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This book may be kept 
 
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THE NOVELS 
 
 OF 
 
 CAPTAIN MARRYAT 
 
 EDITED BY 
 
 R. BRIMLEY JOHNSON 
 
This Edition of Captain Marry at" s No'velSf 
 
 made exclust<vely for members of the 
 
 NEW YORK TACHr CLUB 
 
 is strictly limited to one hundred copies. 
 
 Copy No. / O 
 
 PRINTED FOR 
 
 H. A. VAN LIEfF, Esq. 
 
 A^- 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2011 with funding from 
 
 LYRASIS members and Sloan Foundation 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/pachaofmanytales1896marr 
 
NEW YORK YACHT CLUB EDITION 
 
 THE PACHA OF 
 MANY TALES 
 
 BY 
 CAPTAIN MARRYAT 
 
 NEW YORK 
 CROSCUP AND COMPANY 
 
 MDCCCXCVI 
 

Contents 
 
 Chapter i 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 Chapter ii 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 25 
 
 Chapter hi 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 43 
 
 Chapter iv 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 69 
 
 Chapter v 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 94 
 
 Chapter vi 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 120 
 
 Chapter vii , 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 135 
 
 Chapter viii 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 14s 
 
 Chapter ix 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 154 
 
 Chapter x 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 173 
 
 Chapter xi 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 186 
 
 Chapter xii 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 207 
 
 Chapter xiii 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 224 
 
 Chapter xiv 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 238 
 
 Chapter xv 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 264 
 
 Chapter xvi 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 271 
 
 Chapter xvii 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 283 
 
 Chapter xviii 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 294 
 
 Chapter xix 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 333 
 
 Chapter xx 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 353 
 
 Chapter xxi 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 • 373 
 
 Chapter xxii 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 • 393 
 
List of Tales 
 
 Story of the Camel-Driver 
 
 
 . 
 
 
 14 
 
 Story of the Greek Slave 
 
 
 
 27 
 
 Story of the Monk 
 
 
 
 44 
 
 „ continued 
 
 
 
 
 70 
 
 Huckaback 
 
 
 
 
 97 
 
 Manuscript of the Monk 
 
 
 
 
 139 
 
 Third Voyage of Huckaback 
 
 
 
 
 • 155 
 
 Fourth „ „ 
 
 
 
 
 173 
 
 Fifth „ „ 
 
 
 
 
 186 
 
 Sixth „ „ 
 
 
 
 
 207 
 
 The Last „ „ 
 
 
 
 
 224 
 
 The Scarred Lover 
 
 
 
 
 241 
 
 The Story of Hudusi 
 
 
 
 
 266 
 
 Tale of the English Sailor . 
 
 
 
 
 287 
 
 The Water-Carrier . 
 
 
 
 
 295 
 
 The Wondrous Tale of Han. 
 
 
 
 
 335 
 
 Story of the Old Woman 
 
 
 
 
 359 
 
List of Etchings 
 
 The enraged fair one, who perceived that T was 
 gaining the day, had run behind me and seized 
 MY ARMS . .... Frontispiece 
 
 PAGE 
 
 After he has repeated says I three times, off 
 
 WITH his head! . . . . .125 
 
 His FIRST ACT WAS TO RETURN TO THE QUARTER-DECK 
 
 AND ROLL HIMSELF IN THE OIL . . . 160 
 
 She SAT AT THE FOOT OF THE THRONE, NEAR TO THE 
 
 KING . . . . . . 194 
 
 They walked on till they toppled into the sea . 288 
 
 ChAOUKEUN STRUCK HER LUTE . . . . 34O 
 
 Dratun and Etched by D. Murray Smith. 
 
 tii 
 
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 inde- 
 pendence 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 
 
X Prefatory Note 
 
 him from padding. He is very happy in contriving ex- 
 pediences, 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 , l83I-l835' 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 de- 
 coration 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 th-e 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 ivas a Pacha." 
 
 Would you inquire by what means he was raised to the 
 distinction? It is an idle question. In this world, pre- 
 p A 
 
2 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 eminence 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 ivhy 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, dis- 
 played 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 5 
 
 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 ivas all upon 
 the king ; and now our constitution has become so incom- 
 parably 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 ia 
 detached service, while his general was unfortunate in the 
 field, he was instructed to take off the head of his com- 
 mander, 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 : 
 
4 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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, intelli- 
 gent 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 dis- 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 5 
 
 missed 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 un- 
 erring 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 r 
 "happy the man, who, by oiFering 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 
 
6 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 make their appearance ia 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 high- 
 ness 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 uncom- 
 mon circumstance for men to hold more than one office 
 under government j 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 com- 
 mands to take off the heads of others 5 and you can have 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 7 
 
 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,' 
 
8 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 exe- 
 cutioner wiped his sword, and the lives of the pacha's 
 subjects wer^ 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 9 
 
 *' 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 even- 
 ing 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 in- 
 form his favourite lady, Zeinab, that he desired her 
 presence. 
 
10 The Pacha of Many Taletj 
 
 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 huniour 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 j 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 j 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales ii 
 
 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 com- 
 motion), which were enforced by constant rounds of the 
 soldiers on guard, occasioned the streets to be quite 
 deserted. 
 
1 2 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 observa- 
 tion 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,. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 13 
 
 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 cojn- 
 mand 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 
 stor4y 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 J 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 story- 
 telling. 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 assist- 
 ance 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, 
 
14 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 from her nature, plunge into deceit, before even her 
 tongue can give utterance to the Hes 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 acknow- 
 ledge, 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 difiiculty 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 15 
 
 as my camels had already suffered much ; but, on examina- 
 tion, 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 
 
i6 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 was destined, as he repaid our caresses, curving and twist- 
 ing 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 
 h-er 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, 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 17 
 
 with my camels kneeling down around me, I perceived a 
 herie* 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. 
 
