fledge to the ftake; and his countenance had all the impreffions of death, despair, and hell reprefented upon it.

-This, however, did not affect me with any other fenfation than of that delight which is naturally felt on the gratification of revenge, till the executioners, with unfeeling hearts, and merry tauntings, began to take the wretch in hand. But when I faw them with difficulty and great violence, thrusting the ftake through his body, which they run up withinfide the fpinal bone, and fo out at the back of his neck, in order to avoid his bowels, and keep him the longer in anguish; when, I faw him writhing in agony, and heard his horrible roars and groanings, all my revenge was quickly turned into terror and compaffion; his pangs and fufferings, as it feemed, were transferred to my own perfon, and, had I not turned away, I Thould have fainted on the spot.

me.

The Dey, from this time, became extremely fond of me, and familiar with He allotted me an affluent pension, with flaves, horfes, and attendants. He faid I fhould be to him in the place of a nephew, and of a fon, and he called me by the name of David Ofmyn.

Some time after, tidings were brought that Caled Amurath of Fez, was ma

H 3

king

dominions.

king mighty preparations to invade his We will more than meet him half way, cried the gallant Ali: perhaps we may even prevent his threatened expedition. He then fummoned his forces from all quarters. I was prefent when he made a general mufter of them. His foot were more formidable for their numbers than their difcipline; but his horfe were perfectly trained, and made a moft brilliant appearance.

The day before he fet out, I threw myfelf at his feet. I will go with you, my mafter, I will go with you, I cried. I will not have any command or poft of preference or honour; I only defire permiflion to fight by your fide, that you may witnefs how greatly I fhail dare in your caufe; how ready I shall be to take,. to my own bofom, all the weapons that: fhall be aimed at your bofom, my father.

No, David, he replied, my people know you are fill a Chriftian. I could not refrain from fhewing the love I have for you; and that might be matter of jea loufy and difcontent to my captains. L will leave you here a band of foldiers,, with whom you are to encamp within fight of my palace, and to keep thefe walls from violence, and my women from pollution. But, while you are:

their guardian, beware that you do not turn an invader, David! I would pardon you any thing but this; I would not pardon you the invafion of my bed, David Ofmyn! No, my lord, I cried a loud, I cannot prove ungrateful. Though your women were as obvious to my walks as yonder pavement, and though adorned with more graces than their firft mother in paradife, they should have no temptation for me, my mafter!

The next morning Ali began his march; and having escorted him a piece on his way, I returned to my charge.

That night, as I lay in my tent, I began to call myfelf to an account. Das vid, faid I to my foul, thou haft now gotten preferment, and riches, and ho Hours; thou art, as it were, the fecond man in the realm, and all this people have thee in high estimation: but art thou the better or the happier man for all this, David? Far otherwife, far other wife. Otrail and vain heart! these gauds. and thefe glories have taken hold upon thee, and they have drawn a painted veil between me and my God. To my chain,, and my itraw, and my nakednets! return me to them, O Lord! return. me to my flavery, return me to my labours! i was not then, indeed, gaining conqueits, and

winning

winning prizes; but I was near to ob taining "the prize of the high calling." My body was not then adorned with gold and pearl; but my fpirit rejoiced in the pearl of mighty price."

In about five weeks after, as I was taking, by moon-light, my evening's walk of meditation, on the marble that checkered the pavement before the palace, Muley, an old black, and chief of the eunuchs of the feraglio, came up and accofted me. Ofmyn, faid he, taking a bundle from under his arm, I have here a prefent for you that would make proud the greatest emperor upon earth. It is a complete fuit wrought purposely for you by the fingers of the fultana, as alfo by the fingers of her fair and princely fifters. They have heard of your great atchievements during the festival, and they fend you this in reward.

So faying, he unfolded the robes to the moon. They were flowered with gold, pearls, and gems of fuch a vivid luftre as reflected her beams with tenfold brightneís.

And what is required of me, Muley, I demanded, in return for this ineftimable honour and bounty? Nothing, faid Muley, but a fingle hour's attendance, to give them a fhort sketch of your life and adventures.

adventures. Take back your presents, I cried, there is poifon and death in them; I will not betray the truft that our mafter has repofed in me. Nay, faid Muley, I affirm to you that there is no fuch intention. Our ladies are all women of the feverest chastity. I will undertake to conduct, and reconduct you back in fafety. Neither can our mafter be betrayed in any degree. They all live together, they love like fifters, and no one keeps a fecret from the other. However, they defired me to tell you, that, if you are of a fearful temper, they will not infift on the favour fo much expected.

Here I felt myself piqued: No, Muley, I cried, I am no coward. I can dare all honeft dangers. I will attend you. But I will not ftay, Muley. I will let your ladies know, that, in the cause of honour and virtue, I can resist all tempta tions.

I then called a distant flave, who wait. ed my orders, and giving hin the bundle, defired him to lay it within my tent. Where now, Muley? faid I. I will fhew you, faid Muley.

He then led me to a large bucket, wherein water was accustomed to be rai fed, by pulleys, to the balcony, and there

to