Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-10-14
from the Washington States.
JUSTICE IN ALGERIA.
BIZ A. DUMAS.


Akas is perfect type of the Arab Of the East His
ancestors conquered Ferdj 'Ouah, Zine country0 he
has consolidated and reigns over it. After deciding
to recognize the power of France, he sent horse of
Gada in token of submission, but has constantly re-
fused to 60 to Constantine, alleging oath he has
made against It the fact is, he fears to be retained
as prisoner He pays tribute of $4,000 francs.
Every year after harvest at the same day and hour
by the same gate, enter the camels that bring the
money ; not even cent is ever wanting.
Bou-Akas is forty years DID, dressed like the
Kabyles, in gondoura of Wooden, held by leath.
ries pair Of pistols by his side, the Kabye tssa,
and little black knife about his neck. Before him
stalks negro with his gun and large hound bounds
at his side.
When one of the twelve tribes he rules has done
him any wrong, he merely sends his negro to their
chief village. The negro displays the gun of Bou.
Akas, and the damage is repaired
There arc two three hundred Tobias in his pay,
who read the Koran to the people. Every individ'
ual making pilgrimage to Mecca, on calling on him,
receives three francs, and remains so long he likes
in Ferdj 'Ouah at the Scheck's; but if he discovers
a feigned pilgrim, two emissaries find him wherever
he may be, throw him face downward, and bestow
on him fifty strokes of the bastinado. He has
sometimes three hundred persons to dine; he then
walks around overseeing the domestcs; if there is
anything left, he eats, but always last.
When the governor of Constantine, the only au-
gives him his gun, his dog, his knife according
to the Importance Of the traveller or the urgency of
the recommendation If he gives his gun. the stran
ger shoulders it; if the dog. he takes it la leash;
If the knife he throws it around his neck and with
one or two other Of these talismans, each of which
specifies the degree of honor to be rendered. the
traveller goes through the twelve tribes without dan
GER and lodged and fed gratui,ously, for he is the
guest of Bou- Akas. When he leaves the Ferdj
Ouah, he turns over the gun, dog, or knife to the
first Arab he meets. If the Arab is hunting, he
quits the chase if farming, he drops his plough if
at home, he leaves IT, to carry the pledge to bis
Scheck The well known little knife with the black
handle has given it's name to Observation-Disclosures
oui, the ,nan with the knife; for it is with this he
cuts off heads if he thinks the necessity for prompt
justice demands it. When he came into power,
there a great many robbers about the Scheick
adopted the plan of distinguishing himself a sim
pie trader, and letting fall douro Of which he new
lost sight il the person who picked it up put
in his pocket: Bou-Akas made a sign to his execu.
TONER disguised like himself, and off went the cul
prt's head. The Arabs say that child may now
traverse the twelve tribes with q crown of gold on
his head without risk.
Bou Akas has high respect for women and has
ordered that when they fill their goa-skins at the
fountains the men are to turn aside, and not pass
before them. Wishing to know what the sex thought
Of him, and meeting pretty Arab girl along the
banks Of the stream he approached her. and enter
tonishmt Mt, and said Leave me. handsome chew
alier for you do not know the risk you rum" As
he still continued to annoy her with his nonsense,
she resumed Have you come from so great a dis
lance that you do not know you are in the country
Of the man with the knife where women are re-
spected?"
One day the Scheck heard that Cad of one of
his tribes rendered judgment worthy Of Solomon
like another Haroun al. Raschid, he wished to know
for himself. Disguised as simple horseman, with
out his distinguishing arms mounted on thorough
bred horse. which, however, betrayed nothing Of
the greatness of the owner, he started.
Now it happened that he arrived at the fortunate
city in which this Cadi dispensed justice on fair
day, consequently court-day. At the gate Of the
town he met q cripple who asked aims, clingng to
the Scheick's 6urnous did the beggar to St. Mar
tins cloak
"What more would you have?" asked Bou- Akas.
'You asked aims and have given it,"
"True." replied the cripple but the law does
not merely say, thou shalt give aims to thy brother
but also, thou shalt do all that thou art able for
him."
well; what can do for your
"You can save me from being tramped under
foot by the crowd Of men, mules and camels, in the
town"
land how ?"
"By taking me up behind yon until we get to the
market place. where have business
$50 be it," And with some difficulty he mount
ed the cripple behind him.
The market-place reached, "Get down." said the
Scheick.
Get down yourself" said the cripple.
To help you? Certainly"
mo; to give me your horse-he belongs to me-
1--WE shall see."
1--WE are in the city of the just Cadi."
know that"
"And you will have me taken up before him ?"
at is very likely"
"And do you suppose when he sees you with
sound legs, and me with crippled ones, he will not
say the horse belongs to him who has most use Tor
him ?"
"If he say So" replied Bou-Akas {" he will no
longer be the just Cad, for he will have erred in
his judgment"
''They call him just" rejoined the cripple laugh
ing, "but not infa1ble."
"Good I" said Bou.Akas to himself; there is a
fine opportunity for to judge" So he pushed
through the crowd leading his horse by the bride.
the cripple perched like monkey, and reached the
tribunal where the judge was dispensing justice al
ter the Oriental mode.
The first cause was between Taleb and peasant
that is, between man of letters and laborer.-
The peasant had carried off the Talebs wife, and in
sisted that she his The woman did not acknowi-
edge either as her husband. The judge listened to
both parties, and then said: "Leave the woman
with me, and return Tomorrow" The men saluted
and withdrew.
The next cause was between a butcher and an oil
seller the latter covered with oil, the butcher
spotted with blood. The butcher began: 81 went
to buy oil of this man l took out my purse to pay
him; it was full of money; he was tempted by it,
and seized me by the wrist. shouted thief! but
he would not let me go so we come together before
you clenchng my money, and he my wrist. Now,
swear by Mahomet that he is a liar, when he says
1 took his money: the money is mine"
Then spoke the oil-seer: This man came to buy
bottle of oil of me; and after l had filled the bot.
tie, he asked me if could change piece of gold:
took handful Of money from my pocket and laid
was going on with the oil and the money, when
seized him by the wrist, and shouted theft In