteen years old, few could compete with him in the use of the bow,
+and throwing the djireed, and as a horseman he was perfect. As for me, I
+was, I am certain, intended for the sultan's seraglio, for as a child I
+was beautiful as a houri. My father was a man who would not scruple to
+part with his children for gold, provided he obtained his price. I was
+considered, and I believe that I was, the most beautiful girl in the
+country, and every care was taken that I should not injure my appearance
+or hurt my complexion by domestic labour or exposure. I was not
+permitted to assist my mother, who, induced by my father's orders,
+waited upon me. I was indulged in every whim, and I grew up as selfish
+and capricious as I was beautiful. Smile not, pacha--time has been.
+
+One day, when I was about fourteen years old, I was sitting at the
+porch, when a large body of Turkish cavalry suddenly made their
+appearance from a wood close to the house, and surrounded it. They
+evidently came for me, for they demanded me by name, threatening to burn
+the house down to the ground, if I was not immediately delivered up. Our
+house, which was situated near the confines of the country, had been
+constructed for defence; and my father, expecting assistance from his
+neighbours, refused to acquiesce in their terms. The assault was made,
+my father and mother, with all their household, were murdered, my
+brother severely wounded, the house plundered, and burnt to the outside
+walls. I was, of course, a prisoner as well as my brother. He was tied,
+wounded as he was, upon one horse, and I upon another, and in a few
+hours the party had regained the frontiers. A young man, handsome as an
+angel, was the leader of the band, and I soon perceived that all his
+thoughts and attentions, were directed to me. He watched me with the
+greatest solicitude when we halted, procured me every comfort, and was
+always hovering about my presence. From the discourse of the soldiers I
+discovered that he was the only son of the grand vizier at Stamboul. He
+had heard of my beauty, had seen me, and offered a large sum to my
+father, who had refused, as his ambition was, that I should belong to
+the sultan--in consequence I had been carried off by force. I could have
+loved the beautiful youth, although he had murdered my father and
+mother, but it was the taking me by force which steeled my heart, and I
+vowed that I never would listen to his addresses, although I was so
+completely in his power. During the time that I had been in his
+possession I had never spoken one word, and it came into my head that I
+would pretend to be dumb. In three weeks we arrived at Constantinople.
+Since I quitted the country I never had seen my brother, his wound was
+too severe to allow him to travel with the same rapidity, and it was not
+until years afterwards that I knew what had become of him. I was taken
+to Osman Ali's house, and allowed a few days' repose from the fatigue of
+the journey; after which, as I was still but a child, I was ordered to
+be instructed in music, dancing, singing, and every other accomplishment
+considered necessary for the ladies of a harem. But I adhered to my
+resolution, every method to induce me to speak was tried in vain; even
+blows, torture from pinching, and other means were resorted to, but
+would not induce me to swerve from my resolution; at last they concluded
+that I was either born dumb, or had become so from fright at the time
+that the attack and slaughter of my family took place. I was eighteen
+months in the harem of Osman Ali, and never spoke one word.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Mashallah! but this is wonderful!" exclaimed the pacha--"a woman hold
+her tongue for eighteen months! Who is to believe this?"
+
+"Not at all wonderful!" replied the old woman, "when you recollect that
+she was required to speak."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Once and once only, did I nearly break through my resolution. Two of the
+principal favourites were conversing in my presence.
+
+"I cannot imagine," said one, "what Ali can see in this little minx to
+be so infatuated with her. She is very ugly--her mouth is large--her
+teeth are yellow--and her eyes not only have no expression, but look
+different ways. She has one shoulder higher than the other, and worse
+than all, being dumb, cannot be taught anything but dancing, which only
+shows her ugly broad feet."
+
+"That is all true," replied the other. "If I was Ali, I should employ
+her as a common slave; she is fit for nothing but to roll up and beat
+carpets, boil rice, and prepare our coffee. A little of the slipper on
+her mouth would soon bring her to her senses."
+
+I must own that I was near breaking through my resolution, that I might
+have indulged my revenge, and had not the door suddenly opened, I should
+have proved to them that I could have spoken to some purpose, for never
+would I have ceased, until they had both been sewn up in sacks, and cast
+into the Bosphorus. But I restrained myself, although my cheeks burned
+with rage, and I more than once put my hand to my jewelled dagger.
+
+I was often visited by Osman Ali, who in vain attempted to make me
+speak; a harsh guttural sound was all which I would utter to express
+pain or pleasure. At last, being convinced that I was dumb, he exchanged
+me with a slave-merchant for a beautiful Circassian girl. He did not
+state my supposed infirmity, but gave it as a reason for parting with
+me, that I was too young, and required to be taught. As soon as the
+bargain was struck, and the merchant had received the money which had
+been given by Ali to effect the exchange, I was despoiled of my dress
+and ornaments, and put in a litter, to be conveyed to the house of the
+slave-merchant. As your highness may imagine, not a little tired of
+holding my tongue for a year and a half----
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"By the beard of the prophet, we can believe you on that point, good
+woman. You may proceed."
+
+"Yes, yes, I may proceed. You think women have no resolution, and no
+souls--be it so--and what you dignify with the name of perseverance in
+your own sex, you call obstinacy in ours. Be it so--time has been."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I was no sooner in the litter than I let loose my tongue, and called out
+to the women who were appointed to conduct me to the door of the harem.
+"Tell Osman Ali, that now that I am no longer his slave, I have found my
+tongue." Then closing the curtains, I was carried away. As soon as I
+arrived, I told the merchant all that had passed, and the reason why Ali
+had parted with me. The merchant, who was astonished at having made so
+good a bargain, laughed heartily at my narrative. He told me that he
+intended me for the seraglio of the sultan--flattered me by declaring
+that I should be certainly the favourite, and advised me to profit all I
+could by the masters he would provide. In the meantime, Osman Ali having
+heard from the women the message I had sent, was very wroth, and came to
+the slave-merchant to procure me again; but the slave-merchant informed
+him that the Kislar Aga of the sultan had seen me, and ordered me to be
+reserved for the imperial seraglio; by this falsehood screening himself,
+not only from Ali's importunities, but also from his vengeance. I took
+the advice of my master, and in a little more than a year became a
+proficient in music and most other accomplishments; I also learnt to
+write and read, and to repeat most of the verses of Hafiz, and other
+celebrated poets. At seventeen I was offered to the Kislar Aga as a
+prodigy of beauty and talent. The Kislar Aga came to see me, and was
+astonished; he saw at once that I should immediately become first
+favourite; and having heard me sing and play, he demanded my price,
+which was enormous. He reported me to the sultan, stating that he had
+never beheld such perfection, and at the same time informing him of the
+exorbitant demand of the slave-merchant. The sultan, who had felt little
+interest in the inmates of his harem, and was anxious for novelty,
+ordered the sum to be paid, and I was conducted to the seraglio in a
+royal litter.
+
+That I was anxious to be purchased by the sultan I confess: my pride
+rebelled at the idea of being a slave, and if I was to be so, at least I
+wished to be the slave of the sultan. I indulged the idea that I should
+soon bring him to subjection, and that the slave would lord it over her
+master, and that master the dispenser of life and death, honour and
+disgrace, to millions. I had made up my mind how to behave; the poets I
+had read had taught me but too well. Convinced that a little wilfulness
+would, from its novelty, be most likely to captivate one who had been
+accustomed to dull and passive obedience, I allowed my natural temper to
+be unchecked. The second day after my arrival, the Kislar Aga informed
+me that the sultan intended to honour me with a visit, and that the
+baths and dresses were prepared. I replied that I had bathed that
+morning, and did not intend to bathe again--as for the dresses and
+jewels, I did not require them, and that I was ready to receive my lord
+the sultan, if he pleased to come. The Kislar Aga opened his eyes with
+astonishment at my presumption, but not venturing to use force to one
+who, in his opinion, would become the favourite, he returned to the
+sultan, reporting to him what had passed. The sultan, as I expected, was
+more amused at the novelty than affronted at the want of respect. "Be it
+so," replied he; "this Georgian must have a good opinion of her own
+charms."
+
+In the evening the sultan made his appearance, and I prostrated myself
+at his feet, for I did not wish to proceed too far at once. He raised me
+up and appeared delighted.
+
+"You are right, Zara," said he; "no jewels or dress could add to the
+splendour of your beauty."
+
+"Pardon me, O gracious lord," replied I, "but if thy slave is to please
+thee, may it be by her natural charms alone. If I have the honour to
+continue in thy favour, let me adorn myself with those jewels which
+ought to decorate the chosen of her master--but as a candidate I have
+rejected them, for who knows but in a few days I may be deserted for one
+more worthy of your preference?"
+
+The sultan was delighted at my apology, and I certainly was pleased with
+him. He was then about forty years of age, very handsome and well made;
+but I was still more gratified to find that my conversation amused him
+so much that he remained with me for many hours after his usual time for
+retiring. This gave promise of an ascendancy which might survive
+personal charms. But not to detain your highness, I will at once state,
+the sultan soon thought but of me. Not only my personal attractions, but
+my infinite variety, which appeared natural, but was generally planned
+and sketched out previous to his visits, won so entirely upon him, that
+so far from being tired, his passion, I may say his love, for me was
+every day increased.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Well, it _may_ be all true," observed the pacha, looking at the
+wrinkled and hideous object before him. "What do you say, Mustapha?"
+
+"O pacha! we know not yet her history. The mother of your slave, as I
+have heard from my father, was once most beautiful. She is still in our
+harem, and _pooh_," said Mustapha, spitting, as if in abhorrence.
+
+"Right, good vizier--right--recollect, pacha, what I have said: time has
+been." The pacha nodded, and the old woman proceeded.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Once sure of the sultan's affections, I indulged myself in greater
+liberties--not with him, but with others; for I knew that he would
+laugh at the tricks I might play upon his dependents, but not be equally
+pleased with a want of respect towards himself; and other people of the
+harem were the objects of my caprice and amusement. So far from
+preventing him from noticing the other women in the harem, I would
+recommend them, and often have them in my apartments when he would visit
+me, and wish to be alone. I generally contrived to manage a little
+quarrel about once a month, as it renewed his passion. In short, the
+sultan became, as I intended, so infatuated, that he was my slave, and
+at the same time I felt an ardent attachment to him. My power was well
+known. The presents which I received from those who required my good
+offices were innumerable, and I never retained them, but sent them as
+presents to the sultan, in return for those which he repeatedly sent to
+me. This indifference on my part to what women are usually too fond of,
+increased his regard.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"By the holy Prophet but you seemed fond enough of gold just now,"
+observed the pacha.
+
+"Time has been," replied the old woman. "I speak not of the present."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+For two years I passed a happy life; but anxious as the sultan was, as
+well as myself, that I should present him with an heir, that happiness
+was denied me, and was eventually the cause of my ruin. The queen
+mother, and the Kislar Aga, both of whom I had affronted, were
+indefatigable in their attempts to undermine my power. The whole
+universe, I may say, was ransacked for a new introduction into the
+seraglio, whose novelty and beauty might seduce the sultan from my arms.
+Instead of counter-plotting, as I might have done, I was pleased at
+their frustrated efforts. Had I demanded the woolly head of the one, and
+poisoned the other, I had done wisely. I only wish I had them now; but I
+was a fool--it cannot be helped--but time has been.
+
+Like most of the sex, the ruling passion of the sultan was vanity, a
+disease which shows itself in a thousand different shapes. He was
+peculiarly proud of his person, and with reason, for it was faultless,
+with one little exception, which I had discovered, a wen, about the size
+of a pigeon's egg, under the left arm. I had never mentioned to him that
+I was aware of it; but a circumstance occurred which annoyed me, and I
+forgot my discretion.
+
+The Kislar Aga had at last discovered a Circassian slave, who, he
+thought, would effect the purpose. She was beautiful, and I had already
+engrossed the sultan's attentions for more than two years. Men will be
+fickle, and I expected no otherwise. What I required was the dominion
+over the mind; I cared little about the sultan's attentions to other
+women. Like the tamed bird which flies from its cage, and after
+wandering a short time, is glad to return to its home and reassume its
+perch, so did I consider it would be the case with the sultan. I never,
+therefore, wearied him with tears or reproaches, but won him back with
+smiles and good humour. I expected that this new face would detach him
+for a short time, and for a fortnight he never came into my apartment.
+He had never been away so long before, and I was rather uneasy. He
+visited me one morning, and I asked him to sup with me. He consented,
+and I invited three or four of the most beautiful women of the seraglio,
+as well as the lady of his new attachment, to meet him. I thought it
+wise so to do, to prove to him that I was not displeased, and trusting
+that the Circassian might suffer when in company with others of equal
+charms, who from neglect might reassume their novelty. The Circassian
+was undeniably most beautiful; but, without vanity, she was by no means
+to be compared to me; she had the advantage of novelty, and I hoped no
+more, for I felt what a dangerous rival she might prove if her wit and
+talents were equal to her personal charms. The sultan came, and I
+exerted myself to please, but, to my mortification, I was neglected; all
+his attentions and thoughts were only for my rival, who played her part
+to admiration, yielded to him that profound respect and abject
+adulation, which, on my part, had been denied him, and which he
+probably, as a novelty from a favourite, set a higher price upon. At
+last I was treated with such marked insult, that I lost my temper, and I
+determined that the sultan should do the same. I handed him a small
+apple. "Will my lord accept this apple from the hand of his slave? Is it
+not curious in shape? It reminds me of the wen under your Majesty's left
+arm."
+
+The sultan coloured with rage.
+
+"Yes," replied I, laughing, "you have one of them, you know very well."
+
+"Silence! Zara," cried the sultan, in a firm tone.
+
+"And why should I be silent, my lord? Have not I spoken the truth?"
+
+"False woman! deny what you have falsely uttered."
+
+"Sultan, I will not deny the truth. I will, if you command me, hold my
+tongue."
+
+"Your slave has been honoured with my lord's attentions, and denies the
+assertion as a calumny," observed my rival.
+
+"Peace, wretch! thou hast proved thyself unworthy of the honour, by thy
+lying tongue."
+
+"I tell thee, Zara, silence! or you shall feel my indignation."
+
+But I was now too angry, and I replied, "My lord, you well know that I
+once held my tongue for eighteen months, I therefore can be silent when
+I choose; but I can also speak when I choose, and now I do choose to
+speak. I have said it, and I will not retract my words."
+
+The sultan was white with rage; my life hung upon a thread; when the
+Circassian maliciously observed, "The bastinado might induce her to
+retract."
+
+"And shall," exclaimed the sultan, clapping his hands.
+
+The Kislar Aga appeared, in obedience to the sultan's orders; the
+executioner of the harem, and two slaves stretched me on the floor,--I
+made no resistance or complaint; my jewelled slippers were taken off,
+and all was ready for the disgraceful punishment.
+
+"Now, Zara, will you retract?" said the sultan, solemnly.
+
+"No, my lord, I will not. I repeat that you have a wen under your left
+arm."
+
+"Strike!" cried the sultan, in a paroxysm of rage. The bamboos fell, and
+I received a dozen blows. I bore them without a cry,--I was too much
+choked by my feelings.
+
+"Now, Zara, will you retract?" exclaimed the sultan, in a subdued tone.
+
+"Never, sultan; I will prove to you that a woman has more courage than
+you imagine; if I die under the punishment, my rival shall not have even
+the pleasure of a groan. You ask me to retract. I will not swerve from
+the truth. You have, and you know you have, and so does that vile
+parasite by your side know, that you have a wen under your left arm." I
+was faint with the pain, and my voice was weak and trembling.
+
+"Proceed," said the sultan.
+
+When I had received thirty blows, I fainted with the agony, and the
+sultan ordered them to desist. "I trust, Zara, you are now sufficiently
+punished for your disobedience." But I heard him not; and when the
+sultan, perceiving that I did not reply, looked at me, his heart melted.
+He felt how arbitrary, how cruel he had been. The Circassian went to
+him; he ordered her in a voice of thunder to be gone, me to be unbound
+by the other ladies, laid on the sofa, and restoratives to be procured.
+When I came to my senses, I found myself alone with the sultan. "Oh!
+Zara," said he, as the tears stood in his eyes, "why did you tempt me
+thus--why were you so obstinate?"
+
+"My lord," answered I, in a feeble voice, "leave your slave, and go to
+those who can teach their tongues to lie. I have never deceived you,
+although I may have displeased you. I have loved you with fidelity and
+truth. Now that you have witnessed what I can suffer rather than be
+guilty of falsehood, you ought to believe me. Take my life, my lord, and
+I will bless you; for I have lost you, and with you I have lost more
+than life."
+
+"Not so, Zara," replied the sultan; "I love you more than ever."
+
+"I am glad to hear you say so, my lord, although it is now of no avail.
+I am no longer yours, and never will be. I am unfit to be yours; my
+person has been contaminated by the touch of Ethiopian slaves--it has
+been polluted by the hand of the executioner--it has been degraded by a
+chastisement due only to felons. Oblige me, as a last proof of your
+kindness, by taking a life which is a burden to me."
+
+Despot as he was, the sultan was much moved; he was mortified at having
+yielded to his temper, and his passionate affection for me had returned.
+He entreated my pardon, and shed tears over me, kissed my swelled feet,
+and humiliated himself so much, that my heart relented--for I loved him
+dearly still.
+
+"Zara," exclaimed he, at last, "will you not forgive me?"
+
+"When, my lord, have I ever shown myself jealous? True love is above
+jealousy. This evening, to please you, although I have lately been
+neglected, did I not request your new favourite to meet you? In return,
+I was grossly insulted by neglect, and studied attentions to her. I was
+piqued, and revenged myself--for I am but a woman. I was wrong in so
+doing, but having told the truth, I was right in not retracting what I
+had said. Now that you have degraded me--now that you have rendered me
+unworthy of you, you ask me to forgive you."
+
+"And again I implore it, my dearest Zara!"
+
+"There are my jewels, my lord. I have no other property but what I have
+received, and cherished as presents from you. Your treasurer well knows
+that. Take my jewels, my lord, and present them to her, they will make
+her more beautiful in your sight--to me they are now worthless. Go to
+her, and in a few days you will forget that ever there was such a person
+as the unhappy, the neglected, the disgraced, and polluted Zara." And I
+burst into tears; for even with all his ill-usage, I was miserable at
+the idea of parting with him; for what will not a woman forgive a man
+who has obtained her favour and her love?
+
+"What can I do to prove that I repent?" cried the sultan. "Tell me,
+Zara. I have supplicated for pardon, what more can I do?"
+
+"Let my lord efface all traces and memory of my degradation. Was not I
+struck by two vile slaves, who will babble through the city? Was not I
+held down by an executioner? These arms, which have wound round the
+master of the world, and no other, polluted by his gripe."
+
+The sultan clapped his hands, and the Kislar Aga appeared. "Quick,"
+exclaimed he, "the heads of the slaves and executioner who inflicted the
+punishment." In a minute the Kislar Aga appeared; he perceived how
+matters stood, and trembled for his own. He held up the three heads, one
+after another, and then returned them to the sack of sawdust in which
+they had been brought.
+
+"Are you satisfied now, Zara?"
+
+"For myself, yes--but not for you. Who was it that persuaded you to
+descend from your dignity, and lower yourself, by yielding to the
+instigations of malice? Who was it that advised the _bastinado_? As a
+woman, I am too proud to be jealous of her; but as one who values your
+honour, and your reputation, I cannot permit you to have so dangerous a
+counsellor. Your virgins, your omras, your princes, will all be at her
+mercy; your throne may be overturned by her taking advantage of her
+power."
+
+The sultan hesitated.
+
+"Sultan, you have but to choose between two things; if she be alive
+to-morrow morning, I am dead by my own hand. You know I never lie."
+
+The sultan clapped his hands, the Kislar Aga again appeared. "_Her_
+head," said he, hesitatingly. The Kislar Aga waited a little, to
+ascertain if there was no reprieve, for too hasty a compliance with
+despots is almost as dangerous as delay. He caught my eye--he saw at
+once, that if not her head, it would be his own, and he quitted the
+room. In a few minutes he held up by its fair tresses the head of my
+beautiful rival; I looked at the distorted features, and was satisfied.
+I motioned with my hand, and the Kislar Aga withdrew.
+
+"Now, Zara, do you forgive me? Now do you believe that I sincerely love
+you, and have I obtained my pardon?"
+
+"Yes," replied I, "I do, sultan; I forgive you all; and now----I will
+permit you to sit by me and bathe my feet."
+
+From that day I resumed my empire with more despotic power than ever. I
+insisted that I should refuse his visits when I felt so inclined; and
+when I imagined that there was the slightest degree of satiety on his
+part, he was certain to be refused admittance for a fortnight. I became
+the depositary of his secrets and the mover of his counsels. My sway was
+unlimited, and I never abused it. I loved him, and his honour and his
+welfare were the only guides to my conduct.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"But your highness will probably be tired, and as I have now told how it
+was that I suffered the bastinado, you will perhaps wait till to-morrow
+for the history of the bowstring."
+
+"I believe that the old woman is right," said Mustapha, yawning; "it is
+late. Is it your highness's pleasure that she shall return to-morrow
+evening?"
+
+"Be it so; but let her be in close custody--you remember."
+
+"Be chesm--on my eyes be it. Guards, remove this woman from the sublime
+presence."
+
+"It appears to me," said the pacha to Mustapha, "that this old
+woman's story may be true. The description of the harem is so
+correct--commanding one day, bastinadoed the next."
+
+"Who can doubt the fact, your sublime highness? The Lord of Life
+dispenses as he thinks fit."
+
+"Very true; he might send me the bowstring to-morrow."
+
+"Allah forbid!"
+
+"I pray with you; but life is uncertain, and it is our fate. You are my
+vizier to-day, for instance, what may you be to-morrow?"
+
+"Whatever your highness may decide," replied Mustapha, not much liking
+the turn of the conversation. "Am not I your slave, and as the dirt
+under your feet--and shall I not bow to your sovereign pleasure, and my
+destiny?"
+
+"It is well said, and so must I, if the caliph sends me a Capitan Badji,
+which Allah forbid. There is but one God, and Mahomet is his Prophet."
+
+"Amen," replied Mustapha. "Will your highness drink of the water of
+Giaour?"
+
+"Yes, truly; for what says the poet? 'We are merry to-day and to-morrow
+we die.'"
+
+"Min Allah; God forbid! That old woman has lived a long while, why
+shouldn't we?"
+
+"I don't know; but she has had the bowstring and is not yet dead. We may
+not be so fortunate."
+
+"May we never have it at all; then shall we escape, O pacha."
+
+"True, Mustapha; so give me the bottle."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XXI
+
+
+The next evening the old woman made her appearance, without raising any
+difficulty, as on the previous day, and took her seat before the pacha,
+and thus continued:--
+
+As I stated to your highness last evening when I broke off my
+narrative, I was in the highest favour with the sultan, who made me his
+confidant. He had often mentioned to me the distinguished services of a
+young seraskier, whom he had lately appointed capitan pacha, to combat
+in the north against a barbarous nation called Sclavonians, or Russians.
+My curiosity was raised to see this Rustam of a warrior, for his
+exploits and unvaried success were constantly the theme of the sultan's
+encomiums. A Georgian slave, who had been the favourite previous to my
+arrival, and who had never forgiven my supplanting her, had been sent to
+him by the sultan as a compliment; and this rare distinction had been
+conferred upon him on the day when I requested leave to remain behind
+the screen in the hall of the divan, that I might behold this celebrated
+and distinguished person. He was indeed a splendid figure, and his face
+was equally perfect. He formed, in outward appearance, all that I could
+imagine of a hero. As I looked at him from behind the screen, he turned
+his head from me, and I beheld, to my surprise, the red stain on his
+neck, which told me, at once, that I had found my long-lost brother.
+Delighted at the rencontre, I retired as soon as the audience was over,
+and the sultan came to my apartment; I told him the discovery which I
+had made. The sultan appeared pleased at the information: and the next
+day sending for my brother, he asked him a few questions relative to his
+lineage and former life, which corroborated my story, and, loading him
+with fresh honours, he dismissed him. I was delighted that, in finding
+my brother, I had found one who was not unworthy of the sultan's regard,
+and I considered it a most fortunate circumstance; but how blind are
+mortals! My brother was the cause of my disgrace and eternal separation
+from the sultan. I mentioned to your highness that the Georgian slave,
+who had preceded me in the sultan's favour, had been sent as a present
+to my brother. This woman, although she had always appeared fond of me,
+was, in fact, my most bitter enemy. She was very beautiful and clever,
+and soon obtained the most unlimited influence over my brother. Yet she
+loved him not; she had but one feeling to gratify, which was revenge on
+me. My brother had so often led the troops to victory, that he had
+acquired an unbounded sway over them. Stimulated by their suggestions,
+and his own ambition, which like mine, was boundless, he was at last
+induced to plot against his master, with the intention of dethroning
+him, and reigning in his stead. To his new wife, the Georgian, he had
+intrusted his plans; and she resolved to regain the favour of the sultan
+and accomplish my ruin, by making me a party, and then communicating to
+him the treason which was in agitation. She proposed to my brother that
+he should inform me of his intentions, alleging, that in all probability
+I would assist him, as I cared little for the sultan; and at all events,
+if I did not join, my interest might save him from his wrath. For some
+time he refused to accede to her suggestions; but as she pointed out
+that if the plot were discovered, I, as his sister, would certainly
+share his fate, and that she well knew that I had never forgiven the
+punishment of the bastinado which I had received, and only waited for an
+opportunity to revenge myself, he at last consented to make me a party
+to his intentions. My brother had been allowed to visit me, and he took
+this opportunity of stating to me his schemes. I started from him with
+horror, pointed out to him his ingratitude and folly, and entreated him
+to abandon his purpose. Convinced that I was firmly attached to the
+sultan, he appeared to acquiesce in the justice of my remarks, confessed
+that he was wrong, and promised me faithfully to think no more of his
+treacherous designs. I believed him to be sincere, and I shed tears of
+joy, as I thanked him for having yielded to my entreaties. We separated,
+and in a short time I thought no more of the subject.
+
+But he had no idea of abandoning his purpose; in fact, he was already
+too deeply involved to be able to do so. His arrangements went on
+rapidly; and when all was ripe, the Georgian gave information to the
+sultan, denouncing me as a party as well as my brother.
+
+One morning as I was sitting in my apartment, arranging on a tray a
+present for my lord and master, I was surprised by the abrupt entrance
+of the Kislar Aga, accompanied by guards, who without explanation seized
+me, and led me into the presence-chamber, where the sultan and all the
+officers of state were assembled. It immediately rushed into my mind
+that my brother had deceived me. Pale with anxiety, but at the same time
+with a feeling of delight that the plot had been discovered, I entered
+the divan, where I beheld my brother in the custody of the palace-guard.
+He had been seized in the divan, as his popularity was so great, that a
+few minutes' notice would have enabled him not only to escape, but to
+have put his treasonable plans into execution; but he bore himself with
+such a haughty air, with his arms folded across his breast, that I
+thought he might be innocent; and that he had, as he promised me,
+abandoned all thoughts of rebellion.
+
+I turned towards the sultan, who fixed his eyes upon me; his brows were
+knit with anger, and he commenced, "Zara, your brother is accused of
+treason, which he denies. You, also, are charged with being privy to his
+designs. Answer me, do you know anything of these plots?"
+
+I did not know how to answer this question, and I would not tell a lie.
+I did know something about his intentions; but as he had denied the
+charge, it was not to be expected that he should be condemned by the
+mouth of his only sister. Perhaps he had, as he had promised me,
+abandoned his ideas;--perhaps it could not be proved against him. My
+answer would have been the signal for his death. I could not give the
+answer required, and I replied, "If my brother be found guilty of
+rebelling against his sovereign, let him suffer. I, my lord, have never
+plotted or rebelled against you."
+
+"Answer my question, Zara. Do you know anything about this plot? Yes or
+no. Say _no_, and I shall believe you."
+
+"Your slave has never plotted against her lord," replied I. "Further I
+cannot answer your question."
+
+"Then it is true;--and Zara--even Zara is false!" cried the sultan,
+clasping his hands in agony. "O! where can a person in my situation find
+one who is faithful and true, when Zara, even Zara is false?"
+
+"No--no, my lord," cried I, bursting into tears; "Zara is true;--always
+has been, always will be, true. _That_ I can boldly answer--but do not
+press the other question."
+
+The sultan looked at me for a short time, and then consulted with the
+viziers and others, who stood by the throne with their arms folded. The
+chief vizier replied, "Those who know of treason, and conceal it, are
+participators in the crime."
+
+"True--most true. Zara, for the last time I ask you, what do you know of
+this intended insurrection? I must be trifled with no longer. A plain
+answer, or----"
+
+"I cannot answer that question, my lord."
+
+"Zara, as you value your life, answer me immediately," cried the sultan,
+with violence;--but I answered not.
+
+Twice more did the forbearance and love of the sultan induce him to
+repeat the question; but I remained silent.
+
+He waved his hands, I was seized by the mutes, and the bowstring
+encircled my neck. All was ready, they awaited but the last signal to
+tighten the fatal cord.
+
+"Once more, Zara, will you answer; or brave me to your destruction?"
+
+"Sultan, I will at least speak to you before I die. I only wish to
+declare my fidelity and my love to you in my last moments, to tell you
+that I forgive you for that which, when the truth is known, you will
+never forgive yourself. One moment more. Let me remove this jewelled
+chain from my neck, now superseded by the bowstring. You presented it to
+me when convinced of my attachment and my love. Take it, sultan, and
+when you find one as faithful and as true, present it to her; but until
+you do so, wear it in memory of Zara. And now let me throw my veil over
+those features which have always beamed with love and delight on you,
+that when I am dead, and you call them to your recollection, they may be
+as you have been used to see them, and not black with convulsions and
+distorted with agony. My lord, my dear and honoured lord, farewell!"
+
+The sultan was deeply moved; he turned away his head, and covered his
+face with one hand, while the other dropped at his side from the
+intensity of his feelings.
+
+Although it never was so intended, this dropping of his hand was
+considered as the signal for my death. The string was tightened, and
+buried itself, cutting deeply into the flesh of a neck once as fair and
+smooth as the polished marble of Patras. For the first moments my
+torture was excruciating--my eyes were forcing out of their sockets--my
+tongue protruded from my mouth--my brain appeared to be on fire--but all
+recollection soon departed.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Staffir Allah! God forgive me! but are you not laughing at our beards,
+old scarecrow? What think you, Mustapha?" continued the pacha, turning
+to him. "What is all this but _lies_?"
+
+"Lies!" screamed the old woman. "Lies! you tell me they are lies! Well,
+well--the time has been. Pacha, after what I have suffered by telling
+the truth all my life, it is hard, in my old age, to be told that I lie;
+but you shall be convinced," and the old woman put her hands up to the
+shrivelled, pendent skin of her neck, and stretching it out smooth,
+showed a deep blue mark, which encircled it like a necklace. "Now are
+you satisfied?"
+
+The pacha nodded his head to Mustapha, as if convinced; and then said,
+"You may proceed."
+
+"Yes, I may proceed; but I tell you, pacha, that if you doubt what I say
+once more, I will return your twenty pieces of gold, and hold my tongue.
+I proved that I could do it as a young woman, and we become more
+obstinate as we get old."
+
+"That is no lie," observed Mustapha. "Continue, old woman, and we will
+not interrupt you with doubts again."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+My brother, who had watched every motion of the sultan's, and who had
+determined to reveal all rather than that I should suffer, when he
+perceived the fatal mistake, which he did not till some moments
+afterwards, uttered a loud cry, and attempted to burst from his guards.
+Roused by the cry, the sultan looked up, and perceived what had taken
+place. In a moment he darted from his throne, and was kneeling by me
+with frantic exclamations. The mutes hastily tore away the bowstring,
+but I was, to all appearance, dead.
+
+"Yes, sultan, well you may rave," exclaimed my brother; "for you have
+good cause. You have destroyed one who, as she declared with her last
+breath, was most faithful and most true. I acknowledge the conspiracy. I
+told her my intentions, and she thought that she had succeeded in
+preventing me, for I promised by _the three_ to abandon my design. She
+has been faithful both to you and to me, for she believed that, although
+accused, I had atoned for my fault by repentance."
+
+The sultan looked earnestly at my brother, but made no answer. He
+embraced me, at one moment bursting into tears, in the next calling for
+assistance. I was removed to my apartments, and after some time, the
+physicians succeeded in restoring me to life; but I was for many days
+confused and dizzy in the brain, during which time every attention and
+care was lavished on me. One evening I felt sufficiently recovered to
+speak, and I demanded of my attendants what had taken place. They
+informed me that the mutes, who had mistaken the signal, had been
+impaled, and that the Janissaries had risen and demanded my brother,
+whose execution had been deferred by the sultan; but that on the
+commotion taking place, by order of the grand vizier,--my brother had
+been executed, and his head thrown out to the rebellious troops, who had
+been dispersed, and had since been brought to subjection, and some
+hundreds of the ringleaders had been executed. I turned away at this
+intelligence, for I loved my noble but misguided brother. The movement
+occasioned excruciating pain, which arose from the deep wound made by
+the bowstring in my neck.
+
+The next morning I rose, that I might contemplate my person in the
+mirror, and I at once perceived the alteration which had taken place.
+There was a certain degree of distortion of features which I thought
+would never be removed. I felt, that although the sultan might respect
+me, I could not expect the same influence and undivided attention as
+before. With a heavy heart I threw myself on the couch, and planned for
+the future. I reflected upon the uncertain tenure by which the
+affections of a despot are held, and I resolved to part. Still I loved
+him, loved him in spite of all his cruelty; but my resolution was made.
+For six weeks I refused to see the sultan, although he inquired every
+day, and sent me magnificent presents. At the end of that period I had
+recovered, and all that remained from the effects of the bowstring was a
+slight wrinkling of the skin from distension, and the deep blue mark
+round my neck which I have just shown to your highness.
+
+When I first admitted the sultan, he was much affected. "Zara," said he,
+mournfully, "I swear by the holy prophet that I meant not to give the
+signal."
+
+"I believe you, my lord," replied I, calmly.
+
+"Neither did I intend that your brother should suffer. I meant to have
+gained your favour by his pardon."
+
+"He was a traitor, my lord, an ungrateful traitor, and deserved his
+death. So may all like him perish."
+
+"And now, Zara, may I hope for your forgiveness?"
+
+"On one condition, sultan; and swear that you will grant what I
+require."
+
+"I do, by Allah!"
+
+"It is, that you send me back to my own country."
+
+Not to detain your highness by dwelling too long upon what passed, it
+will suffice to say, that notwithstanding the entreaties of the sultan,
+and the pleadings of my own heart, my resolution was immovable. Every
+arrangement was made for my departure, and during the preparations, the
+sultan was continually with me, persuading me to abandon the idea. The
+magnificence and liberality which he showed in the costly presents
+bestowed upon me, that I might return with honour and wealth to my own
+country, more than once made me waver in my resolution. The evening
+before my departure he made a last attempt, but in vain. My refusal was
+at least softened by the tears which I shed, for now that the time of
+departure was so near, I felt how truly, how devotedly I was attached to
+him. We parted; I threw myself on the couch, and wept till the dawn of
+day, when I was summoned to commence my journey.
+
+As your highness may be aware is the custom, when my brother was
+executed, all his property was seized by the sultan, and distributed
+among the favourites. The new capitan pacha who succeeded my brother was
+called Abdallah, and was said to be an excellent soldier. Part of my
+brother's property was made over to him, and among the rest the Georgian
+slave, who had been the ruin of my brother, and had so fatally destroyed
+my happiness. To show me every attention and respect, the sultan had
+ordered Abdallah in person to escort me to my own country, with a picked
+body of cavalry. The cavalcade was magnificent--treasure had been heaped
+on treasure--present upon present; twenty women of my own country, and
+numerous slaves had been permitted to attend upon me, and the procession
+wore the appearance of a pageant. I ascended my litter with an aching
+heart; and, journeying by easy stages, arrived at the land of my
+nativity. The borders were passed, and Abdallah requested me to write an
+acknowledgment that he had done his duty, which the sultan would require
+of him upon his return. I gave him the paper, and, professing many
+wishes for my future happiness, he assembled his troops, and the escort
+turned the heads of their neighing steeds towards the city, where my
+heart had truly been left behind.
+
+It will now be necessary to revert to the Georgian slave, who had been
+presented to my brother by the sultan, and had afterwards been made over
+to Abdallah. When she heard that I was about to depart for my own
+country, loaded with presents, her rage was without bounds. Already had
+her beauty and talents made great impression upon Abdallah, and she soon
+won him over to a plot which would be advantageous to him, at the same
+time that it would throw me, whom she distrusted, into her power. She
+proposed to Abdallah that, after having escorted me to the frontiers,
+and received from me the acknowledgment required by the sultan, he
+should follow my small escort of slaves, cut them to pieces, take
+possession of me and all my treasure, and return with it to
+Constantinople, where I might be immured in his harem. The avarice of
+Abdallah was not able to withstand the temptation, and aware that there
+was no chance of the nefarious transaction being discovered by the
+sultan, he agreed to the proposal. On the second night after we had
+parted with Abdallah, a body of horsemen galloped down upon us, and all
+my attendants, male and female, were massacred. I was seized, put into a
+sack, and thrown across a horse, and as soon as the treasure could be
+collected, they set off at a rapid pace. I was nearly dead when they
+halted, and when I was removed from my painful situation I fainted away.
+
+Abdallah had never seen my face; the soldiers reported me dead, and he
+was glad when he heard of it, for it was only to please his wife that he
+had promised to bring me back. He walked up to where I lay, and was,
+even in my miserable situation, enamoured with my beauty. His heart
+acknowledged that I was the most valuable of all his plunder. Every care
+and attention was bestowed upon me, and after several hours' halt to
+allow me to refresh myself, I was placed in a small litter, and our
+journey recommenced. He was studious to obtain my favour: at first I
+spurned him: but when he told me that the Georgian slave had instigated
+him to the deed, and had insisted that he should bring me back, I well
+knew for what purpose, and thought only of revenge. I feigned to be less
+averse to him, and before our journey was over, had used all my powers
+of fascination with triumphant success. At last our wearied horses
+arrived at Stamboul, and after waiting in the suburbs till the evening
+closed in, that the cavalcade might not attract attention, it proceeded
+to the house of Abdallah, and I was once more in the precincts of a
+harem. The Georgian slave hastened to meet me when she was informed of
+our arrival, and taking off her slipper, she struck me contemptuously on
+the mouth, with such force as to cause the blood to flow.
+
+"Now, sultana," cried she, "the day is mine; again shall you receive the
+bastinado. Aye, and again shall the bowstring be applied to your proud
+neck, and more effectually than before." She then ordered her slaves to
+strip me, and put on the meanest attire. When that was done, she spat in
+my face, and left me without speaking; but the flashing of her eyes gave
+evidence of the fiery passions which were raging in her bosom.
+
+In the meantime, Abdallah had proceeded to the palace, to present to the
+sultan the document proving my safe arrival, and having so done, he
+hastened back to his own house. As soon as he entered the harem, instead
+of visiting the Georgian slave, who had arrayed herself for his
+reception, he inquired of the astonished women in which chamber I had
+been accommodated. They hesitatingly replied, pointing it out to him. He
+entered, and found me clothed in a slave's dress, with my face covered
+with blood. When I stated the treatment I had received, and the further
+threat of the bastinado and the bowstring, his rage was beyond all
+bounds. Ordering all the women to attend me, he quitted me, that I
+might resume my own dress, intimating that he hoped that I would allow
+him to sup with me that evening. My desire for revenge induced me to
+grant his request, and he quitted the harem to look after the treasure
+of which I had been robbed.
+
+In the meantime, the other women had communicated to the Georgian slave
+all that had occurred, and she was frantic at the information. Fearful
+of her, I kept my door fast until the arrival of Abdallah, who sent to
+inquire whether I would receive him. He was admitted, and again
+expressed his indignation at the conduct of my rival, offering, as a
+proof of his attachment, to abandon her to my resentment. I had no time
+for reply before the door was burst open, the Georgian flew in and aimed
+her dagger at my heart. Abdallah had sufficient time to ward the blow,
+and as the weapon passed through his left arm, with his right hand he
+dashed her on the floor. Pale with rage and pain he called his people.
+"She threatened you, Zara, with the bastinado and the bowstring. She has
+sealed her own doom."
+
+By his orders her slippers were torn off, and she received fifty blows
+of the bastinado; then, as she screamed with pain, and held up her hands
+for mercy, the mutes were summoned, and the bowstring was applied. My
+revenge was more than satiated, and I covered up my eyes that I might
+not be a witness to the dreadful spectacle. When I removed my hands, I
+found Abdallah only in the apartment, and my rival lying a blackened
+corpse upon the floor.
+
+For three years I remained in the harem of Abdallah, and, if not happy,
+was resigned to my fate. He was devotedly attached to me, and, if I
+could not return his love, I was not deficient in gratitude. At last a
+second war broke out between the Turks and Russians, and Abdallah was
+ordered to put himself at the head of his troops, and drive the invaders
+back to their regions of frost and snow. As was the custom with Turkish
+commanders, all his harem accompanied him, and after travelling about
+from one territory to another, sometimes in pursuit of, and at others
+retreating before the enemy's forces, we were shut up in the fortress of
+Ismael, with orders to defend it to the last.
+
+I shall not weary your highness with a detail of what occurred. I shall
+only say, that after the town had been nearly reduced to ashes, by the
+shells and shot, which had set fire to it at least one hundred times, it
+was taken by storm, with immense slaughter. We sat in our apartments,
+listening with terror to the alternate shouting and shrieking--the noise
+of the bursting of the shells, the whizzing of the balls, the cries of
+the wounded, and the terrific roaring of the flames, which were now
+consuming the whole town in their fury. At last our doors were burst
+open, and the enemy entered. We screamed, and would have fled, but in
+vain. What became of the rest I know not, but I was dragged over the
+dead and the dying, through smoke and through flame, until I fainted
+away with terror and exhaustion. When I recovered, I found myself in a
+hut, lying on a small bed, and attended by two bearded monsters, whom I
+afterwards discovered were Cossacks. They were chafing my limbs with
+their rough hands, without the least regard for decorum. As soon as I
+opened my eyes, one of them poured a little spirits down my throat, and
+wrapping me up in a horse-cloth, they left me--to meditate upon my
+misfortunes.
+
+I discovered that evening that I had, by the fortune of war, become the
+property of a Russian general, who had no time for making love. With him
+it was all ready made, as a matter of course. Still he was a handsome
+man, and when not tipsy, was good-humoured and generous; but the
+bivouacs, even of a general, were very different from the luxuries to
+which I had been accustomed. I lived badly, and was housed worse. It so
+unfortunately happened, that my protector was a great gambler, as indeed
+are all Russians; and one morning, to my surprise, a handsome young
+officer came into the tent and the general very unceremoniously handed
+me over to him. My beauty had been made known in the camp, and the
+Russian general, having the night before lost all his money, had staked
+me for one thousand sequins, and had lost. My new master was a careless,
+handsome youth, a colonel in the army; I could have loved him, but I had
+not time; for I had not been in his tent more than three weeks, before I
+was again gambled away, and lost to a major. I had hardly time to make
+myself comfortable in my new abode, when I was staked and lost again. In
+short, your highness, in that campaign I was the property of between
+forty and fifty Russian officers, and what with the fatigue of marching,
+the badness of provisions, and my constant unsettled state of mind and
+body, I lost much of my good looks--so much, indeed, that I found out
+that instead of being taken as a stake of one thousand sequins, I was
+not valued at more than two hundred. I can assure your highness that it
+is no joke to go through a Russian camp in that way--to be handed about
+like a purse of money, out of one man's pocket into another's. I assure
+you, that before the campaign was over, I had had quite enough of the
+Russians, and only wished that the Turkish army might rout them, and I
+could find myself once more in a harem. It was then that I first
+lamented over my hard fate, and that of the sultan. It was then that I
+first used the expression, when I thought of my condition, and that I
+said to myself, "The time has been."
+
+At last the army was ordered to march back, and being then the property
+of a Cossack, he put me on a pony, and made me keep up with the
+squadron, driving me before him with his long spear, sometimes sticking
+the point into the rear of the pony, and sometimes into me, by way of a
+joke. But I had not been more than ten days on the retreat, before he
+sold me, pony, bridle, saddle, altogether, as a bargain, to an infantry
+officer, who as soon as he had taken possession, made me dismount, while
+he got in the saddle, desiring me to lay hold of the pony's tail and
+follow him. When they halted, he made me wait upon him, and do
+everything which he required. In the morning he mounted again, and I had
+to walk after him, as before. This was hard service for one who had been
+the favourite of the sultan. For a week I contrived to hobble after him,
+but it was impossible to go on any longer. We passed through a town, and
+as soon as we were clear of the gates and he did not watch me, I let go
+the tail of the pony, and escaped without his perceiving it. I regained
+the town, and faint with hunger and fatigue, sat at the steps of a large
+house. A lady, dressed in rich furs and sables, came out, and perceiving
+that my dress was foreign, stopped, and inquired of me who I was. I told
+her in a few words: she ordered me to be received and taken care of. A
+few days afterwards she sent for me, and I then narrated to her my
+history. She was kind and generous, and I became her head attendant; I
+was contented and happy, and hoped to die in her service. But my
+misfortunes were not half over. My mistress was a lady of rank, and much
+esteemed. Her house was always full of company: she was rich, and gave
+most splendid entertainments. Her husband had been dead about two years,
+but she was still very young, and exceedingly beautiful. One evening,
+when there was a large party assembled in her rooms, the door was
+opened, and an officer came up to her and whispered in her ear. She
+coloured, trembled, and said that she would be ready in an hour. I was
+near her at the time; she beckoned to me, hastened to her room, and
+burst into a flood of tears.
+
+"I am ordered to Petersburg immediately, on a charge of treason. My
+conscience tells me that I have done nothing; but, alas! for me, the
+emperor has no mercy. Ekaterina," for that was the name I went by, "will
+you accompany me?--it will be a long, and a melancholy journey. God
+knows how it may end."
+
+I immediately consented--packed up what we required, and without
+disturbing those who were enjoying themselves, we gained the courtyard,
+and took our seats in a britska, in company with the officer. In four
+days we arrived at Petersburg, and my mistress was separated from me and
+thrown into prison. She never saw her accusers or her judges; her
+memorial to the emperor was disregarded, and she was condemned--but her
+punishment was not immediately decided upon.
+
+For three weeks my mistress remained in prison. I was, by the humanity
+of the officer, who had the charge of her, allowed to visit her for a
+few minutes every day; but it was always in the presence of a third
+person. One morning when I came, the poor lady fell upon my neck and
+sobbed a long while without speaking; the countenance of the officer was
+also melancholy to a degree, and I perceived that a tear occasionally
+trickled down his manly cheek.
+
+"Ekaterina," said she, at last, "I have heard my sentence, and am to be
+punished to-morrow. O God! forgive them their cruelty and injustice;"
+and she sank from my arms upon the floor of the dungeon.
+
+We raised her, and she recovered a little. "Yes, Ekaterina, I am to be
+punished to-morrow for a crime of which I am innocent--a punishment--God
+have mercy!--worse than death. The knout--the knout--and that attended
+with public exposure in the market-place. May God forgive the emperor
+his cruelty!"
+
+I had heard of this dreadful punishment, but little thought that women
+suffered by it. It was too barbarous.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I have not heard of it," said the pacha. "Tell me, old woman, is it
+worse than the bastinado?"
+
+"Yes, your highness. It is a whip of enormous power, so that if the
+executioner has a private order, he can kill the party on whom it is
+inflicted by two or three blows; but your highness will better
+comprehend the nature of the punishment when I describe what I
+witnessed."
+
+My dear mistress begged me, as a favour, that I would attend her to the
+place of execution, and I consented. Poor creature! she, as well as I,
+had but an imperfect idea of what she was to endure. The punishment was
+to take place in the great square, and the troops were out, and a large
+concourse of people were assembled. She appeared on the raised platform
+upon which she was to suffer, in a genteel undress, which contributed
+still more to heighten her extreme beauty. The sweetness of her
+countenance obtained for her the commiseration of those who were ordered
+and accustomed to execute the will of the despotic and cruel emperor.
+Young, lively, and admired, sought for, and caressed by everybody, high
+in rank, and rich in worldly wealth, she stood, no longer surrounded by
+the attentions and homage due to her talents, her beauty, and her wit,
+but surrounded only by stern executioners. She looked at them with
+astonishment, seeming to doubt if such preparations could be intended
+for her. One of the executioners then pulled off a kind of furred tippet
+which covered her bosom; her modesty taking the alarm, made her start
+back a few steps; she turned pale and burst into tears. Her clothes were
+soon afterwards all stripped off, and in a few moments she was all naked
+to the waist, exposed to the looks of a vast multitude, who were all
+profoundly silent. One of the executioners then seized her by both
+hands, and turning half round, threw her on his back, bending forwards,
+so as to raise her feet a few inches from the ground, and the other
+executioner, with his rough hands, and without symptoms of remorse,
+adjusted her on the back of his companion, in a posture most convenient
+for her to receive her punishment. Sometimes he pressed his large hands
+brutally upon her head, in order to make her keep it down: at others,
+like a butcher handling a lamb, he appeared to soothe her until he had
+fixed her in a favourable attitude. He then took the knout, a whip made
+of a long strip of leather, prepared for the purpose; he retreated a
+few steps, measuring the requisite distance with a steady eye, and
+looking backwards, gave a stroke with the end of the whip, so as to
+carry away a slip of skin from the neck to the bottom of the back; then
+striking his feet against the ground, he took his aim for a second blow,
+parallel to the former, so that in a few moments all the skin of her
+back was cut away in small slips, most of which remained hanging to her
+shift and dress below. I fainted with horror long before the punishment
+was over. "Good heavens!" thought I, "I have suffered the bastinado and
+the bowstring, but both were merciful compared to this. Is there no God
+in heaven to punish such despotic cruelty?" My mistress was not dead,
+and the surgeons were ordered to pay her every attention, that she might
+recover; and I thought this attention on the part of the emperor in some
+measure made amends for his barbarity. But, God in heaven! she was
+restored to life that she might be more cruelly punished; for no sooner
+was she able to bear this infliction, than they cut out her tongue, and
+then banished her to Siberia.
+
+Thus, O pacha! was my beautiful mistress treated upon mere suspicion,
+for guilty she never was. I had been permitted to see her previous to
+her latter punishment, and she fancied, poor thing, that the emperor's
+wrath had been appeased, and that she would have been permitted to
+return home, but her tongue was cut out without her receiving any
+warning of the second punishment which awaited her, and after that I was
+refused admittance, and I never saw my beautiful and ill-treated
+mistress any more. It was from the officer who had the charge of her
+that I learnt this cruel intelligence, and I went back to my lodgings
+with a heart bursting with grief and indignation.
+
+I was resolved that, if possible, I would escape from a country where
+women's tongues were cut out; but how to manage it I knew not. I had
+still some money and valuables, which had been left in my possession by
+my unfortunate mistress, and I made inquiry about the means of
+proceeding to Constantinople, where, at least, I should be in a
+civilised country. At last a Jew, who heard that I wished to go to the
+southward, offered to take me with him as soon as the snow was on the
+ground, for which I bargained for five hundred roubles. In a fortnight
+the winter had set in, and we got into a drotski, and went away. We
+arrived at Moscow, and from thence we at last gained Constantinople. On
+my arrival I selected my luggage, that I might pay the sum agreed; but
+it was snatched from me by the old rascal, who saluted me with a kick in
+the body which half-killed me. I was locked up in a room, and in half an
+hour a slave-merchant came, and I was sold for a low sum and taken away,
+remonstrating in vain against the injustice. My beauty was now gone, I
+was more than thirty years old, and hardship had done the rest.
+
+My subsequent life has been nothing but a series of changes and
+disasters. I was sold to a pastrycook, and broiled by standing over the
+oven. I grew obstinate and was punished by blows, but for those I cared
+not. The pastry was burnt, and I was resold to a barber, whose wife was
+a shrew, and half-killed me; fortunately the barber was accused of
+shaving a criminal, who had escaped from prison, and one morning was
+stretched out before his own door, with his head under his arm. His wife
+and I were both sold again as slaves.
+
+Thus did I go down-hill each year, fetching less and less, and receiving
+worse treatment, until I was embarked with several others by an
+Armenian, who was bound to Smyrna. The vessel was captured by an
+Algerine pirate, and for a long while I was kept on board to cook their
+victuals. At last she was wrecked on this coast; how I escaped I know
+not, for I was weary of life. But I was thrown up, and made my way to
+this place--where I have for many years lived in company with an old
+wretch like myself, supplicating alms. He died about a year ago, and
+left me in the hovel by myself. I still beg for my subsistence; and
+now, pacha, you have my story, and I think you will acknowledge that I
+may well say that _"Time has been."_
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"It is your kismet, your destiny, good woman. There is but one God, and
+Mahomet is his Prophet," observed the pacha. "You are dismissed."
+
+"And the gold, your highness," whispered Mustapha.
+
+"Let her retain it. Has she not been a sultana?" observed the pacha,
+with some appearance of feeling.
+
+The old woman's ears were keen, she had heard the question of Mustapha,
+and she had heard the reply of the pacha; and she easily imagined the
+rest.
+
+"And now, pacha, before I quit your presence, as I have enjoyed your
+bounty, I will, with your permission, offer you a piece of advice,
+which, from my knowledge of the world and of people's countenances, may
+be of no small service to you. Is it permitted, O pacha?"
+
+"Speak," replied the pacha.
+
+"Then, pacha, beware of that man who sits beside you; for there is that
+in his face which tells me that he will raise himself upon your fall.
+Pacha, beware!"
+
+"Hag of Jehanum!" exclaimed Mustapha, rising from his seat.
+
+The old woman held up her finger, and walked out of the divan.
+
+The pacha looked suspiciously at Mustapha, for he was of a suspicious
+nature; and Mustapha looked anything but innocent.
+
+"Doth my lord give ear to a lying tongue of an old woman?" said
+Mustapha, prostrating himself. "Hath not your slave proved himself
+faithful? Am not I as dust in thy presence? Take my life, O pacha! but
+doubt not the fidelity of thy slave."
+
+The pacha seemed pacified. "What is all this but bosh, nothing?" said
+he, rising and quitting the apartment.
+
+"Bosh!" muttered Mustapha. "The cursed old hag! I know better--there is
+no time to lose--I must be quick. When will that renegade return from
+Stamboul? It is time." And Mustapha, with a gloomy countenance, quitted
+the divan.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XXII
+
+
+Although the pacha, with the usual diplomacy of a Turk, had, so far from
+expressing his displeasure against Mustapha, treated him with more than
+usual urbanity, he had not forgotten the advice of the old woman.
+Suspicion once raised was not to be allayed, and he had consulted with
+his favourite wife, Fatima. A woman is a good adviser in cases of this
+description. The only danger which could threaten the pacha was from the
+imperial court at Stamboul; for the troops were devoted to him, and the
+people of the country had no very serious cause of complaint. By the
+advice of the favourite, the pacha sent as a present to Mustapha, a
+young and handsome Greek girl, but she was a spy in the service of the
+favourite, and had been informed that the vizier had been doomed. She
+was to discover, if she could, whether there was any intercourse between
+the renegade, who commanded the fleet, and the vizier, as from that
+quarter alone danger could be anticipated. The Greek had not been a week
+in the harem of Mustapha, before she ascertained more than was
+sufficient. The fleet had been sent to Constantinople, with presents to
+the sultan from the pacha, and its return was hourly expected.
+
+It was on the afternoon of this eventful day that the fleet hove in
+sight, and lay becalmed a few miles in the offing. Mustapha hastened to
+report it to the pacha, as he sat in his divan, hearing complaints, and
+giving judgment, although not justice. Now when the pacha heard that the
+fleet had returned, his heart misgave him, and the more so, as Mustapha
+was more obsequious and fawning than ever. He retired for a short time
+from the divan, and hastened to his favourite, Fatima.
+
+"Pacha," said she, "the fleet has arrived, and Mustapha has already
+communicated with the renegade. Depend upon it you are lost, if you do
+not forestall them. Lose no time. But stop," said she, "do not alarm the
+renegade by violence to Mustapha. To-morrow the fleet will anchor, and
+if there is mischief, it will not arrive until to-morrow--but this
+evening, you will as usual send for coffee, while you smoke and listen
+to the tales which you delight in. Drink not your coffee, for there
+shall be death in it. Be all smiles and good-humour, and leave me to
+manage the rest."
+
+The pacha smoothed his brow and returned to the divan. Business
+proceeded as usual, and at length the audience was closed. The pacha
+appeared to be in high good-humour, and so was the vizier.
+
+"Surely," said Mustapha, when the pipes were brought, "his imperial
+highness, the sultan will have sent you some mark of his distinguished
+favour."
+
+"God is great, and the sultan is wise," replied the pacha. "I have been
+thinking so too, Mustapha. Who knows but that he may add to the
+territory under my sway by another pachalik?"
+
+"I dreamt as much," replied Mustapha, "and I am anxious that the
+renegade should come on shore; but it is now dark, and he will not leave
+his vessel."
+
+"We must drive away the mists of suspense by the sunbeams of hope,"
+replied the pacha. "What am I but the sultan's slave? Shall we not
+indulge this evening in the water of the Giaour?"
+
+"What saith Hafiz? It is for wine to exalt men, and raise them beyond
+uncertainty and doubt. It overfloweth us with courage, and imparts
+visions of bliss."
+
+"Wallah Thaib, it is well said, Mustapha," said the pacha, taking a cup
+of coffee, presented by the Greek slave. Mustapha also received his cup.
+"My heart is light this evening," said the pacha, laying down his pipe,
+"let us drink deep of the forbidden juice. Where is it, Mustapha?"
+
+"It is here," replied the vizier, drinking off his coffee; while the
+pacha watched him from the corner of his small grey eye. And Mustapha
+produced the spirits, which were behind the low ottoman upon which he
+was seated.
+
+The pacha put aside his coffee, and drank a large draught. "God is
+great; drink, Mustapha," said he, handing him the bottle.
+
+Mustapha followed the example of the pacha. "May it please your
+highness," said Mustapha, "I have without a man, who they say hath
+stories to recount more delightful than those of Menouni. Hearing that
+he passed through this city, I have detained him, that he might afford
+amusement to your highness, whose slave I am. Is it your pleasure that
+he be admitted?"
+
+"Let it be so," replied the pacha.
+
+Mustapha gave the sign, and to the surprise of the pacha, in came the
+renegade, commander of the fleet, accompanied by guards and the
+well-known officer of the caliph, the _Capidji Bachi_, who held up a
+firman to his forehead.
+
+The pacha turned pale, for he knew that his hour was come. "Bismillah!
+In the name of the Most High, O officer, whom seekest thou?" exclaimed
+the pacha, with emotion.
+
+"The sultan, the Lord of Life, has sent this to you, O pacha! as a proof
+of his indulgence and great mercy." And the Capidji Bachi produced a
+silken bowstring, and at the same time he handed the fatal scroll to the
+pacha.
+
+"Mustapha," whispered the pacha, "while I read this, collect my guards;
+I will resist. I fear not the sultan at this distance, and I can soften
+him with presents."
+
+But Mustapha had no such fellow-feeling. "O pacha!" replied he, "who can
+dispute the will of heaven's vicegerent? There is but one God, and
+Mahomet is his Prophet."
+
+"I will dispute it," exclaimed the pacha. "Go out and call my trustiest
+guards."
+
+Mustapha left the divan, and returned with the mutes and some of the
+guards, who had been suborned by himself.
+
+"Traitor!" exclaimed the pacha.
+
+"La Allah, il Allah! there is but one God," said Mustapha.
+
+The pacha saw that he was sacrificed. He read the firman, pressed it to
+his forehead, in token of obedience, and prepared for death. The Capidji
+Bachi produced another firman, and presented it to Mustapha. It was to
+raise him to the pachalik.
+
+"Barik Allah! praise be to God for all things," humbly observed
+Mustapha. "What am I but the sultan's slave, and to execute his orders?
+On my head be it!"
+
+Mustapha gave the sign, and the mutes seized the unfortunate pacha.
+
+"There is but one God, and Mahomet is his Prophet," said the pacha.
+"Mustapha," continued he, turning round to him with a sardonic smile,
+"may your shadow never be less--but you have swallowed the coffee."
+
+The mutes tightened the string. In a minute a cloak was thrown over the
+body of the pacha.
+
+"The coffee," muttered Mustapha, as he heard the pacha's last words. "I
+thought it had a taste. Now he's sent to Jehanum for his treachery." And
+all the visions of power and grandeur, which had filled the mind of the
+new pacha, were absorbed by fear and dismay.
+
+The Capidji Bachi, having performed his duty, withdrew. "And now,"
+exclaimed the renegade, "let me have my promised reward."
+
+"Your reward--true. I had forgotten," replied Mustapha, as the pain
+occasioned by the working of the poison distorted his face. "Yes, I had
+forgotten," continued Mustapha, who, certain that his own end was
+approaching, was furious as a wild beast, with pain and baffled
+ambition. "Yes, I had forgotten. Guards, seize the renegade."
+
+"They must be quicker than you think for," replied Huckaback, darting
+from the guards and drawing his scimitar, while, with his fingers in his
+mouth, he gave a shrill whistle. In rushed a large body of soldiers and
+sailors of the fleet, and the guards were disarmed. "Now, pacha of one
+hour old, what sayest thou?"
+
+"It is my destiny," replied Mustapha, rolling on the floor in agony.
+"There is but one God, and Mahomet is his Prophet." And Mustapha
+expired.
+
+"The old fool has saved me some trouble," observed the renegade. "Take
+away these carcases, and proclaim Ali as the new pacha."
+
+Thus perished the two barbers, and thus did Huckaback, under the name of
+Ali, reign in their stead. But his reign, and how long it lasted, is one
+of the many tales not handed down to posterity.
+
+
+
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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Pacha of Many Tales, by Captain Frederick
+Marryat
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: The Pacha of Many Tales
+
+Author: Captain Frederick Marryat
+
+Release Date: October 7, 2004  [eBook #13673]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PACHA OF MANY TALES***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Ted Garvin, Project Gutenberg Beginners Projects, and
+the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team
+
+
+
+THE PACHA OF MANY TALES
+
+by
+
+CAPTAIN MARRYAT
+
+
+
+
+
+List of Tales
+
+
+Story of the Camel-Driver
+Story of the Greek Slave
+Story of the Monk
+Story of the Monk (continued)
+Huckaback
+Manuscript of the Monk
+Third Voyage of Huckaback
+Fourth Voyage of Huckaback
+Fifth Voyage of Huckaback
+Sixth Voyage of Huckaback
+The Last Voyage of Huckaback
+The Scarred Lover
+The Story of Hudusi
+Tale of the English Sailor
+The Water-Carrier
+The Wondrous Tale of Han
+Story of the Old Woman
+
+
+
+
+Prefatory Note
+
+
+The Pacha of Many Tales, as indeed its title suggests, is constructed in
+direct imitation of the _Arabian Nights_. A Pacha of olden days,
+enchanted by the stories of Schezehezerade, becomes emulous of the great
+Haroun, and determines to procure his own stock of entertainment. By the
+assistance of a wily barber-vizier he succeeds in the attempt, and
+listens with greedy credulity to the marvellous histories herein set
+forth.
+
+On one occasion an English sailor is dragged into the august presence,
+and demands, with all the dogged independence of his race, the reasons
+for such treatment.
+
+"You must tell lies, and you will have gold," replies the vizier.
+
+"Tell lies," says Jack Tar, "that is, spin yarns. Well, I can do that."
+
+The volume before us could not be more suggestively described. It is a
+collection of admirable short stories of intrigue and adventure,
+traveller's wonders narrated with a perfect air of good faith and no
+regard for truth or probability. All the countries on the globe, and
+many existing only in the imagination, are called into requisition to
+produce a brilliant phantasmagoria of manners and customs. The stories
+move rapidly and defy criticism by the very occasion of their being,
+invented to amuse and astonish a jaded autocrat.
+
+Hence we feel no shock in reading of an island where the commonest
+utensils are made of gold, a nursery of whales, five months in the
+interior of an iceberg, or a journey among the clouds during a
+thunderstorm. The demand for brevity strengthens Marryat's style, and
+saves him from padding. He is very happy in contriving expediences, and
+evinces considerable wit in the conception, for instance, of Yussuf the
+water-carrier. Some of the stories, again, are really dramatic, and the
+"Second Voyage of Huckaback" (p. 126) reaches a height of weird horror
+that recalls, without paling before the thought, certain passages in
+_The Ancient Mariner_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_The Pacha of Many Tales_ was first published in _The Metropolitan
+Magazine_, 1831-1835. During its appearance Marryat printed in the same
+magazine (in 1833) a drama, _The Monk of Seville_, of which the plot is
+almost exactly identical with _The Story of the Monk_ (p. 44). "Port
+Royal Tom," the shark, and his Government pension, also appear in _Jacob
+Faithful_, Chap. XXV.
+
+_The Pacha of Many Tales_ is here printed, with a few corrections, from
+the second edition in 3 vols. A.K. Newman & Co., 1844.
+
+R.B.J
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Chapter I
+
+
+Every one acquainted with the manners and customs of the East must be
+aware, that there is no situation of eminence more unstable, or more
+dangerous to its possessor, than that of a pacha. Nothing, perhaps,
+affords us more convincing proof of the risk which men will incur, to
+obtain a temporary authority over their fellow-creatures, than the
+avidity with which this office is accepted from the sultan; who, within
+the memory of the new occupant, has consigned scores of his predecessors
+to the bowstring. It would almost appear, as if the despot but elevated
+a head from the crowd, that he might obtain a more fair and
+uninterrupted sweep for his scimitar, when he cut it off; only exceeded
+in his peculiar taste by the king of Dahomy, who is said to ornament the
+steps of his palace with heads, fresh severed, each returning sun, as we
+renew the decoration of our apartments from our gay parterres. I make
+these observations, that I may not be accused of a disregard to
+chronology, in not precisely stating the year, or rather the months,
+during which flourished one of a race, who, like the flowers of the
+Cistus, one morning in all their splendour, on the next, are strewed
+lifeless on the ground to make room for their successors. Speaking of
+such ephemeral creations, it will be quite sufficient to say, "There
+_was_ a Pacha."
+
+Would you inquire by what means he was raised to the distinction? It is
+an idle question. In this world, preeminence over your fellow-creatures
+can only be obtained, by leaving others far behind in the career of
+virtue or of vice. In compliance with the dispositions of those who
+rule, faithful service in the one path or the other will shower honour
+upon the subject, and by the breath of kings he becomes ennobled to look
+down upon his former equals.
+
+And as the world spins round, the _why_ is of little moment. The honours
+are bequeathed, but not the good, or the evil deeds, or the talents by
+which they were obtained. In the latter, we have but a life interest,
+for the entail is cut off by death. Aristocracy in all its varieties is
+as necessary, for the well binding of society, as the divers grades
+between the general and the common soldier are essential in the field.
+Never then inquire, why this or that man has been raised above his
+fellows; but, each night as you retire to bed, thank Heaven that you are
+not _a King_.
+
+And if I may digress, there is one badge of honour in our country, which
+I never contemplate without serious reflection rising in my mind. It is
+the _bloody_ hand in the dexter chief of a baronet,--now often worn, I
+grant, by those who, perhaps, during their whole lives have never raised
+their hands in anger. But my thoughts have returned to days of yore--the
+iron days of _ironed men_, when it _was_ the symbol of faithful service
+in the field--when it really was bestowed upon the "hand embrued in
+blood;" and I have meditated, whether that hand, displayed with
+exultation in this world, may not be held up trembling in the next--in
+judgment against itself.
+
+And I, whose memory stepping from one legal murder to another, can walk
+dry-footed over the broad space of five-and-twenty years of time,--but
+the "damned spots" won't come out--so I'll put my hands in my pockets
+and walk on.
+
+Conscience, fortunately or unfortunately, I hardly can tell which,
+permits us to form political and religious creeds, most suited to
+disguise or palliate our sins. Mine is a military conscience, and I
+agree with Bates and Williams, who flourished in the time of Henry V.,
+that it is "all upon the King:" that is to say, it was all upon the
+king; and now our constitution has become so incomparably perfect, that
+"the king can do no wrong;" and he has no difficulty in finding
+ministers, who voluntarily impignorating themselves for all his actions
+in this world, will, in all probability, not escape from the clutches of
+the great _Pawnbroker_ in the next--from which facts I draw the
+following conclusions:--
+
+1st. That his Majesty (God bless him!) will go to heaven.
+
+2ndly. That his Majesty's ministers will all go to the devil.
+
+3rdly. That I shall go------on with my story.
+
+As, however, a knowledge of the previous history of our pacha will be
+necessary to the development of our story, the reader will in this
+instance be indulged. He had been brought up to the profession of a
+barber; but, possessing great personal courage, he headed a popular
+commotion in favour of his predecessor, and was rewarded by a post of
+some importance in the army. Successful in detached service, while his
+general was unfortunate in the field, he was instructed to take off the
+head of his commander, and head the troops in his stead; both of which
+services he performed with equal skill and celerity. Success attended
+him, and the pacha, his predecessor, having in his opinion, as well as
+in that of the sultan, remained an unusual time in office, by an
+accusation enforced by a thousand purses of gold, he was enabled to
+produce a bowstring for his benefactor; and the sultan's "firman"
+appointed him to the vacant pachalik. His qualifications for office were
+all superlative: he was very short, very corpulent, very illiterate,
+very irascible, and very stupid.
+
+On the morning after his investment, he was under the hands of his
+barber, a shrewd intelligent Greek, Mustapha by name. Barbers are
+privileged persons for many reasons: running from one employer to
+another to obtain their livelihood, they also obtain matter for
+conversation, which, impertinent as it may sometimes be, serves to
+beguile the tedium of an operation which precludes the use of any organ
+except the ear. Moreover, we are inclined to be on good terms with a
+man, who has it in his power to cut our throats whenever he pleases--to
+wind up, the personal liberties arising from his profession, render all
+others trifling; for the man who takes his sovereign by the nose, cannot
+well after that be denied the liberty of speech.
+
+Mustapha was a Greek by birth, and inherited all the intelligence and
+adroitness of his race. He had been brought up to his profession when a
+slave; but at the age of nineteen, he accompanied his master on board of
+a merchant vessel bound to Scio; this vessel was taken by a pirate, and
+Demetrius (for such was his real name) joined this band of miscreants,
+and very faithfully served his apprenticeship to cutting throats, until
+the vessel was captured by an English frigate. Being an active,
+intelligent person, he was, at his own request, allowed to remain on
+board as one of the ship's company, assisted in several actions, and
+after three years went to England, where the ship was paid off. For some
+time, Demetrius tried to make his fortune, but without success, and it
+was not until he was reduced to nearly his last shilling, that he
+commenced the trade of hawking rhubarb about in a box: which speculation
+turned so profitable, that he was enabled in a short time to take his
+passage in a vessel bound to Smyrna, his own country. This vessel was
+captured by a French privateer; he was landed, and, not being considered
+as a prisoner, allowed to act as he thought proper. In a short time he
+obtained the situation of valet and barber to a "millionaire," whom he
+contrived to rob of a few hundred Napoleons, and with them to make his
+escape to his own country. Demetrius had now some knowledge of the
+world, and he felt it necessary that he should become a True Believer,
+as there would be more chance of his advancement in a Turkish country.
+He dismissed the patriarch to the devil, and took up the turban and
+Mahomet; then quitting the scene of his apostasy, recommenced his
+profession of barber in the territory of the pacha; whose good-will he
+had obtained previous to the latter's advancement to the pachalik.
+
+"Mustapha," observed the pacha, "thou knowest that I have taken off the
+heads of all those who left their slippers at the door of the late
+pacha."
+
+"Allah Kebur! God is most powerful! So perish the enemies of your
+sublime highness. Were they not the sons of Shitan?" replied Mustapha.
+
+"Very true; but, Mustapha, the consequence is that I am in want of a
+vizier; and whom do I know equal to that office?"
+
+"While your sublime highness is pacha, is not a child equal to the
+office? Who stumbles, when guided by unerring wisdom?"
+
+"I know that very well," replied the pacha; "but if I am always to
+direct him, I might as well be vizier myself; besides, I shall have no
+one to blame, if affairs go wrong with the Sultan. Inshallah! please the
+Lord, the vizier's head may sometimes save my own."
+
+"Are we not as dogs before you?" replied Mustapha: "happy the man, who,
+by offering his own head may preserve that of your sublime highness! It
+ought to be the proudest day of his life."
+
+"At all events it would be the last," rejoined the pacha.
+
+"May it please your sublime highness," observed Mustapha, after a pause,
+"if your slave may be so honoured as to speak in your presence, a vizier
+should be a person of great tact; he should be able to draw the line as
+nicely as I do when I shave your sublime head, leaving not a vestige of
+the hair, yet entering not upon the skin."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha."
+
+"He should have a sharp eye for the disaffected to the government,
+selecting them and removing them from among the crowd, as I do the few
+white hairs which presume to make their appearance in your sublime and
+magnificent beard."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha."
+
+"He should carefully remove all impurities from the state, as I have
+this morning from your sublime ears."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha."
+
+"He should be well acquainted with the secret springs of action, as I
+have proved myself to be in the shampooing which your sublime highness
+has just received."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha."
+
+"Moreover, he should be ever grateful to your highness for the
+distinguished honour conferred upon him."
+
+"All that you say is very true, Mustapha, but where am I to meet with
+such a man?"
+
+"This world is convenient in some points," continued Mustapha; "if you
+want either a fool or a knave, you have not far to go to find them; but
+it is no easy task to select the person you require. I know but one."
+
+"And who is he?"
+
+"One whose head is but as your footstool," answered the barber,
+prostrating himself,--"your sublime highness's most devoted slave,
+Mustapha."
+
+"Holy Prophet! Then you mean yourself!--Well, now I think of it, if one
+barber can become a pacha, I do not see why another would not make a
+vizier. But then what am I to do for a barber? No, no, Mustapha; a good
+vizier is easy to be found, but a good barber, you know as well as I do,
+requires some talent."
+
+"Your slave is aware of that," replied Mustapha, "but he has travelled
+in other countries, where it is no uncommon circumstance for men to hold
+more than one office under government; sometimes much more incompatible
+than those of barber and vizier, which are indeed closely connected. The
+affairs of most nations are settled by the potentates during their
+toilet. While I am shaving the head of your sublime highness, I can
+receive your commands to take off the heads of others; and you can have
+your person and your state both put in order at the same moment."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha; then, on condition that you continue your office
+of barber, I have no objection to throw that of vizier into the
+bargain."
+
+Mustapha again prostrated himself, with his tweezers in his hand. He
+then rose, and continued his office.
+
+"You can write, Mustapha," observed the pacha, after a short silence.
+
+"Min Allah! God forbid that I should acknowledge it, or I should
+consider myself as unfit to assume the office in which your sublime
+highness has invested me."
+
+"Although unnecessary for me, I thought it might be requisite for a
+vizier," observed the pacha.
+
+"Reading may be necessary, I will allow," replied Mustapha; "but I trust
+I can soon prove to your highness that writing is as dangerous as it is
+useless. More men have been ruined by that unfortunate acquirement, than
+by any other; and dangerous as it is to all, it is still more dangerous
+to men in high power. For instance, your sublime highness sends a
+message in writing, which is ill-received, and it is produced against
+you; but had it been a verbal message, you could deny it, and bastinado
+to death the Tartar who carried it, as a proof of your sincerity.
+
+"Very true, Mustapha."
+
+"The grandfather of your slave," continued the barber-vizier, "held the
+situation of receiver-general at the custom-house; and he was always in
+a fury when he was obliged to take up the pen. It was his creed, that no
+government could prosper when writing was in general use. 'Observe,
+Mustapha,' said he to me one day, 'here is the curse of writing,--for
+all the money which is paid in, I am obliged to give a receipt. What is
+the consequence? that government loses many thousand sequins every year;
+for when I apply to them for a second payment, they produce their
+receipt. Now if it had not been for this cursed invention of writing,
+Inshallah! they should have paid twice, if not thrice over. Remember,
+Mustapha,' continued he, 'that reading and writing only clog the wheels
+of government.'"
+
+"Very true, Mustapha," observed the pacha, "then we will have no
+writing."
+
+"Yes, your sublime highness, every thing in writing from others, but
+nothing in writing from ourselves. I have a young Greek slave, who can
+be employed in these matters. He reads well. I have lately employed him
+in reading to me the stories of 'Thousand and one Nights.'"
+
+"Stories," cried the pacha; "what are they about? I never heard of them;
+I'm very fond of stories."
+
+"If it would pleasure your sublime highness to hear these stories read,
+the slave will wait your commands," replied the vizier.
+
+"Bring him this evening, Mustapha; we will smoke a pipe, and listen to
+them; I'm very fond of stories--they always send me to sleep."
+
+The business of the day was transacted with admirable precision and
+despatch by the two quondam barbers, who proved how easy it is to
+govern, where there are not "three estates" to confuse people. They sat
+in the divan as highwaymen loiter on the road, and it was "Your money or
+your life" to all who made their appearance.
+
+At the usual hour the court broke up, the guards retired, the money was
+carried to the treasury, the executioner wiped his sword, and the lives
+of the pacha's subjects were considered to be in a state of comparative
+security, until the affairs of the country were again brought under
+their cognizance on the ensuing day.
+
+In obedience to the wish expressed by the pacha, Mustapha made his
+appearance in the afternoon with the young Greek slave. The new vizier
+having taken a seat upon a cushion at the feet of the pacha, the pipes
+were lighted, and the slave was directed to proceed.
+
+The Greek had arrived to the end of the First Night, in which
+Schezehezerade commences her story, and the Sultan, who was anxious to
+hear the termination of it, defers her execution to the following day.
+
+"Stop," cried the pacha, taking the pipe from his lips; "how long
+before the break of day did that girl call her sister?"
+
+"About half an hour, your sublime highness."
+
+"Wallah! is that all she could tell of her story in half an
+hour?--There's not a woman in my harem who would not say as much in five
+minutes."
+
+The pacha was so amused with the stories, that he never once felt
+inclined to sleep; on the contrary, the Greek slave was compelled to
+read every afternoon, until his legs were so tired that he could hardly
+stand, and his tongue almost refused its office; consequently, they were
+soon finished; and Mustapha not being able to procure any more, they
+were read a second time. After which the pacha, who felt the loss of his
+evening's amusement, became first puzzled how to pass away his time;
+then he changed to hypochondriacism, and finally became so irritable,
+that even Mustapha himself, at times, approached him with some degree of
+awe.
+
+"I have been thinking," observed the pacha, one morning, when under the
+hands of Mustapha, in his original capacity, "that it would be as easy
+for me to have stories told me, as the caliph in the Arabian Nights."
+
+"I wonder not that your highness should desire it. Those stories are as
+the opium to Theriarkis, filling the soul with visions of delight at the
+moment, but leaving it palsied from over-excitement, when their effect
+has passed away. How does your sublime highness propose to obtain your
+end; and in what manner can your slave assist to produce your wishes?"
+
+"I shall manage it without assistance; come this evening and you shall
+see, Mustapha."
+
+Mustapha made his appearance in the afternoon, and the pacha smoked his
+pipe for some time, and appeared as if communing with himself; he then
+laid it down, and clapping his hands, desired one of the slaves to
+inform his favourite lady, Zeinab, that he desired her presence.
+
+Zeinab entered with her veil down. "Your slave attends the pleasure of
+her lord."
+
+"Zeinab," said the pacha, "do you love me?"
+
+"Do not I worship the dust that my lord treads on?"
+
+"Very true--then I have a favour to request--observe, Zeinab--it is my
+wish that"--(here the pacha took a few whiffs from his pipe--) "The fact
+is--I wish you to dishonour my harem as soon as possible."
+
+"Wallah sel Nebi!!--by Allah and the Prophet! your highness is in a
+merry humour this evening," replied Zeinab, turning round to quit the
+apartment.
+
+"On the contrary, I am in a serious humour; I mean what I have said; and
+I expect that you will comply with my wishes."
+
+"Is my lord mad? or has he indulged too freely in the juice of the grape
+forbidden by our prophet? Allah Kebur! God is most powerful--The Hakim
+must be sent for."
+
+"Will you do as I order you?" said the pacha, angrily.
+
+"Does my lord send for his slave to insult her! My blood is as water, at
+the dreadful thought!--Dishonour the harem!--Min Allah! God
+forbid!--Would not the eunuch be ready and the sack?"
+
+"Yes, they would, I acknowledge; but still it must be done."
+
+"It shall not be done," replied the lady:--"Has my lord been visited by
+heaven? or is he possessed by the Shitan?"--And the lady burst into
+tears of rage and vexation as she quitted the apartment.
+
+"There's obstinacy for you--women are nothing but opposition. If you
+wish them to be faithful, they try day and night to deceive you; give
+them their desires and tell them to be false, they will refuse. All was
+arranged so well, I should have cut off all their heads, and had a fresh
+wife every night until I found one who could tell stories; then I should
+have rose up and deferred her execution to the following day."
+
+Mustapha, who had been laughing in his sleeve at the strange idea of
+the pacha, was nevertheless not a little alarmed. He perceived that the
+mania had such complete possession, that, unless appeased, the results
+might prove unpleasant even to himself. It occurred to him, that a
+course might be pursued to gratify the pacha's wishes, without
+proceeding to such violent measures. Waiting a little while until the
+colour, which had suffused the pacha's face from anger and
+disappointment, had subsided, he addressed him:
+
+"The plan of your sublime highness was such as was to be expected from
+the immensity of your wisdom; but hath not the prophet warned us, that
+the wisest of men are too often thwarted by the folly and obstinacy of
+the other sex. May your slave venture to observe, that many very fine
+stories were obtained by the caliph Haroun, and his vizier Mesrour, as
+they walked through the city in disguise. In all probability a similar
+result might be produced, if your highness were to take the same step,
+accompanied by the lowest of your slaves, Mustapha."
+
+"Very true," replied the pacha, delighted at the prospect, "prepare two
+disguises, and we will set off in less than an hour--Inshallah, please
+the Lord, we have at last hit upon the right path."
+
+Mustapha, who was glad to direct the ideas of the pacha into a more
+harmless channel, procured the dresses of two merchants, (for such, he
+observed, were the usual habiliments put on by the caliph and his vizier
+in the Arabian Nights), and he was aware that his master's vanity would
+be gratified at the idea of imitating so celebrated a personage.
+
+It was dusk when they set off upon their adventures. Mustapha directed
+some slaves well armed to follow at a distance, in case their assistance
+might be required. The strict orders which had been issued on the
+accession of the new pacha (to prevent any riot or popular commotion),
+which were enforced by constant rounds of the soldiers on guard,
+occasioned the streets to be quite deserted.
+
+For some time the pacha and Mustapha walked up one street and down
+another, without meeting with anything or any body that could administer
+to their wishes. The former, who had not lately been accustomed to
+pedestrian exercise, began to puff and show symptoms of weariness and
+disappointment, when at the corner of a street they fell in with two
+men, who were seated in conversation; and as they approached softly, one
+of them said to the other, "I tell you, Coja, that happy is the man who
+can always command a hard crust like this, which is now wearing away my
+teeth."
+
+"I must know the reason of that remark," said the pacha; "Mesrour
+(Mustapha, I mean), you will bring that man to me to-morrow, after the
+divan is closed."
+
+Mustapha bowed in acquiescence, and directing the slaves who were in
+attendance to take the man into custody, followed the pacha, who,
+fatigued with his unusual excursion, and satisfied with the prospect of
+success, now directed his steps to the palace and retired to bed.
+Zeinab, who had lain awake until her eyes could remain open no longer,
+with the intention of reading him a lecture upon decency and sobriety,
+had at last fallen asleep, and the tired pacha was therefore permitted
+to do the same.
+
+When Mustapha arrived at his own abode, he desired that the person who
+had been detained should be brought to him.
+
+"My good man," said the vizier, "you made an observation this evening
+which was overheard by his highness the pacha, who wishes to be
+acquainted with your reasons for stating 'that happy was the man who
+could at all times command a hard crust, like that which was wearing
+away your teeth.'"
+
+The man fell down on his knees in trepidation. "I do declare to your
+highness, by the camel of the Holy Prophet," said he, in a faltering
+voice, "that I neither meant treason, nor disaffection to the
+government."
+
+"Slave! I am not quite sure of that," replied Mustapha, with a stern
+look, in hopes of frightening the man into a compliance with his
+wishes--"there was something very enigmatical in those words. Your
+'_hard crust_' may mean his sublime highness the pacha; 'wearing away
+your teeth' may imply exactions from the government; and as you affirmed
+that he was happy who could _command_ the hard crust--why it is as much
+as to say that you would be very glad to create a rebellion."
+
+"Holy Prophet! May the soul of your slave never enter the first heaven,"
+replied the man, "if he meant anything more than what he said; and if
+your highness had been as often without a mouthful of bread as your
+slave has been, you would agree with him in the justice of the remark."
+
+"It is of little consequence whether I agree with you or not," replied
+the vizier; "I have only to tell you that his sublime highness the pacha
+will not be satisfied, unless you explain away the remark, by relating
+to him some story connected with the observation."
+
+"Min Allah! God forbid that your slave should tell a story to deceive
+his highness."
+
+"The Lord have mercy upon you if you do not," replied the vizier; "but,
+to be brief, if you can invent a good and interesting story, you will
+remove the suspicions of the pacha, and probably be rewarded with a few
+pieces of gold; if you cannot, you must prepare for the bastinado, if
+not for death. You will not be required to appear in the sublime
+presence before to-morrow afternoon, and will therefore have plenty of
+time to invent one."
+
+"Will your highness permit your slave to go home and consult his wife?
+Women have a great talent for storytelling. With her assistance he may
+be able to comply with your injunctions."
+
+"No," replied Mustapha, "you must remain in custody; but, as on this
+occasion she may be of the greatest assistance to you, you may send for
+her. They have indeed a talent! As the young crocodile, from instinct,
+runs into the Nile as soon as it bursts its shell, so does woman, from
+her nature, plunge into deceit, before even her tongue can give
+utterance to the lies which her fertile imagination has already
+conceived."
+
+And with this handsome compliment to the sex, Mustapha gave his final
+orders and retired.
+
+Whether the unfortunate man, thus accused of treason, derived any
+benefit from being permitted to "retain counsel," will be shown by the
+following story, which he told to the pacha when summoned on the ensuing
+day.
+
+
+
+STORY OF THE CAMEL-DRIVER.
+
+That your highness should wish for an explanation of the very doubtful
+language which you overheard last night, I am not surprised; but I trust
+you will acknowledge, when I have finished my narrative, that I was
+fully justified in the expressions which I made use of. I am by birth
+(as my dress denotes) a Fellah of this country, but I was not always so
+poor as I am now. My father was the possessor of many camels, which he
+let out for hire to the merchants of the different caravans which
+annually leave this city. When he died, I came into possession of his
+property, and the good-will of those whom he had most faithfully served.
+The consequence was, that I had full employ, my camels were always
+engaged, and, as I invariably accompanied them that they might not be
+ill-treated, I have several times been to Mecca, as this ragged green
+turban will testify. My life was one of alternate difficulty and
+enjoyment. I returned to my wife and children with delight after my
+journeys of suffering and privation, and fully appreciated the value of
+my home from the short time that my occupation would permit me to remain
+there. I worked hard and became rich.
+
+It was during a painful march through the Desert with one of the
+caravans, that a favourite she-camel foaled. At first it was my
+intention to leave the young one to its fate, as my camels had already
+suffered much; but, on examination, the creature showed such strength
+and symmetry that I resolved to bring it up. I therefore divided half of
+one of the loads between the other camels, and tied the foal upon the
+one which I had partly relieved for the purpose. We arrived safely at
+Cairo; and, as the little animal grew up, I had more than ever reason to
+be satisfied that I had saved its life. All good judges considered it a
+prodigy of beauty and strength, and prophesied that it would some day be
+selected as the holy camel, to carry the Koran in the pilgrimage to
+Mecca. And so it did happen about five years afterwards, during which
+interval I accompanied the caravans as before, and each year added to my
+wealth.
+
+My camel had by this time arrived to his full perfection; he stood
+nearly three feet higher than any other; and, when the caravan was
+preparing, I led him to the sheiks, and offered him as a candidate for
+the honour. They would have accepted him immediately, had it not been
+for a Maribout, who, for some reason or another, desired them not to
+employ him, asserting that the caravan would be unlucky if my camel was
+the bearer of the holy Koran.
+
+As this man was considered to be a prophet, the sheiks were afraid, and
+would not give a decided answer. Irritated at the Maribout's
+interference, I reviled him; he raised a hue and cry against me; and,
+being joined by the populace, I was nearly killed. As I hastened away,
+the wretch threw some sand after me, crying out, "Thus shall the caravan
+perish from the judgment of heaven, if that cursed camel is permitted to
+carry the holy word of the prophet." The consequence was, that an
+inferior camel was selected, and I was disappointed. But on the ensuing
+year the Maribout was not at Cairo; and, as there was no animal equal to
+mine in beauty, it was chosen by the sheiks without a dissentient voice.
+
+I hastened home to my wife, overjoyed with my good fortune, which I
+hoped would bring a blessing upon my house. She was equally delighted,
+and my beautiful camel seemed also to be aware of the honour to which he
+was destined, as he repaid our caresses, curving and twisting his long
+neck, and laying his head upon our shoulders.
+
+The caravan assembled: it was one of the largest which for many years
+had quitted Cairo, amounting in all to eighteen thousand camels. You may
+imagine my pride when, as the procession passed through the streets, I
+pointed out to my wife the splendid animal, with his bridle studded with
+jewels and gold, led by the holy sheiks in their green robes, carrying
+on his back the chest which contained the law of our prophet, looking
+proudly on each side of him as he walked along, accompanied by bands of
+music, and the loud chorus of the singing men and women.
+
+As on the ensuing day the caravan was to form outside of the town, I
+returned home to my family, that I might have the last of their company,
+having left my other camels, who were hired by the pilgrims, in charge
+of an assistant who accompanied me in my journeys. The next morning I
+bade adieu to my wife and children; and was quitting the house, when my
+youngest child, who was about two years old, called to me, and begged me
+to return one moment, and give her a farewell caress. As I lifted her in
+my arms, she, as usual, put her hand into the pocket of my loose jacket
+to search, as I thought, for the fruit that I usually brought home for
+her when I returned from the bazaar; but there was none there: and
+having replaced her in the arms of her mother, I hastened away that I
+might not be too late at my post. Your highness is aware that we do not
+march one following another, as most caravans do, but in one straight
+line abreast. The necessary arrangement occupies the whole day previous
+to the commencement of our journey, which takes place immediately after
+the sun goes down. We set off that evening, and after a march of two
+nights, arrived at Adjeroid, where we remained three days, to procure
+our supplies of water from Suez, and to refresh the animals, previous to
+our forced march over the desert of El Tyh.
