The San Francisco call., 1908-09-20

ever, deeming the Tripolitans unworthy
ketch which they had pressed into the
service. a letter TO the bashaw. In this
letter the bashaw was notified that un-
less the captives were released and
placed aboard the American ships
within "a hours hostilities would begin
at II o'clock the next day
This letter was received by o'clock
in the morning, and after a short con-
ference Sidi Mohammed was sent to
Captain Bainbridge's room with a mes
sage inviting him, in the name of the
bashaw, to be present at a council OF
war to be held by the bashaw and his
advisers. Sidi Mohammed assured Cap
tain cambridge that it was the first
time in the history of the Barbary pow
ers that a prisoner had been admitted
to council Of war. He added that the
proceedings would take place in French,
so that Captain cambridge could under
stand all that passed. Captain Balm
bridge and his officers readily surmised
the reason of this extraordinary COM
pliment; the bashaw, wishing to make
Of peace or war was still open and to
hide from them the fact that he was in
no condition to refuse the demand of
the American commodore, had pre-
arranged the scene at which Captain
cambridge was to be present. Captain
Rainhridno without oh
picion that everything had been re-
hearsed beforehand, accompanied Sidi
Mohammed to the splendid audience
chamber of the bashaw. There, seated
in grand divan, he found Yussuf Cara
melli surrounded by seven of his coun-
ell, of which Sidi Mohammed was the
eighth. Captain Bainbridge was cour-
teously received, and expressed to the
bashaw his appreciation of the honor
done in admitting him to be present at
this important council which was to de-
termine war or peace
Two letters lay before the bashaw,
one agreeing to release the American
captives without ransom and to salute
the American flag with 81 guns, the
other declaring that war with the
United States still existed, that the flag
would not be saluted and not prisoner
should be given up without a heavy
ransom. The bashaw, beginning with
the councillor of least Importance
asked his opinion as to peace or war.
Six were in favor of war, while Sidi
were in favor Of peace. A short dis
cussion ensued, which ended in two of
the war party coming over to the side
of peace. This left the council equally
divided. and the bashaw himself had to
make the final decision. He spoke with
the gravity becoming he occasion, say
ing his one desire was to do what was
best for his country. Sidi Mohammed
then rose, and, after low salaam, i'm
plored his master, for the sake of hu-
but that, as he was their master and
lord, whatever course he might adopt
there would be but one party in the
council. The bashaw considered this
in silence for some minutes, and then,
taking a magnificent signet ring from
his finger he impressed it upon the
letter which lay open before him. ac-
cepting the terms OF the American com
modore, and saying at the same time
with much dignity:
'Tt is peace"
All then retired except Sidi Moham-
med. Captain Bainbridge remained in
the anteroom while Sidi Mohammed
consulted with the bashaw. When
sidi Mohammed came out. he said to
Captain Bainbridge with some embar-
rassment:
Il have represented TO my master
that the most convenient way to ar
range for the liberation of the prison.
ers would be for you to go on parole
aboard the American flagship for the
day. 1t is not the custom in our coun-
try to parole prisoners, and my mas
ter only consented upon condition that
should bring my only son to the cas-
tie, leaving him in the bashaw's power
until you should return. If you do not
return my son will be bowstrung at
sunset. need not say, however, that
/ feel my SON to be perfectly safe. and
will trust his life to your honor"
Il thank you more than / can ex-