 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 fore- 
 boding 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 con- 
 ferred 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 
 
 * A swift dromedary. 
 P B 
 
1 8 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 wind, — a vast sea without water, — an expanse of desola- 
 tion. "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 trepida- 
 tion. 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 19 
 
 I had laid myself down by one of my camels, and thrust- 
 ing 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 dis- 
 tinguish 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. AH, 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 
 
20 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 deter- 
 mined 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 hil- 
 lock 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 visioa 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 21 
 
 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 stag- 
 gered 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 per- 
 ceived 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 cara- 
 van 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 
 
22 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 para- 
 dise. 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 depar- 
 ture 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 
 AUah. 
 
 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 I " 
 
 " Very true," observed the pacha ; ** that's not a bad 
 story : Mustapha, give him five pieces of gold, and allow 
 him to depart." 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 23 
 
 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 puifed 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 high- 
 ness, it inculcates that all who can, should do so, as the 
 path will be rendered easier. Min AJlah ! 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 ? " 
 
24 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 "Hath the holy prophet forbidden wine to true be- 
 lievers 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 fore- 
 taste 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 ? StafEr 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 25 
 
 " 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, accom- 
 panied, 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 dis- 
 putants 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, 
 
26 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 5, 
 but when in another country, I was unfortunate," con- 
 tinued 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 27 
 
 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 pros- 
 perity 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 superin- 
 tended 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 applica- 
 tion 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 
 
28 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 in- 
 formed 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 al- 
 though 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 con- 
 ceal 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 in- 
 quired 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 j but after 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 29 
 
 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 5 and I confirmed his 
 assertion. 
 
30 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 " 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 j ** 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 ex- 
 cellence 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 31 
 
 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 arrange- 
 ments 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 j 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 accom- 
 panied 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 
 
32 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 resent- 
 ment 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 luhite, 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 exclaim- 
 ing, 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, 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales ^^ 
 
 aga, how that body came there ; but I will change the 
 cask with pleasure, and will send you another." 
 
 "Be it so," replied the agaj "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, 
 p c 
 
34 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 disappear- 
 ance, I shrugged up my shoulders and told the inquirers, 
 confidentially, that the aga of the janissaries had put him m 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 3^ 
 
 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 circum- 
 stance 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 pro- 
 perties 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 
 
^6 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 in- 
 capable 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 uncondi- 
 tional 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 Pacha of Many Tales ^il 
 
 ** 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 5. 
 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, honour- 
 able 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." 
 
38 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 (( 
 
 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 enor- 
 mous, 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 flavour- 
 ing 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Talcs 39 
 
 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 1 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 care- 
 fully 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. 
 
40 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 I now breathed more freely, notwithstanding I was 
 nearly intoxicated with the lees of the wine which im- 
 pregnated 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 pre- 
 vented 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 41 
 
 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 
 
42 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 use- 
 less. 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 43 
 
 he considers it of more valtie than an aga's, I think 'tis a 
 vefy handsome present. Drown an aga, indeed ! " con- 
 tinued 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 tirade 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." * 
 
 " May they aiid their fathers' graves be etefnally de- 
 
 * Jesus Christ. 
 
44 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 filed," 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 posi- 
 tively 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 45 
 
 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 in- 
 gress 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 as- 
 
46 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 sailed 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 belong- 
 ing 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 ob- 
 served, 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 feel- 
 ing, 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 remark- 
 ably 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 47 
 
 dispensed with for the future, but, as I afterwards dis- 
 covered, 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 5 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 after- 
 wards 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 
 
48 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 49 
 
 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 head- 
 ache, 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 suc- 
 ceeded; 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 stair- 
 case 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 
 
so The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 trans- 
 actions, 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 Hit 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 throw- 
 ing 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 my- 
 self, "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 metamor- 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 51 
 
 phosis. 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 oflicer 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 oifer to be my instructor, and 
 my first rudiments in the science were received from him. 
 Afterwards I applied to a professor, and, constantly prac- 
 tising, 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 con- 
 
52 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 trary, 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 occu- 
 pation 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 ex- 
 cellent : 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 53 
 
 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 ex- 
 planation 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 
 
54 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales S5 
 
 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 occasion- 
 ally 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 com- 
 menced 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 cata- 
 logue, 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, 
 
56 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 j " 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 in- 
 deed ; 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. Excom- 
 munication 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 57 
 
 I can decide upon what is to be done to save you from 
 everlasting perdition, it is necessary that you humble your- 
 self 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 punish- 
 ment 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 tender- 
 ness for the sex, which made me abandon this petty revenge. 
 My object was to remove her, so that I might not be re- 
 cognised 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 satis- 
 
S8 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 fied 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 occa- 
 sionally 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 circum- 
 stance 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 unimpeach- 
 able. In my demeanour I was always sedate and respectful 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 59 
 
 — 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 appro- 
 priated, 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 con- 
 fession 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 way- 
 laid 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 
 
6o The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 dis- 
 covered that it had been sent to the Foundling Asylum ; 
 but this information was not obtained until some years after- 
 wards, 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 con- 
 tracted 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 j 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 61 
 
 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 1 8th 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 
 
62 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 large wart on the back of my neck, or rather a conglomera- 
 tion 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 : 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 6;^ 
 
 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 after- 
 noon, 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 
 
64 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 con- 
 currence ; 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 th«m. I ended by observing, that I 
 considered it my duty to acquaint her with the circum- 
 stance ; as if she objected to the match, or had other 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 6^ 
 
 views for her niece, an immediate stop ought to be put 
 to their correspondence. 
 
 The old lady was very much astonished at the informa- 
 tion, 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 J 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 indiscre- 
 tion. 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 
 
 P B 
 
66 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 proofs you have not yet seen. First be satisfied, and then 
 indulge in your deJightful 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 1 8th 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.' 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 6^ 
 
 *' * 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 
 Vv^hat 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 per- 
 
6S The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 mitted 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 over- 
 powered 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 con- 
 sider, 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 69 
 
 *' 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,* 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." 
 
 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. 
 
 * Eastern story-teller. 
 
