VOLUME THREE, CHAPTER SIX.
The next evening the old woman made her appearance without raising anydifficulty as on the previous day, and took her seat before the pacha,and thus continued:--
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As I stated to your highness last evening when I broke off my narrative,I was in the highest favour with the sultan, who made me his confidant.He had often mentioned to me the distinguished services of a youngseraskier, whom he had lately appointed capitar pacha, to combat in thenorth against a barbarous nation called Sclavonians, or Russians. Mycuriosity was raised to see this rustam of a warrior, for his exploitsand unvaried success were constantly the theme of the sultan'sencomiums. A Georgian slave who had been the favourite previous to myarrival, and who had never forgiven my supplanting her, had been sent tohim by the sultan as a compliment; and this rare distinction had beenconferred upon him on the day when I requested leave to remain behindthe screen in the hall of the divan, that I might behold this celebratedand distinguished person. He was indeed a splendid figure, and his facewas equally perfect. He formed, in outward appearance, all that I couldimagine of a hero. As I looked at him from behind the screen, he turnedhis 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. Delightedat the rencontre, I retired as soon as the audience was over, and thesultan came to my apartment. I told him the discovery which I had made.The sultan appeared pleased at the information; and the next daysending for my brother he asked him a few questions relative to hislineage and former life, which corroborated my story, and loading himwith fresh honours he dismissed him. I was delighted that in finding mybrother I had found one who was not unworthy of the sultan's regard, andI considered it a most fortunate circumstance; but how blind aremortals! My brother was the cause of my disgrace and eternal separationfrom the sultan. I mentioned to your highness that the Georgian slavewho had preceded me in the sultan's favour had been sent as a present tomy brother. This woman, although she had always appeared fond of me,was in fact my most bitter enemy. She was very beautiful and clever,and soon obtained the most unlimited influence over my brother. Yet sheloved him not; she had but one feeling to gratify, which was revenge onme. My brother had so often led the troops to victory, that he hadacquired an unbounded sway over them. Stimulated by their suggestionsand his own ambition, which like mine was boundless, he was at lastinduced to plot against his master, with the intention of dethroning himand reigning in his stead. To his new wife, the Georgian, he hadentrusted his plans, and she resolved to regain the favour of the sultanand accomplish my ruin by making me a party, and then communicating tohim the treason which was in agitation. She proposed to my brother thathe should inform me of his intentions, alleging, that in all probabilityI would assist him, as I cared little for the sultan; and at all eventsif I did not join, my interest might save him from his wrath. For sometime he refused to accede to her suggestions, but as she pointed outthat if the plot were discovered, I, as his sister, would certainlyshare his fate, and that she well knew that I had never forgiven thepunishment of the bastinado which I had received, and only waited for anopportunity to revenge myself, he at last consented to make me a partyto his intentions. My brother had been allowed to visit me, and he tookit opportunity of stating to me his schemes. I started from him withhorror, pointed out to him his ingratitude and folly, and intreated himto abandon his purpose. Convinced that I was firmly attached to thesultan, he appeared to acquiesce in the justice of my remarks, confessedthat he was wrong, and promised me faithfully to think no more of histreacherous designs. I believed him to be sincere, and I shed tears ofjoy as I thanked him for having yielded to my intreaties. 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 alreadytoo deeply involved to be able to do so. His arrangements went onrapidly; and when all was ripe the Georgian gave information to thesultan, denouncing me as a party as well as my brother.
One morning as I was sitting in my apartment, arranging on a tray apresent for my lord and master, I was surprised by the abrupt entranceof the kislar aga, accompanied by guards, who without explanation seizedme, and led me into the presence-chamber, where the sultan and all theofficers of state were assembled. It immediately rushed into my mindthat my brother had deceived me. Pale with anxiety, but at the sametime with a feeling of delight that the plot had been discovered, Ientered the divan, where I beheld my brother in the custody of thepalace guard. He had been seized in the divan, as his popularity was sogreat that a few minutes' notice would have enabled him not only toescape, but to have put his treasonable plans into execution; but hebore himself with such a haughty air, with his arms folded across hisbreast, that I thought he might be innocent; and that he had, as hepromised me, abandoned all thoughts of rebellion.