+
+The last day of our repose, as I was smoking my pipe, with my camels
+kneeling down around me, I perceived a herie[1] coming from the
+direction of Cairo, at a very swift pace; it passed by me like a flash
+of lightning, but still I had sufficient time to recognise in its rider
+the Maribout who had prophesied evil if my camel was employed to carry
+the Koran on the pilgrimage of the year before.
+
+  [1] A swift dromedary.
+
+The Maribout stopped his dromedary at the tent of the Emir Hadjy, who
+commanded the caravan. Anxious to know the reason of his following us,
+which I had a foreboding was connected with my camel, I hastened to the
+spot. I found him haranguing the Emir and the people who had surrounded
+him, denouncing woe and death to the whole caravan if my camel was not
+immediately destroyed, and another selected in his stead. Having for
+some time declaimed in such an energetic manner as to spread
+consternation throughout the camp, he turned his dromedary again to the
+west, and in a few minutes was out of sight.
+
+The Emir was confused; murmurings and consultations were arising among
+the crowd. I was afraid that they would listen to the suggestions of the
+Maribout; and, alarmed for my camel, and the loss of the honour
+conferred upon him, I was guilty of a lie.
+
+"O! Emir," said I, "listen not to that man who is mine enemy: he came to
+my house, he ate of my bread, and would have been guilty of the basest
+ingratitude by seducing the mother of my children; I drove him from my
+door, and thus would he revenge himself. So may it fare with me, and
+with the caravan, as I speak the truth."
+
+I was believed; the injunctions of the Maribout were disregarded, and
+that night we proceeded on our march through the plains of El Tyh.
+
+As your highness has never yet made a pilgrimage, you can have no
+conception of the country which we had to pass through: it was one vast
+region of sand, where the tracks of those who pass over it are
+obliterated by the wind,--a vast sea without water,--an expanse of
+desolation. We plunged into the desert; and as the enormous collection
+of animals, extending as far as the eye could reach, held their
+noiseless way, it seemed as if it were the passing by of shadows.
+
+We met with no accident, notwithstanding the prophecies of the Maribout;
+and, after a fatiguing march of seven nights, arrived safely at Nakhel,
+where we replenished our exhausted water-skins. Those whom I knew joked
+with me, when we met at the wells, at the false prophecies of my enemy.
+We had now three days of severe fatigue to encounter before we arrived
+at the castle of Akaba, and we recommenced our painful journey.
+
+It was on the morning of the second day, about an hour after we had
+pitched out tents, that the fatal prophecy of the Maribout, and the
+judgment of Allah upon me, for the lie which I had called on him to
+witness, was fulfilled.
+
+A dark cloud appeared upon the horizon; it gradually increased, changing
+to a bright yellow; then rose and rose until it had covered one-half of
+the firmament, when it suddenly burst upon us in a hurricane which
+carried every thing before it, cutting off mountains of sand at the
+base, and hurling them upon our devoted heads. The splendid tent of the
+Emir which first submitted to the blast, passed close to me, flying
+along with the velocity of the herie, while every other was either
+levelled to the ground or carried up into the air, and whirled about in
+mad gyration.
+
+Moving pillars of sand passed over us, overthrowing and suffocating man
+and beast; the camels thrust their muzzles into the ground, and,
+profiting by their instinct, we did the same, awaiting our fate in
+silence and trepidation. But the simoom had not yet poured upon us all
+its horrors: in a few minutes nothing was to be distinguished, all was
+darkness, horrible darkness, rendered more horrible by the ravings of
+dying men, the screams of women, and the mad career of horses and other
+animals, which breaking their cords, trod down thousands in their
+endeavours to escape from the overwhelming fury of the desert storm.
+
+I had laid myself down by one of my camels, and thrusting my head under
+his side, awaited my death with all the horror of one who felt that the
+wrath of heaven was justly poured upon him. For an hour I remained in
+that position, and surely there can be no pains in hell greater than
+those which I suffered during that space of time. The burning sand
+forced itself into my garments, the pores of my skin were closed, I
+hardly ventured to breathe the hot blast which was offered as the only
+means of protracted existence. At last I fetched my respiration with
+greater freedom, and no more heard the howling of the blast. Gradually I
+lifted up my head, but my eyes had lost their power, I could distinguish
+nothing but a yellow glare. I imagined that I was blind, and what chance
+could there be for a man who was blind in the desert of El Tyh? Again I
+laid my head down, thought of my wife and children, and abandoning
+myself to despair, I wept bitterly.
+
+The tears that I shed had a resuscitating effect upon my frame. I felt
+revived, and again lifted up my head--I could see! I prostrated myself
+in humble thanksgiving to Allah, and then rose upon my feet. Yes, I
+could see; but what a sight was presented to my eyes! I could have
+closed them for ever with thankfulness. The sky was again serene, and
+the boundless prospect uninterrupted as before; but the thousands who
+accompanied me, the splendid gathering of men and beasts, where were
+they? Where was the Emir Hadjy and his guards? where the mamelukes, the
+agas, the janissaries, and the holy sheiks? the sacred camel, the
+singers, and musicians? the varieties of nations and tribes who had
+joined the caravan? All perished!! Mountains of sand marked the spots
+where they had been entombed, with no other monuments save here and
+there part of the body of a man or beast not yet covered by the desert
+wave. All, all were gone, save one; and that one, that guilty one, was
+myself, who had been permitted to exist, that he might behold the awful
+mischief which had been created by his presumption and his crime.
+
+For some minutes I contemplated the scene, careless and despairing; for
+I imagined that I had only been permitted to outlive the whole, that my
+death might be even more terrible. But my wife and children rushed to my
+memory, and I resolved for their sakes to save, if possible, a life
+which had no other ties to bind it to this earth. I tore off a piece of
+my turban, and cleansing the sand out of my bleeding nostrils, walked
+over the field of death.
+
+Between the different hillocks I found several camels, which had not
+been covered. Perceiving a water-skin, I rushed to it, that I might
+quench my raging thirst; but the contents had been dried up--not a drop
+remained. I found another, but I had no better success. I then
+determined to open one of the bodies of the camels, and obtain the water
+which it might still have remaining in its stomach. This I effected, and
+having quenched my thirst--to which even the heated element which I
+poured down, seemed delicious--I hastened to open the remainder of the
+animals before putrefaction should take place, and collect the scanty
+supplies in the water-skins. I procured more than half a skin of water,
+and then returned to my own camel, which I had lain down beside of,
+during the simoom. I sat on the body of the animal, and reflected upon
+the best method of proceeding. I knew that I was but one day's journey
+from the springs; but how little chance had I of reaching them! I also
+knew the direction which I must take. The day had nearly closed, and I
+resolved to make the attempt.
+
+As the sun disappeared, I rose, and with the skin of water on my back
+proceeded on my hopeless journey. I walked the whole of that night, and,
+by break of day, I imagined that I must have made about half the
+progress of a caravan; I had, therefore, still a day to pass in the
+desert, without any protection from the consuming heat, and then another
+night of toil. Although I had sufficient water, I had no food. When the
+sun rose, I sat down upon a hillock of burning sand, to be exposed to
+his rays for twelve everlasting hours. Before the hour of noon arrived,
+my brain became heated--I nearly lost my reason. My vision was
+imperfect, or rather I saw what did not exist. At one time lakes of
+water presented themselves to my eager eyes; and so certain was I of
+their existence, that I rose and staggered till I was exhausted in
+pursuit of them. At another, I beheld trees at a distance, and could see
+the acacias waving in the breeze; I hastened to throw myself under their
+shade, and arrived at some small shrub, which had thus been magnified.
+
+So was I tormented and deceived during the whole of that dreadful day,
+which still haunts me in my dreams. At last the night closed in, and the
+stars as they lighted up, warned me that I might continue my journey. I
+drank plentifully from my water-skin, and recommenced my solitary way. I
+followed the track marked out by the bones of camels and horses of
+former caravans which had perished in the desert, and when the day
+dawned, I perceived the castle of Akaba at a short distance. Inspired
+with new life, I threw away the water-skin, redoubled my speed, and in
+half an hour had thrown myself down by the side of the fountain from
+which I had previously imbibed large draughts of the refreshing fluid.
+What happiness was then mine! How heavenly, to lay under the shade,
+breathing the cool air, listening to the warbling of the birds, and
+inhaling the perfume of the flowers, which luxuriated on that delightful
+spot! After an hour I stripped, bathed myself, and, taking another
+draught of water, fell into a sound sleep.
+
+I awoke refreshed, but suffering under the cravings of hunger, which now
+assailed me. I had been three days without food; but hitherto I had not
+felt the want of it, as my more importunate thirst had overcome the
+sensation. Now that the greater evil had been removed, the lesser
+increased and became hourly more imperious. I walked out and scanned the
+horizon with the hopes of some caravan appearing in sight, but I watched
+in vain; and returned to the fountain. Two more days passed away, and no
+relief was at hand: my strength failed me; I felt that I was dying; and,
+as the fountain murmured, and the birds sang, and the cool breeze
+fanned my cheeks, I thought that it would have been better to have been
+swallowed up in the desert than to be tantalised by expiring in such a
+paradise. I laid myself down to die, for I could sit up no more; and as
+I turned round to take a last view of the running water, which had
+prolonged my existence, something hard pressed against my side. I
+thought it was a stone, and stretched out my hand to remove it, that I
+might be at ease in my last moments; but when I felt, there was no stone
+there; it was something in the pocket of my jacket. I put my hand in,
+unconscious what it could be; I pulled it out, and looking at it before
+I threw it away, found that it was a piece of _hard dry bread_. I
+thought that it had been sent to me from heaven, and it was as pure an
+offering as if it had come from thence, for it was the gift of innocence
+and affection--it was the piece of bread which my little darling girl
+had received for her breakfast, and which on my departure she had thrust
+into my pocket, when I imagined she had been searching for fruit. I
+crawled to the spring, moistened it, and devoured it, with tears of
+gratitude to heaven, mingled with the fond yearnings of a father's
+heart.
+
+It saved my life; for the next day a small caravan arrived, which was
+bound to Cairo. The merchants treated me with great kindness, tied me on
+one of the camels, and I once more embraced my family, whom I had never
+thought to see again. Since that I have been poor, but contented--I
+deserved to lose all my property for my wickedness, and I submit with
+resignation to the will of Allah.
+
+And now I trust that your highness will acknowledge that I was justified
+in making use of the expression, that "Happy was the man who could _at
+all times_ command a _crust of bread_!"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Very true," observed the pacha; "that's not a bad story: Mustapha, give
+him five pieces of gold, and allow him to depart."
+
+The camel-driver quitted the divan, prostrating himself before the
+pacha, and overjoyed at the fortunate termination of what had threatened
+so much danger. The pacha was silent for a little while, during which he
+puffed his pipe--when he observed:--
+
+"Allah Kebur, God is most powerful! That man has suffered much--and what
+has he to show for it?--a green turban--He is a Hadjy; I never thought
+that we should have heard so good a story about a 'crust of bread.' His
+description of the simoom parched up my entrails. What think you,
+Mustapha, cannot a true believer go to heaven, without a visit to the
+tomb of the prophet?"
+
+"The holy Koran does not say otherwise, your highness, it inculcates
+that all who can, should do so, as the path will be rendered easier. Min
+Allah! God forbid! Has your highness ever had the time to go to Mecca,
+and is not your highness to go to heaven?"
+
+"Very true, Mustapha, I never had time. In my youth I was busy shaving
+heads, after that, Wallah! I had enough to do, splitting them; and now
+am not I fully occupied in taking them off? Is it not so, Mustapha; are
+not these the words of truth?"
+
+"Your highness is all wisdom. There is but one God, and Mahomet is his
+prophet; and when the latter said, that a visit to the holy shrine would
+be a passport to heaven, it was intended to employ those who were idle,
+not to embarrass true believers who work hard in the name of the Most
+High!"
+
+"Min Allah! God forbid! the case is clear," replied the pacha, "why, if
+every body were to go to Mecca, what then, Mustapha?"
+
+"Your highness--it is the opinion of your slave, if such were to take
+place, that all the fools would have left the country."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha; but my mouth is parched up with the sand of that
+simoom--Sherbet I cannot drink, Rakee I must not, the Hakim has forbid
+it; what must it be then, Mustapha?"
+
+"Hath the holy prophet forbidden wine to true believers in case of
+sickness; is not your highness sick; was the wine of Shiraz given by
+Allah to be thrown away? Allah Karim! God is most merciful; and the wine
+was sent that true believers might, in this world, have a foretaste of
+the pleasures awaiting them in the next."
+
+"Mustapha," replied the pacha, taking his pipe out of his mouth, "by the
+beard of the holy prophet, your words are those of wisdom. Is a pacha to
+be fed on water-melons? Staffir Allah! do we believe the less, because
+we drink the wine? Slave, bring the pitcher. There is but one God, and
+Mahomet is his prophet."
+
+"The words of the prophet, your highness, are plain: he says, 'True
+believers drink no wine,' which means, that his followers are not to go
+about the streets, drunken like the Giaours of Franguistan, who come
+here in their ships. Why is wine forbidden? because it makes men drunk.
+If then we are not drunk, we keep within the law. Why was the law made?
+Laws cannot be made for all; they must therefore be made for the control
+of the majority--Is it not so? Who are the majority? Why the poor. If
+laws were made for the rich and powerful, such laws would not suit the
+community at large. Mashallah! there are no laws for pachas, who have
+only to believe that there is one God and Mahomet is his prophet. Does
+your slave say well?"
+
+"Excellently well, Mustapha," replied the pacha, lifting the pitcher to
+his mouth for a minute, and then passing it to Mustapha.
+
+"Allah Karim! God is most merciful! your slave must drink; is it not the
+pleasure of your highness? As the wine poured down the throat of your
+highness, pervades through your whole frame to the extremities, so does
+your slave participate in your bounty. Do I not sit in your sublime
+presence? Can the sun shine without throwing out heat; therefore if your
+highness drink, must not I drink? Allah Acbar! who shall presume not to
+follow the steps of the pacha?" So saying, Mustapha lifted up the
+pitcher, and, for a minute, it was glued to his lips.
+
+"I think that story should be written down," observed the pacha, after
+a pause of a few moments.
+
+"I have already given directions, your highness, and the Greek slave is
+now employed about it, improving the language to render it more pleasing
+to the ears of your sublime highness, should it be your pleasure to have
+it read to you on some future day."
+
+"That is right, Mustapha, if I recollect well, the Caliph Haroun used to
+command them to be written in letters of gold, and be deposited in the
+archives: we must do the same."
+
+"The art no longer exists, your highness."
+
+"Then we must be content with Indian-ink," replied the pacha, lifting
+the pitcher to his mouth, and emptying it.
+
+"The sun will soon be down, Mustapha, and we must set off."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter II
+
+
+The pacha called for coffee, and in a few minutes, accompanied, as
+before, by Mustapha and the armed slaves, was prowling through the city
+in search of a story-teller. He was again fortunate, as after a walk of
+half an hour, he overheard two men loudly disputing at the door of a
+small wine-shop, frequented by the Greeks and Franks living in the city,
+and into which many a slave might be observed to glide, returning with a
+full pitcher for the evening's amusement of his Turkish master, who, as
+well as his betters, clandestinely violated the precepts of the Koran.
+
+As usual he stopped to listen, when one of the disputants exclaimed--"I
+tell thee, Anselmo, it is the vilest composition that was ever drunk:
+and I think I ought to know, after having distilled the essence of an
+Ethiopian, a Jew, and a Turk."
+
+"I care nothing for your distillations, Charis," replied the other, "I
+consider that I am a better judge than you: I was not a monk of the
+Dominican order for fifteen years, without having ascertained the merit
+of every description of wine."
+
+"I should like to know what that fellow means by _distilling people_,"
+observed the pacha, "and also why a Dominican monk should know wine
+better than others. Mustapha, I must see those two men."
+
+The next morning the men were in attendance, and introduced; when the
+pacha requested an explanation from the first who had spoken. The man
+threw himself down before the pacha, with his head on the floor of the
+divan, and said,--"First promise me, your highness, by the sword of the
+prophet, that no harm shall result to me from complying with your
+request; and then I shall obey you with pleasure."
+
+"Mashallah! what is the Kafir afraid of? What crimes hath he committed,
+that he would have his pardon granted before he tells his story?" said
+the pacha to Mustapha.
+
+"No crime towards your state, your sublime highness; but when in another
+country, I was unfortunate," continued the man--"I cannot tell my story,
+unless your highness will condescend to give your promise."
+
+"May it please your highness," observed Mustapha, "he asserts his crime
+to have been committed in another state. It may be heavy, and I suspect
+'tis murder;--but although we watch the flowers which ornament our
+gardens, and would punish those who cull them, yet we care not who
+intrudes and robs our neighbour--and thus, it appears to me, your
+highness, that it is with states, and sufficient for the ruler of each
+to watch over the lives of his own subjects."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha," rejoined the pacha; "besides, we might lose the
+story. Kafir, you have our promise, and may proceed."
+
+The Greek slave (for such he was) then rose up, and narrated his story
+in the following words.
+
+
+
+STORY OF THE GREEK SLAVE.
+
+I am a Greek by birth; my parents were poor people residing at Smyrna. I
+was an only son, and brought up to my father's profession,--that of a
+cooper. When I was twenty years old, I had buried both my parents, and
+was left to shift for myself. I had been for some time in the employ of
+a Jewish wine-merchant, and I continued there for three years after my
+father's death, when a circumstance occurred which led to my subsequent
+prosperity and present degradation.
+
+At the time that I am speaking of, I had, by strict diligence and
+sobriety, so pleased my employer, that I had risen to be his foreman;
+and although I still superintended and occasionally worked at the
+cooperage, I was intrusted with the drawing off and fining of the wines,
+to prepare them for market. There was an Ethiopian slave, who worked
+under my orders, a powerful, broad-shouldered, and most malignant
+wretch, whom my master found it almost impossible to manage; the
+bastinado, or any other punishment, he derided, and after the
+application only became more sullen and discontented than before. The
+fire that flashed from his eyes, upon any fault being found by me on
+account of his negligence, was so threatening, that I every day expected
+I should be murdered. I repeatedly requested my master to part with him;
+but the Ethiopian being a very powerful man, and able, when he chose, to
+move a pipe of wine without assistance, the avarice of the Jew would not
+permit him to accede to my repeated solicitations.
+
+One morning I entered the cooperage, and found the Ethiopian fast asleep
+by the side of a cask which I had been wanting for some time, and
+expected to have found ready. Afraid to punish him myself, I brought my
+master to witness his conduct. The Jew, enraged at his idleness, struck
+him on the head with one of the staves. The Ethiopian sprang up in a
+rage, but on seeing his master with the stave in his hand, contented
+himself with muttering, "That he would not remain to be beaten in that
+manner," and re-applied himself to his labour. As soon as my master had
+left the cooperage, the Ethiopian vented his anger upon me for having
+informed against him, and seizing the stave, flew at me with the
+intention of beating out my brains. I stepped behind the cask; he
+followed me, and just as I had seized an adze to defend myself, he fell
+over the stool which lay in his way--he was springing up to renew the
+attack, when I struck him a blow with the adze which entered his skull,
+and laid him dead at my feet.
+
+I was very much alarmed at what had occurred; for although I felt
+justified in self-defence, I was aware that my master would be very much
+annoyed at the loss of the slave, and as there were no witnesses, it
+would go hard with me when brought before the cadi. After some
+reflection I determined, as the slave had said "He would not remain to
+be beaten," that I would leave my master to suppose he had run away, and
+in the mean time conceal the body. But to effect this was difficult, as
+I could not take it out of the cooperage without being perceived. After
+some cogitation, I decided upon putting it into the cask, and heading it
+up. It required all my strength to lift the body in, but at last I
+succeeded. Having put in the head of the pipe, I hammered down the hoops
+and rolled it into the store, where I had been waiting to fill it with
+wine for the next year's demand. As soon as it was in its place, I
+pumped off the wine from the vat, and having filled up the cask and put
+in the bung, I felt as if a heavy load had been removed from my mind, as
+there was no chance of immediate discovery.
+
+I had but just completed my task, and was sitting down on one of the
+settles, when my master came in, and inquired for the slave. I replied
+that he had left the cooperage, swearing that he would work no more.
+Afraid of losing him, the Jew hastened to give notice to the
+authorities, that he might be apprehended; but after some time, as
+nothing could be heard of the supposed runaway, it was imagined that he
+had drowned himself in a fit of sullenness, and no more was thought
+about him. In the meanwhile I continued to work there as before, and as
+I had the charge of every thing I had no doubt but that, some day or
+another, I should find means of quietly disposing of my incumbrance.
+
+The next spring, I was busy pumping off from one cask into the other,
+according to our custom, when the aga of the janissaries came in. He was
+a great wine-bibber, and one of our best customers. As his dependents
+were all well-known, it was not his custom to send them for wine, but to
+come himself to the store and select a pipe. This was carried away in a
+litter by eight strong slaves, with the curtains drawn close, as if it
+had been a new purchase which he had added to his harem. My master
+showed him the pipes of wine prepared for that year's market, which were
+arranged in two rows; and I hardly need observe that the one containing
+the Ethiopian was not in the foremost. After tasting one or two which
+did not seem to please him, the aga observed, "Friend Issachar, thy
+tribe will always put off the worst goods first, if possible. Now I have
+an idea that there is better wine in the second tier, than in the one
+thou hast recommended. Let thy Greek put a spile into that cask,"
+continued he, pointing to the very one in which I had headed up the
+black slave. As I made sure that as soon as he had tasted the contents
+he would spit them out, I did not hesitate to bore the cask and draw off
+the wine, which I handed to him. He tasted it and held it to the
+light--tasted it again and smacked his lips--then turning to my master,
+exclaimed, "Thou dog of a Jew! wouldst thou have palmed off upon me vile
+trash, when thou hadst in thy possession wine which might be sipped with
+the Houris in Paradise?"
+
+The Jew appealed to me if the pipes of wine were not all of the same
+quality; and I confirmed his assertion.
+
+"Taste it then," replied the aga, "and then taste the first which you
+recommended to me."
+
+My master did so, and was evidently astonished. "It certainly has more
+body," replied he; "yet how that can be, I know not. Taste it,
+Charis."--I held the glass to my lips, but nothing could induce me to
+taste the contents. I contented myself with agreeing with my master (as
+I conscientiously could), "that it certainly had more _body_ in it than
+the rest."
+
+The aga was so pleased with the wine, that he tasted two or three more
+pipes of the back tier, hoping to find others of the same quality,
+probably intending to have laid in a large stock; but finding no other
+of the same flavour, he ordered his slaves to roll the one containing
+the body of the slave into the litter, and carried it to his own house.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Stop a moment, thou lying kafir!" said the pacha, "dost thou really
+mean to say that the wine was better than the rest?"
+
+"Why should I tell a lie to your sublime highness--am not I a worm that
+you may crush? As I informed you, I did not taste it, your highness; but
+after the aga had departed, my master expressed his surprise at the
+excellence of the wine, which he affirmed to be superior to any thing
+that he had ever tasted--and his sorrow that the aga had taken away the
+cask, which prevented him from ascertaining the cause. But one day I was
+narrating the circumstance to a Frank in this country, who expressed no
+surprise at the wine being improved. He had been a wine-merchant in
+England, and he informed me that it was the custom there to throw large
+pieces of raw beef into the wine to feed it; and that some particular
+wines were very much improved thereby."
+
+"Allah Kebur! God is great!" cried the pacha--"Then it must be so--I
+have heard that the English are very fond of beef. Now go on with thy
+story."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Your highness cannot imagine the alarm which I felt when the cask was
+taken away by the aga's slaves. I gave myself up for a lost man, and
+resolved upon immediate flight from Smyrna. I calculated the time that
+it would take for the aga to drink the wine, and made my arrangements
+accordingly. I told my master that it was my intention to leave him, as
+I had an offer to go into business with a relation at Zante. My master,
+who could not well do without me, entreated me to stay; but I was
+positive. He then offered me a share of the business if I would remain,
+but I was not to be persuaded. Every rap at the door, I thought that the
+aga and his janissaries were coming for me; and I hastened my departure,
+which was fixed for the following day,--when in the evening my master
+came into the store with a paper in his hand.
+
+"Charis," said he, "perhaps you have supposed that I only offered to
+make you a partner in my business to induce you to remain, and then to
+deceive you. To prove the contrary, here is a deed drawn up by which you
+are a partner, and entitled to one-third of the future profits. Look at
+it, you will find that it has been executed in due form before the
+cadi."
+
+He had put the paper into my hand, and I was about to return it with a
+refusal, when a loud knocking at the door startled us both. It was a
+party of janissaries despatched by the aga, to bring us to him
+immediately. I knew well enough what it must be about, and I cursed my
+folly in having delayed so long; but the fact was, the wine proved so
+agreeable to the aga's palate that he had drunk it much faster than
+usual; besides which, the body of the slave took up at least a third of
+the cask, and diminished the contents in the same proportion. There was
+no appeal, and no escape. My master, who was ignorant of the cause, did
+not seem at all alarmed, but willingly accompanied the soldiers. I, on
+the contrary, was nearly dead from fear.
+
+When we arrived, the aga burst out in the most violent exclamations
+against my master--"Thou rascal of a Jew!" said he, "dost thou think
+that thou art to impose upon a true believer, and sell him a pipe of
+wine which is not more than two-thirds full,--filling it up with trash
+of some sort or another. Tell me what it is that is so heavy in the cask
+now that it is empty?"
+
+The Jew protested his ignorance, and appealed to me: I, of course,
+pretended the same. "Well, then," replied the aga, "we will soon see.
+Let thy Greek send for his tools, and the cask shall be opened in our
+presence; then perhaps thou wilt recognise thine own knavery."
+
+Two of the janissaries were despatched for the tools, and when they
+arrived I was directed to take the head out of the cask. I now
+considered my death as certain--nothing buoyed me up but my observing
+that the resentment of the aga was levelled more against my master than
+against me; but still I thought that, when the cask was opened, the
+recognition of the black slave must immediately take place, and the
+evidence of my master would fix the murder upon me.
+
+It was with a trembling hand that I obeyed the orders of the aga--the
+head of the pipe was taken out, and, to the horror of all present, the
+body was exposed; but instead of being black, it had turned _white_,
+from the time which it had been immersed. I rallied a little at this
+circumstance, as, so far, suspicion would be removed.
+
+"Holy Abraham!" exclaimed my master, "what is that which I see!--A dead
+body, so help me God!--but I know nothing about it--do you, Charis?" I
+vowed that I did not, and called the Patriarch to witness the truth of
+my assertion. But while we were thus exclaiming, the aga's eyes were
+fixed upon my master with an indignant and deadly stare which spoke
+volumes; while the remainder of the people who were present, although
+they said nothing, seemed as if they were ready to tear him into pieces.
+
+"Cursed unbeliever!" at last uttered the Turk, "is it thus that thou
+preparest the wine for the disciples of the Prophet?"
+
+"Holy father Abraham!--I know no more than you do, aga, how that body
+came there; but I will change the cask with pleasure, and will send you
+another."
+
+"Be it so," replied the aga; "my slave shall fetch it now." He gave
+directions accordingly, and the litter soon reappeared with another pipe
+of wine.
+
+"It will be a heavy loss to a poor Jew--one pipe of good wine," observed
+my master, as it was rolled out of the litter; and he took up his hat
+with the intention to depart.
+
+"Stay," cried the aga, "I do not mean to rob you of your wine."
+
+"Oh, then, you will pay me for it," replied my master; "aga, you are a
+considerate man."
+
+"Thou shalt see," retorted the aga, who gave directions to his slaves to
+draw off the wine in vessels. As soon as the pipe was empty, he desired
+me to take the head out; and when I had obeyed him, he ordered his
+janissaries to put my master in. In a minute he was gagged and bound,
+and tossed into the pipe; and I was directed to put in the head as
+before. I was very unwilling to comply; for I had no reason to complain
+of my master, and knew that he was punished for the fault of which I had
+been guilty. But it was a case of life or death,--and the days of
+self-devotion have long passed away in our country. Besides which, I had
+the deed in my pocket by which I was a partner in the business, and my
+master had no heirs,--so that I stood a chance to come into the whole of
+his property. Moreover----
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Never mind your reasons," observed the pacha, "you headed him up in the
+cask--go on."
+
+"I did so, your highness; but although I dared not disobey, I assure you
+that it was with a sorrowful heart--the more so, as I did not know the
+fate which might be reserved for myself."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+As soon as the head was in, and the hoops driven on, the aga desired
+his slaves to fill the cask up again with the wine; and thus did my poor
+master perish.
+
+"Put in the bung, Greek," said the aga, in a stern voice.
+
+I did so, and stood trembling before him.
+
+"Well! what knowest thou of this transaction?"
+
+I thought, as the aga had taken away the life of my master, that it
+would not hurt him if I took away a little from his character. I
+answered that I really knew nothing, but that, the other day, a black
+slave had disappeared in a very suspicious manner--that my master made
+very little inquiry after him--and I now strongly suspected that he must
+have suffered the same fate. I added, that my master had expressed
+himself very sorry that his highness had taken away the pipe of wine, as
+he would have reserved it.
+
+"Cursed Jew!" replied the aga; "I don't doubt but he has murdered a
+dozen in the same manner."
+
+"I am afraid so, sir," replied I, "and suspect that I was to have been
+his next victim; for when I talked of going away, he persuaded me to
+stay, and gave me this paper, by which I was to become his partner with
+one-third of the profits. I presume that I should not have enjoyed them
+long."
+
+"Well, Greek," observed the aga, "this is fortunate for you; as, upon
+certain conditions, you may enter upon the whole property. One is, that
+you keep this pipe of wine with the rascally Jew in it, that I may have
+the pleasure occasionally to look at my revenge. You will also keep the
+pipe with the other body in it, that it may keep my anger alive. The
+last is, that you will supply me with what wine I may require, of the
+very best quality, without making any charge. Do you consent to these
+terms, or am I to consider you as a party to this infamous transaction?"
+
+I hardly need observe that the terms were gladly accepted. Your highness
+must be aware that nobody thinks much about a Jew. When I was questioned
+as to his disappearance, I shrugged up my shoulders and told the
+inquirers, confidentially, that the aga of the janissaries had put him
+_in prison_, and that I was carrying on the business until his release.
+
+In compliance with the wishes of the aga, the two casks containing the
+Jew and the Ethiopian slave, were placed together on settles higher than
+the rest, in the centre of the store. He would come in the evening, and
+rail at the cask containing my late master for hours at a time; during
+which he drank so much wine, that it was a very common circumstance for
+him to remain in the house until the next morning.
+
+You must not suppose, your highness, that I neglected to avail myself
+(unknown to the aga) of the peculiar properties of the wine which those
+casks contained. I had them spiled underneath, and, constantly running
+off the wine from them, filled them up afresh. In a short time there was
+not a gallon in my possession which had not a _dash_ in it of either the
+Ethiopian or the Jew; and my wine was so improved, that it had a most
+rapid sale, and I became rich.
+
+All went on prosperously for three years; when the aga, who during that
+time had been my constant guest, and at least three times a-week had
+been intoxicated in my house, was ordered with his troops to join the
+Sultan's army. By keeping company with him, I had insensibly imbibed a
+taste for wine, although I never had been inebriated. The day that his
+troops marched, he stopped at my door, and dismounting from his Arabian,
+came in to take a farewell glass, desiring his men to go on, and that he
+would ride after them. One glass brought on another, and the time flew
+rapidly away. The evening closed in, and the aga was, as usual, in a
+state of intoxication;--he insisted upon going down to the store, to
+rail once more at the cask containing the body of the Jew. We had long
+been on the most friendly terms, and having this night drunk more than
+usual, I was incautious enough to say--"Prithee, aga, do not abuse my
+poor master any more, for he has been the making of my fortune. I will
+tell you a secret now that you are going away--there is not a drop of
+wine in my store that has not been flavoured either by him, or by the
+slave in the other cask. That is the reason why it is so much better
+than other people's."
+
+"How!" exclaimed the aga, who was now almost incapable of speech. "Very
+well, rascal Greek! die you shall, like your master. Holy prophet! what
+a state for a Mussulman to go to Paradise in--impregnated with the
+essence of a cursed Jew!--Wretch! you shall die--you shall die."
+
+He made a grasp at me, and missing his foot, fell on the ground in such
+a state of drunkenness as not to be able to get up again. I knew that
+when he became sober, he would not forget what had taken place, and that
+I should be sacrificed to his vengeance. The fear of death, and the wine
+which I had drunk, decided me how to act. I dragged him into an empty
+pipe, put the head in, hooped it up, and rolling it into the tier,
+filled it with wine. Thus did I revenge my poor master, and relieved
+myself from any further molestation on the part of the aga.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"What!" cried the pacha, in a rage, "you drowned a true believer--an aga
+of janissaries! Thou dog of a kafir--thou son of Shitan--and dare avow
+it! Call in the executioner."
+
+"Mercy! your sublime highness, mercy!" cried the Greek--"Have I not your
+promise by the sword of the prophet? Besides, he was no true believer,
+or he would not have disobeyed the law. A good Mussulman will never
+touch a drop of wine."
+
+"I promised to forgive, and did forgive, the murder of the black slave;
+but an aga of janissaries!--Is not that quite another thing?" appealed
+the pacha to Mustapha.
+
+"Your highness is just in your indignation--the kafir deserves to be
+impaled. Yet there are two considerations which your slave ventures to
+submit to your sublime wisdom. The first is, that your highness gave an
+unconditional promise, and swore by the sword of the prophet."
+
+"Staffir Allah! what care I for that! Had I sworn to a true believer, it
+were something."
+
+"The other is, that the slave has not yet finished his story, which
+appears to be interesting."
+
+"Wallah! that is true. Let him finish his story."
+
+But the Greek slave remained with his face on the ground; and it was not
+until a renewal of the promise, sworn upon the holy standard made out of
+the nether garments of the prophet, by the pacha, who had recovered his
+temper, and was anxious for the conclusion of the story, that he could
+be induced to proceed, which he did as follows:--
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+As soon as I had bunged up the cask, I went down to the yard where the
+aga had left his horse, and having severely wounded the poor beast with
+his sword, I let it loose that it might gallop home. The noise of the
+horse's hoofs in the middle of the night, aroused his family, and when
+they discovered that it was wounded and without its rider, they imagined
+that the aga had been attacked and murdered by banditti when he had
+followed his troop. They sent to me to ask at what time he had left my
+house; I replied, an hour after dark--that he was very much intoxicated
+at the time--and had left his sabre, which I returned. They had no
+suspicions of the real facts, and it was believed that he had perished
+on the road.
+
+I was now rid of my dangerous acquaintance, and although he certainly
+had drunk a great quantity of my wine, yet I recovered the value of it
+with interest, from the flavour which I obtained from his body and which
+I imparted to the rest of my stock. I raised him up alongside of the two
+other casks; and my trade was more profitable and my wines in greater
+repute than ever.
+
+But one day the cadi, who had heard my wine extolled, came privately to
+my house; I bowed to the ground at the honour conferred, for I had long
+wished to have him as a customer. I drew some of my best--"This,
+honourable sir," said I, presenting the glass, "is what I call my aga
+wine: the late aga was so fond of it, he used to order a whole cask at
+once to his house, and had it taken there in a litter."
+
+"A good plan," replied the cadi, "much better than sending a slave with
+a pitcher, which gives occasion for remarks: I will do the same; but,
+first, let me taste all you have."
+
+He tasted several casks, but none pleased him so much as the first which
+I had recommended. At last he cast his eyes upon the three casks raised
+above the others.
+
+"And what are those?" inquired he.
+
+"Empty casks, sir," replied I; but he had his stick in his hand, and he
+struck one.
+
+"Greek, thou tellest me these casks are empty, but they do not sound so;
+I suspect that thou hast better wine than I have tasted: draw me off
+from these immediately."
+
+I was obliged to comply--he tasted them--vowed that the wine was
+exquisite, and that he would purchase the whole. I stated to him that
+the wine in those casks was used for flavouring the rest; and that the
+price was enormous, hoping that he would not pay it. He inquired how
+much--I asked him four times the price of the other wines.
+
+"Agreed," said the cadi; "it is dear--but one cannot have good wine
+without paying for it:--it is a bargain."
+
+I was very much alarmed; and stated that I could not part with those
+casks, as I should not be able to carry on my business with reputation,
+if I lost the means of flavouring my wines, but all in vain; he said
+that I had asked a price and he had agreed to give it. Ordering his
+slaves to bring a litter, he would not leave the store until the whole
+of the casks were carried away, and thus did I lose my Ethiopian, my
+Jew, and my aga.
+
+As I knew that the secret would soon be discovered, the very next day I
+prepared for my departure. I received my money from the cadi, to whom I
+stated my intention to leave, as he had obliged me to sell him those
+wines, and I had no longer hopes of carrying on my business with
+success. I again begged him to allow me to have them back, offering him
+three pipes of wine as a present if he would consent, but it was of no
+use. I chartered a vessel, which I loaded with the rest of my stock;
+and, taking all my money with me, made sail for Corfu, before any
+discovery had taken place. But we encountered a heavy gale of wind,
+which, after a fortnight (during which we attempted in vain to make head
+against it), forced us back to Smyrna. When the weather moderated, I
+directed the captain to take the vessel into the outer roadstead that I
+might sail as soon as possible. We had not dropped anchor again more
+than five minutes when I perceived a boat pulling off from the shore in
+which was the cadi and the officers of justice.
+
+Convinced that I was discovered, I was at a loss how to proceed, when
+the idea occurred to me that I might conceal my own body in a cask, as I
+had before so well concealed those of others.
+
+I called the captain down into the cabin, and telling him that I had
+reason to suspect that the cadi would take my life, offered him a large
+part of the cargo if he would assist me.
+
+The captain who, unfortunately for me, was a Greek, consented. We went
+down into the hold, started the wine out of one of the pipes, and having
+taken out the head, I crawled in, and was hooped up.
+
+The cadi came on board immediately afterwards and inquired for me. The
+captain stated that I had fallen overboard in the gale, and that he had
+in consequence returned, the vessel not being consigned to any house at
+Corfu.
+
+"Has then the accursed villain escaped my vengeance!" exclaimed the
+cadi; "the murderer, that fines his wines with the bodies of his
+fellow-creatures: but you may deceive me, Greek, we will examine the
+vessel."
+
+The officers who accompanied the cadi proceeded carefully to search
+every part of the ship. Not being able to discover me, the Greek captain
+was believed; and, after a thousand imprecations upon my soul, the cadi
+and his people departed.
+
+I now breathed more freely, notwithstanding I was nearly intoxicated
+with the lees of the wine which impregnated the wood of the cask, and I
+was anxious to be set at liberty; but the treacherous captain had no
+such intention, and never came near me. At night he cut his cable and
+made sail, and I overheard a conversation between two of the men, which
+made known to me his intentions: these were to throw me overboard on his
+passage, and take possession of my property. I cried out to them from
+the bung-hole: I screamed for mercy, but in vain. One of them answered,
+that, as I had murdered others, and put them into casks, I should now be
+treated in the same manner.
+
+I could not but mentally acknowledge the justice of my punishment, and
+resigned myself to my fate; all that I wished was to be thrown over at
+once and released from my misery. The momentary anticipation of death
+appeared to be so much worse than the reality. But it was ordered
+otherwise: a gale of wind blew up with such force, that the captain and
+crew had enough to do to look after the vessel, and, either I was
+forgotten or my doom was postponed until a more seasonable opportunity.
+
+On the third day I heard the sailors observe that, with such a wretch as
+I was remaining on board, the vessel must inevitably be lost. The
+hatches were then opened: I was hoisted up and cast into the raging sea.
+The bung of the cask was out, but by stuffing my handkerchief in, when
+the hole was under water, I prevented the cask from filling; and when it
+was uppermost, I removed it for a moment to obtain fresh air. I was
+dreadfully bruised by the constant rolling, in a heavy sea, and
+completely worn out with fatigue and pain; I had made up my mind to let
+the water in and be rid of my life, when I was tossed over and over with
+such dreadful rapidity as prevented my taking the precaution of keeping
+out the water. After three successive rolls of the same kind, I found
+that the cask, which had been in the surf, had struck on the beach. In a
+moment after, I heard voices, and people came up to the cask and rolled
+me along. I would not speak, lest they should be frightened and allow me
+to remain on the beach, where I might again be tossed about by the
+waves; but as soon as they stopped, I called in a faint voice from the
+bung-hole, begging them for mercy's sake to let me out.
+
+At first they appeared alarmed; but, on my repeating my request, and
+stating that I was the owner of the ship which was off the land, and the
+captain and crew had mutinied and tossed me overboard, they brought some
+tools and set me at liberty.
+
+The first sight that met my eyes after I was released, was my vessel
+lying a wreck; each wave that hurled her further on the beach, breaking
+her more and more to pieces. She was already divided amid-ships, and the
+white foaming surf was covered with pipes of wine, which, as fast as
+they were cast on shore, were rolled up by the same people who had
+released me. I was so worn out, that I fainted where I lay. When I came
+to, I found myself in a cave upon a bundle of capotes, and perceived a
+party of forty or fifty men, who were sitting by a large fire, and
+emptying with great rapidity one of my pipes of wine.
+
+As soon as they observed that I was coming to my senses, they poured
+some wine down my throat, which restored me. I was then desired by one
+of them, who seemed to be the chief, to approach.
+
+"The men who have been saved from the wreck," said he, "have told me
+strange stories of your enormous crimes--now, sit down, and tell me the
+truth--if I believe you, you shall have justice--I am cadi here--if you
+wish to know where you are, it is upon the island of Ischia--if you wish
+to know in what company, it is in the society of those who by illiberal
+people are called pirates: now tell the truth."
+
+I thought that with pirates my story would be received better than with
+other people, and I therefore narrated my history to them, in the same
+words that I now have to your highness. When I had finished, the
+captain of the gang observed:--
+
+"Well, then, as you acknowledge to have killed a slave, to have assisted
+at the death of a Jew, and to have drowned an aga, you certainly deserve
+death; but, on consideration of the excellence of the wine, and the
+secret which you have imparted to us, I shall commute your sentence. As
+for the captain and the remainder of the crew, they have been guilty of
+treachery and piracy on the high seas--a most heinous offence, which
+deserves instant death; but as it is by their means that we have been
+put in possession of the wine, I shall be lenient. I therefore sentence
+you all to hard labour for life. You shall be sold as slaves in Cairo,
+and we will pocket the money and drink your wine."
+
+The pirates loudly applauded the justice of a decision by which they
+benefited, and all appeal on our parts was useless. When the weather
+became more settled, we were put on board one of their small xebeques,
+and on our arrival at this port were exposed for sale and purchased.
+
+Such, pacha, is the history which induced me to make use of the
+expressions which you wished to be explained; and I hope you will allow
+that I have been more unfortunate than guilty, as on every occasion in
+which I took away the life of another, I had only to choose between that
+and my own.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Well, it is rather a curious story," observed the pacha, "but still, if
+it were not for my promise, I certainly would have your head off for
+drowning the aga--I consider it excessively impertinent in an
+unbelieving Greek to suppose that his life is of the same value as that
+of an aga of janissaries, and follower of the prophet; but, however, my
+promise was given, and you may depart."
+
+"The wisdom of your highness is brighter than the stars of heaven,"
+observed Mustapha. "Shall the slave be honoured with your bounty?"
+
+"Mashallah! bounty! I've given him his life, and, as he considers it of
+more value than an aga's, I think 'tis a very handsome present. Drown an
+aga, indeed!" continued the pacha, rising, "but it certainly was a very
+curious story. Let it be written down, Mustapha. We'll hear the other
+man to-morrow."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter III
+
+
+"Mustapha," said the pacha the next day, when they had closed the hall
+of audience, "have you the other Giaour in readiness?"
+
+"Bashem ustun! Upon my head be it, your highness. The infidel dog waits
+but the command to crawl into your sublime presence."
+
+"Let him approach, that our ears may be gratified. Barek Allah! Praise
+be to God. There are others who can obtain stories besides the Caliph
+Haroun."
+
+The slave was ordered into the pacha's presence. He was a dark man with
+handsome features, and he walked in with a haughty carriage, which
+neither his condition nor tattered garments could disguise. When within
+a few feet of the carpet of state he bowed and folded his arms in
+silence. "I wish to know upon what grounds you asserted that you were so
+good a judge of wine the other evening, when you were quarrelling with
+the Greek slave."
+
+"I stated my reason at the time, your highness, which was, because I had
+been for many years a monk of the Dominican order."
+
+"I recollect that you said so. What trade is that, Mustapha?" inquired
+the pacha.
+
+"If your slave is not mistaken, a good trade every where. The infidel
+means that he was a mollah or dervish among the followers of Isauri."[2]
+
+  [2] Jesus Christ.
+
+"May they and their fathers' graves be eternally defiled," cried the
+pacha. "Do not they drink wine and eat pork? Have you nothing more to
+say?" inquired the pacha.
+
+"My life has been one of interest," replied the slave, "and if it will
+please your highness, I will narrate my history."
+
+"It is our condescension. Sit down and proceed."
+
+
+
+STORY OF THE MONK.
+
+May it please your highness, I am a Spaniard by birth, and, a native of
+Seville; but whether my father was a grandee, or of a more humble
+extraction, I cannot positively assert. All that I can establish is,
+that when reason dawned, I found myself in the asylum instituted by
+government, in that city, for those unfortunate beings who are brought
+up upon black bread and oil, because their unnatural parents either do
+not choose to incur the expense of their maintenance, or having, in the
+first instance, allowed unlawful love to conquer shame, end by
+permitting shame to overcome maternal love.
+
+It is the custom, at a certain age, to put these children out to
+different trades and callings; and those who show precocity of talent
+are often received into the bosom of the church.
+
+Gifted by nature with a very fine voice and correct ear for music, I was
+selected to be brought up as a chorister in a Dominican convent of great
+reputation. At the age of ten years, I was placed under the charge of
+the leader of the choir. Under his directions, I was fully occupied
+receiving my lessons in singing, or at other times performing the junior
+offices of the church, such as carrying the frankincense or large wax
+tapers in the processions. As a child my voice was much admired; and
+after the service was over, I often received presents of sweetmeats from
+the ladies, who brought them in their pockets for the little Anselmo. As
+I grew up, I became a remarkable proficient in music; at the age of
+twenty, I possessed a fine counter-tenor; and flattered by the
+solicitations of the superior of the convent and other dignitaries of
+the church, I consented to take the vows, and became a member of the
+fraternity.
+
+Although there was no want of liberty in our convent, I was permitted
+even more than the rest of the monks. I gave lessons in music and
+singing, and a portion of my earnings were placed in the superior's
+hands for the benefit of the fraternity. Independent of this, my
+reputation was spread all over Seville; and hundreds used to attend the
+mass performed in our church, that they might hear the voice of brother
+Anselmo. I was therefore considered as a valuable property, and the
+convent would have suffered a great deal by my quitting it. Although I
+could not be released from my vows, still I could by application have
+been transferred to Madrid; and the superior, aware of this
+circumstance, allowed me every indulgence, with the hopes of my being
+persuaded to remain. The money which I retained for my own exigencies
+enabled me to make friends with the porter, and I obtained egress or
+ingress at any hour. I was a proficient on the guitar; and incongruous
+as it may appear with my monastic vows, I often hastened from the
+service at vespers to perform in a serenade to some fair senora, whose
+_inamorato_ required the powers of my voice to soften her to his wishes.
+
+My sedillas and canzonettas were much admired; and eventually no
+serenade was considered as effective, without the assistance of the
+counter-tenor of Anselmo. I hardly need observe that it was very
+profitable; and that I had the means of supplying myself with luxuries
+which the rules of our order did not admit. I soon became irregular and
+debauched; often sitting up whole nights with the young cavaliers,
+drinking and singing amorous songs for their amusement. Still, however,
+my conduct was not known, or was overlooked for the reasons which I have
+stated before.
+
+When once a man indulges to excess in wine, he is assailed by, and
+becomes an easy prey to every other vice. This error soon led me into
+others; and, regardless of my monastic vows, I often felt more inclined
+to serenade upon my own account than on that of my employers. I had the
+advantage of a very handsome face, but it was disguised by the shaven
+crown and the unbecoming manner of cutting the hair; the coarse and
+unwieldly monastic dress belonging to our order hid the symmetry of my
+limbs, which, might have otherwise attracted notice on the Prado. I soon
+perceived that, although my singing was admired by the other sex, their
+admiration went no further. They seemed to consider that in every other
+point I was, as I ought to have been, dead to the world.
+
+There was a young lady, Donna Sophia, whom I had for some time
+instructed in music, who appeared to be more favourably inclined. She
+was an excellent performer, and passionately fond of the science: and I
+have always observed, your highness, that between the real amateurs of
+harmony there is a sympathy, a description of free-masonry, which
+immediately puts them on a level, and on terms of extreme intimacy; so
+much so, that were I a married man, and my wife extremely partial to
+music, I should be very careful how I introduced to her a person of a
+similar feeling, if I possessed it not myself. I was very much in the
+good graces of this young lady, and flattered myself with a successful
+issue: when one day, as we were singing a duet, a handsome young officer
+made his appearance. His hair, which was of the finest brown, curled in
+natural ringlets: and his clothes were remarkably well-fitted to his
+slender and graceful figure. He was a cousin, who had just returned from
+Carthagena; and as he was remarkably attentive, I soon perceived that
+all my advances had been thrown away, and that I was more and more in
+the background each morning that I made my appearance.
+
+Annoyed at this, I ventured to speak too freely; and during his absence
+calumniated him to the Donna Sophia, hoping by these means to regain my
+place in her affections; but I made a sad mistake: for not only were my
+services dispensed with for the future, but, as I afterwards
+discovered, she stated to her cousin the grounds upon which I had been
+dismissed.
+
+I returned to the convent in no pleasant mood, when I was informed that
+my presence had been demanded by the superior. I repaired to the
+parlour, where he stated that my licentious conduct had come to his
+ears; and after much upbraiding, he concluded by ordering me to submit
+to a severe penance. Aware that disobedience would only be followed up
+by greater severity, I bowed with humility in my mien, but with
+indignation in my breast; and returning to my cell, resolved upon
+immediately writing for my removal to Madrid. I had not been there many
+minutes when the porter brought me a note. It was from Donna Sophia,
+requesting to see me that evening, and apologising for her apparent
+ill-usage, which she had only assumed the better to conceal her
+intentions; being afraid, at our last interview, that her mother was
+within hearing.
+
+I was in raptures when I perused the note, and hastened to comply with
+her request. Her directions were to repair to the back door, which
+looked out upon some fields, and give three taps. I arrived, and as soon
+as I raised my hand to give the signal, was seized by four men in masks,
+who gagged and bound me. They then stripped off my friar's dress, and
+scourged me with nettles, until I was almost frantic with the pain. When
+their vengeance was satisfied, they cast me loose, removed the gag, and
+ran away. As I then suspected, and afterwards discovered to be true, I
+was indebted to the young officer for this treatment, in return for what
+I had said, and which his mistress had repeated. Smarting with pain, and
+boiling with rage, I dragged on my clothes as well as I could, and began
+to reflect in what manner I should act. Conceal my situation from the
+other members of the convent I could not; and to explain it would not
+only be too humiliating, but subject me to more rigorous discipline. At
+last, I considered that out of evil might spring good; and gathering a
+large bundle of the nettles, which grew under the walls, I crawled back
+to the convent. When I attained my cell, I threw off my gown, which was
+now unbearable from the swelling of my limbs, and commenced thrashing
+the walls of my cell and my bed with the nettles which I had procured.
+
+After a short time I moaned piteously, and continued so to do, louder
+and louder, until some of the friars got up to inquire the reason; when
+they found me, apparently, castigating myself in this cruel manner. When
+they opened the door, I threw myself on the bed, and cried still more
+vociferously. This certainly was the only part of my conduct which was
+not deceptive, for I was in the most acute agony. To their inquiries, I
+told them that I had been guilty of great enormities; that the superior
+had reproved me, and ordered me penance; and that I had scourged myself
+with nettles; requesting them to continue the application as my strength
+had failed me. With this injunction they were too humane to comply. Some
+went for the surgeon of the convent, while others reported the
+circumstance to the superior. The former applied remedies which assuaged
+the pain: the latter was so pleased at my apparent contrition, that he
+gave me absolution, and relieved me from the penance to which I had been
+subjected. When I recovered, I was more in favour, and was permitted the
+same indulgences as before.
+
+But I was some days confined to my bed, during which I was continually
+reflecting upon what had passed. I perceived, to my misery, the pale
+which I had placed between me and the world, by embracing a monastic
+life; and how unfit I was, by temperament, to fulfil my vows. I cursed
+my father and mother, who had been the original cause of my present
+situation. I cursed the monastic dress which blazoned forth my unhappy
+condition. Then I thought of the treacherous girl, and planned schemes
+of revenge. I compared my personal qualifications with those of the
+young officer; and vanity suggested, that were it not for my vile
+professional disguise, the advantage was on my side. At last I decided
+upon the steps that I would take.
+
+As I before stated, my purse was well supplied from the lessons which I
+gave in music, and from assisting at the serenades. When I was
+sufficiently recovered to go out, I proceeded to a barber, and on the
+plea of continual headache, for which it had been recommended that I
+should shave my head, requested him to make me a false tonsure. In a few
+days it was ready, and being very well made, no difference could be
+perceived between the wig and my own hair, which was then removed. So
+far I had succeeded; but as the greatest caution was necessary in a
+proceeding of this nature, to avoid suspicion, I returned to the
+convent, where I remained quiet for several days. One evening I again
+sallied forth, and when it was quite dark repaired to the _friperie_
+show of a Jew, where I purchased a second--hand suit of cavalier's
+clothes, which I thought would fit me. I concealed them in my cell, and
+the next morning, went in search of a small lodging in some obscure
+part, where I might not be subject to observation. This was difficult,
+but I at last succeeded in finding one to let, which opened upon a
+general staircase of a house, which was appropriated to a variety of
+lodgers, who were constantly passing and repassing. I paid the first
+month in advance, stating it would be occupied by a brother, whom I
+daily expected; in the meantime took possession of the key. I bought a
+small chest, which I had conveyed to my lodgings, and having removed my
+cavalier's dress from the convent, locked it up. I then remained quiet
+as before, not only to avoid suspicion, but to ingratiate myself with
+the superior, by my supposed reformation.
+
+After a few days, I sallied forth, and leaving a note for one of the
+most skilful perruquiers of Seville, desired him to call at my lodgings,
+at an hour indicated. Having repaired there, to be ready to receive him,
+I took off my monk's dress and false tonsure, which I locked up in my
+chest; I tied a silk handkerchief round my head, and got into bed,
+leaving the cavalier's suit on my chair near to me. The perruquier
+knocked at the appointed time. I desired him to come in, apologised for
+my servant being absent on a message, and stating that I had been
+obliged to shave my head on account of a fever, from which I had now
+recovered, requested that he would provide me with a handsome wig. I
+explained at his request the colour and description of hair which I had
+lost; and in so doing, represented it as much lighter than my own really
+was, and similar to that of the young officer, whose ringlets had been
+the cause of my last disaster. I paid him a part of the price down, and
+having agreed upon the exact time at which it should be delivered, he
+departed; when I rose from my bed, I resumed my monastic dress and
+tonsure, and returned to the convent.
+
+During the whole of the time occupied by these transactions, I had been
+assiduous in laying up money, which before I had squandered as fast as I
+obtained it, and had realised a considerable sum. I could not help
+comparing myself to a chrysalis previous to its transformation. I had
+before been a caterpillar, I was now all ready to burst my confinement,
+and flit about as a gaudy butterfly. Another week, I continued my
+prudent conduct, at the end of which I was admitted to my superior, in
+whose hands I placed a sum of money which I could very conveniently
+spare, and received his benediction and commendations for having weaned
+myself from my former excesses. With a quickened pulse, I hastened to my
+lodgings, and throwing off my hateful gown and tonsure, dressed myself
+in my new attire.
+
+The transformation was complete. I could not recognise myself. I hardly
+could believe that the dashing young cavalier that confronted me in the
+mirror, was the brother Anselmo. "Is this a face," said I, communing
+with myself, "to be disfigured with a vile tonsure? are these limbs to
+be hid under the repulsive garment of a monk?" Again I surveyed myself,
+and it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from
+contemplating my metamorphosis. I was indeed a butterfly. At last, I
+determined upon sallying forth. I locked up my monastic dress and
+descended the staircase. I must acknowledge, that it was with
+trepidation I ventured into the street, but I had soon reason to take
+confidence, for I was met by one of my most intimate friends, who looked
+in my face, and passed on without the slightest recognition. Overjoyed
+at this circumstance, I took courage, and boldly proceeded to the Prado,
+where I was greeted with favourable glances from the women, and sneers
+from the men, both of which I considered equally flattering. In the
+evening, I returned to my lodgings, resumed the habit of my order, and
+gained the convent. I now felt that there was no chance of discovery,
+and anticipated the happiness which had been denied me. I subsequently
+ordered the most fashionable and expensive clothes, hired my lodgings
+for six months, assumed the name of Don Pedro, made the acquaintance of
+many young men, and amongst others of the officer who had treated me so
+ill. He took a fancy to me, which I encouraged to further my views. I
+became his confidant, he informed me of his amour with his cousin,
+adding that he was tired of the business, and wished to break with her;
+also, as an excellent joke, the punishment which he had inflicted upon
+the friar Anselmo.
+
+He was a great proficient with the small sword, an accomplishment, which
+of course had been neglected in my education, and which I accounted for
+by stating that until the death of my elder brother, I had been intended
+for the church. I accepted his offer to be my instructor, and my first
+rudiments in the science were received from him. Afterwards I applied to
+a professor, and, constantly practising, in the course of a few months,
+I knew, from occasional trials of skill with the officer, that I was his
+superior. My revenge, which hitherto had been controlled was now ripe.
+
+But in narrating my adventures abroad, it must not be supposed that I
+neglected every thing that prudence or caution could suggest, to avoid
+discovery. On the contrary, now that I had the means of enjoying
+myself, I was more careful that I did not by any indiscretion excite
+surmises. I generally devoted four days out of the seven in the week to
+the convent and to my professional occupation as music-master. To
+increase the difficulty of identification, I became more serious in my
+manner, more dirty in my person, as the brother Anselmo. I pretended to
+have imbibed a fancy for snuff, with which I soiled my face and monastic
+attire, and seldom if ever spoke, or if I did, in a very solemn voice.
+So far from suspicion, I every day gained more and more the good will of
+the superior. My absence in the day-time was not noticed, as it was
+known that I gave lessons in music, and my irregularity during the night
+was a secret between the porter and myself.
+
+I hardly need observe that, as Don Pedro, I always lamented not having
+been gifted with a voice, and have even in the presence of my
+companions, sent a billet to brother Anselmo to serenade a lady whom I
+courted as Don Pedro. I do not believe until ulterior circumstances,
+that there was ever in the mind of any the slightest idea that, under my
+dissimilar habits, I was one and the same person.
+
+But to continue: one day the young officer, whose name was Don Lopez,
+informed me that he did not know how to act; he was so pestered with the
+jealousy and reproaches of his mistress; and requested my advice as to
+how to proceed. I laughed at his dilemma. "My dear Lopez," replied I,
+"introduce me to her, and depend upon it, that she will give you no more
+trouble. I will make love to her, and, pleased with her new conquest,
+she will soon forget you."
+
+"My good fellow," replied he, "your advice is excellent: will you come
+with me this afternoon?"
+
+Once more I was in the presence of her whom I had loved, but loved no
+more, for I now only felt and lived for revenge. She had not the most
+distant recognition of me. Piqued as she was with Don Lopez, and
+fascinated with my exertions to please, I soon gained an interest; but
+she still loved him, between the paroxysms of her hate. Trying all she
+could to recover him at one moment, and listening to my attentions at
+another, he at last accused her of perfidy, and took his leave for ever.
+Then her violence broke out, and as a proof of my attachment, she
+demanded that I should call him to account. I wished no better, and
+pretending to be so violently attached to her that I was infatuated, I
+took an occasion of his laughing at me, to give him the lie, and demand
+satisfaction. As it was in the presence of others, there was no recall
+or explanation allowed. We met by agreement, alone, in the very field
+where I had received my chastisement; I brought with me my monastic
+habit and tonsure, which I concealed before his arrival among the very
+nettles which he had gathered for my chastisement. The conflict was not
+long: after a few thrusts and parries, he lay dying at my feet. I
+immediately threw over my dress that of the friar, and exchanging the
+wig for the tonsure, stood by him. He opened his eyes, which had closed
+from the fainting, occasioned by the sudden gush from his wound, and
+looked at me with amazement.
+
+"Yes, Don Lopez," said I, "in Don Pedro behold the Friar Anselmo; he
+whom you scourged with nettles; he who has revenged the insult." I then
+threw off the monk's dress, and exposed to him the other beneath it, and
+changing my tonsure for the wig, "now you are convinced of the truth,"
+added I, "and now I have my revenge."
+
+"I am, I am," replied he faintly; "but if you have slain me as Don
+Pedro, now that I am dying, I entreat you, as brother Anselmo, to give
+me absolution. Carry not your revenge so far as to deny me this."
+
+I could not refuse; and I gave absolution in the one costume, to the man
+who had fallen by my hand in the other: for my own part, I thought it
+was an absurdity, but my revenge was satisfied, and I would not refuse
+him such a poor consolation.
+
+A few minutes afterwards he expired, and I hastened to my lodgings,
+changed my dress, and repaired to the convent, where, as Don Pedro I
+wrote to Donna Sophia, informing her of what had taken place, and of my
+having absconded until the hue and cry should be over. For three weeks I
+remained in the convent, or only appeared abroad as the Friar Anselmo. I
+brought a considerable sum to the superior for the use of the church,
+partly to satisfy the qualms of conscience which assailed me for the
+crime which I had committed; partly that I might continue in his good
+graces.
+
+At the expiration of the time I sent a note to the young lady, as from
+Don Pedro, acquainting her with my return, and my intention to call upon
+her in the dusk of the evening. I went to my lodgings, dressed myself as
+Don Pedro, and tapping at her door, was admitted; but instead of being
+cordially greeted, as I expected, I was repulsed, loaded with abuse, and
+declared an object of detestation. It appeared that, although in her
+rage at the desertion of her lover, she had listened to the dictates of
+revenge, now that he was no more, all her affection for him had revived.
+I returned her upbraiding, and quitted the room to leave the house: but
+she had no intention that I should escape, and had stationed two of her
+relations below, ready to intercept me.
+
+She called to them as I descended the stairs; when I arrived at the
+hall, I found them with drawn swords to dispute my passage. I had no
+resource but to fight my way; and charging them furiously, I severely
+wounded one, and shortly afterwards disarmed the other, just as the
+enraged fair one, who perceived that I was gaining the day, had run
+behind me and seized my arms; but she was too late: I threw her
+indignantly upon the wounded man, and walked out of the house. As soon
+as I was in the street, I took to my heels, gained my lodgings, changed
+my dress, and repaired to the convent.
+
+This adventure sobered me much. I now remained quiet for some months,
+never assuming my dress as Don Pedro, lest the officers of justice
+should lay hold of me. I became more rigid and exact in my duties, and
+more austere in my manner.
+
+The several confessional chairs in our church were usually occupied by
+the senior monks, although, when absent from sickness or other causes,
+the juniors occasionally supplied their place. One of the monks had been
+taken ill, and I knew that the mother of the young lady, who was very
+strict in her religious duties, confessed at that chair every Friday; I
+took possession of it, with the hopes that I should find out some means
+of prosecuting my revenge. The young lady also confessed at the same
+chair, when she did come, which was but seldom. Since the death of her
+lover, she had never made her appearance.
+
+As I anticipated, the mother came, and after having run over a string of
+peccadilloes, for which I ordered a slight penance, I inquired, through
+the punctured communication on the side of the confessional chair,
+whether she had not children, to which she answered in the affirmative.
+I then asked when her daughter had confessed last. She mentioned a long
+date, and I commenced a serious expostulation upon the neglect of
+parents, desiring that her daughter might be brought to confess, or
+otherwise I should be obliged to inflict a penance of some hundred
+Pater-Nosters and Ave-Marias upon herself, for not attending to her
+parental duties. The old lady, who had no wish to submit to her own
+penance, promised to bring her daughter the next day, and she was true
+to her word. Donna Sophia appeared to come very unwillingly. As soon as
+she had taken her seat by the confessional chair, she made a confession
+of a hundred little nothings, and having finished her catalogue, stopped
+as if waiting for absolution.
+
+"Have you made no reservation?" inquired I, in the low muttering tone
+which is used at the confessional; for although neither party can
+distinguish the person of the other, I did not wish her to recognise my
+voice.
+
+"Every thing," replied she, in a faint whisper.
+
+"My daughter," replied I, "by your trembling answer, I know that you
+are deceiving yourself and me. I am an old man, and have been too many
+years in this chair, not to ascertain by the answers which I receive,
+whether the conscience is unloaded. Yours, I am convinced, has something
+pressing heavily upon it; something for which you would fain have
+absolution, but which you are ashamed to reveal. If not a principal, you
+have been a party to crime; and never shall you have absolution until
+you have made a full confession." Her heart swelled with emotion, she
+attempted to speak, and burst into tears. "These are harbingers of
+good," observed I; "I am now convinced that my supposition was correct:
+pour out your soul in tribulation, and receive that comfort which I am
+empowered to bestow. Courage, my daughter! the best of us are but
+grievous sinners." As soon as she could check her sobbing, she commenced
+her confession; narrating her penchant for me, her subsequent attachment
+to the young officer, my abuse of him, and the punishment which had
+ensued--his desertion, the introduction of Don Pedro, her pique at
+having instigated him to kill her lover, his death, and all that I have
+narrated to your highness.
+
+"These are serious crimes, my daughter! grievous indeed; you have
+yielded to the tempter in your own person, caused the death of one man,
+you have led another astray, and have deceived him, when he claimed the
+reward of his iniquity; but all these are trifles compared to the
+offence upon the holy monk, which is the worst of sacrilege. And what
+was his fault? that he cautioned you against a person, whose subsequent
+conduct has proved, that the worthy man was correct in his suppositions.
+
+"In every way you have offended Heaven; a whole life will be scarce
+sufficient for the task of repentance, laying aside the enormous crime
+of sacrilege, which, in justice, ought to be referred to the
+Inquisition. Excommunication is more fitting in your case than
+absolution." I waited some time before I again spoke, during which she
+sobbed bitterly. "My daughter," observed I, "before I can decide upon
+what is to be done to save you from everlasting perdition, it is
+necessary that you humble yourself before the religious man, whose
+person you have abused. Send to the convent to which he belongs, and
+entreat him to come; and when you have confessed your crime, offer to
+him the same implements of punishment, which through your instigation
+were so sacrilegiously applied. Submit to his sentence, and the penance
+which he may prescribe. When you have done that, repair again to me. I
+shall be in this chair the day after to-morrow."
+
+The girl muffled up her face, waited a few minutes to compose herself,
+and then returned to her mother, who wondered what could have detained
+her so long.
+
+That evening, I received a note from Donna Sophia, requesting me to call
+on the ensuing day. I found her in her room, she had been weeping
+bitterly, and when I entered coloured up with shame and vexation; but
+she had been too much frightened on the day before, to resist the
+injunctions which she had received: a large bundle of nettles lay on the
+chair; and when I entered she turned the key of the door, and falling
+down on her knees, with many tears made a full confession. I expressed
+the utmost horror and surprise; she embraced my knees, implored my
+pardon, and then, pointing to the nettles, requested I would use them if
+I thought proper. Having said this, she covered her face with her hands,
+and remained on her knees in silence.
+
+I must confess, that when I called to mind the punishment which had been
+inflicted on me through her means, and the manner in which she had
+attempted to betray me to my death, I felt very much inclined to revenge
+myself by scourging her severely; but although the affection I once felt
+for her had passed away, I had a natural tenderness for the sex, which
+made me abandon this petty revenge. My object was to remove her, so that
+I might not be recognised in my worldly attire; and she, I knew, was the
+only person who could prove that I had killed her lover. I therefore
+raised her up, and telling her that I was satisfied with her
+repentance, and, as far as I was personally concerned, forgave her
+ill-treatment, desired her to repair to her confessor, who was the
+proper person to award a punishment for such a catalogue of heinous
+crimes. The next day I was in the confessional, when she narrated all
+that had passed: I then told her she had nothing to do, but to
+propitiate Heaven by dedicating her musical talents to its service;
+pointing out, that her only chance of salvation was from immediately
+taking the veil. I refused to listen to any other species of penance,
+however severe, for which she gladly would have compromised the
+sentence. Goaded by her conscience, miserable at the desertion and death
+of her lover, and alarmed at the threats of excommunication, in less
+than a week she repaired to the Ursuline Convent; and, after a short
+probation, she took the veil, and was admitted as one of the sisterhood.
+
+As soon as my only accuser was fairly locked up, I occasionally resumed
+my dress and wig. I say occasionally, because in the society which I
+chiefly delighted in, and in which I became the connoisseur of good
+wine, that I asserted myself to be, when your highness overheard me, I
+had no occasion for it, being quite as well received when I sang and
+played the guitar in my monkish dress, as I should have been in my
+other. Besides which, I never had to pay when in that costume, as I was
+obliged to do when I sported the other; which was only put on when I
+wished to make myself agreeable to any fair one. I hardly need observe,
+that I took great care to avoid the society in the one dress with which
+I mixed in the other. This disguise I continued very successfully for
+three years, when a circumstance occurred, which ended in my discovery,
+and my eventually becoming a slave in your highness's dominions.
+
+For some time I had taught the niece of an elderly lady, who was of
+noble family and very rich. The aunt was always present at the lessons;
+and, knowing that she was very devout, I rejected all songs that were of
+an amorous tendency, and would only practise such as were unimpeachable.
+In my demeanour I was always sedate and respectful--full of humility
+and self-accusation. When I received my money from the old lady, I used
+to thank her in the name of our convent, for whose use it was to be
+appropriated, and call her donation a charity, for which Heaven would
+reward her. Her confessor died, and the old lady chose me to supply his
+place. This was what I was anxious to obtain, and I redoubled my zeal,
+my humility, and my flattery.
+
+It was not that I had originally any design upon the affections of the
+niece, although she was a very pretty girl, but upon the old lady's
+purse, for I knew that she could not last for many years. On the
+contrary, I was anxious, if possible, to have the niece removed, as it
+was supposed that she would inherit the old lady's doubloons; but this
+required time and opportunity, and, in the mean while, I assiduously
+cultivated the old lady's good graces. She used to confess once a week;
+and I often observed that she acknowledged as a sin, thinking too much
+of one who had led her from her duty in former days, and for whom she
+still felt too much worldly passion. One evening when the clock had
+struck ten, we had laid down the cards, which we occasionally played, it
+being the day and her usual hour for confessing. Again she repeated the
+same offence, and I then delicately hinted, that she might be more at
+ease if she were to confide to me the circumstances connected with her
+compunctions. She hesitated; but on my pointing out to her that there
+ought to be no reservation, and that the acknowledgment of the
+compunction arising from a sin was not that of the sin itself, she
+acquiesced. Her confession referred to her early days, when, attached to
+a young cavalier, against the wishes of her parents, under a solemn
+promise of marriage, she had consented to receive him into her chamber.
+The intercourse continued for some time, when it was discovered. Her
+lover had been waylaid and murdered by her relations, and she had been
+thrown into a convent. There she had been confined, and the child
+removed as soon as it was born: she had resisted all the force and
+threats employed to induce her to take the veil; and at the death of
+her father had been released and came into possession of her property,
+of which they could not deprive her: that she made every endeavour to
+find out to where her child had been removed, and at last discovered
+that it had been sent to the Foundling Asylum; but this information was
+not obtained until some years afterwards, and all the children sent
+there at the period had been dispersed. Never having married, her
+thoughts would revert to the scenes which had taken place with her
+adored Felix, although years had rolled away, and she felt that she was
+wrong to dwell upon what in itself had been so criminal.
+
+I listened to her story with great interest, for the idea occurred to
+me, that I might be the unfortunate offspring of their loves, and if
+not, that in all probability the old lady might be induced so to
+believe. I inquired whether her child had any marks by which he could be
+recognised. She answered, that she made most particular inquiries of the
+people who attended her, and that one of the women had stated that the
+child had a large wart upon the back of its neck: this however was not
+likely to remain, and she had abandoned all hopes of its discovery.
+
+I observed that warts were easily removed when contracted accidentally,
+but that those which appeared at the birth were no more to be removed
+than moles. I then turned the conversation, by stating that I could not
+consider her conduct criminal; it was more than could be expected from
+human nature, that she should not retain affection for one who had lived
+with her as a husband, and died for her sake. I gave her absolution for
+half a dozen Ave-Marias, and took my leave for the night. When I lay on
+my pallet, I reflected upon what had passed; the year and month agreed
+exactly with the time at which I had been sent to the Asylum. A wart, as
+she very truly observed, might disappear. Might not I be the very son
+whom she was lamenting? The next morning I repaired to the Asylum, and
+demanded the date of my reception, with all the particulars, which were
+invariably registered in case of the infants being eventually claimed.
+It was in the month of February. There was one other entry in the same
+month, same day, and nearly the same hour as my own.
+
+"At nine at night, a male infant left at the door in a basket, parties
+absconded, no marks, named Anselmo."
+
+"At ten at night, a male infant brought to the door in a capote, parties
+absconded, no marks, named Jacobo."
+
+It appeared then that there were two children brought within an hour of
+each other to the Asylum, and that I was one of them. In the evening I
+returned to the old lady, and accidentally resumed the subject of her
+not having made further search for her child, and asked if she had the
+precise date. She answered that she had it in her memory too well, and
+it was on the 18th of February; and that when she referred to the
+Asylum, they had informed her that the children brought in February had
+no marks; that they had all been sent away, but where they could not
+tell, as the former governor had died, and he was the only person who
+could give the information. That either I or the other was her child was
+clear, but to prove which, was impossible. It however made me less
+scrupulous about my plan of proceeding, which was to identify myself
+with the child she had lost. It was useless to prove that I was sent in
+on that day as there was a competitor; besides which, my monastic vows
+were at variance with my speculation: I therefore resolved to satisfy
+her, if I could not satisfactorily prove it to myself or to the rest of
+the world, and I took my measures accordingly.
+
+It was in my worldly disguise, that I determined to attempt my purpose;
+and as it was necessary to have a wart on my neck, I resolved to obtain
+one as soon as possible. This was easily managed: a friar of the convent
+was troubled with these excrescences, and I jocularly proposed a trial
+to see whether it was true that the blood of them would inoculate. In a
+fortnight I had a wart on my finger which soon became large, and I then
+applied the blood of it to my neck. Within three months I had a large
+wart on the back, of my neck, or rather a conglomeration of them, which
+I had produced by inoculation, assisted by constant irritation: during
+this period I was not so frequent in my attendance upon the old lady,
+excusing myself on account of the duties of the convent which devolved
+upon me. The next point was how to introduce myself in my other apparel.
+This required some reflection, as it would be but occasionally that I
+could make my appearance. After some reflection, I determined that the
+niece should assist me, for I knew that even if I succeeded in my plans,
+she would be a participator in the property which I wished to secure.
+Often left in her company, I took opportunities of talking of a young
+friend whom I highly extolled. When I had raised her curiosity, I
+mentioned in a laughing manner, that I suspected he was very much
+smitten with her charms, as I had often found him watching at the house
+opposite. An admirer is always a source of gratification to a young
+girl; her vanity was flattered, and she asked me many particulars. I
+answered them so as to inflame her curiosity, describing his person in a
+very favourable manner, and extolling his good qualities. I also
+minutely described his dress. After the music lesson was over, I
+returned to my lodgings, arrayed myself in my best suit, and putting on
+my curling ringlets, walked up and down before the window of the house.
+The niece soon recognised me as the person whose dress and appearance I
+had so minutely described, one moment showing herself at the window, at
+another darting away with all the coquetry of her sex. I perceived that
+she was flattered with her conquest; and, after parading myself for a
+short time, I disappeared.
+
+When I called the next day in my monastic costume, I had a billet-doux
+ready in my pocket. The singing commenced: I soon found out that she had
+a prepossession, from her selecting a song which in the presence of her
+aunt I should have put on one side, but it now suited my purpose that
+she should be indulged. When the aunt made her appearance we stopped,
+and commenced another: by this little ruse I became a sort of
+confidant, and the intimacy which I desired was brought about. When we
+had practised two or three songs, Donna Celia, the aunt, left the room:
+I then observed that I had seen the young cavalier whom I had mentioned,
+and that he appeared to be more infatuated than ever: that he had
+requested me as a favour to speak on his behalf, but that I had
+threatened to acquaint her aunt if he mentioned the subject; for I
+considered that my duty as a confessor in the family would be very
+irreconcileable with carrying clandestine love-messages. I acknowledged
+that I pitied his condition; for to see the tears that he shed, and
+listen to the supplications which he had made, would have softened
+almost any body; but that notwithstanding my great regard for him, I
+thought it inconsistent with my duty to interfere in such a business: I
+added, that he had told me that he had walked before the house yesterday
+afternoon, with the hopes of meeting one of the servants, whom he might
+bribe to convey a letter; and that I had threatened to acquaint Donna
+Celia if he mentioned the subject again. Donna Clara (for such was her
+name) appeared very much annoyed at my pretended rigour, but said
+nothing. After a little while, I asked her if she had seen him; she
+replied in the affirmative without further remarks. Her work-box lay
+upon the sofa, upon which she had been seated, and I put the note in it
+without being perceived. The lesson was finished, and I repaired to her
+aunt's apartments to pay her a visit in the quality of confessor. After
+half-an-hour's conversation, I returned through the saloon, where I had
+left Donna Clara: she was at her embroidery, and had evidently seen and
+read the note, for she coloured up when I entered. I took no notice,
+but, satisfied that she had read it, I bade her adieu. In the note, I
+had implored her for an answer, and stated that I should be under her
+window during the whole night. As soon as it was dark, I dressed myself
+as Don Pedro and repaired to the street, striking a few notes on the
+guitar to attract her attention. I remained there more than
+half-an-hour, when the casement opened, and a little hand threw out a
+billet, which fell at my feet: I kissed it with apparent rapture, and
+retired. When I gained my lodgings, I opened it, and found it as
+favourable as I could hope. My plan then was to act as her confidant.
+
+When I called the next day, I told her that, satisfied with the
+honourable intentions of the young cavalier, he had overcome my
+scruples, and I had consented to speak in his behalf: that I thought it
+was not right; but the state of the young man was so deplorable, that I
+could not withstand his entreaties; but that I expected that no steps
+would be taken by either party without my concurrence; and with this
+proviso, if she was pleased with the young cavalier, I would exert my
+influence in their behalf. Donna Clara's face beamed with delight at my
+communication: and she candidly acknowledged, as she had before in the
+note, that his person and his character were by no means displeasing. I
+then produced another note, which I said he had prevailed upon me to
+deliver. After this, affairs went on successfully. I repeatedly met her
+in the evening; and although I at first was indifferent, yet I soon
+became attached from the many amiable and endearing qualities which love
+had brought to light. She one day observed that there was a strong
+resemblance between Don Pedro and me, but the possibility of a serious
+shaven monk, and a gay cavalier with his curling locks, being one and
+the same person, never entered her head. When I considered matters ripe,
+I called upon Donna Celia, and, with the preamble that I had something
+of importance to communicate, informed her I had discovered that a young
+man was attached to her niece; and that I strongly suspected the regard
+was reciprocal; that I knew the young cavalier very well, who was very
+amiable, and possessed many good qualities, but there seemed to be a
+mystery about his family, as he never mentioned them. I ended by
+observing, that I considered it my duty to acquaint her with the
+circumstance; as if she objected to the match, or had other views for
+her niece, an immediate stop ought to be put to their correspondence.
+
+The old lady was very much astonished at the information, and very angry
+that her niece should have presumed to make an acquaintance without her
+knowledge. I waited until she had said all she could think of, and then
+calmly took up the right of a confessor, pointing out that she had
+herself fallen into the same error in her youthful days; that the young
+man had confessed to me that his views were honourable; but had not an
+idea, at the time, that I was acquainted with the family. Donna Celia
+then appeared to be more pacified, and asked many questions: all that
+she seemed to object to, was the mystery about his family, which at her
+request I promised to clear up before any other steps should be taken.
+Cautioning her against any violence of language to her niece, I took my
+leave. As I went out I spoke a few words to Clara, informing her of the
+_denouement_ which had taken place, and recommending her by no means to
+irritate her aunt, but to be very penitent when she was reproved. Clara
+obeyed my injunctions, and the next day, when I called, I found her
+sitting by the side of Donna Celia, who was apparently reconciled. I
+motioned Clara out of the room, when Donna Celia informed me that she
+had acknowledged her error; and as she had promised for the future to be
+regulated by her advice, she had overlooked her indiscretion. When she
+had finished: "Prepare yourself, madam," said I, "for strange
+tidings--the ways of Heaven are wonderful. Last evening I had an
+explanation with the young cavalier, Don Pedro, and he proves to
+be--that son whose loss you have so much lamented."
+
+"Merciful heaven!" cried the old lady, and she fainted away. As soon as
+she recovered, she cried out, "Oh where is he! bring him to me--let a
+mother's eyes be blessed with his sight--let the yearnings of a mother's
+heart be recompensed in his embraces--let the tears of affection be wept
+upon his bosom."
+
+"Calm yourself, my dear madam," replied I: "the proofs you have not yet
+seen. First be satisfied, and then indulge in your delightful
+anticipation. When I pressed Don Pedro upon the subject of his family, I
+told him candidly that his only chance of success was unlimited
+confidence: he acknowledged that he had been sent to the Asylum when an
+infant, and that he did not know his parents; that the mystery and
+consequent stigma on his birth had been a source of mortification to him
+through life. I asked him if he knew his age, or had a copy of the
+register of his reception. He took it out of a small cabinet; it was on
+the 18th of February, in the same year that your child was sent there.
+Still as I was not sure, I stated that I would call upon him this
+morning, and see what could be done; assuring him that his candid avowal
+had created strong interest in his favour. This morning I repaired to
+the Asylum, when I examined the register. Two children were brought in
+on that night: here is the extract, and I feel much mortified, as you
+will observe, that no marks are mentioned. If, therefore, the wart you
+spoke of was not still remaining, the uncertainty would have been as
+great as ever. When I returned to him about an hour since, I renewed the
+subject, and stated that I thought it was the custom to make a note of
+any particular marks upon the children, by which they might be
+eventually reclaimed. He replied that it was customary when they were
+indelible, but not otherwise: that he had no indelible mark, although a
+large wart had been on the back of his neck as long as he could
+remember; 'but,' added he, 'it is of no use,--all hopes of finding my
+parents have long since been abandoned, and I must submit to my
+unfortunate destiny. I have thought upon what has passed, and I feel
+that I have acted wrong. Without family and without name, what right
+have I to aspire to the hand of any young lady of good parentage? I have
+made the resolution to conquer my feelings; and before the intimacy has
+been carried on to an extent that a rupture would occasion any pangs to
+her that I adore, I will retire from Seville, and lament in solitude my
+unfortunate condition.'
+
+"'Are you capable of making such a sacrifice, Don Pedro?' said I.--'I
+am, Father Anselmo,' replied he: 'I will always act as a man of honour
+and of family, although I cannot prove my descent.'
+
+"'Then,' said I, 'Don Pedro, do me the favour to call upon me this
+evening at my convent, and I hope to have some pleasing intelligence to
+impart.' I then left him, to come here and acquaint you with the joyful
+discovery."--"But why did you not bring him here immediately?" cried
+Donna Celia.
+
+"Madam, I have important duties at my convent which will occupy me with
+the superior till late at night. These must be attended to; and it is
+not impossible that the affairs of our convent may require my absence
+for some time, as there are new leases of our lands to be granted, and I
+have reason to expect that the superior may dispatch me on that
+business. I will acquaint the young man with what has been discovered,
+and will then send him to your arms; but it were advisable that you
+allow a few hours to repose after the agitation which you have
+undergone, and previous to the affecting scene that will naturally take
+place. I wish I could be present; for it is not often, in this world,
+that we can witness the best affections of the heart in their virtuous
+action."
+
+I then took my leave, requesting Donna Celia to inform her niece of the
+circumstances, as I presumed there would now be no obstacle to the
+mutual attachment of the young people.
+
+My reason for an early departure was that I might arrange the story I
+should tell, when, as Don Pedro, my new mother would demand from me the
+events of my life. I had also to request leave of absence, which I
+obtained in expectation of some property being left to the convent by an
+elderly gentleman residing at Alicant, who was expected to die, and from
+whom I produced a letter, requesting my presence. As I was on the best
+terms with the superior, and there was a prospect of obtaining money,
+his consent was given. That I should be there in time, I was permitted
+to depart that evening. I took my leave of the superior, and the rest of
+the monks, intending never to return, and hastened to my lodgings, where
+I threw off my monastic habit, which from that hour has never been
+resumed. I repaired to Donna Celia's house, was admitted and ushered
+into a room to await her arrival. My person had been set off to the best
+advantage. I had put on a new wig, a splendid velvet cloak, silk doublet
+and hose; and as I surveyed myself for a second or two in the mirror, I
+felt the impossibility of recognition, mingled with pride at my handsome
+contour. The door opened, and Donna Celia came in, trembling with
+anxiety. I threw myself on my knees, and in a voice apparently choked
+with emotion, demanded her blessing. She tottered to the sofa
+overpowered by her feelings; and still remaining on my knees, I seized
+her hand, which I covered with kisses.
+
+"It is--it is my child," cried she at last; "all powerful nature would
+have told me so, if it had not been proved," and she threw her arms
+round my neck, as she bent over me and shed tears of gratitude and
+delight. I do assure your highness that I caught the infection, and
+mingled my tears with hers; for I felt then, and I even now firmly
+believe, that I was her son. Although my conscience for a moment
+upbraided me, during a scene which brought back virtuous feelings to my
+breast, I could not but consider, that a deception which could produce
+so much delight and joy, was almost pardonable. I took my seat beside
+her, and she kissed me again and again, as one minute she would hold me
+off to look at me, and the next strain me in her embraces.
+
+"You are the image of your father, Pedro," observed she, mournfully,
+"but God's will be done. If he has taken away, he also hath given, and
+truly grateful am I for his bounty." When we had in some degree
+recovered our agitation, I entreated her to narrate to me the history of
+my father of which I had heard but little from the good brother Anselmo,
+and she repeated to me those events of her youthful days which she had
+communicated before.
+
+"But you have not been introduced to Clara: the naughty girl little
+thought that she was carrying on an amour with her own cousin."
+
+When Donna Celia called her down, I made no scruple of pressing the dear
+girl to my heart, and implanting a kiss upon her lips: with our eyes
+beaming with love and joy, we sat down upon the sofa, I in the centre,
+with a hand locked in the hand of each. "And now, my dear Pedro, I am
+anxious to hear the narrative of your life," said Donna Celia: "that it
+has been honourable to yourself, I feel convinced." Thanking her for her
+good opinion, which I hoped neither what had passed, or might in future
+occur, would be the means of removing, I commenced the history of my
+life in the following words.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Commenced the history of your life?" interrupted the pacha. "Does the
+slave laugh at our beards? What then is all this you have been telling
+us?"
+
+"The truth, your highness," replied the Spaniard. "What I am about to
+tell, is the history of my life, which I invented to deceive the old
+lady Donna Celia, and which is all false."
+
+"I understand, Mustapha, this kafir is a regular Kessehgou,[3] he makes
+one story breed another; but it is late, see that he attends to-morrow
+afternoon, Bero! Go, infidel, the muezzin calls to prayers."
+
+  [3] Eastern story-teller.
+
+The Spaniard quitted the sublime presence, and in obedience to the call
+of the muezzin, the pacha and Mustapha paid their customary evening
+devotions--to the bottle.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter IV
+
+
+The next day the Spanish slave was summoned to continue his narrative.
+
+"Your sublime highness of course recollects where I lest off yesterday
+evening," commenced the slave.
+
+"Perfectly well," replied the pacha, "you left off at the beginning of
+your story; but I hope you will finish it this evening, as I have
+already forgotten a great deal of what you said."
+
+"Your highness may recollect that I was seated--"
+
+"Yes, in our presence," interrupted the pacha; "such was our
+condescension to a Giaour. Now go on with your story."
+
+"With due submission to your highness, I was seated on a sofa, between
+my mother Donna Celia and my mistress Donna Clara."
+
+"Very true; I recollect now that you were."
+
+"A hand clasped in the hand of each."
+
+"Exactly," replied the pacha, impatiently.
+
+"And was about to tell a story of my own invention, to deceive the old
+lady my mother."
+
+"Anna Senna! curses on your mother!" cried the pacha, in an angry tone.
+"Sit down and continue your story. Is a pacha nothing? Is the lion to be
+chafed by a jackall? Wallah le Nebi! By God and the Prophet! do you
+laugh at our beard? The story!"
+
+"The story requested by your highness," replied the slave, with great
+coolness, "was commenced in the following words."
+
+
+
+STORY OF THE MONK.
+
+What occurred during my infancy, my dearest mother, I do not recollect;
+but I can retrace to the age of seven years, when I found myself in
+company with a number of others, from the squalling infant of a few days
+old, up to about my own age. I also recollect that our fare was
+indifferent, and our punishment severe.
+
+"Poor child!" exclaimed Donna Celia, pressing my hand which was still
+locked in hers. I continued there until the age of ten, when an old lady
+who came to the Asylum, took a fancy to me; for I often heard it
+remarked, that I was a very handsome boy, although I have rather grown
+out of my good looks lately, Clara.