70 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 *' 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 follow- 
 ing 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 71 
 
 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 amuse- 
 ment, 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 
 
72 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 playful- 
 ness 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 hand- 
 some, 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 73 
 
 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 immedi- 
 ately 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 — Pll 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, 
 
74 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales js 
 
 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, teil 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 import- 
 
^jS The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 ance. — 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 conse- 
 quence 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 77 
 
 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 kind- 
 ness 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, 
 
78 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 j 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 79 
 
 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, ail as yet is well ; but it may yet be discovered ; for 
 I will now confide to you, that the tenderness last night, in- 
 tended for Don Florez, was by your mistake, and the dark- 
 ness 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 rny 
 mistress, when she asked, ** Well, Pedro, have you dis- 
 covered 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." 
 
8o The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 " 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 under- 
 stand," 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 de- 
 parture. 
 
 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 
 
 y 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 81 
 
 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, 
 
 P F 
 
 
 ^a\ 
 
82 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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, ex- 
 claimed — ** 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 83 
 
 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 assist- 
 ance, 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 ? " 
 
84 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 85 
 
 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 miser- 
 able, 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, 
 <:ame into the room, and walking up to the part in which 
 the two unfortunate ladies remained in the attitudes de- 
 scribed, 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 
 oifence. 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 j " 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 
 
86 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 j 
 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 87 
 
 — 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 her- 
 self. 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 dupli- 
 city, 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 endear- 
 ing 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 
 
88 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 reai 
 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 I 
 sang it in my best style, and it electrified the whole party. 
 Shouts proclaimed my victory, and the defeat of my 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 89 
 
 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 
 ^own. 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 re- 
 paired to Seville to ascertain the exact date of my quitting 
 the convent, and found that it was about a fortnight 
 
90 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 
 snarp, 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, DonTedro — 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 91 
 
 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 con- 
 sequences. 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 
 
92 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 sea- 
 port 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 Pacha of Many Tales 93 
 
 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 posses- 
 sion 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 high- 
 ness is pleased to be amused with stories, it may be worth 
 
94 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 v/ho 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 privi- 
 lege 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 95 
 
 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 hand- 
 some 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 
 
g6 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 j " 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, in- 
 timating that he might sit down, commenced as follows. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 97 
 
 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 hesita- 
 tion to assert, has produced more men of general informa- 
 tion, 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, 
 P G 
 
98 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 except by a husband to relieve a scolding wife, or by 
 nephews who were anxious about the health of an ever- 
 lasting 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 
 
The Pacha of Maiiy Tales 99 
 
 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 virith. as much scrutiny as if they had been 
 the delegated custom-house ofiicers of the whole world. 
 
100 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 protec- 
 tion of a battery. Austria — the nation to whom the island 
 belonged — was not at war with England ; she was pre- 
 serving what is called an " armed neutrality." 
 
 " Pray what is the meaning of an armed neutrality ? " de- 
 manded the pacha. 
 
 " It varies according to circumstances, your highness 5 
 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 ail the same to him whether he fought on the deck 
 or in the water. Fortunately I shifted a little on one side, 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales loi 
 
 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 per- 
 ceived, to my astonishment, that I was not three miles 
 from my native city, Marseilles. This was a horrid 
 
102 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 Sceur 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 nie on shore with as much 
 care and comfort as if I had been reposing on cushions of 
 dov/n. 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 103 
 
 official bodies, the governor, and all the people of conse- 
 quence. 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 intro- 
 duced as Sceur 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 diffi- 
 culty. 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 
 
104 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 morti- 
 fication. 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 men- 
 tioned 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 105 
 
 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 Fran9ois. 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." 
 
 " Fran9ois, 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. 
 
io6 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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, Fran9ois, 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 apart- 
 ment. 
 
 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 Frangois, 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 107 
 
 to cheer me in my lonely pilgrimage, and naught to wish 
 but that it soon may come unto its close. I forgive you, 
 Frangois, 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 forbad it, telling them I was 
 beyond a physician's cure : kissing them all, and pro- 
 nouncing 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 pre- 
 caution, 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 
 
jo8 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 com- 
 mitted, 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 109 
 
 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 car- 
 riage 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 ex- 
 claim, " 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 
 
no The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 un- 
 dress. 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales iii 
 
 Aix. By letters and papers in my own pockets I ascer- 
 tained 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 hand- 
 some 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." 
 
112 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 The papers were signed, the dead bodies were carried 
 oiF, 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, mulBed 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 113 
 
 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 pre- 
 vented 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. 
 
 P H 
 
114 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 " 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 115 
 
 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 
 snch 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 informa- 
 tion 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 
 
ii6 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 clothes ; and it is now supposed that some miscreant 
 has personified her at the Convent, and has subsequently- 
 escaped. Tlie 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 contra- 
 dictory 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 un- 
 fortunate 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 men- 
 tioned 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, re- 
 turning 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 117 
 
 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 j 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 
 
ii8 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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, some- 
 what 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." 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 119 
 
 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 pre- 
 sume 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 FU be oif : 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," 
 
I20 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 " "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 
 com^pany 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 121 
 
 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 j 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." 
 
122 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 " 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 re- 
 warded with the bastinado for your trouble. Ali, begin 
 your story." 
 
 "Well, your highness, it was about thirty years ago, 
 you knoiv, that I was a little boy, you hnonvP 
 
 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 knonv, 
 is a long period in a man's life. My father was a gardener, 
 and people of his condition, you knoiv, 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 /, * if you can only leave out your you knows^ 
 says /, * your story might be amusing, but,' says I " 
 
 " Silence with your says i'j-," 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 injunc-- 
 tion ; 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 123 
 
 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 j 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 knoiu, not being inclined 
 to pay any attention to such an old woman, you knowy 
 replied, you know, " 
 
 " Holy Allah ! " exclaimed the pacha in a rage to Mus- 
 tapha, " 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 j 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 j 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 annoy- 
 ance of that bore Ali ? I said so j * Ali,' says /, " 
 
 " Go on with your story," repeated the pacha angrily. 
 
