children in the deepest grief and alarm at what had
occurred, for it had been reported to them that Omar had said he would
order the wife and children of the Danish consul to be put up for sale
in the public slave-market if the tribute due by Denmark were not paid
without further delay.

"Trust me, madam," said the Colonel with indignation, "we shall not
suffer this barbarian to carry out his threats, and we will, moreover,
see instant justice done to your husband."

Hastily writing several notes requesting a meeting with his brother
consuls in the residence of the Dane, he despatched them by his two
satellites, and very speedily the whole were assembled.

"Gentlemen," said Colonel Langley, after some conversation, "it is
imperative that we should act at once, unitedly and with decision.
Anything like vacillation at such a crisis will encourage these
barbarians to proceed to extremities which may end in our ruin. Need I
call to your remembrance the recent case of the unhappy Dutch consul,
who had dwelt twenty-three years in this city, and who, although an old
and infirm man, was loaded with irons of sixty pounds' weight, and
marched out to labour with the other slaves, from which treatment he
soon after died--all, forsooth, because his government had delayed to
send the accustomed annual `present' to the Dey at the appointed time?
It concerns us all, gentlemen, that we should act promptly. We must
proceed in a body at once--within this hour--to the palace, and demand
that our brother consul shall instantly be set at liberty. For this
purpose, if you agree with me, we must elect one of our number to be
spokesman."

At this point the other consuls interrupted the Colonel, by begging him
to accept the office, and to lead them out at once.

"I accept it with pleasure," said the Colonel, turning to Rais Ali, who
stood at his elbow.--"Rais, you will accompany me to interpret--"

"Oh, Monsieur!" exclaimed Rais, who had not many minutes before been
boasting to his friend Flaggan that he was a brave English tar as good
as himself, but who now turned very pale; "oh no, no! Please, Monsieur,
demand me not to go dis time for interprit. For certain the Dey hims
kill me--hims kill all of us."

"Well then, Rais," replied the Colonel, somewhat amused at the man's
undisguised terror, "we shall all die together, and you will at least
have the comfort of falling in goodly company."

"But, master," supplicated Rais, "I's not