+
+A pressure of my other hand, and a negative smile, was the answer; and I
+proceeded--
+
+The old lady Donna Isabella, who was of the noble family of Guzman,
+wanted a page, and intended to bring me up in that capacity. She carried
+me to her house, where I was clad in a fancy dress. I used to sit by her
+side on the carpet, and run upon any message which might be required; in
+fact, I was a sort of human bell, calling up every body and fetching
+every thing that was wanted; but I was well fed, and very proud of a
+little dagger which I wore in my girdle. The only part of my education
+to which I objected, was learning to read and write from a priest, who
+was domiciled in the family, and who had himself as great an aversion to
+teaching as I had to learning. Had the affair rested entirely between
+us, we might have arranged matters so as to please both parties; but as
+the old lady used to prove my acquirements by making me read to her, as
+she knotted, we neither of us could help fulfilling our engagements. By
+dint of bullying and beating, at last I was sufficiently enlightened to
+be able to read a romance to my mistress, or answer an invitation-note
+in the negative or affirmative. My mistress had two nieces who lived
+with her, both nearly grown up when I entered the family. They taught me
+dancing for their own amusement, as well as many other things, and by
+their care I improved very much, even in reading and writing. Although a
+child, I had a pleasure in being taught by two pretty girls. But it is
+necessary that I should be more particular in my description of these
+two young ladies. The eldest, whose name was Donna Emilia, was of a
+prudent, sedate description, always cheerful, but never boisterous; she
+constantly smiled, but seldom, if ever, indulged in a laugh. The
+youngest, Donna Teresa, was very different--joyous and light-hearted,
+frank and confiding in her temper, generous in disposition: her faults
+arose from an excess of every feeling--a continual running into
+extremes. Never were two sisters more fond of each other: it appeared as
+if the difference between their dispositions but added to their
+attachment. The serious character of the elder was roused to playfulness
+by the vivacity of the younger, and the extravagance of the younger was
+kept in due bounds by the prudence of the elder. As a child I liked
+Donna Emilia, but I was devotedly fond of Donna Teresa.
+
+I had been three years in this situation, when legal business required
+the presence of Donna Isabella at Madrid. The young ladies, who were
+both very handsome, and remarkably like each other in person, were much
+admired by the cavaliers. Two had gained the victory over the rival
+candidates--Don Perez was the favoured suitor of Donna Emilia, while Don
+Florez was proud to wear the chains of the lively Teresa. Donna Isabella
+had, however, no intention that her nieces should quit her for the
+present, and aware, by the serenading which took place every night, that
+there were pretenders to her nieces' smiles, she hastened back to
+Seville sooner than she had intended.
+
+Although I had not been trusted by either, I had an idea of what was
+going on; but with more prudence than most boys of my age, I made no
+remarks either to my mistress or to the young ladies. We had returned to
+Seville about a month, when Donna Emilia called me aside, and said,
+"Pedro, can you keep a secret?"
+
+I told her--"Yes, if I was paid for it."
+
+"And what do you want to induce you to keep it, you little miser?"
+
+I replied--"From her, only a kiss."
+
+She called me a little rogue, gave me the kiss, and then told me, that a
+cavalier would be under the window a little after vesper bell, and that
+I must give him a billet, which she put into my hand. Of course, having
+received my payment before hand, I consented. At the time mentioned I
+looked out of the gate, and perceiving a cavalier under the window, I
+accosted him, "What ho, Senor, what is it you expect from a fair lady?"
+
+"A billet, my little page," replied he.
+
+"Then here you have it," replied I, pulling it out of my vest. He put a
+doubloon in my hand, and immediately disappeared.
+
+I liked the gold very much, but I preferred the other payment more. I
+put the money into my pocket, and returned into the house. I had hardly
+come into the hall, when Donna Teresa, the other young lady, accosted
+me. "Pedro, I have been looking for you--can you keep a secret?"
+
+"Yes, if I am paid for it," replied I, as before.
+
+"And what must it be that will keep that little tongue of yours from
+chattering?"
+
+"From you," replied I, "it must be a kiss."
+
+"Oh! you little mannikin--I'll give you twenty;" and she did so, until
+she almost took away my breath. "And now," said she, "there is a senor
+waiting below for a note, which you must take him." I took the note, and
+when I came to the gate, found a cavalier there, as she had mentioned.
+"Oh, Senor," said I, "what are you waiting for, is it a billet-doux from
+a sweet lady?"
+
+"It is, my pretty boy," answered he.
+
+"Perhaps this will interest you," replied I, handing him the note. He
+snatched it from me, and would have departed. "Senor," said I, "I cannot
+allow my mistress to be affronted. Her favours are beyond all price, but
+still they are always coupled with gold. Since you are so poor, and gold
+must pass, here is a piece for you," and I offered him the doubloon
+which I had received from the other cavalier.
+
+"You are a witty boy," replied he, "and have corrected my negligence,
+for it was nothing more, I assure you. Add this to the other,"--and he
+put a quarter-doubloon in my hand and disappeared. I returned to the
+house, and as I had been some time away from my mistress I went into
+the saloon--where she was sitting alone.
+
+"Pedro, come hither, child, you know how good I have been to you, and
+how carefully I have brought you up. Now tell me, can you keep a
+secret?"--"Yes, madam," replied I, "I can keep yours, for it is my
+duty."
+
+"That's a good child; well then, I have an idea that my two nieces are
+followed by some of the gay cavaliers, who saw them at Madrid, and I
+wish you to find out if it is true.--Do you understand?"
+
+"Oh, yes, madam," replied I; "I do perfectly."
+
+"Well then, do you watch,--and Pedro, here are two reals for you, to buy
+sugar-plums."
+
+Thus did I enter in one day into the real occupation of a page. I added
+the two reals to the gold, and, as you may suppose, meant to serve as I
+was paid. But, as I found out afterwards, I had made a terrible mistake
+with the two billets-doux. That of Donna Emilia I had given to Don
+Florez, who was Donna Teresa's admirer; that of Donna Teresa I had given
+to Don Perez, who was the lover of Donna Emilia; but I had better
+explain to you, before I go on, what did not come to my knowledge until
+the _denouement_ took place. Don Perez, the lover of Emilia, was a young
+man who was entitled to large property, at the death of an uncle, to
+whom he was heir by entail. Don Florez, on the contrary, was in
+possession of a splendid fortune, and able to choose for himself. From
+fear of discovery, the notes were both in a disguised hand, and not
+signed by the respective Christian names of the ladies. Donna Emilia's
+ran thus:--"I found your note in the spot agreed, but my aunt has taken
+away the key of the shrubbery, and is I believe suspicious.--Why are you
+so urgent?--I trust your affection, like mine, will but increase from
+delay. It will be impossible to meet you to-night; but I have entered
+the page in my service, and will write soon." That of Donna Teresa,
+which I put in the hands of Don Perez, ran as follows:--"I can no longer
+refuse your solicitations for an interview. My aunt has locked up the
+shrubbery, but if you have courage enough to scale the garden-wall, I
+will meet you in the saloon which opens upon the garden; but not a word
+must be said, as the servants are continually passing the door--neither
+can we have a light--I must trust to your honour."
+
+Don Perez was delighted at Donna Emilia's having at last yielded to his
+entreaties for a meeting; and Don Florez, as much annoyed at the
+reserved conduct of his mistress, went home accusing her of coquetry. At
+the appointed hour, Don Perez met his supposed mistress in the saloon.
+The two sisters were confidantes, and as I was in their secret, they
+made no scruple of talking before me. The next day, when their aunt left
+the room, they began arguing upon the personal merits of the respective
+cavaliers. After a good-humoured controversy, they appealed to me.
+"Come, Pedro," said Teresa, "you shall decide.--Which do you think the
+handsomest cavalier?"
+
+"Why," answered I, "I think that your senor is, for a fair man, the
+handsomest I ever saw--but still the beautiful dark eyes of the Donna
+Emilia's cavalier are equally prepossessing."
+
+"Why Pedro, you have mistaken the two," said Emilia, "it is Don Perez,
+the fair one, who is my admirer, and the dark senor is Don Florez, who
+is in love with my sister." I perceived that I had made a mistake when I
+delivered the notes, and Teresa coloured up. But I had sense enough to
+answer--"Very true, madam, you are right, I now recollect that I am
+confounding the two."
+
+Shortly afterwards the aunt came into the room, and Teresa quitted it,
+beckoning me to follow her. As soon as I had joined her, she said, "Now,
+Pedro, tell the truth: did you not make the mistake that you stated, and
+deliver my note to the fair cavalier, Don Perez."
+
+I answered, "that I had, as I had already delivered Emilia's note to the
+dark gentleman." Donna Teresa put her hands over her face and wept
+bitterly,--"Pedro, you must now keep this secret, for it is of the
+greatest importance.--My God, what will become of me?" cried she, and
+for some time she was in the greatest distress: at last she wiped her
+eyes, and after much reflection, she took up paper and wrote a
+note.--"Pedro, take this note to the direction; recollect it is for the
+dark cavalier that it is intended." Teresa had read the note of Emilia
+to Don Perez, which had been received by Don Florez--in consequence her
+present note ran thus:--"You may think me harsh for having refused to
+see you last night, but I was afraid. Do not accuse me with trifling
+with your feelings, I will meet you in the saloon that leads to the
+garden, which was last night occupied; come at ten this evening."
+
+I went out with the note and gave it into the hands of Don Florez. "My
+dear boy, tell Donna Teresa I will not fail; I know now why she could
+not receive me last night; I only hope I may be as fortunate as Don
+Perez." He put a doubloon in my hand, and I went away. I had not quitted
+the street when I met Don Perez.
+
+"Ah! my little page, this is indeed lucky; just step to my rooms while I
+write a note to Donna Emilia." I did so, and he gave me a
+quarter-doubloon as before. "I thank you, senor," replied I; what with
+the doubloons of Don Florez and your quarter-doubloons, I shall soon be
+a rich man."
+
+"How say you," replied he, "Don Florez give you doubloons--then he
+spoils the market; but I must not allow him to pay you better than I do,
+or I shall not be served so faithfully.--Here's a doubloon and a half,
+which, with what you have already received, will make the accounts
+square." I made my bow, and with many thanks withdrew.
+
+Young as I was, I had an idea that something had occurred at the
+mistaken meeting of last night, which seriously affected Donna Teresa.
+As I was much more partial to her than to her sister, I resolved not to
+deliver the note of Don Perez to Emilia, until I had consulted Donna
+Teresa. On my return, I beckoned her into her chamber, and told her the
+answer of Don Florez, with his observation, "that he hoped he should be
+as fortunate as Don Perez was last night." She coloured with shame and
+vexation; and I then told her how I had met Don Perez, and what had
+passed. I then gave her the note, and asked whether I should deliver it
+or not. She hastily tore it open--it ran as follows:--"How can I
+sufficiently express my gratitude to my adored Emilia, for her kindness
+to me last night? Tell me, dearest angel, when am I to have the pleasure
+of meeting you again in the saloon? Till you once more grant me the
+favour, life will be a blank."
+
+"Pedro," said she, "you have indeed done me a service--you have been my
+preserver. How can I ever repay you?"
+
+"Give me a double allowance of kisses, this time," replied I.
+
+"I will give you a thousand," answered she, and she kissed and blessed
+me while tears ran down her cheeks; she then took some paper, and
+imitating the hand-writing, wrote as follows:--"I must submit to your
+wishes, Donna Emilia; and while your sister blesses Don Florez, must
+yield to the severity of your disposition. Still I hope that you will
+relent--I am very miserable; write to me, if you have any love still
+remaining for your adorer.----Perez."
+
+"Take this to Emilia, my sweet child.--What can I do to reward you?"
+
+"Why you must take care of my money," said I, "for if my mistress finds
+it out, I shall never be able to tell how I came by it." She smiled
+mournfully as she received my doubloons, and locked them up in a
+trinket-box. "I will add to your wealth, Pedro," said she.
+
+"No," replied I, "only kisses from you." I told her why her aunt gave me
+the two reals, and we separated. I delivered the note to Donna Emilia,
+who in the afternoon put an answer into my hand; but I would not act
+without Donna Teresa knowing what took place, and it occurred to me,
+that it would be very possible to repair the mischief, which my mistake
+had occasioned. I therefore took the answers of Donna Emilia to her
+lover to Donna Teresa, and told her what I thought, "My dear Pedro, you
+are indeed a treasure to me," replied Teresa.
+
+She opened Emilia's note, which ran as follows:--"You accuse me of
+unkindness, which I do not deserve. Heaven knows my heart is but too
+yielding. I will arrange a meeting as soon as I possibly can; but as I
+before said, my aunt is suspicious, and I cannot make up my mind, like
+Teresa, to run the risk of discovery."
+
+Teresa tore up this note, and wrote as follows:--"If a woman has the
+misfortune to yield too much to the solicitations of her lover, he
+becomes arrogant, and claims as a right, what only can be received as a
+favour. I consider that what passes in darkness should remain as secret
+in the breast, and as silent in the tongue. I now tell you candidly,
+that I shall consider it as an insult, if ever you refer to the meeting
+of last night; and to punish you for your arrogant request of another,
+shall treat you with the same reserve as before. Recollect that the
+least intimation of it, however private we may be, will be the signal of
+your dismissal. At the same time, expecting implicit obedience to this
+command, I shall punish you no further, if you offend not again. When I
+feel inclined to see you, I will let you know. Till then, Yours, etc."
+
+I took this note to Don Perez, whom I found at his lodgings drinking in
+company with Don Florez, for they had no secrets from each other. Perez
+opened the note, and appeared a little astonished.--"Read this, Florez,"
+said he, "and tell me if woman is not a riddle."
+
+"Well, now I like her spirit," replied Florez, "some women would have
+been dying with apprehension at your leaving them: she, on the contrary,
+considers that you are under greater obligations than before; and
+assumes her dominion over you. I recommend you to comply with her
+injunctions, if you wish to retain her love."
+
+"I don't know but what you are right, Florez; and as we are lords and
+masters after marriage, it is but fair, that they should hold their
+uninterrupted sway before. I feel more attached to her than ever, and if
+she chooses to play the tyrant, why she shall. It shows her good sense;
+for keeping us off, is the only way to induce us to go on."
+
+I returned home, delivering a note from Don Perez to Emilia, stating his
+intention to abide by her wishes, and stated to Donna Teresa all that
+had passed between the cavaliers.
+
+"Thanks to your prudence and sagacity, my dear little Pedro, all as yet
+is well; but it may yet be discovered; for I will now confide to you,
+that the tenderness last night, intended for Don Florez, was by your
+mistake, and the darkness and silence prescribed at the meeting,
+lavished upon my sister's admirer. But all will I trust be well, and I
+shall not suffer for an unintentional misfortune."
+
+That evening Don Florez was received by Teresa in the saloon; and the
+next morning, I was sitting as usual by my mistress, when she asked,
+"Well, Pedro, have you discovered anything?"
+
+"Yes, madam," replied I.
+
+"And what is it, child?"
+
+"Why, madam, a gentleman asked me to give a letter, but I would not."
+
+"Who was it for, child?"
+
+"I don't know, madam, for I refused to take it in my hand."
+
+"Well, Pedro, you were right; the next time he offers you a letter take
+it, and bring it to me."
+
+"I will, madam," said I.
+
+"Here are two reals for you, child--have you spent the last I gave you?"
+
+I left the room--when Donna Emilia met me outside, and put a note into
+my hand for Don Perez. I first took it to my friend Teresa, who opened
+it:--"At last my affection has borne down my resolution, and I consent
+to see you. There is no other way but in the saloon. Be careful not to
+offend me, or it will be for the last time."
+
+"This may go, Pedro," said Teresa, "and you may call at Don Florez'
+lodgings as you pass by."
+
+I delivered the note to Don Perez, and before he had finished it, Don
+Florez entered the room.--"Congratulate me, my dear friend," said he. "I
+was received as kindly as I could wish."
+
+"And my fair one has not taken long to relent," answered Perez, "for I
+have an appointment with her this evening. Pedro, tell your mistress,
+that I do not write, but that I bless her for her kindness, and shall
+not fail to meet her.--Do you understand? Well, what are you waiting
+for? Oh! you little rogue, I understand," and he threw me a
+doubloon.--"Florez, you give that boy too much money, and I am obliged
+to do the same." Florez laughed, and I again took my departure.
+
+Thus did I continue in my vocation for some time, when the old lady fell
+sick and died. She divided her fortune between her two nieces, and as
+they were now independent, they married their respective lovers; but the
+old lady forgot to mention me in her will, and I should have been turned
+adrift on the world had it not been for Donna Teresa, who immediately
+appointed me as her own attendant. I was as happy as before, although no
+more doubloons fell into my hands, after the marriages took place. It
+appears that Don Perez was so much afraid of offending Donna Emilia,
+that he never ventured to speak of the meeting, which he supposed he had
+had with her in the saloon, until after marriage: then, feeling himself
+quite at liberty, he had laughed at her on the subject. Donna Emilia was
+all astonishment, declared most positively that it had not taken place;
+and although he at first ridiculed the idea of her denial, yet
+recollecting that he still had her notes in his possession, he brought
+them out, and showed her the one in which she had prohibited him from
+speaking on the subject. Donna Emilia protested that it was not her
+writing, and was confounded at the apparent mystery. She stated that
+Teresa had agreed to meet Don Florez in the saloon that night.
+
+"On the contrary," replied Don Perez, "he received a letter from Donna
+Teresa, refusing him a meeting, at the same time that I received this
+from you, giving me the assignation."
+
+Donna Emilia burst into tears. "I see how it is," replied she, "the page
+by mistake has given the note which I wrote you to Don Florez, and
+Teresa's note fell into your hands. You have taken an unworthy advantage
+of the circumstance, and have met my sister. Never make me believe, Don
+Perez, that you were not aware of the mistake, when she received you in
+the saloon--or that she could not distinguish you from Don Florez. Cruel
+sister, thus to rob me of my happiness! Treacherous Don Perez, thus to
+betray your friend and me!"
+
+Don Perez tried all he could to pacify his wife, but in vain. Her
+jealousy, her pride, and her conscientious scruples were roused, and she
+would not listen to any reasoning or protestations. Although he was
+almost certain, that the fact was as his wife had stated, he determined
+to make sure by referring to me. He came to Don Florez' house, and after
+staying a little while with him and his wife, during which he appeared
+so uneasy that they asked him whether he was unwell, he went away making
+a sign for me to follow him. He then entered into all the particulars,
+and asked me about the delivery of the notes. I took it for granted,
+that an explanation had taken place between him and his wife--my only
+object was to save Donna Teresa.
+
+"Senor, whether what Donna Emilia says is true, I know not," replied I;
+"but, that it was not Donna Teresa who met you, I can certify, for I was
+in her room with her that night till she went to bed, playing at piquet
+for sugar-plums."
+
+"Then who could it be," observed he.
+
+"I know not, senor, for I did not go downstairs, where my mistress was,
+because she had sent me to bed, and I knew that I should have been
+scolded for being up. Therefore I cannot say whether Donna Emilia was
+with you or not."
+
+Don Perez meditated some time, and then came to the conclusion that his
+wife was ashamed of having been too indulgent to him in an unguarded
+moment, and would not acknowledge it. Still he was far from being
+satisfied. He returned home to explain what he had gathered to his wife,
+but found that she had left the house some time before, without stating
+whither she was going. As soon as Don Perez left the house, I hastened
+to my mistress, to acquaint her with what had passed, and what I had
+told him.
+
+"I thank you for your kind intention, Pedro, but I am afraid that all
+will be discovered. It is a judgment on me for my folly and
+indiscretion."
+
+In the meantime, Donna Emilia, who had taken refuge in a neighbouring
+convent, sent for Don Florez. He found her in the convent-parlour in
+tears. Convinced by her jealousy, that her sister had an attachment to
+Don Perez, and that there had been a mutual understanding, she stated to
+Don Florez the whole of the circumstances, and pointing out to him how
+treacherously they both had been treated, acquainted him with her
+intention to retire from the world.
+
+Don Florez, stirred to madness by the information, exclaimed--"It was
+for this, then, that she put me off on that night, and was kind to me
+the next. Cursed dupe that I have been; but, thank heaven, it is not too
+late to be revenged. Don Perez, you shall pay dearly for this." So
+saying, he quitted Donna Emilia, uncertain whether he should first wreak
+his vengeance upon Don Perez or his wife. But this point was soon
+decided, for at the convent gate he encountered Don Perez, who had been
+informed whither his wife had retreated.
+
+"You are the person I have been anxiously wishing to see, Don
+Perez--treacherous villain, void of all honour."
+
+"Not so, Don Florez. I am an unfortunate man, who is half mad by a
+cruel mistake which has occurred. Recall your words, for they are
+unjust."
+
+"I do not intend to recall them, but assert the truth with the point of
+my rapier. If you are not as great a coward, as you are a villain, you
+will follow me."
+
+"Such language will admit of no reply. I am at your service," cried Don
+Perez.
+
+The two brothers-in-law walked in silence, until they reached a field
+hard by, where they threw off their cloaks, and fought with the fury of
+demons. Victory was decided in favour of Don Perez; his sword passed
+through the heart of his adversary, who never spoke again. Don Perez
+viewed the body with a stern countenance, wiped his sword, took up his
+cloak, and walked straight to the house of Don Florez. "Donna Teresa,"
+said he (I only was present), "I call upon you, as you value salvation
+in the day of judgment, to tell me the truth. Was it you, that, by an
+unfortunate mistake, I met one night in the saloon, and were those
+caresses, intended for Don Florez, bestowed upon me?"
+
+There was a wildness, a ferocity in his air that frightened her; she
+stammered out at last--"for my sins, it is true; but you know, too well,
+that I never was false in heart, although when I found out my mistake, I
+attempted to conceal my indiscretion."
+
+"Had you, madam, been as virtuous as your sister, all this mischief
+would not have happened--and your husband would not now be lying a
+corpse, by the hand of his brother."
+
+Donna Teresa fainted at the intelligence, and Don Perez immediately
+quitted the house. I hastened to her assistance, and succeeded in
+restoring her to life.
+
+"It is but too true," said she, mournfully; "crime will always meet with
+punishment, in this world, or in the next. By permitting my love to
+overcome the dictates of virtue, by being too fond of my husband, I have
+murdered him. Oh God! I have murdered him, and rendered the lives of two
+others as much a burden to them as my own will ever be. My poor, dear
+sister, where is she?"
+
+I tried all my powers of consolation, but in vain: all she requested
+was that I would find out where her sister was, and let her know. I set
+off upon my melancholy task, and met the people bearing in the body of
+Don Florez. I shuddered as it passed by, when I recollected how
+principal a part I had acted in the tragedy. I soon gained the
+information, and brought it to Donna Teresa. She dressed herself in deep
+mourning, and, desiring me to follow her, knocked at the convent gate,
+and requesting to see the superior, was admitted. The superior came out
+of the parlour to receive her, not wishing that any one should enter,
+while Donna Emilia was in such a state of misery and despair.
+
+"It is my sister that I come to see, madam, and I must not be refused;
+lead me to her, and be witness of the scene, if you please."
+
+The superior, who was not aware that Emilia would have refused to see
+Donna Teresa, led the way, and we were ushered into the presence of
+Emilia, who, looking up as Donna Teresa entered, turned away from her as
+if in abhorrence.
+
+"Emilia," said my mistress, "we are born of the same mother, we have
+lived as children, and we have grown up together; never did we have a
+secret from each other, till this unfortunate mistake occurred. On my
+knees, I request you to listen to me, and to believe what I say."
+
+"Plead your cause with your husband, Teresa; it is more necessary to
+pacify him than me."
+
+"I have no husband, Emilia; he is now pleading his own cause with
+God--for he has fallen by the sword of yours."
+
+Donna Emilia started.
+
+"Yes, Emilia, dear, dear sister, it is but too true, and still more
+true, that you have caused his death. Do not kill me too, Emilia, by
+refusing to believe what I declare, as I hope for eternal
+salvation,--that I never was aware of the mistake, until the boy
+discovered it to me, on the ensuing day. If you knew the shame, the
+vexation, the fear of discovery which racked my frame, when I was but
+too sure of it, you would forgive my having tried to hide a fault, the
+knowledge of which would make others miserable, as well as me. Say you
+believe me--say you forgive me, Emilia. Oh! Emilia, cannot you forgive a
+sister?"
+
+Emilia answered not, and Teresa, clinging to her knees, and embracing
+them, sobbed hysterically. At this moment, Don Perez, who had obtained
+admittance to see his wife, came into the room, and walking up to the
+part in which the two unfortunate ladies remained in the attitudes
+described, said,--"You, Teresa, who have been the original cause of this
+unhappy business, I mean not to reproach again. Your punishment has been
+greater than your offence. It is to you, madam, I must address myself,
+who, by not believing in the words of truth, have caused me to slay my
+dearest friend and brother, and, after having unwittingly wounded him in
+the tenderest point, add to the injury by taking away his life. Are you
+yet satisfied, madam? Are you satisfied with having embittered my days
+by your injustice and unworthy suspicions--by having reduced your
+unfortunate, yet not guilty sister, to the state of an unhappy, lonely
+woman, now suing in vain for pardon at your feet; by having been the
+occasion of the death of your brother by marriage--her husband and my
+friend? Say, madam, are you yet satisfied, or will you have more victims
+to your unbelief?"
+
+Emilia answered not, but continued with her face averted.
+
+"Be it so, then, madam;" replied Don Perez; and, before any one was
+aware of his intention, he drew his sword, and fell upon it. "Now,
+Emilia, let the sacrifice of my life be a proof to you of my sincerity.
+As I hope for pardon, I have told the truth;" and Don Perez fell on his
+back, and was dead.
+
+Emilia started round when he fell, and threw herself down by his side in
+horror and amazement. The film that passion had thrown over her eyes was
+removed, as she witnessed the last melancholy result of her unbelief.
+When Don Perez ceased speaking, she threw herself on his body, in an
+agony of grief.--"I do, I do believe--Perez, I do, I do! Oh! indeed I do
+believe--speak to me, Perez--O God, he is dying!--Sister, Teresa, come,
+come, he'll speak to you--he's not angry with you--Sister, sister,
+speak--O God! O God!" screamed the unhappy woman, "he's dead--and I have
+murdered him!"--and she dashed her head upon the floor. Teresa hastened
+to her sister, and held her in her arms, while the tears poured fast. It
+was some time before reason resumed her seat; at last, exhausted by the
+violence of her feelings, she was relieved with a flood of tears.
+
+"Who is it?--you, Teresa--kind sister, whom I have used so ill--I do
+believe you--I do believe, Teresa; God forgive me! kiss me, sister, and
+say that you forgive me--for am I not punished?"
+
+"It is all my fault," answered Teresa, bursting into tears: "Oh! how
+wicked, how foolish have I been!"
+
+"No, no, sister, your fault is small, compared to mine; you allowed your
+passion to overcome you, but it arose from an excess of love, the best
+feeling in our nature--the only remnant of heaven left us since our
+fall. I too have allowed my passion to overcome me; but whence has it
+arisen?--from hatred and jealousy, feelings which were implanted by
+demons, and which create a hell, wherever they command. But it is done,
+and repentance comes too late."
+
+The unfortunate sisters embraced each other and mingled their tears
+together; and I hardly need say, that the Lady Abbess and I could not
+restrain our meed of pity at the affecting scene. As the evening closed,
+they separated, each to attend to the same mournful duty, of watching by
+the bodies of their husbands, and bedewing them with their tears. A few
+days after the interments took place, Emilia sent for her sister, and
+after an affectionate interview, took the veil in the convent to which
+she had retired--endowing the church with her property. Donna Teresa did
+not take the veil; but employed herself in the more active duties of
+charity and benevolence--but she gradually wasted away--her heart was
+broken. I stayed with her for three years, when she died, leaving a
+considerable sum to me, and the remainder of her wealth to beneficent
+institutions. This is about five years ago, since when I have been
+living on the property, which is nearly all expended by my extravagance.
+The stigma on my birth is, however, the only subject which has weighed
+upon my spirits--this is providentially removed, and I trust that I
+shall not disgrace the mother who has so kindly acknowledged me, or the
+dear girl who has honoured this faulty person with her attachment.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+My mother and Clara thanked me when I had concluded my narrative, and we
+remained unto a late hour entering upon family affairs, and planning for
+the future. My mother informed me that upon the estates she had only a
+life interest, as they were entailed, and would revert to a cousin; but
+that she had laid by a considerable sum of money, intending it as a
+dowry for my Clara, and that she hoped to increase it before she died.
+As I was anxious to quit Seville, where I feared daily discovery, I
+proposed that we should retire to the estate near Carthagena, by which
+not only a considerable expense would be saved, but I should feel more
+happy in the company of Clara and herself. My mother and my intended
+gladly consented to the proposal, not only for the above reasons, but
+because she was aware that the questions which might be asked about me
+would tend to the injury of her character. In less than a fortnight the
+establishment at Seville was broken up, and we retired to the country,
+where I was made happy by the possession of my Clara. I now considered
+myself as secure from any discovery, and although I had led a life of
+duplicity, meant by future good conduct to atone for the past. Whether
+Donna Celia was my mother or not, I felt towards her as if she was, and
+after some time from habit considered it an established fact. My Clara
+was as kind and endearing as I could desire, and for five years I was as
+happy as I could wish. But it was not to last; I was to be punished for
+my deceit. My marriage with Clara, and the mystery attached to my
+birth, which was kept secret, had irritated the heir of the estate, who
+had been in hopes, by marrying Clara himself, to secure the personal as
+well as the real property. We occasionally met, but we met with rancour
+in our hearts, for I resented his behaviour towards me. Fearful of
+discovery, I had never paid any attention to music since my marriage; I
+had always pretended that I could not sing. Even my wife was not aware
+of my talent; and although latterly I had no fear of the kind, yet as I
+had always stated my inability, I did not choose to bring forth a
+talent, the reason for concealing which I could not explain even to my
+wife and mother, without acknowledging the deception of which I had been
+guilty.
+
+It happened that one evening at a large party I met my cousin, the heir
+of the entailed estates. We were very joyous and merry, and had drunk a
+good deal more than usual. The wine was powerful, and had taken effect
+upon most of us. Singing was introduced, and the night passed merrily
+away, more visitors occasionally dropping in. My cousin was much elated
+with wine, and made several ill-natured remarks, which were meant for
+me. I took no notice for some time, but, as he continued, I answered
+with such spirit, as to arouse his indignation. My own blood boiled; but
+the interference of mutual friends pacified us for the time, and we
+renewed our applications to the bottle. My cousin was called upon for a
+song; he had a fine voice and considerable execution, and was much
+applauded.
+
+"Now, then," said he, in an ironical tone, "perhaps Don Pedro will
+oblige the company; although perhaps the real way to oblige them will be
+by not attempting that of which he is not capable."
+
+Stung with this sarcasm, and flushed with wine, I forgot my prudence.
+Snatching the guitar from him, after a prelude which created the
+greatest astonishment of all present, I commenced one of my most
+successful airs: I sang it in my best style, and it electrified the
+whole party. Shouts proclaimed my victory, and the defeat of my
+relative. Some embraced me in their enthusiasm, and all loudly encored;
+but as soon as there was a moment's silence, I heard a voice behind me
+observe--"Either that is the monk Anselmo's voice, or the devil's."
+
+I started at the words, and turned round to the speaker, but he had
+mingled with the crowd, and I could not discover who it was. I perceived
+that my relative had followed him on; and I now cursed my own
+imprudence. As soon as I could, I made my escape from the company, and
+returned home. As I afterwards found out, my relative had immediately
+communicated with the person who had made the observation. He was one of
+the priests who knew me at Seville. From him, my cousin gained the
+information that brother Anselmo had left the convent about five years
+ago, and not having returned, it was thought that an accident had
+happened to him. But a discovery had since been made, which led them to
+suppose, that brother Anselmo had, for some time, been carrying on a
+system of deception. You may remember I stated, that when I resumed my
+worldly apparel to introduce myself as the son of Donna Celia, I changed
+the dress at my lodgings. I locked up my friar's dress and the false
+tonsure in the chest, intending to have returned, and destroyed it; but
+I quite forgot it, and left Seville with the key of my lodgings in my
+pocket. The landlord waited until his rent was due, when, not hearing
+anything of me, he broke open the door and found the chest. This he
+opened, and discovered the false tonsure and friar's gown. Knowing the
+monastic order to which it belonged, and suspecting some mischief, he
+took it to our convent, and all the habits of the monks being numbered
+in the inside, it was immediately recognised as mine: the false tonsure
+also betrayed that I must have been breaking through the rules of my
+order, and the most rigorous search after me was made for some time
+without success. Possessed of this information, my vindictive relative
+repaired to Seville to ascertain the exact date of my quitting the
+convent, and found that it was about a fortnight previous to Donna
+Celia having quitted Seville. He then repaired to the landlord for
+further information. The landlord stated that the lodgings had been
+taken by a monk, for his brother, who had occupied them. He described
+the brother's person, which exactly corresponded with mine; and my
+relation was convinced that the monk Anselmo and Don Pedro were one and
+the same person. He immediately gave notice to the Inquisition. In the
+mean time, I was in the greatest consternation. I felt that I should be
+discovered, and reflected upon my conduct. I had lately abjured all
+deceit, and had each day gained a step in the path of virtue. I
+acknowledged with bitterness, that I deserved all that threatened me,
+and that sooner or later, vice will meet with its reward. Had I at first
+made known my situation to Donna Celia, she would have had interest
+enough (believing me to be her son), to have obtained a dispensation of
+my vows. I then might have boldly faced the world--but one act of
+duplicity required another to support it, and thus had I entangled
+myself in a snare, by which I was to be entrapped at last. But it was
+not for myself that I cared; it was for my wife whom I doted on--for my
+mother (or supposed mother), to whom it would be the bitterness of
+death. The thoughts of rendering others miserable as well as myself
+drove me to distraction--and how to act I knew not.
+
+After much reflection, I resolved as a last resource, to throw myself
+upon the generosity of my adversary; for although inimical to me, he
+bore a high character as a Spanish cavalier. I desired to be informed
+the moment that he returned from Seville; and when the intelligence
+came, I immediately repaired to his house, and requested an audience. I
+was admitted, when Don Alvarez, for that was his name, addressed me.
+
+"You wish to speak with me, Don Pedro--there are others at your house by
+this time, who wish to speak with you."
+
+I guessed that he meant the officers of the Inquisition, but pretending
+not to understand the remark, I answered him: "Don Alvarez, the enmity
+that you have invariably shown towards me has, I am sure, proceeded
+from the affront, which you consider that your noble family has
+received, by your cousin having formed an alliance with one of unknown
+parentage. I have long borne with your pointed insults, out of respect
+for her who gave me birth; I am now about to throw myself upon your
+generosity, and probably when I inform you, that I am the unhappy issue
+of the early amour of Donna Celia (which of course you have heard of), I
+may then claim your compassion, if not your friendship, from having at
+least some of the same noble blood in my veins."
+
+"I was not indeed aware of it," replied Don Alvarez, with agitation; "I
+would to heaven you had confided in me before."
+
+"Perhaps it would have been better," replied I, "but permit me to prove
+my assertions." I then stated my having been the friar Anselmo, the
+discovery of my birth by accident, and the steps which I had taken. "I
+am aware," continued I, "that I have been much to blame, but my love for
+Donna Clara made me regardless of consequences. Your unfortunate enmity
+induced me, in an unguarded moment, to expose myself, and it will
+probably end in my destruction."
+
+"I acknowledge the truth of your remark, and that no power can save you.
+I lament it, Don Pedro; but what is done cannot be undone. Even now the
+officers of the Inquisition are at your house." As he uttered these
+words, a loud knocking at the door announced that they had followed me.
+"This must not be, Don Pedro," said Don Alvarez, "step this way." He
+opened a panel, and desired me to go in--and he hardly had time to shut
+it before the officers came into the room.
+
+"You have him here, Don Alvarez, have you not?" inquired the chief.
+
+"No, unfortunately," replied he, "I tried to detain him, but suspecting
+some discovery he forced his way out, sword in hand, and has gone I do
+not know in what direction; but he cannot be far--saddle all the horses
+in my stable and pursue the sacrilegious wretch. I would sacrifice half
+my worldly wealth, that he should not escape my vengeance."
+
+As Don Alvarez was the informant, and uttered these words with the
+apparent violence of rage, the inquisitors had no suspicion, but
+hastened to comply with his request. As soon as they had departed, he
+opened the panel and let me out.
+
+"So far, Don Pedro, have I proved the sincerity of my assertion; but
+now, what remains to be done?"
+
+"But one thing, Don Alvarez, to conceal the truth from my poor wife and
+mother. I could bear it all with firmness, but for them" (and I fell on
+a sofa and burst into tears). Don Alvarez was much affected.
+
+"Oh, Don Pedro! it is too late now, or I should say, 'What a warning
+this ought to be to us--that honesty is the best policy!' Had you
+communicated to me the mystery of your birth, this never would have
+occurred. Instead of having been your persecutor, I should have been
+your friend.--What can I do?"
+
+"Kill me, Don Alvarez," replied I, baring my breast, "and I will bless
+you for the deed. My death may afflict them, but they will recover from
+their grief in time; but to know that I am murdered by the Inquisition,
+as a sacrilegious impostor, will bring them to their grave with shame
+and mortification."
+
+"Your observation is correct, but kill you I must not. I will, however,
+so far comply with your wishes, that I will bear the news of your death,
+and their hatred of the deed, rather than the family should be
+disgraced." He then went to his scrutoire, and taking out a bag of one
+thousand pistoles--"This is all the money that I have at present--it
+will serve you for some time. Put on one of my servant's dresses, and I
+will accompany you to a seaport and secure your safety before I leave
+you. I will then state, that I met you in a fair duel, and will bribe
+the officers of the Inquisition to hold their tongues about the
+circumstances which have been communicated."
+
+The advice was good and I agreed to it; following him as a servant, I
+arrived safely at Carthagena, whence I took a passage for New Spain. We
+sailed, and before we were clear of the Straits of Gibraltar, we were
+attacked by one of the cruisers of the state. We fought desperately, but
+were overpowered by numbers, and they took possession after we had lost
+more than half of our crew. They brought us into this port, where, with
+the rest, I was sold as a slave.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Such is my history," ended the Spaniard, "which I trust has afforded
+some amusement to your sublime highness."
+
+The immediate answer of the pacha was a loud yawn.
+
+"Shukur Allah! Praise be to God you have done talking. I do not
+understand much about it," continued the pacha, turning round to
+Mustapha, "but how can we expect a good story from an unbelieving dog of
+a Christian?"
+
+"Wallah Thaib! Well said, by God!" replied Mustapha; "who was Lokman,
+that they talk of his wisdom? Are not these words of more value than
+strung pearls?"
+
+"What was the name of the country?" demanded the pacha.
+
+"Spain, your sublime highness; the infidel tribes which you allow to
+remain there, are employed in cultivating the olive for true believers."
+
+"Very true," rejoined the pacha; "I remember now. Let the Kafir taste of
+our bounty. Give him two pieces of gold, and allow him to depart."
+
+"May the shadow of your sublime highness never be less," said the
+Spaniard. "I have here a manuscript which I received from an ancient
+monk of our order when at the point of death. At the time of my capture
+it was thrown on one side, and I preserved it as curious. It refers to
+the first discovery of an island. As your highness is pleased to be
+amused with stories, it may be worth while to have it translated." The
+Dominican then handed from his breast a discoloured piece of parchment.
+
+"Very good," replied the pacha, rising. "Mustapha! let it be put into
+Arabic by the Greek slave, who shall read it to us some evening when we
+have no story-tellers."
+
+"Be Chesm! Upon my eyes be it," replied Mustapha, bowing low, as the
+pacha retired to his harem.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter V
+
+
+The pacha had repeated his perambulations for many nights, without
+success; and Mustapha, who observed that he was becoming very impatient,
+thought it advisable to cater for his amusement.
+
+Among those who used to repair to Mustapha when he exercised his former
+profession, was a French renegade, a man of considerable talent and
+ready invention, but a most unprincipled scoundrel, who, previous to the
+elevation of Mustapha, had gained his livelihood by daring piratical
+attempts in an open boat. He was now in the employ of the vizier,
+commanding an armed xebeque which the latter had purchased. She passed
+off as a government cruiser, but was in reality a pirate. Selim, for
+that was the name which the renegade had adopted when he abjured his
+faith, condemned every vessel that had the misfortune to meet with him,
+taking out the cargoes, burning the hull, and throwing the crews
+overboard, with the privilege of swimming on shore if they could. By
+this plan he avoided the inconveniences attending any appeals from the
+jurisdiction of the High Court of Admiralty, which he had established
+upon the seas.
+
+The consequence was, that his cruises were more successful than ever,
+and Mustapha, who was not content with pillaging the pacha's subjects on
+dry land, was amassing a large fortune at their expense by his maritime
+speculations.
+
+Occasionally, bales or packages would be recognised when landed as
+having the identical marks and numbers of those which had been shipped
+from the quay but a fortnight before; but the renegade could always give
+a satisfactory explanation to the vizier; and after a Jew, who could not
+bear the idea of parting with his property without remonstrance, had
+been impaled, people shrugged up their shoulders and said nothing.
+
+Now it occurred to Mustapha, that Selim might be able to assist his
+views. He talked fast and loud, vaunted his own exploits, curled his
+whiskers as he swore to the most improbable assertions, and had become a
+general nuisance and terror since he had obtained the vizier's
+protection.
+
+Mustapha sent for him, and, as a preliminary question, inquired if ever
+he had read the Arabian Nights.
+
+"Yes, vizier," replied the renegade; "many years before I turned Turk."
+
+"Do you recollect the voyages of Sindbad the Sailor?"
+
+"To be sure I do; he is the only man that could ever hold a candle to me
+in lying."
+
+"Well, then, his highness the pacha delights in such stories; and it is
+my wish that you prepare to recount your own voyages, as Sindbad has
+done before you."
+
+"But what am I to get for it?"
+
+"My good-will and protection; besides which, his highness, if pleased,
+will not fail to order you a handsome present."
+
+"Well," replied Selim, "any man who can produce gold in this world will
+always be able to change it for base metal. I can coin lies in my mint
+faster than he can coin sequins in his; and since you wish it, and say
+that it will be profitable, why--I am very much at his service."
+
+"Then, Selim, observe my directions, for every thing must appear
+accidental."
+
+In pursuance to the orders received from Mustapha, the renegade remained
+that evening at the corner of a certain street, through which Mustapha
+took care that the pacha should pass in his disguise. When he perceived
+their approach, the renegade exclaimed. "Allah, Allah! when is the happy
+time to come, promised in my seventh and last voyage?"
+
+"Who are you, and why do you call upon Heaven for happy times?" inquired
+the pacha.
+
+"I am Huckaback the Sailor," replied the renegade, "who, after a life of
+danger and disaster, am anxiously awaiting the fulfilment of a promise
+from the Most High."
+
+"I must see this man to-morrow," observed the pacha:--"Mustapha, as you
+value your life, see that he attends."
+
+The vizier bowed, and the pacha returned to the palace without further
+adventure.
+
+The next day, as soon as the business of the divan had closed, the
+renegade was ordered in. Prostrating himself before the pacha, he then
+rose, and, folding his arms over his breast, awaited his commands in
+silence.
+
+"I have sent for you, Huckaback, to inquire the meaning of the words you
+made use of last night: and to know what was the promise made to you in
+your seventh and last voyage; but I will thank you to begin at the
+first, as I wish to hear the history of all your voyages."
+
+"May it please you highness, as I live but to obey you, all that has
+occurred in my eventful life shall, if you command it, be submitted to
+your ear. It will, however, be necessary that I should revert to my
+early days to enable your highness more fully to comprehend the whole."
+
+"Aferin! well said," replied the pacha; "I don't care how long a story
+it is, provided that it is a good one:" and Selim, having obeyed a sign
+from his highness, intimating that he might sit down, commenced as
+follows.
+
+
+
+HUCKABACK.
+
+I am a native of Marseilles, your highness, where I was brought up to
+the profession of my father; a profession (continued the wily renegade),
+which, I have no hesitation to assert, has produced more men of general
+information, and more men of talent, than any other--I mean that of a
+barber.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Wallah Thaib; well said, by Allah!" observed Mustapha.
+
+The pacha nodded his approbation, and the renegade proceeded with his
+story.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I was gifted by nature with a ready invention, and some trouble and
+expense were bestowed upon my education. To the profession of a barber,
+my father added that of bleeding and tooth-drawing. At ten years old I
+could cut hair pretty well. People did say, that those upon whom I had
+operated, looked as if their heads had been gnawed by the rats; but it
+was the remark of envy, and as my father observed, "there must be a
+beginning to every thing."
+
+At fifteen, I entered upon the rudiments of shaving; and after having
+nearly ruined my father's credit, from the pounds of flesh which I
+removed with the hair of my customers (who were again consoled by his
+observing that "there must be a beginning to every thing"), I became
+quite expert. I was subsequently initiated into the higher branches of
+tooth-drawing and bleeding. In the former, at first I gave great
+dissatisfaction, either from breaking the decayed tooth short off, and
+leaving the stump in the socket, or from mistaking the one pointed out,
+and drawing a sound engine of mastication in its stead. In the latter, I
+made more serious mistakes, having more than once cut so deep as to open
+the artery, while I missed the vein; in consequence of which I was never
+afterwards employed, except by a husband to relieve a scolding wife, or
+by nephews who were anxious about the health of an everlasting uncle.
+But, as my father wisely observed, "there must be a beginning to
+everything;" and, as I could only practise upon living subjects,
+"individuals must suffer for the good of the community at large." At the
+age of twenty I was an accomplished barber.
+
+But rapid as was my career, I was not fated to continue in it long. Like
+the shot propelled from the mouth of the cannon, which, in its extreme
+velocity, is turned from the direction which has been given it by
+glancing along the weakest substance, so was my course of life changed
+from its direction by meeting with a woman.
+
+My father had a good customer; he had shaved him every morning for
+years, had extracted every tooth in his head, and was now winding up his
+long account by bleeding him daily, under the direction of an ignorant
+apothecary. I was often at the house--not to bleed him, for my father
+either thought him too valuable, or was too grateful for past favours to
+trust him in my hands;--but I held the basin, procured water, and
+arranged the bandages. He had a daughter, a lovely girl, whom I adored
+in secret; but her rank in life was too far above mine to allow me to
+express my feelings. I was then a handsome young man, although Time has
+since exerted his utmost, through jealousy, to make me appear almost as
+old and ill-favoured as himself. The young lady took a fancy to me,
+complained of the toothache, and asked for remedies. I offered to
+extract the tooth; but either having heard of my reputation, or not
+wishing to remove the excuse for our interviews, or, what is still more
+probable, having no toothache whatever, she would not consent.
+
+The death of her mother, which had taken place when she was a child, had
+left her without guidance,--and the helpless situation of her father,
+without protection. Naturally of a warm temperament, and yielding to the
+impulse of her feelings, she carried on an intimacy which could only end
+in her disgrace; and, at the expiration of a year, her situation could
+no longer be concealed. I was now in a dilemma. She had two brothers in
+the army, who were returning home, and I dreaded their vengeance. I
+loved her very much, but I loved myself more; so, one evening, I packed
+up all that I could call my own, and all that I could lay my hands on
+belonging to my honoured parent, and shipped on board a Genoese vessel,
+which was then standing out of the harbour. She was a large ship,
+mounting twelve long guns, with a complement of sixty men; being what is
+termed in European countries a "letter of marque." This implies that she
+fights her way without convoy, capturing any of the enemy's vessels she
+may happen to fall in with, who are not strong enough to resist her. We
+had cleared out for Genoa with a cargo of lead, which lay at the bottom
+of the hold, and which merely served for ballast.
+
+I soon found out, by the conversation of the crew, that we were not to
+proceed to Genoa direct; in fact, your highness, she was a pirate,
+manned by a most desperate set of men. As soon as my qualifications were
+made known, I had the honour to remove the beards of sixty of the
+greatest villains that ever were permitted to exist, receiving nothing
+but blows and curses for my trouble. I certainly improved very much in
+my profession; for it was as much as my life was worth to draw blood,
+although they made no scruple of carrying on a conversation during the
+whole time of the operation. We had taken the cargoes out of several
+vessels, all of which were added to the "manifest" by our correct
+captain; when one day, we were chased by an English frigate. I never met
+the English on shore, but I must say that, afloat, they are the most
+impertinent people that swim on the seas. They cannot be content with
+minding their own business, although they have plenty on their hands,
+but they must interfere in that of others. They board you, and insist
+upon knowing where you come from, whither you are bound, and what you
+have on board; examining you with as much scrutiny as if they had been
+the delegated custom-house officers of the whole world.
+
+Now it did not exactly suit our captain to submit to such a rigorous
+search; he therefore made all sail for an island about seven miles
+distant, and anchored under the protection of a battery. Austria--the
+nation to whom the island belonged--was not at war with England; she was
+preserving what is called an "armed neutrality."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Pray what is the meaning of an armed neutrality?" demanded the pacha.
+
+"It varies according to circumstances, your highness; but, generally
+speaking, it means a charge of bayonets."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The frigate followed; and being prevented by the shallowness of the
+water from approaching sufficiently near to us herself, sent her boats
+to examine us: but as there were six of them full of men, and each
+mounting a gun at her bow, our captain thought it advisable to refuse
+them permission to come on board. As a hint that he disapproved of their
+measures, he poured his whole broadside of round and grape into them,
+when they were about a quarter of a mile distant: upon which they gave
+three cheers, and were obstinate enough to pull faster towards us than
+ever.
+
+We received them with all the honours of war, in the shape of cutlasses,
+pistols and boarding pikes; but they were very determined. As soon as
+one was knocked down, another jumped up in his place; and somehow or
+another they had possession of the ship in less time than I have been
+telling the story. I was on the poop, when an English sailor, with a
+pigtail as thick as a cable made a cut at me: I ran back to avoid the
+blow, and, in so doing, came with such force against another of their
+men, that we both tumbled overboard together. I lost my cutlass, but he
+had not parted with his; and as soon as we rose to the surface, he
+seized me by the collar, and presented the point to my breast. It seemed
+to be all the same to him whether he fought on the deck or in the water.
+Fortunately I shifted a little on one side, and he only drove it
+through my jacket. I recollected that I had my razor in my pocket, which
+I took out under the water unperceived, and, closing with him before he
+could repeat his thrust, I cut his throat from ear to ear, and then made
+for the shore as fast as I could. As I swam remarkably well, I had no
+great difficulty in reaching it. As soon as I landed, I looked back, and
+observing that the English boats were towing our vessel out I made all
+the haste I could to the fort, which was close at hand. There I was
+hospitably received, and we sat up till past midnight, drinking,
+smoking, and abusing the English.
+
+The next morning, a felucca anchored to procure some water, and, as she
+was proceeding to Toulon, I requested a passage. We sailed with a fine
+breeze; but a heavy gale came on, which tossed us about for many days,
+and the master of the vessel had no idea to where she had been driven.
+He consoled us, however, by asserting that we could never go to the
+bottom, as there was a lady of great sanctity passenger in the cabin,
+who had been sent for to assume the office of lady abbess of a convent
+near Marseilles, and whom the saints would indubitably preserve.
+
+This was some comfort, although fine weather would have been greater.
+The gale continued; and the next morning we thought that we descried
+land on the lee beam. The following night we were certain of our
+conjectures having been correct, for the vessel was thrown on shore, and
+in a few minutes went to pieces. I had the good fortune to save myself
+upon a part of the wreck, and lay half-dead upon the beach until the
+morning. When the day broke, I looked around me: there were the
+fragments of the vessel strewed upon the beach, or tossed in mockery by
+the surge; and close to me lay the dead body of the lady, whose sanctity
+the captain had assured us would be a safeguard to us all. I then turned
+from the beach to look at the inland country, and perceived, to my
+astonishment, that I was not three miles from my native city,
+Marseilles. This was a horrid discovery; for I knew that I should
+receive no mercy, and could not proceed a mile without being recognised.
+What to do was now the subject of my thoughts; and at last, as I viewed
+the body of the dead lady, it occurred to me that I might pass myself
+off for her.
+
+I stripped it of its outer garment, and having then hauled my own
+clothes upon the corpse, and covered it over with sea-weed, I dressed
+myself in the religious habit which she had worn, and sat down awaiting
+the arrival of the people, which I knew must soon take place. I was then
+without a symptom of beard; and, from the hardship and ill-treatment
+which I had received on board of the Genoese, was thin and sallow in the
+face. It was easy in a nun's dress to mistake me for a woman of
+thirty-five years of age, who had been secluded in a cloister. In the
+pockets of her clothes I found letters, which gave me the necessary clue
+to my story, and I resolved to pass myself off as La Soeur Eustasie,
+rather than be put in prison, or run through the body.
+
+I had scarcely time to finish reading these documents, when a party,
+attracted by the fragments on the beach, came up to me. I narrated the
+loss of the vessel, the death of the whole crew, my name and condition,
+my having come over at the request of the bishop to assume the guidance
+of the convent of St Therese; and added, that I had called upon the
+Virgin in my distress, who had come to my aid, and floated me on shore
+with as much care and comfort as if I had been reposing on cushions of
+down. The report was spread and credited; for the circumstance of a
+helpless woman being the sole survivor of a whole crew was miracle
+enough in itself.
+
+The bishop's carriage was sent for me, and I was conducted into the
+town, followed by a concourse of priests, monks, and common people, who
+were anxious to kiss even the ground that had been trod upon by a
+personage so especially under the protection of Heaven. I was conducted
+to the bishop's palace, where I held a sort of court, being visited by
+deputations from the official bodies, the governor, and all the people
+of consequence. After a sojourn of three days, I removed to the convent
+of which I was the supposed abbess, and was enthusiastically received by
+the nuns, who flocked round me with mingled veneration and delight.
+
+On the second day of my establishment as abbess, the two elder sisters,
+who could with difficulty be got rid of even when I retired to bed the
+night before, introduced the whole of the nuns in rotation, beginning
+with the elder, and ending with those who last took the vow of chastity.
+I felt little interest, I must confess, at the commencement of my levee;
+but as it came near to a close, many beautiful countenances attracted my
+attention and I gave the kiss of peace with more zest than prudence
+would have justified. The last of the sisterhood came forward, and was
+introduced as Soeur Marie. Gracious Heaven! it was the poor girl whom I
+had deserted. I started when I saw her advance: her eyes were bent upon
+the ground, as if in reverence to my acknowledged sanctity. As she knelt
+before me to receive the kiss, she raised them up. Love can pierce
+through all disguises.--At the moment, she thought that she beheld her
+fugitive lover, and caught her breath in amazement--but recollection
+pointed out to her the utter impossibility of the fact, and she sighed
+at the uncommon likeness, as she received the kiss from those lips which
+had indeed been so often pressed to hers before.
+
+When the ceremony had been gone through I complained of fatigue, and
+requested to be left alone.
+
+I wished to reflect upon what had passed, and determine how I was to
+act: to escape the danger which threatened me, I had placed myself in a
+situation of still greater difficulty. Where could it end? After a long
+reverie, I decided that I would make Marie my confidante, and trust to
+circumstances to guide my future conduct. I rang the bell, and,
+requesting the presence of the elder sister of the convent, commenced an
+inquiry into the different characters of the nuns who had been
+presented.
+
+Flattered by the confidence demanded, there was no end to the loquacity
+and the ill-natured remarks of the old beldame: she held her list in her
+hand, and ran over the families and private history of each. It was two
+hours before she had finished, which she did with Marie, of whose
+history she gave me a most minute detail; and if she was as correct in
+her reports of all the others, I certainly had no reason to compliment
+myself upon being abbess, as far as the previous characters of the nuns
+under my surveillance were concerned. "Good sister," replied I, "I thank
+you for your information, which I shall not fail to profit by in my
+plans for the improvement of the morality of those under my charge. I
+have always made it a rule, that one of the sisterhood should remain in
+my room every night, to watch and do penance. I have found that when
+coupled with my seasonable exhortations, it has produced an excellent
+effect. Of course I allude not to sage and devout women like you; I
+refer to those who in their folly and their flow of youthful passions,
+have not yet humbled themselves sufficiently by abstinence and
+mortification. Who would you propose to watch here this night?"
+
+The old beldame, who I had perceived by the violence of her manner, had
+a dislike to Marie, immediately mentioned her as one to whom severe
+penance would be of especial benefit. I conversed with her for another
+half-hour; then, wishing her good-night, prepared for bed, and requested
+that Marie might be summoned to attend.
+
+Marie entered with her book of _Prieres_ in her hand, and, bowing humbly
+to me as she passed, sat down near to the lamp which was lighted before
+an image of the Virgin, at the farther end of the room, and commenced
+her task of watching and of prayer.
+
+"Marie," said I, as I stood by the bed: she uttered a faint scream as
+she heard my voice for the first time, and throwing herself down upon
+her knees before the image of the Virgin, covered her face with her
+hands, and appeared to be in silent but earnest supplication.
+
+"Marie," again said I, "come here." She rose, and came trembling to the
+foot of the bed. "To you, and to you alone, do I intrust a secret which,
+if discovered, would subject me to a painful and ignominious death. You
+were not deceived, when you started at the face beneath the nun's
+attire; and you must now be certain, from the voice which you have
+heard, that I am indeed Francois. How I became the lady abbess of this
+convent you have yet to learn." I then narrated what I have already done
+to your highness. "By what means," continued I, "I am to deliver myself
+from this dangerous situation, I know not; I have, however, one
+consolation, in finding myself once more in company with the object of
+my love.
+
+"Come hither, Marie; it is indeed your own Francois." Marie remained at
+the foot of the bed, but advanced not; and I perceived that the tears
+fell fast, as she cast her eyes to heaven.
+
+"Speak to me, Marie, if ever you loved me."
+
+"That I loved you, Francois, you know full well: not even your unkind
+desertion could affect that love, which was unchangeable. I dared all
+for your sake; my brothers, my father, could not extort the secret from
+me, and their suspicions, although directed towards you, could never be
+confirmed. I bore the offspring of my guilt in solitary anguish,
+afterwards loaded with reproaches when I needed comfort and consolation,
+and stunned with imprecations when I required soothing and repose. I
+buried it with shame and sorrow and contumely. You had abandoned me, and
+I felt that all ties to this world were over. I took the veil, and never
+was the world quitted by so willing a votary as myself. I have since
+been peaceful, if not happy."
+
+"And now, Marie, you shall be happy," cried I, stretching out my arms to
+her. "Come to me, I will explain my motives for leaving Marseilles, and
+what my future intentions were, if they had not been frustrated by
+unforeseen events. All shall yet be well."
+
+"Francois, all is well. I have taken a solemn vow--it is registered in
+heaven. You have by fraud and imposition entered into a holy place, and
+assumed a holy character. Add not to your crime by even harbouring the
+idea of impropriety, and add not to my humiliation by supposing for a
+moment that I am capable of being a participator. Holy Virgin," cried
+she, falling on her knees, "I demand thy powerful aid in this conflict
+of worldly passions and holy wishes. Oh! make me dead to all but thee,
+and to the spouse whom I have accepted at thy hands."
+
+She then rose and continued--"How you will be able to leave this
+convent, Francois, I know not; but your secret is safe with me, provided
+that you do not again request my presence, as you have this night. My
+prayers shall ever be for you, but we must meet no more;" and Marie
+waved her hand mournfully, and quitted the apartment.
+
+Although I had always a great contempt for the Catholic religion, of
+which I at that period was a member, I was awed by the beauty of virtue
+as it appeared in Marie, and I passed the night in melancholy
+reflections. I felt more love for her than ever, and determined upon
+persuading her to quit the convent and become my wife. The next morning
+I sent for her.
+
+"Marie, you gave yourself to heaven, when you imagined that you had no
+tie upon earth. You were deceived; there was one whom you still loved,
+and who still adored you. Vows made in delusion are not registered.
+Leave this convent with me, become my wife, and you will do your duty
+better towards heaven than by pining between these walls, which contain
+nothing but envy, hatred, and remorse."
+
+"Francois, you have had my answer. What has been done, cannot be undone.
+Save yourself, and leave me to my unhappy fate," answered Marie; then
+bursting into tears, "O Francois, why, why did you leave me without one
+word? Had you but pointed out your danger to me, I should have been the
+first to have insisted upon your absence, and all, all would have been
+borne with patience, if not with pleasure, for your sake. If what you
+now say is truth, all would have been well; but now I have naught to
+cheer me in my lonely pilgrimage, and naught to wish but that it soon
+may come unto its close. I forgive you, Francois, but pity me, for I
+deserve your pity."
+
+"Once more, Marie, I entreat you to consent to my proposal."
+
+"Never, Francois; I will not be less faithful to my God than I was to
+you. He will not desert me; and if I suffer now, will reward me for it
+hereafter." And Marie again quitted my apartment.
+
+My situation in the nunnery now became insupportable, and I determined
+to escape. I pleaded ill health and kept my bed. The physician of a
+neighbouring convent, who had a great reputation, was sent for against
+my wishes. When I heard of his arrival, I dressed to receive him, for I
+was fearful of some scrutiny. He inquired what ailed me: I answered that
+I had no pain, but that I was convinced I should soon depart. He felt my
+pulse, and not being able to discover symptoms of disease took his
+leave.
+
+To the elder sisters who visited me, I spoke in enigmas, and told them
+that I had a summons, that they must expect soon to find me gone: and
+the sanctity of my reputation make them receive my innuendoes as
+inspired remarks. One night, I complained of being much worse, and
+requested their early retiring: they would have sent for the physician,
+but I forbade it, telling them I was beyond a physician's cure: kissing
+them all, and pronouncing over them a solemn blessing, I dismissed them.
+As soon as it was dark, I threw off my nun's attire, leaving it in my
+bed, as if I had slipped out of it; and as the windows of my apartment,
+which looked into the convent garden, were not barred, unclothed as I
+was I dropped down, and reached the ground in safety. I took the
+precaution, when I was outside, to shut the window, that my having
+escaped should not enter their ideas, and climbing a tree which overhung
+the wall of the garden, dropped from a bough on the other side, and
+found myself at liberty. As I knew that the farther I was from the
+nunnery, the less chance I had of being supposed an impostor, I gained
+the high road, and ran as fast as I could in the direction from
+Marseilles to Toulouse.
+
+I had proceeded several miles without encountering any body at that
+still hour of the night, occasionally alarmed at the barking of some
+snarling cur, as I passed through the small villages in my route,--when,
+worn out with fatigue and cold, I sat down under a hedge to screen
+myself from the cold "mistral" which blew. As the wind lulled, I heard
+sounds of voices in lamentation, which appeared to proceed from the road
+at a short distance. I rose, and continued my route, when I stumbled
+over the body of a man. I examined him by the faint light that was
+emitted from the stars. He was quite dead; and it immediately occurred
+to me that a robbery had been committed, and the lamentations which I
+had heard proceeded from those who had escaped with their lives. The
+cloak of the dead man was lying underneath him; it was a capote, such as
+are worn by officers. I unclasped it from his neck, round which it was
+fastened with two bear's-paws chased in silver, and, wrapping it round
+my benumbed limbs, proceeded further on to where I now occasionally
+heard voices much plainer than before. I again fell in with two more
+prostrate bodies, and, as the day had now begun to break, perceived that
+they were clothed like people of low condition. Passing my hand over
+their faces, I felt that they were quite dead and stiff. Afraid that if
+found close to the spot, and unable to give any account of myself, I
+should be accused of murder, I thought of immediate flight; but the
+plaintive voice of a woman met my ears, and it was an appeal that I
+could not resist. I proceeded a few yards further, and perceived a
+carriage, the horses of which lay dead in their traces, with the driver
+beside them. To the hind wheels were secured with ropes an elderly man
+and a young woman.
+
+"God be praised, my dear father, help is at hand!" said the young woman,
+as I approached; and as I came close to them, she cried out, "Oh, I know
+him by his cloak; it's the gentleman who defended us so gallantly, and
+whom we supposed to have been killed. Are you much hurt, sir?"
+
+Aware that I had better be any body than myself, with my usual invention
+and presence of mind I replied, "Not much, madam, thanks be to heaven! I
+was stunned, and they left me for dead: I am happy that I am still
+alive, to be of service to you:" and I immediately proceeded to cast
+loose the ropes by which the father and daughter (as by their
+conversation they appeared to be) had been confined to the wheels. The
+robbers had stripped them both nearly to the skin, and they were so
+numbed with the cold that they could scarcely stand when they were
+unbound,--the poor girl especially, who shivered as if suffering under a
+tertian ague. I proposed that they should enter the carriage as the best
+shelter they could receive from the bitter keen wind which blew, and
+they agreed to the prudence of my suggestion.
+
+"If I am not requesting too great a favour, sir," said the old
+gentleman, "I wish you would lend my poor daughter that cloak, for she
+is perishing with the cold."
+
+"I will with pleasure, sir, as soon as you are both in the carriage,"
+replied I; for I had made up my mind how to proceed. I assisted them in,
+and, shutting the door, slipped off the cloak and put it in at the
+window, saying, "Believe me, madam, I should have offered it to you
+before, but the fact is, the rascals served me, as I lay stunned, in the
+same manner as they have you, and I must now go in search of something
+to cover myself." I then went off at a quick pace, hearing the young
+woman exclaim, "Oh, my father, he has stripped himself to cover me!"
+
+I immediately returned to the body of the gentleman whose cloak I had
+borrowed, and for whom I had no doubt that I had been mistaken. I
+stripped off all the clothes from his rigid limbs, and put them on: they
+fitted me exactly, and, what was more fortunate, were not stained with
+blood, as he had received his death-wound from a bullet in the brain. I
+then dragged the body to the other side of the hedge, where I threw it
+into a ditch, and covered it with long grass, that it might not be
+discovered. Daylight had made its appearance before I had completed my
+toilet; and when I came back to the carriage, the old gentleman was loud
+in his thanks. I told him that in returning to strip one of the other
+bodies I had found my own clothes in a bundle, which the robbers had
+left in their haste to escape from pursuit.
+
+The young lady said nothing, but sat shrouded up in the cloak, in one
+corner of the carriage. I now entered into conversation with the old
+gentleman, who explained to me how the attack began, before I had come
+to their assistance: and from the information I received from him, I was
+enabled to form a very good idea of the story that I was to tell. I
+found that I had been on horseback with my servant, when I rode to their
+assistance; that we had been both supposed to be killed, and that we
+were about five miles from any post town.
+
+By this time it was broad daylight, and I made another discovery, which
+was, that I was wearing an officer's undress. Anxious to gratify my
+curiosity by a sight of the young lady, I turned to her, as she lay
+muffled up in the cloak, and expressed a hope that she did not feel
+cold. She put her head out, and answered in the negative with such a
+sweet smile, upon such a sweet face as I never had before witnessed. I
+looked at her as if transfixed, and did not take my eyes off until she
+blushed, and again sank back as before.
+
+This brought me to my recollection; I offered to go for assistance, and
+my services were thankfully accepted. I passed by the men who had been
+killed, as I went on my mission; one was habited in a livery similar to
+the coach-man who lay dead by his horses; the other was in that of a
+groom, and I took it for granted that he had been my servant. I searched
+in his pockets for information, and, collecting the contents, commenced
+reading them as I walked along.
+
+By his memoranda I found out that I had come from Aix. By letters and
+papers in my own pockets I ascertained who I was, who my father was, to
+what regiment I belonged, that I was on leave of absence, and that I had
+a brother, whose affectionate letter I read carefully for further
+information. I had not time to count a considerable sum of money, which
+was in my purse, before I fell in with a countryman, who was leading his
+horses to the plough. Briefly narrating the circumstances, I offered him
+a handsome remuneration, if he would mount one of his horses, and
+procure immediate assistance. Having seen him off in a hand-gallop, I
+returned to the carriage to try if it were possible to have one more
+view of that face which had so enchanted me. I stated the good fortune I
+had met with, and my hopes of a speedy deliverance from their trouble. I
+answered the old gentleman's inquiry of the name and condition of the
+person to whom he and his daughter had been so much indebted, talked of
+my father the Compte de Rouille, of my regiment, and then requested a
+similar confidence.
+
+He was le Marquis de Tonseca, and the young lady was his daughter; they
+were proceeding to their chateau about seven miles distant, where he
+hoped I would accompany them, and allow him an opportunity of showing
+his gratitude.
+
+I hesitated, talked of engagements--not that I intended to refuse the
+invitation, but because the young lady had not joined in the request. My
+plan had the desired effect; again the lovely face appeared from under
+the cloak, and the sweetest voice in the world expressed a wish that I
+would not refuse her father's invitation. I blushed, and stammered
+consent. Pleased at her victory, she smiled, and again was folded up in
+the cloak, which I could have torn to pieces for its envious
+concealment.
+
+Assistance had now arrived; a crowd of people, headed by an officer to
+take the _proces verbal_, and two pair of post-horses came up; the
+depositions of the Marquis and myself were briefly taken; his as to what
+he had seen, and mine "to the best of my knowledge and belief." The
+papers were signed, the dead bodies were carried off, the horses put to,
+and, at the request of the Marquis, I took my seat in the carriage
+between him and his daughter, and we proceeded to the chateau.
+
+In two hours we arrived at a magnificent pile, which bespoke the wealth
+and ancestry of the owner, and I had the pleasure of carrying in my
+arms, up the long flight of steps by which we ascended to the entrance,
+the beautiful girl, muffled up as she was in the cloak. As soon as I had
+laid her down upon a sofa, I left her to the care of the females who
+were in attendance and quitted the room. The Marquis had retired to his
+own apartment, to supply the deficiencies in his attire, and for a short
+time I was left alone to my own reflections. What is to be the result of
+all this? thought I. Is there to be no end of my assumption of the
+clothes and titles of other people,--this continual transmigration
+before death? Yet how much more has it depended upon circumstances than
+upon myself!
+
+After much reflection, I determined upon letting things take their own
+course, trusting to my own ready invention and good fortune for the
+issue. I felt it to be impossible to tear myself from the sweet creature
+whose personal charms had already fascinated me, and I vowed that there
+was no risk, no danger, that I would not brave to obtain her love.
+
+In an hour we met at the breakfast-table, and I was more than ever
+enchanted;--but I will not detain your highness by dwelling too long
+upon the subject.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"No, don't, yaha bibi, my friend," said the pacha, yawning, "your story
+gets very dry already. We'll suppose the cypress waist, the stag's eyes,
+and full moon of her face. We Mussulmans don't talk so much about women;
+but I suppose as you were a Frenchman, and very young then, you knew no
+better. Why you talk of women as if they had souls!" The renegade did
+not think it advisable to express his opinion in contradiction to that
+of his highness, and the assertions of the prophet. "It cannot be said
+that I behaved to them as if they had," replied he; "and before I
+changed my religion, I was often smitten with remorse for my selfish and
+unfeeling conduct towards Marie; but all that is past, I am now a Turk;"
+and the renegade passed his hand over his brow; for some long-smothered
+feelings of virtue had been conjured up by remorse, as he was reminded
+of the career of guilt which he had run through, and which he had
+climaxed by the denial of his Redeemer. After a short pause he
+continued--
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+For a week I remained in the society of the Marquis and his daughter,
+daily ingratiating myself more and more with both. I had not declared my
+passion to his daughter, for there was something that irresistibly
+prevented me; yet I knew that I was not viewed with indifference. Our
+party was then increased by the appearance of the Bishop of Toulouse,
+the brother of the Marquis, who came to congratulate him and his niece
+upon their fortunate escape. I was presented as the gentleman who had so
+materially assisted. The bishop stared at me with surprise.
+
+"It is strange," observed he, "that a body has been found in a ditch,
+near to where the robbery occurred, and has been recognised to be that
+of the very young officer to whom you now introduce me. How can this
+be?"
+
+The marquis and his daughter appeared astonished at the intelligence
+(and in truth so was I), but it was only for a second. "How say you,
+sir," exclaimed I, with trepidation, "a body recognised as the son of
+the Comte de Rouille? My poor, poor brother! my dear Victor, have you
+then perished? what injustice have I done you!" Throwing myself on the
+fauteuil, I covered my face with my handkerchief, as if overpowered with
+grief; but, in reality, I was reflecting what I should say next.
+
+"Your brother!" exclaimed the Marquis in surprise.
+
+"Yes, Marquis, my brother. I will now state the circumstances which
+induced me to conceal from you that he was in my company at the time of
+the attack. When I galloped to your assistance, I was followed by my
+brother, who was riding with me to Marseilles, and of whom you recollect
+I have spoken; but after the first discharge of firearms I found that he
+was not at my side, and I imagined that he had deserted me from fear. I
+could not bear that such a disgrace upon the family should be known, and
+I therefore made no mention of him when I came back. Little did I think,
+that while I was accusing him in my heart of cowardice, he was dead, and
+his heart's blood had been poured out in my defence. Victor, my dear
+Victor!" continued I, "how great has been my injustice, and what can
+repay me for your loss?" and I threw myself down on the sofa, as if
+frantic with grief.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Huckaback," observed the pacha, "it appears to me that in your younger
+days you were a great scoundrel."
+
+"I acknowledge it," replied the renegade; "but, in extenuation, your
+highness must call to mind that at that time I was a Christian."
+
+"By the beard of the prophet, that is well said, and very true!" replied
+the pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Marquis and his brother were shocked at having so unintentionally
+plunged me into affliction. They offered consolation, but finding their
+endeavours fruitless, quitted the room, thinking it advisable to leave
+me to myself. Cerise, for that was the name of the daughter, remained,
+and after a short pause came to me, and in her silvery voice, as she
+laid her hand upon my shoulder, addressed me:
+
+"Console yourself, my dear Felix;" but I made no answer. "How unhappy I
+am!" said she: "it was in my defence that he lost his life: it was to
+your courage that I am indebted for my preservation:--he is dead, and
+you are miserable. Can nothing repay you for the loss of your
+brother?--Nothing, Felix?"
+
+I raised my head; her eyes were swimming with tears, and beaming with
+love. As I resumed my seat upon the sofa, I drew her gently towards me.
+She offered no resistance, and in a moment she had sunk down by my side,
+as my arms entwined her beauteous form.
+
+"Yes," murmured I, "Cerise, I am repaid." Smiling through her blushes,
+she disengaged herself, and rose to depart. Returning once more at my
+request, I imprinted a kiss upon her brow: she waved her hand, and
+hastened out of the room.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"That was a very nice girl, by your description," interrupted the pacha:
+"pray what might you pay for such a girl in your country?"
+
+"She was beyond all price," replied the renegade, with an absent air, as
+if communing with times past. "Love is not to be bought. The Moslem
+purchases the slave and blind submission to his will, but he makes not
+love."
+
+"No, he buys it ready made," replied the pacha; "and I must say I wish
+you had done the same: for, with all this love making, you get on but
+slowly with your story. Proceed."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I remained another week, when the bishop, who had not yet taken his
+departure, one morning drove over to Marseilles, and returned to dinner.
+"I was sent for," observed he, as we sat down to table, "to consult as
+to the propriety of requesting from the Pope the canonisation of the
+Soeur Eustasie, of whom you have heard so much, and whose disappearance
+has been attributed to miraculous agency: but during our consultation, a
+piece of information was sent in, which has very much changed the
+opinion of parties as to her reputed sanctity. It appears that near the
+spot where the vessel was wrecked they have discovered the body of a
+woman dressed in man's clothes; and it is now supposed that some
+miscreant has personified her at the Convent, and has subsequently
+escaped. The officers of justice are making the strictest search, and if
+the individual is found, he will be sent to Rome to be disposed of by
+the Inquisition."
+
+As your highness may imagine, this was not very agreeable news; I almost
+started from my chair when I heard it; but I had sufficient mastery over
+myself to conceal my feelings, although every morsel that I put into my
+mouth nearly choked me.
+
+But before dinner was over the plot thickened; a letter was brought to
+the Marquis from my adopted father the Comte de Rouille stating that
+such contradictory reports had been received, that he could not
+ascertain the truth. From one he heard that his eldest son was alive,
+and at the chateau; from others that he had been murdered: others
+congratulated him in their letters upon the escape of one of his sons.
+He requested the Marquis to inform him of the real state of affairs, and
+to let him know by the bearer whether his eldest son was with him, or
+whether he had met with the unfortunate death that was reported; and as
+his youngest son was at home, and had been there for some months, he
+could not but imagine, as both of them were mentioned in the reports,
+that there might be some imposture in the business.
+
+I perceived by the change of countenance in the Marquis that affairs
+were not going well, and was to a certain degree prepared, when he
+gravely handed the letter to the bishop, who, having read it, passed it
+over to me, saying, with a stern look, "This concerns you, sir." I read
+it with a composed countenance, and, returning it to the Marquis, I
+observed with a sigh, "There is no kindness in such deception, the blow
+will only fall heavier upon the old man when it does come. You are
+aware, sir, I mentioned it to you (or rather, I believe, it was to
+Mademoiselle Cerise), that my father is blind, and has been so for the
+last two years. They have been afraid to tell him the truth, and have
+made him believe that Victor is there. You must know, sir, that it was
+clandestinely that my dear brother quitted his father's house to
+accompany me. Unhappy hour when I yielded to his entreaties! But,
+Monsieur le Marquis, I perceive it is now imperative that I should go to
+my father; he will need the assurance of my existence to support him in
+his grief. I will therefore, with your permission, write a few lines by
+the bearer of this communication, and to-morrow morning at daylight must
+unwillingly tear myself away from your charming society."
+
+The cool and confident air with which I answered, removed suspicion; and
+having written a few lines to the Comte, and requested from the Marquis
+the loan of his seal, I applied the wax, and desired the servant to
+deliver it as an answer to the messenger, whom I was not sorry to see
+galloping by the window. "Oh," cried I, "'tis Pierre: had I known that,
+I should have asked him some questions."
+
+This well-timed exclamation of mine, I perceived, did not fail to have
+its weight. We again sat down to table, and I was treated with more than
+usual kindness by the Marquis and his brother, as if in compensation for
+their having, for a moment, harboured a suspicion of my honesty. But I
+was ill at ease, and I felt that I never had acted with more prudence
+than in proposing my early departure.
+
+In the evening I was alone with Cerise. Since the news of my brother's
+death, and the scene that followed, we had sworn unalterable love; and
+in that instance only was I sincere. I loved her to desperation, and I
+doat on her memory now, though years have rolled away, and she has long
+been mingled with the dead. Yes, Cerise, if from the regions of bliss,
+where thy pure spirit dwells, thou canst look down upon a wretch so
+loaded with guilt as I am, oh, turn not away with horror, but view with
+pity one who loved as fondly as man could love, and hereafter will care
+little for all that Paradise can offer, if thy fair spirit must not bid
+him welcome!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I wish, Huckaback," observed the pacha, angrily, "that you would go on
+with your story: you are talking to a dead woman, instead of a live
+pacha."
+
+"I entreat your pardon," replied the renegade; "but to amuse your
+highness, I have entered into scenes which long have been dismissed from
+my memory; and the feelings attending them will rise up, and cannot well
+be checked. I will be more careful as I proceed."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Cerise was melancholy at the idea of my departure. I kissed the tears
+away, and the time flew rapidly. I persuaded her to allow me an
+interview after the family had retired, as I had much to say to her.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Well, well, we'll suppose all that," observed the pacha, impatiently:
+"now go on; you remember you were to set off in the morning."
+
+"Yes, yes, your highness," replied the renegade, somewhat displeased.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+And I did set off in the morning upon one of the Marquis's horses, and
+rode as hard as I could to Toulon. I determined again to try my fortune
+at sea, as I was afraid that I should be discovered if I remained on
+shore. I purchased a small venture with the money in my purse, and
+having made my agreement with the captain of a vessel bound to St
+Domingo, exchanged my dress for a jacket and trousers, and was again at
+the mercy of the waves.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Such, your highness, is the history of my First Voyage, and the
+incidents which resulted from it."
+
+"Well," said the pacha, rising, "there was too much love and too little
+sea in it; but, I suppose, if you had left the first out it would not
+have been so long. Mustapha, give him five pieces of gold, and we will
+have his Second Voyage to-morrow."
+
+As soon as the pacha had retired, the renegade growled out, "If I am to
+tell any more stories, I must not be checked and dictated to. I could
+have talked for an hour after I had met Cerise, if I had not been
+interrupted: as it was, I cut the matter short."
+
+"But, Selim," replied Mustapha, "the pacha is not fond of these sort of
+adventures; he likes something much more marvellous. Could you not
+embellish a little?"
+
+"How do you mean?"
+
+"Holy prophet! what do I mean!--Why, tell a few lies,--not adhere quite
+so much to matter of fact."
+
+"Adhere to matter of fact, vizier!--why, I have not stated a single fact
+yet!"
+
+"What! is not all this true?"
+
+"Not one word of it, as I hope to go to heaven!"
+
+"Bismillah!--what, not about Marie and the Convent--and Cerise?"
+
+"All lies from beginning to end."
+
+"And were you never a barber?"
+
+"Never in my life."
+
+"Then why did you make such long apostrophes to the dead Cerise, when
+you observed that the pacha was impatient."
+
+"Merely because I was at fault, vizier, and wished to gain time, to
+consider what I should say next."
+
+"Selim," replied Mustapha, "you have great talent; but mind that your
+next voyage is more wonderful; I presume it will make no difference to
+you."
+
+"None whatever; but the pacha is not a man of taste. Now give me my five
+pieces, and I'll be off: I'm choked with thirst, and shall not be
+comfortable till I have drunk at least a gallon of wine."
+
+"Holy prophet! what a Turk!" exclaimed the vizier, lifting up his hands.
+"Here is your money, Kafir;--don't forget to be here to-morrow."
+
+"Never fear me, vizier; your slave lives but to obey you, as we Turks
+say."
+
+"We Turks!" muttered the vizier, as he cast his eyes upon the retiring
+figure of the renegade. "Well of all the scoundrels--" "Well," muttered
+the renegade, who was now out of hearing, "of all the scoundrels--" Whom
+they were referring to in their separate soliloquies must be left to the
+reader's imagination; for caution prevented either of the parties from
+giving vent to the remainder of their thoughts.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter VI
+
+
+"Mashallah! How wonderful is God! Did the Caliph Haroun ever hear such
+stories?" observed the pacha, taking the pipe from his mouth, as he was
+indulging in company with Mustapha: "that infidel tells strange
+histories of strange countries--What will his mouth open to next?"
+
+"The Shaitan Bacheh, for a son of the devil he still is, although he
+wears the turban and bows to Allah, will prove a treasury of amusement
+to your sublime highness," replied Mustapha: "but what are the words of
+the sage?--'If thou hast gold in thy hazneh, keep it locked and add
+thereto; thus shalt thou become rich.'"
+
+"They are the words of wisdom," replied the pacha.
+
+"Then may I advise your highness to walk out this evening in search of
+more, and not exhaust that which is in your possession?"
+
+"Wallah Thaib! It is well said!" answered the pacha, rising from his
+musnud or carpet of state: "the moon is up--when all is ready we will
+proceed."
+
+In a quarter of an hour the pacha, attended by Mustapha and the armed
+slaves as before, again set out upon their perambulations through the
+city of Cairo.
+
+They had not walked more than half-an-hour when they observed two men
+sitting at the door of a fruit-shop, at high words with each other. The
+pacha held up his finger to Mustapha, as a sign to stop, that he might
+over-hear their discourse.
+
+"I tell you, Ali, that it is impossible to hear those long stories of
+yours without losing one's temper."
+
+"Long stories!" whispered the pacha to Mustapha with delight: "the very
+thing!--Shukur Allah! Thanks be to God!"
+
+"And I tell you in reply, Hussan, that yours are ten times worse. You
+never have spoken for ten minutes, without my feeling an inclination to
+salute your mouth with the heel of my slipper. I wish there was any one
+who would hear us both and decide the point."
+
+"That I will," said the pacha, going up to them: "to-morrow I will hear
+both your stories, and decide upon the merits of each."
+
+"And who are you?" observed one of the men, with surprise.
+
+"His highness the pacha," replied Mustapha, coming forward. Both the men
+prostrated themselves, while the pacha directed Mustapha that they
+should be brought before him on the following day: and the vizier,
+having given them in charge to the slaves who had followed at a
+distance, returned home with the pacha; who was delighted at the rich
+harvest which he expected to reap from the two people who accused each
+other of telling such long stories.
+
+When the divan of the following day had closed, the two men were
+summoned into the presence of the pacha.
+
+"I shall now decide upon the merits of your stories," observed he. "Sit
+down there both of you, and agree between yourselves which of you will
+begin."
+
+"May it please your highness, you will never be able to listen to this
+man Ali," observed Hussan: "you had better send him away."
+
+"Allah preserve your highness from all evil," replied Ali, "but more
+especially from the talking of Hussan, which is as oppressive as the hot
+wind of the desert."
+
+"I have not sent for you to hear you dispute in my presence, but to hear
+your stories. Ali, do you begin."
+
+"I do assure your highness," interrupted Hussan, "that you will not
+listen to him three minutes."
+
+"I do assure you," retorted the pacha, "that if you say one word more,
+until you are ordered, you will be rewarded with the bastinado for your
+trouble. Ali, begin your story."
+
+"Well, your highness, it was about thirty years ago, _you know_, that I
+was a little boy, _you know_."
+
+Here Hussan lifted up his hands, and smiled.
+
+"Well, your highness, _you know_----"
+
+"I don't know, Ali; how can I know until you tell me," observed the
+pacha.
+
+"Well, then, your highness must know that ever since I was born I have
+lived in the same street where your highness saw us seated last night,
+and thirty years, you know is a long period in a man's life. My father
+was a gardener, and people of his condition, _you know_, are obliged to
+get up early, that they may be in time for the market, where, _you
+know_, they bring their vegetables for sale."
+
+"This is all very true, I dare say," observed the pacha; "but you will
+oblige me by leaving out all those _you knows_, which I agree with your
+comrade Hussan to be very tedious."
+
+"That's what I have already told him, your highness--'Ali,' _says I_,
+'if you can only leave out your _you knows_,' _says I_, 'your story
+might be amusing, but,' _says I_----"
+
+"Silence with your _says I's_," observed the pacha; "have you forgotten
+the bastinado? there seems to be a pair of you. Ali, go on with the
+story and remember my injunction; the felek and ferashes are at hand."
+
+"Well, your highness, one morning he rose earlier than usual, as he was
+anxious to be the first in the market with some onions, which, _you
+know_, are very plentiful; and having laden his ass, he set off, at a
+good round pace, for the city. There, _you know_, he arrived at the
+market-place a little after the day had dawned, when, _you know_,----"
+
+"Did you not receive my orders to leave out _you know_? Am I to be
+obeyed or not? Now go on, and if you offend again, you shall have the
+bastinado till your nails drop off."
+
+"I shall observe your highness's wishes," replied Ali.--"A little after
+the day had dawned, _you_--, no, he, I mean, observed an old woman
+sitting near one of the fruit-stalls, with her head covered up in an old
+dark-blue capote; and as he passed by, _you_--she I mean, held out one
+of her fingers, and said, 'Ali Baba,' for that was my father's name,
+'Listen to good advice; leave your laden beast, and follow me.' Now my
+father, _you know_, not being inclined to pay any attention to such an
+old woman, _you know_, replied, _you know_,----"
+
+"Holy Allah!" exclaimed the pacha in a rage to Mustapha, "what does this
+man deserve?"
+
+"The punishment due to those who dare to disobey your highness's
+commands."
+
+"And he shall have it: take him out; give him one hundred blows of the
+bastinado; put him on an ass with his face turned towards the tail; and
+let the officer who conducts him through the town proclaim, 'Such is the
+punishment awarded by the pacha to him who presumes to say that his
+highness knows, when in fact, he knows nothing.'"
+
+The guards seized upon the unfortunate Ali to put in execution the will
+of the pacha; and as he was dragged away, Hussan cried out, "I told you
+so; but you would not believe me."
+
+"Well," replied Ali, "I've one comfort, your story's not told yet. His
+highness has yet to decide which is the best."
+
+After a few minutes' pause, to recover himself from the ruffling of his
+temper, the pacha addressed the other man--"Now, Hussan, you will begin
+your story, and observe that I am rather in an ill-humour."
+
+"How can your highness be otherwise, after the annoyance of that bore
+Ali? I said so; 'Ali,' _says I_,----"
+
+"Go on with your story," repeated the pacha angrily.
+
+"It was about two years ago, your highness, when I was sitting at the
+door of the fruit-shop, which your highness might have observed when you
+saw us last night, that a young female, who seemed above the common
+class, came in, followed by a porter. 'I want some melons,' says she. 'I
+have very fine ones, so walk in,' _says I_: and I handed down from the
+upper shelf, where they were placed, four or five musk, and four or five
+water-melons.
+
+"'Now,' _says I_, 'young woman, you'll observe that these are much finer
+melons,' _says I_, 'than you usually can procure; therefore the lowest
+price that I can take,' _says I_, 'is----'"
+
+"Why, your _says I's_ are much worse than Ali's _you knows_; leave them
+out, if you please, and proceed with your story," cried the pacha, with
+increased ill-humour.
+
+"I will obey, your highness, if possible. I stated the lowest price, and
+she lifted up her veil--'I have an idea,' said she, as she allowed me to
+look upon one of the prettiest faces in the world, 'that they are to be
+had cheaper.'
+
+"I was so struck with her beauty, that I was quite speechless. 'Am I not
+right?' said she, smiling. 'From you, madam,' _says I_, 'I can take
+nothing; put as many in the basket of your porter as you please.' She
+thanked me, and put into the basket all that I had handed down. 'Now,'
+_says she_, 'I want some dates, the best and finest that you have.' I
+handed some down that would have been admired by the ladies of your
+highness's harem. 'These, madam,' _says I_, 'are the best dates that are
+to be found in Cairo.' She tasted them, and asked the price; I mentioned
+it. 'They are dear,' replied she, 'but I must have them cheaper;' and
+again she lifted her veil. 'Madam,' _says I_, 'these dates are much too
+cheap at the price which I have mentioned; it really is impossible to
+take one para less; observe, madam,' _says I_, 'the beauty of them, feel
+the weight, and taste them,' _says I_, 'and you must acknowledge,' _says
+I_, 'that they are offered to you at a price which,' _says I_----"
+
+"Holy prophet!" cried the pacha in a rage; "I will hear no more of your
+_says I's_: if you cannot tell your story without them, you shall fare
+worse than Ali."
+
+"May it please your highness, how will it be possible for you to know
+what I said, unless I point out to you what I did say? I cannot tell my
+story without it."
+
+"I'll see that," replied the pacha, in a savage tone; and, making the
+sign, the executioner made his appearance. "Now, then, go on with your
+story; and, executioner, after he has repeated _says I_ three times, off
+with his head! Go on."
+
+"I shall never be able to go on, your highness; consider one moment how
+harmless my _says I's_ are to the detestable _you knows_ of Ali. That's
+what I always told him; 'Ali,' _says I_, 'if you only knew,' _says I_,
+'how annoying you are! Why there,' _says I_!" At this moment the blow of
+the scimitar fell, and the head of Hussan rolled upon the floor; the
+lips from the force of habit still quivering in their convulsions, with
+the motioning which would have produced _says I_, if the channel of
+sound had not been so effectually interrupted.
