fearful of the enemy, had cast aside his uniform to assume the habit of a peasant. By his recommendation we were persuaded to do the like; and an elderly feniale, whom the janissary called from an adjoining apartment, soon procured for us a disguise. Great god! what were the tumults of my mind when, on nearer scrutiny, I discovered in the person of the janissary the ruffian who long since bore me from the peaceful residence of Morad! His towering eye and fiend-like physiognomy struck me at first sight. For awhile I gave way to the assurance of Hassan to Kyoprili, and in the belief that he had dispatched him I doubted the correctness of my memory; but I was soon convinced the wretch still lived.

"You seem thoughtful Omar," said Mustapha after a short pause. "O damned Kyoprili!-be not displeased sweet friend," continued he, as he darted a significant scowl upon me.

I can give you no idea of the horror which possessed me at this sudden change in the comportment of the ungrateful villain. Unguarded, though he was, I had all the disposition to glut my vengeance with his instant annihilation; but the reply of Omar kept in check the desire of chastising his temerity.

"Yes, seignior," said Omar, "I just now remember what a narrow escape I once had in this neighborhood

"Ah, what was that?" demanded Mustapha.

"You may remember," continued Omar, "the uproar in the seraglio at the escape of Zaide ?"

"That is an old story," interrupted Mustapha. "It is," replied Omar, "but old, though it be, the sultan has yet to forget his passion for that favorite

slave. He had a son by her, as your highness may recollect

"She bore it yet an infant with her, if I remember well,' cried Mustapha, again interrupting him.

"Even so seignior," added Omar, "but it did not die as reported."

"Indeed! what then?"

By some means the grand vizier discovered the route of Zaide; but not till she was fairly beyond the reach of pursuit. Belgrade, a nearer town, was the last place he traced her to, and then it was full nine moons after her escape from the seraglio. Here she stopt but one day, and with her soon passed the frontiers of Turkey. Eight times from that period had the pious carmelite performed his weary pilgrimage to Mecca, when the vizier learned from his spies that a person of suspicious character resided in the neighborhood of Belgrade, supported by the bountiful donations of some unknown hand. The information added that he had a child, whose appearance denoted something far beyond a peasant boy. But to be brief: it was soon discovered that the supposed father, by name Morad, had originally come from Hungary-that the boy was placed under his protection by a stranger-that with it he had given him a bountiful supply of gold; and was then in the receipt of annual donations for its ample support. A diamond too was found in the possession of Morad, which being produced was instantly recognized by the vizier: and thus the son of Zaide, and the defender of the faithful, was at length discovered! Fearful that a knowledge of this event might reach the sultan's ears, and determined that the issue of some other slave should maintain pretension to the diadem, I was hurried to Belgrade with a mandate for the boy, and charged on pain of death to dispatch it in secret.

"The boy was given me with much reluctance. I bore it from its home, and was proceeding toward Constantinople to execute my orders on the road in the completest manner. But as ill-luck would have it, passing near to this in the dead of night, I was beset by robbers. A bullet brought me from my horse, and is now lodged in this thigh. Another shot killed my charge; and after smarting all night with my wounds, I had the good fortune to escape from my pursuers to receive the reward I merited. It was the recollection of that circumstance, seignior, which occupied my thoughts I'm not, however, displeased at what happened, since it was the means of placing me under your highness' command. A company in the janissaries was the recompense awarded me for my services, and, in consideration of the vizier's favor, I shall ever hold myself bound to obey his mandates, and allow me to add those also of your Highness."

Indeed! thought I, then let me be prepared! The pride of Mustapha was humbled; and I guessed the bloody purpose he would encompass. Like a base coward he could fawn and play the sycophant when on the brink of danger; but the peril over, and seated on the summit of concerted safety, him would he sacrifice whose generous soul had rescued him from jeopardy. Such in fact was the foul scheme he contemplated to wipe away the infamy of humiliated greatness. They retired in silent interchange of signs, leaving me in expectation of the worst of purposes.

The story of Omar placed before me an interesting picture of my destiny. What! was I then the son of the mighty Selim-presumptive heir to the Ottoman throne? The very idea kindled up my blood to deeds of more than mortal valor. But my mother-this un

heard-of Zaide! a sigh burst from my anguished heart as I remembered that she also, like her son, was a victim to misfortune! no matter, thought I to myself, perhaps I shall live to sooth her wearied pangs, and while clasping to my heart the author of my existence learn the eventful tidings of my birth. Come what may, I havė an arm to wield with skill the scimitar of Kyoprili.

That scimitar, Bernard, continued Alfonso, is the same you have so often prized. From that period it has been the constant companion of my travels-no pearl, however costly, would have been a richer present. I had no memento of my friend; and, though I needed none to preserve the recollection of one so near my heart, I blessed it as a precious relict, the only substantial token of Kyoprili's fame; but tarnished by unseemly hands, and sent to me by heaven as the safeguard of its glorious achievements.

Mustapha and his companion having finished their private conversation, now returned to where I was. Omar began to scrutinize my figure with renewed curiosity; but confiding in the alteration of my features, and the period that intervened our last meeting, I pretended not to observe his anxiety, affecting to be solicitous for the wound of Mustapha. I inquired if it were possible to procure professional aid; added that I was fearful of its necessity, and requested his permission to go in search of advice. Mustapha treated my proposal with a disdainful frown; resumed his attack upon the honor of Kyoprili, and hinted, in language sufficiently plain, a thirst of revenge for my superiority in combat,

Even this I had presence of mind to endure; but when the villain Omar joined in sarcasm against my friend, and employing threats too in opposition to my

justification, longer forbearance were cowardice; former provocation thirsted for an example; indignation gave way to furious rage-all the venom of heated frenzy rose in arms, and in a moment my scimitar was unsheathed and mantled in his detested body. Mustapha was unarmed, and stood petrified with astonishment as he beheld the reeling carcase of Omar tumble at his feet. "Stir not, thou base calumniator, thou poltroon pacha! exclaimed I to Mustapha, "or by our holy prophet, I'll make a ghost of thee, to wed your common crimes upon a funeral pile. Behold that son of Zaide, whom yonder bravo sought to pluck from the genealogical tree of Mahomed!" Then turning to the dying vilJain whom I began to pity :-"enfeebled is that arm which would have palsied mine-fast ebbs that blood which would have drained these veins; repent, and die in peace-freely do I pardon, do you, make peace with heaven."

"Art thou the boy I bore from Morad's house " "I am!"

"And canst thou forgive me then?" cried the repentant sinner.

"Thanks-thanks-I die composed-oh! Mahomed -Selim is not thy father-Zaide" he was continuing, but the name died upon his lips, and he expired to leave me in all the uncertainty of half-finished confession. One word more, and perhaps I should have become acquainted with my origin; but I was reserved for farther trials of my fortitude.

Mark the conduct of Mustapha, the puissant captain pacha of the Ottoman empire!

"O! glorious achievement!" cried he, " by heaven it was nobly done! He was a villain, seignior, and you