Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-07-23
MISCELL A N Y .
A MOORISH EXECUTION,

A correspondent of the Buffalo CONNER
cial Advertiser who is writing series OF
interesting letters from Tangler, narrates
the following incident =
Notwithstanding the peculiar laws OF this
country, capital punishments are very rare
During the past fifteen years three only
have taken place in the town OF Iangier.
On one of those occasions my informant
was present. The occurrence was brought
vividly to his mind some two hours ago, as,
on our way home from hunting excursion,
I directed his attention to number OF eX-
ouisitely beautiful white lilies, on the left OF
the road, which grew within space OF a
bout four feet square. Checking his horse
as | spoke, and turning half round IN the
saddle, he remarked, "There is melan-
choly interest attached to that spot, tor
where grows the lily in such protusion,
beheld scene which has caused me many
sleepless night-the like, | pray Heaven
| NAV never look upon. had risen at the
break of day, and, accompanied by TREND,
had set out to shoot near the town, in igno-
rance of the execution which was about to
take place. On reaching the principal gate,
we found it shut, which surprised US much,
knowing old Ben KhaUr, the porter to be
an earlv riser. We then proceeded to the
castle gate called Bah Marshen, which was
also shut, but Ben Khaijr was there, with
a multitude of people, who, like ourselves
were desirous to leave the town.
"Why are YOU so late to-day !" said l to
the old porter. Ben Khaijr replied in e.
nigmas he had his orders not to let any
Mussulman pass outside the gate for the
next half hour.
"Surely," said, ''your instructions do
not extend to us. If there has been rob-
berry in town-to which alone can attrib-
ute this unusual order-we are not likely
to be the persons"
"Well," said the old gatekeeper, as |
slipped into MS hand small silver key
''you and your friend may pass, but no Moor
can"
We sailed forth, wondering what could
be the cause of such novel order. This,
however, was soon explained; for the first
object that caught our eye was party OF
soldiers moving slowly down this road. AS
we fastened towards the party, we perceiv-
ed they had two prisoners, who were secur-
ed with ropes fastened round their arms and
waist. | recognized 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 fine, tall, handsome
youth, and his countenance was far from
indicating anything vicious or depraved.-
Having joined them, l inquired Of the Kaid
| - the ,oIl,arc tha IF those heInp
led as prisoners.
"The sultan-may God prolong his life :"
said he-.has ordered their heads to be cut
off; they have been carrying on contra
band trade in oxen on the coast of Reef
with the infdel Spaniard."
''This, indeed" | replied, "ls severe
punishment for such a crime; and if it be in
tended as warning to others, why prevent
the people of Tangier from seeing it"'
"ReaSon not with me, Nazarine, said
the Kaid, 81 have my orders, and shall O.
bey Them"
Here where we now stand was then the
Jewish slaughter ground, and this touching
with the muzzle of his gun the group of Ill
les to which had referred) had been Sc
lected as the spot for the execution. Here
we found depraved-looking Moor, dressed
as butcher, holding in hand a small knife
about half foot in length. He was stran
ger, and had been hired to act on the occa
sion, for the Mahommedan butchers Of Tan
gier, who are the persons constrained tC
perform such service when regular execu
toner cannot be found, had taken refuge il
the sanctuary of Mesmody and had it no
been for this person Offering his services
the authorities would have been much per
picked to obey the mandates of the sultan
A morbid curiosity chained me to the spot
although foresaw should have to beholC
a scene Of horror. Some wrangling nov
ensued between the Kaid's soldiers and thu
executioner as to the reward the latter wa
to receive for decapitating the poor wretch
es who, all the time, were standing by, com
PEELED to listen to this barterins for thei