 " It was about two years ago, your highness, when I was 
 
124 '^^^ Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 /, * than you usually can 
 procure ; therefore the lowest price that I can take,' says I, 
 ' is ' " 
 
 "Why, your says Ts 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 7, ' 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 /, * 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 /, 
 
 * 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 7, * the beauty of them, feel the 
 weight, and taste them,' says /, * and you must acknow- 
 ledge,' says 7, *that they are offered to you at a price 
 which,' says 7, " 
 
 " Holy prophet ! " cried the pacha in a rage ; "I will 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 125 
 
 hear no more of your says Fsi 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." 
 
 " ril 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, executionei^, 
 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 Ts are to the 
 detestable you kmivs of Ali. That's what I always told 
 him ; * Ali,' says /, * 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 Hussaa 
 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 /, or a you hnoiv I " 
 
 " 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. 
 
126 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 disap- 
 pointed, 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 boat- 
 swain pulled out his whistle, and in a tremendous voice 
 roared out, ^^ All hands ahoy I ^^ which was followed by his 
 crying out, " Tumble up there, tumble up I " As we under- 
 stood 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, v/hile 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 127 
 
 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 Guinea- 
 man, 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 I " 
 
 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. 
 
128 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 I ^^ 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 ivatch, 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 s.traight up 
 from our heads, as we viewed the supernatural reappear- 
 ances. 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 I ^^ and 
 held up its arms as it lay. 
 
 The man, whose office it had been to take the living 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 129 
 
 body to the gangway, and after killing it to throw it over- 
 board, 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 con- 
 volutions 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 re- 
 covered 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 
 joh^s doneP 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 
 
 P I 
 
130 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 indiiFerent 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 131 
 
 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. 
 
132 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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, Fran9ois,' 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 un- 
 fortunately happened for me that a miracle had occurred 
 very lately ; and there were very few people to be burnt 
 at the auto dafe 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 Pacha of Many Tales 133 
 
 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 pro- 
 cession 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 
 
134 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 event- 
 ually 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 re- 
 versed ; 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 inclina- 
 tion 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." 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 135 
 
 Chapter VII 
 
 " Khoda shefa midehed — God gives relief ! " cried the 
 pacha, as the divan closed : and, certainly, during its con- 
 tinuance 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 
 haz7ieh 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 confine- 
 ment, Mustapha had been informed by his people that he 
 
136 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 137 
 
 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 ex- 
 tending down the crags of the whole ravine." 
 
 " I cannot, positively, understand a word of all this ! " 
 exclaimed the pacha, with irritation j " can you, Mus- 
 tapha?" 
 
 " 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 be- 
 ginning. Now go on." 
 
138 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 " 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 Fm 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 sense- 
 less 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 139 
 
 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 
 
140 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 dream- 
 ing 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 141 
 
 But I lost those whose precepts might have been valu- 
 able to me in after-life, and was left to the guardianship of 
 one who thought that, in attending to my worldly in- 
 terests, 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 import- 
 ance. 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 sensa- 
 tions : 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 im- 
 prisoned 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 con- 
 tempt. 
 
 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 
 
142 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 some years I continued the profession, and was fortunate 
 in my speculations j 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 excite- 
 ment 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, — pro- 
 duced 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 143 
 
 FoUov/Ing, as usual, the impulse of my feelings, I re- 
 paired 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 de- 
 cision 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 ! " ex- 
 claimed 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 feehngs, Rosina burst into tears, and hurried from 
 my sight. 
 
 I sailed with prosperous gales, and arrived safely at 
 
144 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 metropohs, 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 tim.e 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 145 
 
 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 in- 
 terrogation 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 pre- 
 cipitancy, which rendered it unavailing, overpowered her, 
 and she was led to her cell in a state as pitiable as 
 mine. 
 
146 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 affect- 
 ing — 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 147 
 
 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 con- 
 science but added to my wilful 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 sensa- 
 tion 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 
 
148 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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, v/ho, 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 pre- 
 sentiment that all was not right, and, removing my arms 
 from Rosina, repaired on deck, where I found him in con- 
 sultation 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 5 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 149 
 
 scanty supply of provisions and water, with a few neces- 
 saries, 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 j 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 accumula- 
 tion 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 eye- 
 lids raised; every minute Nature imperiously demanded 
 her rights, and I nodded at the helm. 
 
150 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 exhaus- 
 tion ; 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 j 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 with- 
 out 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 • 
 
The Paclia of Many Tales 151 
 
 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 can- 
 not 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 5 
 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 selfish- 
 
152 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 ness 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 supplica- 
 tion. 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 153 
 
 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 astonish- 
 ment, 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 warn- 
 ing to those who allow their reason to be seduced by pas- 
 
154 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 sion, 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 buibul 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 155 
 
 "Let him approach, then, Mustapha," said the pacha 
 joyfully, and the renegade immediately made his ap- 
 pearance. 
 
 " 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 Prankish 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 em- 
 barking 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 
 
156 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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. For- 
 tunately, 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 in- 
 separably united. Despairing, therefore, of any release, 
 until the cold weather should break up, I made all arrange- 
 ments 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 Pacha of Many Tales 157 
 
 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 ob- 
 served the rolling of my eyes, and perceiving that I was 
 
158 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 j 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 ad- 
 mirably — 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 gar9on at a restaura- 
 teur'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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales .159 
 
 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 concen- 
 trated 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 per- 
 ceived 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 dis- 
 appeared. 
 
 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. 
 1 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 depre- 
 dations 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 
 
i6o The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 com- 
 panion-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 ke, 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 pur- 
 suits. I continued to cook, to eat, and to sleep as before, 
 when a circumstance occurred, which put an end to all my 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales i6i 
 
 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 beea 
 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 sur- 
 prised at finding it jerked from me occasionally, as if there 
 was somebody else who had hold of it, and who wished ta 
 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 diver- 
 sion. 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. 
 