I turned towards the sultan, who fixed his eyes upon me; his brows wereknit with anger, and he commenced, "Zara, your brother is accused oftreason, which he denies. You, also, are charged with being privy tohis designs. Answer me, do you know any thing 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 thecharge, it was not to be expected that he should be condemned by themouth of his only sister. Perhaps he had, as he had promised me,abandoned his ideas;--perhaps it could not be proved against him. Myanswer would have been the signal for his death. I could not give theanswer required; and I replied, "If my brother be found guilty ofrebelling against his sovereign, let him suffer. I, my lord, have neverplotted or rebelled against you."
"Answer my question, Zara. Do you know any thing about this plot? Yesor no. Say _no_, and I shall believe you."
"Your slave has never plotted against her lord," replied I. "Further Icannot 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 situationfind one who is faithful and true, when Zara, even Zara is false?"
"No--no, my lord," cried I, bursting into tears; "Zara is true;--alwayshas been, always will be, true. _That_ I can boldly answer--but do notpress the other question."
The sultan looked at me for a short time, and then consulted with theviziers and others, who stood by the throne with their arms folded. Thechief vizier replied, "Those who know of treason, and conceal it, areparticipators in the crime."
"True--most true. Zara, for the last time I ask you, what do you knowof this intended insurrection? I must be trifled with no longer. Aplain 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 torepeat the question; but I remained silent.
He waved his hands, I was seized by the mutes, and the bow-stringencircled my neck. All was ready, they awaited but the last signal totighten 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 todeclare my fidelity and my love to you in my last moments, to tell youthat I forgive you for that which, when the truth is known, you willnever forgive yourself. One moment more. Let me remove this jewelledchain from my neck, now superseded by the bowstring. You presented itto me when convinced of my attachment and my love. Take it, sultan, andwhen you find one as faithful and as true, present it to her; but untilyou do so, wear it in memory of Zara. And now let me throw my veil overthose 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 beas you have been used to see them, and not black with convulsions anddistorted with agony. My lord, my dear and honoured lord, farewell!"
The
sultan was deeply moved; he turned away his head, and covered hisface with one hand, while the other dropped at his side from theintensity of his feelings.
Although it never was so intended, this dropping of his hand wasconsidered as the signal for my death. The string was tightened, andburied itself, cutting deeply into the flesh of a neck once as fair andsmooth as the polished marble of Patras. For the first moments mytorture was excruciating--my eyes were forcing out of their sockets--mytongue protruded from my mouth--my brain appeared to be on fire--but allrecollection soon departed.
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"Staffir Allah! God forgive me! but are you not laughing at our beards,old scarecrow? What think you, Mustapha?" continued the pacha, turningto him. "What is all this but _lies_?"
"Lies!" screamed the old woman. "Lies! you tell me they are lies!Well, well--the time has been. Pacha, after what I have suffered bytelling the truth all my life, it is hard, in my old age, to be toldthat I lie: but you shall be convinced;" and the old woman put her handsup to the shrivelled, pendent skin of her neck, and stretching it outsmooth, showed a deep blue mark, which encircled it like a necklace."Now are you satisfied?"
The pacha nodded his head to Mustapha, as if convinced; and then said,"You may proceed."
"Yes, I may proceed; but I tell you pacha, that if you doubt what I sayonce more, I will return your twenty pieces of gold, and hold my tongue.I proved that I could do it as a young woman, and we become moreobstinate as we get old."
"That is no lie," observed Mustapha. "Continue, old woman, and we willnot interrupt you with doubts again."
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My brother, who had watched every motion of the sultan's, and who haddetermined to reveal all rather than that I should suffer, when heperceived the fatal mistake, which he did not till some momentsafterwards, uttered a loud cry, and attempted to burst from his guards.Roused by the cry, the sultan looked up, and perceived what had takenplace. In a moment he darted from his throne, and was kneeling by mewith 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 havegood cause. You have destroyed one who, as she declared with her lastbreath, was most faithful and most true. I acknowledge the conspiracy.I told her my intentions, and she thought that she had succeeded inpreventing me, for I promised by _the three_, to abandon my design. Shehas been faithful both to you and to me, for she believed that, althoughaccused, I had atoned for my fault by repentance."
