Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-05-07

was soon evident to those IN the poat uitt ti
bugalah was gaining rapidly upon them
n The merchant crouched in the bottom OF tn
boat, wringing his hands, tearing his beard
and matchmaking the evil fortune which
seemed to dog his steps. The boatmen NUT
tered calculations to Allah and the Prophet
as they gazed with pallid cheeks and quiver
ing lips on the dark hull which bore theil
approaching doom. Khalil alone stood erec
in the stern of the 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 cas-
tern extremity of the row of islets, hoping
that his knowledge of some intricate passages
among them might give him chance of BAT
fling his pursuers, whose large vessel, man
aged by sail, would be less fitted for wind
4 ing among the rocks. But as he knew that
they had two small boats on board for such
service, as he was aware that his grounds fol
hope were but slight.
The Mohassanees understood his object, foi
they opened fire upon the boat with theii
| long match-locks but the distance was toe
| great, and most of the bullets fell short,
One, however, struck Khalil on the breast,
and buried itself in the flesh. No change in
| his countenance betrayed that he felt the
wound, and he still continued to urge his
men to the utmost exertion. They approached
| the range of islands, and wound their way
through narrow channel into the open sea
beyond. Rhalil then directed his men to lie
on their oars, to see whether the bugalah
would bear away and desist from the pursuit
of which he had little hope, or whether the
crew would take to their boats in the latter
case he determined to await their approach,
and fight them hand to hand. 1t was their
only chance, though desperate one. But to
their great surprise, the bugalah neither kept
away nor stopped to lower her boats, but con-
tinued her course through the narrow passage.
1t was evident that her crew, intlamed by the
sight of their expected prize, had resolved to
risk the dangerous attempt. gleam OF plea
sure 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 a moment since would not have given
the piastre l offer thee now three hundred
tomauns of Bosrah."
Before the Persian could collect his scattered
senses to reply, the great sail of the bugalah
was taken aback, and swung violently over to
the other side, as the crew attempted sudden
ly to alter the course of their vessel in 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 upon 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 gained 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
towards the boat in which Khalil and his
companions were coolly observing the fate of
their enemies. As they drifted near, the
Johasmee was dslightsd to find thst-t hit tirsy
! we're his two deadliest foes, the father and
the elder brother of the slain Zeyn.
"Hal" he cried, "bessed 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 move
ment Of the drifting plank.
"By Allah" said the merchant, laughing,
ssif these be the kindred of the young man
whom thou slewest, now will be thy time to
drive bargain for the blood-money. Asmall
sum will content them now."
These words spoken half in jest, produced
sudden change in the feelings of Rhalil.
He recollected that the two men who were
helplessly drifting out to sea before his eyes
were the father and brother of Amineh, as
we'll 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
hassan, dost thou know meY"
"Dog. and son of dogl' responded the
deep voice of the old Johasmee, 81 know
thee. Murderer Of my son, destroyer of my
race, | know thee. This time thou hast
conquered, 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 AbdaIlah,' said the youth, wilt
thou take the price of thy sons blood ?"
This proposition was evidently unexpected,
and the old man hesitated for "a moment the
plank was now within a few yards of the boat.
At length he spoke, in an altered tone; ''How
much dost thou offer ~
"Offer him the fourth part" suggested the
merchant, in whisper.
81 will give thee FIVE hundred dollars"
said the young man.
~ willn sell my sons blood for the worth
of two miserable slaves" returned the old
Sheikh. "Give me a thousand
81 will give thee two thousand, if thou wilt
reckon it for the dowry of thy daughter
Amineh.'
$50 be it, replied the old man, and this
singular bargain was concluded.
The two Mohassanees were Immediately
taken into the boat, and the utmost cordially
10 tiit uehulJ ndbfou " nun hstu so
lately existed. The young man informed his
new friends of his late good fortune, and they
consented to accompany him to Muscat, where
the pearls might be disposed of, and the Slip |
ulated ransom paid at once. On their arrival
at the port Saadee proceeded to the bazaar,
with his bags of pearls properly assorted, and
them to the Hindoo merchants |
there assembled. Their unusual size and
elegance of shape excited great admiration,
and after an infinite deal of chaffering, the
merchant succeeded in disposing of
his whole stock for fourteen thousand dollars. |
After deducting the hire of the divers and of
boatmen, whom he paid double wages, and |
the cost Of provisions, there remained rather
more than twelve thousand dollars, to be
divided equally among the three partners in
the enterprise. Khalil found himself in pos |
session Of a larger sum than he had ever be-
fore seen in his life.
% Have kept my word with thee, my son?'
said Saadee'; ssdost thou now believe that
the life Of Persian hereto can be worth saw
ingf''
q owe thee more than life, my father, .
replied Khalil s.Come with me to Ras ell
Kheima, and thou shalt learn how the Johas-
mees treat their benefactors."
tNay,t' answered Saadee, g am bound
TO Bushire, to my friend Zemin Khan. I'll
thou art satisfied, am content, We have
both gained wisdom with our money. | have
learned that Johasmee can be compassionate,
and thou belieyest that Persian can be honest.
Be happy with thine Amineh, and remember
the dying words of thy wise father; =" 1t is
better to save life than to destroy" bless
Allah and the Prophet, that they sent thee to |