Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1879-05-08

the messenger came back with it tn
magician pronounced some mysteriou
words, and sprinkled the earth over tn
head of the dead man. The latter in
stantly opened his eyes, sighed deeply
and blood issued from the wound in hi
forehead. We then easily drew fortl
the nail, and the wounded man fell bacl
into the arms of slave.
Who brought me hither?" inquired
the captain, suddenly rallying. Mule,
pointed to me, and I approached tn,
sufferer. II thank thee, stranger" h,
saidj thou hast spated me ages of pro
tracted misery. For fifty years my sou
has been condemned to reanimate my
body each night, and to roam with it,
mortal companion about the iimitles
expanse of the ocean; but; now that my
head has touched the earth, may
henceforth sleep in peace with my
fathers" entreated him to relate By
what means 80 horrible a destiny hac
fallen upon him, and, Muley having
directed some strong waters to be poured
down his throat, he was able to comply
with our wisheF.
Fifty years ago" he commenced, 81
was a man OF rank and influence, dwell
ing in Algiers, when loveo gain prompt
cd me to turn pirate, and to fit out yes
sci. l had continued this desperate pro-
fesslon Tor some time, when at Zante,
,nlpped a dervise, who begged free
passage. My crew and myself, far from
respecting the piety of this good man,
sneered at his devotions, and in his re-
ligious zeal he reproached me for the life
of rapine which l led. This was one
night after I had been drinking deeply
with my pilot. Infamed with wine, and
incensed beyond all bounds that der.
wise should have presumed to rebuke
me, rushed upon him and buried my
dagger in the body of the holy man. In
his expiring agony he invoked a male
diction both upon me and my crew, and
he told me we should neither live nor die
in peace, until our heads had touched
land. He then gave up the ghost, and
we flung his remains into the sea, laugh.
ing at the dreadful prophecy, which,
however, commenced it's accomplishment
on that very night. Some of the men
mutinied, and conflict ensued, in which
both parties fought with equal fury.
My supporters were overcome, and was
nailed to the mast; but the vessel was
soon converted into a vast tomb, as the
rebels died of their wounds. My eyes
closed, my breath ceased, and the shadow
of death fell over me; alas! it was only
trance that enchanted my senses. The
next night at the return of the hour at
which we had cast the dervise into the
sea, /, as we'll as all my companions, re-
sumed our mortal existence, but were
always incapable of either saying or do.
ing anything other than we had said or
done on the night of the murder. Thus
we have drifted about the ocean for fifty
years without being able to live or die,
for we could not reach the shore. Often
frantic with despair, we found hope still
in the storm and tempest, which in it's
rage might dash us on some rocky shore,
and permit us to touch the earth and
find repose for our troubled souls.
Nothing succeeded with us; but now, at
last, l am about to lay down forever the
burden of this worlds life. Once again,
thanks to thee, my unknown benefact0r;
it thou seekest treasures, take my vessel
and its rich cargo as testimony of my
gratitude"
The captain here lowered his head
and expired without struggle. Like
his crew, he crumbled into dust, which
we gathered into an urn. that it might
receive the rights of sepulture. We
then sent for mechanics from the city,
who put the vessel in sailing condition.
After having made profitable barter of
the stores engaged a crew OF sailors,
and, having literally rewarded Muley
for his services, 1brahim and embarked
for our native land. I took circuit
GUS route, touching at various islands
and countries, where we disposed of our
cargo. The prophet blessed my under
taking. At the expiration of nine
months I returned to Balsora, having
doubled the riches the captain had be-
queathed to me.
My first care after arriving at home
was to divide with 1brahim the wealth
l had, by his assistance, become sud-
denly and SO singularly possessed of;
but, having no other connections, from
the length of time he had been in the
service of our family, he desired still to
continue to live with me and preside
over my household, declining to have
anything whatever to do with money
affairs beyond what his simple wishes re-
quired, and thus he lived and died with
me faithful servant and the best of
friends.
My fellow. citizens were astonished at
my wealth and prosperity, and fancied
I must have discovered the valley of dia-
m0nds into which the famous navigator,
Sinbad the Sailor, was cast. I did not
undeceive them, and from that time the
young men of Balsora, after reaching
eighteen years of age, are sent into the
world to make their fortunes after my
example. I have lived happily and
peacefully. Every five years l make
pilgrimage to the holy tomb Of Mecca to
return thanks to Allah for his mercies
to me, and to supplicate him to receive
the souls of the pirate captain and his
rebellious crew into the perfect bliss of
Paradise, for heavy, indeed, must be the
sin which so severe penance would not
go far to expatiate.
At tho conclusion of this narrative
the solemn smokers looked around at
each other and pulled harder than ever
at their ornamental pipes. Taciturnity
for some time prevailed, but the eyes of
each at length rested on the impertur-
able countenance of the relator. As for
him no vascillating muscle betrayed the
smallest intimation that his tale had
been fabricated for the occasion to dis
guise the real secret of the means by
which he had acquired his great riches.
His correct and respectable life sheltered
him from the suspicion of any sinister
proceeding, and his venerable bearing
repelled impertinent interrogatories
The old man saw and enjoyed the per-
plexity of his companions, but made no
attempt to relieve it. At last the sage
Khalid removed his lips from the tip of
the long-drawn kookah he was smoking
and thus addressed them:
my friends, let us thank the worthy