Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-11-24

slrangled. From the murder of Sslim
the executioners proceeded TO the apart
ments of Mahmoud, the younges, sor
Of Abdulhaimid, and the only remain
ing prince of the blood.royal. There
was still some hope for the Sultan, in
the eventual de aih of his brother. Selim
was no more; the audacious Baractie,
himself would respec, the last of the
Ottoman race. The muies rushed into
the chamber of the confined prince, but
he was nowhere to be found.
70 the fond fidelity of slave he was
indebted for his life. At the momen,
that Baractier had rushed into the pal.
ace, Mahmoud, who ha d first been con-
cealod in the furnace of a bath, guided
by slave, was cautiously threading
some subterranean passages. until they
gained an opening or recess in the wall
from which opened door that concealed
flight of steps. j he slave had brought
torch with him, and as he held it aloft,
the future Sultan gazed in some trepida.
ton on mass of darkly flowing wa.
'er.
Whittier would'st thou conduc. me!'
he demanded.
40 life and throne!" ans swered the
slave decisively. "Thcse waters flow
under The streets of Constantinople, and
run from the harbor of Peremi TO the sea
OF Marmora. Behold the means of safe
ty have provided"
The prince, on looking down, beheld
a small boat; and as he saw no other wav
of escape. he stepped into it, followed by
his faithful slave, who had previously
taken the precaution 10 close the door
on landing. After rowing about for a
few minutes, the prince endeavored tc
pierce the gloom by which he was sur.
rounded; but the feeble rays of the
torch only enabled him to gaze in won.
der at the mas sive and beautiful pillars
that supported the cave, anG which the
slave dex;erously avoided. The dull
splashing of the water, the Stygian dark
ness. and his own peculiar position
would have weighed down The spirits OF
any but Turk; but, falling back for re
lief on the hereditary fatalism Of his
race, he sa. in the stern of the boat,
fully prepared for whatever might hap
pen to him. Suddenly the quick ears
OF The slave cnugh, the sound of oars, and
exciaiming, ave are pursued!'' dashed
the torch overheard, and pulled with re.
doubled energy.
The sound of other oars became
louder, and on The prince looking behind
him, he could plainly perceive boat in
their wake. with torch in the bows.
The slave whose eye sight was as keen
as his hearing, relaxed in his exertions
and letting the boat become stationary
between two pillars, said:
at is woman and man-we are
two; let them pass!"
"An intrigued" thought the prince, al
he eagerly prepared to catch a glimpse
of the fair ones countenance. Neare,
and nearer came the boat, until it ap.
preached the pillars; and the prince
with mingled admiration and surprise
saw that :he lady--who was unveiled
was not only young, but supremely
beautiful. Her companion was tall
handsome. looking man, in the garb of a
Turk; but his fair complexion betrayed
different origin. The light revealed
the boat containing the slave and prince
The lady uttered shrek, and quickly
hid her face; but her companion, al
though rather surprised, undauntedly
cried out, in excellent Turkish, but with
foreign accent:
"Halloa! Who's there! friend or foe!'
III am Mahmoud the Unfortunate!
said the prince proudly.
The Frank-for such we must cal
him-doffed his turban. and making 9
profound inclination, said
mo longer unfor,unase--but great
An hour ago, the cannon from the seral
go announced to the people the dethrone
ment of your predec essor, and the eIe
va'ion of your sublime highness to the
throne!'
"Allah be praised!' said Mahmoud
sententiously, "But who art thou
Who hast thou for companin! Speal
treely-for thy good news inclines mt
to be generous!''
The Frank briefly told his tale
was one of love. His companion was
a Christian girl, the daughter of Greek
merchant. whose residence had beer
assailed by mob during bis absence
from whose mad fury they had escape,
by secret door leading to the dark ar
ches and subterranean rsorvoir above
referred 10. The Sultan was satisfied
and the whole party returned toge,he,
TO the palace. where, as the Frank ha,
stated, Mahmoud had been proclaime
sultan, and was being searched for every
where.
The Greek girl and her Frank lover
who proved to be an Engiishman, wer,
subsequently, married: and, after shor
residence in England, they returned !,
the east, where the happy husband tool
service with Mahmoud as superinien
dent in one of the departments of tn,
navy of the Sublime Porte.
A Good Answer.
A lady. the other day, asked youns