Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1877-11-01
THE CASTILIAN CAPTIVE.
By j. G.


| The thunders of Achmct raha' 4
artillery ceased to shake the tMers
of Temesivar, which the rebel Sui
Bey had long held out againa the
Porte. The fortune of the day had
been decided by the fall of a part oi
the Notifications; and the young and
fiery general of the Sultan's trsoEk,
bearing down all opposition, made
himself master of the fortress, and
lpursued Suli Bey into his harnlp,
whittier in despair he had taken RET
uge. The helpless and affrightAl
females crowded round their mastes
with loud cries for protection, when
they saw the hitherto inviolate portals
of their apartments burst open by
the fierce Achmet. The wretched
Sui Bey, prostrating himself on the
| groand, buried his face in his gar
ments, and awaited his fate in silence.
Achmet, whose first intention had
been to plant his foot on his body and
strike off his head, felt his arm ar
rested, in spite of himself, by the
glance of a dark-eyed slave. The
silent language in which the emo
tions of the soul are conveyed is un-
derstood by all and Achmet read in
the eyes of Camilla such horrors and
detestation of the deed he was about
to perform, that although he would
not own to himself that her opinion
was of the slightest importance, he
suffered that look to change his pur-
pose; and, instead of becoming him.
self the executioner of Suli Bey, he
beckoned his mutes to perform his
will upon him.
The awful silence that followed
this transaction was succeeded by
the frantic outcries of the ladies OF
the harem, who, full of terror for
their own safety, hastened to implore
the mercy Of their new lord. Achmet
condescended to return his scymltar
to its sheath, and assure them of theil
security. No sooner did they per-
ceive his gracious demeaDor than
they began to address him with the
most high-fown terms of fiattery, and
each strove by every possible vile to
attract his attention. Achmet could
not help being struck by the contrast
Camilla presented, who stood proud
yalooi WIN. - of her countr two.
men. The naughty conqaaror 1.a.s
not Join in the homage paid HIM by
the other ladies', whom, by the snpe'
ricr richness of their dresses, he per-
ceived. had been considered as hei
superiors in the estimation of Sui
Bey.
"Slave," said he, approaching her
"wherefore is it that you have moi
Joined with your companions in pay
ing your duty to me?''
ssBecause I owe you none," an
swered Camilla.
s'Dare you thus reply to the con
oueror of Temesivar! Do you moi
know that your very existence is ii
my hands9"
81 am awrae of it," replied Camll'
la, raising pair of radiant dark eyes
to his face.
s.Then, why do you not fall at my
feet and ask your life?"
"It is not worth the trouble
"You are a daughter of CASTLE. a.
/ perceive by your rebellious spirit:
II am"
"And Christian!"
Camilla made the sign of the cross
Achmet spit on the ground. II
must be confessed" said Camilla
i. reddening Indignantly, 'that yo'
Turks are the most disgusting peo
pie under the sum-"
ssSlavel" cried Achmet, ''f you
anger did not become you so well,
would command my black eunucI
Puffim to chastise you for your insol
lence."
"And even if you were to comm'
such an outrage would hardly thin
worse of you than do at present.
returned Camilla.
"What is it you think ofme!' ask
ed the Pacha.
"That you are an unmanly rufiiar
whom / hate, but do not fear!" n
nlied the fair Castilian, her fine eye
flashing through her tears as ST
spoke.
II Achmet knew not how to answ'
the beautiful vixen. To conceal h
, perplexity, he turned to Antonia an
Beatrice Manzares, her fellow-cal
tives.
Sand We, whom I perceive to
the countrywomen of this contum
cious slave, are ye of a like spirit
They looked in great embaras
ment from the Pacha to Camilla. al
remained silent.
ssHow,' exclaimed Achmet, a
grily, "'when 1 speak to the mean'
- of my slaves am i not deemed wort
: of reply?"
"My cousins do not understa
the odious jargon in which you
dress them, and are, therefore, unal
to appreciate your courteous and
liging speeches." replied Can
| la.
EI ssHow comes 1t, then, that you
HI 4 ..,.,,.zr xxrx,wl r