+
+"That story's ended!" observed the pacha in a rage. "Of all the
+nuisances I ever encountered, these two men have beat them all. Allah
+forbid that I ever should again meet with a _says I_, or a _you know_!"
+
+"Your highness is all wisdom," observed Mustapha; "may such ever be the
+fate of those who cannot tell their stories without saying what they
+said." The pacha, irritated at his disappointment, and little soothed by
+the remark of Mustapha, without making any answer to it, was about to
+retire to his harem, when Mustapha, with a low salaam, informed him that
+the renegade was in attendance to relate his Second Voyage, if he might
+be permitted to kiss the dust of his presence. "Khoda shefa midehed--God
+gives relief," replied the pacha, as he resumed his seat: "let him
+approach."
+
+The renegade entered and, having paid the customary obeisance, took his
+seat, and commenced the narrative of his Second Voyage.
+
+May it please your most sublime highness, the day after I embarked, we
+sailed with a fair wind, and having cleared the Straits, flattered
+ourselves with the prospect of a successful voyage; but we were
+miserably disappointed, for three days afterwards we fell in with a
+small brig under English colours. As she was evidently a merchant
+vessel, we paid no attention to her running down to us, supposing that
+she was out of her reckoning, and wished to know her exact position on
+the chart. But as soon as she was close to us, instead of passing under
+our stern, as we expected, she rounded-to, and laid us by the board.
+Taken by surprise, and having no arms, we were beaten down below, and in
+a few minutes the vessel remained in the possession of our assailants.
+They held a short consultation, and then, opening the hatches, a
+boatswain pulled out his whistle, and in a tremendous voice roared out,
+"_All hands ahoy_!" which was followed by his crying out, "_Tumble up
+there, tumble up_!" As we understood this to be a signal for our
+appearance on deck, we obeyed the summons. When we all came up, we found
+out that if we had had any idea that they were enemies, we might have
+beaten them off, as they were only fifteen in number, while we mustered
+sixteen. But it was too late: we were unarmed, and they had each of them
+a cutlass, with two pistols stuck in their girdles. As soon as we were
+all on deck, they bound our arms behind us with ropes, and ranged us in
+a line. Having inquired of each of us our respective ranks and
+professions, they held a short consultation, and the boatswain
+addressing me said--"Thank heaven, you scoundrel, that you were brought
+up as a barber, for it has saved your life!"
+
+He then cut loose the cords which bound me, and I remained at liberty.
+"Now then, my lads!" continued the boatswain, "_come, every man his
+bird_!" and, so saying, he seized upon the captain of the vessel, and
+leading him to the gangway, passed his sword through his body, and
+tossed him into the sea.
+
+In the same manner each of the murderous villains led forward the man
+he had selected, and putting an end to his life, either by the sword or
+pistol, launched the corpse into the waves.
+
+My blood curdled as I beheld the scene, but I said nothing. I considered
+myself too fortunate to escape with life. When it was all over, the
+boatswain roared out, "_That job's done_! Now, Mr Barber, swab up all
+this here blood, and be d----d to you! and recollect that you are one of
+us." I obeyed in fear and silence, and then returned to my former
+station near the taffrail.
+
+The people who had captured us, as I afterwards found out, were part of
+the crew of an English Guineaman, who had murdered the master and mate,
+and had taken possession of the vessel. As our brig was a much finer
+craft in every respect, they determined upon retaining her, and
+scuttling their own. Before night, they had made all their arrangements,
+and were standing to the westward with a fine breeze.
+
+But exactly as the bell struck eight for midnight, a tremendous voice
+was heard at the hatchway, if possible, more than a hundred times louder
+than the boatswain's, roaring out "_All hands ahoy_!"
+
+The concussion of the air was so great, that the ship trembled, as if
+she had been struck with a thunderbolt; and as soon as the motion had
+subsided, the water was heard to rush into every part of the hold. Every
+body ran on deck astonished with the sound, expecting the vessel
+immediately to go down, and looking at each other with horror as they
+stood trembling in their shirts. The water continued to rush into the
+vessel, until it reached the orlop beams; then, as suddenly, it stopped.
+
+When the panic had, to a certain degree, subsided, and they perceived
+that the water did not increase, all hands applied to the pumps, and by
+eight o'clock in the morning the vessel was free. Still the
+unaccountable circumstance weighed heavy on the minds of the seamen, who
+walked the deck without speaking to each other, or paying any attention
+to the ship's course; and as no one took the command, no one was ordered
+to the helm.
+
+For my own part, I thought it a judgment upon them for their cruelty;
+and, expecting that worse would happen, I had made up my mind to my
+fate. I thought of Marie, and hoping for pardon yet fearing the worst, I
+vowed, if I escaped, that I would amend my life.
+
+At night we again retired to our hammocks, but no one slept, so afraid
+were we of a second visitation. The bell was not struck by the men, but
+it struck itself, louder than I ever heard it before; and again the
+dreadful voice was heard, "_All hands ahoy_!" again the water rushed in,
+and again we ran on deck. As before, it mounted as high as the orlop
+beams; it then stopped, and was pumped out again by eight o'clock on the
+ensuing morning.
+
+For a month, during which time we never saw land, for we had lost all
+reckoning, and no one cared to steer--the same dreadful visitation took
+place. Habit had to a degree hardened the men; they now swore and got
+drunk as before, and even made a jest of the _boatswain of the middle
+watch_, as they called him, but at the same time they were worn out with
+constant fatigue; and one night they declared that they would pump no
+longer. The water remained in the vessel all that day, and we retired to
+our hammocks as usual; when at midnight, the same voice was again heard
+at the hatchway, not followed by the rush of water, but by a shriek of
+"_Tumble up there, tumble up_!"
+
+We all started at the summons, and hastened on deck; there was something
+that impelled us in spite of ourselves. Never shall I forget the horrid
+sight which presented itself: stretched in a row on the deck of the
+vessel lay the fifteen bloody corpses of my shipmates who had been
+murdered. We stood aghast; the hair rose straight up from our heads, as
+we viewed the supernatural reappearances. After a pause of about five
+minutes, during which we never spoke or even moved, one of the corpses
+cried out in a sepulchral voice, "_Come, every man his bird_!" and held
+up its arms as it lay.
+
+The man, whose office it had been to take the living body to the
+gangway, and after killing it to throw it overboard, advanced towards
+it; he was evidently impelled by a supernatural power, for never shall I
+forget the look of horror, the faint scream of agony, which escaped him
+as he obeyed the summons. Like the trembling bird fascinated by the
+snake, he fell into the arms of the dead body; which grasping him tight,
+rolled over and over in convolutions like a serpent, until it gained the
+break of the gangway, and then tumbled into the sea with its murderer
+entwined in its embraces. A flash of lightning succeeded, which blinded
+us for several minutes; and when we recovered our vision, the remainder
+of the bodies had disappeared.
+
+The effect upon the guilty wretches was dreadful; there they lay, each
+man on the deck where he had crouched down, when the lightning had
+flashed upon him: the sun rose upon them, yet they moved not; he poured
+his beams on their naked bodies when at his meridian height, yet they
+still remained: the evening closed in, and found them in the same
+positions. As soon as it was dark, as if released from a spell, they
+crawled below, and went into their hammocks: at midnight again the bell
+struck; again the voice was heard, followed by the shriek; again they
+repaired on deck: the fourteen remaining bodies lay in a row: another of
+the murderers was summoned, obeyed, and disappeared: again the flash of
+lightning burst upon us, and all had vanished; and thus it continued
+every night, until the boatswain, who was reserved for the last, was
+dragged overboard after the rest by the corpse of the captain; and then
+a tremendous voice from the maintop, followed by exulting laughter,
+cried out, "_That job's done_." Immediately after which, the water
+rushed out of the bottom of the vessel, and she was clear as before.
+
+Returning thanks to heaven that I was not a party sufferer with the
+rest, I lay down, and for the first time for many weeks fell into a
+sound sleep. How long I slept, I know not: it may have been days; but I
+awoke at last by the sound of voices, and found that the people on
+board of a vessel bound from Mexico to the South of Spain, perceiving
+the brig lying with her sails torn, and her yards not trimmed, had sent
+a boat to ascertain whether there was any body remaining in her. I was
+afraid that if I told them what had happened, they either would not
+believe me, or else would refuse to take on board a person who had been
+in company with such examples of divine vengeance. I therefore stated
+that we had been attacked by dysentery about six weeks before, and all
+had died except myself, who was supercargo of the brig.
+
+As their vessel was but half full, the cargo, consisting chiefly of
+cochineal and copper, which is stowed in small space, the captain
+offered to take as many of my goods as he could stow, provided I would
+allow him the freight. This I willingly consented to, and, examining the
+manifest, selected the most valuable, which were removed to the Spanish
+vessel.
+
+We had a favourable wind; and having run through the Straits, expected
+in a day or two we should anchor at Valencia, to which port she was
+bound; but a violent gale came on from the N.E. which lasted many days,
+and drove us over to the African shore. To increase our misfortunes, the
+ship sprung a leak, and made so much water that we could scarcely keep
+her free.
+
+The Spaniards are but indifferent sailors, your highness, and in a storm
+are more inclined to pray than to work: they became frightened, gave
+over pumping, and having lighted a candle before the image of St
+Antonio, which was fixed on the stern of the vessel, began to call upon
+him for assistance. Not immediately obtaining their request, they took
+the image out of the shrine, abused it, called it every vile name that
+they could think of, and ended with tying it against the main-mast, and
+beating it with ropes.
+
+In the meantime the vessel filled more and more; whereas, if, instead of
+praying, they had continued at the pumps, we should have done well
+enough, as the gale was abating, and she did not make so much water as
+before.
+
+Enraged at their cowardice, and at the idea of losing so much property
+as I had on board (for I considered it as my own), I seized the image
+from the mast, and threw it overboard, telling them to go to their pumps
+if they wished to be saved. The whole crew uttered a cry of horror, and
+would have thrown me after the image, but I made my escape up the
+rigging, from whence I dared not descend for many hours.
+
+Having now no saint to appeal to, they once more applied to the pumps.
+To their astonishment, the vessel made no more water, and in the course
+of a few hours she was free.
+
+The next morning the gale was over, and we were steering for Valencia. I
+observed that the captain and sailors avoided me, but I cared little
+about it, as I felt that my conduct had saved the ship as well as my own
+property. On the second day we anchored in the bay, and were boarded by
+the authorities, who went down into the cabin, and had a long
+conversation with the captain. They quitted the ship, and about an hour
+afterwards I proposed going ashore, but the captain said that he could
+not permit it until the next morning. While I was expostulating with him
+as to the reasons for my detention, a boat rowed alongside, from out of
+which came two personages dressed in black. I knew them to be familiars
+of the Inquisition; and it immediately occurred to me that my
+personification of the lady abbess had been discovered, and that my doom
+was sealed. The captain pointed me out; they collared and handed me into
+the boat, and pulled for the shore in silence.
+
+When we landed, I was put into a black coach, and conveyed to the palace
+of the Inquisition, where I was thrown into one of the lowest dungeons.
+The next day the familiars appeared, and led me to the hall of judgment,
+where I was asked whether I confessed my crime. I replied that I did not
+know what I was accused of. They again asked me if I would confess, and
+on my making the same answer I was ordered to the torture.
+
+As I knew that I had no chance, I thought I might as well avoid
+unnecessary pain, and declared that I did confess it.
+
+"What instigated you to the deed?"
+
+Not well knowing what to reply, as I was not exactly aware of the nature
+of my offence, I answered that it was the blessed Virgin.
+
+"Blasphemer!" cried the grand inquisitor, "what! the blessed Virgin
+desired you to throw St Antonio overboard?"
+
+"Yes," replied I (glad that at all events the crime was not what I had
+anticipated), "she did, and told me that it would be the saving of the
+vessel."
+
+"Where were you?"
+
+"On the deck."
+
+"Where did you see her?"
+
+"She was sitting on a small blue cloud, a little above the topsail yard.
+'Fear not, Francois,' said she, motioning with her hand, 'to throw the
+image overboard.'" The inquisitors were astonished at my boldness: a
+consultation was held, as to whether I should be treated as a
+blasphemer, or the circumstance blazoned into a miracle. But it
+unfortunately happened for me that a miracle had occurred very lately;
+and there were very few people to be burnt at the _auto da fe_ of the
+ensuing month.
+
+It was therefore decided against me. I was reviled, abused, and
+sentenced to the flames; but I determined, as my only chance, to put a
+good face upon the matter to the very last. Looking up, as if to a point
+in the ceiling of the dark hall of judgment, and holding my hands
+before, as if in amazement--"Holy Virgin," cried I, bending on my knee,
+"I thank thee for the sign. My Lord," continued I fiercely, "I fear you
+not; you have sentenced me to perish by the flames; I tell you that I
+shall leave my dungeon with honour, and be as much courted as I have
+been now reviled."
+
+The inquisitors were for a moment staggered, but their surprise gave
+place to their cruelty, when they considered how long they had tortured
+thousands for doubting points to which they themselves had never for a
+moment given credence. I was remanded to my dungeon; and the gaoler, who
+had never before witnessed such boldness in the hall of justice, and was
+impressed with the conviction that I was supported as I had affirmed,
+treated me with kindness, affording me comforts, which, had it been
+known, would have cost him his situation.
+
+In the meantime the cargo of the vessel was landed at the Custom House,
+and she was hauled on shore to have her bottom caulked and pitched,
+when, to the astonishment of the captain and crew, the hole which had
+occasioned the leak was discovered with the head of the figure of the
+saint, which I had thrown overboard, so firmly wedged in, that it
+required some force to pull it out. "A miracle! a miracle!" was cried
+from the quays, and proclaimed through every part of the town. It was
+evident that the Virgin had instigated me to throw over the image, as
+the only means of stopping the leak. The friars of the nearest convent
+claimed the image from their propinquity, and came down to the ship in
+grand procession to carry it to their church. The grand inquisitor,
+hearing the circumstance, acknowledged to the bishop and heads of the
+clergy my intrepid behaviour in the hall of judgment; and not three
+hours after the ship had been hauled on shore, I was visited in my
+dungeon by the grand inquisitor, the bishop, and a long procession, my
+pardon requested, and the kiss of peace demanded and given. I was taken
+away with every mark of respect, and looked upon as one under special
+favour of the Virgin. "Did I not say, my lord, that I should leave my
+dungeon in honour?"
+
+"You did, my friend," answered the inquisitor; and I heard him mutter,
+"either there is such a person as the Virgin Mary, or you are a most
+ready-witted scoundrel."
+
+During my stay at Valencia, I was courted and feasted by everybody, and
+sold my goods at an enormous price; for everyone thought that to possess
+anything that had belonged to me must bring them good fortune. I
+received many handsome presents, had divers requests to become a member
+of the different fraternities of monks, and eventually quitted the town
+with a large sum of money, with which I proceeded to Toulon, with the
+intention of making some inquiry after my dear Cerise, whose image was
+still the object of my dreams, as well as of my waking thoughts.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Stop," said the pacha; "I wish to know, whether you believe that the
+Virgin, as you call her, did thrust the head of the image into the hole
+in the bottom of the ship."
+
+"May it please your highness, I do not. I believe it originated from
+nothing but cause and effect. It is the nature of a whirlpool to draw
+down all substances that come within its vortex. The water pouring into
+the bottom of the ship is but the vortex of a whirlpool reversed; and
+the image of the saint, when it was thrown overboard to leeward of the
+ship, which was pressed down upon it by the power of the wind, was
+forced under the water, until it was taken into the vortex of the leak,
+and naturally found its way into the hole."
+
+"I dare say you are very right," answered the pacha, "but I don't
+understand a word you have said."
+
+"Such your highness were the adventures attending my second voyage,"
+concluded the renegade, with an inclination of his head.
+
+"And a very good voyage too! I like it better than your first. Mustapha,
+give him ten pieces of gold: you will bring him here to-morrow, and we
+will hear what happened in his third."
+
+"You observe," said Mustapha, when the pacha had retired, "my advice was
+good."
+
+"Most excellent!" replied the renegade, holding out his hand for the
+money: "To-morrow I'll lie like any barber."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter VII
+
+
+"Khoda shefa midehed--God gives relief!" cried the pacha, as the divan
+closed: and, certainly, during its continuance many had been relieved of
+their worldly goods, and one or two from all future worldly thoughts or
+wanderings.--"What have we to-day, Mustapha?"
+
+"May your highness's shadow never be less!" replied the vizier. "Have we
+not the slave who offered to lay his story at your sublime feet, on the
+same evening that we met those sons of Shitan--Ali and Hussan, who
+received the punishment merited by their enormous crimes? Have we not
+also the manuscript of the Spanish slave, now translated by my faithful
+Greek; who tells me that the words are flowing with honey, and their
+music is equal to that of the bulbul when singing to his favourite
+rose?"
+
+"And the Giaour who relates his voyages and travels," interrupted the
+pacha--"where is he? No Kessehgou of our own race tells stories like
+unto his."
+
+"The Giaour is on the waters, your highness. He is a very _rustam_ on
+board of a ship, and brings wealth to the _hazneh_ of your sublime
+highness. He consulted the astrologers, and the stars were propitious.
+To-morrow I expect he will return."
+
+"Well, then, we must content ourselves with what is offered. Let the
+slave approach, and we will listen to his story, since we cannot have
+the wonderful tales of Huckaback."
+
+"Whose dog was Lokman, to be compared to your sublime highness in
+wisdom?" replied Mustapha. "What are the words of Hafiz--'Every moment
+that you enjoy, count it gain. Who shall say what will be the event of
+any thing?'"
+
+The slave, who had been detained by the orders of Mustapha, was ordered
+to appear. During his confinement, Mustapha had been informed by his
+people that he was "visited by Allah;" or in other words, that he was a
+madman. Nevertheless, Mustapha--who was afraid to release a man (or
+rather, a story) without the consent of the pacha, and could not send
+for the renegade to supply any defalcation--considered that, upon the
+whole, it was better that he should be admitted to the presence of the
+pacha.
+
+"You asked me to hear your story," observed the pacha, "and I have
+consented,--not to please you, but to please myself, because I am fond
+of a good story: which I take it for granted yours will be, or you would
+not have presumed to make the request. Now you may go on."
+
+"Pacha," replied the slave, who had seated himself in a corner, working
+his body backward and forward, "it is the misfortune of those who not
+aware--of the excitement which--as I before stated to your
+highness--exceeds in altitude the lofty and snow-covered peak of
+Hebrus--and, nevertheless, cannot be worth more than four or five
+paras--"
+
+"Holy prophet! what is all this?" interrupted the pacha; "I cannot
+understand a word that you say. Do you laugh at our beard? Speak more
+intelligibly. Remember!"
+
+"I remember it as if it were now," continued the maniac, "although years
+have rolled away. Never will it be effaced from my recollection while
+this heart, broken as it is, continues to beat, or this brain may be
+permitted to burn. The sun had just disappeared behind the rugged
+summits of the mountain which sheltered my abode from the unkind
+north-east wind: the leaves of the vines that hung in festoons on the
+trellis before my cottage, which, but a minute before, pierced by his
+glorious rays, had appeared so brilliant and transparent, had now
+assumed a browner shade, and, as far as the eye could reach, a thin blue
+vapour was descending the ravine: the distant sea had changed its
+intense blue for a sombre grey, while the surf rolled sullenly to the
+beach, as if in discontent that it could no longer reflect the colours
+of the prism as before, when it seemed to dance with joy under the
+brilliant illumination of the god of day--"
+
+"Poof!" ejaculated the pacha, fanning himself.
+
+"My boat was on the beach; my eyes were fixed upon it, in happy vacancy,
+until the shades of night prevented my discerning the nets which were
+spread upon its gunnel. I turned round at the soft voice of my Etana,
+who was seated near me with her infant in her arms, and watching the
+little one's impatience, as it would demand a more rapid flow of milk
+from that snowy breast, and the fond smile of the delighted mother, as
+she bent over the first dear pledge of our affection. I felt
+happy--almost too happy: I had all I wished--yes I had,"--and the maniac
+paused and smote his forehead, "but it is past now."
+
+After a second or two he resumed--
+
+"For my part it has always been my opinion that when the wind backs to
+the south-east, the fish repair to the deep water; and if you will be
+careful when you gather the grapes not to throw in the stalks, that the
+wine will, as I before stated to your highness, only increase the
+extreme difficulty of ascertaining how far a man could conscientiously
+demand, that is to say, in proportion to the degree of intellect, stated
+at different intervals, and extending down the crags of the whole
+ravine."
+
+"I cannot, positively, understand a word of all this!" exclaimed the
+pacha, with irritation; "can you, Mustapha?"
+
+"How is it possible for your slave to comprehend that which is concealed
+from the wisdom of your highness?"
+
+"Very true," replied the pacha.
+
+"Your highness will understand it all by-and-bye," observed the maniac;
+"but it will be necessary that you wait until I have finished the story,
+when it will all reel off like a skein of silk, which at present but
+appears to be ravelled."
+
+"Well then," replied the pacha, "I wish you would begin at the end of
+your story, and finish with the beginning. Now go on."
+
+"There is nought under heaven so interesting--so graceful--so pleasing
+to contemplate as a young mother with her first-born at her breast. The
+soft lisps and caresses of childhood--the expanding graces of the
+budding maiden--the blushing, smiling, yet trembling bride, all lose in
+the comparison with woman in her beauty fulfilling her destiny on earth;
+her countenance radiating with those intense feelings of delight, which
+more than repay her for her previous hours of sorrow and of anguish. But
+I'm afraid I tire your highness."
+
+"Wallah el Nebi!--by God and his Prophet, you do indeed. Is it all to be
+like that?"
+
+"No! pacha. I wish to heaven that it had been. Merciful God!--why didst
+thou permit the blow?--Was not I grateful?--Were not my eyes suffused
+with tears, springing from gratitude and love, at the very moment when
+they rushed in--when their murdering weapons were pointed to my
+breast--when the mother shrieked as they tore away the infant as a
+useless encumbrance, and dashed it to the ground--when I caught it up,
+and the pistol of the savage Turk put an end to its existence? I see it
+now, as I kissed the little ruby fountain which bubbled from its heart:
+I see her too, as they bore her away senseless in their arms. Pacha, in
+one short minute I was bereft of all--wife, child, home, liberty, and
+reason; and here I am, a madman and a slave!"
+
+The maniac paused: then starting upon his feet, he commenced in a loud
+voice:--"But I know who they were--I know them all, and I know where she
+is too: and now, pacha, you shall do me justice. This is he who stole my
+wife; this is he who murdered my child; this is he who keeps her from my
+arms: and thus I beard him in your presence:"--and as he finished his
+exclamations, he sprang upon the terrified Mustapha, seizing him by the
+beard with one hand, while with the other he beat his turban about his
+head.
+
+The guards rushed in, and rescued the vizier from the awkward position
+in which he was placed by his own imprudence, in permitting the man to
+appear at the divan.
+
+The rage of the pacha was excessive; and the head of the maniac would
+have been separated from his body, had it not been for the prudence of
+Mustapha, who was aware that the common people consider idiots and
+madmen to be under the special protection of heaven, and that such an
+act would be sufficient to create an insurrection. At his intercession,
+the man was taken away by the guards, and not released until he was a
+considerable distance from the palace.
+
+"Allah Karim!--God is merciful!" exclaimed the pacha as soon as the
+maniac had been carried away. "I'm glad that he did not think it was me
+who had his wife."
+
+"Allah forbid that your highness should have been so treated. He has
+almost ruined the beard of your slave," replied the vizier, adjusting
+the folds of his turban.
+
+"Mustapha, make a memorandum never again to accept an offer. I'm
+convinced that a volunteer story is worth nothing."
+
+"Your highness speaks the truth--no man parts readily with what is worth
+retaining--gold is not kicked up with the sandal, nor diamonds to be
+found glittering in the rays of the sun. If we would obtain them, we
+must search and labour in the dark mine.--Will your highness be pleased
+to hear the manuscript which had been translated by the Greek slave?"
+
+"Be it so," replied the pacha, not in the very best of humours.
+
+The Greek made his appearance and made his salutation, and then read as
+follows:--
+
+
+
+MANUSCRIPT OF THE MONK,
+
+RECORDING THE DISCOVERY OF THE ISLAND OF MADEIRA.
+
+Before I am summoned to that offended tribunal, to propitiate which I
+have passed so many years in penitence and prayer, let me record for
+the benefit of others the history of one, who, yielding to fatal
+passion, embittered the remainder of his own days, and shortened those
+of the adored partner of his guilt. Let my confession be public, that
+warning may be taken from my example; and may the sincerity with which I
+acknowledge my offence, and the tears which I have shed, efface it from
+the accumulated records of the wilfulness and disobedience of man!
+
+In a few days this attenuated frame will be mingled with the dust from
+which it sprung, and scattered by the winds of heaven, or by the labour
+of future generations, as chance may dictate, will yield sustenance to
+the thistle which wars against the fertility of nature, or the grain
+which is the support of our existence,--to the nightshade with its
+deadly fruit, or the creeping violet with its sweet perfume. The heart
+which has throbbed so tumultuously with the extreme of love, and which
+has been riven with the excess of woe, will shortly pant no more. The
+mind which has been borne down by the irresistible force of
+passion,--which has attempted to stem the torrent, but in vain, and,
+since the rage of it has passed away, has been left like the once
+fertile valley which has been overflown, a waste of barrenness and
+desolation,--will shortly cease from its wearied action. In a few brief
+days I must appear in the presence of an offended, yet merciful Saviour,
+who, offering every thing, weeps at the insanity of our rejection. Let
+then the confessions of Henrique serve as a beacon to those who are
+inclined to yield to the first impulse; when, alarmed at the discovery
+of their errors, they will find that conviction has arrived too late,
+and that, like me, they will be irresistibly impelled against the
+struggles of reason and of conscience.
+
+I am an Englishman by birth: my parents were called away before I was
+five years old; yet still I have a dreaming memory of my mother--a faint
+recollection of one at whose knees I used, each night, to hold up my
+little hands in orison, and who blessed her child as she laid him to
+repose.
+
+But I lost those whose precepts might have been valuable to me in
+after-life, and was left to the guardianship of one who thought that, in
+attending to my worldly interests, he fulfilled the whole duty which was
+required of him. My education was not neglected, but there was no one to
+advise me upon points of more serious importance. Naturally of a fiery
+and impatient temper,--endued with a perseverance which was only
+increased by the obstacles which presented themselves, I encouraged any
+feeling to be working in my mind in preference to repose, which was
+hateful. To such excess did it arrive as I grew up, that difficulty and
+danger, even pain and remorse, were preferable to that calm sunshine of
+the breast which others consider so enviable. I could exist but by
+strong sensations: remove them, and I felt as does the habitual drunkard
+in the morning, until his nerves have been again stimulated by a
+repetition of his draughts. My pursuits were of the same tendency:
+constant variety and change of scene were what I coveted. I felt a
+desire "to be imprisoned in the viewless winds, and blown with restless
+violence about the pendent world." At night I was happy; for as soon as
+sleep had sealed my eyes, I invariably dreamt that I had the power of
+aerostation, and, in my imagination, cleaved through the air with the
+strength of an eagle, soaring above my fellow-creatures, and looking
+down upon them and their ceaseless drudgery with contempt.
+
+To a mind thus constituted by nature, and unchecked by counsel, it is
+not surprising that the darling wish and constant idea was to roam the
+world; and the vast ocean, which offered to me the means of gratifying
+my passion, was an object of love and adoration. If I had not the wings
+of the eagle with which fancy had supplied me in my dreams, still I
+could fly before the wings of the wind, and, as in my aerial excursions
+when asleep, leave no track behind. As soon as I had arrived at the age
+which allowed me to take possession of my property, I sought the element
+so congenial to my disposition. For some years I continued the
+profession, and was fortunate in my speculations; but I cared little for
+gain; my delight was in roving from clime to clime, flying before the
+gale,--in looking with defiance at the vast mountainous seas which
+threatened to overwhelm me,--in the roaring of the wind,--in the mad
+raging of the surf,--in the excitement of battle, even in the
+destruction and disasters of the wreck.
+
+It may be a source of astonishment that I arrived at the age of thirty
+without ever feeling the sensation of love; but so it was. This most
+powerful of excitements, which was so to influence my future existence,
+had not yet been called into action: but it was roused at last, and,
+like the hurricane, swept every thing before it in ruin and desolation.
+I was at Cadiz, where I had arrived with a valuable cargo, when it was
+proposed that I should witness the ceremony of taking the White Veil. As
+the young woman who professed was of a noble family, and the solemnity
+was to be conducted with the greatest splendour, I consented. The
+magnificent decorations of the church, the harmony of the singing, the
+solemn pealing of the organ, the splendid robes of the priests in
+contrast with the sombre humility of the friars and nuns, the tossing of
+the censers, the ascending clouds of frankincense, and, above all, the
+extreme beauty of the fair devotee,--produced feelings of interest which
+I had not imagined could have been raised from any description of
+pageantry. When the ceremony was over, I quitted the church with new and
+powerful sensations, which at the time I could not precisely analyse.
+But when I lay down on my couch, I perceived that, although the
+splendour of the rites were but faint in my recollection, the image of
+the sweet girl kneeling before the altar was engraven on my heart. I
+felt an uneasiness, a restlessness, a vacuum in my bosom, which, like
+that in the atmosphere, is the forerunner of the tempest. I could not
+sleep; but, tossing from one side to the other during the whole night,
+rose the next morning feverish and unrefreshed.
+
+Following, as usual, the impulse of my feelings, I repaired to her
+relative, who had taken me to witness the ceremony, and persuaded him to
+introduce me at the wicket of the convent.
+
+As she had yet one year of probation previous to her taking the final
+vows, which were for ever to seclude her from the world, in seeing her
+there was no difficulty. Her duteous resignation to the will of her
+parents, her serene and beautiful countenance, her angelic smile,--all
+contributed to the increase of my passion; and, after an hour's
+conversation, I left her with my heart in a state of tumult, of which it
+is not easy to express the idea. My visits were repeated again and
+again. In a short time I declared my sentiments, and found that I was
+listened to without offending. Before I quitted Cadiz, which my
+engagements rendered imperative, I obtained from her a reciprocal
+acknowledgment. And as there were still nine months to pass away
+previous to her decision upon a monastic life, before that period had
+elapsed, I faithfully promised to return, and claim her as my own. As we
+professed the same faith, and she had only been sacrificed that the
+possessions of her brother might not be diminished by the fortune which
+her marriage would require, I did not anticipate any objections from her
+parents. I required no dower, having more than sufficient to supply her
+with every luxury. We parted; our hands trembled as we locked our
+fingers through the grating; our tears fell, but could not be mingled;
+our lips quivered, but could not meet; our hearts were beating with
+excess of love; but I could not strain her in my embrace. "In three
+months more, Rosina!" exclaimed I, as I walked backward from the
+grating, my eyes still fixed upon her. "Till then, farewell, Henrique!
+Relying upon your faith and honour, I shall not hesitate to cherish your
+dear image in my heart;"--and, overcome by her feelings, Rosina burst
+into tears, and hurried from my sight.
+
+I sailed with prosperous gales, and arrived safely at my own country.
+My ventures were disposed of: I realised a large sum of money, had
+completed all my arrangements, and in a few days intended to return to
+Cadiz, to fulfil my engagement with Rosina. I was in the metropolis,
+impatiently waiting for the remainder of the freight to be put on board
+of the vessel in which I had taken my passage, when, one evening, as I
+was sauntering in the Park, anticipating the bliss of rejoining the
+object of my affection, I was rudely pushed aside by a personage richly
+attired, who was escorting two of the ladies of the court. Fired at the
+insult, and, as usual, acting upon the first impulse, I struck him in
+the face, and drew my sword--forgetting, at the time that I was in the
+precincts of the Palace. I was seized and imprisoned: my offence was
+capital; my adversary a relation of the king's. I offered a large sum
+for my release; but when they found out that I was wealthy, they
+rejected, as I increased, my offers, until I was compelled to sacrifice
+one half of my worldly possessions to escape from the severity of the
+Star Chamber. But the loss of property was nothing; I had still more
+than enough: it was the dreadful length of my confinement, during which
+anxiety had swelled hours into days, and days into months of torture and
+suspense. I had been incarcerated more than a year before I could obtain
+my release. When in my imagination I conjured up Rosina lamenting my
+infidelity, reproaching me in her solitude for my broken vows, and
+(there was madness in the very thought) yielding in her resentment and
+her grief to the solicitations of her parents, and taking the veil,--I
+was frantic; I tore my hair, beat the walls of my prison, raved for
+liberty, and offered to surrender up every shilling that I possessed.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"By the beard of the prophet, this tires me," exclaimed the pacha.
+"Murakhas, you are dismissed."
+
+The Greek slave bowed and retired.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter VIII
+
+
+The next morning the pacha observed to Mustapha, "I have been thinking
+whether, as we have no story, it would not be as well to let the Greek
+finish the story of yesterday evening."
+
+"True, O pacha," replied Mustapha, "better is hard fare than no food--if
+we cannot indulge in the pillau, we must content ourselves with boiled
+rice."
+
+"It is well said, Mustapha, so let him proceed."
+
+The Greek slave was then ordered in, and re-commenced as follows:--
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Freedom was obtained at last; I flew to the sea-coast, chartered a small
+vessel, and chiding the winds as we scudded along, because they would
+not blow with a force equal to my impetuous desires, arrived at Cadiz.
+It was late in the evening when I disembarked and repaired to the
+convent; so exhausted was I by contending hopes and fears, that it was
+with difficulty I could support my own weight. I tottered to the wicket,
+and demanded my Rosina.
+
+"Are you a near relation," inquired the portress, "that you request the
+presence of a sister?" Her interrogation decided the point; Rosina had
+taken the veil, had abjured the world and me for ever. My brain reeled,
+and I fell senseless on the pavement. Alarmed at the circumstance, the
+portress ran to the Lady Abbess, informing her that a person had asked
+for Sister Rosina, and, receiving her answer, had fallen senseless at
+the wicket. Rosina was present at the narration; her heart told her who
+it was; also told her that I had not been faithless. Joy at my fidelity,
+and grief at her own precipitancy, which rendered it unavailing,
+overpowered her, and she was led to her cell in a state as pitiable as
+mine.
+
+When I recovered my senses, I found myself in bed. I had been there for
+weeks in a state of mental alienation. With reason and memory, misery
+returned; but I was no longer in the frenzy of excitement; my mind was
+as exhausted as my body, and I felt a species of calm despair. Convinced
+that all was lost, that an insuperable bar was placed between Rosina and
+me, I reasoned myself into a kind of philosophy, and resolved, as soon
+as I could recover my strength, to fly from a place which had been the
+scene of so much anticipated happiness, and of so much real woe.
+
+One desire still remained; it was to see Rosina previous to my
+departure, that I might explain the cause of my delay. Conviction told
+me that it was wrong; but the impulse I could not resist: had I not
+yielded to it, I should have been unfortunate, but not guilty.
+
+I wrote to her upbraiding her for her precipitation, and imploring a
+final interview. Her answer was affecting--it brought showers of tears
+from my eyes, and again inflamed my love. The interview was refused, as
+it could be productive of no benefit, and would only call forth feelings
+in opposition to her duty; but it was so kindly, so gently negatived,
+that it was evident her inclination was at variance with her pen; and on
+my repeating the request, as a proof that her affection had been
+sincere, she unwillingly acceded.
+
+We met--for our misery--for our guilt, we met.--From that moment, I
+resolved never to abandon her--religion, virtue, morality, every feeling
+was borne away by the re-appearance of the object of my adoration; and
+before the interview was over, I again dared to breathe vows of fidelity
+to one who had devoted herself to her God. "This cannot be, Henrique,"
+said Rosina; "we must meet no more; reflect, and you will be convinced
+of its impropriety. No dispensation from the vow will be permitted by my
+parents--all hopes of union in this world are over--Oh! may we meet in
+heaven!" and she clasped her hands in anguish as she disappeared.
+
+I returned home, every pulse beating to madness. Again I addressed her,
+imploring another meeting; but received a firm denial. So far from being
+baffled at this addition to the obstacles which presented themselves, it
+but increased my determination to surmount them. To overcome her duty to
+her parents, to induce her to trample on her vows to God, to defy the
+torments of the Inquisition, to release her from bolts and bars, to
+escape from a fortified and crowded city--each and every difficulty but
+inflamed my ardour--every appeal of conscience but added to my willful
+determination.
+
+Although hitherto I had abhorred deceit, my first act was one of
+duplicity. I wrote to her, stating that I had been permitted an
+interview with her friends, and had made known to them what had passed;
+that they had listened to me, and were disposed to yield; and although
+it was kept a secret from her, in a few months her vows would be
+dispensed with.
+
+How cruel--how selfish was my conduct! but it answered my intention.
+Buoyed up with the prospect of future happiness, Rosina no longer
+struggled against the fatal passion--no longer refused to see me, and
+listen to my vows of eternal fidelity. Deeper and deeper did she drink
+of the intoxicating draught, until it had effaced from her mind, as it
+had already done from mine, every other sensation than that of love.
+Although I could have kissed the ground which she trod upon, and have
+suffered the torments of a martyr for her sake, it was with the pleasure
+of a demon that I witnessed my success, and hailed her falling off from
+religion and from virtue.
+
+Six months had passed away, during which, by bribes to the portress, and
+the yielding of my mistress, I had contrived to obtain admittance by
+night into the convent garden. One evening I informed her that her
+parents, menaced by their confessor, had rescinded their promise to me,
+and had decided upon not obtaining her dispensation. Every thing had
+been prepared, that she might have no time for reflection: hurried away
+by her own feelings, my persuasions, and my protestations, she
+consented to fly with me to my own country. I bore the trembling,
+fainting girl in my arms--effected my escape from the convent and the
+city--embarked on board of a vessel which I had ready to weigh at a
+moment's warning, and was soon far distant from the port of Cadiz.
+
+It was near midnight when we embarked, and I bore my treasure down into
+the cabin of the vessel, muffled up in my cloak. Her nun's dress had not
+been laid aside; for I had not provided myself with any other change of
+raiment.
+
+Before morning it blew fresh. Rosina, who, as well as I, had abandoned
+herself to that powerful love which engrossed us, lay supported in my
+arms, when the captain of the vessel, coming down to speak to me,
+perceived that she was arrayed in the religious attire. He started when
+he viewed it, and hastily quitted the cabin. I had a presentiment that
+all was not right, and, removing my arms from Rosina, repaired on deck,
+where I found him in consultation with the crew. The subject in
+agitation was their immediate return to Cadiz to deliver us to the
+Inquisition. I resisted the suggestion; claimed the vessel as my own,
+having chartered her, and threatened immediate death to any one who
+should attempt to alter her course; but it was in vain. Their horror at
+the sacrilege, and their fear of being implicated in, and suffering the
+dreadful penalties attending it, bore down all my arguments; my promises
+and my threats were alike disregarded.
+
+I was seized, overpowered, and the vessel steered in for land. I raved,
+stamped, and imprecated in vain: at last I declared that we all should
+suffer together, as I would denounce them as having been aware of my
+intentions, and state that it was only in consequence of my having
+refused to submit to farther extortion, that they had not fulfilled
+their agreement. This startled them; for they knew that the Inquisition
+gladly seized upon all pretexts; and that even if not convicted, their
+imprisonment would be long. Again they consulted; and heaving the vessel
+to the wind, they hoisted out the long boat. Having thrown into her a
+scanty supply of provisions and water, with a few necessaries, they
+brought up the terrified Rosina from the cabin, and, placing her in the
+boat, released and ordered me to follow. As soon as I was in the boat,
+they cut the rope by which it was towed, and we were soon left at a
+distance astern.
+
+Glad to escape from the cruelty of man, I cared little for the danger to
+which we were subjected from the elements. I consoled my frightened
+Rosina; I stepped the mast, hoisted the sail, and steered in a southerly
+direction, with the intention of landing on some part of the African
+coast. So far from being alarmed at my situation, I felt happy. I was in
+a frail bark; but I had within it all that I cared for in this world. I
+sailed I knew not where, but Rosina was in my company; I felt the
+uncertainty of our fate, but was more than compensated by the certainty
+of possession. The wind rose, the sea ran high, and curled in
+threatening foam; we darted with rapidity before it; and steering with
+one arm, while Rosina was clasped in the other, I delighted in our
+romantic situation; and, pleased with the excitement which it created, I
+was blind to the danger which we encountered.
+
+For six days we ran before the wind, when an accumulation of clouds upon
+the southern horizon indicated that we should have a change. I had no
+compass in the boat, but had steered by the sun during the day, and by
+the stars during the night. I now considered myself well to the
+southward, and determined upon running eastward, that I might gain the
+African shore; but the gale was too strong to permit me to bring the
+broadside of my small bark to the wind, and I was compelled to continue
+my course in a southerly direction.
+
+For the first time, a sensation of alarm came over me: we had but two
+days' more sustenance, and Rosina was worn out by constant exposure. I
+myself felt the necessity of repose: it was with difficulty that I could
+keep my eyelids raised; every minute Nature imperiously demanded her
+rights, and I nodded at the helm.
+
+I was in a melancholy reverie, when I thought that I perceived, as the
+clouds on the horizon occasionally opened, something that had the
+appearance of the summit of a precipice. They closed again; I watched
+them with anxiety until they gradually rolled away, and discovered a
+lofty island, covered with trees and verdure down to the water's edge. I
+shouted with delight, and pointed it out to Rosina, who answered my
+exultations with a faint smile. My blood curdled at the expression of
+her countenance: for many hours she had been in deep thought; and I
+perceived that the smile was forced to please me, the intelligence I had
+imparted affording her but little pleasure. I ascribed it to weariness
+and exhaustion; and hoping soon to be able to relieve her, I steered
+direct for the only part of the shore which promised us a safe descent.
+In an hour I was close to it; and, anxious to land before dark, I
+steered the boat with the sail hoisted through the surf, which was much
+heavier than I expected. As soon as her bow struck the beach, the boat
+was thrown on her broadside, and it required all my exertion to save my
+beloved, which I did not effect without our being completely washed by
+the surf, which, in a few minutes, dashed the boat to pieces. I bore her
+to a cave at a short distance from where we landed; and, wrapping her up
+in a cloak which I had saved from the boat, took away her nun's attire,
+and exposed it to dry in the powerful rays of the sun. I went in search
+of food, which I soon obtained: banana and cocoanuts grew in profusion
+and in beauty, and fresh water ran down in noisy rills. I bore them to
+her, and congratulated her that we were now beyond all pursuit, and in a
+spot which promised to supply us with all that we required. She smiled
+languidly; her thoughts were elsewhere. Her clothes were dry, and I
+brought them to her: she shuddered at the sight of them, and seemed to
+muster up her resolution before she could put them on. Night closed in
+upon us, and we remained in the cave: our bed was formed of the cloaks
+and the sail of the boat and, locked in each other's arms, separated
+from all the world, and living but for each other, we fell asleep. The
+morning broke: not a cloud was to be seen through the blue expanse. We
+walked out, and dwelt in silent admiration upon the splendour of the
+scene. The island was clothed in beauty; the sun poured his genial rays
+upon the wild fertility of nature; the birds were warbling forth their
+notes of joy; the sea was calm and clear as a mirror, reflecting the
+steep hills which towered above each other. "Here then, Rosina," cried
+I, at last, with rapture, "we have all that we require, blessed in each
+other's love."
+
+Rosina burst into tears: "All--all, Henrique, except an approving
+conscience, without which I feel that I cannot live. I love you--love
+you dearly--dote upon you, Henrique: you cannot doubt it after all that
+has occurred: but now that the delirium of passion has subsided,
+conscience has been busy--too busy, for it has embittered all; and I
+feel that happiness is flown for ever. I wedded myself to God; I chose
+my Saviour as my spouse; I vowed myself to him--was received by him at
+the altar; and I abandoned this world for that which is to come. What
+have I done?--I have been unfaithful to him--left him, to indulge a
+worldly passion, sacrificed eternity for perishable mortality, and there
+is a solemn voice within that tells me I am an outcast from all heavenly
+joys. Bear with me, dear Henrique! I mean not to reproach you, but I
+must condemn myself;--I feel that I shall not long remain here, but be
+summoned before an offended Lord.
+
+"Merciful Saviour!" cried she, falling on her knees, with imploring eyes
+to heaven, "punish him not--pardon him his faults; for what are they,
+compared to mine? he made no vows, he has committed no infidelity, he is
+not the guilty one. Spare him, O Lord, and justly punish her who has
+seduced him into crime!"
+
+My heart smote me; I threw myself on the ground, and wept bitterly. I
+felt that it had been my duplicity which had destroyed her virtuous
+resolutions; my selfishness which had ruined her peace of mind and had
+plunged her into guilt. She knelt by me, persuading me to rise, curbing
+her own feelings as she kissed the tears from my cheeks, promising never
+to wound my peace again. But it was gone--gone for ever; my crime burst
+on me in all its magnitude; I felt that I had been guilty of a grievous
+and unpardonable sin, and had ruined the one I loved as well as myself.
+She was still on her knees; kneeling by her side, I prayed to offended
+heaven for mercy and forgiveness. She joined me in my fervent
+aspirations; and, with the tears of repentance flowing down our cheeks,
+we remained some time in the attitude of supplication. At last we rose,
+"Do you not feel happier, Rosina?" inquired I; Rosina smiled mournfully
+in reply, and we returned to the cave.
+
+For many hours we spoke not, but remained in sad communion with our own
+thoughts. The night again closed in, and we lay down to repose; and, as
+I clasped her in my arms, I felt that she shuddered, and withdrew. I
+released her, and retired to the other side of the cave, for I knew her
+feelings and respected them. From that hour she was no more to me than a
+dear and injured sister; and, although her frame hourly wasted away, her
+spirits seemed gradually to revive. At the expiration of a fortnight,
+she was too much reduced to rise from her bed, and I passed day and
+night sitting by her side in repentance and in tears, for I knew that
+she was dying. A few hours before she breathed her last she appeared to
+recover a little, and thus addressed me:--
+
+"Henrique, within this hour a balm has been poured into my breast, for a
+voice tells me we are both forgiven. Great is our crime; but our
+repentance has been sincere, and I feel assured that we shall meet in
+heaven. For your kindness--for your unceasing love, you have my thanks,
+and an attachment which heaven does not forbid--for now it is pure. We
+have sinned, and we have pleaded, and obtained our pardon together:
+together shall we be, hereafter. Bless you, Henrique! pray for my soul,
+still clinging to its earthly love, but pardoned by him who knows our
+imperfection. Pure Mother of God, plead for me! Holy Saviour, who
+despised not the tears and contrition of the Magdalen, receive an
+unfaithful, but repentant spouse unto your bosom; for when I made my
+vow, thou knowest that my heart--"
+
+With what agony of grief did I hang over the body! with what bitter
+tears did I wash the clay-cold face, so beautiful, so angelic in its
+repose! In the morning, I dug her grave; and cleansing my hands, which
+were bleeding, from the task, returned to the corpse, and bore it, in
+its nun's attire, to the receptacle which I had prepared. I laid it in;
+and, collecting the flowerets which blossomed round, strewed them over,
+and watched till sunset; when I covered her up, laying the earth, in
+small handfuls, as lightly on her dear remains, as the mother would the
+coverlid upon her sleeping babe. Long it was before I could prevail on
+myself to soil that heavenly face, or hide it from my aching eyes. When
+I had, I felt that Rosina was indeed no more, and that I was indeed
+alone.
+
+For two years I remained in solitude. I erected a rude chapel over her
+grave, and there passed my days in penance and contrition. Vessels
+belonging to other nations visited the island, and returning home with
+the intelligence, it was taken possession of and colonised. To their
+astonishment, they found me; and, when I narrated my story and my
+wishes, allowed me a passage to their country. Once more I embarked on
+the trackless wave, no longer my delight; and as the shore receded, I
+watched the humble edifice which I had raised over the remains of my
+Rosina: it appeared to me as if a star had settled over the spot, and I
+hailed it as an harbinger of grace. When I landed, I repaired to the
+convent to which I now belong; and, taking the vows of abstinence and
+mortification, have passed the remainder of my days in masses for the
+soul of my Rosina, and prayers for my own redemption.
+
+Such is the history of Henrique; and may it be a warning to those who
+allow their reason to be seduced by passion, and check not the first
+impulse towards wrong, when conscience dictates that they are straying
+from the paths of virtue!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Holy Allah!" exclaimed the pacha, yawning; "is this the bulbul singing
+to the rose?--What is it all about, Mustapha? or what is it written for,
+but to send one asleep? Murakhas, you are dismissed," continued the
+pacha to the Greek slave, who retired.
+
+Mustapha, who perceived that the pacha was disappointed in the
+entertainment of the evening, immediately addressed him:--"The soul of
+your sublime highness is sad, and the mind is wearied.--What says the
+sage? and are not his words of more value than large pearls? 'When thou
+art sick, and thy mind is heavy, send for wine. Drink, and thank Allah
+that he has given relief.'"
+
+"Wallah Thaib!--it is well said," replied the pacha: "Is not the
+'fire-water' of the Franks to be obtained?"
+
+"Is not the earth, and what the earth contains, made for your sublime
+highness?" replied Mustapha, drawing from his vest a bottle of spirits.
+
+"God is great!" said the pacha, taking the bottle from his mouth, after
+a long draught, and handing it to his vizier.
+
+"God is most merciful!" replied Mustapha, recovering his breath, and
+wiping down his beard with the sleeve of his kalaat, as he respectfully
+passed the bottle over to his superior.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter IX
+
+
+"Hham d'illah! Praise be to God!" exclaimed the pacha, as the divan
+closed. "This is dry work, hearing petitions for three hours, and not a
+sequin to my treasury. Mustapha, has the renegade come back?"
+
+"The Kafir waits to kiss the dust of your sublime feet," replied the
+vizier.
+
+"Let him approach, then, Mustapha," said the pacha joyfully, and the
+renegade immediately made his appearance.
+
+"Kosh amedeid, you are welcome, Huckaback. We have had our ears poisoned
+since you quitted us. I forget where it was that you left off."
+
+"May it please your highness, at the ending of my second voyage, in
+which----"
+
+"I remember--when the Frankish woman god, stopped the leak. You may
+proceed."
+
+The renegade bowed, and commenced his third voyage, as follows:--
+
+"I believe that I stated to your highness, at the end of my second
+voyage, I determined to go to Toulon, and make some inquiry after my
+dear Cerise."
+
+"I recollect you did," interrupted the pacha, "but I tell you again, as
+I told you before, that I want to know nothing about her. Have the
+goodness to skip all that part, or it will be five sequins out of your
+girdle."
+
+"Your highness shall be obeyed," replied the renegade, who, after musing
+a short time, continued.
+
+
+
+THIRD VOYAGE OF HUCKABACK.
+
+I was so affected at the intelligence of Cerise having destroyed
+herself, that I found it impossible to remain on shore. Having met with
+the captain of a whaler, who expatiated on the fortune which might be
+realised by embarking in the speculation, I purchased a large ship, and
+fitted it out for a voyage to Baffin's Bay. This consumed all the money
+I had left, but as I expected to return with ten times the sum, I made
+no scruple of parting with it.
+
+My crew consisted of about thirty men, all strong fellows; ten of them
+Englishmen, and the remainder from my own country. We stood to the
+northward, until we reached the ice, which floated high as mountains,
+and steering in between it, we at last came to a fine open water, where
+a large quantity of whales were blowing in every direction. Our boats
+were soon hoisted out, and we were extremely fortunate, having
+twenty-three fish on board, and boiled down before the season was over.
+
+I now considered my fortune made; and the ship being full up to the
+beams, we made all sail to return home. But a heavy gale came on from
+the southward, which drove all the ice together, and our ship with it,
+and we were in great danger of being squeezed to atoms. Fortunately, we
+made fast in a bight, on the lee side of a great iceberg, which
+preserved us, and we anxiously awaited for the termination of the gale,
+to enable us to proceed. But when the gale subsided, a hard frost came
+on, and we were completely frozen up, where we lay--the ice formed round
+to the depth of several feet, and lifted the ship, laden as she was, out
+of the water.
+
+The English, who were experienced fishermen, told us, that we had no
+chance of being released until next spring. I ascended to the mast-head,
+and perceived that for miles, as far as the eye could scan the horizon,
+there was nothing but one continued succession of icebergs and floes
+inseparably united. Despairing, therefore, of any release, until the
+cold weather should break up, I made all arrangements for remaining
+during the winter. Our provisions were very short, and we were obliged
+to make use of the whale oil, but it soon produced such dysenteries,
+that it was no longer resorted to.
+
+After two months, the cold became intense, and our fuel ran short. At
+the end of three months the crew complained of scurvy, and could not
+move about the decks. At the end of the fourth month, they had all died
+except the chief harpooner, a fat porpus of an Englishman, and myself.
+
+The bodies remained on the deck, for the cold was so intense that they
+would not have been tainted for centuries; and, as at the end of five
+months, the provisions were all expended, we were again obliged to
+resort to the whale oil.
+
+The whale oil produced a return of our complaints, and having no other
+resource, we were forced by imperious hunger to make our repasts from
+one of the bodies of our dead shipmates. They were so hard, that it was
+with difficulty that we could separate a portion with an axe, and the
+flesh broke off in fragments, as if we had been splitting a piece of
+granite; but it thawed before the fire, which we had contrived to keep
+alight, by supplying it from the bulwarks of the quarter-deck, which we
+cut away as we required them. The old harpooner and I lived together on
+the best terms for a month, during which we seldom quitted the cabin of
+the vessel, having now drawn down the third dead body, which we cut up
+as we required it with less difficulty than before, from the change in
+the weather.
+
+The ice continued breaking up, and all day and night we were startled at
+the loud crashing which took place, as the icebergs separated from each
+other. But my disgust at feeding upon human flesh produced a sort of
+insanity. I had always been partial to good eating, and was by no means
+an indifferent cook; and I determined to try whether something more
+palatable could not be provided for our meals; the idea haunted me day
+and night, and at last I imagined myself a French restaurateur; I tied a
+cloth before me as an apron, put on a cotton nightcap instead of my fur
+cap, and was about to make a trial of my skill, when I discovered that I
+had no lard, no fat of any kind except train oil, which I rejected as
+not being suitable to the "_cuisine Francaise_." My messmates who lay
+dead, were examined one by one, but they had fallen away so much
+previous to their decease, that not a symptom of fat was to be
+perceived. Without fat I could do nothing; and as I thought of it in
+despair, my eye was caught by the rotundity of paunch which still
+appertained to the English harpooner, the only living being besides
+myself out of so many. "I must have fat," cried I fiercely, as I
+surveyed his unwieldy carcase. He started when he observed the rolling
+of my eyes, and perceiving that I was advancing towards him, sharpening
+my knife, he did not think it prudent to trust himself longer in my
+company. Snatching up two or three blankets, he ran on deck, and
+contrived to ascend to the main-top before I could follow him. There he
+held me at bay, and I continued watching him from below with my large
+carving knife in my hand, which I occasionally whetted. He remained
+aloft all night, and so did I on deck, to get possession of him when he
+should descend. I was so eager in my frenzy to obtain him, that I felt
+neither cold nor hunger; the weather during the day was now warm enough
+to be pleasant, but the nights were piercing. My fat shipmate remained
+in the top for three days and nights, during which period I never
+removed from my post. At the close of the third day he looked over the
+top brim, and implored my mercy. When he showed himself I hardly knew
+him, so much had he wasted away, and it then struck me, that if he
+remained aloft much longer he would have no more fat than the others,
+and would not serve my purpose. I therefore pledged him my honour, that
+I would not attempt his life for ten days; and as he was perishing with
+the cold, he agreed to the armistice, and once more descended to the
+deck. But I was saved the crime of murder, for he was so ravenous when
+he came down, that he ate nearly the whole of a man's leg, and died from
+repletion during the night. I cannot express to your highness the
+satisfaction that I felt at finding that the carcase of the harpooner
+was in my possession. I surveyed my treasure over and over again with
+delight. I could now cook my French dishes. He was soon dissected, and
+all his unctuous parts carefully melted down, and I found that I had a
+stock which would last me as long as the bodies which I had remaining to
+exercise my skill upon. The first day I succeeded admirably--I cooked my
+dishes; and when they were ready I took off my night-cap and apron,
+passed my fingers through my hair, and fancied myself a garcon at a
+restaurateur's. I laid the cloth, put the dishes on the table, and when
+it was complete, went on deck and then returned as the _bon vivant_ who
+had ordered the dinner.
+
+Never was any meal so delicious to my insane fancy. I devoured every
+thing which I cooked, and drank water for champagne. I meditated upon
+what I should have for dinner on the ensuing day, and then retired to my
+bed. In the meantime the ice had separated, and the ship was again
+afloat; but I cared not: all my ideas were concentrated in the pleasures
+of the table--and the next morning I went on deck to obtain a piece of
+meat, when I was astonished at a terrific growl. I turned my head and
+perceived an enormous white bear, who was making sad depredations in my
+larder, having nearly finished the whole body of one of my dead
+shipmates. He was as large as an ox, so large that when he made a rush
+at me, and I slipped down the ladder, he could not follow me. I again
+looked up, and perceived that he had finished his meal. After walking
+round the decks two or three times, smelling at every thing, he plunged
+overboard and disappeared.
+
+Glad to be rid of so unpleasant a visitor, I came up, and cutting off
+the meat I required, again exerted my cookery, was again satisfied and
+went to sleep. I never felt so happy as I then did in my insane
+condition. All I thought of, all I wished, I could command--my happiness
+was concentrated in eating my fellow-creatures, cooked in a proper
+manner, instead of the usual method of bolting them down to satisfy the
+cravings of imperious hunger. I woke the next morning as usual, and when
+I crawled on deck, was again saluted with the angry growl of the bear,
+who was busy making a repast upon another body--when he had finished he
+plunged into the sea as before.
+
+I now thought it high time to put an end to these depredations on my
+larder, which in a few days would have left me destitute. My invention
+was called into action, and I hit upon a plan, which I thought would
+succeed. I dragged all the bodies to the after part of the quarter-deck,
+and blocked it up before the cabin-hatch with swabs and small sails, so
+as to form a sort of dam about eight inches high. I then went below and
+brought up forty or fifty buckets of train oil, which I poured upon the
+deck abaft, so that it was covered with oil to the height of several
+inches. On the ensuing morning the bear came as I expected, and
+commenced his repast; I had stationed myself aloft, in the mizen-top,
+with several buckets of oil, which I poured upon him. His fur was
+otherwise well saturated with what he had collected when he lay down on
+the deck to devour one of the bodies more at his ease. When I had poured
+all my buckets of oil over him but one, I threw the empty buckets down
+upon him. This enraged him, and he mounted the rigging to be revenged. I
+waited until he had arrived at the futtock shrouds, when I poured my
+last bucket upon him, which quite blinded him, and then gained the deck
+by sliding down the back stays on the opposite side.
+
+A bear can climb fast, but is very slow in his descent--the consequence
+was that I had plenty of time for my arrangements. I ran below, and
+lighting a torch of oakum, which I had prepared in readiness, placed it
+to his hinder quarters as he descended. The effect was exactly what I
+had anticipated; his thick fur, covered in every part with oil, was
+immediately in a blaze, and burnt with such rapidity, that before he
+could recover his feet on deck, he was like an immense ball of fire. I
+retreated to the companion-hatch to watch his motions. His first act was
+to return to the quarter-deck and roll himself in the oil, with an idea
+of quenching the flames, but this added fuel to them, and the animal
+roaring in his agony at last jumped into the sea and disappeared.
+
+Having thus rid myself of my intruder I returned to my cooking. The ship
+was now clear of ice, the weather was warm, the bodies of my shipmates
+emitted a fetid smell, but I saw and smelt nothing; all that I observed
+was that the barley which had been scattered on the deck by the fowls,
+had sprung up about the decks, and I congratulated myself upon the
+variety it would give to my culinary pursuits. I continued to cook, to
+eat, and to sleep as before, when a circumstance occurred, which put an
+end to all my culinary madness. One night I found the water washing by
+the side of my standing bed-place in the cabin, and jumping out in alarm
+to ascertain the cause, I plunged over head and ears. The fact was, that
+the ship, when lifted by the ice, had sprung a leak which had gradually
+filled her without my perceiving it. My fear of drowning was so great,
+that I ran into the very danger which I would have avoided. I darted out
+of the cabin windows into the sea, whereas had I gone upon deck I should
+have been safe: for a little reflection might have told me that a vessel
+laden with oil could not have sunk--but reflection came too late, and
+benumbed with the coldness of the waters, I could have struggled but a
+few seconds more, when I suddenly came in contact with a spar somewhat
+bigger than a boat's mast. I seized it to support myself, and was
+surprised at finding it jerked from me occasionally; as if there was
+somebody else who had hold of it, and who wished to force me to let it
+go; but it was quite dark, and I could distinguish nothing. I clung to
+it until daylight appeared, when what was my horror to perceive an
+enormous shark close to me. I nearly let go my hold and sunk, so
+paralysed was I with fear, I anticipated every moment to feel his teeth
+crushing me in half, and I shut my eyes that I might not add to the
+horrors of my death by being a witness to the means. Some minutes had
+elapsed, which appeared to me as so many hours, when surprised at being
+still alive, I ventured to open my eyes. The shark was still at the same
+distance from me, and on examination I perceived that the boat's mast or
+spar, to which I was clinging, had been passed through his nose in a
+transverse direction, being exactly balanced on either side. The shark
+was of the description found in the North Seas, which is called by the
+sailors the blind shark. I now perfectly understood that he had been
+caught and _spritsail yarded_, as the seamen term it, and then turned
+adrift for their diversion. The buoyancy of the spar prevents the animal
+from sinking down under the water, and this punishment of their dreaded
+enemy is a very favourite amusement of sailors.
+
+I summoned up all my courage, and being tired of holding on by the
+spar, resolved to mount upon his back, which I accomplished without
+difficulty, and I found the seat on his shoulders before the dorsal fin,
+not only secure but very comfortable. The animal, unaccustomed to carry
+weight, made several attempts to get rid of me, but not being able to
+sink I retained my seat. He then increased his velocity, and we went on
+over a smooth sea, at the rate of about three knots an hour. For two
+days I continued my course to the southward, upon my novel conveyance,
+during which I had nothing to eat except a few small barnacles, and some
+parasitical vermin, peculiar to the animal, which I discovered under his
+fins. I also found a small _remora_, or sucking fish, near his tail, but
+when I put it to my mouth, it fixed itself so firmly on both my lips
+that I thought they were sealed for ever. No force could detach it, and
+there it hung like a padlock for many hours, to my great mortification
+and annoyance, but at last it died from being so long out of water, and
+when it dropped off I devoured it.
+
+On the third day I observed land at a distance; it appeared to be an
+island, but I had no idea what it could be. My steed continued his
+course straight towards it, and being blind ran his nose right upon the
+shore; before he found out his mistake I slipped off his back, and
+climbing the steep side of the island, was once more, as I thought, on
+terra firm. Tired with long watching, I lay down and fell fast asleep.
+
+I was awakened by something touching me on the shoulder, and opening my
+eyes, I perceived that I was surrounded by several people, whom I
+naturally inferred to be the natives of the island. They were clad in
+dresses, which appeared to me to be made of black leather, consisting of
+a pair of trousers, and a long pea-jacket, very similar to those worn by
+the Esquimaux Indians, which we occasionally fell in with in the
+Northern Ocean. They each held a long harpoon, formed entirely of bone,
+in their right hands.
+
+I was not a little surprised at being addressed in the Patois dialect
+of the Basques in my own country, which is spoken about Bayonne and
+other parts adjacent to the Pyrennees. To their questions I answered
+that I was the only survivor of the crew of a whaler, which had been
+frozen up in the ice, during the winter; that she had filled with water,
+and that I had saved myself upon the back of a shark.
+
+They expressed no surprise at my unheard-of conveyance to the island; on
+the contrary, they merely observed, that sharks were too vicious to
+ride; and asked me to accompany them to their town, an invitation which
+I gladly accepted. As I walked along I observed that the island was
+composed of white porous pumice stone, without the least symptoms of
+vegetation; not even a piece of moss could I discover--nothing but the
+bare pumice stone, with thousands of beautiful green lizards, about ten
+inches long, playing about in every part. The road was steep, and in
+several parts the rock was cut into steps to enable you to ascend. After
+an hour's fatiguing walk, which I never should have accomplished in my
+weak state, without the assistance of the islanders, we arrived at the
+summit. The view which met my eyes was striking. I was on the peak of a
+chain of hills, forming an immense amphitheatre, encircling a valley
+which appeared about fifteen miles in diameter, and the major part of
+which was occupied by a lake of water.
+
+I could discern what appeared to be the habitations of men on different
+parts of the lake; but there was not a tree or a shrub to be seen.
+
+"What," demanded I of the man who appeared to take the lead of the rest
+of the party, "have you no trees here?"
+
+"None whatever; and yet we can do very well without them. Do you not
+observe that there is no mould; that the island is composed entirely of
+pumice stone?"
+
+"I do," replied I. "Pray what is the name of your barren spot--and in
+what part of the world are we?"
+
+"As for its name, we call it Whale Island," replied the man; "but as
+for where we are, we cannot exactly tell ourselves, for we are a
+floating island, being composed entirely of pumice stone, whose specific
+gravity, as you must know, is much lighter than that of water."
+
+"How strange," observed I; "I cannot believe that you are in earnest."
+
+"And yet not quite so strange as you imagine," replied my conductor. "If
+you examine the structure of this island, from where you now stand, you
+will perceive at once, that it has been the crater of some large
+volcano. It is easy to imagine, that after having reared its head above
+the surface of the sea, by some of those sudden caprices of ever-working
+nature, the base has again sunk down, leaving the summit of the crater
+floating on the ocean. Such is our opinion of the formation of this
+island; and I doubt whether your geologists on the continent would
+produce a more satisfactory theory."
+
+"What? you have communicated with Europe, then?" cried I, delighted at
+the hopes of return.
+
+"We have had communication, but we do not communicate again. In the
+winter time, this island, which, strange as it may appear to you, does
+not change its position many hundred miles in the course of centuries,
+is enclosed with the icebergs in the north: when the spring appears, we
+are disengaged, and then drift a degree or two to the southward, seldom
+more."
+
+"Are you not then affected by the winds and tides?"
+
+"Of course we are: but there is a universal balance throughout nature,
+and everything finds its level. There is order, when there appears
+disorder--and no stream runs in one direction, without a counter stream,
+to restore the equilibrium. Upon the whole, what with the under
+currents, and the changes which continually take place, I should say
+that we are very little, if at all, affected by the tides--which may be
+considered as a sort of exercise, prescribed by nature to keep the ocean
+in good health. The same may be affirmed with respect to the winds.
+Wind is a substance, as well as water, capable of great expansion, but
+still a substance. A certain portion has been allotted to the world for
+its convenience, and there is a regularity in its apparent variability.
+It must be self-evident, when all the wind has been collected to the
+eastward, by the north-west gales which prevail in winter, that it must
+be crowded and penned up in that quarter, and, from its known expansive
+powers, must return and restore the equilibrium. That is the reason that
+we have such a long continuance of easterly winds, in the months of
+February and March."
+
+"You said that you had communication with Europe?"
+
+"We have occasionally visits perforce, from those who are cast away in
+ships or boats; but the people who come here, have never returned. The
+difficulty of leaving the island is very great: and we flatter
+ourselves, that few who have remained any time with us, have ever felt
+the desire."
+
+"What--not to leave a barren rock, without even a blade of grass upon
+it."
+
+"Happiness," replied my conductor, "does not consist in the variety of
+your possessions, but in being contented with what you have"--and he
+commenced the descent of the hill.
+
+I followed him in a melancholy mood, for I could imagine little comfort
+in such a sterile spot.
+
+"I am not a native of this island," observed he, as we walked along; "it
+is more than four hundred years since it was first inhabited, by the
+crew of a French vessel, which was lost in the Northern Ocean. But I do
+not wish to leave it. I was cast on it in a whale boat, when separated
+from the ship in a snow-storm, about twenty-five years ago. I am now a
+married man, with a family, and am considered one of the wealthiest
+inhabitants of the island, for I possess between forty and fifty
+whales."
+
+"Whales!" exclaimed I, with astonishment.
+
+"Yes," replied my conductor, "whales, which are the staple of this
+island, and without them we should not be so prosperous and so happy as
+we are. But you have much to see and learn; you will by-and-bye
+acknowledge that there is nothing existing in the world, which, from
+necessity and by perseverance, man cannot subject to his use. Yon lake
+which covers the bottom of our valley, is our source of wealth and
+comfort, and yields us an increase as plentiful as the most fertile
+plains of Italy or France."
+
+As we arrived close to the foot of the hills, I perceived several black
+substances on the shores of the lake. "Are those whales?" inquired I.
+
+"They were whales, but they are now houses. That one by itself is mine,
+which I hope you will consider as yours, until you have made up your
+mind as to what you will do."
+
+We descended to the beach, and his companions, wishing me good-morning,
+left me with my conductor, who led the way to his house. It was composed
+of the skin of one entire whale, much larger than ever I had seen in the
+Northern Ocean. The backbone and ribs of the animal served as rafters to
+extend the skin, which wore the resemblance of a long tent; it was
+further secured by ropes, formed of the twisted sinews which passed over
+the top, and were made fast to stakes of bone firmly fixed in the ground
+on each side. When I entered, I found to my surprise that there was
+plenty of light, which was supplied from windows, composed of small
+panes of whalebone ground down very thin, and at the further end the
+head and scull of the animal formed a kitchen, the smoke from the fire
+escaping through the spiracles or breathing-holes above.
+
+On each side of the room into which I was ushered were raised seats,
+covered with seal skins, and the other end of the house was divided off
+with a species of black skin, into sleeping apartments for the master of
+the house and his family. There was not the least smell, as I
+anticipated before I entered this strange dwelling-place.
+
+I was introduced to his wife, who welcomed me with cordiality. She was
+dressed in the same dark skin as her husband, but of a much finer
+texture, and had a scarlet cap on her head, as well as scarlet
+trimmings to the front and bottom of her dress, which on the whole was
+not only comfortable but becoming in its appearance.
+
+A bowl of milk was presented to me, to refresh me after my walk and long
+abstinence.
+
+"How!" observed I, "have you milk here without pasture?"
+
+"Yes," replied my host, "drink it, and tell me if you think it
+palatable."
+
+I did so, and found it very little different from the asses' milk of my
+own country--perhaps with a little more acidity of taste. In the
+meantime several varieties of shell-fish, and a large cheese, were
+placed upon the table, which, as well as the stools, was composed
+entirely of bone.
+
+"And cheese, too?" said I.
+
+"Yes, and you will find it not bad. It is the milk of the whale which
+you have drank, and the cheese is prepared from the same."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Friend Huckaback," observed the pacha, "I think you are telling me
+lies. Who ever heard of whale's milk?"
+
+"Allah forbid that I should attempt to deceive a person of your
+highness's judgment; it could only end in mortification and defeat to
+myself."
+
+"That's very true," observed the pacha.
+
+"Your highness has not called to mind, that the whale is what
+naturalists call a 'hot-blood animal,' with arteries and circulation of
+blood similar to the human species; and that it brings forth its young
+alive, and nurses it at the breast."
+
+"Very true," observed the pacha. "I had forgot that."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+My conductor resumed as follows:--"As I told you before, the whale is
+the staple of this island. You observe that his skin serves us as a
+house; from his bones we form all our implements--from his sinews, our
+thickest ropes down to our finest thread. The dress we wear is composed
+of the belly part of the skin, dressed with a sort of soap, composed of
+the alkali obtained from the sea-weed which abounds in the lake, and the
+oil of the whale. His blubber serves us for fuel and candle; his flesh
+for meat, and the milk is invaluable to us. It is true, we have other
+resources; we have our lizards, and a variety of fish and shell-fish;
+and when we are shut up in the winter among the icebergs, we procure the
+flesh and skins of the seals and the polar bear. But we have no
+vegetable of any kind; and although the want of bread may at first be
+unpleasant, a few weeks will reconcile you to the privation. But it is
+time to repose after your fatigues--I will report your arrival to the
+great harpooner, after I have shown you to your chamber." He then
+conducted me to an inner room, where I found a couch, composed of the
+skins of the polar bears, on which I threw myself, and in a few minutes
+was fast asleep.
+
+The next morning I was awakened by my host. "If you wish to see the
+whales milked, this is the hour that they are called in; a short walk
+will explain more to you than many hours' conversation."
+
+I arose perfectly refreshed from my long nap, and followed my conductor.
+We passed a large tank. "This is our water; we are obliged not to waste
+it, although we have a sufficiency; the tank is coated by a cement,
+formed of lime, obtained by the burning of the shells of fish. We make
+all our vessels that are submitted to the fire, of the same substance,
+mixed with pounded lava; it is burnt in the fire, and glazed with
+sea-salt."
+
+We arrived at the edge of the lake, where we came to a large shallow
+dock, cut out of the lava in the side, in which were about two dozen
+young whales, who followed my host as he walked round the edge.
+
+These are my calves; we do not admit the mothers until we have first
+drawn off what milk we require.
+
+Several men now came down to the beach: one of them blew a horn, formed
+out of a part of the horn of a sea unicorn, and immediately a herd of
+whales collected at the sound, and swam towards the beach. They all
+answered to their names; and when the men waded in the water up to
+their knees, quietly grounded on their sides, so as to present one of
+their udders to them, clear of the water. This was squeezed by four men,
+and the contents received into a large pail, composed of the bones of a
+whale, neatly hooped together by the same substance.
+
+As soon as the breast of the animal was empty, with a lash of its tail
+it recovered the deep water, and swam round and round in small circles,
+near to the spot.
+
+"We always leave one breast for the calf," observed my host; "when they
+are all milked, I shall open the pen and let the mothers in."
+
+"What are those enormous whales which are playing at a distance?"
+
+"They are our whale oxen," answered my host; "we find that they grow to
+an enormous size. Our houses are built of their skins."
+
+"Is that a dead whale on the beach?"
+
+"It is one of our whale boats," replied he, "but formed, as you
+supposed, from the skin of a whale, hardened by frequent applications of
+oil and lime. We use them to catch the whales when we want them."
+
+"You do not use the harpoon, then?"
+
+"Only when we kill; in general we noose the tail, and fasten the rope to
+one of these boats, which are so buoyant, that the whale cannot take it
+down, and soon tires with his own exertions. I am now speaking of the
+males reserved for breeding, or strange whales, who sometimes find their
+way into our lake during the winter: our own are so domesticated from
+their infancy, that we have little trouble with them; but it is time
+that we return."
+
+"Here," observed my host, as we passed a whale-house, "is one of our
+manufactories; we will step in. This is the common stuff of the country,
+which is used for partitions in houses, &c. This is a finer sort, such
+as I wear at present. Here we have the skin of the whale calf, which is
+usually worn by the women. This is the most expensive article of our
+manufactures; it is the belly part of the calf's skin, which being
+white, admits of a dye from the murex--a shell fish, very common on our
+shores."
+
+"Have you money?" inquired I.
+
+"None--we exchange; but the chief article of exchange, and which serves
+as money, is the whale cheese, which keeps for years, and improves in
+quality. That fine cloth is worth eight new cheeses a square yard, which
+is very dear."
+
+We arrived at the house, where we found our repast ready; an excellent
+stew received my commendation.
+
+"It is one of our favourite dishes," replied my host; "it is made of
+lizards' tails."
+
+"Lizards' tails!"
+
+"Yes; I am about to procure some for dinner, and you shall see my
+preserve."
+
+In the course of the day I walked with my host a short distance up the
+hill, when we stopped at a large pit, covered with a net work, made of
+whales' sinews. The man who accompanied us, descended, and soon returned
+with a pail full of lizards, confined by a similar net over them. He
+then took them out one by one, and pulled their tails, which were
+immediately left in his hand. He then notched the stump, and threw the
+animal into the pit.
+
+"Of what use is it to return the animals?" observed I.
+
+"Because their tails will grow again, by next year."
+
+"But why, then, were the stumps notched in the middle?"
+
+"That they might have two tails instead of one, which is invariably the
+case," replied my host.
+
+But I will not tire your highness with an account of all that I saw, and
+which occurred during my stay on that island. If I were to enter into
+the excellence of their government, which consisted of a Great
+Harpooner, and two councils of first and second Harpoons, or of the
+manners and customs of the inhabitants, ceremonies at births, and
+marriages, and deaths--of their amusements, and their ingenious supply
+of all their wants, it would afford materials for at least two volumes
+quarto, without margin. I shall therefore confine myself to stating,
+that after a sojourn of six months, I became so impatient to quit the
+island, that I determined to encounter any risk, rather than not
+accomplish it.
+
+My host, and all the principal inhabitants, finding that no persuasions
+could induce me to stay, consented at last to furnish me with the means
+which I had hit upon to make my escape.
+
+I omitted to mention to your highness, the whales had been rendered so
+docile, that they not only were used for draught on the lake, but even
+for carrying on their backs. I never could be persuaded to mount one, I
+had such a horror of being seated on a fish's back, after my travelling
+on the shark; but I had often crossed the lake in one of the great whale
+boats towed by one or two of the animals fastened to it by loops over
+their tails. This conveyance suggested to me the idea of my escape,
+which I proposed to make by means of one of these large whale boats,
+covered completely in, and to be towed out of the mouth of the lake by
+one of the draught whales.
+
+At my request, a boat was prepared, and covered in, with whalebone
+windows to admit light; a stock of provisions were supplied me
+sufficient for a long voyage; and the whale being _put to_, I departed
+amidst the tears and lamentations of the friendly islanders, who looked
+upon me as a man bent upon my own destruction. But I was aware that the
+fishery would soon commence, and had great hopes of being picked up by
+one of the vessels. I was soon clear of the lake; and the lad who was on
+the back of the draught whale, having towed me out in pursuance of his
+orders, until the island appeared like a cloud on the horizon, cast me
+loose and hastened back, that he might return home before dark.
+
+For three weeks I remained in the inside of this enormous boat, or
+rather I may say fish tossed upon the waves, but without injury, from
+its extreme buoyancy. One morning I was awakened from a sound sleep by a
+sudden blow on the outside of my vessel. I imagined that I had come in
+contact with an iceberg, but the sound of voices convinced me, that at
+last I had fallen in with my fellow-creatures. A harpoon was now driven
+in, which I narrowly escaped, and a volley of execrations followed, by
+which I knew immediately that the people were English.
+
+After a few minutes, they commenced sawing a hole in the side of my
+whale boat; and a piece being removed, a head was put in. Fearful of
+another harpoon, I had raised up my large white bear's skin as a
+defence, and the man perceiving it, immediately withdrew his head,
+swearing that there was a white bear in the belly of the whale. The boat
+shoved off, and they commenced firing musket balls, which pierced my
+boat through and through, and I was obliged to lie down at the bottom to
+save my life. After about twenty shots, the boat again came along side,
+and a man, putting his head in, and perceiving me at the bottom of the
+boat, covered over with the bear's skin, imagined that the animal had
+been killed, and reported to his companions. With some degree of
+apprehension they climbed in at the hole which they had cut, when I
+lifted up my bear's skin, and made my appearance, dressed in the black
+skin worn by the inhabitants of Whale's Island. This frightened them
+still more; one roared out that it was the devil, and they all ran to
+make their escape at the hole by which they entered, but in their
+eagerness they prevented each other.
+
+It was with difficulty that I convinced them that I was harmless, which
+I did at last; and having explained in a few words how I came there,
+they permitted me to go with them on board of the ship. The captain was
+very sulky when he heard the story; he had imagined it to be a dead
+whale, and had ordered it to be towed alongside, to cut off the blubber.
+Disappointed in his expectations, he swore that I was a Jonas, who had
+come out of the whale's belly, and there would be no luck in the ship,
+if I remained. The sailors, whose profits in the voyage were regulated
+by the number of fish taken, thought this an excellent reason for
+throwing me overboard; and had there not been two sail in sight,
+standing towards them, I certainly should have had some more adventures
+to narrate. At last they consented to put me on board of one which had
+hoisted French colours. She was from Havre, and having twelve fish on
+board, was returning home. The captain consented to give me a passage,
+and in two months I was once more in my native country.
+
+Such, your highness, were the adventures of my Third Voyage.
+
+"Well, the story of the Island was rather too long," observed the pacha,
+"but altogether, it was amusing. Mustapha, I think it is worth ten
+pieces of gold."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter X
+
+
+The next day the renegade commenced his fourth voyage in the following
+words.
+
+
+
+FOURTH VOYAGE OF HUCKABACK.
+
+Your highness may imagine, that I ought to have been pretty well tired
+of going to sea, after so many mishaps; but there is a restlessness
+attending a person who has once been a rover, that drives him from
+comfort and affluence in possession, to seek variety through danger and
+difficulty in perspective. Yet I cannot say that it was my case in the
+present instance, for I was forced to embark against my inclination. I
+had travelled through France to Marseilles, with a small sum of money
+presented me by the captain of the ship who gave me a passage home, for
+I could no longer bear the idea of not again seeing my father, if he was
+alive; and I felt no apprehensions from the circumstance of the lady
+abbess, as I knew how soon every thing in this world is forgotten, and
+that I was so altered from time and hardship, that I was not likely to
+be recognised.
+
+On my arrival at my native city, I proceeded to the well-known shop,
+where I had been accustomed to exercise my talents, under my father's
+superintendence. The pole was extended from the door, the basin still
+turned round in obedience to the wind; but when I entered the shop,
+which was crowded with people (for it was Saturday afternoon), I
+perceived that all the operators were unknown to me, and that my father
+was not there. One of the expectants, who waited his turn, politely made
+room for me beside him on the bench, and I had time to look about me
+before I made any interrogations.
+
+The shop had been newly painted, a looking-glass of considerable
+dimensions had been added, and the whole wore the appearance of a more
+thriving establishment.
+
+"You are a stranger, Monsieur?" observed my neighbour.
+
+"I am," replied I; "but I have been at Marseilles before, and when I was
+last here I used to frequent this shop. There was a short stout man who
+was at the head of it, but I do not recollect his name."
+
+"Oh--Monsieur Maurepas. He is dead; he died about two months since."
+
+"And what has become of his family?"
+
+"He had but one son, who had an intrigue with the daughter of an old
+officer in this town, and was obliged to leave it. No one has heard of
+him since: he is supposed to have been lost at sea, as the vessel in
+which he embarked never arrived at the port to which she was bound. The
+old man died worth money, and there is a law-suit for his property now
+carried on between two distant relations."
+
+"What became of the lady you were speaking of?"
+
+"She retired to a convent, not three miles off, and is since dead. There
+was some mystery about the abbess, and she was supposed to be able to
+explain it. I believe she was pronounced 'contumacious' by the
+Inquisition, and put into prison, where she died from the severity of
+her treatment."
+
+My heart smote me when I heard this. The poor girl had endured all this
+severity on my account, and was faithful even to the last. I fell into a
+reverie of most painful feelings. Cerise, too, whose fate I had before
+ascertained when I was at Toulouse--Dear, dear Cerise!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I tell you again, Huckaback, I wish to have no more of Cerise," cried
+the pacha. "She is dead, and there's an end of her."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The information that I received made me doubtful how to proceed; I could
+easily prove my identity, but I had a degree of apprehension that I
+might be catechised in such a manner as to raise suspicions. At the same
+time without a you in the world, I did not much like the idea of
+abandoning all claim to my father's property. I had formerly dressed the
+peruke of an elderly gentleman who practised in the law, and with whom I
+was a great favourite. Although five years had elapsed since I first ran
+away from my father, I thought it very likely that he might be still
+alive. I resolved to call at his house. When I knocked and asked if he
+was at home, the girl who opened the door replied in the affirmative,
+and I was shown into the same little study, littered with papers, into
+which I formerly used to bring him his peruke.
+
+"Your pleasure, sir?" inquired the old man, peering at me through his
+spectacles.
+
+"I wish," replied I, "to ask your opinion relative to a disputed
+succession."
+
+"What is the property?"
+
+"That of Monsieur Maurepas, who died some short time since."
+
+"What, have we another claimant? If so, as I am employed by one party
+already, you must go elsewhere. I wish Francois would make his
+appearance and claim his own, poor fellow."
+
+Delighted to find that the old gentleman had still a regard for me, I
+made no scruple of making myself known.
+
+"I am Francois, sir," replied I.
+
+The old gentleman rose from his seat, and coming close to me, looked at
+me earnestly in the face. After a minute's scrutiny,
+
+"Well--I do believe you are; and pray, sir, where have you been all this
+while?"
+
+"That's what I cannot very well tell, but I have seen and suffered
+much."
+
+"But that's what you must tell, if you wish to obtain your
+property--that is to say, you must tell me. Don't be afraid, Francois:
+it is a part of our profession to be confidants to strange secrets, and
+I think there are many locked up in this breast of more importance than
+any which you can disclose."
+
+"But, sir, if my life is concerned."
+
+"What then--your life will be safe. If I told all I knew, I could hang
+half Marseilles. But laying my professional duty aside, I wish you well;
+so now sit down, and let me hear your narrative."
+
+I felt that I could confide in my old acquaintance, and I therefore
+commenced a detail of my adventures. When I stated my being wrecked near
+Marseilles, he interrupted me, laughing--
+
+"And you were the holy abbess?"
+
+"I was."
+
+"Well, I thought I recollected your face, when I came with the rest of
+the Tom Fools to pay my respects to you: and when it was whispered that
+a man had personified the holy abbess, I said to myself,'that it was
+either Francois or the devil, 'but I never mentioned my suspicions."
+
+When I had finished my narrative, he observed, "Now, Francois, there
+will be some risk of proving your identity in a court of justice, which
+the other parties will insist upon. What I should advise you to do, is,
+to compromise with the party that employs me. Make over to him a
+conveyance of all the property, on condition of your receiving one half,
+or more if we can get it. I will represent you as a careless young man,
+anxious to obtain money and spend it. If he agrees, you will obtain a
+good round sum without risk, and I shall oblige both my clients, which
+is always my endeavour."
+
+I agreed to the good sense of the proposal, and my old friend advanced
+me some louis to enable me to improve my appearance. Advising me not to
+show myself too much, he offered me a bed at his house. I left him to
+procure a more decent wardrobe; and for better disguise, fitted myself
+with an officer's undress suit, and having purchased a few other
+necessaries, returned to his house.
+
+"Well, upon my honour, you do justice to your dress. I don't wonder at
+Mademoiselle de Fonseca falling in love with you. That is a sad story
+though--I don't know whether I ought to trust you with my housekeeper,
+for she is very young and very pretty. Promise me, on your honour, that
+you will not make love to the poor girl, for I have an affection for
+her, and will not have her added to your list of broken hearts."
+
+"Mention it not, I beg, sir," replied I, mournfully; "my heart is dead
+and buried with her whose name I have just mentioned."
+
+"Well, then, go up stairs and introduce yourself. I have people waiting
+in the next room."
+
+I obeyed his directions, and when I entered the parlour above, perceived
+a youthful figure working at her needle, with her back towards me. She
+turned her head at my approach--what was my amazement, what was my
+delight, when I beheld Cerise!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Holy prophet," exclaimed the pacha, "is that woman come to life again?"
+
+"She was never dead, your highness, and will occupy your attention more
+than once, if I am to proceed with my voyages."
+
+"But I hope there will be no more love scenes."
+
+"Only the present one, your highness: for after that we were married."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Cerise looked at me for one moment, screamed, and fell lifeless on the
+floor. I caught her in my arms, and as she lay senseless, called her by
+her name, and imprinted a hundred kisses on her lips.
+
+The noise had alarmed the old gentleman, who unobserved by me, came in,
+and witnessed the scene. "Upon my honour, sir, considering your promise
+to me just now, you are making rather free."
+
+"'Tis Cerise, my dear sir--Cerise!"
+
+"Cerise de Fonseca?"
+
+"Yes, the same, the dear girl whom I have ever lamented."
+
+"Upon my soul, Mr Francois, you've a talent for adventures," said the
+old gentleman, leaving the room, and returning with a tumbler of water.
+Cerise was soon restored, and lay trembling in my arms. Our old friend,
+who considered that he was '_de trop_,' quitted the room, and left us
+together.
+
+I will not dwell upon a scene which can have no charms to those, who,
+like your highness, buy love ready made; I shall therefore narrate the
+history of Cerise, which at my request was imparted, previous to her
+receiving a similar confidence on my part.
+
+"Allow me to observe, Felix (or what is your name, you impostor?"), said
+Cerise, half reproachfully, and half in jest.
+
+"My name is Francois."
+
+"Well, then, Francois; but I never shall like that name so well as
+Felix, for it was to Felix that--but there's nothing in a name after
+all--except that the first is engraven on my heart, and cannot be
+effaced. But let me tell my story, and allow me to commence with an
+observation, which my acquaintance with you, and subsequent reflections,
+have deeply impressed upon my mind. It unfortunately happens, that
+those who are highest in rank, in this world, pay dearly for it in a
+point upon which almost all the real happiness of life consists. I mean
+in the choice of the partner with whom they are destined to walk the
+pilgrimage of life hand in hand; and the higher their rank, the more
+strictly are they debarred from making a selection, which the meanest
+peasant can enjoy without control.
+
+"A king has no choice, he must submit to the wishes of his subjects, and
+the interests of his country. The aristocracy in our country are little
+better off, at least the female part of it, for they are dragged from
+convents to the altar, and offered up as a sacrifice to family
+connection At the time that we were, or were supposed to be (for as yet
+it is a mystery to me), assisted by you on the road--"
+
+"In one point not a supposition certainly, my Cerise, for I took off my
+only garment to cover you."
+
+"You did--you did--I think I see you now, leaving the side of the
+chariot; I loved you from that moment--but to continue: I was then going
+down to the chateau, to be introduced to my future husband, whom I had
+never seen, although the affair had been long arranged.
+
+"My father had no idea that any harm could result from a few days'
+acquaintance; and he felt too grateful to forbid you the house; but he
+little knew how situation and opportunity will overcome time; and I knew
+more of you in a few days than I thought I could have known of any man
+in so many years. That I loved you--loved you dearly--you know well.
+
+"But to proceed: (nay, don't kiss me so, or I shall never tell my
+story). The next morning I heard that you had gone, as you had told me
+it was your intention; but my father's horse did not come back--my
+father was grave, and the bishop more gloomy than usual. Two days
+afterwards I was informed by my father that you were an impostor, that
+all had been discovered, and that if taken you would probably be seized
+by the Inquisition; but you had fled the country, and were supposed to
+have embarked at Toulon. He added, that my intended husband would
+arrive in a few days.