The sultan looked earnestly at my brother, but made no answer. Heembraced me, at one moment bursting into tears, in the next calling forassistance. I was removed to my apartments, and after some time, thephysicians succeeded in restoring me to life: but I was for many daysconfused and dizzy in the brain, during which every attention and carewas lavished on me. One evening I felt sufficiently recovered to speak,and I demanded of my attendants what had taken place. They informed methat the mutes, who had mistaken the signal, had been impaled, and thatthe janissaries had risen and demanded my brother, whose execution hadbeen deferred by the sultan; but that on the commotion taking place, byorder of the grand vizier, my brother had been executed, and his headthrown out to the rebellious troops, who had then dispersed, and hadsince been brought to subjection, and some hundreds of their ringleadershad been executed. I turned away at this intelligence, for I loved mynoble 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 themirror, and I at once perceived the alteration which had taken place.There was a certain degree of distortion of features which I thoughtwould never be removed. I felt, that although the sultan might respectme, I could not expect the same influence and undivided attention asbefore. With a heavy heart I threw myself on the couch, and planned forthe future. I reflected upon the uncertain tenure by which theaffections of a despot are held--and I resolved to part. Still I lovedhim, loved him in spite of all his cruelty; but my resolution was made.For six weeks I refused to see the sultan, although he inquired everyday, and sent me magnificent presents. At the end of that period I hadrecovered, and all that remained from the effects of the bowstring, wasa slight wrinkling of the skin from distension, and the deep blue markround my neck which I have just shown to your highness.
When I first admitted the sultan, he was much affected. "Zara," said hemournfully, "I swear by the holy Prophet that I meant not to give thesignal."
"I believe you, my lord," replied I calmly.
"Neither did I intend that your brother should suffer. I meant to havegained your favour by his pardon."
"He was a traitor, my lord, an ungrateful traitor, and deserved hisdeath. 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 Irequire."
"I do, by Allah!"
"It is, that you send me back to my own country."
Not to detain your highness by dwelling too long upon what passed, itwill suffice to say, that notwithstanding the intreaties of the sultan,and the pleadings of my own heart, my resolution was immovable. Everyarrangement was made for my departure, and during the preparations, thesultan was continually with me, persuading me to abandon the idea. Themagnificence and liberality which he showed in the costly presentsbestowed upon me, that I might return with honour and wealth to my owncountry, more than once made me waver in my resolution. The eveningbefore my departure he made a last attempt, but in vain. My refusal wasat least softened by the tears which I shed, for now that the time ofdeparture was so near, I felt how truly, how devotedly I was attached tohim. We parted; I threw myself on the couch, and wept till the dawn ofday, when I was summoned to commence my journey.
As your highness may be aware is the custom, when my brother wasexecuted, all his property was seized by the sultan, and distributedamong the favourites. The new capitan pacha who succeeded my brotherwas called Abdallah, and was said to be an excellent soldier. Part ofmy brother's property was made over to him, and among the rest theGeorgian slave, who had been the ruin of my brother, and had so fatallydestroyed my happiness. To show me every attention and respect, thesultan had ordered Abdallah in person to escort me to my own country,with a picked body of cavalry. The cavalcade was magnificent--treasurehad been heaped on treasure--present upon present; twenty women of myown country, and numerous slaves had been permitted to attend upon me,and the procession wore the appearance of a pageant. I ascended mylitter with an aching heart; and, journeying by easy stages, arrived atthe land of my nativity. The borders were passed, and Abdallahrequested me to write an acknowledgment that he had done his duty, whichthe sultan would require of him upon his return. I gave him the paper;and, professing many wishes for my future happiness, he assembled histroops, and the escort turned the heads of their neighing steeds towardsthe city, where my heart had truly been left behind.
It will now be necessary to revert to the Georgian slave, who had beenpresented to my brother by the sultan, and had afterwards been made overto Abdallah. When she heard that I was about to depart for my owncountry, loaded with presents, her rage was without bounds. Already hadher beauty and talents made great impression upon Abdallah, and she soonwon him over to a plot which would be advantageous to him, at the sametime that it would throw me, whom he distrusted, into her power. Sheproposed to Abdallah that, after having escorted me to the frontiers,and received from me the acknowledgment required by the sultan, heshould follow my small escort of slaves, cut them to pieces, takepossession of me and all my treasure, and return with it toConstantinople, where I might be immured in his harem. The avarice ofAbdallah was not able to withstand the temptation; and, aware that therewas no chance of the nefarious transaction
being discovered by thesultan, he agreed to the proposal. On the second night after we hadparted with Abdallah, a body of horsemen galloped down upon us, and allmy attendants, male and female, were massacred. I was seized, put intoa sack, and thrown across a horse; and as soon as the treasure could becollected, they set off at a rapid pace. I was nearly dead when theyhalted, and when I was removed from my painful situation I fainted away.
