You will also keep the
pipe with the other body in it, that it may keep my anger alive. The
last is, that you will supply me with what wine I may require, of the
very best quality, without making any charge. Do you consent to these
terms, or am I to consider you as a party to this infamous transaction?"
I hardly need observe that the terms were gladly accepted. Your highness
must be aware that nobody thinks much about a Jew. When I was questioned
as to his disappearance, I shrugged up my shoulders and told the
inquirers, confidentially, that the aga of the janissaries had put him
_in prison_, and that I was carrying on the business until his release.
In compliance with the wishes of the aga, the two casks containing the
Jew and the Ethiopian slave, were placed together on settles higher than
the rest, in the centre of the store. He would come in the evening, and
rail at the cask containing my late master for hours at a time; during
which he drank so much wine, that it was a very common circumstance for
him to remain in the house until the next morning.
You must not suppose, your highness, that I neglected to avail myself
(unknown to the aga) of the peculiar properties of the wine which those
casks contained. I had them spiled underneath, and, constantly running
off the wine from them, filled them up afresh. In a short time there was
not a gallon in my possession which had not a _dash_ in it of either the
Ethiopian or the Jew; and my wine was so improved, that it had a most
rapid sale, and I became rich.
Pages:
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57