The true Democrat., 1854-11-01

| endeavor to do such labor as my strength will permit. But why should be your slave, at all, if you are willing to receive fair compen- sation for my ransom?"
 "Your ransom!-there is no price set upon your head, Christian dog, that you are. You are my slave, and shall SO remain"
 "But my friends are able to redeem me-" said the Merchant and-'
 "Redeem you, indeed! Have they the wealth of the Caliph of Bagdad?-bid them count 1t out, and they are them too poor to re- deem even such worthless dog as you"
 "1f l am so worthless, 1t would be to your interest to get rid of me on any reasonable terms"
 "Speak not of terms to me, I will hear of none.'
 "Ben Nazin, I admit that by the fate of war am your captive, and by the custom of your nation, your slave, and therefore bound, while l remain such, to render you such req sonable service as you may require; but 1 am not your born thrall, and have therefore right to treat for my liberty. Had the result of the contest, that made me your slave, been other- wise, and you had become my captive, you would surely have hoped, and expected to be treated as alnan, and an opportunity allowed you of regaining your freedom. Do then to me, as you would have hoped I should have done, had you been placed in my situation"
 "I will do to you just as pleases me.'
 "Then you are an unprlnclpled scOundrel, as we'll as tyrant:" returned the incensed Mer- chant
 "I will have your tongue for that speech, you insolent slave," exclaimed the Arab, and drawing his knife, sprang upon the prostrate man to execute his threat; but feeble as was the captive, he was unable to carry it into execu- ton, though he inflicted several severe wounds upon him. Calling to his aid several slaves near he ordered them to seize him by his legs and arms, and thus press him to the earth; then, throwing himself athward the breast of the unfortunate man, with the aid of one of the slaves he forced open his mouth, and thrust in his fingers to draw out the tongue. But the Merchant, tossing his head aside, released him. self from the slave, and having the Arabs fin gers between his teeth, mangled them, till he was glad to get released. The pain he felt only exasperated him the more; and gagging his cap tive, he drew out his tongue and cut it off, He rose with the trophy of his success, and carrying it to his house, triumphantly exhibited it to his wife; then, calling his dog, cast it to him as morsel for his dinner. The unhappy man rolled upon the ground tortured with the most excruciating pain. There was none near to offer him any relief, or even to speak sooth- ing word. He felt that he now endured the very extreme of misery, and asked himself why his cruel master had not plunged his knife in his heart For days and weeks he was una ble to take any nourishment, except the millet broth allowed the slaves, nor could he swallow this without the greatest difficulty and pain.- He was reduced to the merest shadow of a man, &&n, l,o ,Oh;o ol exercise the hatred and the cruelty of his mas- ter he was of no value as a slave. But this was consideration enough, and there was notf- ing to bound the tyranny of the Arab, but the fear of too speedily terminating the life of his captive. The lash was in frequent requisition, and his bleeding wounds were often scared with hot irons, while his limbs were weighed down with galing chains and with the most oppres- sive labors Thus, weeks and months and years heaped up their accumulated ills and he be- lieved himself forgotten by his friends. | But how runs the stream of events at Mar seilles during this long period of sorrow to the captive? Are no exertions made for his re- lease? Yes; abundant, but they are of no avail. As the time of his expected return approached, poor Melanie took her station at window that looked out upon the sea, where she watched through the long day, and often till late hour of the night; and whenever ship entered the harbor, sent a servant to enquire If It was her husbands, or if any tdings had been heard of ] him. Days, weeks and months passed in this painful uncertainty, till, length, the conclusion was irresistbly forced upon the mind, that the ship had either toundered at sea, been wrecked, or fallen into the hands of the Corsairs. Either of these conclusions was painful but the last especially so. To relieve the distressing anxe- ty of the wife, her father caused inquiry to be made in all the ports of Barbary if such cap tive was there, offering liberal ransom for his release; and though Ben Nazin often heard these inquiries made, he did not choose to give the information preferring rather his savage revenge to the charms of gold, however greedily he coveted them.
 Years rolled on, each bringing its accumula- ted stores of toll and sorrow. The captive despaired of his release, and deemed himself a doomed man for life. At length, a ray of hope glimmered through the hitherto impenetrable gloom that surrounded him. Unexpectedly, an English vessel arrived in port, for seldom keel bearing Christian flag, ventured to approach these unhallowed shores Watching his oppor- tunity when the vessel was about to sail, the captive secretly conveyed himself aboard, and making signs of his distressed situation, mplor- ed the master to assist him to escape. Touched with pity at the appearance of the man, which betokened the extreme of misery, the generous sailor resolved to make the attempt and secret ing his fugitive, made all haste to dispatch his business. Presently the vessel was under way and as soon as beyond the reach of pursuit, the captive was brought forth to enjoy the fresh air, and to relate the story of his capture and servi- tude. For this purpose he was provided with writing materials, and briefly related the story of his woes.
 Arrived at London, the master of the vessel made known the condition and past history of his rescued captive, and through his instrument tality means were provided for him to revisit his native land. Crossing the channel he land ed at Calais, and proceeded immediately for Marseilles.
 It was nightfall when he reached his dest- nation, and taking shelter in an inn, he deter mined the next day to seek out his friends Desirous of learning something in advance, which might serve as guide to his inquiries, he seated himself in the room of common resort, I;,,< <ho hooo <o haor >c . ID