Abdallah had never seen my face; the soldiers reported me dead, and hewas glad when he heard of it, for it was only to please his wife that hehad promised to bring me back. He walked up to where I lay, and was,even in my miserable situation, enamoured with my beauty. His heartacknowledged that I was the most valuable of all his plunder. Everycare and attention was bestowed upon me; and after several hours' halt,to allow me to refresh myself, I was placed in a small litter, and ourjourney recommenced. He was studious to obtain my favour: at first Ispurned him, but when he told me that the Georgian slave had instigatedhim to the deed, and had insisted that he should bring me back, I wellknew for what purpose, and thought only of revenge. I feigned to beless averse to him, and before our journey was over, had used all mypowers of fascination with triumphant success. At last our weariedhorses arrived at Stamboul, and after waiting in the suburbs till theevening closed in, that the cavalcade might not attract attention, itproceeded to the house of Abdallah, and I was once more in the precinctsof a harem. The Georgian slave hastened to meet me, when she wasinformed of our arrival, and taking off her slipper, she struck mecontemptuously on the mouth, with such force as to cause the blood toflow. "Now sultana," cried she, "the day is mine; again shall youreceive the bastinado. Ay, and again shall the bowstring be applied toyour proud neck--and more effectually than before." She then orderedher slaves to strip me, and put on the meanest attire. When that wasdone, she spat in my face, and left me without speaking; but theflashing of her eyes gave evidence of the fiery passions which wereraging in her bosom.
In the mean time Abdallah had proceeded to the palace, to present to thesultan the document proving my safe arrival, and having so done, hehastened back to his own house. As soon as he entered the harem,instead of visiting the Georgian slave, who had arrayed herself for hisreception, he inquired of the astonished women in which chamber I hadbeen accommodated. They hesitatingly replied, pointing it out to him.He entered, and found me clothed in a slave's dress, with my facecovered with blood. When I stated the treatment I had received, and thefurther threat of the bastinado and the bowstring, his rage was beyondall bounds. Ordering all the women to attend me, he quitted me, that Imight resume my own dress, intimating that he hoped that I would allowhim to sup with me that evening. My desire for revenge induced me togrant his request, and he quitted the harem to look after the treasureof which I had been robbed.
In the mean time, the other women had communicated to the Georgian slaveall that had occurred, and she was frantic at the information. Fearfulof her, I kept my door fast until the arrival of Abdallah, who sent toinquire whether I would receive him. He was admitted, and againexpressed his indignation at the conduct of my rival, offering, as aproof of his attachment, to abandon her to my resentment. I had no timefor reply before the door was burst open, the Georgian flew in and aimedher 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 hedashed her on the floor. Pale with rage and pain he called his people."She threatened you, Zara, with the bastinado and the bowstring. Shehas sealed her own doom."
By his orders her slippers were torn off, and she received fifty blowsof the bastinado; then, as she screamed with pain, and held up her handsfor mercy, the mutes were summoned, and the bowstring was applied. Myrevenge was more than satiated, and I covered up my eyes that I mightnot be a witness to the dreadful spectacle. When I removed my hands, Ifound Abdallah only in the apartment, and my rival lying a blackenedcorpse 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 Icould not return his love, was not deficient in gratitude. At last asecond war broke out between the Turks and Russians, and Abdallah wasordered to put himself at the head of his troops, and drive the invadersback to their regions of frost and snow. As was the custom with Turkishcommanders, all his harem accompanied him, and after travelling aboutfrom one territory to another, sometimes in pursuit of, and at othersretreating before the enemy's forces, we were shut up in the fortress ofIsmael, with orders to defend it to the last.