 P L 
 
1 62 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 I summoned up all my courage, and being tired of hold- 
 ing 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 oiF 
 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 
 he. 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 climb- 
 ing 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, con- 
 sisting 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 163 
 
 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 convey- 
 ance 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 
 Toad 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 j 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 with- 
 out 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 ? " 
 
164 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 " 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 com- 
 municate 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 165 
 
 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 m 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 
 
1 66 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 resem- 
 blance 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 oiF with a species of black skin, inta 
 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 167 
 
 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 diiFerent 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 mortifica- 
 tion 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 
 
1 68 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 un- 
 pleasant, 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 oiF 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 169 
 
 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 
 
170 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 is the most expensive article of our manufactures ; it is 
 the belly part of the calPs 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 ex- 
 change, 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 j 
 "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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 171 
 
 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 
 
172 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 173 
 
 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 circum- 
 stance of the lady abbess, as I knew how soon every thing 
 
174 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 in this world is forgotten, and that I was so altered from 
 time and hardship, that I was not likely to be recog- 
 nised. 
 
 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 neigh- 
 bour. 
 
 ** 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 175 
 
 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 sou in the world, I did not much like the idea of aban- 
 doning 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. Al- 
 though 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 Frangois would make his appearance and claim 
 his own, poor fellow." 
 
176 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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, Fran9ois : it is a part of oul- 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 per- 
 sonified the holy abbess, I said to myself, * that it was 
 either Fran9ois 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 177 
 
 with the party that employs me. Make over to him a 
 conveyance of all the property, on condition of your re- 
 ceiving 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 im- 
 prove 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. 
 
 a 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." 
 
 P M 
 
178 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 " 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 un- 
 observed 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 Fran9ois." 
 
 " Well, then, Fran9ois ; 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 en- 
 graven on my heart, and cannot be effaced. But let me 
 tell my story, and allow me to commence with an observa- 
 tion, which my acquaintance with you, and subsequent 
 reflections, have deeply impressed upon my mind. It 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 179 
 
 unfortunately happens, that those who are highest in rank 
 in this world, pay dearly for it in a point upon which 
 almost air 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 aris- 
 tocracy 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 after- 
 wards 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 
 
i8o The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 at Toulon. He added, that my intended husband would 
 arrive in a few days. 
 
 " I considered ail that he had told me, and I formed the 
 following conclusions : — first, that you were not the person 
 that you described yourself to be 5 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 he 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 suppposed 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 believ- 
 ing you dead, I never ceased to lament you, nor have 
 I looked at a woman since. Our old friend below can 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales i8i 
 
 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. 
 
i82 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 pre- 
 dicament ; 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 183 
 
 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 re- 
 appearance, and had no means of securing ourselves below, 
 every grating and skylight having been washed over- 
 board 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 
 
1 84 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 suck- 
 ing in his breath. 
 
 There happened to be two casks, of a material lately 
 invented in England, which v/e 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 re- 
 mainder, 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 185 
 
 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 im- 
 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 con-^ 
 
1 86 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 tinued 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," con- 
 tinued 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, 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 187 
 
 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 remon- 
 strance. 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 
 haveour moments of weakness ; had I had the prudence to 
 comply with the request, things would have ended happily. 
 
1 88 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 repre- 
 sented 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 consulta- 
 tion, they agreed that she was sufficiently degraded to live. 
 They contented themselves v/ith 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 arrange- 
 ments. 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 m.e 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^ 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 189 
 
 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 re- 
 membrance 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 con- 
 trived 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. 
 ** Frangois," 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 
 
190 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 ; 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 191 
 
 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 "hen 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 speci- 
 mens 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 
 
192 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 v/ith 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, 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 193 
 
 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 
 
 P N 
 
194 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 clotii 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 com- 
 plexions; 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 195 
 
 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 endj 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 
 
196 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 197 
 
 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 notwith- 
 standing 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 
 
198 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 199 
 
 " Do you recognise these figures ? " inquired the prin- 
 cess. 
 
 *' 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 con- 
 victed 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 conse- 
 quence 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 
 
200 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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, failing 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 oppor- 
 tunity, 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 de- 
 parture, 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 201 
 
 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 over- 
 looked 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 re- 
 monstrances, 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 
 
202 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 un- 
 realised 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 203 
 
 rolled at a distance, and I perceived that convulsion of the 
 elements was at hand. The sails were all set, and with- 
 out assistance I could not reduce them ; but I was in- 
 different 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 j 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 
 
204 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 205 
 
 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 Inquisi- 
 tion. 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 under- 
 stood had a large country seat decorated with mon- 
 strosities ; 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 admir- 
 ably, 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 
 
2o6 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 English collectors, as having been purloined by the ex- 
 cavators 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 some- 
 thing 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 ? " 
 
 " ril 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 him- 
 self, as the renegade disappeared. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 207 
 
 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 
 
2o8 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 over- 
 board, we were necessitated to be put upon short allow- 
 ance. As we had no hopes of being able to support 
 ourselves upon v/hat 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 unin- 
 habited 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 re- 
 appeared 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 209 
 
 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 wind- 
 ward of it, and not perceiving any inhabitants, I lowered 
 down a boat, and sent the first mate on shore to re- 
 connoitre. 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 
 p o 
 
2IO The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 un- 
 bent 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 pro- 
 visions. 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 Pacha of Many Tales 211 
 
 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 sup- 
 position, 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 
 
212 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 213 
 
 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 immedi- 
 ately 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 not- 
 withstanding my entreaties, they persisted in their resolu- 
 tion 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 
 
214 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 twent57-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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 215 
 
 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 con- 
 tinued ; 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 over- 
 ruled. 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 con- 
 sidered 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 
 
2i6 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 informa- 
 tion 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 under- 
 wood, 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 217 
 
 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 dis- 
 charging, 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 
 
2i8 The Pacha of Many Taies 
 
 a h^sty 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 reflec- 
 tions, 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 con- 
 sume — but that I should be reserved for a festival, after 
 their arrival in their own country. Nor was I incorrect in 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 219 
 
 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 pro- 
 cessions, 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 
 
220 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 opera- 
 tion 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 indehble 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 ! " con- 
 tinued 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 221 
 
 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 
 
222 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 un- 
 interrupted 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 oppor- 
 tunity occurred by an American vessel, which arrived 
 wdth 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 : — 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 223 
 
 " 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," rephed 
 Huckaback, as he salaamed out of the pacha's presence. 
 