+
+"I considered all that he had told me, and I formed the following
+conclusions:--first, that you were not the person that you described
+yourself to be; and, secondly, that he had discovered our attachment,
+and had insisted upon your not re-appearing--but that you had deserted
+me, and left the country, I knew, after what had passed, _to be
+impossible_. But whether you were Monsieur de Rouille or not, you were
+all I coveted, and all that I adored; and I vowed that for you I would
+live or die. I felt assured that one day or another, you would come
+back, and that conviction supported me. My future husband appeared--he
+was odious. The time fixed for our wedding drew nigh--I had but one
+resource, which was flight. A young girl who attended me (you recollect
+her, she came and told us the bishop was coming, when we were in the
+garden), I knew to be attached to me. I took her in confidence, and
+through her means I obtained a peasant's dress, with the promise of
+shelter in her father's cottage, some leagues distant. The night before
+the marriage was to take place, I ran down to the river that flows past
+the chateau, threw my bonnet and shawl on the bank, and then made my
+escape to where her father was waiting to receive me, in a cart which he
+had provided as a conveyance. The girl, who was left, managed admirably:
+it was supposed that I had drowned myself, and as they had no further
+occasion for her services, she was dismissed, and joined me at her
+father's cottage. I remained there for more than a year, when I thought
+it advisable to move, and come to Marseilles, where I obtained the
+situation of housekeeper to this old gentleman, who has treated me more
+like a daughter than a domestic. Now, Mr Francois, can you give so good
+an account of yourself?"
+
+"Not quite, Cerise; but I can honestly declare, that when I thought you
+alive, I never forgot you, and believing you dead, I never ceased to
+lament you, nor have I looked at a woman since. Our old friend below can
+prove it, by my answer when he cautioned me against the charms of his
+housekeeper."
+
+I did not, your highness, tell the whole truth to Cerise; for I have
+always considered it perfectly justifiable to retain facts which cannot
+add to people's happiness. I declared that I left her because my life
+would have been forfeited if I had remained, and I valued it only for
+her sake. That I always intended to return, and when I quitted Valencia,
+and had become a man of property, I immediately proceeded to make
+inquiries, and heard the news of her death. Neither did I acquaint her
+with the profession which I had followed; I merely stated that my father
+was a man of eminence, and that he had died rich--for although people of
+good family will sometimes bow to love, taking the risk of high or low
+birth, they are always mortified when they discover that their ticket in
+the lottery has turned up a blank.
+
+Cerise was satisfied--we renewed our vows--and the old gentleman, who
+declared that of all the secrets in his possession ours would be the
+most dangerous to him if discovered, was not sorry to see us united, and
+quit the house.
+
+I obtained two-thirds of my fortune from the claimant, and with it and
+my wife repaired to Toulon.
+
+For one year I enjoyed uninterrupted happiness. My wife was everything
+to me, and so far from leaving her in search of variety, I could not
+bear to go out of the house unless she accompanied me: but we were
+living much too fast, and at the end of the year I found one-third of my
+property had been spent. My affection would not permit me to reduce my
+wife to beggary, and I determined to take some measures to secure the
+means of future existence. Consulting her on the occasion, with many
+tears Cerise acknowledged my prudence, and having divided the remainder
+of my property, one half of which I laid out in merchandise, and the
+other I gave to her, for her support during my absence, I embarked on
+board of a vessel bound to the West Indies.
+
+We made the islands without any accident, and I was extremely
+successful in my speculations; I began to think that fortune was tired
+of persecuting me, but knowing how treacherous she was, I shipped one
+half of my return cargo in another vessel, that I might have more than
+one chance.
+
+When our captain was ready to sail, the passengers repaired on board,
+and amongst others a rich old gentleman who had come from Mexico, and
+who had been waiting for a passage home to France. He was very ill when
+he came on board, and I recommended his losing a little blood, offering
+my services on the occasion. They were accepted; the old gentleman
+recovered, and we were very intimate afterwards. We had been about a
+fortnight clear of the island, when a hurricane came on, the equal to
+which in force I never beheld. The sea was one sheet of foam, the air
+was loaded with spray, which was thrown with such violence against our
+faces that we were blinded; and the wind blew so strong that no one
+could stand up against it. The vessel was thrown on her beam ends, and
+we all gave ourselves up for lost. Fortunately the masts went by the
+board, and the ship righted. But when the hurricane abated, we were in
+an awkward predicament; the spare spars had been washed overboard, and
+we had no means of rigging jury-masts and making sail. There we lay
+rolling in a perfect calm which succeeded, and drifting to the northward
+by the influence of what is called the Gulf Stream.
+
+One morning, as we were anxiously looking out for a vessel, we perceived
+something at a distance, but could not ascertain what it was.
+
+At first we imagined that it was several casks floating, which had been
+thrown overboard, or had forced their way out of the hold of some vessel
+which had foundered at sea. But at last we discovered that it was an
+enormous serpent, coming directly on towards the vessel, at the rate of
+fifteen or twenty miles an hour. As it approached, we perceived to our
+horror, that it was about a hundred feet long, and as thick as the
+main-mast of a seventy-four; it occasionally reared its head many feet
+above the surface, and then plunging it down again continued its rapid
+course. When it neared us to within a mile, we were so alarmed that we
+all ran down below. The animal came to the ship, and rearing its body
+more than half way out of the water, so that if our masts had been
+standing, his head would have been as high as our topsail-yards, looked
+down on deck. He then lowered his great diamond-shaped head, and
+thrusting it down the hatchway, seized one of the men in his teeth,
+plunged into the sea and disappeared.
+
+We were all horror-struck, for we expected his reappearance, and had no
+means of securing ourselves below, every grating and skylight having
+been washed overboard in the hurricane. The old gentleman was more
+alarmed than the rest. He sent for me and said,
+
+"I did look forward to once more seeing my relations in France, but that
+hope is now abandoned. My name is Fonseca, I am a younger brother of a
+noble family of that name, and I intended, if not to enrich my brother,
+at least to endow his daughter with the wealth I have brought with me.
+Should my fears be verified, I trust to your honour for the performance
+of my request. It is, to deliver this casket, which is of great value,
+into the hand of either one or the other. Here is a letter with their
+address, and here is the key; the remainder of my property on board, if
+saved, in case of my death, is yours, and here is a voucher for you to
+show in case of necessity."
+
+I took the casket, but did not tell him that I was the husband of his
+niece--as he might have disinherited her for having married so much
+below her rank in life. The old gentleman was right in his supposition,
+the serpent returned in the afternoon, and seizing him as he had the
+sailor, in the morning, again, plunged into the sea; and so he continued
+bearing two or three off every day, until I was the only one left. On
+the eighth day he had taken off the last but me, and I knew that my
+fate must be decided in the evening; for large as he was, he could
+penetrate every part of the ship, and could draw you to him, when you
+were many feet distant, by sucking in his breath.
+
+There happened to be two casks, of a material lately invented in
+England, which we were taking to France on trial; during the hurricane,
+one had burst, and the stench proceeding from it was intolerable.
+Although it had gradually evaporated, I perceived that whenever the
+serpent approached any thing that had been defiled with it, he
+immediately turned away, as if the smell was as unbearable to him as it
+was to us. I don't know what it was composed of, but the English called
+it _coal tar_. It struck me that I might save myself my means of this
+offensive composition. I knocked out the head of the remaining cask, and
+arming myself with a broom dipped in it, I jumped into the cask which
+contained the remainder, and awaited my fate with anxiety. The serpent
+came; as usual, forced his head and part of his body down the hatchway,
+perceived me, and with eyes darting fire reached out his head to seize
+me. I dashed the broom into his mouth, and bobbed my head immediately
+under the coal tar. When I lifted it up again, almost suffocated, the
+animal had disappeared. I crawled out, and looking over the side,
+perceived him lashing the ocean in his fury, plunging and diving to rid
+himself of the composition with which I had filled his mouth. After
+exhausting himself with his furious endeavours, he went down, and I saw
+him no more.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Did you never see him again?" inquired the pacha.
+
+"Never but that once; nor has the animal been seen before or since,
+except by the Americans, who have much better eyes than the people of
+Europe can boast of."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The vessel drifted to the northward with the Gulf Stream, until she was
+close to the land, when a pilot boat came out and boarded her. The
+people belonging to her were much annoyed to find me on board. Had there
+been no one in her, they would have claimed the whole vessel and cargo,
+whereas they were now only entitled to one-eighth. I understood English
+enough to hear them propose and agree to throw me overboard. I
+immediately ran down below to secure my casket, and when I returned on
+deck, they launched me over the side. I sank down, and diving under the
+counter, laid hold of the rudder chains, unperceived by them. In the
+meantime another pilot boat came to us, and sent her boat or board; I
+swam to it and was hauled in. The captains being rivals, I was taken to
+New York as evidence against the people who had attempted my life. I
+stayed there just long enough to sell my seven-eighths of the cargo, and
+see the men hung, and I then took a passage in a vessel bound to
+Bourdeaux, where I arrived in safety. From thence I repaired to Toulon,
+and found my dear Cerise as beautiful and as fond as ever.
+
+I was now a rich man; I bought a large estate, with a marquisate
+attached to it. I also purchased the chateau of Fonseca, and made a gift
+of it to my dear wife. I was pleased at having the means of raising her
+again to that rank in society, which she had quitted for my sake. For
+some years we lived happily, although we had no children. After that,
+events happened which again sent me to sea. Such, your highness, is the
+history of my Fourth Voyage.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Well," observed the pacha, "I never heard of so large a snake before;
+did you, Mustapha?"
+
+"Never, your highness; but travellers see strange things. What is to be
+the extent of your highness' bounty?"
+
+"Give him ten pieces of gold," said the pacha, rising from the throne,
+and waddling behind the curtain.
+
+Mustapha told out the sequins. "Selim, if I might advise you, it would
+please his highness better, if you continued more at sea, and dealt a
+little more in the marvellous. That wife of yours, Cerise, as you call
+her, is rather a bore."
+
+"Well, I'll get rid of her to-morrow; but I can tell you, vizier, that I
+deserve all my pay, for it's rather fatiguing work--besides, my
+conscience."
+
+"Holy prophet! hear him--his conscience! go, hypocrite, drown it in wine
+to-night, and it will be dead to-morrow; and don't forget to kill your
+wife."
+
+"Allow me to observe, that you Turks have very little taste;
+nevertheless, I will get rid of her after your own fashion, for she
+shall go to the bottom of the sea--Bashem ustun, on my head be it."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XI
+
+
+The next morning the pacha hurried over the business of the day, for
+Mustapha had intimated that the renegade considered his fifth voyage to
+be one of great marvels. Selim was introduced as before, and commenced
+the narrative.
+
+
+
+FIFTH VOYAGE OF HUCKABACK.
+
+Your highness may be surprised, that being in the possession of wealth,
+rank, and my charming Cerise, I should have again ventured upon the
+treacherous ocean. Of course your highness has heard of the revolution
+which took place in France, and all the horrors which attended it.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"France! Yes, I believe there is a country of that name; I can't say
+that I ever heard of the revolution. Holy prophet! but these people have
+strange ideas," continued the pacha to the vizier; "to imagine that we
+must know or care about what is going on in their barbarous countries.
+You may proceed, Huckaback."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It will be necessary to say a few words upon the subject, your
+highness, but I will be as concise as possible. One day, a party of men
+from my native city (Marseilles), dressed in red caps, their shirt
+sleeves tucked up, and armed with various weapons, surrounded my
+chateau, insisting upon my immediately informing them whether I was for
+the summoning of the estates-general. I answered, most certainly, if
+they wished it. They cheered me, and went away.
+
+Shortly afterwards, they came to ascertain if I approved of the national
+convention. I answered, that I approved of it excessively. They were
+satisfied, and again disappeared. They came a third time, to inquire if
+I was a republican, to which I gave the affirmative. A fourth, to know
+whether I sided with the Girondists; I declared myself one of that
+party, and hoped that I should be asked no more questions. But before
+two or three months had passed away, another party came to ascertain
+whether I was a real Jacobin, which I solemnly pronounced myself to
+be;--a second time, to know whether I thought proper to be called
+citizen, or have my head cut off; I declared in favour of the former,
+and made them a present of my title of marquis. But at last they
+surrounded my house with loud cries, declaring that I was an aristocrat,
+and insisted upon carrying my head away upon a pike. This I considered a
+subject of remonstrance. I assured them that I was no aristocrat,
+although I had purchased the property, and that, on the contrary, I was
+a citizen barber from Marseilles; that I had relinquished the title of
+marquis, which I had bought with the property, and had therefore no
+claim whatever to aristocracy. But they insisted upon proofs, and
+ordering my valets to bring down the materials, desired me to shave a
+dozen of their party. I shaved for my life, and acquitted myself so much
+to their satisfaction that they all embraced me, and were about to
+depart, when one of the women demanded that my wife (whose
+aristocratical descent was known) should be surrendered up, as a proof
+of my sincerity. We all have our moments of weakness; had I had the
+prudence to comply with the request, things would have ended happily,
+but I was foolish enough, although I had been married twelve years, to
+demur at the prospect of the head of my charming Cerise being carried
+away on a pike. I represented to them (as she clung to me for
+protection), that although of noble descent, she had reduced herself to
+my level by marrying a citizen barber. After a short consultation, they
+agreed that she was sufficiently degraded to live. They contented
+themselves with breaking open my cellar, that they might drink my
+health, and departed. But, your highness, I had soon cause to repent of
+my folly. Cerise was a charming woman, and an affectionate wife in
+adversity, but prosperity was her ruin, as well as mine. She had already
+had an affair with a Comte, who had lately been dismissed for a handsome
+young abbe; but we do not mind these little _egaremens_ in our country,
+and I neither had leisure nor inclination to interfere with her
+arrangements. Satisfied with her sincere friendship for me, I could
+easily forgive a few trifling infidelities, and nothing had disturbed
+the serenity or gaiety of our establishment until this unfortunate
+_expose_ which I was obliged to make, and to prove the truth of in her
+presence, viz., that I had been a barber. Her pride revolted at the idea
+of having formed such a connection, her feelings towards me were changed
+to those of the most deadly hatred; and although I had saved her life,
+she ungratefully resolved to sacrifice mine. The little abbe's head had
+been taken off several weeks before, and she now formed a liaison with
+one of the jacobin associes, on condition that he would prove his
+attachment, by denouncing me as an aristocrat.
+
+Fortunately, I had notice given to me in sufficient time to make my
+escape to Toulon. Leaving my wife, and, what was of more consequence,
+the whole of my property, in the hands of the jacobin, I joined the mob,
+and vowing vengeance upon all aristocrats, became one of the most
+violent leaders of the _sans culottes_. Two months afterwards, when the
+gates of Toulon had been opened to the army, and I was assisting at a
+noyade, I had the pleasure of seeing my jacobin _locum tenens_, who had
+been denounced in his turn, tied back to back to a female; it was my
+adored Cerise. I had no time to speak to her, for they were hurried on
+board of the vessel. It sank with them, and some hundreds more; and as
+the beautiful auburn hair of my wife was borne up from her shoulders,
+upon which it had been hanging loose, and floated a second or two on the
+wave after her head had disappeared, I sighed at the remembrance of the
+transitory enjoyment of competence and love which I had shared with my
+charming Cerise.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"And is she really dead now, Huckaback?" inquired the pacha.
+
+"Yes, your highness, she is."
+
+"_Allah karim_--God is most merciful. There is an end of that woman at
+last; now the story will go on."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I have reason to believe that I should have become a person of some
+consequence if I had been able to remain in France, but another foolish
+attempt on my part to save the life of the old lawyer at Marseilles, who
+had assisted me in recovering part of my father's property, rendered me
+suspected. Aware that between suspicion and the guillotine there were
+but few hours of existence, I contrived to get on board of an Italian
+brig that had put in from stress of weather, and made my escape. The
+vessel was bound to North America for a cargo of salt fish, to be
+consumed on the ensuing Lent, and had a crew of fifteen men. The captain
+was very ill when we sailed, owing, as he said, to a cup of wine which
+his wife had mixed with her tears, and persuaded him to drink at their
+parting. He gradually declined as we proceeded on our voyage, until at
+last he was not able to quit his bed; and no person on board except
+myself having any knowledge of keeping a ship's reckoning, that duty
+devolved upon me.
+
+A few days before his death, the captain sent for me. "Francois," said
+he, "my wife has poisoned me, that I might not return to interrupt a
+connection which she had formed during my absence. I have no children,
+and no relations that have ever cared for me. I am the owner of the
+cargo, as well as the captain of this vessel, and it is my intention to
+make it over to you; I consider that you have the greatest claim to it,
+as there is nobody on board except yourself who can navigate her.
+Understand me, it is not out of any particular regard, so much as to
+prevent my wife from obtaining my property, that I select you as my
+heir; you have, therefore, to thank heaven for your good fortune, more
+than you have me. I have but one request to make in return, which is,
+that you will faithfully promise to cause five hundred masses to be said
+for my soul, upon your arrival in Italy."
+
+I readily made the promise which he required, and the captain drew up a
+will, which he read and executed before the whole of the crew, by which
+the vessel and cargo were made over to me. Two days afterwards he
+expired. We sewed him up in a hammock, and threw him overboard. Although
+it was quite calm at the time, a gale sprung up immediately afterwards,
+which eventually increased to a hurricane.
+
+We were obliged to bear up, and for several days scudded under bare
+poles, until I found that we were in the very centre of the Atlantic,
+out of the track of any vessels. Gradually the weather became more
+settled, and we again spread our canvas to the breeze. To my surprise, I
+observed, that although by my reckoning we were nearly one thousand
+miles from any land, several aquatic birds were hovering about the ship,
+of a description that seldom go far from the shore. I watched them as
+the sun went down, and perceived that they took their flight to the
+south-east. Anxious to discover any land, not hitherto described, I
+steered the ship in that direction during the night, and early on the
+next morning we found ourselves close to an island, apparently ten or
+fifteen miles long, very high, and of a conical shape, which I knew was
+not laid down upon any chart. I resolved to examine it, and dropped my
+anchor in a small bay, at the bottom of which a few houses announced
+that it was inhabited; although I could not distinguish any thing like
+guns or fortification. We had not furled our sails, when a boat shoved
+off from the shore, and pulled towards us. She soon came alongside, and
+astonished us as much by the peculiarity of her structure, as by the
+appearance of the people who were on board.
+
+She was a wide canoe, very beautifully carved and inlaid, or rather
+veneered, with gold ornaments. She had a flag, hoisted to a staff,
+hanging over the stern, the field of which was white, with a
+representation of a fountain, worked in gold thread, in the centre. The
+three men who were in her, particularly the one seated in the stern
+sheets, were very richly attired in dresses worked in gold thread. But
+what astonished us more than all was the peculiarity of their
+complexions, which, although they were very well-featured men, were of a
+beautiful light blue--their eyes black, and their hair of a rich auburn.
+
+The personage in the stern sheets ascended the side, and addressing me
+in excellent Portuguese, inquired if I could speak the language.
+
+I answered in the affirmative, and he then welcomed us in the name of
+the king, upon my arrival at the island--asking me the number of my
+crew, whether I had any sick on board, and many other particulars, all
+of which he noted down upon tablets of gold, with a piece of red
+cinnabar.
+
+Having replied to all his interrogations, I then obtained from him the
+following particulars, viz., that the island had been originally peopled
+by one of the ships belonging to Vasco de Gama's squadron, which,
+returning from the East Indies laden with the produce of the east, and
+specimens of the various inhabitants of the newly discovered
+territories, had been cast away and utterly wrecked. That the island,
+which otherwise was fertile and well stocked, was one mine of gold,
+which in the absence of other metals, they were necessitated to employ
+for every article and utensil in common use. But the greatest curiosity
+which the island contained, was a fountain of water at the foot of the
+centre peak, of a beautiful colour, and producing longevity to those who
+drank of it; from which it had received the name of the Isle of the
+Golden Fountain. That when they had landed, about three hundred years
+ago, they consisted of various nations and colours, male and female; but
+the climate and the use of the waters, had, in the course of time,
+produced the change in their complexions which we beheld, and all the
+inhabitants were now of that peculiar tint, with the exception that the
+females were not so dark as the men. Few ships had ever touched there;
+and the crews of those who had fallen in with the island, had preferred
+remaining, which accounted for its being so totally unknown; that the
+king was very partial to strangers, and always received them at his
+palace, which was built close to the Golden Fountain. He concluded by
+requesting me to accompany him on shore, and pay my respects--stating,
+that if I wished to quit the island, his majesty would permit me to load
+my vessel with as much as she could carry, of the metal so precious in
+other countries, but so little valued in this.
+
+I must acknowledge that I was quite overjoyed at his narration. I
+considered my fortune to be made, and hastened to accompany the
+ambassador, who stated that the king would not be pleased if I did not
+permit the major part of my ship's company to attend me to the palace.
+As the men were very eager to go on shore after the account which they
+had heard, and he assured me that the wind never blew home in the bay,
+which was on the lee side of the island, I consented to their wishes,
+and allowed all but two to quit the vessel.
+
+We were much surprised when we landed at the village, to perceive that
+even the pig-troughs, posts, and rails, and indeed every article in
+which metal could be employed, were of solid gold; but we had not time
+for examination, as we found several sledges, drawn by small bullocks,
+waiting for us near the beach.
+
+We mounted, and the animals set off in a swift canter, upon a smooth
+and ascending road, and in less than two hours we arrived at the king's
+palace, which was an extensive building, not very remarkable in its
+structure, excepting the unusual sight of the large columns of gold,
+supporting the porticos, which extended from it on every side. But when
+we had alighted and were proceeding through the porticos, I was
+astonished at the wonderful finish of the statues which embellished
+them. They were mounted on plinths of the burnished metal, and carved
+out of a sort of light blue chalcedony, which, joined with their
+masterly execution, gave them the appearance of life. I was surprised at
+the strange attitudes which the sculptors had chosen to represent, all
+more or less distorted, although the human proportions were admirable.
+Some appeared as if they had been placed on their legs when asleep,
+others laughing or crying, nay, one or two were represented in the act
+of vomiting. Amongst the whole I could not perceive one image in which
+the human form was represented in a noble or graceful posture, and I
+pitied the taste of those who could have employed workmen of such
+extraordinary talents in representing the image of his Maker, under such
+a degrading variety of postures. I was about to make this remark to my
+conductor, but I was checked by the remembrance, that I was in a king's
+palace, not in a studio; and that kings have their fancies, which they
+are not inclined to submit to public criticism.
+
+When we arrived at the end of the portico, two lofty doors were thrown
+open, and we were struck dumb with the magnificence of the scene which
+presented itself to our eyes.
+
+The king was seated on a throne of the most splendid workmanship; the
+precious metal had been oxydised to every shade of colour, and was
+wrought in beautiful Mosaic: the walls and ceiling were entirely covered
+with the same, in some parts burnished, to reflect as mirrors, in others
+elaborately carved in ornamental fretwork, as peculiar from the elegance
+of its design, as from the superiority of its execution. On each side
+of the throne extending to the door at which we entered, were a row of
+ladies, and behind them raised on a platform about two feet higher,
+another row of courtiers--all dressed in stuffs of cloth of gold, which
+were embroidered with flowers of variously coloured metal, so as to
+present the most perfect imitation of nature. The women were very fair
+compared to the men, and their cerulian tint was far from being
+disagreeable, as it gave a transparency to their complexions; but none
+of them could be compared to the king's daughter, who was nearly white,
+and of the most perfect symmetry in feature and in form; her auburn hair
+was so long, that it hung down to the bottom of her dress, and was
+ornamented with small chains and ornaments of polished steel, which were
+entwined in its tresses. She sat at the foot of the throne, near to the
+king, and I was so astonished at her heavenly appearance, that I could
+not remember the compliments which I had intended to pay his majesty,
+but remained speechless before him.
+
+The king received us very graciously, asking me many questions, and
+broke up the audience (after half an hour), desiring some of the
+handsomest ladies to select one of my companions, and each hold herself
+responsible for his comfort and amusement. I forgot to mention, that as
+every country has its peculiar customs, one here appeared to me very
+singular. When I asked the Gentleman usher what was the usual homage
+paid to the king of the country, he informed me that you advanced your
+hand before you, on a level with your face, and snapped your fingers at
+him. That the louder you could snap them, the more accomplished and
+elegant you were considered. But in my confusion I quite forgot his
+injunctions; and it was not until the ladies all snapped their fingers
+in obedience to the commands of their sovereign, that I recollected the
+omission which I had been guilty of. Before the king retired, he
+intimated that he expected we should take up our abodes at the palace
+for some days, and we should have the honour of sitting at his table,
+in the afternoon's banquet.
+
+The whole of the company separated; those who had charge of my
+companions leading them different ways, leaving me alone with the
+princess, who had risen from her seat when directed by her father to
+take charge of me. I could have fallen down and worshipped her: as it
+was, I involuntarily dropped on one knee, and looked up in her face as
+if I had been contemplating a celestial visitant.
+
+She smiled and addressed me: "I am ordered to attend to your happiness
+and comfort, and I obey my father's commands with pleasure. I only trust
+that your happiness may be more lasting than it usually is in this
+deceitful world," and she sighed deeply.
+
+I continued in my position at her feet, and encouraged by her urbanity,
+poured forth a torrent of what to the many are considered compliments,
+but which to her were but truths. I became eloquent from excitation, and
+being at this time, as I before observed to your highness, a very
+personable man, I perceived that she was pleased with my efforts to
+obtain her favour.
+
+"I have more than once had this duty allotted to me, when strangers have
+visited the island," observed she; "but I have always been wearied, and
+have called in my women to assist me. I never yet have seen one like
+you; you are gentle, and of a very different description from those who
+generally have been introduced as the captains of vessels which have
+arrived here. I then was indifferent, if not glad, when my duty was at
+an end; but I feel otherwise now"--and she again sighed.
+
+"If it depended upon me, fair princess, and upon my wishes, I am afraid
+that you would consider the duration of it to be most tedious. Never
+have I beheld any creature so perfect and so beautiful! O that your task
+might be continued for the term of my existence!"
+
+"It probably may," answered she, gravely, and then, as if recollecting
+herself, she assumed a more cheerful air, and continued: "but we are
+losing time, which should be otherwise employed. Come, sir, permit me to
+obey my father's commands, and try to beguile the hours by contributing
+to your amusement."
+
+Offering me her hand, which I respectfully raised to my lips, she then
+conducted me over the palace, directing my attention to every object
+that she considered worthy of notice; and we had passed two or three
+hours in conversation, and remarks upon the objects before us, when I
+expressed my wish to behold the curious fountain from which the island
+took its name.
+
+"I shall obey you," replied she: and again her face assumed a mournful
+cast. She led the way to a hall of black marble, in the centre of which
+the fountain threw up its water to the height of twelve or fourteen
+feet, and fell into a spacious basin. The water of it, when in a body,
+shone with all the colours of the rainbow, and the sparkling drops which
+were thrown out on every side, were brilliant as the purest gold.
+
+"How beautiful!" exclaimed I, after some minutes of silent admiration.
+"These, then, are the waters of longevity."
+
+"And also of intoxication," replied the princess. "They will be produced
+at the banquet of the king, and, O sir! be temperate, very temperate, in
+the use of them."
+
+I promised that I would, and we continued our walk to the porticos of
+the palace, where I pointed to the statues of blue chalcedony, and
+begged her to inform me by whom they had been executed, and why they
+were all in such grotesque and absurd positions.
+
+"That is a question which I cannot answer, further than that they were
+made in the island. We must now return, as the king's banquet will be
+ready."
+
+We sat down at the table of the king, that is to say, I and my
+companions; for no courtiers, male or female, were permitted to have the
+same honour. Each lady stood behind the person who had been intrusted to
+her charge, and waited upon him. My gallantry, as a Frenchman, was
+sorely wounded at the idea of my charming princess performing the duties
+of a menial, and I expressed my feelings to her in a low tone of voice.
+She shook her head, as if to rebuke me, and I said no more. When we had
+finished the banquet, his majesty ordered the water of the golden
+fountain to be produced, which it immediately was, by those in
+attendance, and extolling its virtues, desired a cup to be filled for
+each guest, which was handed to him by the attendant ladies.
+
+As the princess presented the cup, she contrived to press one of her
+fingers against mine, before she removed them, to remind me of my
+promise. I drank but sparingly, but the effects were instantaneous--my
+spirits rose buoyant, and I felt a sort of intellectual intoxication. At
+a sign made by the king, the ladies now took their seats beside us, and
+by their attentions and caresses, increased the desire for the water,
+which they supplied in abundance. I must confess that at each sip that I
+took, the princess, who had taken her seat by me, appeared so much more
+charming in my eyes, that notwithstanding the repeated pressure of her
+foot to remind me of my promise, I could not resist the impulse to
+drink.
+
+The boatswain and one of the seamen were very drunken characters, and
+had very soon poured down so much of the water, that they dropped off
+their stools on the marble pavement, without sense or motion. This
+recalled me to my senses, which were rapidly stealing away; I rose from
+my seat, and pointing out to my companions that it would ill become them
+to intoxicate themselves in the presence of his majesty, requested that
+they would drink no more, but leave the table before they were
+incapacitated from paying the proper attentions to their fair
+conductors. The last argument had more weight than the first, and
+notwithstanding the remonstrances of the king, who showed the greatest
+anxiety that we should remain, the party rose from the table and
+separated. The two men who were intoxicated were carried away by some
+of the courtiers, and the king with marks of displeasure quitted the
+hall. I was again left alone with my charming princess, and inflamed
+with the exhilarating draught which I had taken, I threw myself at her
+feet, declaring my violent passion, and my wish never to quit the
+island, if I could be blessed with a reciprocal feeling on her part. I
+perceived that I had made an impression, and following up my success, I
+protested and she listened, until the evening closed in and found us
+still seated upon the steps of the throne. At last, she rose and said,
+"I know not whether you be sincere in what you say, but I must
+acknowledge that I hope you are; and I shall be very miserable if it
+should prove otherwise. But you are now under the effects of the
+intoxicating water, and may deceive yourself. Come, sir, it is time that
+I conduct you to your chamber, where you must sleep away the
+exhilarating effects of the golden fountain. To-morrow morning, if you
+are of the same opinion, I may be induced to make a discovery."
+
+The next morning I awoke without any headache from the intemperance of
+the previous night. As soon as I quitted the apartment I met the
+princess outside. "I am still in the same mind, dear princess," said I,
+implanting a kiss upon her hand, "to live for you alone, or die if I
+cannot remain with you."
+
+She smiled and answered, "Then for you will I sacrifice every thing; for
+until I beheld you, I never was aware that I had a heart. Rise and
+follow me, and you shall know all."
+
+"We passed the large hall, with which the whole of the bed-chambers
+communicated, and she conducted me through a dark passage to a room, in
+which were several golden plinths without statues. At the further end of
+it I perceived, to my horror, that two of them were already occupied
+with the forms of the boatswain and sailor who had been intoxicated the
+night before. They were now changed into the same blue chalcedony of
+which the statues in the porticos were composed.
+
+"Do you recognise these figures?" inquired the princess.
+
+"I do, indeed," answered I with amazement.
+
+"Such are the effects," continued she, "of intoxication from the water
+of the golden fountain. They contain in solution so large a quantity of
+the matter which by mineralogists is denominated silex, that once allow
+the senses to be overpowered by repeated draughts, and in a few hours
+the effects which you behold will be produced. It is by these means that
+my father has obtained the variety and number of statues which you have
+seen--all of whom were once visitors to the island in different ships,
+not one of the crews of which have ever returned. It has also the power
+of producing longevity, and hardening the hearts of those who use it in
+moderation. My father's cruelty, therefore, is not thought of by his
+subjects, who, if convicted of any heinous crime, are forced to drink
+this water, and are erected as monuments of his displeasure in various
+parts of the island. You may ask, how is it that I have not as little
+remorse as the other inhabitants? The fact is, that I was naturally of a
+kind and tender heart; and my mother, who lamented it because she felt
+that it would not add to my happiness in this world of cruelty and
+deceit, was more than ever anxious that I should drink the waters; but
+what is forced upon us in childhood, is generally remembered as we grow
+up with disgust. The consequence is, that I have never used the waters
+since her death, which happened when I was but seven years old. Had I
+not made this discovery, in all probability you and all your companions
+would have fallen victims this evening, when the banquet will be spread
+and the water will be produced as before. My prepossession in your
+favour has, I trust, been the means of preserving the lives of those who
+remain."
+
+"Cursed treachery!" exclaimed I; "and now, what is to be done?"
+
+"You must escape. Caution your men not to drink this evening, and make
+some excuse to repair on board for an hour or two in the forenoon of
+to-morrow. As for me----"
+
+"Without you, princess, I cannot--will not go. Either consent to
+accompany me, or here I stay, risking all; for I had sooner be a
+senseless statue upon a plinth in the portico of your abode, than quit
+the island with a broken heart."
+
+"Then he is true; and there are some who are good--some who are not
+deceitful in this world;" exclaimed the princess, falling on her knees,
+as the tears trickled down her cheeks. "I am sure you'll treat me
+kindly," continued she, holding my hand in hers; "if you do not, I shall
+die."
+
+I pressed her to my bosom, and vowed to love her till death; and we
+hastened back to my chamber, that we might consult upon our
+arrangements. I found an opportunity, in the course of the forenoon, to
+acquaint all my companions of their danger, except one whom I could not
+meet with.
+
+In the evening we again sat down to the banquet, and soon after the
+water had been produced, the one who had not been warned fell off his
+chair in a state of intoxication. I made this an excuse for drinking no
+more. Assuming an angry tone towards my companions, I apologised to the
+king for their want of respect in his presence, and rose from the table
+in spite of all his remonstrances. The next morning I stated to the king
+that I wished to return to my ship for an hour or two, that I might
+bring him a present of ivory, which I had been informed would be
+acceptable. The princess offered to attend us, and the king, satisfied
+with her surveillance, consented to our departure, on condition that we
+would not fail to return in time for the banquet, which we most
+faithfully promised. While the sledges were preparing, I requested the
+princess to obtain several flasks of the golden water, that I might
+present them as curiosities to all the learned societies in Europe. This
+she accomplished, and stowing them in her own sledge with several
+articles of wearing apparel, not only took them from the palace
+unperceived, but they were carried on board without the knowledge of my
+companions. I immediately cut my cables, and made all sail out of the
+bay without any molestation, as the natives did not suspect my
+intentions; I never felt more happy than when I found myself once more
+floating on the wave, in company with my beautiful princess, whose
+affectionate manners endeared me to her more and more every day.
+
+Unfortunately, in our hurry to escape, we quite overlooked the
+circumstance of our water casks being nearly empty, and we were soon
+reduced to half a pint per diem. To render our situation more
+disastrous, the weather became intensely hot, and the people, in spite
+of all my remonstrances, contrived every night to steal a part of the
+water which was not yet expended, so that at last we found ourselves
+becalmed, without a drop of water on board.
+
+But all my apprehensions were now swallowed up by one of greater
+interest. A fever seized my dear princess, who, accustomed to every
+luxury, and a beautiful climate, could not bear up against the close
+confinement of a vessel under a tropical sun. Notwithstanding all my
+care and attention, in three days after she was attacked she expired in
+my arms, blessing me for my attachment and my love, and regretting that
+she was summoned from the world so soon after she had discovered that
+there was an object in it worth living for. I threw myself upon----
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Here the renegade appeared to be much affected; he covered his face with
+the wide sleeve of his under garment, and was silent.
+
+"By God and his prophet, these Franks are great fools about women,"
+observed the pacha to Mustapha. "I must own, though, that I like this
+princess better than Cerise, and I am very sorry that she is dead. Come,
+Huckaback, go on. Where did you throw yourself?"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+On her body (continued the renegade, mournfully), where I remained for
+many hours. At last I rose in a frenzy quite indifferent as to life or
+death. I went on deck, where I found my crew much in the same condition,
+from their agonising thirst; but I mocked them, and laughed at the
+smooth expanse of water, which, far as the eye could reach, was not
+rippled by the slightest breeze, and turned my eyes up in derision to
+the sun, who poured down his vertical streams of light and heat, as if
+he would consume us with his powerful rays. I thought but of one
+subject, I had but one desire, which was, to rejoin the object of my
+adoration. On a sudden I called to mind the flasks of golden water,
+which till then I had forgotten, and rushing down into the cabin, I
+determined to intoxicate myself, and quit this world of disappointment
+and unrealised fruition. As if fearful that the spirit of my loved
+princess should have already so far journeyed to the realms of bliss,
+that I might not be able to discern her when I had shaken off the
+incumbrance of an earthly body, and was at liberty to pursue, I seized a
+flask, and pouring out the water with a hand trembling with anxiety,
+drank off a glass. I was hastily refilling it, when the gurgling sound
+struck upon the ears of my companions, who rushing down like the
+fainting animals who hear the music of the fountain in the desert,
+poured tumultuously into the cabin, and in spite of all my remonstrances
+to leave me sufficient for the completion of my desires, seized upon the
+flask in my hand, as well as upon all those that remained, emptied them
+in a few seconds with their copious draughts, and returned laughing and
+shouting to the deck above.
+
+The water which I had already drunk produced one good effect; it
+hardened my heart for the time, and I fell into a sort of stoical
+indifference, which lasted many hours. I then repaired on deck, where I
+found all my companions changed into blue chalcedony--not one alive. The
+heavens, too, had changed; clouds obscured the sun, the wind was rising,
+and ever and anon a mournful gust blew through the shrouds; the birds
+were screaming on the wing, and the water line of the black horizon was
+fringed with a narrow ridge of foam. The thunder rolled at a distance,
+and I perceived that convulsion of the elements was at hand. The sails
+were all set, and without assistance I could not reduce them; but I was
+indifferent to my fate. The lightning now darted in every direction, and
+large drops of rain pattered on the deck. With the means of existence,
+the desire of life returned: I spread out the spare sails, and as the
+torrents descended, and the vessel bowed to her gunwale in submission of
+the blast, I filled the empty casks. I thought of nothing else until my
+task was completed. I strode carelessly over the bodies of my
+companions, the sails were blown from the yards, the yards themselves
+were snapped asunder, the topmasts fell over the sides, the vessel flew
+before the boiling surge; but I heeded not--I filled the casks with
+water. When I had finished my labours, a reaction took place, and I
+recollected the loss which I had sustained. I descended to the cabin.
+There she lay in all her beauty. I kissed the cold cheek, I wrapped up
+the adored image, carried it on deck, and launched it into the wave;
+and, as it disappeared under the raging billows, I felt as if my heart,
+in its struggles to escape, had burst the strings which confined it in
+my bosom, and had leapt into the angry flood to join her. Exhausted with
+my feelings, I fell down in a swoon; how long I remained I cannot
+exactly say, but it was nearly dark when I lost my recollection, and
+broad daylight when I recovered. The vessel was still flying before the
+gale, which now roared in its resistless fury; the tattered fragments of
+the sails were blown out before the lower yards like so many streamers
+and pennants, and the wrecks of the topmasts were still towing alongside
+through the foaming surge. The indurated bodies of my companions were
+lying about the decks, washed by the water which poured into the vessel,
+as she rolled deeply from one side to the other, presenting her gunwales
+as if courting the admittance of the wave. "Are you, then, tired of your
+existence, as well as I?" thought I, apostrophising the vessel. "Have
+you found out at last, that while you swim you've nought to encounter
+but difficulty and danger? That you enter your haven but to renew your
+tasks, and again become a beast of burthen; that when empty you must bow
+to the slightest breeze, and when laden must groan and labour for the
+good of others. Have----"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Holy prophet! I never heard of people talking to ships before, and I
+don't understand it," observed the pacha. "Leave out all you said to the
+ship, and all the ship said to you in reply, and go on with your story."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The gale lasted for three days, and then it as suddenly fell calm. I had
+observed by the compass that we had been running to the eastward, and I
+supposed that we were not very far from the Western Isles. As I surveyed
+the bodies of my companions, it occurred to me that they ought to fetch
+a high price in Italy as specimens of art, and I resolved to dispose of
+them as the work of men. Having no other employment, I brought up the
+spare planks from below, and made packing-cases for them all. It was
+with some difficulty that I contrived, by means of tackles, to lower
+them to the hold, which I succeeded in accomplishing with safety
+excepting in one instance, when, from the tackle-fall giving way, the
+image fell to the bottom of the vessel, and being very brittle, was
+broken into pieces. As it was no longer of any value as a statue, I
+broke it up to examine it, and I can assure your highness that it was
+very wonderful to witness how every part of the human body was changed
+into flint, of a colour corresponding with that which it had been when
+living. The heart was red, and on my arrival in Italy I had several
+seals made from it, which were pronounced by the lapidaries who cut them
+to be of the finest blood-red cornelian. I have now a piece of the dark
+stone of which the liver was composed, which I keep for striking a
+light. As it afterwards proved, almost all of it was valuable, for the
+alternate fat and lean formed a variety of beautiful onyxes and
+sardonyx, which I disposed of very advantageously to the cameo
+engravers. I was several days employed in packing up, but I had plenty
+of provisions and water, and had no doubt but that I should be seen by
+some vessel before they were expended. Three weeks had elapsed, when one
+morning I went on deck, and saw land on both sides of me. I immediately
+recognised the Rock of Gibraltar, and the Straits, through which I was
+drifting. I was boarded by a Spanish gun-boat from Algesiras, and having
+stated that all my crew had died two months before of the yellow fever,
+I was towed in, put into quarantine for forty days, and then permitted
+to equip my vessel and procure sailors. This I was enabled to do by
+selling two of the flasks which held the water, and which, like all the
+other utensils of the island from which I had escaped, were of pure
+gold.
+
+I did not think it prudent to go to Leghorn, where not only the vessel
+might be recognised, and the widow give me some trouble, but the statues
+also might have been identified as the men who had sailed in the vessel,
+and occasion my being burnt as a necromancer by the Inquisition. I
+directed my course for Naples, where I arrived in safety. Having
+disembarked my metamorphosed crew, I hired a large room to exhibit them,
+and expected to realise a considerable sum; but as I could not name the
+artist, and the figures had not the grace which the Italians admire,
+they remained on my hands, and were even found fault with as not being
+well executed. I sold two of the least prepossessing to a Sicilian
+nobleman, who I understood had a large country seat decorated with
+monstrosities; and I then determined, as I had received a high price for
+the pieces of the one which had been broken up, to retail the others in
+the same way. It answered admirably, and I received more money for the
+fragments than I had asked for the images in an unmutilated state. The
+remainder of the golden flasks also realised a large sum; I produced
+them one by one, and disposed of them to English collectors, as having
+been purloined by the excavators from the ruins of Pompeii. I had now
+plenty of money, and resolved to return to my native city. An
+opportunity offering, I embarked, and safely arrived at Marseilles.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Did you fulfil your promise to the Italian captain, by having five
+hundred masses said for his soul?" inquired Mustapha.
+
+"Upon my salvation! I never thought of it to this moment," replied the
+renegade.
+
+"Such, your highness, are the adventures of my Fifth Voyage; and I trust
+that the narration of them has afforded you entertainment."
+
+"Yes," observed the pacha, rising, "that was something like a voyage.
+Mustapha, give him thirty pieces of gold. Huckaback, we will hear your
+sixth voyage to-morrow"--and the pacha retired behind the screen, and,
+as usual, went into the apartment of the women.
+
+"Pray, Selim, was there any truth in that history of the princess? I
+thought at first that it was all invention; but when you wept----"
+
+"That was for the sake of effect," answered the renegade: "when I get
+warmed with my story, I often work myself up to a degree that I almost
+believe it myself."
+
+"Holy prophet! what a talent!" rejoined Mustapha. "What an excellent
+prime minister you would have made in your own country! Here's your
+money; will your next voyage be as good?"
+
+"I'll try, at all events; as I find that the _principal_ increases with
+the _interest_" said the renegade, chinking the sequins in his hand.
+"_Au revoir_, as we say in France"--and the renegade quitted the divan.
+
+"Allah--what a talent!" muttered the vizier to himself, as the renegade
+disappeared.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XII
+
+
+On the ensuing day, after the usual business of the divan had been gone
+through, the renegade was called in, and taking his seat, commenced the
+narrative of his sixth voyage.
+
+
+
+SIXTH VOYAGE OF HUCKABACK.
+
+May it please your highness.
+
+It was my intention to have remained quietly on shore, after so many
+hairbreadth escapes and singular adventures; but I found France so
+changed, that I was disgusted with my own country. Every thing was
+upside down--the nobles, the wealthy, the talented, either were
+murdered, or living in abject poverty in other countries, while the
+lower classes had usurped their place, and governed the land. But what
+decided me once more to go to sea, was that the continual demands for
+fresh levies to recruit the republican armies, convinced me that I had
+no chance of long remaining in quiet. Of two evils I preferred what I
+considered to be the least, and rather than die in a ditch on shore, I
+preferred the dangers which might be incurred afloat. I bought a large
+ship, and fitted her for a voyage of speculation to Lima in South
+America. As the English cruisers covered the seas, and I was resolved
+that I would not be taken by a vessel of small force, I shipped with me
+a complement of forty men, and had twelve guns mounted on her decks. We
+escaped through the gut of Gibraltar, and steered our course for Cape
+Horn, the southernmost point of America. Nothing worth narrating
+occurred until we made the land, when a strong adverse gale came on,
+which, after attempting in vain to beat against it, blew away most of
+our sails and finally obliged us to bear up, and run away to the
+southward and eastward.
+
+From the working and straining of the vessel, the decks had become so
+leaky, that the water ran through every part of the ship. Our provisions
+(particularly our bread) being spoiled, and obliged to be thrown
+overboard, we were necessitated to be put upon short allowance. As we
+had no hopes of being able to support ourselves upon what was left until
+our arrival at Lima, I determined to run for the nearest island, where I
+might obtain a fresh supply, and then renew our attempt to beat round
+the Cape. I was in some doubts where to proceed, but after running
+eastward for a fortnight, we discovered land on the lee bow, which I
+considered to be the uninhabited Island of New Georgia; but as we
+approached it, we thought that we perceived people on the beach, and
+when within five miles we could plainly distinguish that they were
+soldiers in their uniforms, ranged up, rank and file. The colour of
+their clothes could not be made out with the glass, but it was easy to
+be distinguished that they had yellow facings; from which I inferred
+that they were our enemies the English. "Peste!" thought I, "is it
+possible that these grasping islanders have made a settlement on this
+place? Where will they go to next?" The different companies appeared to
+be from one to two dozen in number; sometimes they stood quite still, at
+others they walked a little way on the beach; but they constantly
+adhered to their rank-and-file position, and as I could not perceive
+that they had any muskets in their hands, I inferred that they were
+merely practising the marching evolutions. No houses or fortifications
+were distinguishable, and I determined to run the ship nearer in, that I
+might observe their motions. I did so, and when within two miles, I
+again rounded to, and putting my eye to the glass, perceived to my
+astonishment that a whole regiment of them ran into the surf, and
+reappeared on the outside of it, in the form of aquatic birds, swimming
+and diving in every direction. I now began to suspect, that it was an
+enchanted island, and not forgetting the lesson of the Golden Fountain,
+I made all sail, and we soon left it out of sight astern. I think it
+right to state to your highness, that on mentioning this circumstance to
+an Englishman, who had been employed in the spermaceti whale fishery, he
+asserted that they really were birds, called Patagonian penguins, who
+had often deceived others by their martial appearance. He stated that
+they had no wings, but only flappers, and when on shore, invariably
+stood upright like men in ranks--that they were about three or four feet
+high when in this posture, and had two broad yellow streaks on each side
+of their necks. How far his assertions were true I do not know, for the
+people of that country, who have doubled the Cape, consider themselves
+entitled to tell any falsehoods which they think proper, and to shoot
+you if you venture to express a doubt as to their veracity; one of my
+chief reasons for disliking the English is, that they are such
+abominable liars.
+
+We now steered more to the southward, and in three days discovered
+another small island. It was apparently well wooded, although not large.
+We hove to, to windward of it, and not perceiving any inhabitants, I
+lowered down a boat, and sent the first mate on shore to reconnoitre. He
+returned in an hour, informing me that the island was covered with
+cocoa-nut trees in full bearing, and that he had seen several wild pigs,
+but no symptoms of its being inhabited--that there was no anchorage that
+he could discover, as the shore rose perpendicularly, like a wall, from
+the ocean. We therefore ran to leeward, and discovered that a reef of
+coral rocks extended nearly two miles from that side of the island. The
+boats were again lowered, and after surveying, the mate reported that
+there was a passage, with plenty of water, for the ship, through the
+very centre of the reef, which would bring her into a small bay, where
+she might lay in perfect security. Before night we had gained the
+anchorage, and furled sails. The next morning I went on shore to
+reconnoitre; we found some springs of fresh water, cocoa-nuts and other
+trees in abundance, and occasionally fell in with herds of wild pigs,
+which appeared, with the exception of birds, to be the only animals
+that existed upon the island. Satisfied that I now had an opportunity of
+revictualling my ship, I unbent my sails, struck my topmasts, unrove my
+running rigging, and, in short, made every preparation for a long stay.
+I then sent parties on shore to erect tents, and shoot the wild pigs,
+while I superintended the fixing of coppers on the beach to boil the
+salt out of the sea water, which would be necessary for curing the
+provisions. I also dug shallow pans in the rock, close to the water's
+edge, that I might gain as much salt as possible by means of
+evaporation. Every thing was prepared in the course of the day, and the
+major part of my ship's company were landed, and slept in the tents. In
+three days we had salted down several casks of pork, and had collected a
+large quantity of cocoa-nuts.
+
+On the fourth morning I heard a dispute among the men, some of them
+swearing that they would not remain, and that the ship ought to go to
+sea immediately. Astonished at these remarks, after they had expressed
+themselves so well pleased, I inquired the reason. They answered, that
+there was magic in the island, and on my requiring an explanation, they
+took me to the salt pans, which, upon our arrival, had been cut in the
+rocks within a foot of the water's edge, but had now receded from the
+shore to a distance of nine or ten feet. I must own that I was surprised
+at the circumstance, which was quite unaccountable: but still did not
+feel inclined to leave the island, without first obtaining the necessary
+supply of provisions. I pointed out to the men, that although I could
+not explain so strange an incident, yet as we had seen and heard
+nothing, and should certainly starve if we went to sea without
+provisions, it would be better to remain until we had procured a supply:
+observing that it was not impossible that the water might have receded,
+instead of the island having advanced. The latter remark seemed to quiet
+them, although at the time that I made it, I knew it to be incorrect, as
+the rocks above water near the beach were not higher out of it than
+before. This the seamen did not pay attention to, and I took care not to
+point it out to them. They agreed with my supposition, that the water
+had receded, and said no more about it.
+
+We remained a fortnight longer, during which the same phenomenon
+continued, each day the salt pans and coppers being further off from the
+beach. At last the men perceiving that the rocks did not rise higher
+from the water again became alarmed, and broke out into open mutiny. By
+this time I had cured a sufficiency of provisions, and I made no
+objection, indeed I must confess that I was by no means easy in my own
+mind at these supernatural appearances. We struck our tents, sent every
+thing on board, rove the rigging, bent the sails, and prepared for our
+departure. Soon after we repaired on board, I happened to cast my eyes
+upon the lead line, which was hanging over from the main chains, and
+observed that it lay in a bight; hauling up the slack, I found, to my
+surprise, that instead of five fathoms water in which we had anchored,
+we were in less than three.
+
+At first it occurred to me that this was a floating island, like the one
+I before described, and that it was gradually rising more to the
+surface; but this idea did not satisfy me. Throwing the lead and line in
+the boat, I pushed off, and sounded in several directions, and had the
+mortification to find that in the passage which the ship had entered,
+there was now not sufficient water for her to go out again, even if we
+were to have discharged the whole cargo. I soon discovered the cause of
+this apparent mystery; for as I went further out on the reef, I found
+that whole trees and solid masses of coral had sprung up to the water's
+edge, in parts which I knew were several fathoms deep when we entered. I
+had often heard that the islands in these seas were formed by corals,
+but I had no idea of the rapidity with which they were extended.
+
+Your highness must know that all the zoophite, or animal plants, are
+composed of small insects, who work in millions under the water, until
+they rise to the top. Such was the case in the present instance, and
+thus by the labours of the minutest of the creation, in the short space
+of three weeks my ship was shut up so as to render escape hopeless.
+
+I returned on board, and explained to the men the real cause of the
+apparently supernatural effects of what we had witnessed. Satisfied that
+my assertions were correct, they seemed to care little at being obliged
+to remain on an island which afforded them the means of such comfortable
+subsistence. As nothing could be done for the ship, we went on shore
+again, and repitching the tents, waited quietly until we might be taken
+off by some vessel who should chance to pass that way.
+
+In a fortnight the ship was aground, and the island continued to
+increase so rapidly, that in two months she was raised high and dry out
+of the water, about half a mile from the beach. The vegetation seemed to
+advance as regularly and as rapidly as the island, and after the rainy
+season the trees had grown up so high, that the ship was completely hid
+in a large wood, and it was just possible to see her lower masts above
+the branches. For some time the men seemed perfectly contented. We had
+plenty of stores in the ship of every description; the cargo I had taken
+on board was chiefly manufactures, and as the island provided fresh
+meat, fish, and fruit, they were in want of nothing. But sailors are
+such changeable and restless beings, that I really believe they would
+soon be tired of paradise itself. After a sojourn of nine months, during
+which they perhaps lived better than they ever had before, they began to
+murmur and talk of getting away in some manner or another. As my cargo
+was valuable, I was in hopes that a vessel would visit the island, and
+take it on board: I therefore made every remonstrance that I could
+imagine to induce them to wait some time longer; but they would not
+listen to me, and made preparations for building a vessel at the weather
+side of the island, out of the materials that the ship afforded. The
+reason why they chose the weather side was, that they perceived that the
+island only increased to leeward; whereas to windward it was a
+perpendicular rock of coral, which you could not obtain bottom
+along-side of, with two hundred fathoms of line. They had cut a slip out
+of the rock, and were already occupied with driving out the bolts and
+fastenings of the ship that was shored up in the woods, when one evening
+we perceived a large fleet of canoes coming towards us. As I knew that I
+could not be far from the Sandwich Islands, I immediately pronounced
+them to come from that quarter, in which supposition I was correct; for
+although the island was not inhabited, the islanders had for some years
+been aware of its existence, and came to gather the crop of cocoa-nuts
+which it annually produced. I advised my men to keep quiet in the woods,
+removing the tents and every object that might create suspicion of our
+being on the island; but they were of a different opinion, and as they
+had lately discovered the means of collecting the toddy from the
+cocoa-nut trees, and distilling arrack, they had been constantly drunk,
+mutinous, and regardless of my authority. They thought it would be much
+easier to take the large canoes from the islanders, and appropriate them
+to their own use, than to build a vessel, and notwithstanding my
+entreaties, they persisted in their resolution to make the attempt.
+
+As the canoes approached, we counted fourteen, all of a very large size,
+and with my glass I could distinguish that they had fifty or sixty
+persons on board of each, including the women. I pointed this out to the
+sailors, stating that I did not believe there were more than ten women
+in each canoe, so that the men must amount to seven hundred, a force
+much too large to give them any chance of success in their rash
+intentions. But I did more harm than good; the mention of the women
+seemed to inspire them with fresh ardour, and they vowed that they would
+kill all the men, and then would be content to remain on the island
+with the women. They armed themselves with muskets, and retired among
+the trees as the canoes approached, fearful that the islanders would not
+land if they were discovered. The canoes ran between the reefs, and in a
+few minutes the whole of the islanders disembarked; not conceiving it
+necessary to leave any but the women in the canoes, the water being as
+smooth as a fish-pond.
+
+The arrangements of my men were certainly very good: they allowed the
+islanders to go up to the tents, which were now more than a mile from
+the beach, and then walking down under cover of the trees, rushed to the
+canoes, and putting one man in each with their muskets and ammunition,
+shoved them off and made them fast to the coral rocks, about two hundred
+yards distant. The screams of the women, and the shoving off of the
+canoes, alarmed the men, who hastened down to ascertain the cause. As
+soon as they came within half musket shot, the sailors who were on
+shore, amounting to twenty-five, fired a volley out of the wood, which
+killed and wounded a great number. The islanders retreated in confusion,
+then gave a loud shout and advanced. Another volley was fired, and they
+again retreated, bearing off their killed and wounded. They now held a
+consultation, which ended in their dividing into two bodies, one of
+which separated from the other, so that they might attack the party in
+the wood from two different points.
+
+In the meantime several of the women leaped overboard and swam on shore,
+and the men in the boats were so busy in preventing the others from
+following, that they could give no assistance to the party in the wood,
+although they were within musket-shot. The conduct of the islanders
+puzzled our men, and although I had taken no part in this murderous
+attack, yet as I now considered my life at stake, I thought that I must
+assist. I therefore advised them to retreat to the ship, which, if they
+once gained possession of, they would be enabled to keep the islanders
+at bay. My advice was followed, and creeping through the thick
+underwood, we reached the ship in safety, having climbed up by
+rope-ladders, which were hanging from her, to enable us to go on board,
+to fetch any articles we required. We hauled them up after us, and
+waited the issue. In a few minutes, one of the parties of the islanders
+came up, and seeing the ship with us on board, gave a loud yell, and let
+fly their spears. We returned a volley which killed many, but they were
+very brave, and continued the attack although we fired twenty or thirty
+rounds with great execution.
+
+The other party now came up, and the conflict continued; they made every
+attempt to climb the stern and sides of the vessel, but were repulsed;
+and as the evening closed in, they retired, taking away their killed and
+wounded, which we estimated at two hundred men. When they retreated, we
+fired some of our large guns in that direction, as much to frighten the
+islanders, as to let our comrades in the canoes know where we were.
+
+We kept a sharp look out till dark, but saw no more of them. I proposed
+that we should attempt to communicate with the men in the canoes, and
+desire them to permit some of them to drift on shore after taking out
+the women, as the islanders would then in all probability go away. But
+as the men very justly remarked, nobody in the first place would venture
+on such a dangerous service, and in the next, if the islanders obtained
+some of their canoes, they would attack the others and overpower the
+sailors that were in them. This plan was therefore justly overruled. I
+then proposed that one man should steal down to the beach, swim off, and
+desire the fourteen men to take all the women into one canoe, and pull
+round to the north side of the island during the night, leaving the
+remainder for the islanders to go away in. This was considered a good
+scheme, but no one would volunteer, and, as I had proposed it, I thought
+that I was in honour bound to go, as otherwise the men would, in future,
+have had no opinion of me. I therefore stated my intention, and taking
+my musket and ammunition, I slipped down by a rope. As soon as I was on
+my legs, I perceived something crawling out of the wood towards the
+ship. I could not exactly decipher what it was, so I crept under the
+counter of the vessel, where it was so dark that I could not be
+distinguished. As it approached, I made it out to be one of the
+islanders with a faggot of wood on his back; he placed it close to the
+side of the vessel, and then crawled back as before. I now perceived
+that there were hundreds of these faggots about the ship, which the
+islanders had contrived to carry there during the night; for although
+the moon was up, yet the vessel was so inclosed with trees that the
+light did not penetrate. I immediately comprehended that it was their
+intention to set fire to the vessel, and I was thinking of communicating
+the information to my companions on board, when two more crawled from
+the woods, and deposited their bundles so close to me, that we were
+nearly in contact. I therefore was obliged to leave those who were on
+board to make the best of it, and imitating the islanders, I crawled
+from the vessel into the brushwood, trailing the gun after me. It was
+fortunate that I took this precaution, for in the very part of the wood
+where I crept to, there were dozens of them making up faggots, but it
+was too thick with underwood, and too dark to distinguish anything,
+although I heard them close to me breaking off the branches. I did the
+same as I went on, to avoid discovery, until I had passed by them, when
+I continued my route to where the canoes had been left. I arrived in
+safety at the outskirts of the wood close to the beach, and perceived
+the canoes still lying at the rocks, to which they had been taken; but
+the moon shone bright, and I hesitated to walk out in the light, until I
+ascertained whether there were any islanders on the beach. As I waited a
+short time in the dark shade of the trees, close to one of the springs
+of fresh water, I heard a moan close to me, and looking in that
+direction I perceived a body on the ground. I went towards it, and could
+distinguish very plainly that it was one of the women who had swam on
+shore. She was nearly lifeless, and feeling, as every man must have
+done, compassion at her unfortunate condition, I knelt down by her to
+see if I could afford her any assistance. As she had very little clothes
+round her body, I discovered, by passing my hand over her, that she was
+wounded with a musket-ball above the knee, and was exhausted from pain
+and loss of blood. I tore my neckcloth and shirt into bandages, and
+bound up her leg; I then fetched some water from the spring in my hat,
+which I poured into her mouth, and threw over her face. She appeared to
+recover, and I felt happy that I had been of some use, and not being
+able to descry any of the islanders, was proceeding to the beach, that I
+might swim off to the canoes, when just as I walked out of the shade,
+two or three muskets were fired by those on board. These were followed
+by others, and loud yells from the islanders, who had swum off in
+hundreds, and were attacking our people. The conflict was very short,
+for the men, not being able to load their muskets quickly enough, were
+overpowered by the islanders, who climbed into the canoes, and in a few
+minutes they were all paddled to the beach.
+
+I now thought that it was all over with my men on board of the ship, and
+so it proved; for an hour before daylight the islanders lighted the
+faggots, and, at the same time, attacked the vessel with great fury. The
+fire continued to blaze higher and higher, the muskets were constantly
+discharging, and the shouts and yells continued for about an hour, when
+I heard no more reports from the muskets, and took it for granted that
+my men were overcome, which was the case, as I afterwards found out;
+many were killed by the spears when on board, others when they leaped
+from the vessel to avoid the flames, and the remainder had been
+suffocated.
+
+As the sun rose above the horizon, a loud explosion took place, by which
+I knew that the flames had communicated with the magazine, and that the
+ship had been blown to atoms. I determined to hide myself in the bushes,
+with the hope of not being discovered. Before I went, I made a hasty
+visit to the poor wounded woman, to see how she was. It was broad
+daylight, and I found that I had afforded succour to a very beautiful
+young girl, about sixteen or seventeen years old. As she still appeared
+faint, I brought her some more water, and when I gave it to her, she
+expressed her gratitude with her eyes. Examining the bandages, which had
+slipped a little on one side, I replaced them, and then darted into the
+thickest of the underwood. As I pressed on, bent half double, my head
+suddenly came in contact with something hard; I looked up, and found
+that it was the head of one of the islanders, who was also forcing his
+way through the bushes, an immense, powerful man, who immediately sprung
+upon me, and pinned me to the ground. He was followed by several others
+who came to his assistance, and all resistance was useless. They pulled
+some of the creeping withies, that grow in those countries, and bound me
+hand and foot; then selecting a large pole, they made me fast to it, and
+carried me away. When they arrived at the beach, I was laid down on my
+back, exposed to the burning sun. Left to my own reflections, and
+calling to mind all that I could recollect from the voyages and travels
+which I had read, I concluded that I was to be made a sacrifice of to
+their gods. I prayed to heaven for mercy, and resigned myself to my
+fate, which appeared inevitable.
+
+The islanders had all assembled on the beach close to where I lay. The
+dead bodies of their companions, who had fallen in the conflict, and the
+wounded, were carried into the canoes. They formed a circle round the
+fire, which they had kindled, made several speeches, and danced a
+war-dance. I turned round on my side, and perceived to my horror, that
+they had collected all the bodies of my companions, and were devouring
+them. What they did not feel inclined to eat, they packed up in baskets,
+and put into the canoes. I anticipated that such would be my own
+fate--not at present, as they had more than they could consume--but that
+I should be reserved for a festival, after their arrival in their own
+country. Nor was I incorrect in my supposition; they collected together
+all the bones, which they carried with them, and putting me on board,
+hoisted their mat sails, and steered away for their own islands.
+
+On the third day we arrived, when I was carried on shore and confined in
+what I believe was a burying ground. They stuffed me every day with pork
+and other victuals to keep me alive, and in good condition, but they
+never cast me loose from the pole to which I was bound. I heard
+processions, shouts, and lamentations for the dead; but I could see
+nothing, for I was now too weak to turn on my side. When I had been a
+week in this confined state, the agony arising from the swelling of my
+limbs, and from the increased tightness of the ligatures was so great,
+that I called for death to relieve me from my sufferings; and when I
+once more found myself raised upon the shoulders of men, I was as
+impatient for my approaching fate, as I should have been, under other
+circumstances, for my release. My senses were gradually overpowered by
+the pain, which was so much increased by the renewed suspension of my
+body.
+
+I have a distinct recollection of being placed on the ground in a large
+circle--of the screams of a woman, and of a confused uproar, which
+followed. When I came to my senses, I found myself in a hut, unbound,
+and lying upon soft mats, with fomentations applied to my limbs; and
+when my eyes opened, I beheld, hanging over me with an air of the
+tenderest solicitude, the beautiful savage, whom I had found wounded,
+and had succoured on the night of the affray. I subsequently learnt,
+that when I had been brought into the circle, she had recognised me as
+the person who had assisted her; that she claimed my life, pointing to
+her wound, and producing the bandages with which I had bound it up, and
+which were identified with the remainder, as part of the dress which I
+still wore. A council was held, and as it appeared that I could not have
+been with the party in the ship, for I had been taken prisoner in the
+woods, near to where the girl lay, after many speeches pro and con, it
+was decided that my life should be spared, and that I should be married
+to the girl who had been the means of preserving it. She had carried me
+away to her hut, and was now returning the debt of gratitude which she
+had incurred.
+
+Owing to her unwearied kindness and attention, I soon recovered, and
+before I was aware that I was to be her husband I courted her by signs,
+and all the little attentions that could be suggested by gratitude and
+love. As soon as I was supposed to be sufficiently recovered I was led
+into a large circle of the islanders, to be formally admitted into their
+society. A venerable old man made a speech, which I presume was not a
+very good one from its extreme length, and then several men laid hold of
+me, and throwing me on the ground, face downwards, sat astride on me,
+and commenced running needles into the upper part of my thighs. The pain
+was excessive, but as all the islanders were tattooed about the loins, I
+presumed it was an operation that I must submit to, and I bore it with
+fortitude.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"And pray what is that tattooing?"
+
+"Tattooing, may it please your highness, is puncturing the skin with
+needles or sharp points--and then rubbing Indian ink or gun-powder into
+the wounds. This leaves an indelible mark of a deep blue tint. All the
+islanders in those seas practise it, and very often the figures that are
+drawn are very beautiful."
+
+"Mashallah! How wonderful is God! I should like to see it," rejoined the
+pacha.
+
+"Allah forbid," replied the renegade, "that I should expose my person to
+your highness. I know my duty better."
+
+"Yes, but I must see it, yaha bibi, my friend!" continued the pacha,
+impatiently; "never mind your person. Come--obey my orders."
+
+The renegade was a little at a nonplus, as he never had undergone the
+operation which he had described. Fortunately for the support of his
+veracity, it happened that during one of his piratical excursions, in
+an idle fit, he had permitted one of his companions to tattoo a small
+mermaid on his arm.
+
+"Min Allah! God forbid," rejoined the renegade; "my life is at the
+disposal of your highness, and I had sooner that you should take it,
+than I would affront your august eyes with the exposure in question;
+fortunately I can gratify your highness's curiosity without offending
+decency--as, after they had finished the operation I was describing,
+they made the figure of their most respected deity upon my arm." The
+renegade then pulled up his sleeve, and showed the figure of a mermaid,
+with a curling tail, a looking-glass in one hand and a comb in the
+other. "Here your highness will perceive a specimen of their rude art.
+This is a representation of their goddess, Bo-gee. In one hand she holds
+an iron rake, with which she tattoos those who are good, and the mark
+serves as a passport when they apply for admittance into the regions of
+bliss. In the other, she brandishes a hot iron plate, with which she
+brands those who are sentenced to be punished for their sins."
+
+"Allah Karim--God is merciful! And why has she a fish's tail?" inquired
+the pacha.
+
+"The people I am describing, inhabit a cluster of islands, and it is to
+enable her to swim from one to the other, as her presence may be
+required."
+
+"Very true," observed the pacha--"now you may go on with your story."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+As I mentioned to your highness, they tattooed me without mercy; the
+operation lasted an hour, when they put me on my feet again. Another
+speech was made, which I understood as little of as the former; they
+left me with my wife, and the ceremony was at an end.
+
+I must say I wished that I had not been naturalised and married both on
+the same day. I was so swelled and so stiff with the tattooing, that it
+was with difficulty I could, with the assistance of my wife, walk back
+to my hut. However, by the remedies which she constantly applied, in
+the course of three days I felt no further inconvenience.
+
+I now considered myself settled for the remainder of my life. I was
+passionately attached to Naka-poop, for such was the name of my young
+wife, and notwithstanding my French education, could not but acknowledge
+that her natural and unsophisticated manners were more graceful and more
+fascinating, than is all the studied address of my own country-women.
+She was of high rank in her own country, being nearly allied to the
+king; and for two years my life slipped away, in uninterrupted happiness
+and peace. But alas!--and the renegade covered up his face.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Come, Huckaback, you surely have been too much accustomed to lose your
+wives by this time, to make a fuss about it. These Franks are strange
+people," observed the pacha to the vizier; "they've a tear for every
+woman."
+
+"Your highness must excuse me; I shall not offend again, for I never
+married afterwards. My charming Naka-poop died in child-bed, and the
+island became so hateful to me, that I determined to quit it. An
+opportunity occurred by an American vessel, which arrived with some
+Missionaries."
+
+"What are Missionaries?" inquired the pacha.
+
+"People who came to inform the islanders, that Bo-gee was not a goddess,
+and to persuade them to embrace the true faith."
+
+"Very right," replied the pacha, "there is but one God, and Mahomet is
+his prophet. Well----"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+As I understood both languages, I was employed as an interpreter, but it
+was impossible to explain what the Missionaries intended to convey, as
+the language of the islanders had not words that were analogous. A
+council was held, and the answer which the Missionaries received was as
+follows:--
+
+"You tell us that your God rewards the good and punishes the wicked--so
+does Bo-gee. We speak one language, you speak another. Perhaps the name
+of your God means Bo-gee in ours. Then we both worship the same God,
+under different names. No use to talk any more; take plenty of pigs and
+yams, and go home."
+
+The Missionaries took their advice, their pigs and their yams, and I
+went home with them. We arrived at New York, where I claimed and
+received from the Bible Society my pay as interpreter to the
+Missionaries from the time that they landed up to the day of our return.
+I never should have thought of claiming it, had it not been for the
+advice of one of the Missionaries, who took a fancy to me.
+
+With the money that I received I paid my passage in a vessel bound to
+Genoa, where I arrived in safety, but without the means of subsistence.
+But what doth the poet say, "Necessity is a strong rider with sharp
+stirrups, who maketh the sorry jade do that which the strong horse
+sometimes will not do." Having no other resource, I determined once more
+to try my fortune upon the ocean.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Allah wakbar--God is everywhere! It was your talleh--your destiny,
+Huckaback."
+
+"It was his kismet--his fate, your sublime highness," rejoined Mustapha,
+"that he should go through those perils to amuse your leisure hours."
+
+"Wallah Thaib--well said, by Allah! Let the slave rejoice in our bounty.
+Give him ten pieces of gold; we will open our ears to his next voyage
+to-morrow. Murakhas, you are dismissed."
+
+"May your sublime shadow never be less," replied Huckaback, as he
+salaamed out of the pacha's presence.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XIII
+
+
+THE LAST VOYAGE OF HUCKABACK.
+
+Your highness will be surprised at the unheard-of adventures that
+occurred to me in my last voyage, and I think I can boldly assert that
+no man, either before or since, has explored so much, or has been in the
+peculiarly dangerous situations in which I have been placed by destiny.
+
+Notwithstanding the danger which I incurred from my former expedition to
+the Northern Ocean, I was persuaded to take the command of a whaler
+about to proceed to those latitudes: we sailed from Marseilles early in
+the year that we might arrive at the northward in good time, and be able
+to quit the Frozen Ocean before the winter had set in. We were very
+fortunate on our arrival at Baffin's Bay, and very soon had eighteen
+fish on board. The autumn was hardly commenced before I proposed to
+return, and we were steering in a southerly direction, when we
+encountered two or three large icebergs, upon the edges of which the
+walruses or sea-horses were lying in herds. As we had some casks still
+empty, I determined to fill them with the oil to be obtained from these
+animals, and hoisted out my boats to attack them. We killed a large
+number, which we sent on board, and continued our fishery with great
+success, having only lost one boat, the bottom plank of which had been
+bitten out by the tusks of one of these unwieldy animals. Of a sudden
+the wind changed to the southward, and the small icebergs which were
+then to windward rapidly closed with the large one upon which we were
+fishing. The harpooners observed it, and recommended me to return to the
+ship, but I was so amused with the sport that I did not heed their
+advice. A sea-horse was lying in a small cave accidentally formed on the
+upright edge of the iceberg, and wishing to attack him, I directed my
+boat to pull towards it. At this time there was not more than twenty
+yards of water between the two icebergs, and a sudden squall coming on,
+they closed with great rapidity. The men in the other boats immediately
+pulled away, and, as I afterwards learnt, when I arrived at Marseilles,
+they escaped, and returned home in the ship; but those in mine, who were
+intent upon watching me, as I stood in the bow of the boat with the
+harpoon to strike the animal, did not perceive the danger until the
+stern of the boat was touched by the other iceberg. The two now coming
+within the attraction of cohesion of floating bodies, were dashed like
+lightning one against the other, jamming the men, as well as the boat,
+into atoms.
+
+Being in the bow of the boat, and hearing the crash, I had just time, in
+a moment of desperation, to throw myself into the cave upon the back of
+the sea-horse, when the two enormous bodies of ice came in contact--the
+noise I have no doubt was tremendous, but I did not hear it, as I was
+immediately enclosed in the ice. Although at first there were
+interstices, yet, as the southerly gale blew the icebergs before it into
+the northern region, all was quickly cemented together by the frost, and
+I found myself pent up in an apartment not eight feet square, in company
+with a sea-horse.
+
+I shall not detain your highness by describing my sensations: my ideas
+were, that I was to exist a certain time, and then die for want of fresh
+air; but they were incorrect. At first, indeed, the cave was intolerably
+hot from the accumulation of breath, and I thought I should soon be
+suffocated. I recollected all my past sins, I implored for mercy, and
+lay down to die; but I found that the ice melted away with the heat, and
+that, in so doing, a considerable portion of the air was liberated, so
+that in a few minutes my respiration became more free. The animal in the
+meantime, apparently frightened at his unusual situation, was perfectly
+quiet; and, as the slightest straw will be caught at by the drowning
+man, so did the idea of my preservation come into my head. I considered
+how much air so enormous an animal must consume, and determined upon
+despatching him, that I might have more for my own immediate wants. I
+took out my knife, and inserting it between the vertebral bones that
+joined his head to his neck, divided the spinal marrow, and he
+immediately expired.
+
+When I found that he was quite dead, I crawled from his shoulders, and
+took up a more convenient berth in that part of the cave which was
+before his head, to which I had been afraid to venture while the animal
+was alive, lest he should attack me with his enormous tusks. The air
+soon became more pure, and I breathed freely. Your highness may be
+surprised at the assertion; but, whether I obtained air from the ice
+itself, or whether the ice was sufficiently porous to admit of it, I
+know not; but from that time I had no difficulty of respiration. In our
+country we have had instances of women and children, who have been
+buried in the snow for two months, and yet have been taken out alive,
+and have recovered, although they had little or no nourishment during
+their inhumation. I recollected this, and aware that the carcase of the
+animal would supply me for years, I began to indulge a hope that I might
+yet be saved, if driven sufficiently to the southward to admit of my
+being thawed out. I was convinced that the ice about me could not be
+more than six or eight feet thick, as I had sufficient light to
+distinguish the day from the night. Afterwards my eye-sight became so
+much more acute, that I could see very well to every corner of the cave
+in which I was embedded.
+
+During the first month the calls of hunger obliged me to make frequent
+attacks upon the carcase of the sea-horse; after that, my appetite
+decreased, until at length I would not touch a mouthful of food in a
+week,--I presume from the want of fresh air and exercise, neither of
+which I could be said to enjoy. I had been about two months in this
+hole, when a violent shock like that of an earthquake took place, and I
+fell from the top of the cave to the bottom, and for a minute was
+knocked about like a pea in a rattle. I had almost lost my senses before
+it was over, and I found myself lying upon what was before the top of
+the cave. From these circumstances I inferred that the iceberg in which
+I was inclosed had come in contact with another, and that I had been
+broken off from it, and was floating on the sea with other pieces,
+which, when collected in large quantities, are termed a floe of ice.
+Whether my situation was changed for the better I knew not, but the
+change inspired me with fresh hopes. I now calculated that five months
+had elapsed, and that it was the depth of winter, therefore I had no
+chance of being released until the ensuing spring.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Allah Wakbar, God is every where!" interrupted the pacha. "But I wish
+to know, Huckaback, how you were so exactly aware of the time which had
+passed away."
+
+"Min Bashi, and head of thousands!" replied Huckaback, "I will explain
+to your highness. I once jammed my nail at the bottom, and I expected to
+lose it. It did not however come off, but grew up as before, and I had
+the curiosity to know how often people changed their nails in the course
+of a year. It was exactly two months, and from this I grounded my
+calculations. I observed specks on my nails, and as they grew up, so did
+I calculate time."
+
+"Mashallah, how wonderful is God! Wallah Thaib! Well said, by Allah! I
+never should have thought of that," observed the pacha. "Proceed with
+your story."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The five months had elapsed, according to my calculations, when one
+morning I heard a grating noise close to me; soon afterwards I perceived
+the teeth of a saw entering my domicile, and I correctly judged that
+some ship was cutting her way through the ice. Although I could not make
+myself heard, I waited in anxious expectation of deliverance. The saw
+approached very near to where I was sitting, and I was afraid that I
+should be wounded, if not cut in halves; but just as it was within two
+inches of my nose, it was withdrawn. The fact was, that I was under the
+main floe, which had been frozen together, and the firm ice above having
+been removed and pushed away, I rose to the surface. A current of fresh
+air immediately poured into the small incision made by the saw, which
+not only took away my breath from its sharpness, but brought on a
+spitting of blood. Hearing the sound of voices, I considered my
+deliverance as certain. Although I understood very little English, I
+heard the name of Captain Parry frequently mentioned--a name, I presume,
+that your highness is well acquainted with.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Pooh! never heard of it," replied the pacha.
+
+"I am surprised, your highness; I thought every body must have heard of
+that adventurous navigator. I may here observe that I have since read
+his voyages, and he mentions, as a curious fact, the steam which was
+emitted from the ice--which was nothing more than the hot air escaping
+from my cave when it was cut through--a singular point, as it not only
+proves the correctness of his remarks, but the circumstance of my having
+been there, as I am now describing it to your highness."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+But, alas! my hopes soon vanished: the voices became more faint, I felt
+that I was plunged under the floe to make room for the passage of the
+ship, and when I rose, the water which had filled the incision made by
+the saw, froze hard, and I was again closed in--perhaps for ever. I now
+became quite frantic with despair, I tore my clothes, and dashed my head
+against the corners of the cave, and tried to put an end to my hated
+existence. At last, I sank down exhausted with my own violent efforts,
+and continued sullen for several days.
+
+But there is a buoyant spirit in our composition which raises our heads
+above the waters of despair. Hope never deserts us, not even in an
+iceberg. She attends us and supports us to the last; and although we
+reject her kind offices in our fury, she still watches by us, ready to
+assist and console us, when we are inclined to hearken to her
+encouraging whispers.
+
+I once more listened to her suggestions, and for six months fed upon
+them, aided by occasional variations of the flesh of the sea-horse. It
+was now late in the summer, and the ice in which I was bound up had
+evidently melted away. One morning I was astonished by perceiving that
+the light of the sun seemed to change its position regularly every
+quarter of an hour. Had it done so occasionally during the day, and at
+no stated intervals, I should have imagined that the ice that I was
+inclosed in, altered its position from the winds and currents; but the
+regularity astonished me. I watched it, and I found that the same
+phenomenon occurred, but at shorter intervals, and it continued until
+the light shifted from side to side every minute.
+
+After some reflection, the horrid idea occurred to me that I must have
+been drifted to the coast of Norway, and was in the influence of the
+dreadful whirlpool, called the Maelstroom, and that, in a few minutes, I
+should be engulfed for ever, and, whilst I was thinking that such might
+be the case, the light revolved each fifteen seconds. "Then it is!"
+cried I in despair, and, as I uttered the words, it became quite dark,
+and I knew that I had sunk in the vortex, and all was over.
+
+It may appear strange to your highness, that after the first pang,
+occasioned by the prospect of perdition, had passed away, that so far
+from feeling a horror at my situation, I mocked and derided it. I could
+feel no more, and I waited the result with perfect indifference. From
+the marks in my nails, I afterwards found out that I was nearly six
+months in the interior of the earth. At last, one day I was nearly
+blinded by the powerful light that poured through my tenement, and I
+knew that I was once more floating on the water.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Allah Kebir! God is most powerful!" exclaimed the pacha. "Holy
+prophet, where was it that you came up again?"
+
+"In the harbour of Port Royal in Jamaica. Your highness will hardly
+credit it, but on my honour it is true."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The heat of the sun was so great, that in a very short time the ice that
+surrounded me was thawed, and I found myself at liberty; but I still
+floated upon the body of the sea-horse, and the ice which was under the
+water. The latter soon vanished, and striding the back of the dead
+animal, although nearly blind by the rays of the sun, and suffocated
+with the sudden change of climate, I waited patiently to gain the shore,
+which was not one mile distant; but, before I could arrive there, for
+the sea breeze had not yet set in, an enormous shark, well known among
+the English by the name of Port Royal Tom, who had daily rations from
+government, that by remaining in the harbour he might prevent the
+sailors from swimming on shore to desert, ranged up alongside of me. I
+thought it hard that I should have to undergo such new dangers, after
+having been down the Maelstroom, but there was no help for it. He opened
+his enormous jaws, and had I not immediately shifted my leg, would have
+taken it off. As it was, he took such a piece out of my horse, as to
+render it what the sailors call _lopsided_. Again he attacked it, and
+continued to take piece after piece off my steed, until I was afraid
+that he would come to the rider at last, when fortunately a boat full of
+black people, who were catching flying fish, perceived me and pulled to
+my assistance. They took me on shore and carried me to the governor, to
+whom I gave a history of my adventures; but Englishmen suppose that
+nobody can meet with wondrous adventures except themselves. He called me
+a liar, and put me in the Clink, and a pirate schooner having been
+lately taken and the crew executed, I was declared to have been one of
+them; but, as it was clearly proved that the vessel only contained
+thirty men, and they had already hung forty-seven, I was permitted to
+quit the island, which I did in a small vessel bound to America, on
+condition that I would work my passage.
+
+We had gained to the northward of the Bahama Isles, and were standing to
+the westward before a light breeze, when early one morning several
+waterspouts were observed to be forming in various directions. It was my
+watch below, but as I had never seen one of these curious phenomena of
+nature, I went on deck to indulge my curiosity.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Pray what is a waterspout?" inquired the pacha; "I never heard of one
+before."
+
+"A waterspout, your highness, is the ascent of a large body of water
+into the clouds--one of those gigantic operations by which nature,
+apparently without effort, accomplishes her will, pointing out to man
+the insignificance of his most vaunted undertakings."
+
+"Humph! that's a waterspout, is it?" replied the pacha; "I'm about as
+wise as before."
+
+"I will describe it more clearly to your highness, for there is no one
+who has a better right to know what a waterspout is, than myself."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+A black cloud was over our heads, and we perceived that for some time it
+was rapidly descending. The main body then remained stationary, and a
+certain portion of it continued bellying down until it had assumed the
+form of an enormous jelly-bag. From the end of this bag a thin, wiry,
+black tongue of vapour continued to descend until it had arrived half
+way between the cloud and the sea. The water beneath, then ruffled on
+its surface, increasing its agitation more and more until it boiled and
+bubbled like a large cauldron, throwing its foam aside in every
+direction. In a few minutes a small spiral thread of water was perceived
+to rise into the air, and meet the tongue which had wooed it from the
+cloud. When the union had taken place, the thread increased each moment
+in size, until it was swelled into a column of water several feet in
+diameter, which continued to supply the thirsty cloud until it was
+satiated and could drink no more. It then broke, the sea became smooth
+as before, and the messenger of heaven flew away upon the wings of the
+wind, to dispense its burthen over the parched earth in refreshing and
+fertilising showers.
+
+While I was standing at the taffrail in admiration of this wonderful
+resource of nature, the main boom jibbed and struck me with such force,
+that I was thrown into the sea. Another waterspout forming close to the
+vessel, the captain and crew were alarmed and made all sail to escape,
+without regarding me; for they were aware that if it should happen to
+break over them, they would be sent to the bottom with its enormous
+weight. I had scarcely risen to the surface, when I perceived that the
+water was in agitation round me, and all my efforts to swim from the
+spot were unavailing, for I was within the circle of attraction. Thus
+was I left to my fate, and convinced that I could not swim for many
+minutes, I swallowed the salt water as fast as I could, that my
+struggles might the sooner be over.
+
+But as the sea boiled up, I found myself gradually drawn more to the
+centre, and when exactly in it, I was raised in a sitting posture upon
+the spiral thread of water, which, as I explained to your highness,
+forced itself upwards to join the tongue protruded by the cloud. There I
+sat, each second rising higher and higher, balanced like the gilt ball
+of pith, which is borne up by the vertical stream of the fountain which
+plays in the inner court of your highness's palace. I cast my eyes down,
+and perceived the vessel not far off, the captain and crew holding up
+their eyes in amazement at the extraordinary spectacle.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I don't wonder at that," observed the pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I soon reached the tongue of the cloud, which appeared as if impatient
+to receive me--the hair of my head first coming within its attractive
+powers was raised straight on end--then seized as it were and twisted
+it round. I was dragged up by it each moment with increased velocity, as
+I whirled round in my ascent. At last I found myself safely landed, and
+sat down to recover my breath which I had nearly lost for ever.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"And, pray, where did you sit, Huckaback?"
+
+"On the cloud, your highness."
+
+"Holy prophet! What, a cloud bear your weight?"
+
+"If your highness will call to mind that at the same time the cloud took
+up several tons of water, you cannot be surprised at its supporting me."
+
+"Very true," replied the pacha. "This is a very wonderful story, but
+before you go on, I wish to know what the cloud was made of."
+
+"That is rather difficult to explain to your highness. I can only
+compare it to a wet blanket. I found it excessively cold and damp, and
+caught a rheumatism while I was there, which I feel to this day."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+When the cloud was saturated, the column divided, and we rapidly
+ascended until the cold became intense. We passed a rainbow as we
+skimmed along, and I was very much surprised to find that the key of my
+chest and my clasp knife, forced themselves through the cloth of my
+jacket, and flew with great velocity towards it, fixing themselves
+firmly to the violet rays, from which I discovered that those peculiar
+rays were magnetic. I mentioned this curious circumstance to an English
+lady whom I met on her travels, and I have since learnt that she has
+communicated the fact to the learned societies as a discovery of her
+own. However, as she is a very pretty woman, I forgive her. Anxious to
+look down upon the earth, I poked a hole with my finger through the
+bottom of the cloud, and was astonished to perceive how rapidly it was
+spinning round. We had risen so high as to be out of the sphere of its
+attraction, and in consequence remained stationary. I had been up about
+six hours, and although I was close to the coast of America when I
+ascended, I could perceive that the Cape of Good Hope was just heaving
+in sight. I was enabled to form a very good idea of the structure of the
+globe, for at that immense height I could see to the very bottom of the
+Atlantic Ocean. Depend upon it, your highness, if you wish to discover
+more than other people can, it is necessary to be "up in the clouds."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Very true," replied the pacha, "but go on."
+
+I was very much interested in the chemical process of turning the salt
+water into fresh, which was going on with great rapidity while I was
+there. Perhaps your highness would like me to explain it, as it will not
+occupy your attention more than an hour.
+
+"No, no, skip that, Huckaback, and go on."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+But as soon as I had gratified my curiosity, I began to be alarmed at my
+situation, not so much on account of the means of supporting existence,
+for there was more than sufficient.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"More that sufficient! Why, what could you have to eat?"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Plenty of fresh fish, your highness, which had been taken up in the
+column of water at the same time I was, and the fresh water already lay
+in little pools around me. But the cold was dreadful, and I felt that I
+could not support it many hours longer, and how to get down again was a
+problem which I could not solve.
+
+It was however soon solved for me, for the cloud having completed its
+chemical labours, descended as rapidly as it had risen, and joined many
+others, that were engaged in sharp conflict. As I beheld them darting
+against each other, and discharging the electric fluid in the violence
+of their collision, I was filled with trepidation and dismay, lest,
+meeting an adversary, I should be hurled into the abyss below, or be
+withered by the artillery of heaven. But I was fortunate enough to
+escape. The cloud which bore me descended to within a hundred yards of
+the earth, and then was hurried along by the wind with such velocity and
+noise, that I perceived we were assisting at a hurricane.
+
+As we neared the earth, the cloud, unable to resist the force of its
+attraction, was compelled to deliver up its burthen, and down I fell,
+with such torrents of water, that it reminded me of the deluge. The
+tornado was now in all its strength. The wind roared and shrieked in its
+wild fury, and such was its force that I fell in an acute angle.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"What did you fall in?" interrupted the pacha. "I don't know what that
+is."
+
+"I fell in a slanting direction, your highness, describing the
+hypotenuse between the base and perpendicular, created by the force of
+the wind, and the attraction of gravitation."
+
+"Holy prophet! who can understand such stuff? Speak plain, do you laugh
+at our beards?"
+
+"Min Allah! God forbid! Your servant would indeed eat dirt," replied
+Huckaback.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I meant to imply, that so powerful was the wind, it almost bore me up,
+and when I first struck the water, which I did upon the summit of a
+wave, I bounded off again and _ricochetted_ several times from one wave
+to another, like the shot fired from a gun along the surface of the sea,
+or the oyster-shell skimmed over the lake by the truant child. The last
+bound that I gave, pitched me into the rigging of a small vessel on her
+beam ends, and I hardly had time to fetch my breath before she turned
+over. I scrambled up her bends, and fixed myself astride upon her keel.
+
+There I remained for two or three hours, when the hurricane was
+exhausted from its own violence. The clouds disappeared, the sun burst
+out in all its splendour, the sea recovered its former tranquillity,
+and Nature seemed as if she was maliciously smiling at her own mischief.
