Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-08-06
SATURDAY. NOR2I1N1ao AUGUST g. 1885,

they tied the prisoners arms behind
him, and pressed him into kneeling
posture: and large African came for
ward, and his eyes rolled white, and he
raised the shining blade, and the hid
eous head fell to the death-stroke.
and sea-water was thrown upon the
bloody spot; and the huge body was
cast into the ocean, and the fierce head
stuck upon fixed spike on the deck.
and all dispersed, and washed their
hands, and gathered round the mats
and trays, I'D dir :, their hands into
their me:- 3 ughed as they look
ed up at thSS~ airing. 8
dering thoughps, .sastice had been de-
layed; but the eye of Heaven had fol-
lowed the shedder of blood. Punish
ment had, like a bloodhound with a
wounded limb, tracked him unceasing-
ly, and found him in den among vi
client and cruel spirits, like his own,
where he had thought himself secure.
Nothing had more astonished me, than
the suddenness of the execution; scarce
two minutes elapsed from the waive OF
the Rails hand to the death, and there
was no imploring, no struggle. Still as
a forest beast, encircled by dreaded fire
he kneeled mechanically to the pres
sing hand, and gave his bowed neck to
the expected sword"
Our other illustration shall be taken
from the sequel to the incident to which
we have already alluded, the hero's sud-
den conversion, and it will show how
well acquainted the author is with ORR
entail manners. He is in Cairo, having
lost his Selma an only child by the
plague, and despairing in consequence
of his apostacy.
walked about haggard in the be.
zesteins.-One day as was returning
Komewards, not week after the death
of Henry, saw crowd with anxious
faces, hurrying towards the place OF
the Pacha. Turks, Arabs, and Greeks,
were all mixed together; but there were
more Greeks than l ever remember,
on any other occasions, to have seen as
sembled in public at Cairo. The Turks
and Arabs were talking loud and hoarse,
and looking savage at the Greeks; these
last were grave and sad; yet l thought
there was an air of triumph about them,
melancholy and mournful, but still of
triumph; such as that with which con-
quering soldiers look upon their own
slain and wounded.
"In the middle of the crowd I now
discovered the object Of their interest;
fine tall young man, with one ofthose
pure Grecian faces, which have certain
ly more digni6ed and more beautiful
expression than the features of any
other race on earth. He was clad in
the habit of a monk, and he was now
on his way to Turkish Judge, to de-
clare his resolution rather to die a
Christian than to live on as an apostate,
The Turkish Judge was in the court
yard of the palace, and, mounted on
his gray mule, was just coming forth
after an interview with the Pacha. He
silen ced the reviling crowd, and en-
deavoured to reason the unfortunate
out Of his extraordinary purpose. |
pressed near; and looked steadily and
eagerly on the offered victim. He lif-
ted his eyes, and fixed it calmly on the
venerable looking Turk.
81 come said he, from the desert
Of Sinai. For months have l tasted
on that holy mountain, in preparation
for this hour, The rock my bed; the
water of that scanty rill, from which
the forty martyrs drank, and the daily
dole of the convent-beans, my only sub
sistence. 1 have prayed to my often
ded saints for strength to bear this
hour. l am ready
"The Judge evidently wished to save
his life; he remanded him to his
dungeon, for he was already surren.
dered prisoner. / followed him back
to the spot where the prison stood! all
the way he was repeating aloud his
firm resolve, and declaring his eager,
ness to suffer. returned home, and
all night thought with admiration on
this noble young Greek. | too, resol.
we'd like him to abjure the faith OF Ma
homed, and to ask the blow of the e1-
ecutioner. Yet, as l walked my cham.
Der, L, that had already c1rted death:
that had embraced the c6fpse spotted
with the pestiIence, that had opened
my vein for the black poison, and bade
| it mingle with my healthful blood, If
the sincere desire that 1t might corrupt
what is the life; l felt that l shud
| dered at the idea of a martyrs death.
81 threw myself down, aud tried the
prayer of preparation: itwould mo-
come. l could shape no form ofwords
my heart could conceive no prayer m,
minds eye saw nothing bright or hope
fulin the dreadful future; and my fiesh
nv coward flesh, trembled.
aIrose with the dawn and went out
J Ihastened to the prison; the execution