2 24 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 vi^hich 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 pro- 
 posed 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 un- 
 wieldy 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 225 
 
 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 ice- 
 bergs 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 sensa- 
 tions : 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 im- 
 plored for mercy, and lay down to die ; but I found that 
 the ice melted away with the heat, and that, in so dor^g, 
 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 
 
226 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 of my preservation come into my head. I considered how 
 much air so enormous an animal must consume, and deter- 
 mined 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 recol- 
 lected 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 Hght 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^ 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 227 
 
 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 Hucka- 
 back, " 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 oiF, 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 I 
 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 calcula- 
 tions, 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 expecta- 
 tion of deliverance. The saw approached very near to 
 where I was sitting, and I was afraid that I should be 
 
228 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 av/ay, 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 j and although we reject her kind 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 229 
 
 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 con- 
 tinued until the Hght 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 
 
230 ' The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 ; 
 hut, 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 flsh, 
 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 them- 
 selvesc 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 231 
 
 permitted to quit the island, which I did in a small vessel 
 hound 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 insignifi- 
 cance 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 rufBed 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. 
 
2^2 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 dis- 
 pense 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 up- 
 wards 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 per- 
 ceived 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 235 
 
 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 ex- 
 cessively 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 dis- 
 covered that those peculiar rays were magnetic. I men- 
 tioned 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 dis- 
 covery 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 
 
234 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 I was close to the coast of America when I ascended, I 
 could perceive that the Cape of Good Hope was just heav- 
 ing 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 hav- 
 ing 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 235 
 
 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 
 «at 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. 
 
236 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 mira- 
 culously 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 av/ay — the 
 houses were levelled to the ground — the vessels in frag- 
 ments 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 Mar- 
 seilles, 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 over- 
 board, 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 237 
 
 *' 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," repHed 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 astonishnent, 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 thou 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 
 
238 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 inven- 
 tion, 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 239 
 
 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 subHme 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 despatched 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; 
 " coflee — and the strong water of the Giaour." 
 
 The pacha's pipe was refilled, the coffee was poured 
 
240 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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." 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 241 
 
 " 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 indis- 
 cretion, 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 v/ill 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 
 
242 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 243 
 
 now relate ; it was not the custom for the females of 
 SouiFra to lead the life of invisibihty, 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 despatched through 
 all the kingdom of Souffra to make known the injunctions 
 of the will J 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 
 
244 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 wor- 
 shipped ; 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 245 
 
 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 
 zuere 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 con- 
 sidered 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 
 
246 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 in- 
 habitants, 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 247 
 
 " 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 Soufirarian faith, that moles were not scars, and only 
 
248 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 blemishes when they were considered so to be. Every- 
 one praised the wisdom of this edict j 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 
 v/ho 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 sumptuous- 
 ness 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 SouiFra 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 them- 
 selves ; 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 249 
 
 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 undeni- 
 able 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 anima- 
 tion 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 dis- 
 cussions of those venerable old numskulls had embroiled 
 the whole nation in the Molean and Anti-Molean con- 
 troversy. 
 
 It was about the first hour after noon that the beautiful 
 Babe-bi-bobu, suddenly rising from her recumbent atti- 
 tude, 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 questipn, and 
 
250 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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, thrum- 
 ming 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." 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 251 
 
 Thereupon, Acota seized his mandolin, and made such 
 an unaccountable confusion of false notes, such a horrid jar- 
 ring, 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 rever- 
 ence 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 cere- 
 mony, 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 
 
252 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 with- 
 out scar or blemish, but still they could not consent to expose 
 their persons to the gaze of so many thousands j others 
 declared, that they left on account of scars and honourable 
 ivounds received in battle, and until that afternoon, the 
 SouiFrarians 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 con- 
 tained 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 ? " 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales ^sz 
 
 " 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 thou- 
 sands 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 
 
254 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 vexa- 
 tion, 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 droop- 
 ing before the sunny beams, now too powerful to be borne, 
 or loaded with the dew of tears, removed to fade away un- 
 heeded ? 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. Mez- 
 rimbi 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 ; — 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 255 
 
 " Who does the nightino^ale 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." 
 
256 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 *' 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, SoufFriaria'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 vice- 
 gerent 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 257 
 
 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 counten- 
 ance 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, tongue- 
 less, everythingless, hideous creatures, bowed in their 
 humility, and followed their master, who, with the chief 
 Brahmin, ventured by a circuitous route to invade the 
 p R 
 
258 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 259 
 
 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 j 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 pre- 
 caution 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 
 
Q.6o The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 their shoulders and carried him to the house of the chief 
 Brahmin, who having ordered him to be guarded in an out- 
 house, 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 SouiFra. 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 261 
 
 his face was mufHed 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 lond 
 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 pro- 
 ceeded 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 yester- 
 day 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. 
 
262 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 **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 gar- 
 ments 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 26 
 
 o 
 
 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 eifect of recalling her to life and recollection. 
 Ail 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 un- 
 fortunate son Mezrimbi. 
 
 In the meantime the beauteous Princess Babe-bi-bobu 
 had recovered, and was in the arms of Acota, who, re- 
 signing 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 
 SoulFrarian 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 
 
264 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 **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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 26^ 
 
 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 pro- 
 ceedings, 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 " 
 
 "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 " 
 
266 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 "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, pro- 
 strating 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 267 
 
 that these animals exist, when it may have been our 
 fortune to see them ; in the same manner, I am wiUing 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 com- 
 pared 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, more- 
 over, 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 
 
2 68 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 be impaled before I was much older ; but here I am, with- 
 out a stake through my body at the age of forty-five ; and 
 your highness must acknowledge that when he railed ail 
 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 acquaint- 
 ance, 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 disagree- 
 able necessity of parting with his head, which was de- 
 manded 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, consider- 
 ing 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 269 
 
 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, / 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. 
 