+The land was close to me, and the vessel drifted on shore. I found that
+I was at the Isle of France, having, in the course of twelve hours thus
+miraculously shifted my position from one side of the globe unto the
+other. I found the island in a sad state of devastation; the labour of
+years had been destroyed in the fury of an hour--the crops were swept
+away--the houses were levelled to the ground--the vessels in fragments
+on the beach--all was misery and desolation. I was however kindly
+received by my countrymen, who were the inhabitants of the isle, and, in
+four-and-twenty hours, we all danced and sang as before. I invented a
+very pretty quadrille, called the Hurricane, which threw the whole
+island into an ecstacy, and recompensed them for all their sufferings.
+But I was anxious to return home, and a Dutch vessel proceeding straight
+to Marseilles, I thought myself fortunate to obtain a passage upon the
+same terms as those which had enabled me to quit the West Indies. We
+sailed, but before we had been twenty-four hours at sea, I found that
+the captain was a violent man, and a most dreadful tyrant. I was not
+very strong, and not being able to perform the duty before the mast, to
+which I had not been accustomed, I was beat so unmercifully, that I was
+debating in my mind, whether I should kill the captain and then jump
+overboard, or submit to my hard fate; but one night as I lay groaning on
+the forecastle after a punishment I had received from the captain, which
+incapacitated me from further duty, an astonishing circumstance occurred
+which was the occasion, not only of my embracing the Mahomedan religion,
+but of making use of those expressions which attracted your highness's
+attention when you passed in disguise. "Why am I thus ever to be
+persecuted?" exclaimed I in despair. And, as I uttered these words, a
+venerable personage, in a flowing beard, and a book in his hand,
+appeared before me, and answered me. "Because, Huckaback, you have not
+embraced the true faith."
+
+"What is the true faith?" inquired I, in fear and amazement.
+
+"There is but one God," replied he, "and I am his prophet."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Merciful Allah!" exclaimed the pacha, "why, it must have been Mahomed
+himself."
+
+"It was so, your highness, although I knew it not at the time."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Prove unto me that it is the true faith," said I.
+
+"I will," replied he; "I will turn the heart of the infidel captain,"
+and he disappeared. The next day the captain of the vessel, to my
+astonishment, came to me as I lay on the forecastle, and begging my
+pardon for the cruelty that he had been guilty of, shed tears over me,
+and ordered me to be carried to his cabin. He laid me in his own bed,
+and watched me as he would a favourite child. In a short time I
+recovered; after which he would permit me to do no duty, but insisted
+upon my being his guest, and loaded me with every kindness.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"God is great!" ejaculated the pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I was lying in my bed, meditating upon these things, when the venerable
+form again appeared to me.
+
+"Art them now convinced?"
+
+"I am," replied I.
+
+"Then prove it by submitting to the law the moment that you are able.
+You shall be rewarded--not at once, but when your faith has been proved.
+Mark me, follow your profession on the seas, and, when once you find
+yourself sitting in the divan at Cairo, with two people originally of
+the same profession as yourself, without others being present, and have
+made this secret known, then you shall be appointed to the command of
+the pacha's fleet, which under your directions shall always meet with
+success. Such shall be the reward of your fidelity."
+
+It is now four years that I have embraced the true faith, and, sinking
+under poverty, I was induced to make use of the exclamation that your
+highness heard; for how can I ever hope to meet two barbers at the divan
+without other people being present?
+
+"Holy prophet! how strange! Why Mustapha was a barber, and so was I,"
+cried the pacha.
+
+"God is great!" answered the renegade, prostrating himself. "Then I
+command your fleet?"
+
+"From this hour," replied the pacha. "Mustapha, make known my wishes."
+
+"The present in command," replied Mustapha, who was not a dupe to the
+wily renegade, "is a favourite with the men."
+
+"Then send for him and take off his head. Is he to interfere with the
+commands of Mahomed?"
+
+The vizier bowed, and the pacha quitted the divan.
+
+The renegade, with a smile upon his lips, and Mustapha with
+astonishment, looked at each other for a few seconds; "You have a great
+talent, Selim," observed the vizier.
+
+"Thanks to your introduction, and to my own invention, it will at last
+be called into action. Recollect, vizier, that I am grateful--you
+understand me;" and the renegade quitted the divan, leaving Mustapha
+still in his astonishment.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XIV
+
+
+"Mustapha," said the pacha, taking his pipe out of his mouth, after half
+an hour's smoking in silence, "I have been thinking it very odd that our
+holy prophet (blessed be his name!) should have given himself so much
+trouble about such a son of Shitan as that renegade rascal, Huckaback,
+whose religion is only in his turban. By the sword of the prophet, is it
+not strange that he should send him to command my fleet?"
+
+"It was the will of your sublime highness," replied Mustapha, "that he
+should command your fleet."
+
+"Mashallah! was it not the will of the prophet?"
+
+Mustapha smoked his pipe, and made no reply.
+
+"He was a great story-teller," observed the pacha, after another pause.
+
+"He was," drily replied Mustapha. "No Kessehgou of our true believers
+could equal him; but that is now over, and the dog of an Isauri must
+prove himself a Rustam in the service of your sublime highness. Aware
+that your highness would require amusement, and that it was the duty of
+your slave, who shines but by the light of your countenance, to procure
+it, I have since yesterday, when the sun went down, despairing to find
+his glory eclipsed by that of your sublime highness, ordered most
+diligent search to be made through the whole of the world, and have
+discovered, that in the caravan now halted on the outskirts of the town,
+there was a famous Kessehgou proceeding to Mecca to pay his homage to
+the shrine of our prophet; and I have dispatched trusty messengers to
+bring him into the presence of the Min Bashi, to whom your slave, and
+the thousands whom he rules, are but as dust:" and Mustapha bowed low.
+
+"Aferin, excellent:" exclaimed the pacha; "and when will he be here?"
+
+"Before the tube now honoured by kissing the lips of your highness shall
+have poured out in ecstasy the incense of another bowl of the fragrant
+weed, the slippers of the Kessehgou will be left at the threshold of the
+palace. Be chesm, on my eyes be it."
+
+"'Tis well, Mustapha. Slave," continued the pacha, addressing the Greek
+who was in attendance, with his arms folded and his eyes cast down to
+the ground; "coffee--and the strong water of the Giaour."
+
+The pacha's pipe was refilled, the coffee was poured down their
+respective throats, and the forbidden spirits quaffed with double
+delight, arising from the very circumstance that they were forbidden.
+
+"Surely there must be some mistake, Mustapha. Does not the Koran say,
+that all that is good is intended for true believers; and is not this
+good? How then can it be forbidden? Could it be intended for the
+Giaours? May they, and their fathers' graves, be eternally defiled!"
+
+"Amen!" replied Mustapha, laying down the cup, and drawing a deep sigh.
+
+Mustapha was correct in his calculations. Before the pacha had finished
+his pipe, the arrival of the story-teller was announced; and after
+waiting a few minutes from decorum, which seemed to the impatient pacha
+to be eternal, Mustapha clapped his hands, and the man was ushered in.
+
+"Kosh amedeid! you are welcome," said the pacha, as the Kessehgou
+entered the divan: he was a slight, elegantly moulded person, of about
+thirty years of age.
+
+"I am here in obedience to the will of the pacha," replied the man in a
+most musical voice, as he salaamed low. "What does his highness require
+of his slave Menouni?"
+
+"His highness requires a proof of thy talent, and an opportunity to
+extend his bounty."
+
+"I am less than dust, and am ready to cover my head with ashes, not to
+feel my soul in the seventh heaven at the condescension of his highness;
+yet would I fain do his bidding and depart, for a vow to the prophet is
+sacred, and it is written in the Koran----"
+
+"Never mind the Koran just now, good Menouni; we ask of thee a proof of
+thy art. Tell me a story."
+
+"Most proud shall I be of the honour. Will not my face be whitened to
+all eternity? Shall your slave relate the loves of Leilah and Majnoun?"
+
+"No, no," replied the pacha; "something that will interest me."
+
+"Then will I narrate the history of the Scarred Lover."
+
+"That sounds well, Mustapha," observed the pacha.
+
+"Who can foresee so well as your sublime highness?" replied Mustapha.
+"Menouni, it is the pleasure of the pacha that you proceed."
+
+"Your slave obeys. Your sublime perspicuity is but too well acquainted
+with geography----?"
+
+"Not that I know of. Hath he ever left his slippers at our threshold,
+Mustapha?"
+
+"I suspect," replied Mustapha, "that he goes all over the world, and
+therefore he must have been here. Proceed, Menouni, and ask not such
+questions. By virtue of his office, his sublime highness knows every
+thing."
+
+"True," said the pacha, shaking his beard with great dignity and
+satisfaction.
+
+"I did but presume to put the question," replied Menouni, whose voice
+was soft and silvery as a flute on a summer's silent eve, "as, to
+perfectly understand the part of the world from which my tale has been
+transmitted, I thought a knowledge of that science was required; but I
+have eaten dirt, and am covered with shame at my indiscretion, which
+would not have occurred, had it not been that the sublime sultan, when I
+last had the honour to narrate the story, was pleased to interrupt me,
+from his not being quite convinced that the parts of the world were
+known to him. But I will now proceed with my tale, which shall go
+forward with the majestic pace of the camel, proud in his pilgrimage
+over the desert, towards the shrine of our holy prophet."
+
+
+
+THE SCARRED LOVER.
+
+In the north-eastern parts of the vast peninsula of India, there did
+exist a flourishing and extended kingdom, eminent for the beauty of the
+country, the fertility of the soil, and the salubrity of the climate.
+This kingdom was bounded on the east by a country named Lusitania, that
+lies northerly towards the coast of Iceland, so called from the
+excessive heat of the winter. On the south it was bounded by a slip of
+land, the name of which has slipped my memory; but it runs into the seas
+under the dominion of the Great Cham of Tartary. On the west it is
+bounded by another kingdom, the name of which I have also forgotten; and
+on the north, by another kingdom, the name of which I do not remember.
+After this explanation, with your sublime highness's knowledge, to which
+that of the sage Lochman was but in comparison as the seed is to the
+water-melon, I hardly need say that it was the ancient kingdom of
+Souffra.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Menouni, you are quite right," observed the pacha. "Proceed."
+
+"Fortunate is your slave to stand in the presence of so much wisdom,"
+continued Menouni, "for I was in doubt: the splendour of your presence
+had startled my memory, as the presence of the caravan doth the zebra
+foal of the desert."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+In this delightful kingdom, where the nightingales sang away their
+existence in their love for the rose, and the roses gave forth their
+perfume until the air was one continued essence of delight, such as is
+inhaled by the true believers when they first approach the gates of
+paradise, and are enchanted by the beckoning of the Houris from the
+golden walls, there lived a beautiful Hindu princess, who walked in
+loveliness, and whose smile was a decree to be happy to all on whom it
+fell; yet for reasons which my tale shall tell, she had heard the
+nightingale complain for eighteen summers, and was still unmarried. In
+this country, which at that time was peopled by Allah with infidels, to
+render it fertile for the true believers, and to be their slaves upon
+their arrival, which did occur some time after the occurrences which I
+now relate; it was not the custom for the females of Souffra to lead
+the life of invisibility, permitted only to those who administer to the
+delights of the followers of the Koran; and although it was with
+exceeding modesty of demeanour, still did they, on great occasions,
+expose their charms to the public gaze, for which error, no doubt if
+they had had souls, beautiful as they were, they would have been damned
+to all eternity. Civilisation, as Menou hath said, must extend both far
+and wide, before other nations will be so polished as to imitate us in
+the splendour, the security, and the happiness of our harems; and when I
+further remark to your highness----
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Proceed, good Menouni," interrupted Mustapha; "his highness is not fond
+of remarks."
+
+"No, by our beard," rejoined the pacha; "it is for you to tell your
+story, and for me to make remarks when it is over."
+
+"I stand in the presence of wisdom," said Menouni, who bowed low and
+proceeded.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The beauteous Babe-bi-bobu, for such was the name of the princess, and
+which, in the language of the country, implied "the cream-tart of
+delight," was left Queen of the Souffrarians by the death of her father;
+and by his will, sworn to by all the grandees of the empire, she was
+enjoined, at twelve years of age, to take to herself a husband; but it
+was particularly expressed that the youth so favoured should be of the
+same high caste as herself, and without _scar_ or _blemish_. When,
+therefore, two years after her father's death, the beautiful
+Babe-bi-bobu had attained the age of twelve years, swift runners on
+foot, and speedy messengers mounted upon the fleetest dromedaries and
+Arab horses of the purest race, were dispatched through all the kingdom
+of Souffra to make known the injunctions of the will; the news of which
+at last flew to the adjacent kingdoms, and from them to all the corners
+of the round world, and none were ignorant. In the kingdom of Souffra,
+from which the choice was to be made, all the youth of caste were in a
+state of fermentation, because they had a chance of obtaining the
+honour; and all those of lower caste were in a state of fermentation, to
+think they had no chance of obtaining such an honour; and all the women
+of high caste, or low caste, or no caste, were all in a state of
+fermentation, because--because----
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Because they always are so," interrupted the pacha. "Proceed, Menouni."
+
+"I thank your sublime highness for having relieved me in my case of
+difficulty; for who can give reasons for the conduct of women?"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It is sufficient to say, that the whole country was in a state of
+fermentation, arising from hope, despair, jealousy, envy, curiosity,
+surmising, wondering, doubting, believing, disbelieving, hearing,
+narrating, chattering, interrupting, and many other causes, too tedious
+to mention. At the first intelligence every Souffrarian youth new-strung
+his mandolin, and thought himself sure to be the happy man. Hope was
+triumphant through the land, roses advanced to double their price: the
+attar was adulterated to meet the exorbitant demand; and nightingales
+were almost worshipped; but this could not last. Doubt succeeded to the
+empire of hope, when reflection pointed out to them, that out of three
+millions of very eligible youths, only one could be made happy. But when
+the counsellors are so many, the decision is but slow; and so numerous
+were the meetings, the canvassings, the debates, the discussions, the
+harangues, and the variety of objections raised by the grandees of the
+country, that at the age of eighteen, the beauteous bird of paradise,
+still unmated, warbled her virgin strain in the loneliness of the royal
+groves.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"But why," interrupted the pacha, "why did they not marry her, when
+there were three millions of young men ready to take her? I can't
+understand the cause of six years' delay."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The reason, most sublime, was, that the grandees of Souffra were not
+endowed with your resplendent wisdom, or the beautiful Babe-bi-bobu had
+not so long languished for a husband. All this delay was produced by
+doubt, which the poets truly declare to be the father of delay. It was a
+doubt which arose in the mind of one of the Brahmins, who, when a doubt
+arose in his mind, would mumble it over and over, but never masticate,
+swallow, or digest it; and thus was the preservation of the royal line
+endangered. For years had the aspirants for regal dignity, and more than
+regal beauty, hovered round the court, each with his mandolin on his
+arm, and a huge packet of love-sonnets borne behind him by a slave, and
+yet all was doubt; and the beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu remained
+unmarried.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I doubt whether we shall ever come to the doubt," interrupted the pacha
+impatiently, "or the princess to a husband."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The doubt shall now be laid at your excellency's feet. It was, as to the
+exact meaning of the words, without _scar_ or _blemish_, and whether
+_moles_ were to be considered as _scars_ or _blemishes_. The Brahmin was
+of opinion that moles _were_ blemishes, and many others agreed with him;
+that is, all those who had no moles on their persons were of his
+opinion; while, on the other hand, those who were favoured by nature
+with those distinguishing marks, declared that so far from their _being_
+scars or blemishes, they must be considered as additional beauties
+granted by heaven to those most favoured. The dispute ran high, and the
+beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu remained unmarried. This great question
+was at last very properly referred to the mufti; these sages handled it,
+and turned it, and twisted it, added to it, multiplied it, subtracted
+from it, and divided it, debated it fasting, debated it on a full
+stomach, nodded over it, dreamt on it, slept on it, woke up with it,
+analysed it, criticised it, and wrote forty-eight folio volumes, of
+which twenty-four were advocates of, and twenty-four opponents to, the
+question; the only conclusion which they could come to at last was, that
+_moles_ were _moles_: and the beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu remained
+unmarried.
+
+The question was then taken up by the dervishes and fakirs of the
+country in a religious point of view; they split into two parties, tried
+the question by a dispute under a banyan tree, which lasted eighteen
+months, and still not half of the holy men had given their sentiments
+upon the question; tired of talking, they proceeded to blows, and then
+to anathematisation and excommunication of each other; lastly, they had
+recourse to impalement to convince each other; more than a thousand
+perished on each side: and still the beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu
+remained unmarried.
+
+The colleges and schools of the kingdom took up the question, and argued
+it metaphysically, and after having irrecoverably lost, between the two
+sides, twenty-two millions of threads of arguments, the question was as
+fresh as ever, and the beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu remained
+unmarried.
+
+But this was not all; for at last the whole nation joined in the
+quarrel, splitting into violent and angry factions, which divided town
+against town, inhabitants against inhabitants, house against house,
+family against family, husband against wife, father against son, brother
+against sister; and in some cases, where he had doubts on both sides, a
+man against himself. The whole nation flew to arms, distinguishing
+themselves as Molists and Anti-Molists; four hundred insurrections, and
+four civil wars, were the consequence; and what was a worse consequence,
+the beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu remained unmarried. Your sublime
+highness must allow that it was a very nice question----
+
+"What is your opinion, Mustapha?" demanded the pacha.
+
+"Is your slave to speak? Then I would say, that it was absurd to make
+such a mountain of a mole-hill."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha. This princess will never be married; so proceed,
+good Menouni."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I should observe to your sublime highness, that the Molists were the
+strongest party, and the most arrogant; not content with wearing the
+marks of nature, they stuck upon their faces fictitious moles of every
+hue and colour, and the most violent partisans appeared as if they were
+suffering from some cutaneous disorder. It was also a singular
+circumstance, that no Molist was ever known to change sides, whereas,
+after bathing, many of the Anti-Molists were found most shamefully to
+apostatise. Everything was disastrous, and the country in a state of
+anarchy and confusion, when the question was most fortunately settled by
+the remark of a little slave about twelve years old, who was regularly
+flogged by his master every morning that he got up, upon a suspicion of
+Molism, and as regularly every evening by his mistress, on a second
+suspicion of Anti-Molism. This poor little fellow whispered to another
+boy, that moles were blemishes or not, just as people happened to think
+them, but, as for his part, he thought nothing about the matter. The
+espionage at that time was so strict, that even a whisper was to be
+heard at the distance of miles, and this observation was reported; it
+certainly was new because it was neutral, when neutrality was not
+permitted or thought of; it was buzzed about; the remark was declared
+wonderful, it ran like wildfire through the suburbs, it roared through
+the city, it shook the very gates of the palace; at last it reached the
+holy in divan, who pronounced it to be inspiration from the Deity, and
+immediately there was issued a solemn edict, in which it was laid down
+as a most positive and important article of Souffrarian faith, that
+moles were not scars, and only blemishes when they were considered so
+to be. Everyone praised the wisdom of this edict; it was read and
+subscribed to as an article of faith; towns greeted towns, house
+congratulated house, and relations shook hands; what was still stranger
+was, husbands and wives were reconciled--and what was even more
+delightful, there was now some chance of the beautiful Princess
+Babe-bi-bobu no longer remaining unmarried.
+
+This fortunate edict, by which it was clear that those who believed a
+mole to be a blemish were quite safe, and those who did not believe it,
+were in no manner of danger, set everything to rights; the metropolis
+was again filled with aspirants, the air tortured with the music of the
+mandolins, and impregnated with the attar of roses. Who can attempt to
+describe the sumptuousness of the palace, and the splendour of the hall
+in which the beautiful princess sat, to receive the homage of the flower
+of the youth of her kingdom. Soothingly soft, sweetly, lovingly soft,
+were the dulcet notes of the warbling Asparas, or singing girls, now
+ebbing, now flowing in tender gushes of melody, while down the sides of
+the elegant and highly pillared hall, now advancing, now retreating, the
+dancing girls, each beautiful as Artee herself in her splendour, seemed
+almost to demand, in their aggregate, that gaze of homage due only to
+the peerless individual who at once burned and languished on her emerald
+throne. Three days had the princess sat in that hall of delight, tired
+and annoyed with the constant stream of the Souffra youths, who
+prostrated themselves and passed on. The fourth morning dawned, and none
+could say that either by gesture, sigh, or look, they had been
+distinguished by even a shadow of preference. And the noble youths
+communed in their despair, and murmured among themselves; many a foot
+was stamped with unbecoming impatience, and many a moustache twisted
+with a pretty indignation. The inhabitants of the capital blamed the
+impetuosity of the youths; to say the least of it, if it were not
+disloyal, it was ungallant, and what was worse, they showed no regard
+for the welfare of the citizens, over whom they each aspired to reign as
+sovereign, for they must be aware that now was the time that the
+citizens, from such an influx of aspirants, were reaping a golden
+harvest. And they added, with great truth, that a princess who had been
+compelled to wait six years to satisfy the doubts of others, had a most
+undeniable right to wait as many days to satisfy her own. On the fourth
+day, the beautiful Babe-bi-bobu again took her seat on the golden
+cushions, with her legs crossed, and her little feet hidden under the
+folds of her loose, azure-coloured satin trousers, and it was supposed
+that there was more brightness in her eyes, and more animation in her
+countenance than on the previous days; but still the crowd passed on
+unnoticed. Even the learned Brahmins, who stood immovable in rows on
+each side of her throne, became impatient: they talked about the
+fickleness of the sex, the impossibility of inducing them to make up
+their minds; they whispered wise saws and sayings from Ferdistan and
+others, about the caprice of women, and the instability of their
+natures, and the more their legs ached from such perpetual demand upon
+their support, the more bitter did they become in their remarks. Poor,
+prosing old fools! the beauteous princess had long made up her mind, and
+had never swerved from it through the tedious six years during which the
+doubts and discussions of those venerable old numskulls had embroiled
+the whole nation in the Molean and Anti-Molean controversy.
+
+It was about the first hour after noon that the beautiful Babe-bi-bobu,
+suddenly rising from her recumbent attitude, clapped her pretty little
+hands, the fingers of which were beautifully tipped with henna, and
+beckoning to her attendants, retired gracefully from the hall of
+audience. The surprise and commotion was great, and what made her
+conduct more particular was, that the only son of the chief Brahmin who
+had first raised the question, and headed the Anti-Molist party, was at
+the moment of the princess's departure, prostrate before the throne,
+with his forehead, indeed, to the ground, but his bosom swelling high
+with hope and ambition.
+
+Within a bower of orange trees, in the deep recesses of the royal
+gardens, to which she had hastened, sat the panting princess. She
+selected some flowers from those which were scattered round her, and
+despatched them to her favourite musician and attendant, Acota. Who was
+there in the whole kingdom of Souffra who could so sweetly touch the
+mandolin as Acota? Yet, who was there, not only in Souffra, but in all
+the adjacent countries, who struck such occasional discordant notes as
+Acota, and that in the ear of the beautiful princess Babe-bi-bobu, who,
+far from being displeased, appeared to approve of his occasional
+violence, which not only threatened to crack the strings of the
+instrument, but the tympanums of those who were near, who longed to
+escape, and leave the princess to enjoy the dissonance alone, little
+thinking that the discord was raised that their souls' harmony might be
+undisturbed by the presence of others, and that the jarring of the
+strings was more than repaid to the princess, by the subsequent music of
+Acota's voice.
+
+Acota seated himself, at a signal from the princess, and commenced his
+playing, if such it could be called, thrumming violently, and jarring
+every chord of his instrument to a tone of such dissonance, that the
+attendant girls put their fingers into their ears, and pitied the
+beautiful Babe-bi-bobu's bad taste in music.
+
+"Ah! Acota," said the princess, opening upon him all the tenderness of
+her large and beaming eyes, "how weary am I of sitting on my cushion,
+and seeing fop after fop, fool after fool, dawdle down upon their faces
+before me; and, moreover, I am suffocated with perfumes. Strike your
+mandolin again louder, beloved of my soul--still louder, that I may be
+further relieved of this unwished-for crowd."
+
+Thereupon, Acota seized his mandolin, and made such an unaccountable
+confusion of false notes, such a horrid jarring, that all the birds
+within one hundred yards shrieked as they fled, and the watchful old
+chamberlain, who was always too near the princess, in her opinion, and
+never near enough, in his own, cried out, "Yah--yah--baba senna, curses
+on his mother, and his mandolin into the bargain!" as his teeth
+chattered; and he hastened away, as fast as his obesity would permit
+him. The faithful damsels who surrounded the princess could neither
+stand it nor sit it any longer--they were in agonies, all their teeth
+were set on edge; and at last, when Acota, with one dreadful crash,
+broke every string of his instrument, they broke loose from the reins of
+duty, and fled in every direction of the garden, leaving the princess
+and Acota alone.
+
+"Beloved of my soul," said the princess, "I have at last invented a plan
+by which our happiness will be secured!" and in a low tone of voice, but
+without looking at each other, that they might not attract the
+observation of the chamberlain, they sweetly communed. Acota listened a
+few minutes to the soft voice of the princess, and then took up his
+broken-stringed mandolin, and with a profound reverence for the benefit
+of the old chamberlain, he departed.
+
+In the meantime, a rumour was spread abroad that at sunset a public
+examination of all the candidates was to take place on the bank of the
+rapid-flowing river, which ran through a spacious meadow near to the
+city, in order to reject those candidates who might prove, by _any scar
+or blemish_ not to come expressly within the meaning of the old king's
+will. Twelve old fakirs, and twenty-four mollahs with spectacles, were
+appointed as examining officers. It was supposed, as this was a
+religious ceremony, that all the females of Souffra, who were remarkable
+for their piety, would not fail to attend--and all the world were eager
+for the commencement of the examination. O then it was pleasant to see
+the running, and mounting, and racing, among the young Souffrarian
+rayahs, who were expected to be examined; and a stranger would have
+thought that a sudden pestilence had entered the city, from the
+thousands upon thousands who poured out from it, hastening to the river
+side, to behold the ceremony. But to the astonishment of the people,
+almost all the rayahs, as soon as they were mounted, left the city in an
+opposite direction, some declaring, that they were most surely without
+_scar or blemish_, but still they could not consent to expose their
+persons to the gaze of so many thousands; others declared, that they
+left on account of _scars and honourable wounds_ received in battle, and
+until that afternoon, the Souffrarians were not aware of how much
+modesty and how much courage they had to boast in their favoured land;
+and many regretted, as they viewed the interminable line of gallant
+young men depart, that the will of the late king should have made scars
+received in battle to be a bar to advancement; but they were checked by
+the Brahmins, who told them that there was a holy and hidden mystery
+contained in the injunction of the old king's will.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"By the beard of the prophet, it takes a long time to get a husband for
+this princess of yours, Menouni," observed the pacha with a yawn.
+
+"Your sublime highness will not be surprised at it, when you consider
+the conditions of the old king's will."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The examination was most strict, and even a small cut was sufficient to
+render a young man ineligible; a corn was considered as a blemish--and a
+young man even having been bled by a leech to save his life, lost him
+all chance of the princess.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Pray may I ask, if a barber had cut the skin in shaving their heads,
+was that considered as a scar?"
+
+"Most decidedly, your highness."
+
+"Then those fakirs and mollahs, with their spectacles, and the Brahmins,
+were a parcel of fools. Were they not, Mustapha?"
+
+"Your highness's wisdom is like the overflowing of the honey pot,"
+replied Mustapha.
+
+"Your know, Mustapha, as well as I do, that it is almost impossible not
+to draw blood, if there happens to be a pimple, or a bad razor; but,
+however, proceed, Menouni, and if possible marry this beautiful
+princess."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+About two hours before sunset the beautiful Babe-bi-bobu, "the
+cream-tart of delight," more splendidly dressed than before, again
+entered the hall of audience, and found to her surprise, that there
+remained out of the many thousands of young rayahs, not fifty who could
+pretend to the honour of her hand and throne. Among them, no longer
+dressed as a musician, but robed in the costume of his high caste, stood
+the conscious and proud Acota, and, although his jewels might not have
+vied with those worn by others who stood by him, yet the brightness of
+his eyes more than compensated. Next to Acota stood Mezrimbi, the son of
+the chief Brahmin, and he, only, could be compared to Acota in personal
+beauty; but his character was known--he was proud, overbearing, and
+cruel. The beauteous Babe-bi-bobu feared him, for there was a clause in
+her father's will, by which, if the first choice of the princess should
+prove by any intermediate accident to be ineligible, his father, the
+chief Brahmin, was empowered to make a selection for the princess, and
+his decision was to be equally inviolable. The beauteous eyes of the
+princess first lighted upon the form of Mezrimbi, and she trembled, but
+the proud bearing of Acota reassured her, and waving her hand as she
+sat, she addressed the assembled youths as follows:--
+
+"Faithful and gentle rayahs, impute it to no want of modesty that, for
+once, I sink the graceful bashfulness of the virgin, and assume the more
+forward deportment of the queen. When all appear to possess such merit,
+how can I slight all but one by my decision? Let me rather leave it to
+the immortal Vishnu to decide who is most worthy to reign over this our
+kingdom of Souffra. Let Vishnu prompt you to read your destiny; I have
+placed a flower in this unworthy bosom, which is shortly to call one of
+you its lord. Name then, the flower, and he who first shall name it, let
+him be proclaimed the lawful king of Souffra. Take then, your
+instruments, noble rayahs, and to their sounds, in measured verse, pour
+out the name of the hidden flower, and the reason for my choice. Thus
+shall fate decide the question, and no one say that his merits have been
+slighted."
+
+Having finished her address, the beauteous princess let fall her veil,
+and was silent. A shout of applause was followed by wild strummings and
+tunings of mandolins, and occasional scratching of heads or turbans, to
+remember all that Hafiz had ever written, or to aid their attempts at
+improviso versification. Time flew on, and no one of the young rayahs
+appeared inclined to begin. At last one stepped forward, and named the
+rose, in a borrowed couplet. He was dismissed with a graceful wave of
+the hand by the princess, and broke his mandolin in his vexation, as he
+quitted the hall of audience. And thus did they continue, one after
+another, to name flower after flower, and quit the hall of audience in
+despair. Then might these beautiful youths, as they all stood before the
+princess, be compared, themselves, to the most beauteous flowers, strong
+rooted in their hopes, and basking in the sun of her presence; and, as
+their hopes were cut off, what were they but the same flowers severed
+from their stalks, and drooping before the sunny beams, now too powerful
+to be borne, or loaded with the dew of tears, removed to fade away
+unheeded? There were but few left, when Mezrimbi, who had, as he
+thought, hit upon the right name, and who, watching the countenance of
+Acota, which had an air of impatient indifference upon it, which induced
+Mezrimbi to suppose that he had lighted upon the same idea, and might
+forestall him, stepped forward with his mandolin. Mezrimbi was
+considered one of the best poets in Souffra; in fact, he had every
+talent, but not one virtue. He bent forward in an elegant attitude, and
+sang as follows:--
+
+  "Who does the nightingale love? Alas! we
+  Know. She sings of her love in the silence of
+  Night, and never tells the name of her adored one.
+
+  "What are flowers but the language of love?
+  And does not the nightingale rest her breast
+  Upon the thorn as she pours out her plaintive notes?
+
+  "Take then out of thy bosom the sweet flower of May
+  Which is hidden there, emblematical of thy love,
+  And the pleasing pain that it has occasioned."
+
+When Mezrimbi had finished the two first verses, the beauteous princess
+started with fear that he had gained her secret, and it was with a
+feeling of agony that she listened to the last; agony succeeded by a
+flow of joy, at his not having been successful. Impatiently she waved
+her hand, and as impatiently did Mezrimbi depart from her presence.
+
+Acota then stepped forward, and after a prelude, the beauty of which
+astonished all those around the queen's person, for they had no idea
+that he could play in tune, sang in a clear melodious voice the
+following stanzas:--
+
+  "Sweet, blushing cheek! the rose is there,
+  Thy breath, the fragrance of its bowers;
+  Lilies are on thy bosom fair,
+  And e'en thy very words seem flowers.
+
+  "But lily, rose, or flower, that blows
+  In India's garden, on thy breast
+  Must meet its death--by breathing sweets
+  Where it were ecstasy to rest.
+
+  "A blossom from a nettle ta'en,
+  Is in thy beauteous bosom bound,
+  Born amid stings, it gives no pain,
+  'Tis sweetness among venom found."
+
+Acota was silent. The beauteous princess, as the minstrel finished, rose
+slowly and tremulously from her cushions, and taking the blossom of a
+nettle from her bosom, placed it in the hands of the happy Acota,
+saying, with a great deal of piety, "It is the will of Heaven."
+
+"But how was it possible for Acota to find out that the princess had a
+nettle blossom in her bosom?" interrupted the pacha. "No man could ever
+have guessed it. I can't make that out. Can you, Mustapha?"
+
+"Your sublime highness is right; no man ever could have guessed such a
+thing," replied Mustapha. "There is but one way to account for it, which
+is, that the princess must have told him her intentions when they were
+alone in the royal garden."
+
+"Very true, Mustapha--well, thank Allah, the princess is married at
+last."
+
+"I beg pardon of your sublime highness, but the beauteous princess is
+not yet married," said Menouni; "the story is not yet finished."
+
+"Wallah el nebi!" exclaimed the pacha. "By God and his prophet, is she
+never to be married?"
+
+"Yes, your sublime highness, but not just yet. Shall I proceed?"
+
+"Yes, Menouni, and the faster you get on the better."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Amidst the cries of 'Long live Acota, Souffraria's legitimate king.'"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Legitimate. Pray, good Menouni, what may that word mean?"
+
+"Legitimate, your sublime highness, implies that a king and his
+descendants are chosen by Allah to reign over a people."
+
+"Well, but I don't see that Allah had much to do with the choice of
+Acota."
+
+"Nor with the choice of any other king, I suspect, your sublime
+highness; but still the people were made to believe so, and that is all
+that is sufficient. Allah does not interfere in the choice of any but
+those who reign over true believers. The Sultan is the Holy Prophet's
+vicegerent on earth--and he, guided by the prophet, invests virtue and
+wisdom with the Kalaats of dignity, in the persons of his pachas."
+
+"Very true," said the pacha, "the Sultan is guided by Allah, and,"
+continued he in a low tone to Mustapha, "a few hundred purses to boot.
+Menouni, you may proceed."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Amidst the cries of "Long live Acota, Souffraria's legitimate king!"
+Acota was led to the throne by the attendant grandees of the nation,
+where he received the homage of all present. It was arranged by the
+grandees and mollahs that the marriage should take place the next day.
+The assembly broke up, and hastened in every direction to make
+preparations for the expected ceremony.
+
+But who can describe the jealousy, the envy, and the indignation which
+swelled in the breasts of Mezrimbi and his father, the chief Brahmin?
+They met, they consulted, they planned, and they schemed. Acota was not
+yet king, although he was proclaimed as such--he was not king until his
+marriage with the beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu, "the cream-tart of
+delight," and should he be scarred or blemished before the marriage of
+the ensuing day, then must the Brahmin, by the will of the old king,
+choose his successor; and who could he choose but his own son?
+
+"Father," said young Mezrimbi, his beautiful countenance distorted by
+the vilest passions of Jehanum, "I have planned as follows:--I have
+mutes ready to obey my wishes, and a corrosive burning acid, which will
+eat deeply into the flesh of the proud Acota. I know that he will pass
+the time away in the garden of the royal grove. I know even the bower in
+which he hath wooed and won the fair princess. Let us call these mutes,
+explain to them what we wish, and by to-morrow's sun the throne of
+Souffraria will fall to the race of Mezrimbi. Are we not of the purest
+blood of the plains, and is not Acota but a rayah of the mountains?"
+
+And the chief Brahmin was pleased with his son's proposal; the mutes
+were summoned, the black, tongueless, everythingless, hideous creatures,
+bowed in their humility, and followed their master, who, with the chief
+Brahmin, ventured by a circuitous route to invade the precincts of the
+royal grove. Slowly and cautiously did they proceed towards the bower,
+where, as Mezrimbi had truly said, Acota was waiting for his beloved
+princess. Fortunately, as they approached, a disturbed snake, hissing in
+his anger, caused an exclamation from the old Brahmin, which aroused
+Acota from his delicious reverie. Through the foliage he perceived and
+recognised Mezrimbi, his father, and the mutes. Convinced that they
+meditated mischief towards himself, he secreted himself among the
+rose-bushes, lying prostrate on the ground; but in his haste, he left
+his cloak and mandolin. Mezrimbi entered the bower, and explained to the
+mutes by signs what it was which he desired, showed them the cloak and
+mandolin to make known the object of his wrath, and put into their hands
+the bottle of corrosive acid. They satisfied him that they comprehended
+his wishes, and the party then retired, the chief Brahmin quitting the
+grove for his own house, the mutes lying in wait under some bushes for
+the arrival of Acota, and Mezrimbi walking away into the recesses of the
+grove, anxious as to the issue of the plot. Acota, perfectly aware of
+what was intended, laughed in his sleeve, and thanked Allah for this
+fortunate discovery; he crawled away on his hands and knees, so as not
+to be perceived, and hid himself, with his cloak and mandolin, watching
+in turn the motions of the others--and thus did all parties watch until
+the sun descended behind the blue hills which divided the kingdom of
+Souffraria from that of the other kingdom, which my treacherous memory
+has dared to forget in your highness's sublime presence. Mezrimbi was
+the only one who was not motionless: he paced up and down in all the
+anxiety of anticipation and doubt, and at last he stopped, and, tired
+out with contending feelings, sat down at the foot of a tree, close to
+where Acota was concealed. The nightingale was pouring forth her sweet
+melody, and, friendly to lovers, she continued it until Mezrimbi, who
+had listened to it, and whose angry feelings had been soothed with her
+dulcet strains, fell fast asleep. Acota perceived it, and approaching
+him softly, laid his cloak over him, and taking up his mandolin, struck
+a chord, which he knew would not be lost upon the quick-eared mutes,
+although not so loud as to awake Mezrimbi. Acota was right; in a minute
+he perceived the dark beings crawling through the underwood like jackals
+who had scented out their prey, and Acota was again concealed in the
+thick foliage. They approached like shadows in the dark, and perceived
+the sleeping Mezrimbi with the cloak of Acota and the mandolin, which
+Acota, after striking it, had laid by his side. It was sufficient.
+Mezrimbi's face was covered with the burning acid before even he was
+awakened; his screams were smothered in a shawl, and satisfied with
+having obeyed the injunctions of their master, the mutes hastened back
+to report their success, taking, however, the precaution of tying the
+hands and feet of Mezrimbi, that he might not go home to receive any
+help in his distress. They escaped out of the gardens, and reported to
+the chief Brahmin the success of the operations, and how they had left
+him, Acota, in the woods. The old Mezrimbi, upon reflection, thought it
+advisable that the person of Acota should be in his power, that he might
+be able to produce him when required upon the ensuing day. He therefore
+desired the mutes to go back and bring Acota to the house, keeping a
+strict guard that he might not escape.
+
+When the mutes had quitted Mezrimbi, Acota rose from his hiding place,
+and went towards the unfortunate wretch, who still groaned with pain,
+but his face was muffled up in the shawl, so that his features were
+hidden. At first Acota had intended to have reviled and scoffed at his
+treacherous enemy, but his good heart forbade it. Another idea then came
+into his head. He took off the cloak of Mezrimbi, and substituted his
+own; he exchanged turbans and scimitars, and then left him and went
+home. Shortly after Acota had quitted the wood, the mutes returned,
+lifted the miserable Mezrimbi on their shoulders and carried him to the
+house of the chief Brahmin, who having ordered him to be guarded in an
+outhouse, said his prayers and went to bed.
+
+The sun rose and poured his beaming rays upon the land of Souffraria,
+and thousands and thousands of the inhabitants had risen before him, to
+prepare for the day of delight, the day on which they were to be blessed
+with a king--the day on which the beauteous Princess Babe-bi-bobu, the
+cream-tart of delight, was no longer to remain unmarried. Silks and
+satins from China, shawls and scarfs from Cashmere, jewels, and gold,
+and diamonds--horses, and camels, and elephants, were to be seen spread
+over the plains, and the city of Souffra. All was joy, and jubilee, and
+feasting, and talking, for the beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu was that
+day to be married.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I wish to heaven she was," observed the pacha, impatiently.
+
+"May it please your sublime highness, she soon will be."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+At an early hour the proclamation was made that the princess was about
+to take unto herself a husband from the high caste youths of Souffra,
+and that all whom it might concern should repair to the palace, to be
+present at the ceremony. As it concerned all Souffra--all Souffra was
+there. The sun had nearly reached to the zenith, and looked down almost
+enviously upon the gay scene beneath, broiling the brains of the good
+people of Souffra, whose heads paved, as it were, the country for ten
+square miles, when the beauteous Princess Babe-bi-bobu made her
+appearance in the hall of audience, attended by her maidens and the
+grandees of Souffra, who were the executors to her father's will. At the
+head of them was the chief Brahmin, who looked anxiously among the crowd
+for his son Mezrimbi, who had not made his appearance that morning. At
+last he espied his rich dress, his mantle, his turban and jewelled
+scimitar, but his face was muffled up in a shawl, and the chief Brahmin
+smiled at the witty conceit of his son, that of having his own beauteous
+person muffled as well as that of the now _scarred_ Acota. And then
+silence was commanded by a thousand brazen trumpets, and enforced by the
+discharge of two thousand pieces of artillery, ten square miles of
+people repeated the order for silence, in loud and reiterated
+shouts--and at last silence obeyed the order, and there was silence. The
+chief Brahmin rose, and having delivered an extemporaneous prayer,
+suitable to the solemnity and importance of the occasion, he proceeded
+to read the will of the late king--he then descanted upon the Molean
+controversy, and how it was now an article of the Souffrarian faith,
+which it was heresy and impalement not to believe, that "moles were not
+scars, and only blemishes when they were considered so to be." The
+choice of the princess, continued the learned Brahmin, has however not
+been made; she has left to chance that which was to have proceeded from
+her own free will, and that without consulting with the ministers of our
+holy religion. My heart told me yesterday that such was not right, and
+contrary not only to the king's will, but the will of Heaven; and I
+communed deeply on the subject after I had prayed nine times--and a
+dream descended on me in my sleep, and I was told that the conditions of
+the will would be fulfilled. How to explain this answer from above I
+know not: perhaps the youth who was fortunate in discovering the flower,
+is also the youth of the princess's choice.
+
+"Even so," replied the princess, in a soft, melodious voice, "and
+therefore is my father's will obeyed."
+
+"Where, then, is the fortunate youth?" said the chief Brahmin; "let him
+appear."
+
+Babe-bi-bobu, who, as well as others, had in vain looked round for
+Acota, was astonished at his not making his appearance, and still more
+so when he did, as they thought, appear, led in by the four black mutes,
+with his face enveloped in a shawl.
+
+"This, then," said the chief Brahmin, "is the favoured youth, Acota.
+Remove the shawl, and lead him to the princess."
+
+The mutes obeyed, and to the horror of Babe-bi-bobu, there stood Acota,
+as she thought, with a face so scarred and burnt, that his features were
+not distinguishable. She started from her throne, uttered one wild
+shriek, which was said to have been heard by the whole ten square miles
+of population, and fainted in the arms of her attendants.
+
+"We know his dress, most noble grandees," continued the chief Brahmin,
+"but how can we recognise in that object, the youth without scar or
+blemish? It is the will of Heaven," continued the chief Brahmin, piously
+and reverently bending low. And all the other grandees replied in the
+same pious manner, "It is the will of Heaven." "I say," continued the
+chief Brahmin, "that this must have been occasioned by the princess not
+having chosen as ordained by the will of her father, but having
+impiously left to chance what was to have been decided by free will. Is
+not the hand, the finger of Providence made manifest?" continued he,
+appealing to the grandees. And they all bowed low, and declared that the
+hand and finger of Providence were manifest; while the mutes, who knew
+that it was their hands and fingers which had done the deed, chuckled as
+well as they could with the remnants of their tongues. "And now,"
+continued the chief Brahmin, "we must obey the will of the late king,
+which expressly states, that if any accident should happen after the
+choice of the princess had been made, that I, the chief of our holy
+religion, should select her husband. By virtue, then, of my power, I
+call thee forth, my son, Mezrimbi, to take his place. Bow down to
+Mezrimbi, the future king of Souffraria."
+
+Acota, muffled up to the eyes, and dressed in the garments of Mezrimbi,
+stepped forth, and the chief Brahmin, and all present, in pursuance to
+his order, prostrated themselves before Acota, with their foreheads in
+the dust. Acota took that opportunity of removing the shawl, and, when
+they rose up, stood by the throne, resplendent in his beauty and his
+pride. At the sight of him, the chief Brahmin raised a cry, which was
+heard, not only further than the shriek of the beautiful Princess
+Babe-bi-bobu, but had the effect of recalling her to life and
+recollection. All joined in the cry of astonishment when they beheld
+Acota in the garments of Mezrimbi.
+
+"Who, then, art thou?" exclaimed the chief Brahmin, to his son, in
+Acota's dress.
+
+"I am," exclaimed his son, exhausted with pain and mortification, "I
+am--I was Mezrimbi."
+
+"Grandees," cried Acota, "as the chief Brahmin has already asserted, and
+as you have agreed, in that you behold the finger of Heaven, which ever
+punishes hypocrisy, cruelty, and injustice;" and the chief Brahmin fell
+down in a fit, and was carried out, with his unfortunate son Mezrimbi.
+
+In the meantime the beauteous Princess Babe-bi-bobu had recovered, and
+was in the arms of Acota, who, resigning her to her attendant maidens,
+addressed the assembly in a speech of so much eloquence, so much beauty,
+and so much force, that it was written down in letters of gold, being
+considered the _ne plus ultra_ of the Souffrarian language; he explained
+to them the nefarious attempt of Mezrimbi to counteract the will of
+Heaven, and how he had fallen into the snare which he had laid for
+others. And when he had finished, the whole assembly hailed him as their
+king; and the population, whose heads paved, as it were, a space of ten
+square miles, cried out, "Long life to the king Acota, and his beautiful
+princess Babe-bi-bobu, the cream-tart of delight!"
+
+Who can attempt to describe the magnificent procession which took place
+that evening, who can describe the proud and splendid bearing of king
+Acota, or the beaming eyes of the beautiful Princess Babe-bi-bobu. Shall
+I narrate how the nightingales sang themselves to death--shall I----
+
+"No, pray don't," interrupted the pacha, "only let us know one
+thing--was the beautiful Babe-bi-bobu married at last?"
+
+"She was, that very evening, your sublime highness."
+
+"Allah be praised!" rejoined the pacha. "Mustapha, let Menouni know what
+it is to tell a story to a pacha, even though it is rather a long one,
+and I thought the princess would never have been married." And the pacha
+rose and waddled to his harem.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XV
+
+
+On the ensuing day, the pacha was sitting at his divan, according to his
+custom, Mustapha by his side, lending his ear to the whispers of divers
+people who came to him in an attitude of profound respect. Still they
+were most graciously received, as the purport of their intrusion was to
+induce the vizier to interest himself in their behalves when their cause
+came forward to be heard and decided upon by the pacha, who in all cases
+was guided by the whispered opinion of Mustapha. Mustapha was a
+good-hearted man: he was always grateful, and if any one did him a good
+turn, he never forgot it. The consequence was, that an intimation that a
+purse of so many sequins would be laid at his feet if the cause to be
+heard was decided in favour of the applicant, invariably interested
+Mustapha in the favour of that party; and Mustapha's opinion was always
+coincided in by the pacha, because he had (or supposed that he had) half
+of the sequins so obtained. True, the proverb says, "you should be just
+before you are generous;" but Mustapha's arguments when he first
+proposed to the pacha this method of filling the royal treasury, were so
+excellent, that we shall hand them down to posterity. "In the first
+place," said Mustapha, "it is evident that in all these causes the
+plaintiffs and defendants are both rascals. In the second place, it is
+impossible to believe a word on either side. In the third place,
+exercising the best of your judgment, you are just as likely to go wrong
+as right. In the fourth place, if a man happens to be wronged by our
+decision, he deserves it as a punishment for his other misdeeds. In the
+fifth place, as the only respectability existing in either party
+consists in their worldly wealth, by deciding for him who gives most,
+you decide for the most respectable man. In the sixth place, it is our
+duty to be grateful for good done to us, and in so deciding, we exercise
+a virtue strongly inculcated by the Koran. In the seventh place, we
+benefit both parties by deciding quickly, as a loss is better than a
+lawsuit. And in the eighth and last place, we want money."
+
+On this day a cause was being heard, and, although weighty reasons had
+already decided the verdict, still, _pro forma_, the witnesses on both
+sides were examined; one of these, upon being asked whether he witnessed
+the proceedings, replied, "That he had no doubt, but there was doubt on
+the subject, but that he doubted whether the doubts were correct."
+
+"Doubt--no doubt--what is all this? do you laugh at our beards?" said
+Mustapha sternly, who always made a show of justice. "Is it the fact or
+not?"
+
+"Your highness, I seldom met a fact, as it is called, without having
+half a dozen doubts hanging to it," replied the man: "I will not,
+therefore, make any assertion without the reservation of a doubt."
+
+"Answer me plainly," replied the vizier, "or the ferashes and bamboo
+will be busy with you very shortly. Did you see the money paid?"
+
+"I believe as much as I can believe any thing in this world, that I did
+see money paid; but I doubt the sum, and I doubt the metal, and I have
+also my other doubts. May it please your highness, I am an unfortunate
+man, I have been under the influence of doubts from my birth; and it has
+become a disease which I have no doubt will only end with my existence.
+I always doubt a fact, unless----"
+
+"What does the ass say? What is all this but Bosh?--nothing. Let him
+have a fact."
+
+The pacha gave the sign--the ferashes appeared--the man was thrown, and
+received fifty blows of the bastinado. The pacha then commanded them to
+desist. "Now, by our beard, is it not a fact that you have received the
+bastinado? If you still doubt the fact, we will proceed."
+
+"The fact is beyond a doubt," replied the man, prostrating himself. "But
+excuse me, your sublime highness, if I do continue to assert that I
+cannot always acknowledge a fact, without such undeniable proofs as your
+wisdom has been pleased to bring forward. If your highness were to hear
+the history of my life, you would then allow that I have cause to
+doubt."
+
+"History of his life! Mustapha, we shall have a story."
+
+"Another fifty blows on his feet would remove all his doubts, your
+highness," replied Mustapha.
+
+"Yes; but then he will be beaten out of his story. No, no; let him be
+taken away till the evening, and then we shall see how he will make out
+his case."
+
+Mustapha gave directions, in obedience to the wish of the pacha. In the
+evening, as soon as they had lighted their pipes, the man was ordered
+in, and in consideration of his swelled feet, was permitted to sit down,
+that he might be more at ease when he narrated his story, which was as
+follows.
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF HUDUSI.
+
+Most sublime pacha, allow me first to observe, that, although I have
+latterly adhered to my own opinions, I am not so intolerant as not to
+permit the same licence to others: I do not mean to say that there are
+not such things as facts in this world, nor to find fault with those who
+believe in them. I am told that there are also such things as flying
+dragons, griffins, and other wondrous animals, but surely it is quite
+sufficient for me, or any one else, to believe that these animals
+exist, when it may have been our fortune to see them; in the same
+manner, I am willing to believe in a fact, when it is cleared from the
+mists of doubt; but up to the present, I can safely say, that I seldom
+have fallen in with a fact, unaccompanied by _doubts_, and every year
+adds to my belief, that there are few genuine facts in existence. So
+interwoven in my frame is doubt, that I sometimes am unwilling to admit,
+as a fact, that I exist. I believe it to be the case, but I feel that I
+have no right to assert it, until I know what death is, and may from
+thence draw an inference, which may lead me to a just conclusion.
+
+My name is Hudusi. Of my parents I can say little. My father asserted
+that he was the bravest janissary in the sultan's employ, and had
+greatly distinguished himself. He was always talking of Rustam, as being
+a fool compared to him; of the number of battles he had fought, and of
+the wounds which he had received in leading his corps on all desperate
+occasions; but as my father often bathed before me, and the only wound I
+could ever perceive was one in his rear, when he spoke of his bravery, I
+_very much doubted the fact_.
+
+My mother fondled and made much of me, declared that I was the image of
+my father, a sweet pledge of their affections, a blessing sent by Heaven
+upon their marriage; but, as my father's nose was aquiline, and mine is
+a snub, or aquiline reversed; his mouth large, and mine small; his eyes
+red and ferrety, and mine projecting; and, moreover, as she was a very
+handsome woman, and used to pay frequent visits to the cave of a sainted
+man in high repute, of whom I was the image, when she talked of the
+janissary's paternity, I _very much doubted the fact_.
+
+An old mollah taught me to read and write and repeat the verses of the
+Koran--and I was as much advanced as any boy under his charge--but he
+disliked me very much for reasons which I never could understand, and
+was eternally giving me the slipper. He declared that I was a reprobate,
+an unbeliever, a son of Jehanum, who would be impaled before I was much
+older; but here I am, without a stake through my body at the age of
+forty-five; and your highness must acknowledge that when he railed all
+this in my ears, I was justified in _very much doubting the fact_.
+
+When I was grown up, my father wanted me to enrol myself in the corps of
+janissaries, and become a lion-killer like himself; I remonstrated, but
+in vain; he applied, and I was accepted, and received the mark on my
+arm, which constituted me a janissary. I put on the dress, swaggered and
+bullied with many other young men of my acquaintance, who were all
+ready, as they swore, to eat their enemies alive, and who curled their
+mustachios to prove the truth of what they said. We were despatched to
+quell a rebellious pacha--we bore down upon his troops with a shout,
+enough to frighten the devil, but the devil a bit were they frightened,
+they stood their ground; and as they would not run, we did, leaving
+those who were not so wise, to be cut to pieces. After this, when any of
+my companions talked of their bravery, or my father declared that he
+should be soon promoted to the rank of a Spahi, and that I was a lion's
+whelp, I _very much doubted the fact_.
+
+The pacha held out much longer than was at first anticipated; indeed, so
+long as to cause no little degree of anxiety in the capital. More troops
+were despatched to subdue him; and success not attending our efforts,
+the vizier, according to the custom, was under the disagreeable
+necessity of parting with his head, which was demanded because we turned
+tail. Indeed, it was to oblige us, that the sultan consented to deprive
+himself of the services of a very able man; for we surrounded the
+palace, and insisted that it was all his fault, but, considering our
+behaviour in the field of battle, your highness must admit that there
+was reason to _doubt the fact_.
+
+We were again despatched against this rebellious pacha, who sat upon the
+parapets of his stronghold, paying down thirty sequins for the head of
+every janissary brought to him by his own troops, and I am afraid a
+great deal of money was spent in that way. We fell into an ambuscade,
+and one half of the corps to which my father belonged were cut to
+pieces, before we could receive any assistance. At last the enemy
+retired. I looked for my father, and found him expiring; as before, he
+had received a wound on the wrong side, a spear having transfixed him
+between the shoulders. "Tell how I died like a brave man," said he, "and
+tell your mother that I am gone to Paradise." From an intimate knowledge
+of my honoured father's character, in the qualities of thief, liar, and
+coward, although I promised to deliver the message, _I very much doubted
+these facts_.
+
+That your highness may understand how it was that I happened to be left
+alone, and alive on the field of battle, I must inform you, that I
+inherited a considerable portion of my father's courageous temper, and
+not much liking the snapping of the pistols in my face, I had thrown
+myself down on the ground, and had remained there very quietly,
+preferring to be trampled on, rather than interfere with what was going
+on above.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"By the sword of the prophet! there is one fact--you were a very great
+coward," observed the pacha.
+
+"Among my other doubts, your highness, I certainly have some doubts as
+to my bravery."
+
+"By the beard of the pacha, I have no doubts on the subject," observed
+Mustapha.
+
+"Without attempting to defend my courage, may I observe to your
+highness, that it was a matter of perfect indifference to me whether the
+sultan or the pacha was victorious; and I did not much admire hard
+blows, without having an opportunity of putting a few sequins in my
+pocket. I never knew of any man, however brave he might be, who fought
+for love of fighting, or amusement; we all are trying in this world to
+get money; and that is, I believe, the secret spring of all our
+actions."
+
+"Is that true, Mustapha?" inquired the pacha.
+
+"May it please your sublime highness, if not the truth, it is not very
+far from it. Proceed, Hudusi."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The ideas which I have ventured to express before your sublime highness,
+were running in my mind, as I sat down among the dead and dying, and I
+thought how much better off were the pacha's soldiers than those of our
+sublime sultan, who had nothing but hard blows, while the pacha's
+soldiers received thirty sequins for the head of everyone of our corps
+of janissaries; and one idea breeding another, I reflected that it would
+be very prudent, now that the pacha appeared to be gaining the
+advantage, to be on the right side. Having made up my mind upon this
+point, it then occurred to me, that I might as well get a few sequins by
+the exchange, and make my appearance before the pacha, with one or two
+of the heads of the janissaries, who were lying close to me. I therefore
+divested myself of whatever might give the idea of my belonging to the
+corps, took off the heads and rifled the pockets of three janissaries,
+and was about to depart, when I thought of my honoured father, and
+turned back to take a last farewell. It was cruel to part with a parent,
+and I could not make up my mind to part with him altogether, so I added
+his head, and the contents of his sash, to those of the other three, and
+smearing my face and person with blood, with my scimitar in my hand and
+the four heads tied up in a bundle, made my way for the pacha's
+stronghold; but the skirmishing was still going on outside of the walls,
+and I narrowly escaped a corps of janissaries, who would have recognised
+me. As it was, two of them followed me as I made for the gate of the
+fortress; and, encumbered as I was, I was forced to turn at bay. No man
+fights better than, and even a man who otherwise would not fight at all,
+will fight well, when he can't help it. I never was so brave in my life.
+I cut down one, and the other ran away, and this in the presence of the
+pacha, who was seated on the embrasure at the top of the wall; and thus
+I gained my entrance into the fort. I hastened to the pacha's presence,
+and laid at his feet the four heads. The pacha was so pleased at my
+extraordinary valour, that he threw me a purse of five hundred pieces of
+gold, and ordered me to be promoted, asking me to what division of his
+troops I belonged. I replied, that I was a volunteer. I was made an
+officer, and thus did I find myself a rich man and a man of consequence
+by merely changing sides.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"That's not quite so uncommon a method of getting on in the world as you
+may imagine," observed Mustapha, drily.
+
+"Mustapha," said the pacha, almost gasping, "all these are words,
+wind--bosh. By the fountains that play round the throne of Mahomet, but
+my throat feels as hot and as dry with this fellow's doubts, as if it
+were paved with live cinders. I doubt whether we shall be able ever to
+moisten it again."
+
+"That doubt, your sublimity ought to resolve immediately. Hudusi,
+murakhas--my friend, you are dismissed."
+
+Hardly had the doubter gathered up his slippers, and backed out from the
+presence, when the pacha and his minister were, with an honest rivalry,
+endeavouring to remove at once their doubts and their thirst, and were
+so successful in their attempts, that they, in a short time, exchanged
+their state of dubiety into a very happy one of ebriety.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XVI
+
+
+The next morning the pacha and his minister, after the business of the
+divan, with their heads aching from the doubts of Hudusi, or the means
+that they had taken to refute them, in not the best humour in the world
+listened to the continuation of them as follows:--
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I have heard it observed, continued Hudusi, that the sudden possession
+of gold will make a brave man cautious, and he who is not brave, still
+more dastardly than he was before. It certainly was the case with me; my
+five hundred pieces of gold had such an effect, that everything in the
+shape of valour oozed out at my fingers' ends. I reflected again, and
+the result was that I determined to have nothing more to do with the
+business, and that neither the sultan nor the pacha should be the better
+for my exertions. That night we made a sally; and as I was considered a
+prodigy of valour, I was one of those who were ordered to lead on my
+troop. I curled my moustachios, swore I would not leave a janissary
+alive, flourished my scimitar, marched out at the head of my troop, and
+then took to my heels, and in two days arrived safely at my mother's
+house. As soon as I entered, I tore my turban, and threw dust upon my
+head, in honour of my father's memory, and then sat down. My mother
+embraced me--we were alone.
+
+"And your father? Is it for him that we are to mourn?"
+
+"Yes," replied I, "he was a lion, and he is in Paradise."
+
+My mother commenced a bitter lamentation; but of a sudden recollecting
+herself, she said, "But, Hudusi, it's no use tearing one's hair and good
+clothes for nothing. Are you sure that your father is dead?"
+
+"Quite sure," replied I. "I saw him down."
+
+"But he may only be wounded," replied my mother.
+
+"Not so, my dearest mother, abandon all hope, for I saw his head off."
+
+"Are you sure it was his body that you saw with the head off?"
+
+"Quite sure, dear mother, for I was a witness to its being cut off."
+
+"If that is the case," replied my mother, "he can never come back again,
+that's clear. Allah acbar--God is great. Then must we mourn." And my
+mother ran out into the street before the door, shrieking and screaming,
+tearing her hair and her garments, so as to draw the attention and
+sympathy of all her neighbours, who asked her what was the matter. "Ah!
+wahi, the head of my house is no more," cried she, "my heart is all
+bitterness--my soul is dried up--my liver is but as water; ah! wahi, ah!
+wahi," and she continued to weep and tear her hair, refusing all
+consolation. The neighbours came to her assistance; they talked to her,
+they reasoned with her, restrained her violence, and soothed her into
+quietness. They all declared that it was a heavy loss, but that a true
+believer had gone to Paradise; and they all agreed that no woman's
+conduct could be more exemplary, that no woman was ever more fond of her
+husband. I said nothing, but I must acknowledge that, from her previous
+conversation with me, and the quantity of pilau which she devoured that
+evening for her supper, I _very much doubted the fact_.
+
+I did not remain long at home, as, although it was my duty to acquaint
+my mother with my father's death, it was also my duty to appear to
+return to my corps. This I had resolved never more to do. I reflected
+that a life of quiet and ease was best suited to my disposition, and I
+resolved to join some religious sect. Before I quitted my mother's roof
+I gave her thirty sequins, which she was most thankful for, as she was
+in straitened circumstances. "Ah!" cried she, as she wrapt up the money
+carefully in a piece of rag, "if you could only have brought back your
+poor father's head, Hudusi!"--I might have told her that she had just
+received what I had sold it for--but I thought it just as well to say
+nothing about it; so I embraced her, and departed.
+
+There was a sort of dervishes, who had taken up their quarters about
+seven miles from the village where my mother resided, and as they never
+remained long in one place, I hastened to join them. On my arrival, I
+requested to speak with their chief, and imagining that I was come with
+the request of prayers to be offered up on behalf of some wished-for
+object, I was admitted.
+
+"Khoda shefa midehed--God gives relief," said the old man. "What wishest
+thou, my son? Khosh amedeed--you are welcome."
+
+I stated my wish to enter into the sect, from a religious feeling; and
+requested that I might be permitted.
+
+"Thou knowest not what thou askest, my son. Ours is a hard life, one of
+penitence, prostration, and prayer--our food is but of herbs and the
+water of the spring; our rest is broken, and we know not where to lay
+our heads. Depart, yaha bibi, my friend, depart in peace."
+
+"But, father," replied I (for to tell your highness the truth,
+notwithstanding the old man's assertions, as to their austerities of
+life, I very much doubted the fact), "I am prepared for all this, if
+necessary, and even more. I have brought my little wealth to add to the
+store, and contribute to the welfare of your holy band; and I must not
+be denied." I perceived that the old man's eyes twinkled at the bare
+mention of gold, and I drew from my sash five-and-twenty sequins, which
+I had separated from my hoard, with the intention of offering it. "See,
+holy father," continued I, "the offering which I would make."
+
+"Barik Allah--praise be to God," exclaimed the dervish, "that he has
+sent us a true believer. Thy offering is accepted, but thou must not
+expect yet to enter into the austerities of our holy order. I have many
+disciples here, who wear the dress, and yet they are not as regular as
+good dervishes should be; but there is a time for all things, and when
+their appetite to do wrong fails them, they will (Inshallah, please
+God), in all probability, become more holy and devout men. You are
+accepted." And the old man held out his hand for the money, which he
+clutched with eagerness, and hid away under his garment. "Ali," said he
+to one of the dervishes who had stood at some distance during my
+audience, "this young man--what is your name--Hudusi--is admitted into
+our fraternity. Take him with thee, give him a dress of the order, and
+let him be initiated into our mysteries, first demanding from him the
+oath of secrecy. Murakhas, good Hudusi, you are dismissed."
+
+I followed the dervish through a narrow passage, until we arrived at a
+door, at which he knocked; it was opened, and I passed through a
+courtyard, where I perceived several of the dervishes stretched on the
+ground in various postures, breathing heavily and insensible.
+
+"These," said my conductor, "are holy men who are favoured by Allah.
+They are in a trance, and during that state are visited by the Prophet,
+and are permitted to enter the eighth heaven, and see the glories
+prepared for true believers." I made no reply to his assertion, but as
+it was evident that they were all in a state of beastly intoxication, I
+_very much doubted the fact_.
+
+I received my dress, took an oath of secrecy, and was introduced to my
+companions, whom I soon found to be a set of dissolute fellows,
+indulging in every vice, and laughing at every virtue; living in
+idleness, and by the contributions made to them by the people, who
+firmly believed in their pretended sanctity. The old man, with the white
+beard, who was their chief, was the only one who did not indulge in
+debauchery. He had outlived his appetite for the vices of youth, and
+fallen into the vice of age--a love for money, which was insatiable. I
+must acknowledge that the company and mode of living were more to my
+satisfaction than the vigils, hard fare, and constant prayer, with which
+the old man had threatened me, when I proposed to enter the community,
+and I soon became an adept in dissimulation and hypocrisy, and a great
+favourite with my brethren.
+
+I ought to have observed to your sublimity, that the sect of dervishes
+of which I had become a member, were then designated by the name of
+_howling_ dervishes; all our religion consisted in howling like jackals
+or hyenas, with all our might, until we fell down in real or pretended
+convulsions. My howl was considered as the most appalling and unearthly
+that was ever heard, and, of course, my sanctity was increased in
+proportion. We were on our way to Scutari, where was our real place of
+residence, and only lodged here and there on our journey to fleece those
+who were piously disposed. I had not joined more than ten days when
+they continued their route, and after a week of very profitable
+travelling, passed through Constantinople, crossed the Bosphorus, and
+regained their place of domiciliation, and were received with great joy
+by the inhabitants, to whom the old chief and many others of our troop
+were well known.
+
+Your sublime highness must be aware that the dervishes are not only
+consulted by, but often become the bankers of, the inhabitants, who
+intrust them with the care of their money. My old chief (whose name I
+should have mentioned before was Ulu-bibi) held large sums in trust for
+many of the people with whom he was acquainted; but his avarice inducing
+him to lend the money out on usury, it was very difficult to recover it
+when it was desired, although it was always religiously paid back. I had
+not been many months at Scutari, before I found myself in high favour,
+from my superior howling and the duration of my convulsions. But during
+this state, which by habit soon became spasmodic, continuing until the
+vital functions were almost extinct, the mind was as active as ever, and
+I lay immersed in a sea of doubt which was most painful. In my state of
+exhaustion I doubted everything. I doubted if my convulsions were
+convulsions or only feigned; I doubted if I was asleep or awake; I
+doubted whether I was in a trance, or in another world, or dead, or----
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Friend Hudusi," interrupted Mustapha, "we want the facts of your story,
+and not your doubts. Say I not well, your highness? What is all this but
+bosh?--nothing."
+
+"It is well said," replied the pacha.
+
+"Sometimes I thought that I had seized possession of a fact, but it
+slipped through my fingers like the tail of an eel."
+
+"Let us have the facts, which did not escape thee, friend, and let the
+mists of doubt be cleared away before the glory of the pacha," replied
+Mustapha.
+
+One day I was sitting in the warmth of the sun, by the tomb of a true
+believer, when an old woman accosted me. "You are welcome," said I.
+
+"Is your humour good?" said she.
+
+"It is good," replied I.
+
+She sat down by me, and after a quarter of an hour she continued: "God
+is great," said she.
+
+"And Mahomet is his Prophet," replied I. "In the name of Allah, what do
+you wish?"
+
+"Where is the holy man? I have money to give into his charge. May I not
+see him?"
+
+"He is at his devotions--but what is that? Am not I the same? Do I not
+watch when he prayeth--Inshallah--please God, we are the same. Give me
+the bag."
+
+"Here it is," said she, pulling out the money: "seven hundred sequins,
+my daughter's marriage-portion; but there are bad men, who steal, and
+there are good men, whom we can trust. Say I not well?"
+
+"It is well said," replied I; "and God is great."
+
+"You will find the money right," said she. "Count it."
+
+I counted it, and returned it into the goat-skin bag. "It is all right.
+Leave me, woman, for I must go in."
+
+The old woman left me, returning thanks to Allah that her money was
+safe, but from certain ideas running in my mind, I very _much doubted
+the fact_. I sat down full of doubts. I doubted if the old woman had
+come honestly by the money; and whether I should give it to the head
+dervish. I doubted whether I ought to retain it for myself, and whether
+I might not come to mischief. I also had my doubts----
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I have no doubt," interrupted Mustapha, "but that you kept it for
+yourself. Say--is it not so?"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Even so did my doubts resolve into that fact. I settled it in my mind,
+that seven hundred sequins, added to about four hundred still in my
+possession, would last some time, and that I was tired of the life of a
+howling dervish. I therefore set up one last long final howl to let my
+senior know that I was present, and then immediately became absent. I
+hastened to the bazaar, and purchasing here and there--at one place a
+vest, at another a shawl, and at another a turban--I threw off my dress
+of a dervish, hastened to the bath, and after a few minutes under the
+barber, came out like a butterfly from its dark shell. No one would have
+recognised in the spruce young Turk, the filthy dervish. I hastened to
+Constantinople, where I lived gaily, and spent my money; but I found
+that to mix in the world, it is necessary not only to have an attaghan,
+but also to have the courage to use it; and in several broils which took
+place, from my too frequent use of the water of the Giaour, I invariably
+proved that, although my voice was that of a lion, my heart was but as
+water, and the finger of contempt was but too often pointed at the beard
+of pretence. One evening, as I was escaping from a coffee-house, after
+having drawn my attaghan, without having the courage to face my
+adversary, I received a blow from his weapon which cleft my turban, and
+cut deeply into my head. I flew through the streets upon the wings of
+fear, and at last ran against an unknown object, which I knocked down,
+and then fell along side of, rolling with it in the mud. I recovered
+myself, and looking at it, found it to be alive, and, in the excess of
+my alarm, I imagined it to be Shitan himself; but if not the devil
+himself, it was one of the sons of Shitan, for it was an unbeliever, a
+Giaour, a dog to spit upon; in short, it was a Frank hakim--so renowned
+for curing all diseases that it was said he was assisted by the Devil.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Lahnet be Shitan! Curses on the devil!" said Mustapha, taking his pipe
+out of his mouth and spitting.
+
+"Wallah Thaib! It is well said," replied the pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I was so convinced that it was nothing of this world, that, as soon as
+I could recover my legs, I made a blow at him with my attaghan, fully
+expecting that he would disappear in a flame of fire at the touch of a
+true believer; but, on the contrary, he had also recovered his legs, and
+with a large cane with a gold top on it, he parried my cut, and then
+saluted me with such a blow on my head, that I again fell down in the
+mud, quite insensible. When I recovered, I found myself on a mat in an
+outhouse, and attended by my opponent, who was plastering up my head.
+"It is nothing," said he, as he bound up my head; but I suffered so much
+pain, and felt so weak from loss of blood, that in spite of his
+assertions, I very much doubted the fact. Shall I describe this son of
+Jehanum? And when I do so, will not your highness doubt the fact? Be
+chesm, upon my head be it, if I lie. He was less than a man, for he had
+no beard; he had no turban, but a piece of net-work, covered with the
+hair of other men in their tombs, which he sprinkled with the flour from
+the baker's, every morning, to feed his brain. He wore round his neck a
+piece of linen, tight as a bowstring, to prevent his head being taken
+off by any devout true believer, as he walked through the street. His
+dress was of the colour of hell, black, and bound closely to his body,
+yet must he have been a great man in his own country, for he was
+evidently a pacha of two tails, which were hanging behind him. He was a
+dreadful man to look upon, and feared nothing; he walked into the house
+of pestilence--he handled those whom Allah had visited with the
+plague--he went to the bed, and the sick rose and walked. He warred with
+destiny; and no man could say what was his fate until the Hakim had
+decided. He held in his hand the key of the portal, which opened into
+the regions of death; and--what can I say more?--he said live, and the
+believer lived; he said die, and the houris received him into Paradise.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"A yesedi! a worshipper of the devil," exclaimed Mustapha.
+
+"May he and his father's grave be eternally defiled!" responded the
+pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I remained a fortnight under the Hakim's hands before I was well enough
+to walk about; and when I had reflected, I doubted whether it would not
+be wiser to embrace a more peaceful profession. The Hakim spoke our
+language well, and one day said to me, "Thou art more fit to cure than
+to give wounds. Thou shalt assist me, for he who is now with me will not
+remain." I consented, and putting on a more peaceful garb, continued
+many months with the Frank physician, travelling everywhere, but seldom
+remaining long in one place; he followed disease instead of flying from
+it, and I had my doubts whether, from constant attendance upon the
+dying, I might not die myself, and I resolved to quit him the first
+favourable opportunity. I had already learnt many wonderful things from
+him; that blood was necessary to life, and that without breath a man
+would die, and that white powders cured fevers, and black drops stopped
+the dysentery. At last we arrived in this town, and the other day, as I
+was pounding the drug of reflection in the mortar of patience, the
+physician desired me to bring his lancets, and to follow him. I paced
+through the streets behind the learned Hakim, until we arrived at a mean
+house, in an obscure quarter of this grand city over which your highness
+reigns in justice. An old woman full of lamentation, led us to the sick
+couch, where lay a creature, beautiful in shape as a houri. The Frank
+physician was desired by the old woman to feel her pulse through the
+curtain, but he laughed at her beard (for she had no small one), and
+drew aside the curtains and took hold of a hand so small and so
+delicate, that it were only fit to feed the Prophet himself near the
+throne of the angel Gabriel, with the immortal pilau prepared for true
+believers. Her face was covered, and the Frank desired the veil to be
+removed. The old woman refused, and he turned on his heel to leave her
+to the assaults of death. The old woman's love for her child conquered
+her religious scruples, and she consented that her daughter should
+unveil to an unbeliever. I was in ecstasy at her charms, and could have
+asked her for a wife; but the Frank only asked to see her tongue. Having
+looked at it, he turned away with as much indifference as if it had been
+a dying dog. He desired me to bind up her arm, and took away a basin
+full of her golden blood, and then put a white powder into the hands of
+the old woman, saying that he would see her again. I held out my hand
+for the gold, but there was none forthcoming.
+
+"We are poor," cried the old woman, to the Hakim, "but God is great."
+
+"I do not want your money, good woman," replied he; "I will cure your
+daughter." Then he went to the bedside and spoke comfort to the sick
+girl, telling her to be of good courage, and all would be well.
+
+The girl answered in a voice sweeter than a nightingale's, that she had
+but thanks to offer in return, and prayers to the Most High. "Yes," said
+the old woman, raising her voice, "a scoundrel of a howling dervish
+robbed me at Scutari of all I had for my subsistence, and of my
+daughter's portion, seven hundred sequins, in a goat-skin bag!"--and
+then she began to curse. May the dogs of the city howl at her ugliness!
+How she did curse! She cursed my father and mother--she cursed their
+graves--flung dirt upon my brother and sisters, and filth upon the whole
+generation. She gave me up to Jehanum, and to every species of
+defilement. It was a dreadful thing to hear that old woman curse. I
+pulled my turban over my eyes, that she might not recognise me, and
+lifted up my garment to cover my face, that I might not be defiled with
+the shower of curses which were thrown at me like mud, and sat there
+watching till the storm was over. Unfortunately, in lifting up my
+garment, I exposed to the view of the old hag the cursed goat-skin bag,
+which hung at my girdle, and contained, not only her money, but the
+remainder of my own. "Mashallah--how wonderful is God!" screamed the
+old beldame, flying at me like a tigress, and clutching the bag from my
+girdle. Having secured that, she darted at me with her ten nails, and
+scored down my face, which I had so unfortunately covered in the first
+instance, and so unfortunately uncovered in the second. What shall I say
+more? The neighbours came in--I was hurried before the cadi, in company
+with the old woman and the Frank physician. The money and bag were taken
+from me--I was dismissed by the Hakim, and after receiving one hundred
+blows from the ferashes, I was dismissed by the cadi. It was my
+fate--and I have told my story. Is your slave dismissed?
+
+"No," replied the pacha; "by our beard, we must see to this, Mustapha;
+say, Hudusi, what was the decision of the cadi? Our ears are open."
+
+"The cadi decided as follows:--That I had stolen the money, and
+therefore I was punished with the bastinado; but, as the old woman
+stated that the bag contained seven hundred sequins, and there were
+found in it upwards of eleven hundred, that the money could not belong
+to her. He therefore retained it until he could find the right owner.
+The physician was fined fifty sequins for looking at a Turkish woman,
+and fifty more for shrugging up his shoulders. The girl was ordered into
+the cadi's harem, because she had lost her dowry; and the old woman was
+sent about her business. All present declared that the sentence was
+wisdom itself; but, for my part, _I very much doubted the fact_."
+
+"Mustapha," said the pacha, "send for the cadi, the Frank physician, the
+old woman, the girl, and the goat-skin bag; we must examine into this
+affair."
+
+The officers were despatched, and in less than an hour, during which the
+pacha and his vizier smoked in silence, the cadi and the others made
+their appearance.
+
+"May your highness's shadow never be less!" said the cadi, as he
+entered.
+
+"Mobarek! may you be fortunate!" replied the pacha. "What is this we
+hear, cadi? There is a goat-skin bag and a girl, that are not known to
+our justice. Are there secrets like those hid in the well of
+Kashan--speak! what dirt have you been eating?"
+
+"What shall I say?" replied the cadi; "I am but as dirt; the money is
+here, and the girl is here. Is the pacha to be troubled with every
+woman's noise, or am I to come before him with a piece or two of
+gold--Min Allah--God forbid! Have I not here the money, and _seven more
+purses_? Was not the girl visited by the angel of death; and could she
+appear before your presence lean as a dog in the bazaar? Is she not
+here? Have I spoken well?"
+
+"It is well said, cadi. Murakhas--you are dismissed."
+
+The Frank physician was then fined one hundred sequins more; fifty for
+feeling the pulse, and fifty more for looking at a Turkish woman's
+tongue. The young woman was dismissed to the pacha's harem, the old
+woman to curse as much as she pleased, and Hudusi with full permission
+to _doubt_ anything but the justice of the pacha.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XVII
+
+
+"Mashallah! God be praised! we are rid of that fellow and his doubts. I
+have been thinking, Mustapha, as I smoked the pipe of surmise, and
+arrived at the ashes of certainty, that a man who had so many doubts,
+could not be a true believer. I wish I had sent him to the mollahs; we
+might have been amused with his being impaled, which is a rare object
+now-a-days."
+
+"God is great," replied Mustapha, "and a stake is a strong argument, and
+would remove many doubts. But I have an infidel in the court-yard who
+telleth of strange things. He hath been caught like a wild beast; it is
+a Frank Galiongi, who hath travelled as far as that son of Shitan,
+Huckaback; he was found in the streets, overpowered by the forbidden
+juice, after having beaten many of your highness's subjects, and the
+cadi would have administered the bamboo, but he was as a lion, and he
+scattered the slaves as chaff, until he fell, and could not rise again.
+I have taken him from the cadi, and brought him here. He speaketh but
+the Frankish tongue, but the sun who shineth on me knoweth I have been
+in the Frank country; and Inshallah! please the Lord, I can interpret
+his meaning."
+
+"What sort of a man may he be, Mustapha?"
+
+"He is a baj baj--a big belly--a stout man; he is an Anhunkher, a
+swallower of iron. He hath sailed in the war vessels of the Franks. He
+holdeth in one hand a bottle of the forbidden liquor; in the other, he
+shakes at those who would examine him, a thick stick. He hath a large
+handful of the precious weed which we use for our pipes in one of his
+cheeks, and his hair is hanging behind down to his waist, in a rolled up
+mass, as thick as the arm of your slave."
+
+"It is well--we will admit him; but let there be armed men at hand. Let
+me have a full pipe! God is great," continued the pacha, holding out his
+glass to be filled; "and the bottle is nearly empty. Place the guards,
+and bring in the infidel."
+
+The guards in a few minutes brought into the presence of the pacha a
+stout-built English sailor, in the usual dress, and with a tail which
+hung down behind, below his waist. The sailor did not appear to like his
+treatment; and every now and then, as they pushed and dragged him in,
+turned to one side or the other, looking daggers at those who conducted
+him. He was sober, although his eyes bore testimony to recent
+intoxication, and his face, which was manly and handsome, was much
+disfigured by an enormous quid of tobacco in his right cheek, which gave
+him an appearance of natural deformity. As soon as he was near enough to
+the pacha, the attendants let him go. Jack shook his jacket, hitched up
+his trousers, and said, looking furiously at them, "Well, you beggars,
+have you done with me at last?"
+
+Mustapha addressed the sailor in English, telling him that he was in the
+presence of his highness the pacha.
+
+"What, that old chap, muffled up in shawls and furs--is he the pacha?
+Well, I don't think much o' he;" and the sailor turned his eyes round
+the room, gaping with astonishment, and perfectly unmindful how very
+near he was to one who could cut off his head or his tail, by a single
+movement of his hand.
+
+"What sayeth the Frank, Mustapha?" inquired the pacha.
+
+"He is struck dumb with astonishment at the splendour of your majesty,
+and all that he beholds."
+
+"It is well said, by Allah!"
+
+"I suppose I may just as well come to an anchor," said the sailor,
+suiting the action to the word, and dropping down on the mats. "There,"
+continued he, folding his legs in imitation of the Turks, "as it's the
+fashion to have a cross in your hawse, on this here country, I can be a
+bit of a lubber as well as yourselves. I wouldn't mind if I blew a
+cloud, as well as you, old fusty-musty."
+
+"What does the Giaour say? What son of a dog is this, to sit in our
+presence?" exclaimed the pacha.
+
+"He saith," replied Mustapha, "that in his country, no one dare stand in
+the presence of the Frankish king; and, overcome by his humility, his
+legs refuse their office, and he sinks to the dust before you. It is
+even as he sayeth, for I have travelled in their country, and such is
+the custom of that uncivilised nation. Mashallah! but he lives in awe
+and trembling."
+
+"By the beard of the Prophet, he does not appear to show it outwardly,"
+replied the pacha; "but that may be the custom also."
+
+"Be chesm, on my eyes be it," replied Mustapha, "it is even so. Frank,"
+said Mustapha, "the pacha has sent for you that he may hear an account
+of all the wonderful things which you have seen. You must tell lies, and
+you will have gold."
+
+"Tell lies! that is, spin a yarn; well, I can do that, but my mouth's
+baked with thirst, and without a drop of something, the devil a yarn
+from me, and so you may tell the old Billygoat, perched up there."
+
+"What sayeth the son of Shitan?" demanded the pacha, impatiently.
+
+"The unbeliever declareth that his tongue is glued to his mouth from the
+terror of your highness's presence. He fainteth after water to restore
+him, and enable him to speak."
+
+"Let him be fed," rejoined the pacha.
+
+But Mustapha had heard enough to know that the sailor would not be
+content with the pure element. He therefore continued, "Your slave must
+tell you, that in the country of the Franks they drink nothing but the
+fire-water, in which the true believers but occasionally venture to
+indulge."
+
+"Allah acbar! nothing but fire-water? What, then, do they do with common
+water?"
+
+"They have none but from heaven--the rivers are all of the same
+strength."
+
+"Mashallah! how wonderful is God! I would we had a river here. Let some
+be procured, then, for I wish to hear his story."
+
+A bottle of brandy was sent for, and handed to the sailor, who put it to
+his mouth, and the quantity he took of it before he removed the bottle
+to recover his breath, fully convinced the pacha that Mustapha's
+assertions were true.
+
+"Come, that's not so bad," said the sailor, putting the bottle down
+between his legs; "and now I'll be as good as my word, and I'll spin old
+Billy a yarn as long as the main-top bowling."
+
+"What sayeth the Giaour?" interrupted the pacha.
+
+"That he is about to lay at your highness's feet the wonderful events of
+his life, and trusts that his face will be whitened before he quits your
+sublime presence. Frank, you may proceed."
+
+"To lie till I'm black in the face--well, since you wish it; but, old
+chap, my name arn't Frank. It happens to be Bill; howsomever, it warn't
+a bad guess for a Turk; and now I'm here, I'd just like to ax you a
+question. We had a bit of a hargument the other day, when I was in a
+frigate up the Dardanelles, as to what your religion might be. Jack
+Soames said that you warn't Christians, but that if you were, you could
+only be Catholics; but I don't know how he could know anything about it,
+seeing that he had not been more than seven weeks on board of a
+man-of-war. What may you be--if I may make so bold as to ax the
+question?"
+
+"What does he say?" inquired the pacha, impatiently.
+
+"He says," interrupted Mustapha, "that he was not so fortunate as to be
+born in the country of the true believers, but in an island full of fog
+and mist, where the sun never shines, and the cold is so intense, that
+the water from heaven is hard and cold as a flint."
+
+"That accounts for their not drinking it. Mashallah! God is great! Let
+him proceed."
+
+"The pacha desires me to say that there is but one God, and Mahomet is
+his Prophet; and begs that you will go on with your story."
+
+"Never heard of the chap--never mind--here's saw wood."
+
+
+
+TALE OF THE ENGLISH SAILOR.
+
+I was born at Shields, and bred to the sea, served my time out of that
+port, and got a berth on board a small vessel fitted out from Liverpool
+for the slave trade. We made the coast, unstowed our beads, spirits, and
+gunpowder, and very soon had a cargo on board; but the day after we
+sailed for the Havannah, the dysentery broke out among the niggers--no
+wonder, seeing how they were stowed, poor devils, head and tail, like
+pilchards in a cask. We opened the hatches, and brought part of them on
+deck, but it was of no use, they died like rotten sheep, and we tossed
+overboard about thirty a day. Many others, who were alive, jumped
+overboard, and we were followed by a shoal of sharks, splashing, and
+darting, and diving, and tearing the bodies, yet warm, and revelling in
+the hot and bloody water. At last they were all gone, and we turned back
+to the coast to get a fresh supply. We were within a day's sail of the
+land, when we saw two boats on our weather bow: they made signals to us,
+and we found them to be full of men; we hove to, and took them on board,
+and then it was that we discovered that they had belonged to a French
+schooner, in the same trade, which had started a plank, and had gone
+down like a shot, with all the niggers in the hold.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Now, give the old gentleman the small change of that, while I just wet
+my whistle."
+
+Mustapha having interpreted, and the sailor having taken a swig at the
+bottle, he proceeded.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+We didn't much like having these French beggars on board, and it wasn't
+without reason, for they were as many as we were. The very first night
+they were overheard by a negro who belonged to us, and had learnt
+French, making a plan for overpowering us, and taking possession of the
+vessel; so when we heard that, their doom was sealed. We mustered
+ourselves on the deck, put the hatches over some o' the French, seized
+those on deck, and--in half an hour, they all walked the plank.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I do not understand what you mean," said Mustapha.
+
+"That's 'cause you're a lubber of a landsman. The long and short of
+walking a plank is just this. We passed a wide plank over the gunnel,
+greasing it well at the outer end, led the Frenchmen up to it
+blindfolded, and wished them 'bon voyage,' in their own lingo, just out
+of politeness. They walked on till they toppled into the sea, and the
+sharks didn't refuse them, though they prefer a nigger to anything
+else."
+
+"What does he say, Mustapha?" interrupted the pacha. Mustapha
+interpreted.
+
+"Good; I should like to have seen that," replied the pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Well, as soon as we were rid of the Frenchmen, we made our port, and
+soon had another cargo on board, and, after a good run, got safe to the
+Havannah, where we sold our slaves; but I didn't much like the sarvice,
+so I cut the schooner, and sailed home in summer, and got back safe to
+England. There I fell in with Betsy, and as she proved a regular
+out-and-outer, I spliced her; and a famous wedding we had of it, as long
+as the rhino lasted; but that wasn't long, the more's the pity; so I
+went to sea for more. When I came back after my trip, I found that Bet
+hadn't behaved quite so well as she might have done, so I cut my stick,
+and went away from her altogether.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Why didn't you put her in a sack?" inquired the pacha, when Mustapha
+explained.
+
+"Put her head in a bag--no, she wasn't so ugly as all that," replied the
+sailor. "Howsomever, to coil away."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I joined a privateer brig, and after three cruises I had plenty of
+money, and determined to have another spell on shore, that I might get
+rid of it. Then I picked up Sue, and spliced again; but, Lord bless your
+heart, she turned out a regular-built Tartar--nothing but fight fight,
+scratch scratch, all day long, till I wished her at old Scratch. I was
+tired of her, and Sue had taken a fancy to another chap; so says she one
+day, "As we both be of the same mind, why don't you sell me, and then we
+may part in a respectable manner." I agrees, and I puts a halter round
+her neck, and leads her to the market-place, the chap following to buy
+her.
+
+"Who bids for this woman?" says I.
+
+"I do," say he.
+
+"What will you give?"
+
+"Half-a-crown," says he.
+
+"Will you throw a glass of grog into the bargain?"
+
+"Yes," says he.
+
+"Then she's yours; and I wish you much joy of your bargain." So I hands
+the rope to him, and he leads her off.
+
+"How much did you say he sold his wife for?" said the pacha to
+Mustapha, when this part of the story was repeated to him.
+
+"A piastre, and a drink of the fire-water," replied the vizier.
+
+"Ask him if she was handsome," said the pacha.
+
+"Handsome," replied the sailor to Mustapha's inquiry; "yes, she was as
+pretty a craft to look at as you may set your eyes upon; fine round
+counter--clean run--swelling bows--good figure-head, and hair enough for
+a mermaid."
+
+"What does he say?" inquired the pacha.
+
+"The Frank declareth that her eyes were bright as those of the gazelle,
+that her eyebrows were as one, her waist as that of the cypress, her
+face as the full moon, and that she was fat as the houris that await the
+true believers."
+
+"Mashallah! all for a piastre. Ask him, Mustapha, if there are more
+wives to be sold in that country?"
