m, namely, the bringing about of peace
between the Algerines and the Portuguese. There were many Portuguese
slaves in the town and neighbourhood at the time, and several officers
of that country dwelt there, exempt from the duty of labouring like
beasts of burden at the works on the walls and about the harbour, solely
in virtue of annual tribute being paid by their friends. The former
Dey, Achmet, had declined to oblige his friend Colonel Langley by making
peace with Portugal, on the ground that he could not forego the
advantages resulting from a state of warfare. The new Dey, Omar, was
still less capable of being influenced by considerations of humanity.

"What would you have?" he said, when Colonel Langley spoke to him on the
subject; "my people are brigands, and I am their chief! If I make peace
with Portugal, it will be absolutely necessary that I should declare war
with America, merely to keep my people employed!"

This was at all events candid, and the consul felt that it would be vain
to press the matter he had so much at heart as long as Omar occupied the
throne.

On his way down to the Marina, where the divan referred to was to be
held, he met Blindi Bobi looking rather disconsolate. Having an hour or
more to spare, he resolved to have a chat with him.

"Well, Bobby, my boy," said the consul kindly, for the eccentric
interpreter was a favourite, "you seem sad. Nothing wrong, I hope?"

"Not wi' me, nohow," responded Bobi, shaking his head. "Nuffin never
wrong wi' me. Always too well. Health to the mast-head--more nor I
knows wat to do wid. Wishes I could die, I do--sometimes."

"I grieve to hear that," said the consul earnestly, for he saw that the
man was in no jesting humour. "Let me know what distresses you."

"Sidi Cadua," said Bobi.

"What! the father of poor Ashweesha, widow of my late friend Achmet
Dey?" said the consul.

"Yis. Hush! Omar Dey--de divl," growled Bobi in a low tones, "gits the
berry stones to listen an' reports wat peepil say."

"Never fear," returned the consul, smiling, "they dare not report what
_I_ say. Come, tell me about it."

"Oh! it shockable," said Bobi. "Come an' see." So saying, the poor man
hurried off in the direction of a low-lying part of the town, closely
followed by the consul. Here, seated on a plain mat in an empty cellar,
which was destitute of furniture and almost of light, they found the
father of the late Sultana. His gentle, kindly spiri