The Sun.
London, England, 1844-06-24 00:00:00

AN EXECUTION IN BARBARY

As we hastened towards the party, we perceived
they had two prisoners, who were secured with ropes
fastened round their arms and waist. I recognised
one of them to be a native of Reef, who had formerly
been a gardener in the service of one of my friends at
Tangier. He was a fine, tall, handsome youth, and
his countenance was far from indicating anything
vicious and depraved. Having joined them, I in-
quired of the kaid of the soldiers what was the cause
of these men being led as prisoners.
" The Sultan—may God prolong his life !" said he,
" has ordered that their heads be cut off; they have
been carrying on a contraband trade in oxen on the
coast of Reef with the infidel Spaniards."
" This, indeed," I replied, " is a severe punishment
for such a crime; and if it be intended as a warning
to others, why prevent the people of Tangier from
witnessing it?" _ _

" Reason not with me, Nazarene," said the kaid ;
" I have my orders, and shall soon obey them."
The Jewish slaughter-ground had been selected
as the spot for the execution. There we found a •
depraved looking Moor, dressed as a butcher, hold-
ing in his hand a small knife, about half a foot long.
This man, we were informed, was the executioner ; he
was a stranger, and had been hired to act on this oc-
casion; for the Mahomedan butchers of Tangier, who
are the persons constrained to perform such service
when a regular executioner cannot be found, had
taken refuge in the sanctuary of Mesmoody ; and had
it not been for this person offering his services, the
authorities would have been much perplexed how "to
obey the mandate of the Sultan ; though the com-
mander of the troops, when informed by the Go.
vernor of the difficulty, drew his sword, and ex-
claimed, " Let the criminals be brought to me, and I
shall always be found ready to execute the orders of
the prince of believers, be they what they may."
A morbid curiosity chained me to the spot, al-
though I foresaw that I should have to witness a most
horrid scene.

Some wrangling now ensued between the Kaid'a
soldiers and the executioner as to the reward which
the latter was to receive for decapitating the poor
wretches, who all the time were standing by, com-
pelled to listen to the bartering for their blood. The
butcher insisted that four dollars had been of-
fered him for one head alone, and that he must
have a second four for the other. The kaid
unwillingly yielded the point, and immediately the
first victim, who was already half dead with terror,
was thrown down on the ground by the
executioner, who, kneeling on his breast, put the knife
to his throat. I turned away, a violent struggle en-
sued, and I heard the executioner say, Give me
another knife ; mine won't cut.' I looked round ; the
wretched man was lying with his throat half cut,
his breast heaving, and every limb writhing !
companion now loudly reproached the party for their
cold-blooded atrocity, and called upon them to put the
suffering man out of his misery. After a time another
knife was handed by a soldier to the executioner, and
the head was severed.

The soldiers shouted feebly, " May God ptolong the
life of our Sultan !" though I observed that many of
them were as much horrified as ourselves.

I remained riveted on the spot, while yet another
victim awaited his fate. This was the fine-looking
fellow of whom I have spoken : again there took place
a bartering for his blood ; the kaid denying his last
promise, and declaring that he would not give even
the four dollars unless the head of the second criminal
was cut off. To this the executioner was at length
forced to consent. The culprit now begged to be
untied. This request being acceded to, he took off his
performed
" AcCept
gtheilsabla,satnadetgoivfinkginidtnteossththewsoarlddiserhwimh,o
shadaid,
this '• we shall yet meet in another world." His tur-
ban he threw to another, who had uttered a word of
pity, instead of joining in the insulting shout of the
soldiery; and walking steadily to the spot where his
companion lay, he cried out with a distinct voice,
There is no God but God, and Mahomet is his pro-
phet.'"fhen turning to the executioner, he loosened
his girdle, and gave it to him, saying, " For the love
of God,
sever my head with better dispatch than you
did that of my
brother." He laid himself flat on the
ground, yet moist with blood; and the knee of the
ruffiian, for so he deserved to be called, was placed on
the Reefian's breast. A horseman was now seta
galloping towards the party.
" A reprieve !" shouted my friend. " Stop! stop P'
The executioner withheld his knife.
" It is only the son of the Governor," exclaimed a
soldier; "he is coming to see the execution. Wait
for him." _ _

....
I rushed away in horror ; and soon afterwards wss
saw the soldiers bearing in their hands the two bleed..
ing heads.—Western Barbary, by J. D. Hay.

THE CONGREGATIONAL EDUCATION MOVEMENT.—.
Meetings have this week been held at Bradford, Leeds.
Halifax, and Huddersfield, to carry forward this move-
ment. They have been attended by Charles Hindley,
Esq., M.P. and the Rev. Dr. Reed, as a deputation from
London, and the ministers and leading members of the.
body have assisted. At Bradford the noble amount of
3,700/. has already been raised ; and as one chapel has
not commenced its subscription, the sum is expected tos
reach not less than 5,000/. At Leeds only one congrega-•
tion has yet made any regular effort, namely, that of
East Parade Chapel, which hasraised 1.0001. ; the,
amount of 1801. has been promised in Queen-street Chu-%
pel, but this is only a beginning. In Belgrave and Saw.
lem Chapels nothing is yet done. At Halifax, the very
handsome sum of 2,030/. was announced at the meeting_
We have not yet heard the amount at Huddersfield.,
where a meeting was held last night.—Leeds Mercury.