+
+"More," replied the sailor, in answer to Mustapha; "you may have a ship
+full in an hour. There's many a fellow in England who would give a
+handful of coin to get rid of his wife."
+
+"We will make further inquiry, Mustapha; it must be looked to. Say I not
+well?"
+
+"It is well said," replied Mustapha. "My heart is burnt as roast meat at
+the recollection of the women of the country; who are, indeed, as he
+hath described houris to the sight. Proceed, Yaha Bibi, my friend, and
+tell his----"
+
+"Yaw Bibby! I told you my name was Bill, not Bibby; and I never yaws
+from my course, although I heaves to sometimes, as I do now, to take in
+provisions." The sailor took another swig, wiped his mouth with the back
+of his hand, and continued--"Now for a good lie."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I sailed in a brig for the Brazils, and a gale came on, that I never
+seed the like of. We were obliged to have three men stationed to hold
+the captain's hair on his head; and a little boy was blown over the
+moon, and slid down by two or three of her beams, till he caught the
+mainstay, and never hurt himself."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Good," said Mustapha, who interpreted.
+
+"By the beard of the Prophet, wonderful!" exclaimed the pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Well, the gale lasted for a week, and at last one night, when I was at
+the helm, we dashed on the rocks of a desolate island. I was pitched
+right over the mountains, and fell into the sea on the other side of the
+island. I swam on shore, and got into a cave, where I fell fast asleep.
+The next morning I found that there was nothing to eat except rats, and
+they were plentiful; but they were so quick, that I could not catch
+them. I walked about, and at last discovered a great many rats together;
+they were at a spring of water, the only one, as I afterwards found, on
+the island. Rats can't do without water, and I thought I should have
+them there. I filled up the spring, all but a hole which I sat on the
+top of. When the rats came again, I filled my mouth with water, and held
+it wide open; they ran up to drink, and I caught their heads in my
+teeth, and thus I took as many as I wished.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Aferin, excellent!" cried the pacha, as soon as this was explained.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Well, at last a vessel took me off, and I wasn't sorry for it, for raw
+rats are not very good eating. I went home again, and I hadn't been on
+shore more than two hours, when who should I see but my first wife, Bet,
+with a robin-redbreast in tow. 'That's he!' says she. I gave fight, but
+was nabbed and put into limbo, to be tried for what they call _biggery_,
+or having a wife too much.
+
+"How does he mean?--desire him to explain," said the pacha, after
+Mustapha had conveyed the intelligence. Mustapha obeyed.
+
+"In our country one wife is considered a man's allowance, and he is not
+to take more, that every Jack may have his Jill. I had spliced two, so
+they tried me, and sent me to Botany Bay for life."
+
+This explanation puzzled the pacha. "How--what sort of a country must it
+be, when a man cannot have two wives? Inshallah! please the Lord, we may
+have hundreds in our harem! Does he not laugh at our beards with lies?
+Is this not all _bosh_, nothing?"
+
+"It is even so, as the Frank speaketh," replied Mustapha. "The king of
+the country can take but one wife. Be chesm, on my eyes be it, if it is
+not the truth."
+
+"Well," rejoined the pacha, "what are they but infidels? They deserve to
+have no more. Houris are for the faithful. May their fathers' graves be
+defiled. Let the Giaour proceed."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Well, I was started for the other side of the water, and got there safe
+enough, as I hope one day to get to Heaven, wind and weather permitting,
+but I had no idea of working without pay, so one fine morning I slipt
+away into the woods, where I remained with three or four more for six
+months. We lived upon kangaroos, and another odd little animal, and got
+on pretty well.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"What may the dish of kangaroos be composed of?" inquired Mustapha, in
+obedience to the pacha.
+
+"'Posed of! why, a dish of kangaroos be made of kangaroos to be sure."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+But I'll be dished if I talked about anything but the animal, which we
+had some trouble to kill; for it stands on its big tail, and fights with
+all four feet. Moreover, it be otherwise a strange beast; for its young
+ones pop out of its stomach, and then pop in again, having a place
+there on purpose, just like the great hole in the bow of a timber ship;
+and as for the other little animal, it swims in the ponds, lays eggs,
+and has a duck's bill, yet still it be covered all over with hair like a
+beast.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The vizier interpreted. "By the Prophet, but he laughs at our beards!"
+exclaimed the pacha, angrily. "These are foolish lies."
+
+"You must not tell the pacha such foolish lies. He will be angry," said
+Mustapha. "Tell lies, but they must be good lies."
+
+"Well, I'll be----," replied the sailor, "if the old beggar don't doubt
+the only part which is true out of the whole yarn. Well, I will try
+another good un to please him."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+After I had been there about six months I was tired; and as there was
+only twenty thousand miles between that country and my own, I determined
+to swim back.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Mashallah! swim back--how many thousand miles?" exclaimed Mustapha.
+
+"Only twenty thousand--a mere nothing."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+So one fine morning I throws a young kangaroo on my shoulder, and off I
+starts. I swam for three months, night and day, and then feeling a
+little tired, I laid to on my back, and then I set off again; but by
+this time I was so covered with barnacles, that I made but little way.
+So I stopped at Ascension, scraped and cleaned myself, and then, after
+feeding for a week on turtle, just to keep the scurvy out of my bones, I
+set off again; and as I passed the Gut, I thought I might just as well
+put in here; and here I arrived, sure enough, yesterday, about three
+bells in the morning watch, after a voyage of five months and three
+days.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+When Mustapha translated all this to the pacha, the latter was lost in
+astonishment. "Allah Wakbar! God is everywhere! Did you ever hear of
+such a swimmer? Twenty thousand miles--five months and three days. It is
+a wonderful story! Let his mouth be filled with gold."
+
+Mustapha intimated to the sailor the unexpected compliment about to be
+conferred on him, just as he had finished the bottle and rolled it away
+on one side. "Well, that be a rum way of paying a man. I have heard it
+said that a fellow _pursed_ up his mouth; but I never afore heard of a
+mouth being a purse. Howsomever, all's one for that; only, d'ye see, if
+you are about to stow it away in bulk, it may be just as well to get rid
+of the dunnage." The sailor put his thumb and forefinger into his cheek,
+and pulled out his enormous quid of tobacco. "There now, I'm ready, and
+don't be afraid of choking me." One of the attendants then thrust
+several pieces of gold into the sailor's mouth, who, spitting them all
+out into his hat, jumped on his legs, made a jerk of his head with a
+kick of the leg behind to the pacha; and declaring that he was the
+funniest old beggar he had ever fallen in with, nodded to Mustapha, and
+hastened out of the divan.
+
+"Mashallah! but he swims well," said the pacha, breaking up the
+audience.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XVIII
+
+
+The departure of the caravan was delayed for two or three days by the
+vizier upon various pretexts--although it was his duty to render it
+every assistance--that Menouni might afford further amusement to the
+pacha. Menouni was well content to remain, as the liberality of the
+pacha was not to be fallen in with every day, and the next evening he
+was again ushered into the sublime presence.
+
+"Khosh amedeid! you are welcome," said the pacha, as Menouni made his
+low obeisance, "Now let us have another story. I don't care how long it
+is, only let us have no more princesses to be married. That Babe-bi-bobu
+was enough to tire the patience of a dervish."
+
+"Your sublime highness shall be obeyed," replied Menouni. "Would it
+please you to hear the story of Yussuf, the Water carrier?"
+
+"Yes, that sounds better. You may proceed."
+
+
+
+THE WATER-CARRIER.
+
+May it please your highness, it so happened that the great Haroun
+Alraschid was one night seized with one of those fits of sleepless
+melancholy with which it had pleased Allah to temper his splendid
+destiny, and which fits are, indeed, the common lot of those who are
+raised by fortune above the ordinary fears and vicissitudes of life.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I can't say that I ever have them," observed the pacha. "How is that,
+Mustapha?"
+
+"Your highness has as undoubted a right to them as the great caliph,"
+replied Mustapha, bowing; "but if I may venture to state my opinion,"
+continued he, drawing down to the ear of the pacha, "you have discovered
+the remedy for them in the strong water of the Giaour."
+
+"Very true," replied the pacha; "Haroun Alraschid, if I recollect right,
+was very strict in his observances of the precepts of the Koran. After
+all, he was but a pastek--a water-melon. You may proceed, Menouni."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The caliph, oppressed, as I before observed to your highness, with this
+fit of melancholy, despatched Mesrour for his chief vizier, Giaffar
+Bermukki, who, not unaccustomed to this nocturnal summons, speedily
+presented himself before the commander of the faithful. "Father of true
+believers! descendant of the Prophet!" said the minister, with a
+profound obeisance, "thy slave waits but to hear, and hears but to
+obey."
+
+"Giaffar," replied the caliph, "I am overwhelmed with distressing
+inquietude, and would fain have thee devise some means for my relief.
+Speak--what sayest thou?"
+
+"Hasten, O my prince, to thy favourite garden of the Tierbar, where,
+gazing on the bright moon, and listening to the voice of the bul-bul,
+you will await in pleasing contemplation the return of the sun."
+
+"Not so," replied the caliph.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"By the beard of the Prophet! the caliph was right, and that Giaffar was
+a fool. I never heard that staring at the moon was an amusement before,"
+observed the pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Not so," urged the caliph. "My gardens, my palaces, and my possessions,
+are no more to me a source of pleasure."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"By the sword of the Prophet! Now the caliph appears to be the fool,"
+interrupted the pacha.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Shall we then repair to the Hall of the Ancients, and pass the night in
+reviving the memory of the wise, whose sayings are stored therein?"
+continued Giaffar.
+
+"Counsel avails not," replied the caliph; "the records of the past will
+not suffice to banish the cares of the present."
+
+"Then," said the vizier, "will the light of the world seek refuge from
+his troubles in a disguise, and go forth with the humblest of his slaves
+to witness the condition of his people?"
+
+"Thou hast said well," replied the caliph; "I will go with thee into the
+bazaar, and witness unknown the amusements of my people after the
+labours of the day."
+
+Mesrour, the chief eunuch, was at hand, and hastened for the needful
+disguises. After having clad themselves as merchants of Moussul, and
+tinged their faces of an olive hue, the caliph, accompanied by Giaffar
+and Mesrour, the latter armed with a scimitar, issued forth from the
+secret door of the seraglio. Giaffar, who knew from experience the
+quarter likely to prove most fertile in adventure, led the caliph past
+the mosque of Zobeide, and crossing the Bridge of Boats over the Tigris,
+continued his way to that part of the city on the Mesopotamian side of
+the river which was inhabited by the wine-sellers and others, who
+administered to the irregularities, as well as to the wants of the good
+people of Bagdad. For a short time they wandered up and down without
+meeting anybody; but passing through a narrow alley, their steps were
+arrested by the sound of a most potent pair of lungs, carolling forth a
+jovial song. The caliph waited awhile, in expectation of its ceasing;
+but he might apparently have waited until dawn of day, for verse was
+poured forth after verse: a small interval between them filled up by the
+musical gurgling of liquor from a bottle, and the gulps of the votary of
+Bacchus. At length, his patience being exhausted, the caliph ordered
+Mesrour to knock loudly at the singer's dwelling. Hearing the noise, the
+fellow opened the _jalouise_, and came out into the verandah above.
+Looking down, and perceiving the three interrupters of his mirth, he
+bawled out--"What rascals are you that disturb an honest man at his
+devotions?--Begone!--fly!--away with you, scum of the earth!"
+
+"Truly, charitable sir," replied Giaffar in a humble tone, "We are
+distressed merchants, strangers in this city, who have lost our way, and
+fear to be seized by the watch--perhaps carried before the cadi. We
+beseech thee, therefore, to admit us within thy doors, and Allah will
+reward thy humanity."
+
+"Admit you within my doors!--not I, indeed. What, you wish to get into
+my house to gormandise and swill at my expense. Go--go!"
+
+The caliph laughed heartily at this reply, and then called out to the
+man, "Indeed we are merchants, and seek but for shelter till the hour of
+prayer."
+
+"Tell me, then," replied the man, "and mind you tell me the truth. Have
+you eaten and drunk your fill for the night?"
+
+"Thanks and praise be to Allah, we have supped long since, and
+heartily," returned the caliph.
+
+"Since that is the case, you may come up, but recollect it is upon one
+condition, that you bind yourselves not to open your lips whatever you
+may see me do; no matter whether it please you or not."
+
+"What you desire is so reasonable," called out the caliph, "that we
+should be ignorant as Yaboos, if we did not at once comply."
+
+The man gave one more scrutinising glance at the pretended merchants;
+and then, as if satisfied, descended and opened his door. The caliph and
+his attendants followed him up to his room, where they found a table
+laid out for supper, on which was a large pitcher of wine, half a
+roasted kid, a bottle of rakee, preserves, confections, and various
+kinds of fruit; odoriferous flowers were also on the table, and the
+lighting up of the room was brilliant. The host, immediately on their
+entering, tossed off a bumper of wine, as if to make up for the time he
+had lost, and pointing to a corner, bade the intruders to sit down
+there, and not to disturb him any more. He commenced his solitary feast,
+and after another bumper of wine, as if tired of his own company, he
+gruffly demanded, "Where do you fellows come from, and whither are you
+going?"
+
+"Sir," replied Giaffar, who had been whispering with the caliph, "we are
+merchants of Moussul, who have been to an entertainment at the country
+seat of a khan of Bagdad. We feasted well, and left our friend just as
+the day closed in. Whereupon we lost our way, and found ourselves in
+this street; hearing the musical accents of your voice, we exclaimed,
+'Are not those notes delightful?--one who has so sweet a voice must be
+equally sweet in disposition. Let us entreat the hospitality of our
+brother for the remainder of the night, and in the morning we will
+depart in peace.'"
+
+"I do not believe a word that you have said, you ill-looking thief. You
+are spies or thieves, who would profit by getting into people's houses
+at unseasonable hours. You, barrel-stomach, you with whiskers like a
+bear," continued he to the vizier, "hang me if ever I saw such a
+rascally face as yours; and you, you black-faced nigger, keep the whites
+of your eyes off my supper-table, or by Allah I'll send you all to
+Jehanum. I see you are longing to put your fingers on the kid: but if
+you do, I've a bone-softener, which, by the blessed Prophet, shall break
+every bone in your three skins." So saying the man, taking a large
+cudgel from the corner of the room, laid it by the dish of kid, into
+which he then plunged his fingers, and commenced eating heartily.
+
+"Giaffar," said the caliph, in an undertone, "contrive to find out who
+this ferocious animal may be, and how he contrives to live so merrily?"
+
+"In the name of Allah, let us leave him alone," replied Giaffar, in a
+fright, "for should he strike us on the head with that cudgel, we should
+be despatched without anyone being the wiser."
+
+"Pish! fear nothing," replied the caliph. "Ask him boldly his name and
+trade."
+
+"Oh, my Commander," replied Giaffar, "to hear is but to obey, yet do I
+quake most grievously at the threats of this villainous fellow. I
+entreat thee that I may defer the questions until wine shall have
+softened down his temper."
+
+"Thou cowardly vizier. Must I then interrogate him myself?" replied the
+caliph.
+
+"Allah forbid," replied Giaffar; "I will myself encounter the wrath of
+this least of dogs, may his grave be defiled."
+
+During this parley, their host, who had become more good-humoured in his
+cups, cast his eyes upon them.
+
+"What in the name of Shitan, are you chaps prating and chatting about?"
+inquired he.
+
+Giaffar, perceiving him in a more favourable mood, seized the occasion
+to speak. "Most amiable and charitable sir," replied he, "we were
+talking of your great liberality and kindness in thus permitting us to
+intrude upon your revels. We only request, in the name of friendship,
+the name and profession of so worthy a Mussulman, that we may remember
+him in our prayers."
+
+"Why, thou impudent old porpus; did you not promise to ask no questions?
+In the name of friendship! Truly it is of long standing."
+
+"Still I pray Allah that it may increase. Have we not sat a considerable
+time in your blessed presence--have you not given us refuge? All we now
+ask is the name and profession of one so amiable and so kind-hearted?"
+
+"Enough," replied the host, pacified with the pretended humility of the
+vizier. "Silence, and listen. Do you see that skin which hangs over my
+head?" The caliph and his companions looked up and perceived the tanned
+skin of a young ox, which appeared to have been used for carrying water.
+"It is that by which I gain my daily bread. I am Yussuf, son of Aboo
+Ayoub, who dying some five years ago, left me nothing but a few dirhems
+and this strong carcass of mine, by which to gain a livelihood. I was
+always fond of sports and pastimes--overthrew everybody who wrestled
+with me; nay, the man who affronts me, receives a box on the ear which
+makes it ring for a week afterwards."
+
+"Allah preserve us from affronting him!" whispered the caliph.
+
+"When old Aboo died, I perceived, if I did not speedily turn my strength
+to some account, I should starve; so it struck me that there were no
+people more merry than the water-carriers, who supply for a few paras to
+the houses of this city the soft water of the river. I resolved to
+become one, but instead of going backwards and forwards with a goatskin
+on my shoulders, I went down to the curriers, and selected the soft skin
+of the young ox which hangs above me, fitted it to my shoulders, and
+filling it at the river, marched up to the bazaar. No sooner did I
+appear than all the water-carriers called out, 'That villain, Yussuf, is
+about to take away our bread. May Shitan seize him. Let us go to the
+cadi and complain.' The cadi listened to their story, for they accused
+me of witchcraft, saying that no five men could lift the skin when it
+was full. He sent one of his beeldars to summon me before him. I had
+just filled my skin at the river, when the officer came from this
+distributor of bastinadoes. I followed him to the court, laden as I was.
+The crowd opened to let me pass, and I appeared before the cadi, who was
+much astonished at my showing so little inconvenience from such an
+enormous burthen. 'Oh! Yussuf,' cried he, 'hear and answer; thou art
+accused of witchcraft.' 'Who accuses me, O cadi?' replied I, throwing
+down my skin of water. Whereupon two hang-dogs stepped forward, and
+cried with loud voices, 'Behold us here, O wise and just one.' The cadi
+put one aside, and questioned the other, who swore on the book that the
+devil had given me a _pig's_ skin and had promised that as long as I
+served the followers of the Prophet out of the unclean vessel, he would
+enable me to carry as much as ten men. The second witness confirmed this
+evidence; and added, that he heard me talking with the devil, who
+offered to turn himself into a yaboo, and carry water for me, which I
+had civilly declined, for what reason he knew not, as he did not hear
+the rest of the conversation.
+
+"At this evidence, the cadi and mollahs who sat with him, turned up
+their eyes with horror, and proceeded to discuss the degree of
+punishment which so enormous a crime deserved, quite forgetting to ask
+me if I had anything to offer in my defence. At last they settled that,
+as a commencement, I should receive five hundred bastinadoes on the
+soles of my feet, and if I lived, about as many more on my belly. The
+cadi was about to pronounce his irrevocable _fetva_, when I took the
+liberty of interrupting this rapid course of justice. 'O cadi,' said I,
+'and ye, mollahs, whose beards drop wisdom, let your slave offer, at the
+footstool of justice, the precious proofs of innocence.' 'Produce them
+quickly, then, thou wedded to Shitan and Jehanum,' replied the cadi.
+Whereupon I loosened the string which attached the mouth, and allowed
+all the water to run out of the skin. I then turned the skin inside out,
+and showing to them the horns of the young ox, which fortunately I had
+not cut off, I demanded of the cadi and of the mollahs if any of them
+had ever seen a pig with horns. At this they every one fell a laughing,
+as if I had uttered a cream of a joke. My innocence was declared, and my
+two accusers had the five hundred bastinadoes shared between them. The
+water-carriers were too much alarmed at the result of this attempt, to
+attack me any more, and the true believers, from the notoriety of the
+charge, and my acquittal of having rendered them unclean, from the use
+of swinish skin, all sought my custom. In short, I have only to fill my
+skin, to empty it again, and I daily realise so handsome an income, that
+I have thrown care to the dogs, and spend in jollity every night what I
+have worked hard for every day. As soon as the muezzin calls to evening
+prayers, I lay aside my skin, betake myself to the mosque, perform my
+ablutions, and return thanks to Allah. After which I repair to the
+bazaar, purchase meat with one dirhem, rakee with another, others go for
+fruit and flowers, cakes, sweetmeats, bread, oil for my lamps, and the
+remainder I spend in wine. As soon as all is collected, I arrive at my
+own house, put everything in order, light up my lamps and enjoy myself
+after my own fashion. So now you know all I choose to tell you, and
+whether you are merchants or spies in disguise, I care not. Be satisfied
+and depart, for the dawn is here."
+
+The caliph, who had been much amused with Yussuf's account of himself,
+replied, "In truth, you are a wonderful man, and it must be allowed
+that, in separating yourself from your fellows, you escape many troubles
+and inconveniences."
+
+"Ay," replied Yussuf; "thus have I lived for five years. Every night has
+my dwelling been lighted up as you see it, and my fortunate stars have
+never suffered me to go without meat and drink, such as you three now
+smell and long for, but shall not put your fingers to."
+
+"But, friend Yussuf," observed Giaffar, "suppose that to-morrow, the
+caliph should issue a decree, putting an end to the trade of supplying
+with water, and declare that whoever was found with a skin-full should
+be hanged. In such a case, what would you do? You could not light up
+your lamps; you could not enjoy your kabobs and pillau, neither would
+you be able to purchase fruits, sweetmeats, or a drop of wine."
+
+"May Shitan seize your unlucky soul, you tun-bellied beast of ill-omen!
+for the bare supposition of such a thing; depart--depart quickly, and
+never let me see you again."
+
+"My good friend, Yussuf, I did but jest; five years, as you observe,
+have passed away without a day's intermission of your enjoyment, nor is
+it probable that the caliph will ever issue such a ridiculous and
+unheard-of decree. I only observed, that supposing he did, what could
+you do, never leaving a single asper for the next day's provision?"
+
+At the repetition of the vizier's speech, Yussuf became highly
+exasperated. "You dare to repeat to me your unlucky words and
+ill-omens,--and you ask me what I would do! Now hear me: by the beard of
+the Prophet, should the caliph issue such a decree, with this good
+cudgel I will search all Bagdad, until I find you all. You, and you,"
+continued Yussuf, looking fiercely at the caliph and the vizier, "I will
+beat until you are as black as he is (pointing to Mesrour), and him I
+will cudgel until he is as white as the flesh of the kid I have been
+regaling on. Depart at once, you shall no longer pollute my roof."
+
+The caliph was so much diverted with the anger of Yussuf, and yet in
+such dread of showing it, that he was obliged to thrust the end of his
+robe into his mouth, as they walked out under a shower of curses from
+the water-carrier.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"By the sword of the Prophet, but they were well out of this scrape!"
+observed the pacha. "May the grave of the rascal's mother be defiled! to
+offer to cudgel the vice-regent of the Prophet."
+
+"The caliph was in disguise, and Yussuf knew him not," replied
+Mustapha.
+
+"Those who threaten me in disguise, will find that no excuse, we swear
+by our beard," replied the pacha. "Proceed Menouni."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It was daylight before the great Haroun re-entered the secret gate of
+the seraglio, and retired to his couch. After a short slumber he arose,
+performed his ablutions, and proceeded to the divan, where he found the
+principal officers of his court, the viziers, omras, and grandees,
+assembled to receive him; his imagination, however, still dwelt upon the
+events of the preceding night, and after the ordinary business of the
+day had been transacted, and the petitioners who attended had been
+dismissed, he called for his grand vizier, who presented himself with
+the customary obeisances.
+
+"Giaffar," said the caliph, "issue a decree to the governor of the city
+that it be proclaimed throughout the streets of Bagdad, that no person
+whatever, shall, for the space of three days, carry water from the river
+to the bazaars for sale, and that whoever trespasses shall be hanged."
+
+The governor, Khalid ben Talid, immediately that he received the fetva,
+took the proper measures to have it promulgated. Heralds were despatched
+throughout the various quarters of the city, who proclaimed the will of
+the caliph. The people wondered, but submitted.
+
+Yussuf, who had performed his morning devotions, had reached the banks
+of the Tigris, and just filled, and hoisted on his shoulders, his
+ox-skin of water, when the appearance of one of the heralds attracted
+his attention; he listened to the legal proclamation, and let down his
+ox-skin with a curse upon all merchants of Moussul.
+
+"Confusion to the scoundrels, who last night prophesied such an unlucky
+event! If I could but lay hands upon them!" exclaimed Yussuf. "They did
+but hint it, and behold, it is done."
+
+Whilst Yussuf was thus lamenting over his empty water-skin, some of the
+other water-carriers came up, and began to console him after the fashion
+of Job's comforters.
+
+"Surely," said one, "you need not be troubled at this edict, you gain
+more than any five of us every day, and you have no wife nor child to
+provide for. But I, wretched man that I am, will have the misery of
+beholding my wife and children starving before the expiration of the
+three days."
+
+Another said, "Be comforted, Yussuf, three days will soon pass away, and
+then you will relish your kabobs and your rakee, your sweetmeats and
+your wine, with greater pleasure, having been so long deprived of them."
+
+"Besides," added a third, "you must not forget, Yussuf, that the prophet
+has declared that a man is eternally damned, body and soul, who is
+constantly drunk as you are."
+
+These observations kindled Yussuf's bile to that degree, that he was
+nearly venting his spleen upon his sarcastic consolers. He turned away,
+however, in his rage, and throwing his empty skin over his shoulders,
+proceeded slowly towards the mosque of Zobeide, cursing as he went
+along, all Moussul merchants down to the fiftieth generation. Passing
+the great baths, he was accosted by one of the attendants with whom he
+was intimate, who inquired, why he was so depressed in spirits.
+
+"That cold-blooded caliph of ours, Haroun Alraschid, has put an end to
+my earnings for three days, by threatening to hang any water-carrier who
+shall carry his load to the bazaar. You know, my friend, that I never
+have put by a single para, and I fear that in three days my carcase will
+become shrivelled with famine, and dried up for the want of a cup of
+rakee."
+
+"Which thou hast often divided with me before now," replied the other;
+"so even now will I divide my work with you, Yussuf. Follow me, if you
+do not object to the employment, which requires little more than
+strength, and, by Allah, you have that, and to spare. Surely, upon a
+pinch like this, you can take up a hair-bag, and a lump of soap, and
+scrub and rub the bodies of the true believers. Those hands of yours, so
+enormous and so fleshy, are well calculated to knead the muscles and
+twist the joints of the faithful. Come, you shall work with us during
+these three days at the hummaum, and then you can return to your old
+business."
+
+"Thy words of comfort penetrate deep into my bosom," replied Yussuf,
+"and I follow thee."
+
+The bath-rubber then took him in, bound an apron round his waist, and
+lent him a bag, three razors, pumice-stone for scrubbing the soles of
+the feet, a hair bag, and a sponge. Having caparisoned and furnished him
+with implements, he led Yussuf into the apartment where was the
+reservoir of hot water, and desired him to wait for a customer. Yussuf
+had not long sat down on the edge of the marble bath, when he was
+summoned to perform his duties on a hadji who, covered with dust and
+dirt, had evidently just returned from a tedious pilgrimage.
+
+Yussuf set to work with spirit; seizing the applicant with one hand, he
+stripped him with the other, and first operated upon the shaven crown
+with his razor. The hadji was delighted with the energy of his
+attendant. Having scraped his head as clean as he could with an
+indifferent razor, Yussuf then soaped and lathered, scrubbed and sponged
+the skin of the pilgrim, until it was as smooth and glossy as the back
+of a raven. He then wiped him dry, and taking his seat upon the backbone
+of his customer, he pinched and squeezed all his flesh, thumped his
+limbs, twisted every joint till they cracked like faggots in a blaze,
+till the poor hadji was almost reduced to a mummy by the vigour of the
+water-carrier, and had just breath enough in his body to call out,
+"Cease, cease, for the love of Allah--I am dead, I am gone." Having said
+this, the poor man fell back nearly senseless. Yussuf was very much
+alarmed; he lifted up the man, poured warm water over him, wiped him
+dry, and laid him on the ottoman to repose, covering him up. The hadji
+fell into a sound slumber, and in half an hour awoke so refreshed and
+revived, that he declared himself quite a new man.
+
+"It is only to hadjis," observed Yussuf, "that I give this great proof
+of my skill."
+
+The man put his hand into his pocket, pulled out three dirhems, and
+presented them to Yussuf, who was astounded at such liberality, and
+again expressing his satisfaction, the hadji left the hummaum. Delighted
+with his success, Yussuf continued his occupation, and attended with
+alacrity every fresh candidate for his joint-twisting skill. By the time
+that evening prayers commenced, he had kneaded to mummies half a dozen
+more true believers, and had received his six dirhems, upon which he
+determined to leave off for that day.
+
+Having left the bath, he dressed himself, went home, took his leathern
+pitcher, dish, and basket, and went to the bazaar, where he purchased a
+piece of mutton, and left it at the most noted kabob-makers in the
+district to be cooked; he then purchased his wine and rakee, wax tapers,
+and flowers, pistachio-nuts, dried fruit, bread, and oil for his lamps.
+When he had completed his purchases he called at the cook's shop, where
+he found his mutton nicely kabobed, and smoking in the dish. Paying the
+cook, and putting it into his basket, he hastened home over the bridge
+of boats, exulting in his good fortune. When he arrived, he swept out
+his room, dressed himself in better clothes, lighted his lamps, spread
+out his table, and then squatted himself down, with his legs twisted
+under him, and tossing off a bumper of wine, he exclaimed, "Well, I am
+lucky; nevertheless, here's confusion to all Moussul merchants, with
+their vile omens. Allah send their unlucky footsteps here
+to-night--that's all."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Here Menouni stopped, and made his salaam. "May it please your highness
+to permit your slave to retire for the night, for the tale of Yussuf,
+the water-carrier, cannot be imparted to your highness in one evening."
+
+The pacha, although much amused, was also a little tired. "Be it so,
+good Menouni, but recollect, Mustapha, that the caravan must not depart
+until I hear the end of this story."
+
+"Be chesm, on my eyes be it," replied Mustapha; and they all retired for
+the night.
+
+"What is the cause?" demanded the pacha, hastily, as next day Mustapha
+listened with apparent patience to the long details of one of the
+petitioners for justice.
+
+"It is, O lord of wisdom, a dispute between these men, as to a sum of
+money, which they received as guides to a Frank, who journeyed into the
+interior. The one was hired for the journey, but not being well
+acquainted with the road, called in the assistance of the other; they
+now dispute about the division of the money, which lies at my feet in
+this bag."
+
+"It appears that the one who was hired did not know the way."
+
+"Even so," replied Mustapha.
+
+"Then he was no guide, and doth not deserve the money. And the other, it
+appears, was called in to assist?"
+
+"Thy words are the words of wisdom," replied Mustapha.
+
+"Then was he not a guide, but only an assistant; neither can he be
+entitled to the money, as guide. By the beard of the Prophet, justice
+must not be fooled thus, and the divan, held in our presence, be made
+foolish by such complaints. Let the money be distributed among the poor,
+and let them each have fifty bastinadoes on the soles of the feet. I
+have said it."
+
+"Wallah Thaib--it is well said," replied Mustapha, as the two disputants
+were removed from the presence.
+
+"Now call Menouni," said the pacha, "for I am anxious to hear the story
+of Yussuf, and the future proceedings of the caliph; and a part of this
+bag of money will reward him for the honey which falls from his lips."
+
+Menouni made his appearance, and his obeisance; the pacha and Mustapha
+received their pipes from the Greek slave, and the Kessehgou then
+proceeded with his story.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The great caliph, Haroun Alraschid, had as usual held his afternoon
+audience; the court was dismissed. Haroun, whose whole thoughts were
+upon the bankrupt condition of Yussuf, and who was anxious to know how
+he had got on after the fetva had been promulgated, sent for his vizier,
+Giaffar. "I wish to ascertain," said the caliph to the vizier, "if the
+unlucky Yussuf has managed to provide for his bacchanalian revels
+to-night?"
+
+"There can be no doubt, O vice-regent of the Prophet," replied Giaffar,
+"that the young man is seated in the dark, in a most dismal mood,
+without either wine or kabob, or aught to comfort him."
+
+"Send for Mesrour, then; we will again resume our disguises, and pay him
+a visit."
+
+"Let the humblest of your slaves," interposed Giaffar, in a great
+fright, "represent at the footstool of your highness a true picture of
+what we may anticipate. Doubtless this lion-slayer of Shitan, being
+famished, will not forget our prophecy, and ascribing its fulfilment to
+our bad omens, will, in his mood, sacrifice us to his empty stomach.
+
+"Your wisdom is great, Giaffar," replied the caliph; "the man is truly a
+savage, and doubtless will rage with hunger, nevertheless, we will go
+and see in what state he may be."
+
+Giaffar trembled at the idea of being subjected to the wrath of such a
+fellow as Yussuf, but made no reply. He went for Mesrour and the
+dresses, and having put them on, they all three issued forth from the
+private gate of the seraglio. They had nearly reached the end of the
+narrow lane in which Yussuf's house was situated, when the strong
+reflection of the lights from the windows told them that, at all events,
+he was not lamenting his hard fate in darkness; and as they approached,
+the sound of his jovial voice proved also that it was neither in silence
+that he submitted to his destiny. As they came under the window, he
+ceased singing, and ejaculated a loud curse upon all Moussul merchants,
+wishing that he might only see them once again before the devil had
+them. The caliph laughed at this pious wish, and taking up a handful of
+pebbles, threw them at the jalousies of Yussuf's windows.
+
+"Who the devil is there?" roared the water-carrier; "is it you, ye
+bankrupt vagabonds, who have annoyed me? Begone, or by the sword of the
+Prophet, I'll impale you all three on my broomstick."
+
+"Dost thou not know us, Yussuf?" replied the caliph; "we are your
+friends, and once more request admission under thy hospitable roof."
+
+Yussuf came out into the verandah. "Oh! it is you, then; now take my
+advice,--go in peace. I am now in good humour, and peaceably disposed;
+but had I fallen in with you to-day, I would have twisted off your
+necks."
+
+"Nay, good Yussuf," replied Giaffar, "we have heard of the unaccountable
+and mad decree of the caliph, and have called to know how thou hast
+fared, and if we can be of service to one so hospitable and kind."
+
+"You lie, I believe," replied Yussuf; "but I'm in good humour, so you
+shall come in, and see how well I fare. I am Yussuf, and my trust is in
+God." He then went down and admitted them, and they viewed with surprise
+the relics of the feast. "Now, then," observed Yussuf, who was more than
+half drunk, "you know my conditions; there is my meat, there is my wine,
+there is my fruit; not a drop or a taste shall you have. Keep your
+confounded sharp eyes off my sweetmeats, you black-bearded rascal,"
+continued Yussuf, addressing the caliph. "You have your share of them."
+
+"Indeed, most hospitable sir, we covet not your delicacies: all we wish
+to know is the reason of this unheard of decree, and how you have
+contrived to supply your usual merry table."
+
+"You shall hear," replied the water-carrier. "My name is Yussuf, and my
+trust is in God. When the decree of the caliph came to my ears this
+morning, I became as one deprived of sense; but wandering near the
+hummaum of Giaffar Bermuki, a friendly servant of the baths accosted
+me." Yussuf then stated how he had gained his money, much to their
+amusement. "Now," continued he, "I will no longer be a water-carrier,
+but an attendant at the bath will I live and die. May all evil fall upon
+the cold-blooded caliph; but thanks to Allah, it never will enter his
+head to shut up the baths."
+
+"But," observed Giaffar, "suppose the caliph were to-morrow morning to
+take it into his head to shut up the baths."
+
+"Now, may all the ghouls seize thee when thou visitest thy father's
+tomb," cried Yussuf, jumping up in a fury, "thou bear-whiskered rascal!
+Did not I caution thee against evil predictions--and did you not swear
+that you would deal no more in surmises? The devil must attend you, and
+waft your supposes into the ear of the caliph, upon which to frame out
+his stupid fetvas."
+
+"I heartily ask your forgiveness, and I am dumb," replied Giaffar.
+
+"Then you are wise for once; prove yourself still wise, and hasten away
+before I reach my cudgel."
+
+Perceiving that Yussuf's eyes twinkled with anger, they thought it right
+to follow his advice. "We shall see you again, good Yussuf," said the
+caliph, as they descended.
+
+"To the devil with you all three, and never let me see your ugly faces
+again," replied the water-carrier, slamming the door after they were
+out. The caliph went away much amused, and with his attendants, entered
+the private gate of the seraglio.
+
+The next morning the caliph held a solemn divan, at which all the
+mollahs, as well as all the chief officers, were present, and he issued
+a decree, that every bath throughout Bagdad should be shut for three
+days, on pain of impalement. The inhabitants of Bagdad were swallowed up
+with wonder and perplexity. "How," exclaimed they, "what can this mean?
+Yesterday we were ordered not to use the waters of the Tigris, to-day
+the baths are denied us. Perhaps, to-morrow the mosques may be ordered
+to be shut up," and they shook their heads, as if to hint to each other
+that the caliph was not in his senses; but they exclaimed, "In Allah
+only safety is to be found." Nevertheless, the decree was enforced by
+the proper officers, who went round to the different baths. First they
+closed the Hummaum Alraschid, next that of Ziet Zobiede, then the bath
+of Giaffar Bermuki, at which Yussuf had found employment the day before.
+When it was closed, the master and attendants looked at the door, and
+they reproached the assistants, who had befriended Yussuf, saying, he
+was a water-carrier, and the business was stopped by a decree. You have
+brought him to the baths, and now they are shut. In the meantime, Yussuf
+was perceived striding towards the bath, muttering to himself, "I am
+Yussuf; my trust is in God. As an assistant at the hummaum will I live
+and die." Ignorant of the decree, he approached the door of the
+building, round which the servants were clustered, and accosted them.
+"How now, my friends, do you wait for the key? if anything ails the
+lock, trust to the strength of Yussuf."
+
+"Have you not heard that the caliph has ordered the baths to be shut for
+three days, on pain of impalement?"
+
+Yussuf started back with astonishment. "Now, may the graves of their
+fathers be eternally defiled--those confounded Moussul Merchants! Their
+supposes always come to pass. I will seek them out and be revenged." So
+saying, Yussuf, who had come prepared with his brushes, razors, and
+soap, turned off in a rage, and hastened through the streets for an hour
+or two, looking at every passenger, to ascertain if he could find those
+upon whom he would have wreaked his vengeance.
+
+After a long walk, Yussuf sat down on a large stone. "Well," said he, "I
+am still Yussuf, and my trust is in God; but it would be better, instead
+of looking after these rascals, if I were to look out for some means of
+providing myself with a supper to-night." So saying, he rose, went home,
+put on some clothes of better materials, and twisting up his red cotton
+sash for a turban, he took up his praying-carpet, with a determination
+to go to the bazaar and sell it for what it would fetch. As he passed
+the mosque of Hosein, he observed several mollahs, reading and
+expounding the more abstruse passages of the Koran. Yussuf knelt and
+prayed awhile, and returning to the door of the mosque he was accosted
+by a woman, who appeared to be waiting for some one. "Pious sir," said
+she, "I perceive by your goodly habit and appearance that you are one of
+the cadi's law officers."
+
+"I am as you please--I am Yussuf, and my trust is in God."
+
+"Oh! my hadji, then become my protector. I have an unjust debtor who
+refuses me my due."
+
+"You cannot intrust a better person," replied Yussuf. "I am a strong arm
+of the law, and my interest at court is such that I have already
+procured two decrees."
+
+"Those are great words, O hadji."
+
+"Tell me, then, who is this debtor, that I may seize him and carry him
+before the cadi. Haste to tell me, and for a few dirhems I will gain
+your cause, right or wrong."
+
+"My complaint is against my husband, who has divorced me, and
+notwithstanding, refuses me my dowry of five dinars, my clothes, and my
+ornaments."
+
+"What is your husband's trade?"
+
+"Pious sir, he is an embroiderer of papouches."
+
+"Let us lose no time, my good woman; show me this miracle of injustice,
+and by Allah, I will confound him."
+
+Upon this the woman unbound the string of coins from her head, and
+cutting off three dirhems, presented them to Yussuf. Yussuf seized the
+money, and tucking up his sleeves, that he might appear more like an
+officer he bade her to lead to the delinquent. The woman led him to the
+great mosque, where her husband, a little shrivelled-up man, was
+performing his duties with great devotion. Yussuf, without saying a
+word, took him up, carpet and all, and was about to carry him off.
+
+"In the name of the Prophet, to what class of madmen do you belong?"
+screamed the astonished devotee.
+
+"Release me; do not crush my poor ribs within your grasp. Set me down,
+and I will walk with you, as soon as I have put on slippers."
+
+The people crowded round to know what was the matter. "Ho, ho, that will
+presently appear," replied Yussuf. "His wife is his creditor, and I am
+her law officer; my demand is, that you restore to her fifty dinars,
+besides all the gold jewels and ornaments she has had these last fifty
+years."
+
+"How can that be," replied the little man, "seeing that I am not forty
+years old?"
+
+"That may be the case in fact," replied Yussuf; "but law is a very
+difficult thing, as you will find out. So come along with me to the
+cadi."
+
+The party then proceeded on their way to the cadi, but they had not gone
+many yards, when the papouche-maker whispered to Yussuf, "Most valiant
+and powerful sir, I quarrelled with my wife last night, on account of
+her unreasonable jealousy. I did pronounce the divorce, but there was no
+one to hear. If we slept together once more, she would be pacified.
+Therefore, most humane sir, I entreat you to interfere."
+
+"Was there no witness?" inquired Yussuf.
+
+"None, good sir," replied the man, slipping five direhms into the hand
+of Yussuf.
+
+"Then I decide that there is no divorce," replied Yussuf, pocketing the
+money, "and therefore you are no debtor. Woman, come hither. It appears
+that there was no divorce--so says your husband--and you have no witness
+to prove it. You are therefore no creditor. Go to your husband, and walk
+home with him; he is not much of a husband, to be sure, but still he
+must be cheap at the three dirhems which you have paid me. God be with
+you. Such is my decree."
+
+The woman, who had already repented of her divorce, was glad to return,
+and with many compliments, they took their leave of him. "By Allah!"
+exclaimed Yussuf, "but this is good. I will live and die an officer of
+the law." So saying he returned home for his basket, purchased his
+provisions and wine, and lighting up his house, passed the evening in
+carousing and singing as before.
+
+While Yussuf was thus employed, the caliph was desirous of ascertaining
+the effect of the new decree, relative to the baths. "Giaffar," said he,
+"I wonder whether I have succeeded in making that wine-bibber go to bed
+supperless? Come, let us pay him a visit."
+
+"For the sake of Islam, O caliph," replied Giaffar, "let us forbear to
+trifle with that crackbrained drunkard any more. Already has Allah
+delivered us out of his hands. What may we not expect if he is hungry
+and desolate?"
+
+"Your wisdom never grows less," replied the caliph; "those are the words
+of truth: nevertheless, I must go and see the madman once more."
+
+Giaffar, not being able to prevail, prepared the dresses, and they,
+accompanied by Mesrour, again sallied forth by the private gate of the
+seraglio. Once more were they surprised at witnessing the same
+illumination of the house, and one of the jalousies having burst open
+with the wind, they perceived the shadow of Yussuf, reflected on the
+wall, his beard wagging over his kabobs, and a cup of wine in his hand.
+
+"Who is there?" cried Yussuf, when Giaffar, at the command of the
+caliph, knocked at the door.
+
+"Your friends, dear Yussuf--your friends, the Moussul merchants. Peace
+be with you."
+
+"But it's neither peace nor welcome to you, you owls," replied Yussuf,
+walking out into the verandah. "By Allah! if you do not walk away, and
+that quickly, I shall come down to you with my bone polisher."
+
+"Indeed, friend Yussuf," replied Giaffar, "we have but two words to say
+to you."
+
+"Say them quickly, then, for you enter not my doors again, you wretched
+fellows, who have ruined all the water-carriers and all the bath-people
+in Bagdad."
+
+"What is that you mean?" replied the caliph; "we are lost in mystery."
+
+"What!" replied Yussuf: "have you not heard the decree of this
+morning?"
+
+"Gentle sir, we have been so busy sorting our wares, that we have not
+stepped out this day, and are ignorant of all that hath passed in
+Bagdad."
+
+"Then you shall come up and learn; but first swear by Moses, Esau, and
+the Prophet, that you will not _suppose_, for all you have imagined has
+proved as true as if it had been engraven on the ruby seal of Solomon."
+
+These conditions were readily accepted by the caliph and his companions,
+and they were then admitted upstairs, where they found everything
+disposed in the usual order, and the same profusion. When they had taken
+their seats in the corner of the room, Yussuf said, "Now my guests, as
+you hope for pardon, tell me, do you know nothing of what has happened
+to me this day--and what the blockhead of a caliph has been about?"
+Haroun and the vizier could with difficulty restrain their laughter, as
+they shook their heads. "Yes," continued Yussuf, "that vicegerent of a
+tattered beard, and more tattered understanding, has issued a decree for
+closing the baths for three days, by which cruel ordinance, I was again
+cast adrift upon the sea of necessity. However, Providence stood my
+friend, and threw a few dirhems in my way, and I have made my customary
+provision in spite of the wretch of a caliph, who I fully believe is an
+atheist and no true believer."
+
+"Inshallah," said the caliph to himself, "but I'll be even with you some
+day, at least."
+
+Yussuf then filled his cup several times, and was in high glee, as he
+narrated the events of the day, concluding with, "I am Yussuf--I put my
+trust in God. As an officer of the law I intend to live and die, and
+to-morrow I shall attend the hall of the cadi."
+
+"But," said Giaffar, "suppose----"
+
+"Suppose! by the beard of the Prophet, if you dare to suppose again in
+my presence, I will pound your fat stomach into a jelly," cried Yussuf,
+seizing his cudgel.
+
+"No, no, my friend, I merely wished to say----"
+
+"Say nothing," roared Yussuf, "or you never speak again."
+
+"Then we will only think, my friend."
+
+"That I will allow, and I also think as well as you. My thoughts are,
+that it will be wise for you to quit as fast as you can, for I have the
+cudgel in my hand, and am not in the very best of humours." The caliph
+and his attendants were of the same opinion, and took their leave of
+their irritated host.
+
+At the next morning's levee, Giaffar entered the divan at the head of
+the chief officers of the law, and viziers of the different departments,
+prostrating himself before the throne, he called down increase of years
+and prosperity on the caliph. "Giaffar," replied Haroun, "issue
+immediate orders, under the imperial firmaum, that strict inquiries be
+made into those officers of justice who attend the halls of the cadis.
+All those who have been lawfully selected shall be retained, with a
+present and increase of salary, while those who have assumed their name
+and office, without warranty or permission, shall be dismissed with the
+bastinado."
+
+The orders of the caliph were immediately obeyed. In the meantime,
+Yussuf, who had fallen asleep over his wine, did not awaken till long
+after the sun was up. He immediately rose, dressed himself with care,
+and hastened to the hall of the cadi, and took his station among the
+officers of the law, who looked at him with surprise and displeasure. At
+this moment the caliph's firmaum was delivered to the cadi, who, lifting
+it up to his forehead, in token of respect and obedience, caused it to
+be read to him. He then cried with a loud voice, "Bring in purses of
+gold, and let also the fellah and rods for the bastinado be brought in.
+Close up the gates of the cutchery, that none escape; and ye officers of
+justice, be ready to answer as your names are called." Yussuf, whose
+eyes were wide open, as well as his ears, said to himself, "My God! what
+new event is now to come to pass?"
+
+The orders of the cadi having been obeyed, the officers were severally
+called forward, and having proved themselves regularly appointed,
+received their rewards, and were dismissed. Yussuf's ideas were so
+confused by what appeared to him such an unmitigated destiny, that he
+did not perceive that he was left standing alone. It was not until the
+second time that the cadi called to him, that Yussuf moved towards him.
+
+"Who are you?" inquired the cadi.
+
+"I am Yussuf, and my trust is in God," replied he.
+
+"What is your profession?"
+
+"I am a water-carrier."
+
+"Such being the case, why did you join the officers of the law?"
+
+"I only entered upon the calling yesterday, O cadi; but nothing is
+difficult to me. Provided I gain but my six dirhems a day, I have no
+objection to become a mollah."
+
+The cadi and bystanders were unable to restrain their mirth,
+nevertheless, his feet were secured to the pole; and when hoisted up,
+they commenced the bastinado, taking care, however, to strike the pole
+much oftener than his toes. Having finished, he was released, and turned
+out of the hall of justice, very much mortified and melancholy, but
+little hurt by the gentle infliction. "Well," thought Yussuf, "fate
+appears determined that I shall change my mode of gaining my livelihood
+every day. Had I not allowed those Moussul rascals to enter my house,
+this never would have happened."
+
+As he said this, he perceived one of the _beeldars_, or officers of the
+caliph's household, pass by him. "That would be a nice office," thought
+Yussuf, "and the caliph does not count his people like the cadi. It
+requires but an impudent swagger, and you are taken upon your own
+representation." Accordingly, nowise disheartened, and determined to
+earn his six dirhems, he returned home, squeezed his waist into as
+narrow a compass as he could, gave his turban a smart cock, washed his
+hands, and took a peeled almond-wand in his hand. He was proceeding down
+stairs, when he recollected that it was necessary to have a sword, and
+he had only a scabbard, which he fixed in his belt, and cutting a piece
+of palm-wood into the shape of a sword, he fixed it in, making the
+handle look smart with some coloured pieces of cotton and silk, which he
+sewed with packthread. Thus marched he out, swaggering down the streets,
+and swinging his twig of almond-tree in his hand. As he strutted along
+everyone made way for him, imagining him to be one of those insolent
+retainers of office who are supported by the great khans. Thus he
+continued a straight course, until he arrived at the market-place, where
+a multitude was assembled round two men, who were fighting desperately.
+Yussuf pressed forward, the crowd making way for him on both sides,
+either taking him for an officer of the household, or dreading the force
+of his nervous and muscular proportions. When he reached the combatants,
+they were covered with dirt and blood, and engaged so furiously, that no
+one dared separate them. Yussuf, perceiving the dread which he inspired,
+and that he was taken, as he wished to be, for a beeldar, first clapped
+his hand to the handle of his pretended sword, and then struck the
+combatants several sharp blows with his almond stick, and thus induced
+them to leave off fighting. The sheick, or head of the bazaar, then
+approached Yussuf, and making an obeisance, presented him with six
+dirhems, with a prayer that he would seize the culprits, and carry them
+before the caliph for punishment, as disturbers of the public peace.
+
+Yussuf, securing the money in his girdle, seized up the two combatants,
+and carrying one under each arm, walked off with them. A great crowd
+followed, with many prayers for the release of the prisoners; but Yussuf
+turned a deaf ear, until another six dirhems were dropped into his vest,
+with a prayer for mercy. Upon this Yussuf consented to release them, and
+walked away, hardly able to contain his exultation. "I am Yussuf," cried
+he, "and I trust in God. As a beeldar will I live and die. By Allah! I
+will go to the palace, and see how it fares with my brother beeldars."
+
+Now there were thirty beeldars in the service of the caliph, who
+attended the palace in rotation, ten each day. On reaching the court of
+the palace, Yussuf took his station where the ten beeldars on duty were
+collected together. He observed, however, that they were very different
+from himself, very slight young men, and dressed in a very superior
+style. He felt some contempt for their effeminate appearance, contrasted
+with his own muscular frame, but could not keep his eyes off their
+handsome and stylish dress. Meanwhile, the chief of the beeldars
+perceived him, and knowing that he did not belong to the palace,
+imagined from his appearance, and his presenting himself among them,
+that he must be one in the service of one of the great omrahs who were
+at Bagdad, who, having nothing to do at home, had come as a visitor to
+the palace. He remarked this to his brother beeldars, saying, "This
+fine-built stranger ought to be considered as our guest. Let us show him
+all courtesy, for he is of our profession, and therefore we shall not do
+ourselves credit, if we do not prove that we have the power to serve
+him." The other beeldars agreeing with him, the chief went to the
+secretary of the treasury, and procured an order of notice upon a rich
+confectioner, to pay into the treasury the sum of five thousand dirhems,
+due by him upon several accounts therein specified. The vizier's seal
+having been attached to it, he went with it to where Yussuf was
+standing. "What, ho! brother beeldar," said the chief.
+
+"I am Yussuf, and my trust is in God; I am ready to obey your commands,"
+said the water-carrier, advancing with great humility.
+
+"May I request, brother beeldar, that you will do us of the palace, the
+very great favour to carry this paper, bearing the vizier's seal, to
+Mallem Osman, the great confectioner, and request the immediate payment
+of five thousand dirhems. You know your profession; of course the money
+is not expected, but whatever he may offer for your affording him a
+respite, put down to the friendship and good will of the beeldars of
+the palace, and remember us when you feast in your own dwelling."
+
+Yussuf, highly delighted, put the order into his cap, made a low salaam,
+and departed on his message. Deeming it beneath his new-fledged dignity
+to walk, he mounted one of the asses ready for hire at the corner of the
+streets, ordering the driver to hasten before to clear the way, and
+ascertain which was the dwelling of the confectioner. The house of
+Mallem Osman was soon discovered, for he was the most celebrated of his
+trade, and had an immense business. Yussuf rode up on the beast, which
+was not half as large as himself, and stopped at the shop, where the
+confectioner was superintending his work-people. "I am Yussuf, and my
+trust is in God," said Yussuf, looking at the confectioner. The
+confectioner heeded him not, when Yussuf strutted into the shop. "I
+merely wait upon you, good Mallem Osman, to request that you will
+immediately repair to the palace, carrying with you five bags, each
+containing one thousand dirhems, of which there appears at present to be
+no chance of receiving an asper. This paper, sealed by the vizier,
+contains the order; and as you have the honour of being the caliph's
+debtor, you will do well to rise and accompany me forthwith to the
+palace, not forgetting the needful."
+
+At this speech Mallem started up from his seat, advanced most
+submissively to Yussuf, took the paper and raised it to his head,
+addressing Yussuf with the most abject servility, "O most excellent,
+most valiant, and most powerful beeldar, how well doth the caliph select
+his officers! How favoured am I by Allah with your happy presence! I am
+your slave--honour me by refreshing yourself in my dwelling."
+
+Yussuf then threw the driver of the beast half a dirhem, and dismissed
+him, breathed as if fatigued with his journey, and wiped his brow with
+his sleeve. The confectioner placed him in his own seat, and sent
+hastily to the bazaar for a large dishful of kabob, spread a napkin
+before Yussuf, and slicing a pomegranate, strewed it over with pounded
+sugar, and placed it before him, along with some sweet cakes and some
+honey. "O chief of beeldars!" said the confectioner, "it is my prayer
+that you deign to break your fast in the house of your servant. Will you
+amuse yourself with these trifles while something better is preparing?"
+Here one of the shopmen brought a bowl, into which he poured sherbet of
+the distilled juice of the lotus-flower mingled with rose-water. The
+master placed this also before Yussuf, and entreated him to eat; but
+Yussuf, affecting the great man, held his head up in the air and would
+not even look that way. "Condescend to oblige me by tasting this
+sherbet, O chief!" continued the confectioner: "or I swear by Allah,
+that I will divorce my youngest and most favourite wife."
+
+"Hold--hold, brother!" replied Yussuf; "rather than that the innocent
+should suffer, I will comply with your request; although, to say the
+truth, I have no appetite, having taken my breakfast from the caliph's
+table in ten dishes, each dish containing three fowls dressed in a
+different fashion. I am so full that I can scarce draw my breath."
+
+"I fully comprehend that it is out of compassion to your slave that you
+comply with my request."
+
+"Well," said Yussuf, "to oblige you;" and taking up the bowl of sherbet,
+which contained some pints, to the amazement of the confectioner, at one
+long draught he swallowed it all down. The kabob now made its
+appearance, wrapped up in thin cakes of fine wheaten flour. Yussuf
+swallowed this also with a rapidity which was astonishing to behold, nor
+did he cease eating till the whole table cleared. The confectioner was
+amazed. "This fellow," thought he, "breakfasted upon ten dishes, each
+containing three fowls. How fortunate for me! What would he have done
+had he come here fainting? Nothing less than an ox stuffed with
+pistachio-nuts would have satisfied him. Would to Heaven that I were
+well rid of him!"
+
+In the meantime Yussuf stirred not, but resumed his consequence. The
+confectioner requested to know if his highness would wait till a dinner
+was prepared for him. "Indeed, friend, that is a subject of small
+concern. My object here is, that you hasten with me to the treasury to
+pay in the five thousand dirhems which are due."
+
+"Your indulgence, my aga," replied the confectioner; "I will return in
+one minute." Mallem Osman then filled a large bag with the choicest of
+his sweetmeats, and putting thirty dirhems in a paper, he approached
+Yussuf, saying, "My prince, I humbly beg your acceptance of this
+trifling present of sweetmeats, and these thirty dirhems for the
+expenses of the bath after your fatiguing journey hither. Deign also to
+favour me with your protection. Trade is scarce, and money does not come
+in. In a short time I will pay all."
+
+Yussuf, who was aware that the order had only been given that he might
+squeeze a few dirhems out of the confectioner, then spoke with much
+civility. "My advice to you, Mallem," said he, "is, that you stir not
+out of your door to-day--there is no such hurry--nor to-morrow, nay,
+even a week, or a month, or a year. I may say, stir not at all, for you
+have my protection; and therefore be under no trouble of going to the
+palace at all."
+
+It was near sunset when this affair was settled. Yussuf walked home with
+his hands full of presents, exclaiming as he went, "I am Yussuf, my
+provision is from God!" He reached his home, full of pleasing
+anticipations, and changing his dress, took out his basket and pitcher,
+returning loaded more than usual; for having gained forty-two dirhems,
+he resolved to indulge himself. "By Allah!" cried he, "I will double my
+allowance, to the confusion of those rascally Moussul merchants, who are
+such birds of ill omen." He accordingly expended double the money,
+doubling also his allowance of wax tapers and oil, so that his house was
+in a blaze of light when he sat down as usual to his feast, more happy
+than ever, drinking more, and singing twice as loudly as he had ever
+done before.
+
+Leaving him to his solitary revels, we must observe, that the caliph had
+ascertained that Yussuf had received the bastinado; and now making sure
+that he would be without provisions or wine, he resolved to pay him
+another visit. "I think, Giaffar, that I have, at last, sent that rascal
+to bed supperless in return for his calling me an infidel; and I must go
+and enjoy his wrath and indignation, increased of course by the pain of
+the blows he has received by the order of the cadi." In vain did Giaffar
+represent that it would be attacking an angry and wounded lion in his
+den; that his wrath would be such, and his strength was so enormous,
+that they could not expect less than annihilation, should they venture
+to his door. "All that may be true," replied the caliph; "but still I
+will go and see him at all risk."
+
+"I have my dagger, Commander of the Faithful," observed Mesrour, "and I
+fear him not."
+
+"Use it not, Mesrour," replied the caliph. "Get ready the dresses, and
+let us depart."
+
+"I venture to promise that we shall see no more lights this time, except
+it may be a solitary lamp to enable him to bathe his wounded feet."
+
+They went forth, and on their arrival were astonished at the blaze of
+light which proceeded from Yussuf's apartments; his singing also was
+most clamorous, and he appeared to be much intoxicated, crying out
+between his staves, "I am Yussuf! confound all Moussul merchants--my
+trust is in God!"
+
+"By the sword of the prophet!" exclaimed the caliph, "this fellow
+baffles me in everything. Have I not made the whole city uncomfortable,
+and submit to decrees which appeared to be promulgated by a madman,
+merely to chastise this wine-bibber, and behold he revels as before? I
+am weary of attempting to baffle him; however, let us find out, if
+possible, how he has provided for his table. What, ho! friend Yussuf,
+are you there? Here are your guests come again to rejoice in your good
+fortune," cried the caliph from the street.
+
+"What, again?" roared Yussuf. "Well, now, you must take the consequence.
+Fly, or you are dead men. I have sworn by Allah, not only that you
+should not come into my door, but that I would cudgel you whenever we
+met again."
+
+"Nay, thou pearl among men, thou ocean of good temper, rise and receive
+us. It is our destiny, and who can prevent it?"
+
+"Well, then," replied Yussuf, coming out to the verandah with his great
+cudgel, "if it is your destiny, it will not be my fault."
+
+"But, good Yussuf," replied the caliph, "hear us. This is the last time
+that we request admittance. We swear it by the _three_. You rail at us
+as if we harmed you; whereas, you must acknowledge that everything,
+however unfortunate at first appearance, has turned only to thy
+advantage."
+
+"That is true," replied Yussuf; "but still it is through your pernicious
+omens that I am made to change my trade every day. What am I to be
+next?"
+
+"Is not your trust in God?" replied Giaffar. "Besides, we promise thee
+faithfully that we will not say one word on the subject, and that this
+shall be the last time that we demand your hospitality."
+
+"Well," replied Yussuf, who was very drunk, "I will open the door for
+the last time, as I must not war with destiny." So saying, he reeled
+down the stairs, and let them in.
+
+The caliph found everything in extraordinary profusion. Yussuf sang for
+some time without noticing them; at last he said, "You Moussul rascals,
+why do you not ask me to narrate how I have had such good fortune? You
+are dying with envy, I presume; but now you shall hear it, and if you
+dare to go away till I have told you all, I will shower down such a
+quantity of blows upon your carcasses, as shall leave you worse than a
+bastinado of five hundred."
+
+"We are all obedience and humility, O prince of men!" replied the
+caliph.
+
+Yussuf then narrated the events of the day, concluding with, "I am
+Yussuf, my trust is in God! A beeldar will I live, a beeldar will I die,
+in spite of the caliph and his grand vizier to boot. Here's confusion to
+them both!" He then drank off a cup of rakee, and rolling over in a
+state of stupid intoxication, fell fast asleep.
+
+The caliph and Giaffar blew out the lights, and then let themselves out
+of the door, and, much amused with the adventures of Yussuf, they
+regained the private gate of the seraglio.
+
+The next morning Yussuf awoke, and finding it late, hastened to dress
+himself in his best clothes, saying to himself, "I am a beeldar, and I
+will die a beeldar." He took care to comb out his beard, and twist it in
+a fiercer manner; and then putting on his sham sword, lost no time in
+going to the palace, where he took his station among the beeldars who
+were on duty, hoping that he would be despatched by the chief on a
+similar message as that of the day before. The caliph soon afterwards
+made his appearance at the divan, and immediately recognised Yussuf in
+his partial disguise. He observed to Giaffar, "Do you see there our
+friend Yussuf? I have him at last, and now I will perplex him not a
+little before he escapes me." The chief of the beeldars being called,
+stepped forward and made his obeisance. "What is the number of your
+corps?" inquired the caliph.
+
+"Thirty in all, Most High, of which ten are every day on duty."
+
+"I will review those who are present," replied the caliph, "and examine
+each man particularly."
+
+The chief of the beeldars bowing low, retired, and turning to his men,
+with a loud voice, said, "Beeldars, it is the pleasure of the Commander
+of the Faithful, that you appear before him."
+
+This order was instantly obeyed, and Yussuf was compelled to walk with
+the rest into the immediate presence of the caliph; not, however,
+without alarm, and saying to himself, "What can all this be for? My
+usual luck. Yesterday, I cast up my reckoning with the cadi, and paid
+the balance with my heels. If I have to account with the caliph, I am
+lucky if I come off clear with my head."
+
+In the meantime the caliph asked a few questions of each beeldar, until
+he came to Yussuf, who had taken care to stand last. His manoeuvres and
+embarrassment afforded much pleasure to the caliph and Giaffar, so much,
+that they scarce could refrain from laughing outright. The last of the
+beeldars had now been examined, and had passed over to the right after
+the others, and Yussuf remained standing by himself. He shuffled from
+side to side, casting an eye now at the door, and then at the caliph,
+considering whether he should take to his heels; but he felt that it was
+useless. The caliph asked him who he was three times before Yussuf's
+confusion would allow him to answer; and the chief of the beeldars gave
+him a push in the ribs, and looking in his face, did not recognize him;
+he however supposed that he had been lately substituted by one of the
+other chiefs. "Answer the caliph, you great brute," said he to Yussuf,
+giving him another dig in the ribs with the handle of his poniard; but
+Yussuf's tongue was glued to his mouth with fear, and he stood trembling
+without giving any answer. The caliph again repeated, "What is your
+name, your father's name, and the amount of your salary as a beeldar?
+and how did you get your appointment?"
+
+"Is it to me you speak, O hadji caliph?" at last stammered out Yussuf.
+
+"Yes," replied the caliph, gravely.
+
+Giaffar, who stood near his master, then cried out, "Yes, you cowardly
+shred of a beeldar; and reply quickly, or a sword will be applied to
+your neck."
+
+Yussuf, as if talking to himself, replied, "I hope it will be _my own_
+then." He then replied to the question, "Yes, yes, it's all right--my
+father was a beeldar, and my _mother_ also before him." At this
+extravagant answer the caliph and whole court could no longer restrain
+their mirth, which gave Yussuf a little more courage.
+
+"So," replied Haroun, "it appears that you are a beeldar, and that your
+allowance is ten dinars yearly, and five pounds of mutton daily."
+
+"Yes, my Umeer," replied Yussuf, "I believe that is correct. My trust is
+in God!"
+
+"It is well. Now, Yussuf, take with you three other beeldars to the
+dungeon of blood, and bring to me the four robbers who were condemned to
+death for their manifold crimes and enormities."
+
+Here Giaffar interfered, and submitted to the caliph, whether it would
+not be better that the head jailor should produce them, which being
+ordered, that officer presently made his appearance with the four
+criminals pinioned and bareheaded. The caliph ordered three of the
+beeldars each to seize and blindfold a prisoner, to open their upper
+garments ready to unsheath their swords, and wait for the word of
+command. The three beeldars made their obeisance, obeyed the command,
+placing the criminals in a kneeling position, resting on their hams,
+with their necks bare, and their eyes covered. While the three beeldars
+stood thus in readiness, Yussuf was in a dreadful state of confusion.
+"To escape now is impossible," said he to himself. "Confound these
+Moussul merchants. They did well to say they would come no more, for in
+a few minutes I shall be no more myself."
+
+"You fellow there! you are one of the appointed beeldars, and do not
+know your duty," cried Giaffar. "Why do you not lead out the criminal,
+as your companions have done?"
+
+Yussuf, obliged to obey, now seized the fourth prisoner, covered his
+eyes, laid bare his neck, and took his stand behind him, but without
+drawing his sword. "I never shall be able to get over this," thought
+Yussuf. "In a few seconds it will prove to be but a piece of palm-wood,
+and I shall lose my head among the jeers of the people. However, my
+trust is in God; and to Shitan with all Moussul merchants." He took,
+however, his sheath and sham sword from his belt, and raised it in the
+scabbard over his shoulder.
+
+The caliph, who watched him narrowly, was highly diverted with this
+manoeuvre. "You beeldar!" cried he, "why do you not unsheath your
+sword?"
+
+"My sword," replied Yussuf, "is of that temper, that it must not too
+long glance in the eyes of the Commander of the Faithful."
+
+The caliph appeared satisfied, and turning to the first beeldar,
+commanded him to strike. In a moment the head of the robber was lying on
+the ground. "Neatly and bravely done," said the caliph; "let him be
+rewarded." He then gave command to the second to execute his criminal.
+The sword whirled in the air, and at one stroke the head of the robber
+flew some distance from the shoulders. The third criminal was despatched
+with equal dexterity. "Now," said the caliph to Yussuf, "you, my
+beeldar, cut off the criminal's head, and receive the like reward for
+your dexterity."
+
+Yussuf had by this time, to a certain degree, recovered his presence of
+mind; he had not exactly arranged his ideas, but they floated
+indistinctly in his brain. "Will your highness allow me to say a few
+words to the criminal?" demanded Yussuf, to gain time.
+
+"Be it so," replied the caliph, stuffing his robe in his mouth to
+prevent laughter.
+
+"The caliph has commanded that your head be struck off. If you would
+pronounce the profession of the true faith, now is your time, robber,
+for you have but one short minute to live."
+
+The criminal immediately cried out, "There is but one God, and Mahomet
+is his Prophet!"
+
+Yussuf then bared his muscular arm, and fiercely rolling his eyes,
+walked three times round his prisoner. "Declare now the justice of your
+fate," cried he, aloud (but at the same time saying to the man, in a low
+tone, "Swear you are innocent"). "Say, is not your sentence just?"
+
+"No--no," replied the man, in a loud voice, "I am innocent."
+
+The caliph, who was very attentive to all that passed, was much
+diverted by Yussuf's proceedings, and wondered what he would do next.
+Yussuf then walked up to the caliph, and prostrated himself. "O caliph!
+vicegerent of the Prophet! deign to listen to your faithful beeldar,
+while he narrates a strange adventure which hath befallen him within
+these few days."
+
+"Speak, beeldar, we are all attention; remember that thy words be those
+of truth."
+
+"It was on the evening before your highness issued the decree that no
+water should be supplied to the bazaar, from the Tigris, that as I was
+sitting in my house, performing my sacred duties, and studying the
+Koran, which I read in a loud voice, three merchants of Moussul claimed
+and entreated my hospitality. The Koran has pointed out hospitality as a
+virtue necessary to every true believer, and I hastened to open my door
+and receive them."
+
+"Indeed," replied the caliph, looking at Giaffar. "Tell me, beeldar,
+what sort of looking personages might these Moussul merchants be?"
+
+"Ill-favoured to a degree. One was a pot-bellied, rascally-looking
+fellow, with a great beard, who looked as if he had just come out of a
+jail. [The caliph winked at his vizier, as much as to say, There is your
+portrait.] Another was a black-bearded, beetle-browed, hang-dog looking
+rascal. [Giaffar bowed to the caliph.] And the third was a
+blubber-lipped, weazen-faced skeleton of a negro. [Mesrour clapped his
+hand to his dagger with impatience.] In short, your highness, I may
+safely say that the three criminals whose heads have just been forfeited
+to justice were, as far as appearances went, honest-looking men compared
+to the three Moussul merchants. Nevertheless, as in duty bound, I
+received these three men, gave them shelter, and spread a table of the
+best before them. They indulged in kabobs, and asking for wine and
+rakee, which, as forbidden by the law, I never taste, I went out and
+purchased it for them. They did eat and drink till the dawn broke, and
+then they departed."
+
+"Indeed," said the caliph.
+
+"The next night, to my great annoyance, they aroused me from my
+devotions as before. Again did my substance disappear in providing for
+their demands; and, after having eaten and drunk until they were
+intoxicated, they went away, and I hoped to see them no more, as they
+were not sparing in their observations upon the new decree of your
+highness, relative to the shutting up of the baths."
+
+"Proceed, good Yussuf."
+
+"The third night they again came, and having no more money to spare, and
+finding them still making my house a tavern, I hoped that they would
+come no more; but they came again, a fourth night, and then behaved most
+indecorously, singing lewd songs, and calling out for wine and rakee
+until I could bear it no more, and I then told them that I could no
+longer receive them. The fat-stomached one, whom I have before
+mentioned, then rose, and said, 'Yussuf, we have proved your
+hospitality, and we thank you. No one would have received three such
+ill-favoured persons, and have regaled them for the love of God, as you
+have done. We will now reward thee. Thou art a beeldar of the palace,
+and we will now present thee with the sword of justice, which has been
+lost since the days of the great Solomon; take this, and judge not by
+its outward appearance. When commanded to take off the head of a
+criminal, if he is guilty, the sword will flash like fire, and never
+fail; but should he be innocent, it will become a harmless lath of
+wood.' I took the present, and was about to return thanks, when the
+three ill-favoured Moussul merchants gradually took the form of
+celestial beings, and vanished."
+
+"Indeed, this is a strange story--what, did the big-bellied fellow look
+like an angel?"
+
+"As an angel of light, O caliph."
+
+"What, and the weazen-faced negro?"
+
+"Like a houri, O caliph."
+
+"Well, then," replied the caliph, "you shall now, Yussuf, try the power
+of this wonderful sword. Strike off that criminal's head."
+
+Yussuf returned to the robber, who remained kneeling, and walked round
+him, crying out with a loud voice, "O sword, if this man be guilty, do
+thy duty; but if he be, as he has declared in his dying moments,
+innocent, then become thou harmless." With these words Yussuf drew his
+sword, and exhibited a lath of palm-wood. "He is innocent, O caliph;
+this man, being unjustly condemned, ought to be set free."
+
+"Most certainly," replied the caliph, delighted with the manoeuvre of
+Yussuf, "let him be liberated. Chief of the beeldars, we cannot part
+with a man, who, like Yussuf, possesses so famous a weapon. Let there be
+ten more beeldars appointed, and let Yussuf have the command of them as
+chief, with the same perquisites and salary as the other chiefs."
+
+Yussuf prostrated himself before the caliph, delighted with his good
+fortune, and as he retired, he exclaimed, "I am Yussuf; my trust is in
+God. Allah preserve the three Moussul merchants."
+
+It was not long before the caliph, Giaffar, and Mesrour appeared again
+as the merchants to Yussuf, and heartily enjoyed his discomfiture and
+confusion, when they discovered themselves. Still Yussuf enjoyed the
+favour of Haroun to the end of his life, and was more fortunate than
+Giaffar and others, who only once fell under the wrath and suspicion of
+the all-powerful caliph.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Such, O pacha, is the history of Yussuf, the water-carrier."
+
+"Yes, and a very good story too. Have you not another, Menouni?"
+
+"Your highness," replied Mustapha, "the caravan will depart at break of
+day, and Menouni has but three hours to prepare. It can no longer be
+detained without the chief making a report to the authorities, which
+would not be well received."
+
+"Be it so," replied the pacha; "Let Menouni be rewarded, and we will
+try to find some other storyteller, until his return from his
+pilgrimage."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XIX
+
+
+"Mustapha," observed the pacha, taking his pipe out of his mouth, "what
+makes the poets talk so much about the Book of Fate?"
+
+"The Book of Fate, your highness, is where is written our _Talleh_, or
+destiny. Can I say more?"
+
+"Allah acbar! God is great! and it is well said. But why a book, when
+nobody can read it?"
+
+"These are great words, and spiced with wisdom. O pacha! doth not Hafiz
+say, 'Every moment you enjoy, count it gain.' Who can say what will be
+the event of anything?"
+
+"Wallah thaib! well said, by Allah! Then why a book, if the book is
+sealed?"
+
+"Yet there are wise men who can read our Kismet, and foretell."
+
+"Yes, very true; but I have observed that it is not until after an event
+has happened, that they tell you of it. What are these astrologers?
+_Bosh_--nothing--I have said." And the pacha remained some time smoking
+his pipe in silence.
+
+"May it please your highness," observed Mustapha, "I have outside a
+wretch who is anxious to crawl into your presence. He comes from the
+far-distant land of Kathay--an unbeliever, with two tails."
+
+"Two tails! was he a pacha in his own country?"
+
+"A pacha! Staffir Allah!--God forgive me! A dog--a most miserable
+dog--on my eyes be it; but still he hath two tails."
+
+"Let the dog with two tails be admitted," replied the pacha. "We have
+said it."
+
+A yellow-skinned, meagre, and wrinkled old Chinaman was brought in
+between two of the guards. His eyes were very small and bleared, his
+cheek-bones prominent; all that could be discovered of his nose were two
+expanded nostrils at its base; his mouth of an enormous width, with
+teeth as black as ink. As soon as the guards stopped, he slipped down
+from between them on his knees, and throwing forward his body,
+_kow-tow_-ed with his head in the dust nine times, and then remained
+with his face down on the floor.
+
+"Let the dog with two tails rise," said the pacha.
+
+This order not being immediately obeyed by the servile Chinaman, each of
+the two guards who stood by him seized one of the plaited tails of hair,
+which were nearly an ell in length, and pulled up his head from the
+floor. The Chinaman then remained cross-legged, with his eyes humbly
+fixed upon the ground.
+
+"Who art thou, dog?" said the pacha, pleased with the man's humility.
+
+"I am of Kathay and your vilest slave," replied the man, in good
+Turkish. "In my own country I was a poet. Destiny hath brought me here,
+and I now work in the gardens of the palace."
+
+"If you are a poet, you can tell me many a story."
+
+"Your slave has told thousands in his lifetime, such hath been my fate."
+
+"Talking about fate," said Mustapha, "can you tell his highness a story,
+in which destiny has been foretold and hath been accomplished? If so,
+begin."
+
+"There is a story of my own country, O vizier! in which destiny was
+foretold, and was most unhappily accomplished."
+
+"You may proceed," said Mustapha, at a sign from the pacha.
+
+The Chinaman thrust his hand into the breast of his blue cotton shirt,
+and pulled out a sort of instrument made from the shell of a tortoise,
+with three or four strings stretched across, and in a low, monotonous
+tone, something between a chant and a whine, not altogether unmusical,
+he commenced his story. But first he struck his instrument, and ran over
+a short prelude, which may be imagined by a series of false notes,
+running as follows:--
+
+Ti-tum, titum, tilly-lilly, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, titum, tilly-lilly,
+tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+As he proceeded in his story, whenever he was out of breath, he stopped,
+and struck a few notes of his barbarous music.
+
+
+
+THE WONDROUS TALE OF HAN.
+
+Who was more impassioned in his nature, who was more formed for love,
+than the great Han Koong Shew, known in the celestial archives as the
+sublime Youantee, brother of the sun and moon?--whose court was so
+superb--whose armies were so innumerable--whose territories were so
+vast--bounded as they were by the four seas, which bound the whole
+universe? yet was he bound by destiny to be unhappy, and thus do I
+commence the wondrous Tale of Han--the sorrows of the magnificent
+Youantee.
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly----
+
+Yes, he felt that some one thing was wanting. All his power, his wealth,
+his dignity, filled not his soul with pleasure. He turned from the
+writings of the great Fo--he closed the book. Alas! he sighed for a
+second self to whom he might point out--"All this is mine." His heart
+yearned for a fair damsel--a maid of beauty--to whose beauty he might
+bow. He, to whom the world was prostrate, the universe were slaves,
+longed for an amorous captivity, and sighed for chains. But where was
+the maiden to be found, worthy to place fetters upon the brother of the
+sun and moon--the magnificent master of the universe? Where was she to
+be found?
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+Yes, there was one, and but one, worthy to be his mate, worthy to be
+the queen of a land of eternal spring, filled with trees, whose stems
+were of gold, branches of silver, leaves of emerald, and whose fruits
+were the fragrant apples of immortality. And where was this moon, fit
+bride unto the sun? Was she not plunged in grief--hidden in a well of
+her own tears--even in the gardens of joy? Those eyes which should have
+sunned a court of princes, were dimmed with eternal sorrow. And who was
+the cause of this eclipse, but the miscreant, gold-loving minister,
+_Suchong Pollyhong Ka-te-tow_.
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly.
+
+The mandarins were summoned by the great Youantee, the court in its
+splendour bowed down their heads into the dust of delight as they
+listened to the miracle of his eloquence. "Hear me, ye first chop
+mandarins, peers, lords, and princes of the empire. Listen to the words
+of Youantee. Hath not each bird that skims the air, its partner in the
+nest? Hath not each beast its mate? Have not you all eyes which beam but
+upon you alone? Am I then so unfortunately great, or so greatly
+unfortunate, that I may not be permitted to descend to love? Even the
+brother of the sun and moon cannot, during his career on earth, exist
+alone. Seek, then, through the universe, a maiden for thy lord, that
+like my brother, the sun, who sinks each night into the bosom of the
+ocean, I too may repose upon the bosom of my mate. Seek, I say, search
+each corner of the world, that its treasures may be poured forth at our
+golden feet, and one gem be selected for our especial wear. But first, O
+wise men and astrologers, summon ye the planets and stars of destiny,
+that they may ascertain whether, by this conjunction, aught of evil be
+threatened to our celestial person, or to our boundless empire."
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+Where is the star which leaps not in his course with delight, to obey
+the wishes of the brother of the sun and moon? Where was the planet that
+rejoiced not to assist so near a relative? Yes, they all hearkened,
+bowing down to the astrolabes of the astrologers, like generous steeds,
+who knelt to receive their riders; yet, when they all did meet to throw
+light upon the required page of destiny, was not their brightness dimmed
+when they perceived, as they read it, that it was full of tears, and
+that joy floated but as a bubble? The wise men sighed as the decree of
+fate was handed down to them, and with their faces to the earth, thus
+did they impart the contents of the revealed page to the magnificent
+Youantee.
+
+"The brother of the sun and moon would wed. Beauty shall be laid at the
+golden feet, but the pearl beyond price will be found and lost. There
+will be joy and there will be sorrow. Joy in life, sorrow both in life
+and death; for a black dragon, foe to the celestial empire, threatens
+like an overhanging cloud. More the stars dare not reveal."
+
+Ti-tum, till-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Here the pacha looked at Mustapha and nodded his head in approbation, as
+much as to say, "Now we are coming to the point." Mustapha bowed, and
+the Chinese poet continued.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The golden eyes of the great Youantee were filled with silver tears when
+the page of destiny was made known; but the sun of hope rose, and bore
+away the sacred dew to heaven. Then called he the minister, ever to be
+disgraced in story, Suchong Pollyhong Ka-te-tow, and the emperor desired
+him to make a progress through the universe, his dominions, to find out
+the most beautiful maidens, to be brought to the celestial feet, at the
+coming feast of Lanthorns. But before they could be permitted to shoot
+up the rays of love through the mist of glory which surrounded the
+imperial throne--before their charms were to make the attempt upon the
+heart of magnanimity, it was necessary, that all their portraits should
+be submitted to the great Youantee, in the Hall of Delight. That is to
+say, out of the twenty thousand virgins whose images were to be
+impressed upon the ivory, one hundred only, selected by a committee of
+taste, composed of the first class mandarins and princes, were to be
+honoured by the beam of the celestial eye.
+
+The avaricious, gold-seeking, Suchong Pollyhong Ka-te-tow had performed
+his task; wealth poured into his coffers from the ambitious parents, who
+longed to boast of an alliance with the brother of the sun and moon, and
+many were the ill-favoured whose portraits were dismissed by the
+committee of taste, with surprise at the minister's ideas of beauty.
+
+Now there was a certain mandarin, whose daughter had long been extolled
+through the province of Kartou, as a miracle of beauty, and her father,
+Whanghang, brought her in a litter to the minister Suchong Pollyhong
+Ka-te-tow. He felt that her charms were piercing as an arrow, and that
+he had found a fit mate for the brother of the sun and moon; but his
+avarice demanded a sum which the father would not pay. Refuse to send
+her portrait he dare not; it was therefore ordered to be taken, as well
+as the others, and Whanghang considered himself as the father-in-law of
+the celestial Youantee. The young painter who was employed finished his
+task, then laid down his pencil, and died with grief and love of such
+perfection, which he never could hope to obtain. The picture was sent to
+the vile minister, who reserved it for himself, and wrote the name of
+this pearl beyond price, under that of another, unworthy to unloose her
+zone as her handmaiden. The committee of taste did, however, select that
+picture among the hundred to be placed in the Hall of Delight, not
+because the picture was beautiful, but because the fame of her beauty
+had reached the court, and they thought it right that the emperor should
+see the picture. The virgins whose pictures were thus selected, were all
+ordered to repair to the imperial palace, and the magnificent Youantee
+entered the Hall of Delight, which was illumined with ten thousand
+lanthorns, and cast his eyes over the portraits of the hundred
+beauties, but not one feature touched his heart, he turned away in
+disgust at the degenerate countenances of the age, "Is this all,"
+exclaimed he, "that the world can lay at the feet of its lord?" And the
+committee of taste prostrated themselves when they beheld his
+indignation. "And this," exclaimed he, pointing to the supposed portrait
+of the daughter of Whanghang, "who is this presumptuous one who hath
+dared to disgrace with her features the Hall of Delight?"
+
+"That, O emperor," said the wily Suchong Pollyhong Ka-te-tow, "is the
+far-famed beauty _Chaoukeun_, whose insolent father dared to say, that
+if it was not sent, he would lay his complaint at the celestial feet. In
+her province the fame of her beauty was great, and I did not like to be
+accused of partiality, so it has been placed before the imperial eye."
+
+"First, then," exclaimed the emperor, "let it be proclaimed that the
+whole province of Kartou is peopled by fools, and levy upon it a fine of
+one hundred thousand ounces of gold, for its want of taste; and next,
+let this vain one be committed to perpetual seclusion in the eastern
+tower of the imperial palace. Let the other maidens be sent to their
+parents, for as yet there is not found a fit bride for the brother of
+the sun and moon."
+
+The imperial mandates were obeyed; and thus was the first part of the
+prophecy fulfilled, that "the pearl beyond price would be _found_ and
+_lost_."
+
+Ti-tum, till-lilly, ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+Yes, she was lost, for the resplendent Chaoukeun was shut up to waste
+away her peerless beauty in sorrow and in solitude. One small
+terrace-walk was the only spot permitted her on which to enjoy the
+breezes of heaven. Night was looking down in loveliness, with her
+countless eyes, upon the injustice and cruelty of men, when the
+magnificent Youantee, who had little imagined that the brother of the
+sun and moon would be doomed to swallow the bitter pillau of
+disappointment, as had been latterly his custom, quitted the palace to
+walk in the gardens and commune with his own thoughts, unattended. And
+it pleased destiny, that the pearl beyond price, the neglected Chaoukeun
+also was induced, by the beauty and stillness of the night, to press the
+shell sand which covered the terrace-walk, with her diminutive feet, so
+diminutive, that she almost tottered in her gait. The tear trembled in
+her eye as she thought of her own happy home, and bitterly did she
+bewail that beauty, which, instead of raising her to a throne, had by
+malice and avarice condemned her to perpetual solitude. She looked
+upwards at the starry heaven, but felt no communion with its loveliness.
+She surveyed the garden of sweets from the terrace, but all appeared to
+be desolate. Of late, her only companions had been her tears and her
+lute, whose notes were as plaintive as her own.
+
+"O my mother!" exclaimed she; "beloved, but too ambitious mother! but
+for one little hour to lay this head upon your bosom! Fatal hath been
+the dream you rejoiced in at my nativity, in which the moon shone out so
+brilliantly, and then descended into the earth at your feet. I have
+shone but a little, little time, and now am I buried, as it were, in the
+earth, at my joyous age. Immured in this solitary tower, my hopes
+destroyed--my portrait cannot have been seen--and now I am lost for
+ever. Thou lute, sole companion of my woes, let us join our voices of
+complaint. Let us fancy that the flowers are listening to our grief, and
+that the dews upon the half-closed petals are tears of pity for my
+misfortunes." And Chaoukeun struck her lute, and thus poured out her
+lament:
+
+  "O tell me, thou all-glorious sun,
+    Were there no earth to drink thy light,
+  Would not, in vain, thy course be run,
+    Thy reign be o'er a realm of night?
+
+  "Thus charms were born to be enthroned
+    In hearts, and youth to be caress'd;
+  And beauty is not, if not own'd,
+    At least by one adoring breast."
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+The musical notes of the peerless Chaoukeun were not thrown away only
+upon flowers deaf and dumb, they vibrated in the ears of the magnificent
+Youantee, who had sat down on the back of an enormous metal dragon,
+which had been placed in the walk under the terrace. The emperor
+listened with surprise at her soliloquy, with admiration at her
+enchanting song. For some minutes he remained in a profound reverie, and
+then rising from the dragon, he walked towards the gate of the tower,
+and clapped his hands. The eunuch made his appearance. "Keeper of the
+Yellow Tower," said the emperor, "but now I heard the sounds of a lute."
+
+"Even so, O Sustenance of the world," responded the slave.
+
+"Was it not rather an angel than a mortal, whose mellifluous notes
+accompanied the instrument?" said the magnificent Youantee.
+
+"Certainly is she blessed beyond mortality, since her melody has found
+favour in the celestial ears," replied the black keeper of the Yellow
+Tower.
+
+"Go then, and quickly summon all our highest officers of state, to lay
+their robes upon the ground, that she may pass over them to our presence
+at the dragon below the terrace."
+
+The magnificent Youantee, brother of the sun and moon, returned to his
+former seat, filled with pleasing anticipations, while the eunuch
+hastened to obey the celestial commands. The mandarins of the first
+class hastened to obey the orders of Youantee; their furred and velvet
+cloaks, rich in gold and silver ornaments, were spread from the tower to
+the dragon at the terrace, forming a path rich and beautiful as the
+milky way in the heavens. The pearl beyond price, the peerless
+Chaonkeun, like the moon in her splendour, passed over it into the
+presence of the great Youantee.
+
+"Immortal Fo," exclaimed the emperor, as the attendants raised their
+lanterns, so as to throw light upon her countenance, "by what black
+mischance have such charms been hidden from our sight?"
+
+Then did the peerless Chaoukeun narrate, in few words, the treachery and
+avarice of Suchong Pollyhong Ka-te-tow.
+
+"Hasten, O mandarins, let the scissors of disgrace cut off the two tails
+of this wretch, and then let the sword of justice sever off his head."
+
+But the rumour of his sentence flew on the wind to Suchong Pollyhong
+Ka-te-tow; and before the executioner could arrive, he had mounted a
+horse fleeter than the wind, and with the portrait of the peerless
+Chaoukeun in his vest, had left even rumour far behind.
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+And to whom did the miscreant minister fly, to hide his devoted head? He
+flew to the wild nations of the north, the riders of wild horses, with
+sharp scimitars and long lances. For three days and three nights did the
+hoofs of his fiery steed strike fire upon the flints, which he spurned
+in his impetuous course, and then, as an immortal poet hath already
+sung, "he bowed his head and died." With the portrait of the peerless
+Chaoukeun in his bosom, and his mandarin garments raised up under each
+arm, the miscreant Suchong Pollyhong Ka-te-tow reached the presence of
+the Great Khan. "O Khan of Tartary," said he, "may thy sword be ever
+keen, thy lance unerring, and thy courser swift. I am thy slave. O thou
+who commandest a hundred thousand warriors, hath thy slave permission to
+address thee?"
+
+"Speak, and be d----d," replied the warrior chief, of few words, whose
+teeth were busy with some pounds of horse-flesh.
+
+"Thou knowest, O Khan, that it hath been the custom for ages, that the
+celestial empire should provide for thee a fair damsel for thy nuptial
+bed, and that this hath been the price paid by the celestial court, to
+prevent the ravages of thy insatiate warriors. O Khan, there is a maid,
+whose lovely features I now have with me, most worthy to be raised up
+to thy nuptial couch." And the miscreant laid at the feet of the Great
+Khan the portrait of the peerless Chaoukeun.
