Virginia statesman. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1828-1829, 1828-05-14
NO. 20.

hands, unable 10 proceed, ms voice died upon
his lips.
Tie king interogated him, but unable to speak
Seco replied for hIm
"King of Dahomai,' said he 'thou seest before
thee wretch who, hurried away by an unlawful
passion penetrated last night into the Seraglio.
He who now has brought me before thee, had been
so long my friend that did not hesitate to confde
my secret to him. But zeal for thy service has
made him treacherous 10 friendship lie surprs-
ed me sleeping, and binding NE as you see con-
Quoted me hither, TO receive has recompense. Give
him his reward.
The king without deigning to reply, beckoned
TO one of his ministers who seized Selco and de-
yered him to the female guards and gave the four
hundred ounces Of gold 10 rELoSE. The latter
took the money that chilled him with horror TO
touch, and purchasing some provisions, FASTENED
precipitaiey from the city TO carry the food bought
by brother blood 10 his furnishing mother
Already by the order of the monarch they pro-
pared the means, used in Juida for Furnishing
adulterers.
TWO large bitches are dug at little distance
apart In one Is placed the fdithless wife, ned 10
a stake; and all the women of the Seraglio, army
ed in their finest habits, carving vases of boiling
water upon their heads, advancing IA measured
steps 10 the sound Of flutes and tabOrs, and throW-
ing II upon the head of the poor victim, until She
has expired.
The other contains a pile Of wood, above h.ch,
across two iron bars, Is laid the other criminal AZ
such height that when the pile Is lighted the exc
tremity Of the flames only reach hmm, that his
toments may be prouacted for a long period
The place was filled with spectators. The sol
diers of Audat under arms, formed O square bait
TALON brstlmg with gun, aud spears. The priests
no their ritual yestsments attended, 90 oy their
hands upon the culprts, and devote tici, % de d.
The unfortunate pair approached 40 dnci,u, ldes,
led by the female warriors. Selco, calm aud re-
signed. marched with head erect and am step.
! Coming near the PIT he could not refrain from
casting his eyes towards the companion Of ms ffC.
! What was his surprise what WAS b'- ieG p ie-
cognzmg Berissa! Offering 81 shrek he
endevoured to spring iowards be- hi- e2ecu-
TONERS restrained HIM. IujIgato. ., .ce
10 his first movement "lnicuuu. .,.- 3 am
said he inwardy. sWhIlst / wepi lor he,. whilst
sought 10 die, in the hope ofrcjomug hel 600 ano'h-
er world she was among the yile lisucs.c s of
usurper --contendng lor the hct. OF urnt.
| Not satisfied with disregading thc vs of cler-
nal love made to me- she WAS yet o." aliul io her
maSterl Perideous y oman Sheu,it ihe1runo
of aduress, and the punishment .i., ava,,s her.
/ o. my mother, u Is for YOU apL. dIe--li .s Of
you alone that | would think'
At the same instant the mf.nu e. Bclissl zee
ing Selico, pierced the AR wit, rei cles called
the priests towards her, and dcc.aied in loud
voice, that he who was 90 peri-h ,th hc. is
not the person who proiaued the Ser4go she
swore by the face Of heWen b} its thunder by
every thing that was sacred hu s. as NOT thc cul-
/ prit inundated by her earue,incss ulo lucst5
suspended the punishment and haslencd 90 b.mg
the king 10 the spot.
! Indignation and wrath were painted on the front
/ of the Audati as he approached toward. Ben. "a.
"Slaye," cries he, m voice Of thunder, "thou DO
disdained the love of thy master, thou WHOM
would have elevated TO the rank of my fr.tNIlc,
and have condescendcd TO let live Notwithstanding
| thy refusal, what Is thy scheme, ia daring 10 deny
the crime of thy pmamour il yon slave as not
the accomplce, name him then abandoned girl,
give HIM up 10 my justice, and / wil free thee
\ guiltless"
king of Dahomai, answered Berssa; Il could
not accept thy heart; for mime was not my own
to give you in return ] have not fearcd % tell you
so. Dost thou think that she who refused ;hy
crown, would resort to a mean fllsehood IA he
moment Of DEATH / have ayowcd the tll.h A
man did enter my apartment last night, bui % Was
not he who stands bound there. Thou rs Ou Us
demand ofmo his name. lnether Ouglu. nor b, N
declare it, ! am ready ~ die. / $751; ear lg in,
king Of Dahomal this man is innocent, and If you
destroy him his blood VIII fail upon your az
head. Set him at liberty; and punish me. have
nothing more to say"
The king was struck with tho words Of Berssa,
and with the fimness with which she uttered them,
and even astonished al the secret iepugn1nce 10
felt 10 shed blood but rccOllcctng thai SolcO bad
accused himself and ditrbung TO ioto the ME est
that Berssa testified for hun, I'D los ilrl returned.
lie made sign 10 the CXecuuoneI-, nun.e isielY
the wood-pile was lighted; the women a0, need
with the vases Of boiling Water Whcu 100 old
man, breathless, covered with wounds aHl dust,
pressed through the crowd and fell al the feet u
the king.
STAY, stay" he cried "tis ~ alone 81 ho ana
guilty; it was who scaled the walls on by -epg-
no to carry of my daughter. Nas ;lc 'uc.. Of
the god, no is here adored, my duehfe eu
sayagely torn from my arms and conducted f0 iby
palace. Since this moun1ul period, lhaye enJay-
CURED 10 hnd an opportunity Of rescmng Dec rom
| thy hands. Last ui-ht succeeded 90 gaming Ser
apartment. Sine stroyo 20 follow ne in VAIN, iho
guards perceived our intent nd prevented us
myself with difficulty escaped, and noi without
being pierced several times 81 th Ieif anO"s, as
thou clnst see by these bleeding wounds .uf-
render myself tby victim. ] come Go dle with my
daughter. for whom alone desired 10 ise.
! Soon as be had finished, Audhl commanded The
priegt 10 Eberate the criminals, and BRING thCm 10
/ bi. foot Ue demanded Of sellc0 what motive
couId in,l,ce him 90 seek -O icfuDie puui.in
sellco whose heart palptated With Joy al hiding
Reri.sa stain faithful 10 hes vows, feared not DO 10
veal eyery thing 10 him. Tie recounted his ME-
G,rtnnes. ihe ndigence Of his mother the resolution
! he had taken to gam four hundred ounces Of cold
Bersss. her father the people, nay even the chiefs
and sodiers a. they heard hun, shed tears o. ld-
miration; and Audati for the first time leh biz
cheek wet with weeping: Such is Tie charm Il
virtue, that barbarans even adore A.
a. b-triuu he.rd -.l,.. L.. 1.t..l.I
his hand and raised hun. running towards tie
Eurnnean narchanf- vi hmm cll-.n-l-. nd L-n.ht