At the time of my capture
it was thrown on one side, and I preserved it as curious. It refers to
the first discovery of an island. As your highness is pleased to be
amused with stories, it may be worth while to have it translated." The
Dominican then handed from his breast a discoloured piece of parchment.
"Very good," replied the pacha, rising. "Mustapha! let it be put into
Arabic by the Greek slave, who shall read it to us some evening when we
have no story-tellers."
"Be Chesm! Upon my eyes be it," replied Mustapha, bowing low, as the
pacha retired to his harem.
Chapter V
The pacha had repeated his perambulations for many nights, without
success; and Mustapha, who observed that he was becoming very impatient,
thought it advisable to cater for his amusement.
Among those who used to repair to Mustapha when he exercised his former
profession, was a French renegade, a man of considerable talent and
ready invention, but a most unprincipled scoundrel, who, previous to the
elevation of Mustapha, had gained his livelihood by daring piratical
attempts in an open boat. He was now in the employ of the vizier,
commanding an armed xebeque which the latter had purchased. She passed
off as a government cruiser, but was in reality a pirate. Selim, for
that was the name which the renegade had adopted when he abjured his
faith, condemned every vessel that had the misfortune to meet with him,
taking out the cargoes, burning the hull, and throwing the crews
overboard, with the privilege of swimming on shore if they could.
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