The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-07-13
CHAPTER XXXVI

selves we said not word for some time.
For my own part the realization of our
loss threw my spirits into a strange apa-
thy; twas as if some actual blow had
stunned my senses Yet l remember OBJ
serving the Moors about their business
-dispatching one to Elche for train
of mules, charging a second boat with
merchandise while the first returned etc.
II can feel for you," says Mrs, God
win at length, addressing Dawson, "for
l also have lost an only child.
Your daughter Judith, madam"
says l.
'She died two years ago. Yours still
lives, " says she, again turning to Daw-
son, who sat with a haggard face, rock
ing himself like one nursing great
pain "And while there is life there's
hope, as one says. "
why, to be sure," says Jack, rous-
ing himself "This is no more, Kit,
than we bargained for. Tell me, mad
am, you who know that country, do
you think carpenter would be held in
esteem there? I'm yet strong man, as
you see, with some good serviceable
years of life before me. Dye think
they'd take me in exchange for my
Moll, who is but bit of grip"
"She is beautiful, and beauty counts
for more than strength and talent there,
poor man," says She
"I'll make 'em the Offer" says he,
land though they do not agree to give
her freedom they may yet suffer me to
see her time and again if work we'll. "
" 'Tis strange" says she. Your
child has told me all your history. Had
I learned it from other lips 1 might
have set you down for rogues, destitute
of heart or conscience; yet, with this
evidence before me, must needs regard
you and your dear daughter as more no.
BILE than many whose deeds are writ in
gold IT'S lesson to teach me faith in
the goodness of God, who redeems his
creatures follies with one touch of love.
Be of good cheer, my friend" adds she,
laying her thin hand on his arm.
'"There is hope. would not have ac-
cepted this ransom-no, not for your
daughters tears and entreaties-with-
out good assurance that l, in my turn,
might deliver her."
I asked the old gentlewoman how
this might be accomplished.
"My niece" says she, dwelling on
the word with a smile, as if happy in
the alliance, my niece, coming to Bar
barry of her free will, is not slave like
! those captured in warfare and carried
there by force She remains there as a
/ L 60 xu,n 1a TO
turn when l send the price of my ran
son."
SIS that great sum?'
"Three thousand gold ducats-about
81 900 English.
"Why, madam" says Dawson, 1--WE
have nothing, being now reduced to our
last pieces And if you have the good
ness to raise this money heaven only
knows how long it may be ere you sue
coed. IT'S fortnight's journey at the
least to England, and then you have to
deal with your steward, who will seek
only to put obstacles in your way, SC
that six weeks may pass ere Moll is re-
the meantime?"
"She is safe. Ali Oukadi is a good
man. She has naught to fear while she
is under his protection. Do not mis-
judge the Moors. They have many esti-
mable qualities.
"Yet, madam" says I, "by you say.
ing there is hope gather there must be
also danger. "
"There is" answers she, at which
Jack mods with conviction. "a beauti.
full young woman is never free from
danger" (Jack assents again. "There
are good and bad men among the Moors
as among other people.
AYE, to be sure" says Dawson.
81. say she is safe under the protec,
ton of Ali Oukadi, but when the ran,
som is paid and she leaves Thadviir she
may stand in peril +"
"Why, that's natural enough, cries
Dawson, "be she among Moors or nc
Moors It's then she will most need a
friend to serve her, and one that knows
the ins and outs of the place and how
to deal with these Turks must surely be
better than any half dozen fresh landed
and raw to their business " Then he
fell questioning Mrs. Goodwin as to how
Mol was lodged, the distance Of Thad
viir from Algiers, the way to get there
and divers other particulars, which, to-
gether with his eager, cheerful vivacity,
showed clearly enough that he was more
firmly resolved than ever to go into Bar,
barry and be near Mol without delay
And presently leaving me with Mrs.
Goodwin he goes down to the captain OF
the galley, who is directing the landing
of goods from the playboat, and with
such small store of words as he pos
sessed, aided by plentiful gesture, he
enters into very lively debate with
him, the upshot of which was that the
captain tells him he shall start the next
morning at daybreak, if there be but q
puff of air, and agrees to carry him tC
Algiers for couple of pieces upon
which they clap hands), as Dawson, in
high glee, informs us on his return.
"And now, Kit" says he, II must
90 back to Elche to borrow those same