I shall not weary your highness with a detail of what occurred. I shallonly say, that after the town had been nearly reduced to ashes, by theshells and shot, which had set fire to it at least one hundred times, itwas taken by storm, with immense slaughter. We sat in our apartments,listening with terror to the alternate shouting and shrieking--the noiseof the bursting of the shells, the whizzing of the balls, the cries ofthe wounded, and the terrific roaring of the flames, which were nowconsuming the whole town in their fury. At last our doors were burstopen, and the enemy entered. We screamed, and would have fled, but invain. What became of the rest I know not, but I was dragged over thedead and the dying, through smoke and through flame, until I faintedaway with terror and exhaustion. When I recovered, I found myself in ahut, lying on a small bed, and attended by two bearded monsters, whom Iafterwards discovered were Cossacks. They were chafing my limbs withtheir rough hands, without the least regard for decorum. As soon as Iopened my eyes, one of them poured a little spirits down my throat, andwrapping me up in a horse-cloth, they left me--to meditate upon mymisfortunes.
I discovered that evening that I had, by the fortune of war, become theproperty of a Russian general, who had no time for making love. Withhim it was all ready made, as a matter of course. Still he was ahandsome man, and when not tipsy, was good-humoured and generous; butthe bivouacs, even of a general, were very different from the luxuriesto which I had been accustomed. I lived badly, and was housed worse.It so unfortunately happened, that my protector was a great gambler, asindeed are all Russians; and one morning to my surprise, a handsomeyoung officer came into the tent, and the general very unceremoniouslyhanded me over to him. My beauty had been made known in the camp, andthe Russian general, having the night before lost all his money, hadstaked me for one thousand sequins, and had lost. My new master was acareless, 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 threeweeks, before I was again gambled away, and lost to a major. I hadhardly time to make myself comfortable in my new abode, when I wasstaked and lost again. In short, your highness, in that campaign I wasthe property of between forty and fifty Russian officers; and what withthe fatigue of marching, the badness of provisions, and my constantunsettled 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 onethousand sequins, I was not valued at more than two hundred. I canassure your highness that it is no joke to go through a Russian camp inthat way--to be handed about like a purse of money, out of one man'spocket 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 Turkisharmy might rout them, and I could find myself once more in a harem. Itwas then that I first lamented over my hard fate, and that of thesultan. It was then that I first used the expression, when I thought ofmy condition, and that I said to myself, "The time has been."
At last the army was ordered to march back, and being then the propertyof a Cossack, he put me on a pony, and made me keep up with thesquadron, driving me before him with his long spear, sometimes stickingthe point into the rear of the pony, and sometimes into me, by way of ajoke. But I had not been more than ten days on the retreat, before hesold me, pony, bridle, saddle, altogether, as a bargain, to an infantryofficer, 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
tailand 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 towalk after him, as before. This was hard service for one who had beenthe favourite of the sultan. For a week I contrived to hobble afterhim, but it was impossible to go on any longer. We passed through atown, 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. Iregained the town, and faint with hunger and fatigue, sat at the stepsof a large house. A lady, dressed in rich furs and sables, came out,and perceiving that my dress was foreign, stopped, and inquired of mewho I was. I told her in a few words: she ordered me to be received andtaken care of. A few days afterwards she sent for me, and I thennarrated to her my history. She was kind and generous, and I became herhead attendant; I was contented and happy, and hoped to die in herservice. But my misfortunes were not half over. My mistress was a ladyof rank, and much esteemed. Her house was always full of company: shewas rich, and gave most splendid entertainments. Her husband had beendead about two years, but she was still very young, and exceedinglybeautiful. One evening, when there was a large party assembled in herrooms, the door was opened, and an officer came up to her and whisperedin her ear. She coloured, trembled, and said that she would be ready inan hour. I was near her at the time; she beckoned to me, hastened toher room, and burst into a flood of tears.
"I am ordered to Petersburgh immediately, on a charge of treason. Myconscience tells me that I have done nothing: but, alas! for me, theemperor 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 withoutdisturbing those who were enjoying themselves we gained the court-yard,and took our seats in a britska, in company with the officer. In fourdays we arrived at Petersburgh, and my mistress was separated from meand thrown into prison. She never saw her accusers or her judges; hermemorial to the emperor was disregarded, and she was condemned--but herpunishment was not immediately decided upon.