270 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 *^ 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 1 
 gained my entrance into the fort. I hastened to the pacha's 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 271 
 
 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 ev^r to moisten 
 it again." 
 
 ** That doubt, your sublimity ought to resolve im- 
 mediately. Hudusi, murakhas — my friend, you are dis- 
 missed." 
 
 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, 
 
2']2 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 v/as 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 dowii." 
 " 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 273 
 
 house is no more," cried slie, " 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 circum- 
 stances. " 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 ame- 
 deed — you are welcome." 
 p s 
 
2 74 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 Ufe, 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, 
 v/ho 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, be- 
 come 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 v/ith 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 275 
 
 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 
 
276 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 277 
 
 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 L 
 
 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," sai-d 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, 
 
278 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 
 in 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, 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 279 
 
 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 out- 
 house, 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 bow- 
 string, to prevent his head being taken oiF 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 m.an 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. 
 
28o The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 " 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 re- 
 flected, 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, con- 
 tinued 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 
 v/onderful 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 281 
 
 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 5 
 " 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 hov/iing 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 
 
282 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 283 
 
 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; "lam 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 look- 
 ing 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 fellov/ 
 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 moUahs 5 
 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, over- 
 powered by the forbidden juice, after having beaten many 
 of your highness's subjects, and the cadi would have 
 
284 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 Prankish 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 j 
 " 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 285 
 
 " 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»" 
 
 " Vfhat 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 Prankish 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 I that is, spin a yarn ; well, I can do that, but 
 my mouth's baked with thirst, and without a drop of some- 
 thing, the devil a yarn from me, and so you may tell the 
 old Billygoat, perched up there." 
 
286 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 " What sayeth the son of Shi tan ? " 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 there- 
 fore 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 betv/een his legs 5 " 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 
 v/onderful 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 287 
 
 up the Dardanelles, as to v/hat 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 5 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 
 
288 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 j 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 polite- 
 ness. 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 289 
 
 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 
 reguJar 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 L 
 
 " 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. 
 
290 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 "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, repHed the 
 vizier." 
 
 " Ask him if she was handsome," said the pacha. 
 
 " Handsome," repHed 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, 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 291 
 
 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 bigger y, or having a wife too much. 
 
292 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 " 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 allow- 
 ance, 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 work- 
 ing 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 ail 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 293 
 
 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 hes." 
 
 " 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 
 
2 94 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 compli- 
 ment 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 295 
 
 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 melanchol}'-, despatched Mesrour 
 for his chief vizier, GiafFar Bermukki, who, not un- 
 accustomed 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." 
 
296 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 " 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 297 
 
 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 gurghng 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 in- 
 terrupters 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." 
 
298 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 '* 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 j 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.' " 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 299 
 
 " 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 en- 
 counter 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 charit- 
 
300 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 able 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 
 v/ater. "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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 301 
 
 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 pigs 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 con- 
 firmed 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 irrevoc- 
 abley^/r*^, 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 
 
302 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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, 
 iDetake 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 incon- 
 veniences." 
 
 " 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." 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 303 
 
 " 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, sweet- 
 meats, 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 intermis- 
 sion 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." 
 
304 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 " 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." 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 305 
 
 "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 YussuPs 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 threaten- 
 ing 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 
 p u 
 
3o6 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 307 
 
 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 ta 
 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 J 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." 
 
3o8 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 j 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 j 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 pro- 
 ceedings 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 309 
 
 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 high- 
 ness 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 
 
310 The Pacha of Many Tales -' 
 
 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 oiF 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 un- 
 heard 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 311 
 
 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 j 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 through- 
 out Bagdad should be shut for three days, on pain of im- 
 palement. 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 
 
312 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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." Never- 
 theless, 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 con- 
 founded 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- 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 313 
 
 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 ex- 
 pounding 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. 
 
314 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 " 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 Yssuf, " but 
 this is good. I will live and die an officer of the law." 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 315 
 
 So saying he returned home for his basket, purchased his 
 provisions and wine, and Hghting 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 vsTords 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." 
 
3i6 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 "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 y 
 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 caHph 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 " 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 317 
 
 "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 
 
3i8 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 were severally called forward, and having proved them- 
 selves 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 heeldars, 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 319 
 
 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 fight- 
 ing. 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 dis- 
 turbers 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." 
 
320 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 per- 
 ceived 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 321 
 
 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 busi- 
 ness. Yussuf rode up on the beast, which was not half as 
 large as himself, and stopped at the shop, where the con- 
 fectioner 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 v/ith you five bags, each con- 
 taining 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 for- 
 getting 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 
 p X 
 
322 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 con- 
 fectioner : "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 appear- 
 ance, 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 323 
 
 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 d'rhems 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 con- 
 fectioner, 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 chang- 
 ing 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 
 
324 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 apart- 
 ments; 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 baiHe 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 325 
 
 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 tem- 
 per, 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 av/ay 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 
 
326 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 re- 
 cognised 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 com- 
 pelled 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 327 
 
 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 YussuPs 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 YussuPs 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. 
 
328 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 '*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 ofEcer 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 com- 
 panions 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 j 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 Pacha of Many Tales 329 
 
 The caliph, who watched him narrowly, was highly 
 diverted with this manoeuvre. " You beeldar ! " cried he, 
 " Vv^hy 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 Com- 
 mander 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 re- 
 warded." 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." 
 
^^o The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 The caliph, who was very attentive to all that passed, 
 v/as 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 beeidar, 
 while he narrates a strange adventure which hath befallen 
 him within these few days." 
 
 " Speak, beeidar, 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, per- 
 forming 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, beeidar, 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 for- 
 feited 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." 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 331 
 
 " 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 hav- 
 ing 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, 
 
^^2 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 Yussuf, try the power of this wonderful sword. Strike 
 off that criminal's head." 
 
