Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-08-19

stOOn erect In tne stern Oh tne boat, plying |
the steering-oar, and bending look Of
gloomy hate and uncomfortable pride on his
advancing foes. He had directed his course
towards the eastern extremity of the row of
islets, hoping that his knowledge of some
intricate passages among them might give
him a chance of battling his pursuers, whose
large vessel, managed bv sail, would be
less fitted for winding among the rocks
But as he knew that they had two small
boats on board for such service, he was a
ware that his grounds for hope we're but
slight.
The Mohassanets understood his object,
Tor they opened fire upon the boat with
their long matchlocks but the distance was
too great and most of the bullets fell short
One, however, struck KhaIil on the breast
and buried itself in the flesh. No change
in his countenance betrayed that he felt the
wound, and he still copsinued to urge his
men to the utmost exertion. They approach
ed the range of islands, and wound their
way through narrow channel into the open
sea beyond. Khalil then directed his men
to lie on their oars, to see whether the bu-
gulah would bear away and desist from the
pursut--of which he had but little hope, or
whether the crew would take to their boats
in the latter case he determined to wait their
approach, and fight them hand to hand 1t
was their only chance though desper-
ate one. But to their great surprise, the bu-
gulah neither kept away nor stopped to low
er her boats, but continued her course thro'
the narrow passage. 1t was evident that
her crew, infamed by the sight of her exN
pected prize, had resolved to risk the dan
gerous attempt. A CLEAN of pleasure for
the first time passed across the dark visage
of the young Johasmee.
Merchant said he to Saadee, sell me
now thy share in our common stock 1t is
but moment since | would not have given
thee piastre. | offer thee now three hum
dred tomauns of Bosrah'
Before the Persian could collect his scat
tered senses to reply, the great sail of the
bugulah was taken aback, and swung vio-
lently over to the other side, as the crew at
tempted suddenly to alter the course of their
vessel in a sharp turn of the channel The
current of the tide, which poured strongly
through the passage, struck the huge hull
upon its broadside and drove it heavily up
on reef The first crash broke through
the thin sides of the vessel, and in minute
she rolled over to leeward, and went down
in the deep water. Some of the crew gain
ed the rocks, and climbed up out of the
reach of waves others were swept away by
the current. Among these were two who,
clinging to plank, were borne slowly tow
ards the boat in which Khalil and his COM
panions were cooly observing the fate OF
their enemies. As they drifted near, the
Johasmee was delighted to find that they
were his two deadliest foes, the father and
the elder brother of the slain Zeyn.
Hav he cried, blessed be Allah |
have but to hold my hand, and my enemies,
who seek my life, will perish before my
eyes, and he followed with eager looks, the
movement of the drifting plank.
By Allah said the merchant, laughing,
if these be the kindred of the young man
whom thou slewest, now will be thy time to
drive bargain for the blood money. A
small sum will content them now'
These words, spoken half in Jest, pro-
duced sudden change in the feelings of
Khalil. He recolected that the two men
who were helplessly drifting out to sea be-
fore his eyes were the father and brother OF
Amineh, as well as of Zeyn. The dying
commands of his father also came into his
mind. Standing erect in the bow of his
boat, he waved his hand aloft, and shouted,
Abdallah Ben Mohassan, dost thou know
meP
Dog, and son of a dog ? responded the
voice of the old Joshasmee, [ know thee
Murderer of my son, destroyer of my race,
| know thee. This time thou hast conquer
ed, coward as thou art. My folly and my
evil fate have given thee the victory But
know that the hour shall come when thou
shalt die the death of dog, like thy father.
'Sheikh Abdallah,' said the youth, wilt
thou take the price of thy sons bloodP
This proposition was evidently unexpec-
ted, and the old man hesitated for moment
the plank was now within few yards of tn e
boat. At length he spoke, in an altered
tone: How much dost thou offer 2
Offer him the fourth part suggested the
merchant, in a whisper.
said the young man.
Il will not sell my sons blood for the
worth of two miserable slaves returned the
old Shekh. Give me thousand
Il will give thee two thousand, if thou
wilt reckon it for the dowry of thy daughter
Amineh.'
SO be 1t, replied the old man, and this
singular bargain was concluded.
The two Mohassanees were immediately
taken into the boat, and the utmost cordial
ity succeeded to the deadly hatred which
had so lately existed. The young man in
formed his new friends of his late good for
tune, and they consented to accompany him
to Muscat, where the pearls might be dis
posed of, and the stipulated ransom paid al
Tonce On their arrival at the port, Saadee
proceeded to the baazer, with his bags oil
pearls properly assorted, and displayed them
to the Hndoo merchants there assembled
Their unusual size and elegance of SHAPE
excited great admiration, and after am inf
mite deal of chafering, the practised mer-
chant succeeded in disposng of his whole
stock for fourteen thousand dollars. After
deducting the hire of the divers and boat
men, whom he paid double wages, and the
cost of provisions, there remained rather
more than twelve thousand dollars, to be d.
vided equally among the three partners IN
the enterprise Khalil found himself IN pos
session OF larger sum than he had ever be-
fore seen in his life.
Have kept my word with thee my son =
S.:l S.adaa dasf thau believe that the