For three weeks my mistress remained in prison. I was, by the humanityof the officer, who had the charge of her, allowed to visit her for afew minutes every day, but it was always in the presence of a thirdperson. One morning when I came, the poor lady fell upon my neck andsobbed a long while without speaking; the countenance of the officer wasalso melancholy to a degree, and I perceived that a tear occasionallytrickled down his manly cheek.
"Ekaterina," said she, at last, "I have heard my sentence, and am to bepunished 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 bepunished to-morrow for a crime of which I am innocent--a punishment--Godhave mercy!--worse than death. The knout--the knout--and that attendedwith public exposure in the market-place. May God forgive the emperorhis cruelty!"
I had heard of this dreadful punishment, but little thought that womensuffered by it. It was too barbarous.
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"I have not heard of it," said the pacha. "Tell me, old woman, is itworse than the bastinado?"
"Yes, your highness. It is a whip of enormous power, so that if theexecutioner has a private order, he can kill the party on whom it isinflicted by two or three blows; but your highness will bettercomprehend the nature of the punishment when I describe what Iwitnessed."
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My dear mistress begged me, as a favour, that I would attend her to theplace 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 wasto be inflicted in the great square, and the troops were out, and alarge concourse of people were assembled. She appeared on the raisedplatform upon which she was to suffer, in a genteel undress, whichcontributed still more to heighten her extreme beauty. The sweetness ofher countenance obtained for her the commiseration of those who wereordered and accustomed to execute the will of the despotic and cruelemperor. Young, lively, and admired, sought for, and caressed by everybody, high in rank, and rich in, worldly wealth, she stood, no longersurrounded by the attentions and homage due to her talents, her beauty,and her wit, but surrounded only by stern executioners. She looked atthem with astonishment, seeming to doubt if such preparations could beintended for her. One of the executioners then pulled off a kind offurred tippet which covered her bosom; her modesty taking the alarm,made her start back a few steps; she turned pale, and burst into tears.Her clothes were soon afterwards all stripped off, and in a few momentsshe was all naked to the waist, exposed to the looks of a vastmultitude, who were all profoundly silent. One of the executioners thenseized 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 ofremorse, adjusted her on the back of his companion in a posture mostconvenient for her to receive her punishment. Sometimes he pressed hislarge 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 heruntil he had fixed her in a favourable attitude. He then took theknout, a whip made of a long strip of leather, prepared for the purpose;he retreated a few steps, measuring the requisite distance with a steadyeye, and looking backwards, gave a stroke with the end of the whip, soas 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 secondblow, parallel to the former, so that in a few moments all the skin ofher back was cut away in small slips, most of which remained hanging toher shift and dress below. I fainted with horror long before thepunishment was over. "Good heavens!" thought I, "I have suffered thebastinado and the bowstring, but both were merciful compared to this.Is there no God in heaven to punish such despotic cruelty?" My mistresswas 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 theemperor in some measure made amends for his barbarity. But, God inheaven! she was restored to life that she might be more cruellypunished; for no sooner was she able to bear this infliction, than theycut 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 toher latter punishment, and she fancied, poor thing, that the emperor'swrath had been appeased, and that she would have been permitted toreturn home, but her tongue was cut out without her receiving anywarning of the second punishment which awaited her, and after that I wasrefused admittance, and I never saw my beautiful and ill-treatedmistress any more. It was from the officer who had the charge of herthat I learnt this cruel intelligence, and I went back to my lodgingswith a heart bursting with grief and indignation.
I was resolved that, if possible, I would escape from a country wherewomen's tongues were cut out; but how to manage it I knew not. I hadstill some money and valuables, which had been left in my possession bymy unfortunate mistress, and I made inquiry about the means ofproceeding to Constantinople, where, at least, I should be in acivilised country. At last a Jew, who heard that I wished to go to thesouthward, offered to take me with him as soon as the snow was on theground, for which I bargained to pay five hundred roubles. In afortnight the winter had set in, and we got into a drotski, and wentaway. We arrived at Moscow, and from thence we at last gainedConstantinople. On my arrival I selected my luggage, that I might paythe sum agreed; but it was snatched from me by the old rascal, whosaluted me with a kick in the body which half killed me. I was lockedup in a room, and in half an hour a slave merchant came, and I was soldfor a low sum and taken away, remonstrating in vain against theinjustice. My beauty was now gone, I was more than th
irty years old,and hardship had done the rest.
