the aga, "this is fortunate for you; as, upon
certain conditions, you may enter upon the whole property. One is, that
you keep this pipe of wine with the rascally Jew in it, that I may have
the pleasure occasionally to look at my revenge. You will also keep the
pipe with the other body in it, that it may keep my anger alive. The
last is, that you will supply me with what wine I may require, of the
very best quality, without making any charge. Do you consent to these
terms, or am I to consider you as a party to this infamous transaction?"

I hardly need observe that the terms were gladly accepted. Your highness
must be aware that nobody thinks much about a Jew. When I was questioned
as to his disappearance, I shrugged up my shoulders and told the
inquirers, confidentially, that the aga of the janissaries had put him
_in prison_, and that I was carrying on the business until his release.

In compliance with the wishes of the aga, the two casks containing the
Jew and the Ethiopian slave, were placed together on settles higher than
the rest, in the centre of the store. He would come in the evening, and
rail at the cask containing my late master for hours at a time; during
which he drank so much wine, that it was a very common circumstance for
him to remain in the house until the next morning.

You must not suppose, your highness, that I neglected to avail myself
(unknown to the aga) of the peculiar properties of the wine which those
casks contained. I had them spiled underneath, and, constantly running
off the wine from them, filled them up afresh. In a short time there was
not a gallon in my possession which had not a _dash_ in it of either the
Ethiopian or the Jew; and my wine was so improved, that it had a most
rapid sale, and I became rich.

All went on prosperously for three years; when the aga, who during that
time had been my constant guest, and at least three times a-week had
been intoxicated in my house, was ordered with his troops to join the
Sultan's army. By keeping company with him, I had insensibly imbibed a
taste for wine, although I never had been inebriated. The day that his
troops marched, he stopped at my door, and dismounting from his Arabian,
came in to take a farewell glass, desiring his men to go on, and that he
would ride after them. One glass brought on another, and the time flew
rapidly away. The evening closed in, and the aga was, as usual, in a
state of intoxication;--he insisted upon going dow