by this theft (which I am satisfied was
a lawful one) that I preserved my life.

"You see," said I to my master, "with what submission I labour with all
my power. I make faggots, churn the butter, keep the flocks, pull up
roots, prepare the camels hair, which your wife is to spin, labour the
ground, and in short do every thing you exact of me. I have enriched
you, and you will not vouchsafe to give me a few rags to cover me."
Other Arabs, more compassionate, and always jealous of his being in
possession of my riches, which they valued at an infinite price, threw
the same in his teeth one day. This determined him to call me to him,
when he asked me in their presence, if there was any person at Mogador
(which they called Soira) who would pay a good ransom for us? I told him
they would to his content. "In that case," replied he, "there is a
Jewish merchant who passes this way to-morrow, ask paper from him, and I
will permit you to write to those from whom you expect assistance." The
Jewish merchant[25] passed accordingly, and I wrote a letter, which I
addressed to the Consul at Soira, or in case of absence, to his
representative. I entreated him to have a feeling with our calamities,
and to send us speedy relief. I mentioned to him the best and most
certain method of sending to seek us out, and the only one to make use
of to procure us ready deliverance.[26] This letter I committed to the
hands of the Israelite, and I appeared to myself as if already at
liberty--too flattering hope!

[Footnote 25: The Jews born in the Desert live in much the same
manner with the Arabs; but those who dwell in the towns are more
rigid observers of the law of Moses.]

[Footnote 26: When the French government, or any other, get
information of any vessel being lost upon these coasts, they
should direct their agent, either at Mogador or at Tangiers, to
make application to a Jew named Aaron, who lives at Guadnum. He
employs emissaries through all the different parts of Africa to
buy up wrecks. This advice, dictated by humanity, is the best to
be followed in such cases.]

A young Moorish girl, whose flocks fed often near mine, relieved me of
my mistake, and made me acquainted with the character of Sidy Mahammet.
"If he thought he durst," said she to me, "he would not treat you any
better than he does your companions; nay, perhaps, he himself would take
you to a private place and kill you, so little would