My subsequent life has been nothing but a series of changes anddisasters. I was sold to a pastry-cook, and broiled by standing overthe oven. I grew obstinate and was punished by blows, but for those Icared not. The pastry was burnt, and I was resold to a barber, whosewife was a shrew, and half killed me; fortunately the barber was accusedof shaving a criminal, who had escaped from prison, and one morning wasstretched out before his own door, with his head under his arm. Hiswife and I were both sold again as slaves.
Thus did I go down hill each year, fetching less and less, and receivingworse treatment, until I was embarked with several others by anArmenian, who was bound to Smyrna. The vessel was captured by anAlgerine pirate, and for a long while I was kept on board to cook theirvictuals. At last she was wrecked on this coast; how I escaped I knownot, for I was weary of life. But I was thrown up, and made my way tothis place--where I have for many years lived in company with an oldwretch like myself, supplicating alms. He died about a year ago, andleft me in the hovel by myself. I still beg for my subsistence; andnow, pacha, you have my story, and I think you will acknowledge that Imay well say that "_Time has been_."
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"It is your kismet, your destiny, good woman. There is but one God, andMahomet 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 easily imagined the rest; and she had heard the reply of thepacha.
"And now, pacha, before I quit your presence, as I have enjoyed yourbounty, I will, with your permission, offer you a piece of advice,which, from my knowledge of the world and of people's countenances, maybe 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 thatin 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 suspiciousnature; and Mustapha looked any thing but innocent.
"Doth my lord give ear to a lying tongue of an old woman?" saidMustapha, prostrating himself. "Hath not your slave proved himselffaithful? Am not I as dust in thy presence? Take my life, O pacha! butdoubt not the fidelity of thy slave."
The pacha seemed pacified. "What is all this but bosh, nothing?" saidhe, rising and quitting the apartment.
"Bosh!" muttered Mustapha. "The cursed old hag! I know better--thereis no time to lose--I must be quick. When will that renegade returnfrom Stamboul? it is time." And Mustapha, with a gloomy countenance,quitted the divan.
VOLUME THREE, CHAPTER SEVEN.
Although the pacha, with the usual diplomacy of a Turk, had, so far fromexpressing his displeasure against Mustapha, treated him with more thanusual urbanity, he had not forgotten the advice of the old woman.Suspicion once raised was not to be allayed, and he had consulted withhis favourite wife, Fatima. A woman is a good adviser on cases of thisdescription. The only danger which could threaten the pacha was fromthe imperial court at Stamboul, for the troops were devoted to him, andthe people of the country had no very serious cause of complaint. Bythe advice of the favourite, the pacha sent as a present to Mustapha ayoung and handsome Greek girl, but she was a spy in the service of thefavourite, and had been informed that the vizier had been doomed. Shewas to discover, if she could, whether there was any intercourse betweenthe renegade, who commanded the fleet, and the vizier, as from thatquarter alone danger could be anticipated. The Greek had not been aweek in the harem of Mustapha, before she ascertained more than wassufficient. The fleet had been sent to Constantinople, with presents tothe sultan from the pacha, and its return was hourly expected.
It was on the afternoon of this eventful day that the fleet hove insight, and lay becalmed a few miles in the offing. Mustapha hastened toreport it to the pacha, as he sat in his divan, hearing complaints, andgiving judgment, although not justice. Now when the pacha heard thatthe fleet had returned, his heart misgave him, and the more so, asMustapha was more obsequious and fawning than ever. He retired for ashort time from the divan, and hastened to his favourite, Fatima.
"Pacha," said she, "the fleet has arrived, and Mustapha has alreadycommunicated with the renegade. Depend upon it you are lost, if you donot forestall them. Lose no time. But stop," said she, "do not alarmthe renegade by violence to Mustapha. To-morrow the fleet will anchor,and if there is mischief, it will not arrive until to-morrow--but thisevening, you will as usual send for coffee, while you smoke and listento the tales which you delight in. Drink not your coffee, for thereshall be death in it. Be all smiles and good humour, and leave me tomanage the rest."
