robbers attack the caravans unawares and kill and plunder them. A corsair from Tunis attacked the little vessel, which the storm had separated from the greater ships; it was captured, and the whole crew taken to Algiers and sold. Almansor's slavery was not so cruel as that of the Christians, because he was a true Mussulman. Notwithstanding, however, all hope of seeing his home and his father again had vanished. He lived there for five years with a rich man, watering his flowers and cultivating his garden, when suddenly the rich man died without heirs, his property was divided, his slaves scattered, and Almansor fell into the hands of a slave-dealer. The latter was at this time fitting out a ship in order to dispose of his slaves elsewhere at a higher price. I chanced to be one of this dealer's slaves, and was taken upon the same ship where Almansor was. We there became acquainted, and he there related to me his wonderful adventures. But when we landed, I was a witness of Allah's most wonderful dispensation. It was the shore of his native land where we landed from the ship; it was the market-place of his paternal town where we were sold publicly; and O Master! in short it was his own, his beloved father who bought him! The Sheik Ali Banu had sunk into deep thought at this story; it had involuntarily carried him away from himself; his breast heaved, his eye glowed, and he was often about to interrupt the young slave. The conclusion of the story, however, did not seem to satisfy him. "He might be now about twenty-one years old, did you say?" he thus commenced to ask. "Master, he is my age; from one to two-and-twenty old." years "And what was the name of the town he said was his native town, which you have not told us yet?' "If I mistake not," replied the other, "it was Alexandria." "Alexandria ! exclaimed the Sheik; "it is my son! what has become of him? Did you not say his name was Kairam? Has he dark eyes and brown hair?" "He has; and in familiar hours he called himself Kairam and not Almansor." 66 But, Allah! Allah! did you tell me his father bought him in your presence? Did he assure you that it was his father? Well, then, it cannot be my son after all." Once The slave answered: "He said to me. Allah be praised: after such a protracted misfortune; this is the market-place of my native town.' A few moments later, however, a distinguished man came round the corner, when he cried: 'Oh, what a precious gift of heaven are the eyes! more I see again my venerable father!' The man, however, approached us, looked at one, looked at another, and bought at last the one to whom all this has happened. He then called on Allah, uttered an ardent prayer of thanksgiving, and whispered to me: 'I now enter again the gates of my fortune, for it is my own father who has bought me.' "Then it is not my son, my Kairam!" said the Sheik, moved with pain. The young man thereupon was no longer able to restrain himself. Tears of joy rolled from his eyes, he prostrated himself before the Sheik, and exclaimed: “And yet it is your son, Kairam Almansor; for it is you who have bought him." 66 Allah, Allah! a miracle, a great miracle! those present, and hastened up. 66 exclaimed The Sheik, however, stood speechless, and looked in surprise, at the young man who lifted up his handsome face to him. My friend Mustapha !" said the Sheik to the old dervish; a veil of tears is drawn across my eyes, which prevents me from seeing whether the features of his mother, which my Kairam bore, are engraven on his face come here and look at him.” 66 ; The old man approached, looked at him for a long time, put his hand upon the young man's forehead, and said: Kairam, what was the maxim which I told you on the day of your misfortune when you were taken into the camp of the Franks?" "My dear teacher," replied the young man, whilst drawing the old man's hands to his lips, "it was: If any one loves Allah and has a good conscience, he is never alone in the desert of misfortune, for he has two companions who walk by his side and comfort him.” The old man thereupon lifted up his eyes towards heaven in a thankful manner, drew the young man up to his breast and gave him to the Sheik, saying: "Take him ; for as surely as you have mourned for him ten years, so surely is he your son Kairam.” The Sheik was beside himself with joy and delight; he again and again gazed on the features of him who had been found again, and unmistakably he recognised his son's image such as he had lost him. All present shared his joy, for they loved the Sheik, and every one amongst them felt as if a son had been born to him that day. Song and merriment now again resounded in his hall just as in the days of fortune and joy. Once more had the young man to relate his story, but more fully; and all praised the Arabian professor and the emperor and all those who had interested themselves on Kairam's behalf. All remained together until late at night, and when they left, the Sheik loaded every one of his friends richly with gifts, that he might always remember this day of rejoicing. The four young men, however, were introduced to his son, who invited them to always visit him; and it was a settled thing that he was to read with the scribe, undertake little journeys with the painter, to share song and dance with the merchant, and the other was to cater for their amusements. They too were richly loaded with gifts, and cheerfully left the Sheik's house. "To whom do we owe all this," they said amongst themselves; "to whom else than the old man? Who would have thought this at the time when we stood before this house and found fault with the Sheik?" "And how easily it might have occurred to us to disregard the teachings of the old man," said another, "or perhaps mock him, for he looked very ragged and poor; and who would have thought that this was the wise Mustapha? "And how wonderful! Was it not here where we expressed our wishes," said the scribe, "when one wanted to travel, another to sing and dance, the third to enjoy good company, and I to read and hear stories; and have not all our wishes been fulfilled? Am I not allowed now to read all the Sheik's books and buy what I like ?" "And am I not permitted to order his table and cater for all his greatest pleasures and be present as well?" said the other. "And I? As often as my heart desires, to hear song and music, or to have a dance, can I not indulge myself, and ask for his slaves?" "And I!" exclaimed the painter; "until this day I was poor, and was unable to leave the town, but now I may travel wherever I like." "Yes," they all said, "it was after all a good thing we followed the old man; for who knows what would have become of us?" Thus they spoke, and cheerfully and happily departed to their homes. |