The pacha had repeated his perambulations for many nights, without
success; and Mustapha, who observed that he was becoming very impatient,
thought it advisable to cater for his amusement.
Among those who used to repair to Mustapha when he exercised his former
profession, was a French renegade, a man of considerable talent and
ready invention, but a most unprincipled scoundrel, who, previous to the
elevation of Mustapha, had gained his livelihood by daring piratical
attempts in an open boat. He was now in the employ of the vizier,
commanding an armed xebeque which the latter had purchased. She passed
off as a government cruiser but was in reality a pirate. Selim, for
that was the name which the renegade had adopted when he abjured his
faith, condemned every vessel that had the misfortune to meet with him,
taking out the cargoes, burning the hull, and throwing the crews
overboard, with the privilege of swimming on shore if they could. By
this plan he avoided the inconveniences attending any appeals from the
jurisdiction of the High Court of Admiralty, which he had established
upon the seas.
The consequence was, that his cruises were more successful than ever;
and Mustapha, who was not content with pillaging the pacha's subjects on
dry land, was amassing a large fortune at their expense by his maritime
speculations.
Occasionally, bales or packages would be recognised when landed as
having the identical marks and numbers of those which had been shipped
from the quay but a fortnight before; but the renegade could always give
a satisfactory explanation to the vizier; and after a Jew, who could not
bear the idea of parting with his property without remonstrance, had
been impaled, people shrugged up their shoulders and said nothing.
Now it occurred to Mustapha, that Selim might be able to assist his
views. He talked fast and loud, vaunted his own exploits, curled his
whiskers as he swore to the most improbable assertions, and had become a
general nuisance and terror since he had obtained the vizier's
protection.
Mustapha sent for him; and, as a preliminary question, inquired if ever
he had read the Arabian Nights.
"Yes; vizier," replied the renegade; "many years before I turned Turk."
"Do you recollect the voyages of Sindbad the Sailor?"
"To be sure I do; he is the only man that could ever hold a candle to me
in lying."
"Well, then, his highness the pacha delights in such stories; and it is
my wish that you prepare to recount your own voyages, as Sindbad has
done before you."
"But what am I to get for it?"
"My good-will and protection; besides which, his highness if pleased,
will not fail to order you a handsome present."
"Well," replied Selim, "any man who can produce gold in this world will
always be able to change it for base metal. I can coin lies in my mint
faster than he can coin sequins in his; and since you wish it, and say
that it will be profitable, why--I am very much at his service."
"Then, Selim, observe my directions, for every thing must appear
accidental."
In pursuance to the orders received from Mustapha, the renegade remained
that evening at the corner of a certain street, through which Mustapha
took care that the pacha should pass in his disguise. When he perceived
their approach, the renegade exclaimed, "Allah, Allah! when is the happy
time to come, promised in my seventh and last voyage?"
"Who are you; and why do you call upon Heaven for happy times?" inquired
the pacha.
"I am Huckaback the sailor," replied the renegade, "who, after a life of
danger and disaster, am anxiously awaiting the fulfilment of a promise
from the Most High."
"I must see this man to-morrow," observed the pacha:--"Mustapha, as you
value your life, see that he attends."
The vizier bowed; and the pacha returned to the palace without further
adventure.
The next day, as soon as the business of the divan had closed, the
renegade was ordered in. Prostrating himself before the pacha, he then
rose, and folding his arms over his breast, awaited his commands in
silence.
"I have sent for you, Huckaback, to inquire the meaning of the words you
made use of last night: and to know what was the promise made to you in
your seventh and last voyage; but I will thank you to begin at the
first, as I wish to hear the history of all your voyages."
"May it please your highness, as I live but to obey you, all that has
occurred in my eventful life shall, if you command it, be submitted to
your ear. It will, however, be necessary that I should revert to my
early days to enable your highness more fully to comprehend the whole."
"Aferin! well said," replied the pacha; "I don't care how long a story
it is, provided that it is a good one:" and Selim having obeyed a sign
from his highness, intimating that he might sit down, commenced as
follows:--
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