The pacha smoothed his brow and returned to the divan. Businessproceeded as usual, and at length the audience was closed. The pachaappeared to be in high good humour, and so was the vizier.
"Surely," said Mustapha, when the pipes were brought, "his imperialhighness, the sultan, will have sent you some mark of his distinguishedfavour."
"God is great, and the sultan is wise," replied the pacha. "I have beenthinking so too, Mustapha. Who knows but that he may add to theterritory under my sway by another pachalik?"
"I dreamt as much," replied Mustapha, "and I am anxious that therenegade should come on shore; but it is now dark, and he will not leavehis 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 notindulge this evening in the water of the Giaour."
"What saith Hafiz? It is for wine to exalt men, and raise them beyonduncertainty and doubt. It overfloweth us with courage, and impartsvisions of bliss."
"Wallah thaib, it is well said, Mustapha," said the pacha, taking a cupof coffee, presented by the Greek slave.
Mustapha also received his cup. "My heart is light this evening," saidthe pacha, laying down his pipe, "let us drink deep of the forbiddenjuice. Where is it, Mustapha?"
"It is here," replied the vizier, drinking off his coffee; while thepacha watched him from the corner of his small grey eye. And Mustaphaproduced the spirits, which were behind the low ottoman upon which hewas seated.
The pacha put aside his coffee, and drank a large draught. "God isgreat; drink, Mustapha," said he, handing him the bottle.
Mustapha followed the example of the pacha. "May it please yourhighness," said Mustapha, "I have without a man, who they say hathstories to recount more delightful than those of Menouni. Hearing thathe passed through this city, I have detained him, that he might affordamusement to your highness, whose slave I am. Is it your pleasure thathe be admitted?"
"Let it be so," replied the pacha.
Mustapha gave the sign, and to the surprise of the pacha, in came therenegade, commander of the fleet, accompanied by guards and thewell-known officer of the caliph, the _Capidji Bachi_, who held up afirman 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?" exclaimedthe pacha with emotion.
"The sultan, the Lord of Life, has sent this to you, O pacha! as a proofof his indulgence and great mercy." And the capidji bachi produced asilken bowstring, and at the same time he handed the fatal scroll to thepacha.
"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 softenhim by presents."
But Mustapha had no such fellow feeling. "O pacha!" replied he, "whocan dispute the will of heaven's vice-gerent? There is but one God andMahomet is his Prophet
."
"I will dispute it," exclaimed the pacha. "Go out, and call mytrustiest guards."
Mustapha left the divan, and returned with the mutes and some of theguards, who had been suborned by himself.
"Traitor," exclaimed the pacha.
"La Allah, il Allah; there is but one God," said Mustapha.
The pacha saw that he was sacrificed. He read the firman, pressed it tohis forehead, in token of obedience, and prepared for death. Thecapidji bachi produced another firman, and presented it to Mustapha. Itwas to raise him to the pachalik.
"Barik Allah, praise be to God for all things," humbly observedMustapha. "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 he less--but you have swallowed the coffee."
The mutes tightened the string. In a minute a cloak was thrown over thebody of the pacha.
"The coffee," muttered Mustapha, as he heard the pacha's last words. "Ithought 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 ofthe new pacha, were absorbed by fear and dismay.
The capidji bachi, having performed his duty, withdrew. "And now,"exclaimed the renegade, "let me have my promised reward."
"Your reward--true. I had forgotten," replied Mustapha, as the painoccasioned by the working of the poison distorted his face. "Yes, I hadforgotten," continued Mustapha, who, certain that his own end wasapproaching, was furious as a wild beast, with pain and baffledambition. "Yes, I had forgotten. Guards, seize the renegade!"
"They must be quicker than you think for," replied Huckaback, dartingfrom the guards and drawing his scimitar, while, with his fingers in hismouth, he gave a shrill whistle. In rushed a large body of the soldiersand sailors of the fleet, and the guards were disarmed. "Now, pacha ofone 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 Mustaphaexpired.
"The old fool has saved me some trouble," observed the renegade. "Takeaway these carcases, and proclaim Ali, as the new pacha."
Thus perished the two barbers, and thus did Huckaback, under the name ofAli, reign in their stead. But his reign, and how long it lasted, isone of the many tales not handed down to posterity.
THE END.
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