 Yussuf returned to the robber, who remained kneelingy 
 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 dis- 
 covered 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," repHed 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." 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales ;^^^ 
 
 *• Be It so, ' replied the pacha -, " Let Menouni be re- 
 warded, 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." 
 
334 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 ex- 
 panded 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, 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 335 
 
 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, 
 tiljy-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. 
 
^^6 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales '^2>7 
 
 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 Hfe, 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 PoUyhong 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 
 p Y 
 
;2^^S The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 339 
 
 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 pro- 
 claimed 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 h^ 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 
 
340 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 con- 
 demned 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 re- 
 joiced 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. " 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 341 
 
 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 attend- 
 ants raised their lanterns, so as to throw light upon her 
 
342 The Paeha of Many Tales 
 
 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 PoUyhong 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 PoUyhong 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 Polly- 
 hong 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 343 
 
 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. 
 
344 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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. 
 
 " StafEr 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 every- 
 thing 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 Pacha of Many Tales 345 
 
 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 
 
34^ The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 snuiF 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 347 
 
 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 
 
34^ The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 ? " 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 349 
 
 ** 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 accompHshed, 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 
 
350 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 konv toiv, 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 bar- 
 barian 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 351 
 
 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 ; bnt 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 Chaou- 
 keun 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. 
 
352 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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-liUy, ti-tum, ti. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales ^^^ 
 
 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 
 p z 
 
354 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 bowlings 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 starva- 
 tion. She was warming her shrivelled hands over the 
 embers, and occasionally passed one of her hands along her 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales ^S5 
 
 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 5 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 
 
^^6 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 the two black slaves, when they heard the cries, and with 
 some difficulty the talons of the old Jezebel were dis- 
 engaged 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. " Mus- 
 tapha," 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. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales ^sy 
 
 " 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." 
 
358 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 ** 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 nvordy 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, scorn- 
 fully. ** 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 considera- 
 tion 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 359 
 
 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 
 
360 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 circum- 
 stances ; 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 re- 
 sembling 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 horse- 
 man 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 ob- 
 tained 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 361 
 
 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 w^ound 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 All's house, and allowed a few days' 
 repose from the fatigue of the journey 5 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 
 
362 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 re- 
 solution. 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales ^6;^ 
 
 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 int-ended 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 
 
364 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 con- 
 fess : 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 in- 
 tended 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 coirxe. 
 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 365 
 
 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 v/as 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 j for I 
 
^66 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 indiiFerence 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 inde- 
 fatigable 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales n<S^ 
 
 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 excep- 
 tion, 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 persona] 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 
 
^68 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 f 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 atten- 
 tions, 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 com- 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 369 
 
 plaint ; my jewelled slippers were taken off, and all was 
 ready for the disgraceful punishment. 
 
 "Now, Zara, will you retract?" said the sultan, 
 solemnlyo 
 
 **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 dis- 
 obedience." 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. 
 
 p 2 A 
 
2,yo The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 Now that you have witnessed what I can suffer rather 
 than be guiky 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 burthen 
 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 re- 
 lented — for I loved him dearly still. 
 
 Zara," exclaimed he, at last, " will you not forgive 
 
 me r 
 
 ?" 
 
 " 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 371 
 
 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 T never lie." 
 
'^']^ The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 The sultan clapped his hands, the Klislar 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 1 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 re- 
 member." 
 
 " 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 Pacha of Many Tales ;^y^ 
 
 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 Mus- 
 tapha, 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 
 
374 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 en- 
 comiums. 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 recontre, 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 un- 
 worthy 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales ^y^ 
 
 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 re- 
 marks, 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. 
 
2^^^ The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 One morning as I was sitting in my apartment, arrang- 
 ing 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 j — 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 w, and I shall believe 
 you." 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales ^ill 
 
 " 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 faith- 
 ful and true, when Zara, even Zara is false ? " 
 
 " No — no, my lord," cried I, bursting into tears j 
 ** 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 parti- 
 cipators 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 
 
;^y8 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 f " 
 
 " 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 con- 
 vinced ; 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 379 
 
 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 de- 
 stroyed 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 re- 
 moved 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. 
 
380 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 resolu- 
 tion 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 v/as a slight wrinkling of the skin from dis- 
 tension, 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 ! " 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 381 
 
 '* 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, journey- 
 ing 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. 
 
382 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 acknowledg- 
 ment 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 383 
 
 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. 
 
384 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 385 
 
 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 ac- 
 customed. 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 oflicer came into the tent 
 p 2 B 
 
^S6 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales ^Sy 
 
 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 them- 
 
388 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 selves, 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 coun~ 
 tenance 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." 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 389 
 
 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 sweet- 
 ness of her countenance obtained for her the commisera- 
 tion 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 oiF, 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 •, 
 
390 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 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 in- 
 fliction, 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 punish- 
 ment, 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 punish- 
 ment 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 391 
 
 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, ojffered 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 subsist- 
 
392 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 ence ; and now, pacha, you have my story, and I think you 
 will acknowledge that I may well say that " Time has heen^ 
 
 " 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 apart- 
 ment. 
 
 " Bosh ! " muttered Mustapha. " The cursed old hag ! 
 I know better — there is no time to lose — I must be quick. 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 393 
 
 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 
 £eet 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. 
 
394 T^^ Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 " 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 coflee, 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?" 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 395 
 
 ** 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 de- 
 lightful 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 Bach'i, 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 vice- 
 gerent ? 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. 
 
396 The Pacha of Many Tales 
 
 " 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 Mus- 
 tapha, 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 am- 
 bition. "Yes, I had forgotten. Guards, seize the 
 renegade." 
 
 " They must be quicker than you think for," replied 
 Huckabuck, 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 
 
The Pacha of Many Tales 397 
 
 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. 
 
 THE END. 
 
PRINTED BY 
 
 TURNBULL AND SPEARS, 
 
 EDINBORGH. 
 
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