+
+The chief finished his repast, and then with his lance turned over the
+image of the pearl beyond all price. He looked at it, then passed it to
+those around him. The savage warriors stared at the lovely portrait, and
+admired it not--yet did they long for war. "Tell me, O chiefs," said the
+Great Khan, "is that baby-face you look at worth contending for?"
+
+And, with one voice, the chiefs replied that she was worthy to share the
+nuptial couch of the Great Khan.
+
+"Be it so," replied he, "I am no judge of beauty. Let the encampment be
+broken up--this evening we move southwards." And the Tartar chief
+entered the northern provinces of the celestial empire, with his hundred
+thousand warriors, destroying all with fire and sword, proving his
+sincere wish to unite himself to the Chinese nation by the
+indiscriminate slaughter of man, woman, and child; and his ardent love
+for the peerless Chaoukeun, by making a nuptial torch of every town and
+village.
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+But we must return to the celestial court, and astonish the world with
+the wonderful events which there took place. The astrologers and wise
+men had consulted the heavens, and had ascertained that on the
+thirty-third minute after the thirteenth hour, the marriage procession
+must set out, or the consummation would not be prosperous. Who can
+describe the pomp and glory of the spectacle, or give an adequate idea
+of its splendour? Alas! it would not be possible, even if it were
+attempted by ten thousand poets, each with ten thousand tongues of
+silver, singing for ten thousand years. Such, however, was the order of
+the procession.
+
+First walked ten thousand officers of justice, with long bamboos,
+striking right and left to clear the way, to the cadence of soft music,
+blending with the plaintive cries of those who limped away and rubbed
+their shins.
+
+Then marching, ten abreast, one hundred thousand lanthorns to assist
+the sun, partially eclipsed by the splendour of the procession.
+
+Next appeared, slowly keeping time to a dead march, five thousand
+decapitated criminals, each carrying his own head by its long tail of
+hair.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Staffir Allah! What is that but a lie?" exclaimed the pacha. "Did you
+hear what the dog has dared to breathe into our ears, Mustapha?"
+
+"Mighty pacha," replied the Chinaman, with humility, "if your wisdom
+pronounces it to be a lie--a lie it most certainly must be; still it is
+not the lie of your slave, who but repeats the story as handed down by
+the immortal eastern poet."
+
+"Nevertheless, there appears to be a trifling mistake," observed
+Mustapha. "Is the procession to proceed, O pacha?"
+
+"Yes, yes; but by the Prophet, let the dog tremble if again he presumes
+to laugh at our beards."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+After the decapitated criminals, which your highness objects to, came in
+procession those criminals with their heads on, who were to suffer for
+their offences on this day of universal happiness.
+
+First came two thousand robbers, sentenced to be hung up by their heels,
+emblematic of their wish to turn everything upside down--so to remain
+until they were pecked to death by the crows, or torn to pieces by the
+vultures.
+
+The banner of innovation.
+
+One of the robber chiefs, ordered to be choked with an abacus, which was
+suspended round his neck.
+
+Another of the robber chiefs. This man, although a follower of the
+court, and sunned in the celestial presence, had dared to utter vile
+falsehoods against the celestial dynasty. He was sentenced to have his
+skin peeled off, and to eat his own words, until he died from the
+virulent poison which they contained.
+
+The most important of all the criminals next appeared, who being great
+in favour at court, and appointed to the high office of physician to the
+celestial conscience, had been discovered in the base attempt of
+drugging it with opium; he had also committed several other enormities,
+such as being intoxicated in his mandarin robes, and throwing mud at the
+first chief mandarin; also of throwing aside his robes, mingling with
+the lower classes, and associating with mountebanks, jugglers, and
+tight-rope dancers. His enormities were written on a long scroll
+suspended round his neck. His sentence was the torture of disappointment
+and envy, previous to a condign political death.
+
+After him came a disgraced yellow mandarin, who had been a great enemy
+of the criminal who preceded him. He was seated upon a throne of jet,
+and his arms supported in derision by two prize-fighters. His crime was
+playing at pitch and toss with the lower classes. His punishment was
+merely exposure.
+
+Such were the criminals who were to suffer upon this day of universal
+happiness and delight.
+
+Then came fifty thousand archers of the blue dragon battalion, carrying
+in their hands chowries of horses' tails to clear away the blue-bottle
+flies.
+
+Next appeared ten thousand virgins, all modest, lovely, and in light
+drapery, singing hymns in praise of Ganesa on the Rat, the god of pure
+Love;
+
+Attended by ten thousand youths, who tickled the said ten thousand
+virgins, singing hymns in praise of the upright Fo.
+
+Fifty thousand archers of the green dragon battalion, each carrying a
+long peacock's feather in his right hand, to ascertain how the wind
+blew.
+
+Five hundred physicians attending the celestial court, each carrying a
+silver box with golden pills.
+
+The head physician to the celestial wits, and always in attendance upon
+a crisis. He carried in his right hand a bladder-full of peas at the end
+of a wand, to recall his majesty's wits when they wandered; and was
+followed by
+
+Fifty thousand fools marching five abreast in union,
+
+And fifty thousand rogues, marching off with everything they could lay
+their hands upon.
+
+Then came a notorious faquir and mendicant, who was leader of a
+celebrated sect. He wore but one tail instead of the two usually worn by
+our nation, but that tail was of forty feet. He was followed by numerous
+devotees, who threw their worldly goods at his feet, and in return he
+presented them with writings and harangues, which he declared were
+infallible _in all diseases_.
+
+Ten thousand young married women, each hushing an infant to repose upon
+the left breast to the sound of clarions and trumpets, emblematical of
+the peaceful and quiet state of matrimony.
+
+The banner of impudence.
+
+Five thousand political mountebanks, contradicting each other, and
+exerting themselves for the amusement of the people, who, however,
+suffered rather severely from their mad tricks.
+
+The second in command, explaining their system in an unknown tongue.
+
+The emperor's juggler, who astonished the whole empire by his
+extraordinary feats, and the rapidity with which he relieved them of all
+the money in their pockets.
+
+The banner of Love.
+
+The celestial secretary, with goose-wings on his shoulders, goose-quills
+in each hand, looking very much like a goose mounted on a mule, gaily
+caparisoned in colours quadripartite, and covered with jingling brass
+bells.
+
+Five thousand old women, singing the praises of the said secretary and
+taking snuff to the flourish of hautboys.
+
+The prosperity of the celestial empire, carried by the court fool, in a
+basket beautifully carved out of a wild cherry-stone; and guarded by
+
+Fifty thousand archers of the red dragon battalion, picking their teeth
+to soft music.
+
+Ten thousand poets, each singing at the same time, and to a different
+tune, his ode upon this joyful occasion.
+
+The immortal poet of the age, attired in velvet to his feet, and
+superbly ornamented with rings and chains of gold and precious stones.
+He carried his silver harp in his hand, and was mounted on a beautiful
+white jackass with his face towards the tail, that he might behold and
+be inspired by the charms of the peerless Chaoukeun, the pearl beyond
+all price.
+
+Then came the magnificent Youantee, and the peerless Chaoukeun, seated
+in the massive car of gossamer richly studded with the eyes of live
+humming birds, drawn by twelve beautiful blue loadstars, presented by
+the heavenly bodies to the brother of the sun and moon.
+
+Twenty thousand young men, beautiful as angels, clad in the skins of the
+black fox, and playing upon ivory jews'-harps, all mounted upon
+coal-black steeds.
+
+Twenty thousand niggers, ugly as devils, clad in the skins of the white
+polar bear, and sounding mellifluous cat-calls, all mounted upon pure
+white Arabian horses.
+
+All the first-class mandarins of the celestial empire, turning up their
+eyes to heaven, and wishing that the procession was over.
+
+All the second-class mandarins of the celestial empire, choked with
+dust, and wishing the procession at the devil.
+
+Twenty millions of the people, extolling the liberality of the great
+emperor, and crying out for bread.
+
+Ten millions of women, who had lost their children in the crowd, and
+were crying out bitterly in their search.
+
+Ten millions of children who had lost their mothers in the crowd, and
+were crying out bitterly till they found them.
+
+The remainder of the inhabitants of the celestial empire.
+
+Such was the grand and pompous marriage procession, which employed the
+whole population, so that there were no spectators except three blind
+old women, who were so overcome with delight that, when it had passed,
+they bowed their heads and died.
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+The procession arrived at the palace, and the pearl of price was now his
+bride, and the heart of Youantee was oppressed with love. Upon a
+jewelled throne they sat, side by side; but what was the blaze of the
+diamonds, compared to one glance from her lightning eye? What were the
+bright red rubies, compared to her parted coral lips--or the whiteness
+of the pearls, when she smiled, and displayed her teeth? Her arched
+eyebrows were more beautifully pencilled than the rainbow; the blush
+upon her cheek turned pale with envy every rose in the celestial
+gardens; and in compassion to the court, many of whom were already
+blind, by rashly lifting up their eyes to behold her charms, an edict
+had been promulgated, by which it was permitted to the mandarins and
+princes attending the court, to wear green spectacles to save their
+eyes. The magnificent Youantee was consumed with love as with a raging
+fever, and the physicians of the emperor were alarmed for his celestial
+health; by their advice, Chaoukeun consented only to receive him in a
+darkened chamber. All was joy. The empire rang with the praises of the
+pearl beyond all price. The gaols were ordered to be levelled to the
+ground--criminals to be pardoned--the sword of justice to remain in its
+scabbard--the bastinado to be discontinued. Even the odious lanthorn-tax
+was taken off, in honour of the peerless Chaoukeun, whose praises were
+celebrated by all the poets of the country, until they were too hoarse
+to sing, and the people too tired to listen to them.
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I'm sure I don't wonder at their being tired," observed the pacha,
+yawning, "if they were like you."
+
+"God is great," replied Mustapha, with another yawn. "Shall he proceed?"
+
+"Yes, let him go on; wake me when the story is ended," replied the
+pacha, laying down his pipe.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Alas! how soon was all this delirium of happiness to be overthrown: how
+soon was the prophecy to be fulfilled, that there should be not only joy
+in life, but also sorrow! The magnificent Youantee was roused from his
+dream of delight by courier after courier coming in, and laying at the
+celestial feet tidings of the advance of the hundred thousand warriors.
+A solemn council was summoned, and the imperial edict was passed, that
+the barbarians of the north should be driven back to their lands of
+eternal frost and snow. The imperial armies departed from the capital,
+each individual composing its hundreds of thousands, vowing by his two
+tails that he would eat all that he killed. This bloody vow was
+accomplished, for they killed none; they returned discomfited, without
+their bows, or arrows, or their swords, fleeing before the rage of the
+Tartar chief. Then rose the great Youantee in wrath, and issued another
+edict that the barbarians should be driven even into the sea which
+bounds the empire of the world. And the armies were again sent forth,
+but again they returned discomfited, saying, "How can we, who eat rice
+with chopsticks, combat with barbarians, who not only ride on horses,
+but eat them too?" The celestial edict was not attended to by the
+Tartars, for they were barbarians, and knew no better; and they
+continued to advance until within one day's progress of the celestial
+capital; and the brother of the sun and moon, the magnificent Youantee,
+was forced to submit to the disgrace of receiving an envoy from the
+barbarians, who thus spoke, in sugared words:--
+
+"The great khan of Tartary greets the magnificent Youantee; he has
+slaughtered some millions of his subjects, because they were traitors,
+and would not defend the celestial throne. He has burnt some thousands
+of his towns, that the great Youantee may order them to be rebuilt in
+greater beauty. All this has he done with much trouble and fatigue, to
+prove his regard to the magnificent Youantee. All that he asks in return
+is, that he may receive as his bride the peerless Chaoukeun, the pearl
+beyond all price."
+
+The great Youantee spoke from his celestial throne--"Return my thanks to
+the great khan your master, for his considerate conduct, and tell him,
+that he well deserves a bride from our celestial empire, but the pearl
+beyond all price is wedded to the brother of the sun and moon. Any other
+maiden in our empire shall be sent to him with gifts worthy to be
+offered by the great Youantee, and worthy to be accepted by the great
+khan of Tartary. Let it be an edict."
+
+But the Tartar replied, "O great monarch, the great khan my master does
+not require an edict, but the peerless Chaoukeun. If I return without
+her, he enters the celestial city, and spares not man, or woman, or
+child." Then fell at the celestial feet all the princes and mandarins of
+every class, performing solemnly the great _kow tow_, and the chief
+minister of state spoke thus:--"Lord of the universe, brother of the sun
+and moon, who governs the world with thine edicts, whose armies are
+invincible, and numerous as the sands upon the shores of the four seas,
+listen to thy faithful slaves. Surrender up to this barbarian the pearl
+beyond all price, so shall we all live to humble ourselves before thee."
+And all the princes and mandarins cried out with one voice, "Surrender
+up the pearl beyond all price." And all the brave generals drew their
+swords, and waved them in the air, crying out, "Surrender up to this
+barbarian the pearl beyond all price." And all the army and all the
+people joined in the request.
+
+Then rose up Youantee in great wrath, and ordered that the prime
+minister, and all the mandarins, and the princes, and all the generals,
+and all the army, and all the people, should be disgraced and
+decapitated forthwith. "Let it be an edict." But as there was no one
+left to put the great Youantee's edict into force, it was not obeyed.
+And the brother of the sun and moon perceived that he was in the
+minority; concealing therefore his bile, he graciously ordered
+refreshments for the envoy, saying, "Let the dog be fed," and retired to
+the apartment of the peerless Chaoukeun.
+
+Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+Now the beauteous empress had listened to all that had taken place in
+the great hall of audience, and she threw herself at the celestial feet,
+saying, "Let me be sacrificed--it is my destiny. Send your slave to the
+great khan to do with me as he pleases--I am all submission. They say he
+is a handsome man, and of great size and strength. It is my destiny."
+
+Then did the great Youantee shed bitter tears at his bitter fate; but he
+knew it was his destiny--and O destiny, who can resist thee? He wiped
+his celestial eyes, and leading forth the peerless Chaoukeun, put her in
+the hands of the barbarian envoy, saying, "I send your master the pearl
+beyond all price. I have worn her for some time, but still she is as
+good as new. And now let your master the great khan return, with his
+hundred thousand warriors, to the confines of our territories, as it was
+agreed. Thou hearest. It is an edict."
+
+"It is enough that my great master hath given his word, and the great
+Youantee hath given the pearl beyond all price. There needs not an
+edict," replied the envoy, departing with the peerless Chaoukeun. Thus
+was the magnificent Youantee left without a bride.
+
+Now when the envoy had brought the peerless Chaoukeun in a close litter
+to the tent of the great khan, he forthwith commanded his army to
+return. Much to the mortification of the peerless damsel, he did not
+express any curiosity to behold her, but commenced a rapid retreat, and,
+in a few days, arrived at the confines of the celestial territory, which
+was separated from the Tartar dominions by an impetuous river. As soon
+as he had forded the river, he encamped on the other side, and sat down
+with his generals to a sumptuous feast of horseflesh and quass. When
+the liquor had mounted into his brain, he desired that the litter of the
+pearl beyond all price should be brought nigh to his tent, that he might
+send for her, if so inclined. And the peerless Chaoukeun peeped out of
+the litter, and beheld the great khan as he caroused; and when she
+beheld his hairy form, his gleaming eyes, his pug-nose, and his
+tremendously wide mouth--when she perceived that he had the form and
+features of a ghoul, or evil spirit, she wrung her hands, and wept
+bitterly, and all her love returned for the magnificent Youantee.
+
+Now the great khan was drunk with quass, and he ordered the pearl beyond
+all price to be brought to him, and she replied trembling, saying, "Tell
+your lord that I am not fit to appear in his sublime presence until I
+have washed myself in the river." And those who had charge of her took
+the message to the great khan, who replied, "Let her wash, since she is
+so dirty."
+
+Then was the litter of the peerless Chaoukeun taken down to the banks of
+the river, and she stood upon a rock which overhung the black waters.
+"How callest thou this river?" said she to her attendants.
+
+And they replied, "This river, O princess, divides the territory of
+Tartary from China, and it is called the river of the Black Dragon."
+
+"Then is the prophecy fulfilled," cried the pearl beyond price. "It is
+my destiny; and destiny, who shall resist?"
+
+She raised up her arms to heaven, and uttering a loud shriek at her
+unhappy fate, she plunged headlong into the boiling waters, and
+disappeared for ever.
+
+Thus was the prophecy fulfilled. The brother of the sun and moon had
+wed--beauty had been laid at the golden feet--the pearl beyond price had
+been found and lost. There had been joy and there had been sorrow in
+life--and sorrow in death. The Black Dragon had proved the foe to the
+celestial empire, for it had swallowed up the pearl beyond all price.
+
+Ti-tum, ti-tum, tilly-lilly, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.
+
+The twang of the rude instrument awoke the pacha, who had been fast
+asleep for some time.
+
+"Is it finished, Mustapha?" said he, rubbing his eyes.
+
+"Yes, your highness; and the destiny foretold was truly accomplished."
+
+"Bismillah! but I'm glad of it. Before he had whined ten minutes, I
+foretold that I should go to sleep. My destiny has also been
+accomplished."
+
+"Will your highness foretell the destiny of this dog with two tails?"
+
+"Two tails! that reminds me that we have only had one out of him as yet.
+Let's have him again to-morrow, and have another. At all events, we
+shall have a good nap. God is great."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XX
+
+
+"Mustapha," said the pacha, "I feel as the caliph Haroun Alraschid, in
+the tale of Yussuf, related by Menouni, full of care; my soul is
+weary--my heart is burnt as roast meat."
+
+Mustapha, who had wit enough to perceive that he was to act the part of
+Giaffar, the vizier, immediately replied, "O pacha! great and manifold
+are the cares of state. If thy humble slave may be permitted to advise,
+thou wilt call in the Chinese dog with two tails, who hath as yet
+repeated but one of his tales."
+
+"Not so," replied the pacha; "I am weary of his eternal ti-tum,
+tilly-lilly, which yet ringeth in mine ears. What else canst thou
+propose?"
+
+"Alem penah! refuge of the world, wilt thou be pleased to order out thy
+troops, and witness the exercise of djireed? The moon is high in the
+heavens, and it is light as day."
+
+"Not so," replied the pacha; "I am tired of war and all that appertains
+to it. Let the troops sleep in peace."
+
+"Then, O pacha! will you permit your slave to send for some bottles of
+the fire-water of the Giaour, that we may drink and smoke until we are
+elevated to the seven heavens?"
+
+"Nay, good vizier, that is as a last resource, for it is forbidden by
+the laws of the Prophet. Think once more, and thou must have no more
+brains than a water-melon, if this time thou proposest not that which
+will give me ease."
+
+"Thy slave lives but to hear, and hears but to obey," replied Mustapha.
+"Then will it please my lord to disguise himself, and walk through the
+streets of Cairo; the moon is bright, and the hyena prowls not now, but
+mingles his howlings with those of the jackal afar off."
+
+"Your face is whitened, Mustapha, and it pleaseth us. Let the disguises
+be prepared, and we will sally forth."
+
+In a short time the disguises were ready, the vizier taking care that
+they should be those of Armenian merchants, knowing that the pacha would
+be pleased with the similarity to those worn by the great Alraschid; two
+black slaves, with their swords, followed the pacha and his vizier at a
+short distance. The streets were quite empty, and they met with nothing
+living except here and there a dog preying on the garbage and offal, who
+snapped and snarled as they passed by. The night promised nothing of
+adventure, and the pacha was in no very good humour, when Mustapha
+perceived a light through the chinks of a closed window in a small
+hovel, and heard the sound of a voice. He peeped through, the pacha
+standing by his side. After a few seconds the vizier made signs to the
+pacha to look in. The pacha was obliged to strain his fat body to its
+utmost altitude, standing on the tips of his toes to enable his eyes to
+reach the cranny. The interior of the hovel was without furniture, a
+chest in the centre of the mud floor appeared to serve as table and
+repository of everything in it, for the walls were bare. At the
+fireplace, in which were a few embers, crouched an old woman, a
+personification of age, poverty, and starvation. She was warming her
+shrivelled hands over the embers, and occasionally passed one of her
+hands along her bony arm, saying, "Yes, the time has been--the time has
+been."
+
+"What can she mean," said the pacha to Mustapha, "by 'the time has
+been'?"
+
+"It requires explanation," replied the vizier; "this is certain, that it
+must mean something."
+
+"Thou hast said well, Mustapha; let us knock, and obtain admittance."
+Mustapha knocked at the door of the hovel.
+
+"There's nothing to steal, so you may as well go," screamed the old
+woman; "but," continued she, talking to herself, "the time has been--the
+time has been."
+
+The pacha desired Mustapha to knock louder. Mustapha applied the hilt of
+his dagger, and thumped against the door.
+
+"Ay--ay--you may venture to knock now, the sultan's slippers are not at
+the door," said the old woman: "but," continued she, as before, "the
+time has been--the time has been."
+
+"Sultan's slippers! and time has been!" cried the pacha. "What does the
+old hag mean? Knock again, Mustapha."
+
+Mustapha reiterated his blows."
+
+"Ay--knock--knock--my door is like my mouth; I open it when I choose,
+and I keep it shut when I choose, as once was well known. The time has
+been--the time has been."
+
+"We have been a long time standing here, and I am tired of waiting; so,
+Mustapha, I think the time is come to kick the door open. Let it be
+done."
+
+Whereupon Mustapha put his foot to the door, but it resisted his
+efforts. "Let me assist," said the pacha, and retreated a few paces; he
+and Mustapha backed against the door with all their force. It flew open,
+and they rolled together on the floor of the hovel. The old woman
+screamed, and then, jumping on the body of the pacha, caught him by the
+throat, crying, "Thieves; murder!" Mustapha hastened to the assistance
+of his master, as did the two black slaves, when they heard the cries,
+and with some difficulty the talons of the old Jezebel were disengaged
+from the throat of the pacha, who, in his wrath, would have immediately
+sacrificed her. "Lahnet be Shitan! Curses on the devil!" exclaimed the
+pacha; "but this is pretty treatment for a pacha."
+
+"Knowest thou, vile wretch, that thou hast taken by the throat, and
+nearly strangled, the Lord of Life--the pacha himself," said Mustapha.
+
+"Well," replied the old woman, coolly, "the time has been--the time has
+been."
+
+"What meanest thou, cursed hag, that 'the time has been'?"
+
+"I mean that the time has been, when I have had more than one pacha
+strangled. Yes," continued she squatting down on the floor, and
+muttering, "the time has been."
+
+The pacha's rage was now a little appeased. "Mustapha," said the pacha,
+"let this old woman be carefully guarded; to-morrow afternoon we will
+understand the meaning of those strange words, 'the time has been.'
+Depend upon it, thereby hangs a good story; we will have that first--and
+then," whispered the pacha, "her head off afterwards."
+
+The old woman, hearing the order to take her into custody, again
+repeated. "Ah, very well--the time has been." The slaves laid hold of
+her; but she defended herself so vigorously with her teeth and nails,
+that they were under the necessity of gagging her, and tying her hand
+and foot. They then hoisted her on their shoulders, and marched off with
+her to the palace, followed by Mustapha and the pacha, the latter quite
+delighted with his adventure. When the divan of the ensuing day had
+closed, the old woman was ordered to be brought into the presence of the
+pacha; and as she refused to walk, she was brought on the shoulders of
+four of the guards, and laid on the floor of the council-chamber. "How
+dare you rebel against the sublime commands?" inquired Mustapha with
+severity.
+
+"How dare I rebel!" cried the old woman with a shrill voice. "Why, what
+right has the pacha to drag me from my poor hovel; and what can he want
+with an old woman like me? It's not for his harem, I presume."
+
+At this remark the pacha and Mustapha could not help laughing; having
+recovered his gravity, Mustapha observed, "One would imagine, old
+carrion that thou art, that the idea of such a punishment as the
+bastinado had never entered your mind."
+
+"There you are mistaken, Mr Vizier, for I have suffered both the
+bastinado and the bowstring."
+
+"And the bowstring! Holy Prophet! what a lying old hag!" exclaimed the
+pacha.
+
+"No lie, pacha, no lie!" screamed the old woman in her wrath. "I have
+said it--and the bowstring. Yes, the time has been, when I was young and
+beautiful; and do you know why I suffered? I'll tell you--because I
+would not hold my tongue--and do you think that I will now that I'm an
+old piece of carrion? Yes--yes--the time has been."
+
+"Fortunately, then," replied Mustapha, "you are not required by the
+pacha to hold your tongue. You are required to do the very contrary,
+which is, to speak."
+
+"And do you know why I received the bowstring?" screamed the old hag.
+"I'll tell you--because I would not speak; and I do not intend so to do
+now, since I find that you wish that I should."
+
+"Then it appears," said the pacha, taking the pipe out of his mouth,
+"that the bastinado was as ill-managed as the bowstring. We do these
+things better at Cairo. Hear me, old mother of Shitan! I wish to know
+what you mean by that expression which is ever in your mouth--'time has
+been.'"
+
+"It means a great deal pacha, for it refers to my life--you want the
+story."
+
+"Exactly," replied Mustapha, "so begin."
+
+"You must pay me for it--it is worth twenty pieces of gold."
+
+"Do you presume to make conditions with his sublime highness the
+pacha?" exclaimed Mustapha. "Why, thou mother of Afrits and Ghouls, if
+thou commencest not immediately, thy carcass shall be thrown over the
+walls for the wild dogs to smell at, and turn away from in disgust."
+
+"Vizier, I have lived long enough to trust nobody. My price is twenty
+pieces of gold counted out in this shrivelled hand before I begin; and
+without they are paid down--not _one word_." And the old beldam folded
+her arms, and looked the pacha boldly in the face.
+
+"God is great!" exclaimed the pacha. "We shall see." At his well-known
+signal the executioner made his appearance, and holding up the few
+scattered gray hairs which still remained upon her head, he raised his
+scimitar, awaiting the nod which was to be succeeded by the fatal blow.
+
+"Strike, pacha, strike!" cried the old woman, scornfully. "I shall only
+lose a life of which I have long been weary; but you will lose a story
+of wonder, which you are so anxious to obtain. Strike--for the last
+time, I say, 'Time has been'--before time shall be no more!"
+
+"That is true, Mustapha," observed the pacha. "I forgot the story. What
+an obstinate old devil; but I must hear the story."
+
+"If it appears good to your absolute wisdom," said Mustapha, in a low
+voice, "would it not be better to count down to this avaricious old hag
+the twenty pieces of gold which she demands? When her story is ended, it
+will be easy to take them from her, and her head from her shoulders.
+Thus will be satisfied the demands of the old woman, and the demands of
+justice."
+
+"Wallah Thaib! it is well said, by Allah! Your words are as pearls.
+Count out the money, Mustapha."
+
+"His highness the pacha has been pleased, in consideration of the fear
+and trembling with which you have entered his presence, to order that
+the sum which you require shall be paid down," said Mustapha, pulling
+out his purse from his girdle. "Murakkas, you are dismissed," continued
+the vizier to the executioner, who let go the old woman, and
+disappeared. Mustapha counted out the twenty pieces of gold, and shoved
+them towards the old woman, who, after some demur, as if imagining that
+they ought to have been brought to her, got up and took possession of
+them. She counted them over, and returned one piece as being of light
+weight. Mustapha, with a grimace, but without speaking, exchanged it for
+another.
+
+"By the beard of the Prophet!" muttered the pacha--"but never mind."
+
+The old woman took out a piece of dirty rag, wrapped up the gold pieces,
+and placing them in her vest, smoothed down her sordid garments, and
+then commenced as follows:--
+
+"Pacha, I have not always lived in a hovel. These eyes were not always
+bleared and dim, nor this skin wrinkled and discoloured. I have not
+always been covered with these filthy rags--nor have I always wanted or
+coveted the gold which you have just now bestowed on me. I have lived in
+palaces--I have commanded there. I have been robed in gold--I have been
+covered with jewels. I have dispensed life and death--I have given away
+provinces. Pachas have trembled at my frown--have received by my orders
+the bowstring--for at one time I was the favourite of the grand sultan.
+Time has been."
+
+"It must have been a long time ago, then," observed the pacha.
+
+"That is true," replied the old woman; "but I will now narrate my
+adventures."
+
+
+
+STORY OF THE OLD WOMAN.
+
+I was born in Georgia, where, as your highness knows, the women are
+reckoned to be more beautiful than in any other country, except indeed
+Circassia; but in my opinion, the Circassian women are much too tall,
+and on too large a scale, to compete with us; and I may safely venture
+my opinion, as I have had an opportunity of comparing many hundreds of
+the finest specimens of both countries. My father and mother, although
+not rich, were in easy circumstances; my father had been a janissary in
+the sultan's immediate employ, and after he had collected some property,
+he returned to his own country, where he purchased some land, and
+married. I had but one brother, who was three years older than myself,
+and one of the handsomest youths in the country. He was disfigured a
+little by a scarlet stain on his neck, somewhat in shape resembling a
+bunch of grapes, and which our national dress would not permit him to
+conceal. My father, intending that he should serve the sultan, brought
+him up to a perfect knowledge of every martial exercise. Even at
+fourteen years old, few could compete with him in the use of the bow,
+and throwing the djireed, and as a horseman he was perfect. As for me, I
+was, I am certain, intended for the sultan's seraglio, for as a child I
+was beautiful as a houri. My father was a man who would not scruple to
+part with his children for gold, provided he obtained his price. I was
+considered, and I believe that I was, the most beautiful girl in the
+country, and every care was taken that I should not injure my appearance
+or hurt my complexion by domestic labour or exposure. I was not
+permitted to assist my mother, who, induced by my father's orders,
+waited upon me. I was indulged in every whim, and I grew up as selfish
+and capricious as I was beautiful. Smile not, pacha--time has been.
+
+One day, when I was about fourteen years old, I was sitting at the
+porch, when a large body of Turkish cavalry suddenly made their
+appearance from a wood close to the house, and surrounded it. They
+evidently came for me, for they demanded me by name, threatening to burn
+the house down to the ground, if I was not immediately delivered up. Our
+house, which was situated near the confines of the country, had been
+constructed for defence; and my father, expecting assistance from his
+neighbours, refused to acquiesce in their terms. The assault was made,
+my father and mother, with all their household, were murdered, my
+brother severely wounded, the house plundered, and burnt to the outside
+walls. I was, of course, a prisoner as well as my brother. He was tied,
+wounded as he was, upon one horse, and I upon another, and in a few
+hours the party had regained the frontiers. A young man, handsome as an
+angel, was the leader of the band, and I soon perceived that all his
+thoughts and attentions, were directed to me. He watched me with the
+greatest solicitude when we halted, procured me every comfort, and was
+always hovering about my presence. From the discourse of the soldiers I
+discovered that he was the only son of the grand vizier at Stamboul. He
+had heard of my beauty, had seen me, and offered a large sum to my
+father, who had refused, as his ambition was, that I should belong to
+the sultan--in consequence I had been carried off by force. I could have
+loved the beautiful youth, although he had murdered my father and
+mother, but it was the taking me by force which steeled my heart, and I
+vowed that I never would listen to his addresses, although I was so
+completely in his power. During the time that I had been in his
+possession I had never spoken one word, and it came into my head that I
+would pretend to be dumb. In three weeks we arrived at Constantinople.
+Since I quitted the country I never had seen my brother, his wound was
+too severe to allow him to travel with the same rapidity, and it was not
+until years afterwards that I knew what had become of him. I was taken
+to Osman Ali's house, and allowed a few days' repose from the fatigue of
+the journey; after which, as I was still but a child, I was ordered to
+be instructed in music, dancing, singing, and every other accomplishment
+considered necessary for the ladies of a harem. But I adhered to my
+resolution, every method to induce me to speak was tried in vain; even
+blows, torture from pinching, and other means were resorted to, but
+would not induce me to swerve from my resolution; at last they concluded
+that I was either born dumb, or had become so from fright at the time
+that the attack and slaughter of my family took place. I was eighteen
+months in the harem of Osman Ali, and never spoke one word.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Mashallah! but this is wonderful!" exclaimed the pacha--"a woman hold
+her tongue for eighteen months! Who is to believe this?"
+
+"Not at all wonderful!" replied the old woman, "when you recollect that
+she was required to speak."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Once and once only, did I nearly break through my resolution. Two of the
+principal favourites were conversing in my presence.
+
+"I cannot imagine," said one, "what Ali can see in this little minx to
+be so infatuated with her. She is very ugly--her mouth is large--her
+teeth are yellow--and her eyes not only have no expression, but look
+different ways. She has one shoulder higher than the other, and worse
+than all, being dumb, cannot be taught anything but dancing, which only
+shows her ugly broad feet."
+
+"That is all true," replied the other. "If I was Ali, I should employ
+her as a common slave; she is fit for nothing but to roll up and beat
+carpets, boil rice, and prepare our coffee. A little of the slipper on
+her mouth would soon bring her to her senses."
+
+I must own that I was near breaking through my resolution, that I might
+have indulged my revenge, and had not the door suddenly opened, I should
+have proved to them that I could have spoken to some purpose, for never
+would I have ceased, until they had both been sewn up in sacks, and cast
+into the Bosphorus. But I restrained myself, although my cheeks burned
+with rage, and I more than once put my hand to my jewelled dagger.
+
+I was often visited by Osman Ali, who in vain attempted to make me
+speak; a harsh guttural sound was all which I would utter to express
+pain or pleasure. At last, being convinced that I was dumb, he exchanged
+me with a slave-merchant for a beautiful Circassian girl. He did not
+state my supposed infirmity, but gave it as a reason for parting with
+me, that I was too young, and required to be taught. As soon as the
+bargain was struck, and the merchant had received the money which had
+been given by Ali to effect the exchange, I was despoiled of my dress
+and ornaments, and put in a litter, to be conveyed to the house of the
+slave-merchant. As your highness may imagine, not a little tired of
+holding my tongue for a year and a half----
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"By the beard of the prophet, we can believe you on that point, good
+woman. You may proceed."
+
+"Yes, yes, I may proceed. You think women have no resolution, and no
+souls--be it so--and what you dignify with the name of perseverance in
+your own sex, you call obstinacy in ours. Be it so--time has been."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I was no sooner in the litter than I let loose my tongue, and called out
+to the women who were appointed to conduct me to the door of the harem.
+"Tell Osman Ali, that now that I am no longer his slave, I have found my
+tongue." Then closing the curtains, I was carried away. As soon as I
+arrived, I told the merchant all that had passed, and the reason why Ali
+had parted with me. The merchant, who was astonished at having made so
+good a bargain, laughed heartily at my narrative. He told me that he
+intended me for the seraglio of the sultan--flattered me by declaring
+that I should be certainly the favourite, and advised me to profit all I
+could by the masters he would provide. In the meantime, Osman Ali having
+heard from the women the message I had sent, was very wroth, and came to
+the slave-merchant to procure me again; but the slave-merchant informed
+him that the Kislar Aga of the sultan had seen me, and ordered me to be
+reserved for the imperial seraglio; by this falsehood screening himself,
+not only from Ali's importunities, but also from his vengeance. I took
+the advice of my master, and in a little more than a year became a
+proficient in music and most other accomplishments; I also learnt to
+write and read, and to repeat most of the verses of Hafiz, and other
+celebrated poets. At seventeen I was offered to the Kislar Aga as a
+prodigy of beauty and talent. The Kislar Aga came to see me, and was
+astonished; he saw at once that I should immediately become first
+favourite; and having heard me sing and play, he demanded my price,
+which was enormous. He reported me to the sultan, stating that he had
+never beheld such perfection, and at the same time informing him of the
+exorbitant demand of the slave-merchant. The sultan, who had felt little
+interest in the inmates of his harem, and was anxious for novelty,
+ordered the sum to be paid, and I was conducted to the seraglio in a
+royal litter.
+
+That I was anxious to be purchased by the sultan I confess: my pride
+rebelled at the idea of being a slave, and if I was to be so, at least I
+wished to be the slave of the sultan. I indulged the idea that I should
+soon bring him to subjection, and that the slave would lord it over her
+master, and that master the dispenser of life and death, honour and
+disgrace, to millions. I had made up my mind how to behave; the poets I
+had read had taught me but too well. Convinced that a little wilfulness
+would, from its novelty, be most likely to captivate one who had been
+accustomed to dull and passive obedience, I allowed my natural temper to
+be unchecked. The second day after my arrival, the Kislar Aga informed
+me that the sultan intended to honour me with a visit, and that the
+baths and dresses were prepared. I replied that I had bathed that
+morning, and did not intend to bathe again--as for the dresses and
+jewels, I did not require them, and that I was ready to receive my lord
+the sultan, if he pleased to come. The Kislar Aga opened his eyes with
+astonishment at my presumption, but not venturing to use force to one
+who, in his opinion, would become the favourite, he returned to the
+sultan, reporting to him what had passed. The sultan, as I expected, was
+more amused at the novelty than affronted at the want of respect. "Be it
+so," replied he; "this Georgian must have a good opinion of her own
+charms."
+
+In the evening the sultan made his appearance, and I prostrated myself
+at his feet, for I did not wish to proceed too far at once. He raised me
+up and appeared delighted.
+
+"You are right, Zara," said he; "no jewels or dress could add to the
+splendour of your beauty."
+
+"Pardon me, O gracious lord," replied I, "but if thy slave is to please
+thee, may it be by her natural charms alone. If I have the honour to
+continue in thy favour, let me adorn myself with those jewels which
+ought to decorate the chosen of her master--but as a candidate I have
+rejected them, for who knows but in a few days I may be deserted for one
+more worthy of your preference?"
+
+The sultan was delighted at my apology, and I certainly was pleased with
+him. He was then about forty years of age, very handsome and well made;
+but I was still more gratified to find that my conversation amused him
+so much that he remained with me for many hours after his usual time for
+retiring. This gave promise of an ascendancy which might survive
+personal charms. But not to detain your highness, I will at once state,
+the sultan soon thought but of me. Not only my personal attractions, but
+my infinite variety, which appeared natural, but was generally planned
+and sketched out previous to his visits, won so entirely upon him, that
+so far from being tired, his passion, I may say his love, for me was
+every day increased.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Well, it _may_ be all true," observed the pacha, looking at the
+wrinkled and hideous object before him. "What do you say, Mustapha?"
+
+"O pacha! we know not yet her history. The mother of your slave, as I
+have heard from my father, was once most beautiful. She is still in our
+harem, and _pooh_," said Mustapha, spitting, as if in abhorrence.
+
+"Right, good vizier--right--recollect, pacha, what I have said: time has
+been." The pacha nodded, and the old woman proceeded.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Once sure of the sultan's affections, I indulged myself in greater
+liberties--not with him, but with others; for I knew that he would
+laugh at the tricks I might play upon his dependents, but not be equally
+pleased with a want of respect towards himself; and other people of the
+harem were the objects of my caprice and amusement. So far from
+preventing him from noticing the other women in the harem, I would
+recommend them, and often have them in my apartments when he would visit
+me, and wish to be alone. I generally contrived to manage a little
+quarrel about once a month, as it renewed his passion. In short, the
+sultan became, as I intended, so infatuated, that he was my slave, and
+at the same time I felt an ardent attachment to him. My power was well
+known. The presents which I received from those who required my good
+offices were innumerable, and I never retained them, but sent them as
+presents to the sultan, in return for those which he repeatedly sent to
+me. This indifference on my part to what women are usually too fond of,
+increased his regard.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"By the holy Prophet but you seemed fond enough of gold just now,"
+observed the pacha.
+
+"Time has been," replied the old woman. "I speak not of the present."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+For two years I passed a happy life; but anxious as the sultan was, as
+well as myself, that I should present him with an heir, that happiness
+was denied me, and was eventually the cause of my ruin. The queen
+mother, and the Kislar Aga, both of whom I had affronted, were
+indefatigable in their attempts to undermine my power. The whole
+universe, I may say, was ransacked for a new introduction into the
+seraglio, whose novelty and beauty might seduce the sultan from my arms.
+Instead of counter-plotting, as I might have done, I was pleased at
+their frustrated efforts. Had I demanded the woolly head of the one, and
+poisoned the other, I had done wisely. I only wish I had them now; but I
+was a fool--it cannot be helped--but time has been.
+
+Like most of the sex, the ruling passion of the sultan was vanity, a
+disease which shows itself in a thousand different shapes. He was
+peculiarly proud of his person, and with reason, for it was faultless,
+with one little exception, which I had discovered, a wen, about the size
+of a pigeon's egg, under the left arm. I had never mentioned to him that
+I was aware of it; but a circumstance occurred which annoyed me, and I
+forgot my discretion.
+
+The Kislar Aga had at last discovered a Circassian slave, who, he
+thought, would effect the purpose. She was beautiful, and I had already
+engrossed the sultan's attentions for more than two years. Men will be
+fickle, and I expected no otherwise. What I required was the dominion
+over the mind; I cared little about the sultan's attentions to other
+women. Like the tamed bird which flies from its cage, and after
+wandering a short time, is glad to return to its home and reassume its
+perch, so did I consider it would be the case with the sultan. I never,
+therefore, wearied him with tears or reproaches, but won him back with
+smiles and good humour. I expected that this new face would detach him
+for a short time, and for a fortnight he never came into my apartment.
+He had never been away so long before, and I was rather uneasy. He
+visited me one morning, and I asked him to sup with me. He consented,
+and I invited three or four of the most beautiful women of the seraglio,
+as well as the lady of his new attachment, to meet him. I thought it
+wise so to do, to prove to him that I was not displeased, and trusting
+that the Circassian might suffer when in company with others of equal
+charms, who from neglect might reassume their novelty. The Circassian
+was undeniably most beautiful; but, without vanity, she was by no means
+to be compared to me; she had the advantage of novelty, and I hoped no
+more, for I felt what a dangerous rival she might prove if her wit and
+talents were equal to her personal charms. The sultan came, and I
+exerted myself to please, but, to my mortification, I was neglected; all
+his attentions and thoughts were only for my rival, who played her part
+to admiration, yielded to him that profound respect and abject
+adulation, which, on my part, had been denied him, and which he
+probably, as a novelty from a favourite, set a higher price upon. At
+last I was treated with such marked insult, that I lost my temper, and I
+determined that the sultan should do the same. I handed him a small
+apple. "Will my lord accept this apple from the hand of his slave? Is it
+not curious in shape? It reminds me of the wen under your Majesty's left
+arm."
+
+The sultan coloured with rage.
+
+"Yes," replied I, laughing, "you have one of them, you know very well."
+
+"Silence! Zara," cried the sultan, in a firm tone.
+
+"And why should I be silent, my lord? Have not I spoken the truth?"
+
+"False woman! deny what you have falsely uttered."
+
+"Sultan, I will not deny the truth. I will, if you command me, hold my
+tongue."
+
+"Your slave has been honoured with my lord's attentions, and denies the
+assertion as a calumny," observed my rival.
+
+"Peace, wretch! thou hast proved thyself unworthy of the honour, by thy
+lying tongue."
+
+"I tell thee, Zara, silence! or you shall feel my indignation."
+
+But I was now too angry, and I replied, "My lord, you well know that I
+once held my tongue for eighteen months, I therefore can be silent when
+I choose; but I can also speak when I choose, and now I do choose to
+speak. I have said it, and I will not retract my words."
+
+The sultan was white with rage; my life hung upon a thread; when the
+Circassian maliciously observed, "The bastinado might induce her to
+retract."
+
+"And shall," exclaimed the sultan, clapping his hands.
+
+The Kislar Aga appeared, in obedience to the sultan's orders; the
+executioner of the harem, and two slaves stretched me on the floor,--I
+made no resistance or complaint; my jewelled slippers were taken off,
+and all was ready for the disgraceful punishment.
+
+"Now, Zara, will you retract?" said the sultan, solemnly.
+
+"No, my lord, I will not. I repeat that you have a wen under your left
+arm."
+
+"Strike!" cried the sultan, in a paroxysm of rage. The bamboos fell, and
+I received a dozen blows. I bore them without a cry,--I was too much
+choked by my feelings.
+
+"Now, Zara, will you retract?" exclaimed the sultan, in a subdued tone.
+
+"Never, sultan; I will prove to you that a woman has more courage than
+you imagine; if I die under the punishment, my rival shall not have even
+the pleasure of a groan. You ask me to retract. I will not swerve from
+the truth. You have, and you know you have, and so does that vile
+parasite by your side know, that you have a wen under your left arm." I
+was faint with the pain, and my voice was weak and trembling.
+
+"Proceed," said the sultan.
+
+When I had received thirty blows, I fainted with the agony, and the
+sultan ordered them to desist. "I trust, Zara, you are now sufficiently
+punished for your disobedience." But I heard him not; and when the
+sultan, perceiving that I did not reply, looked at me, his heart melted.
+He felt how arbitrary, how cruel he had been. The Circassian went to
+him; he ordered her in a voice of thunder to be gone, me to be unbound
+by the other ladies, laid on the sofa, and restoratives to be procured.
+When I came to my senses, I found myself alone with the sultan. "Oh!
+Zara," said he, as the tears stood in his eyes, "why did you tempt me
+thus--why were you so obstinate?"
+
+"My lord," answered I, in a feeble voice, "leave your slave, and go to
+those who can teach their tongues to lie. I have never deceived you,
+although I may have displeased you. I have loved you with fidelity and
+truth. Now that you have witnessed what I can suffer rather than be
+guilty of falsehood, you ought to believe me. Take my life, my lord, and
+I will bless you; for I have lost you, and with you I have lost more
+than life."
+
+"Not so, Zara," replied the sultan; "I love you more than ever."
+
+"I am glad to hear you say so, my lord, although it is now of no avail.
+I am no longer yours, and never will be. I am unfit to be yours; my
+person has been contaminated by the touch of Ethiopian slaves--it has
+been polluted by the hand of the executioner--it has been degraded by a
+chastisement due only to felons. Oblige me, as a last proof of your
+kindness, by taking a life which is a burden to me."
+
+Despot as he was, the sultan was much moved; he was mortified at having
+yielded to his temper, and his passionate affection for me had returned.
+He entreated my pardon, and shed tears over me, kissed my swelled feet,
+and humiliated himself so much, that my heart relented--for I loved him
+dearly still.
+
+"Zara," exclaimed he, at last, "will you not forgive me?"
+
+"When, my lord, have I ever shown myself jealous? True love is above
+jealousy. This evening, to please you, although I have lately been
+neglected, did I not request your new favourite to meet you? In return,
+I was grossly insulted by neglect, and studied attentions to her. I was
+piqued, and revenged myself--for I am but a woman. I was wrong in so
+doing, but having told the truth, I was right in not retracting what I
+had said. Now that you have degraded me--now that you have rendered me
+unworthy of you, you ask me to forgive you."
+
+"And again I implore it, my dearest Zara!"
+
+"There are my jewels, my lord. I have no other property but what I have
+received, and cherished as presents from you. Your treasurer well knows
+that. Take my jewels, my lord, and present them to her, they will make
+her more beautiful in your sight--to me they are now worthless. Go to
+her, and in a few days you will forget that ever there was such a person
+as the unhappy, the neglected, the disgraced, and polluted Zara." And I
+burst into tears; for even with all his ill-usage, I was miserable at
+the idea of parting with him; for what will not a woman forgive a man
+who has obtained her favour and her love?
+
+"What can I do to prove that I repent?" cried the sultan. "Tell me,
+Zara. I have supplicated for pardon, what more can I do?"
+
+"Let my lord efface all traces and memory of my degradation. Was not I
+struck by two vile slaves, who will babble through the city? Was not I
+held down by an executioner? These arms, which have wound round the
+master of the world, and no other, polluted by his gripe."
+
+The sultan clapped his hands, and the Kislar Aga appeared. "Quick,"
+exclaimed he, "the heads of the slaves and executioner who inflicted the
+punishment." In a minute the Kislar Aga appeared; he perceived how
+matters stood, and trembled for his own. He held up the three heads, one
+after another, and then returned them to the sack of sawdust in which
+they had been brought.
+
+"Are you satisfied now, Zara?"
+
+"For myself, yes--but not for you. Who was it that persuaded you to
+descend from your dignity, and lower yourself, by yielding to the
+instigations of malice? Who was it that advised the _bastinado_? As a
+woman, I am too proud to be jealous of her; but as one who values your
+honour, and your reputation, I cannot permit you to have so dangerous a
+counsellor. Your virgins, your omras, your princes, will all be at her
+mercy; your throne may be overturned by her taking advantage of her
+power."
+
+The sultan hesitated.
+
+"Sultan, you have but to choose between two things; if she be alive
+to-morrow morning, I am dead by my own hand. You know I never lie."
+
+The sultan clapped his hands, the Kislar Aga again appeared. "_Her_
+head," said he, hesitatingly. The Kislar Aga waited a little, to
+ascertain if there was no reprieve, for too hasty a compliance with
+despots is almost as dangerous as delay. He caught my eye--he saw at
+once, that if not her head, it would be his own, and he quitted the
+room. In a few minutes he held up by its fair tresses the head of my
+beautiful rival; I looked at the distorted features, and was satisfied.
+I motioned with my hand, and the Kislar Aga withdrew.
+
+"Now, Zara, do you forgive me? Now do you believe that I sincerely love
+you, and have I obtained my pardon?"
+
+"Yes," replied I, "I do, sultan; I forgive you all; and now----I will
+permit you to sit by me and bathe my feet."
+
+From that day I resumed my empire with more despotic power than ever. I
+insisted that I should refuse his visits when I felt so inclined; and
+when I imagined that there was the slightest degree of satiety on his
+part, he was certain to be refused admittance for a fortnight. I became
+the depositary of his secrets and the mover of his counsels. My sway was
+unlimited, and I never abused it. I loved him, and his honour and his
+welfare were the only guides to my conduct.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"But your highness will probably be tired, and as I have now told how it
+was that I suffered the bastinado, you will perhaps wait till to-morrow
+for the history of the bowstring."
+
+"I believe that the old woman is right," said Mustapha, yawning; "it is
+late. Is it your highness's pleasure that she shall return to-morrow
+evening?"
+
+"Be it so; but let her be in close custody--you remember."
+
+"Be chesm--on my eyes be it. Guards, remove this woman from the sublime
+presence."
+
+"It appears to me," said the pacha to Mustapha, "that this old
+woman's story may be true. The description of the harem is so
+correct--commanding one day, bastinadoed the next."
+
+"Who can doubt the fact, your sublime highness? The Lord of Life
+dispenses as he thinks fit."
+
+"Very true; he might send me the bowstring to-morrow."
+
+"Allah forbid!"
+
+"I pray with you; but life is uncertain, and it is our fate. You are my
+vizier to-day, for instance, what may you be to-morrow?"
+
+"Whatever your highness may decide," replied Mustapha, not much liking
+the turn of the conversation. "Am not I your slave, and as the dirt
+under your feet--and shall I not bow to your sovereign pleasure, and my
+destiny?"
+
+"It is well said, and so must I, if the caliph sends me a Capitan Badji,
+which Allah forbid. There is but one God, and Mahomet is his Prophet."
+
+"Amen," replied Mustapha. "Will your highness drink of the water of
+Giaour?"
+
+"Yes, truly; for what says the poet? 'We are merry to-day and to-morrow
+we die.'"
+
+"Min Allah; God forbid! That old woman has lived a long while, why
+shouldn't we?"
+
+"I don't know; but she has had the bowstring and is not yet dead. We may
+not be so fortunate."
+
+"May we never have it at all; then shall we escape, O pacha."
+
+"True, Mustapha; so give me the bottle."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XXI
+
+
+The next evening the old woman made her appearance, without raising any
+difficulty, as on the previous day, and took her seat before the pacha,
+and thus continued:--
+
+As I stated to your highness last evening when I broke off my
+narrative, I was in the highest favour with the sultan, who made me his
+confidant. He had often mentioned to me the distinguished services of a
+young seraskier, whom he had lately appointed capitan pacha, to combat
+in the north against a barbarous nation called Sclavonians, or Russians.
+My curiosity was raised to see this Rustam of a warrior, for his
+exploits and unvaried success were constantly the theme of the sultan's
+encomiums. A Georgian slave, who had been the favourite previous to my
+arrival, and who had never forgiven my supplanting her, had been sent to
+him by the sultan as a compliment; and this rare distinction had been
+conferred upon him on the day when I requested leave to remain behind
+the screen in the hall of the divan, that I might behold this celebrated
+and distinguished person. He was indeed a splendid figure, and his face
+was equally perfect. He formed, in outward appearance, all that I could
+imagine of a hero. As I looked at him from behind the screen, he turned
+his head from me, and I beheld, to my surprise, the red stain on his
+neck, which told me, at once, that I had found my long-lost brother.
+Delighted at the rencontre, I retired as soon as the audience was over,
+and the sultan came to my apartment; I told him the discovery which I
+had made. The sultan appeared pleased at the information: and the next
+day sending for my brother, he asked him a few questions relative to his
+lineage and former life, which corroborated my story, and, loading him
+with fresh honours, he dismissed him. I was delighted that, in finding
+my brother, I had found one who was not unworthy of the sultan's regard,
+and I considered it a most fortunate circumstance; but how blind are
+mortals! My brother was the cause of my disgrace and eternal separation
+from the sultan. I mentioned to your highness that the Georgian slave,
+who had preceded me in the sultan's favour, had been sent as a present
+to my brother. This woman, although she had always appeared fond of me,
+was, in fact, my most bitter enemy. She was very beautiful and clever,
+and soon obtained the most unlimited influence over my brother. Yet she
+loved him not; she had but one feeling to gratify, which was revenge on
+me. My brother had so often led the troops to victory, that he had
+acquired an unbounded sway over them. Stimulated by their suggestions,
+and his own ambition, which like mine, was boundless, he was at last
+induced to plot against his master, with the intention of dethroning
+him, and reigning in his stead. To his new wife, the Georgian, he had
+intrusted his plans; and she resolved to regain the favour of the sultan
+and accomplish my ruin, by making me a party, and then communicating to
+him the treason which was in agitation. She proposed to my brother that
+he should inform me of his intentions, alleging, that in all probability
+I would assist him, as I cared little for the sultan; and at all events,
+if I did not join, my interest might save him from his wrath. For some
+time he refused to accede to her suggestions; but as she pointed out
+that if the plot were discovered, I, as his sister, would certainly
+share his fate, and that she well knew that I had never forgiven the
+punishment of the bastinado which I had received, and only waited for an
+opportunity to revenge myself, he at last consented to make me a party
+to his intentions. My brother had been allowed to visit me, and he took
+this opportunity of stating to me his schemes. I started from him with
+horror, pointed out to him his ingratitude and folly, and entreated him
+to abandon his purpose. Convinced that I was firmly attached to the
+sultan, he appeared to acquiesce in the justice of my remarks, confessed
+that he was wrong, and promised me faithfully to think no more of his
+treacherous designs. I believed him to be sincere, and I shed tears of
+joy, as I thanked him for having yielded to my entreaties. We separated,
+and in a short time I thought no more of the subject.
+
+But he had no idea of abandoning his purpose; in fact, he was already
+too deeply involved to be able to do so. His arrangements went on
+rapidly; and when all was ripe, the Georgian gave information to the
+sultan, denouncing me as a party as well as my brother.
+
+One morning as I was sitting in my apartment, arranging on a tray a
+present for my lord and master, I was surprised by the abrupt entrance
+of the Kislar Aga, accompanied by guards, who without explanation seized
+me, and led me into the presence-chamber, where the sultan and all the
+officers of state were assembled. It immediately rushed into my mind
+that my brother had deceived me. Pale with anxiety, but at the same time
+with a feeling of delight that the plot had been discovered, I entered
+the divan, where I beheld my brother in the custody of the palace-guard.
+He had been seized in the divan, as his popularity was so great, that a
+few minutes' notice would have enabled him not only to escape, but to
+have put his treasonable plans into execution; but he bore himself with
+such a haughty air, with his arms folded across his breast, that I
+thought he might be innocent; and that he had, as he promised me,
+abandoned all thoughts of rebellion.
+
+I turned towards the sultan, who fixed his eyes upon me; his brows were
+knit with anger, and he commenced, "Zara, your brother is accused of
+treason, which he denies. You, also, are charged with being privy to his
+designs. Answer me, do you know anything of these plots?"
+
+I did not know how to answer this question, and I would not tell a lie.
+I did know something about his intentions; but as he had denied the
+charge, it was not to be expected that he should be condemned by the
+mouth of his only sister. Perhaps he had, as he had promised me,
+abandoned his ideas;--perhaps it could not be proved against him. My
+answer would have been the signal for his death. I could not give the
+answer required, and I replied, "If my brother be found guilty of
+rebelling against his sovereign, let him suffer. I, my lord, have never
+plotted or rebelled against you."
+
+"Answer my question, Zara. Do you know anything about this plot? Yes or
+no. Say _no_, and I shall believe you."
+
+"Your slave has never plotted against her lord," replied I. "Further I
+cannot answer your question."
+
+"Then it is true;--and Zara--even Zara is false!" cried the sultan,
+clasping his hands in agony. "O! where can a person in my situation find
+one who is faithful and true, when Zara, even Zara is false?"
+
+"No--no, my lord," cried I, bursting into tears; "Zara is true;--always
+has been, always will be, true. _That_ I can boldly answer--but do not
+press the other question."
+
+The sultan looked at me for a short time, and then consulted with the
+viziers and others, who stood by the throne with their arms folded. The
+chief vizier replied, "Those who know of treason, and conceal it, are
+participators in the crime."
+
+"True--most true. Zara, for the last time I ask you, what do you know of
+this intended insurrection? I must be trifled with no longer. A plain
+answer, or----"
+
+"I cannot answer that question, my lord."
+
+"Zara, as you value your life, answer me immediately," cried the sultan,
+with violence;--but I answered not.
+
+Twice more did the forbearance and love of the sultan induce him to
+repeat the question; but I remained silent.
+
+He waved his hands, I was seized by the mutes, and the bowstring
+encircled my neck. All was ready, they awaited but the last signal to
+tighten the fatal cord.
+
+"Once more, Zara, will you answer; or brave me to your destruction?"
+
+"Sultan, I will at least speak to you before I die. I only wish to
+declare my fidelity and my love to you in my last moments, to tell you
+that I forgive you for that which, when the truth is known, you will
+never forgive yourself. One moment more. Let me remove this jewelled
+chain from my neck, now superseded by the bowstring. You presented it to
+me when convinced of my attachment and my love. Take it, sultan, and
+when you find one as faithful and as true, present it to her; but until
+you do so, wear it in memory of Zara. And now let me throw my veil over
+those features which have always beamed with love and delight on you,
+that when I am dead, and you call them to your recollection, they may be
+as you have been used to see them, and not black with convulsions and
+distorted with agony. My lord, my dear and honoured lord, farewell!"
+
+The sultan was deeply moved; he turned away his head, and covered his
+face with one hand, while the other dropped at his side from the
+intensity of his feelings.
+
+Although it never was so intended, this dropping of his hand was
+considered as the signal for my death. The string was tightened, and
+buried itself, cutting deeply into the flesh of a neck once as fair and
+smooth as the polished marble of Patras. For the first moments my
+torture was excruciating--my eyes were forcing out of their sockets--my
+tongue protruded from my mouth--my brain appeared to be on fire--but all
+recollection soon departed.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Staffir Allah! God forgive me! but are you not laughing at our beards,
+old scarecrow? What think you, Mustapha?" continued the pacha, turning
+to him. "What is all this but _lies_?"
+
+"Lies!" screamed the old woman. "Lies! you tell me they are lies! Well,
+well--the time has been. Pacha, after what I have suffered by telling
+the truth all my life, it is hard, in my old age, to be told that I lie;
+but you shall be convinced," and the old woman put her hands up to the
+shrivelled, pendent skin of her neck, and stretching it out smooth,
+showed a deep blue mark, which encircled it like a necklace. "Now are
+you satisfied?"
+
+The pacha nodded his head to Mustapha, as if convinced; and then said,
+"You may proceed."
+
+"Yes, I may proceed; but I tell you, pacha, that if you doubt what I say
+once more, I will return your twenty pieces of gold, and hold my tongue.
+I proved that I could do it as a young woman, and we become more
+obstinate as we get old."
+
+"That is no lie," observed Mustapha. "Continue, old woman, and we will
+not interrupt you with doubts again."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+My brother, who had watched every motion of the sultan's, and who had
+determined to reveal all rather than that I should suffer, when he
+perceived the fatal mistake, which he did not till some moments
+afterwards, uttered a loud cry, and attempted to burst from his guards.
+Roused by the cry, the sultan looked up, and perceived what had taken
+place. In a moment he darted from his throne, and was kneeling by me
+with frantic exclamations. The mutes hastily tore away the bowstring,
+but I was, to all appearance, dead.
+
+"Yes, sultan, well you may rave," exclaimed my brother; "for you have
+good cause. You have destroyed one who, as she declared with her last
+breath, was most faithful and most true. I acknowledge the conspiracy. I
+told her my intentions, and she thought that she had succeeded in
+preventing me, for I promised by _the three_ to abandon my design. She
+has been faithful both to you and to me, for she believed that, although
+accused, I had atoned for my fault by repentance."
+
+The sultan looked earnestly at my brother, but made no answer. He
+embraced me, at one moment bursting into tears, in the next calling for
+assistance. I was removed to my apartments, and after some time, the
+physicians succeeded in restoring me to life; but I was for many days
+confused and dizzy in the brain, during which time every attention and
+care was lavished on me. One evening I felt sufficiently recovered to
+speak, and I demanded of my attendants what had taken place. They
+informed me that the mutes, who had mistaken the signal, had been
+impaled, and that the Janissaries had risen and demanded my brother,
+whose execution had been deferred by the sultan; but that on the
+commotion taking place, by order of the grand vizier,--my brother had
+been executed, and his head thrown out to the rebellious troops, who had
+been dispersed, and had since been brought to subjection, and some
+hundreds of the ringleaders had been executed. I turned away at this
+intelligence, for I loved my noble but misguided brother. The movement
+occasioned excruciating pain, which arose from the deep wound made by
+the bowstring in my neck.
+
+The next morning I rose, that I might contemplate my person in the
+mirror, and I at once perceived the alteration which had taken place.
+There was a certain degree of distortion of features which I thought
+would never be removed. I felt, that although the sultan might respect
+me, I could not expect the same influence and undivided attention as
+before. With a heavy heart I threw myself on the couch, and planned for
+the future. I reflected upon the uncertain tenure by which the
+affections of a despot are held, and I resolved to part. Still I loved
+him, loved him in spite of all his cruelty; but my resolution was made.
+For six weeks I refused to see the sultan, although he inquired every
+day, and sent me magnificent presents. At the end of that period I had
+recovered, and all that remained from the effects of the bowstring was a
+slight wrinkling of the skin from distension, and the deep blue mark
+round my neck which I have just shown to your highness.
+
+When I first admitted the sultan, he was much affected. "Zara," said he,
+mournfully, "I swear by the holy prophet that I meant not to give the
+signal."
+
+"I believe you, my lord," replied I, calmly.
+
+"Neither did I intend that your brother should suffer. I meant to have
+gained your favour by his pardon."
+
+"He was a traitor, my lord, an ungrateful traitor, and deserved his
+death. So may all like him perish."
+
+"And now, Zara, may I hope for your forgiveness?"
+
+"On one condition, sultan; and swear that you will grant what I
+require."
+
+"I do, by Allah!"
+
+"It is, that you send me back to my own country."
+
+Not to detain your highness by dwelling too long upon what passed, it
+will suffice to say, that notwithstanding the entreaties of the sultan,
+and the pleadings of my own heart, my resolution was immovable. Every
+arrangement was made for my departure, and during the preparations, the
+sultan was continually with me, persuading me to abandon the idea. The
+magnificence and liberality which he showed in the costly presents
+bestowed upon me, that I might return with honour and wealth to my own
+country, more than once made me waver in my resolution. The evening
+before my departure he made a last attempt, but in vain. My refusal was
+at least softened by the tears which I shed, for now that the time of
+departure was so near, I felt how truly, how devotedly I was attached to
+him. We parted; I threw myself on the couch, and wept till the dawn of
+day, when I was summoned to commence my journey.
+
+As your highness may be aware is the custom, when my brother was
+executed, all his property was seized by the sultan, and distributed
+among the favourites. The new capitan pacha who succeeded my brother was
+called Abdallah, and was said to be an excellent soldier. Part of my
+brother's property was made over to him, and among the rest the Georgian
+slave, who had been the ruin of my brother, and had so fatally destroyed
+my happiness. To show me every attention and respect, the sultan had
+ordered Abdallah in person to escort me to my own country, with a picked
+body of cavalry. The cavalcade was magnificent--treasure had been heaped
+on treasure--present upon present; twenty women of my own country, and
+numerous slaves had been permitted to attend upon me, and the procession
+wore the appearance of a pageant. I ascended my litter with an aching
+heart; and, journeying by easy stages, arrived at the land of my
+nativity. The borders were passed, and Abdallah requested me to write an
+acknowledgment that he had done his duty, which the sultan would require
+of him upon his return. I gave him the paper, and, professing many
+wishes for my future happiness, he assembled his troops, and the escort
+turned the heads of their neighing steeds towards the city, where my
+heart had truly been left behind.
+
+It will now be necessary to revert to the Georgian slave, who had been
+presented to my brother by the sultan, and had afterwards been made over
+to Abdallah. When she heard that I was about to depart for my own
+country, loaded with presents, her rage was without bounds. Already had
+her beauty and talents made great impression upon Abdallah, and she soon
+won him over to a plot which would be advantageous to him, at the same
+time that it would throw me, whom she distrusted, into her power. She
+proposed to Abdallah that, after having escorted me to the frontiers,
+and received from me the acknowledgment required by the sultan, he
+should follow my small escort of slaves, cut them to pieces, take
+possession of me and all my treasure, and return with it to
+Constantinople, where I might be immured in his harem. The avarice of
+Abdallah was not able to withstand the temptation, and aware that there
+was no chance of the nefarious transaction being discovered by the
+sultan, he agreed to the proposal. On the second night after we had
+parted with Abdallah, a body of horsemen galloped down upon us, and all
+my attendants, male and female, were massacred. I was seized, put into a
+sack, and thrown across a horse, and as soon as the treasure could be
+collected, they set off at a rapid pace. I was nearly dead when they
+halted, and when I was removed from my painful situation I fainted away.
+
+Abdallah had never seen my face; the soldiers reported me dead, and he
+was glad when he heard of it, for it was only to please his wife that he
+had promised to bring me back. He walked up to where I lay, and was,
+even in my miserable situation, enamoured with my beauty. His heart
+acknowledged that I was the most valuable of all his plunder. Every care
+and attention was bestowed upon me, and after several hours' halt to
+allow me to refresh myself, I was placed in a small litter, and our
+journey recommenced. He was studious to obtain my favour: at first I
+spurned him: but when he told me that the Georgian slave had instigated
+him to the deed, and had insisted that he should bring me back, I well
+knew for what purpose, and thought only of revenge. I feigned to be less
+averse to him, and before our journey was over, had used all my powers
+of fascination with triumphant success. At last our wearied horses
+arrived at Stamboul, and after waiting in the suburbs till the evening
+closed in, that the cavalcade might not attract attention, it proceeded
+to the house of Abdallah, and I was once more in the precincts of a
+harem. The Georgian slave hastened to meet me when she was informed of
+our arrival, and taking off her slipper, she struck me contemptuously on
+the mouth, with such force as to cause the blood to flow.
+
+"Now, sultana," cried she, "the day is mine; again shall you receive the
+bastinado. Aye, and again shall the bowstring be applied to your proud
+neck, and more effectually than before." She then ordered her slaves to
+strip me, and put on the meanest attire. When that was done, she spat in
+my face, and left me without speaking; but the flashing of her eyes gave
+evidence of the fiery passions which were raging in her bosom.
+
+In the meantime, Abdallah had proceeded to the palace, to present to the
+sultan the document proving my safe arrival, and having so done, he
+hastened back to his own house. As soon as he entered the harem, instead
+of visiting the Georgian slave, who had arrayed herself for his
+reception, he inquired of the astonished women in which chamber I had
+been accommodated. They hesitatingly replied, pointing it out to him. He
+entered, and found me clothed in a slave's dress, with my face covered
+with blood. When I stated the treatment I had received, and the further
+threat of the bastinado and the bowstring, his rage was beyond all
+bounds. Ordering all the women to attend me, he quitted me, that I
+might resume my own dress, intimating that he hoped that I would allow
+him to sup with me that evening. My desire for revenge induced me to
+grant his request, and he quitted the harem to look after the treasure
+of which I had been robbed.
+
+In the meantime, the other women had communicated to the Georgian slave
+all that had occurred, and she was frantic at the information. Fearful
+of her, I kept my door fast until the arrival of Abdallah, who sent to
+inquire whether I would receive him. He was admitted, and again
+expressed his indignation at the conduct of my rival, offering, as a
+proof of his attachment, to abandon her to my resentment. I had no time
+for reply before the door was burst open, the Georgian flew in and aimed
+her dagger at my heart. Abdallah had sufficient time to ward the blow,
+and as the weapon passed through his left arm, with his right hand he
+dashed her on the floor. Pale with rage and pain he called his people.
+"She threatened you, Zara, with the bastinado and the bowstring. She has
+sealed her own doom."
+
+By his orders her slippers were torn off, and she received fifty blows
+of the bastinado; then, as she screamed with pain, and held up her hands
+for mercy, the mutes were summoned, and the bowstring was applied. My
+revenge was more than satiated, and I covered up my eyes that I might
+not be a witness to the dreadful spectacle. When I removed my hands, I
+found Abdallah only in the apartment, and my rival lying a blackened
+corpse upon the floor.
+
+For three years I remained in the harem of Abdallah, and, if not happy,
+was resigned to my fate. He was devotedly attached to me, and, if I
+could not return his love, I was not deficient in gratitude. At last a
+second war broke out between the Turks and Russians, and Abdallah was
+ordered to put himself at the head of his troops, and drive the invaders
+back to their regions of frost and snow. As was the custom with Turkish
+commanders, all his harem accompanied him, and after travelling about
+from one territory to another, sometimes in pursuit of, and at others
+retreating before the enemy's forces, we were shut up in the fortress of
+Ismael, with orders to defend it to the last.
+
+I shall not weary your highness with a detail of what occurred. I shall
+only say, that after the town had been nearly reduced to ashes, by the
+shells and shot, which had set fire to it at least one hundred times, it
+was taken by storm, with immense slaughter. We sat in our apartments,
+listening with terror to the alternate shouting and shrieking--the noise
+of the bursting of the shells, the whizzing of the balls, the cries of
+the wounded, and the terrific roaring of the flames, which were now
+consuming the whole town in their fury. At last our doors were burst
+open, and the enemy entered. We screamed, and would have fled, but in
+vain. What became of the rest I know not, but I was dragged over the
+dead and the dying, through smoke and through flame, until I fainted
+away with terror and exhaustion. When I recovered, I found myself in a
+hut, lying on a small bed, and attended by two bearded monsters, whom I
+afterwards discovered were Cossacks. They were chafing my limbs with
+their rough hands, without the least regard for decorum. As soon as I
+opened my eyes, one of them poured a little spirits down my throat, and
+wrapping me up in a horse-cloth, they left me--to meditate upon my
+misfortunes.
+
+I discovered that evening that I had, by the fortune of war, become the
+property of a Russian general, who had no time for making love. With him
+it was all ready made, as a matter of course. Still he was a handsome
+man, and when not tipsy, was good-humoured and generous; but the
+bivouacs, even of a general, were very different from the luxuries to
+which I had been accustomed. I lived badly, and was housed worse. It so
+unfortunately happened, that my protector was a great gambler, as indeed
+are all Russians; and one morning, to my surprise, a handsome young
+officer came into the tent and the general very unceremoniously handed
+me over to him. My beauty had been made known in the camp, and the
+Russian general, having the night before lost all his money, had staked
+me for one thousand sequins, and had lost. My new master was a careless,
+handsome youth, a colonel in the army; I could have loved him, but I had
+not time; for I had not been in his tent more than three weeks, before I
+was again gambled away, and lost to a major. I had hardly time to make
+myself comfortable in my new abode, when I was staked and lost again. In
+short, your highness, in that campaign I was the property of between
+forty and fifty Russian officers, and what with the fatigue of marching,
+the badness of provisions, and my constant unsettled state of mind and
+body, I lost much of my good looks--so much, indeed, that I found out
+that instead of being taken as a stake of one thousand sequins, I was
+not valued at more than two hundred. I can assure your highness that it
+is no joke to go through a Russian camp in that way--to be handed about
+like a purse of money, out of one man's pocket into another's. I assure
+you, that before the campaign was over, I had had quite enough of the
+Russians, and only wished that the Turkish army might rout them, and I
+could find myself once more in a harem. It was then that I first
+lamented over my hard fate, and that of the sultan. It was then that I
+first used the expression, when I thought of my condition, and that I
+said to myself, "The time has been."
+
+At last the army was ordered to march back, and being then the property
+of a Cossack, he put me on a pony, and made me keep up with the
+squadron, driving me before him with his long spear, sometimes sticking
+the point into the rear of the pony, and sometimes into me, by way of a
+joke. But I had not been more than ten days on the retreat, before he
+sold me, pony, bridle, saddle, altogether, as a bargain, to an infantry
+officer, who as soon as he had taken possession, made me dismount, while
+he got in the saddle, desiring me to lay hold of the pony's tail and
+follow him. When they halted, he made me wait upon him, and do
+everything which he required. In the morning he mounted again, and I had
+to walk after him, as before. This was hard service for one who had been
+the favourite of the sultan. For a week I contrived to hobble after him,
+but it was impossible to go on any longer. We passed through a town, and
+as soon as we were clear of the gates and he did not watch me, I let go
+the tail of the pony, and escaped without his perceiving it. I regained
+the town, and faint with hunger and fatigue, sat at the steps of a large
+house. A lady, dressed in rich furs and sables, came out, and perceiving
+that my dress was foreign, stopped, and inquired of me who I was. I told
+her in a few words: she ordered me to be received and taken care of. A
+few days afterwards she sent for me, and I then narrated to her my
+history. She was kind and generous, and I became her head attendant; I
+was contented and happy, and hoped to die in her service. But my
+misfortunes were not half over. My mistress was a lady of rank, and much
+esteemed. Her house was always full of company: she was rich, and gave
+most splendid entertainments. Her husband had been dead about two years,
+but she was still very young, and exceedingly beautiful. One evening,
+when there was a large party assembled in her rooms, the door was
+opened, and an officer came up to her and whispered in her ear. She
+coloured, trembled, and said that she would be ready in an hour. I was
+near her at the time; she beckoned to me, hastened to her room, and
+burst into a flood of tears.
+
+"I am ordered to Petersburg immediately, on a charge of treason. My
+conscience tells me that I have done nothing; but, alas! for me, the
+emperor has no mercy. Ekaterina," for that was the name I went by, "will
+you accompany me?--it will be a long, and a melancholy journey. God
+knows how it may end."
+
+I immediately consented--packed up what we required, and without
+disturbing those who were enjoying themselves, we gained the courtyard,
+and took our seats in a britska, in company with the officer. In four
+days we arrived at Petersburg, and my mistress was separated from me and
+thrown into prison. She never saw her accusers or her judges; her
+memorial to the emperor was disregarded, and she was condemned--but her
+punishment was not immediately decided upon.
+
+For three weeks my mistress remained in prison. I was, by the humanity
+of the officer, who had the charge of her, allowed to visit her for a
+few minutes every day; but it was always in the presence of a third
+person. One morning when I came, the poor lady fell upon my neck and
+sobbed a long while without speaking; the countenance of the officer was
+also melancholy to a degree, and I perceived that a tear occasionally
+trickled down his manly cheek.
+
+"Ekaterina," said she, at last, "I have heard my sentence, and am to be
+punished to-morrow. O God! forgive them their cruelty and injustice;"
+and she sank from my arms upon the floor of the dungeon.
+
+We raised her, and she recovered a little. "Yes, Ekaterina, I am to be
+punished to-morrow for a crime of which I am innocent--a punishment--God
+have mercy!--worse than death. The knout--the knout--and that attended
+with public exposure in the market-place. May God forgive the emperor
+his cruelty!"
+
+I had heard of this dreadful punishment, but little thought that women
+suffered by it. It was too barbarous.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I have not heard of it," said the pacha. "Tell me, old woman, is it
+worse than the bastinado?"
+
+"Yes, your highness. It is a whip of enormous power, so that if the
+executioner has a private order, he can kill the party on whom it is
+inflicted by two or three blows; but your highness will better
+comprehend the nature of the punishment when I describe what I
+witnessed."
+
+My dear mistress begged me, as a favour, that I would attend her to the
+place of execution, and I consented. Poor creature! she, as well as I,
+had but an imperfect idea of what she was to endure. The punishment was
+to take place in the great square, and the troops were out, and a large
+concourse of people were assembled. She appeared on the raised platform
+upon which she was to suffer, in a genteel undress, which contributed
+still more to heighten her extreme beauty. The sweetness of her
+countenance obtained for her the commiseration of those who were ordered
+and accustomed to execute the will of the despotic and cruel emperor.
+Young, lively, and admired, sought for, and caressed by everybody, high
+in rank, and rich in worldly wealth, she stood, no longer surrounded by
+the attentions and homage due to her talents, her beauty, and her wit,
+but surrounded only by stern executioners. She looked at them with
+astonishment, seeming to doubt if such preparations could be intended
+for her. One of the executioners then pulled off a kind of furred tippet
+which covered her bosom; her modesty taking the alarm, made her start
+back a few steps; she turned pale and burst into tears. Her clothes were
+soon afterwards all stripped off, and in a few moments she was all naked
+to the waist, exposed to the looks of a vast multitude, who were all
+profoundly silent. One of the executioners then seized her by both
+hands, and turning half round, threw her on his back, bending forwards,
+so as to raise her feet a few inches from the ground, and the other
+executioner, with his rough hands, and without symptoms of remorse,
+adjusted her on the back of his companion, in a posture most convenient
+for her to receive her punishment. Sometimes he pressed his large hands
+brutally upon her head, in order to make her keep it down: at others,
+like a butcher handling a lamb, he appeared to soothe her until he had
+fixed her in a favourable attitude. He then took the knout, a whip made
+of a long strip of leather, prepared for the purpose; he retreated a
+few steps, measuring the requisite distance with a steady eye, and
+looking backwards, gave a stroke with the end of the whip, so as to
+carry away a slip of skin from the neck to the bottom of the back; then
+striking his feet against the ground, he took his aim for a second blow,
+parallel to the former, so that in a few moments all the skin of her
+back was cut away in small slips, most of which remained hanging to her
+shift and dress below. I fainted with horror long before the punishment
+was over. "Good heavens!" thought I, "I have suffered the bastinado and
+the bowstring, but both were merciful compared to this. Is there no God
+in heaven to punish such despotic cruelty?" My mistress was not dead,
+and the surgeons were ordered to pay her every attention, that she might
+recover; and I thought this attention on the part of the emperor in some
+measure made amends for his barbarity. But, God in heaven! she was
+restored to life that she might be more cruelly punished; for no sooner
+was she able to bear this infliction, than they cut out her tongue, and
+then banished her to Siberia.
+
+Thus, O pacha! was my beautiful mistress treated upon mere suspicion,
+for guilty she never was. I had been permitted to see her previous to
+her latter punishment, and she fancied, poor thing, that the emperor's
+wrath had been appeased, and that she would have been permitted to
+return home, but her tongue was cut out without her receiving any
+warning of the second punishment which awaited her, and after that I was
+refused admittance, and I never saw my beautiful and ill-treated
+mistress any more. It was from the officer who had the charge of her
+that I learnt this cruel intelligence, and I went back to my lodgings
+with a heart bursting with grief and indignation.
+
+I was resolved that, if possible, I would escape from a country where
+women's tongues were cut out; but how to manage it I knew not. I had
+still some money and valuables, which had been left in my possession by
+my unfortunate mistress, and I made inquiry about the means of
+proceeding to Constantinople, where, at least, I should be in a
+civilised country. At last a Jew, who heard that I wished to go to the
+southward, offered to take me with him as soon as the snow was on the
+ground, for which I bargained for five hundred roubles. In a fortnight
+the winter had set in, and we got into a drotski, and went away. We
+arrived at Moscow, and from thence we at last gained Constantinople. On
+my arrival I selected my luggage, that I might pay the sum agreed; but
+it was snatched from me by the old rascal, who saluted me with a kick in
+the body which half-killed me. I was locked up in a room, and in half an
+hour a slave-merchant came, and I was sold for a low sum and taken away,
+remonstrating in vain against the injustice. My beauty was now gone, I
+was more than thirty years old, and hardship had done the rest.
+
+My subsequent life has been nothing but a series of changes and
+disasters. I was sold to a pastrycook, and broiled by standing over the
+oven. I grew obstinate and was punished by blows, but for those I cared
+not. The pastry was burnt, and I was resold to a barber, whose wife was
+a shrew, and half-killed me; fortunately the barber was accused of
+shaving a criminal, who had escaped from prison, and one morning was
+stretched out before his own door, with his head under his arm. His wife
+and I were both sold again as slaves.
+
+Thus did I go down-hill each year, fetching less and less, and receiving
+worse treatment, until I was embarked with several others by an
+Armenian, who was bound to Smyrna. The vessel was captured by an
+Algerine pirate, and for a long while I was kept on board to cook their
+victuals. At last she was wrecked on this coast; how I escaped I know
+not, for I was weary of life. But I was thrown up, and made my way to
+this place--where I have for many years lived in company with an old
+wretch like myself, supplicating alms. He died about a year ago, and
+left me in the hovel by myself. I still beg for my subsistence; and
+now, pacha, you have my story, and I think you will acknowledge that I
+may well say that _"Time has been."_
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"It is your kismet, your destiny, good woman. There is but one God, and
+Mahomet is his Prophet," observed the pacha. "You are dismissed."
+
+"And the gold, your highness," whispered Mustapha.
+
+"Let her retain it. Has she not been a sultana?" observed the pacha,
+with some appearance of feeling.
+
+The old woman's ears were keen, she had heard the question of Mustapha,
+and she had heard the reply of the pacha; and she easily imagined the
+rest.
+
+"And now, pacha, before I quit your presence, as I have enjoyed your
+bounty, I will, with your permission, offer you a piece of advice,
+which, from my knowledge of the world and of people's countenances, may
+be of no small service to you. Is it permitted, O pacha?"
+
+"Speak," replied the pacha.
+
+"Then, pacha, beware of that man who sits beside you; for there is that
+in his face which tells me that he will raise himself upon your fall.
+Pacha, beware!"
+
+"Hag of Jehanum!" exclaimed Mustapha, rising from his seat.
+
+The old woman held up her finger, and walked out of the divan.
+
+The pacha looked suspiciously at Mustapha, for he was of a suspicious
+nature; and Mustapha looked anything but innocent.
+
+"Doth my lord give ear to a lying tongue of an old woman?" said
+Mustapha, prostrating himself. "Hath not your slave proved himself
+faithful? Am not I as dust in thy presence? Take my life, O pacha! but
+doubt not the fidelity of thy slave."
+
+The pacha seemed pacified. "What is all this but bosh, nothing?" said
+he, rising and quitting the apartment.
+
+"Bosh!" muttered Mustapha. "The cursed old hag! I know better--there is
+no time to lose--I must be quick. When will that renegade return from
+Stamboul? It is time." And Mustapha, with a gloomy countenance, quitted
+the divan.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XXII
+
+
+Although the pacha, with the usual diplomacy of a Turk, had, so far from
+expressing his displeasure against Mustapha, treated him with more than
+usual urbanity, he had not forgotten the advice of the old woman.
+Suspicion once raised was not to be allayed, and he had consulted with
+his favourite wife, Fatima. A woman is a good adviser in cases of this
+description. The only danger which could threaten the pacha was from the
+imperial court at Stamboul; for the troops were devoted to him, and the
+people of the country had no very serious cause of complaint. By the
+advice of the favourite, the pacha sent as a present to Mustapha, a
+young and handsome Greek girl, but she was a spy in the service of the
+favourite, and had been informed that the vizier had been doomed. She
+was to discover, if she could, whether there was any intercourse between
+the renegade, who commanded the fleet, and the vizier, as from that
+quarter alone danger could be anticipated. The Greek had not been a week
+in the harem of Mustapha, before she ascertained more than was
+sufficient. The fleet had been sent to Constantinople, with presents to
+the sultan from the pacha, and its return was hourly expected.
+
+It was on the afternoon of this eventful day that the fleet hove in
+sight, and lay becalmed a few miles in the offing. Mustapha hastened to
+report it to the pacha, as he sat in his divan, hearing complaints, and
+giving judgment, although not justice. Now when the pacha heard that the
+fleet had returned, his heart misgave him, and the more so, as Mustapha
+was more obsequious and fawning than ever. He retired for a short time
+from the divan, and hastened to his favourite, Fatima.
+
+"Pacha," said she, "the fleet has arrived, and Mustapha has already
+communicated with the renegade. Depend upon it you are lost, if you do
+not forestall them. Lose no time. But stop," said she, "do not alarm the
+renegade by violence to Mustapha. To-morrow the fleet will anchor, and
+if there is mischief, it will not arrive until to-morrow--but this
+evening, you will as usual send for coffee, while you smoke and listen
+to the tales which you delight in. Drink not your coffee, for there
+shall be death in it. Be all smiles and good-humour, and leave me to
+manage the rest."
+
+The pacha smoothed his brow and returned to the divan. Business
+proceeded as usual, and at length the audience was closed. The pacha
+appeared to be in high good-humour, and so was the vizier.
+
+"Surely," said Mustapha, when the pipes were brought, "his imperial
+highness, the sultan will have sent you some mark of his distinguished
+favour."
+
+"God is great, and the sultan is wise," replied the pacha. "I have been
+thinking so too, Mustapha. Who knows but that he may add to the
+territory under my sway by another pachalik?"
+
+"I dreamt as much," replied Mustapha, "and I am anxious that the
+renegade should come on shore; but it is now dark, and he will not leave
+his vessel."
+
+"We must drive away the mists of suspense by the sunbeams of hope,"
+replied the pacha. "What am I but the sultan's slave? Shall we not
+indulge this evening in the water of the Giaour?"
+
+"What saith Hafiz? It is for wine to exalt men, and raise them beyond
+uncertainty and doubt. It overfloweth us with courage, and imparts
+visions of bliss."
+
+"Wallah Thaib, it is well said, Mustapha," said the pacha, taking a cup
+of coffee, presented by the Greek slave. Mustapha also received his cup.
+"My heart is light this evening," said the pacha, laying down his pipe,
+"let us drink deep of the forbidden juice. Where is it, Mustapha?"
+
+"It is here," replied the vizier, drinking off his coffee; while the
+pacha watched him from the corner of his small grey eye. And Mustapha
+produced the spirits, which were behind the low ottoman upon which he
+was seated.
+
+The pacha put aside his coffee, and drank a large draught. "God is
+great; drink, Mustapha," said he, handing him the bottle.
+
+Mustapha followed the example of the pacha. "May it please your
+highness," said Mustapha, "I have without a man, who they say hath
+stories to recount more delightful than those of Menouni. Hearing that
+he passed through this city, I have detained him, that he might afford
+amusement to your highness, whose slave I am. Is it your pleasure that
+he be admitted?"
+
+"Let it be so," replied the pacha.
+
+Mustapha gave the sign, and to the surprise of the pacha, in came the
+renegade, commander of the fleet, accompanied by guards and the
+well-known officer of the caliph, the _Capidji Bachi_, who held up a
+firman to his forehead.
+
+The pacha turned pale, for he knew that his hour was come. "Bismillah!
+In the name of the Most High, O officer, whom seekest thou?" exclaimed
+the pacha, with emotion.
+
+"The sultan, the Lord of Life, has sent this to you, O pacha! as a proof
+of his indulgence and great mercy." And the Capidji Bachi produced a
+silken bowstring, and at the same time he handed the fatal scroll to the
+pacha.
+
+"Mustapha," whispered the pacha, "while I read this, collect my guards;
+I will resist. I fear not the sultan at this distance, and I can soften
+him with presents."
+
+But Mustapha had no such fellow-feeling. "O pacha!" replied he, "who can
+dispute the will of heaven's vicegerent? There is but one God, and
+Mahomet is his Prophet."
+
+"I will dispute it," exclaimed the pacha. "Go out and call my trustiest
+guards."
+
+Mustapha left the divan, and returned with the mutes and some of the
+guards, who had been suborned by himself.
+
+"Traitor!" exclaimed the pacha.
+
+"La Allah, il Allah! there is but one God," said Mustapha.
+
+The pacha saw that he was sacrificed. He read the firman, pressed it to
+his forehead, in token of obedience, and prepared for death. The Capidji
+Bachi produced another firman, and presented it to Mustapha. It was to
+raise him to the pachalik.
+
+"Barik Allah! praise be to God for all things," humbly observed
+Mustapha. "What am I but the sultan's slave, and to execute his orders?
+On my head be it!"
+
+Mustapha gave the sign, and the mutes seized the unfortunate pacha.
+
+"There is but one God, and Mahomet is his Prophet," said the pacha.
+"Mustapha," continued he, turning round to him with a sardonic smile,
+"may your shadow never be less--but you have swallowed the coffee."
+
+The mutes tightened the string. In a minute a cloak was thrown over the
+body of the pacha.
+
+"The coffee," muttered Mustapha, as he heard the pacha's last words. "I
+thought it had a taste. Now he's sent to Jehanum for his treachery." And
+all the visions of power and grandeur, which had filled the mind of the
+new pacha, were absorbed by fear and dismay.
+
+The Capidji Bachi, having performed his duty, withdrew. "And now,"
+exclaimed the renegade, "let me have my promised reward."
+
+"Your reward--true. I had forgotten," replied Mustapha, as the pain
+occasioned by the working of the poison distorted his face. "Yes, I had
+forgotten," continued Mustapha, who, certain that his own end was
+approaching, was furious as a wild beast, with pain and baffled
+ambition. "Yes, I had forgotten. Guards, seize the renegade."
+
+"They must be quicker than you think for," replied Huckaback, darting
+from the guards and drawing his scimitar, while, with his fingers in his
+mouth, he gave a shrill whistle. In rushed a large body of soldiers and
+sailors of the fleet, and the guards were disarmed. "Now, pacha of one
+hour old, what sayest thou?"
+
+"It is my destiny," replied Mustapha, rolling on the floor in agony.
+"There is but one God, and Mahomet is his Prophet." And Mustapha
+expired.
+
+"The old fool has saved me some trouble," observed the renegade. "Take
+away these carcases, and proclaim Ali as the new pacha."
+
+Thus perished the two barbers, and thus did Huckaback, under the name of
+Ali, reign in their stead. But his reign, and how long it lasted, is one
+of the many tales not handed down to posterity.
+
+
+
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