THE RED TARTANE. 643 



refit, and repair the ravages made by the fire, I was welcomed with 

 joy at Alexandria. In truth it is a pleasant city on a fine evening, 

 when the sun is setting behind the sandy deserts,, and gilding with 

 his rays the harem of Mohammed, the fortifications of the old port, 

 the palace of Pharoah, and the pillar of Pompey ; whilst the sea- 

 breeze cools the heated atmosphere, and the negroes having spread 

 their tents on terraces, repose on soft cushions and inhale the rose- 

 scented tobacco of the Levant. Then a beautiful girl from Candia or 

 Samos kneels, and blushing offers you a richly-chased cup of iced 

 sherbet you make a sign, she approaches, and with one arm round 

 her lovely bending neck, you gaze carelessly on that sweet face, re- 

 sembling a beautiful apparition amidst the clouds of blue and odori- 

 ferous smoke that curls from the amber-tipped hookah/' 



Fasillo's eyes certainly sparkled more brightly than the cuttings 

 of the crystal flasks. Half rising, he cried eagerly, "Let us go to 

 Alexandria, commandant ?" 



"To Alexandria ! what dost thou desire, my poor boy? what, if 

 they seated thee on the sharp arrow of a minaret, whose pewter dome 

 almost reaches the clouds, and if they left thee in that horrible situa- 

 tion until the crows pecked qut thy large black eyes?" 



This question extinguished the ardour of Fasillo, who, however, 

 quickly filled his glass, and smiling said, " Let us put about, com- 

 mandant." 



" Yes, Fasillo, for such is the fate that awaits me if ever the bow- 

 sprit of my Tartane should be directed towards that enchanting: 

 land !" 



"Alas ! commandant, why so?" 



" Because I plunged my knife five times into the throat of the 

 good emir who sheltered my SedMha, and instructed me like a rabbi." 



" God of Heaven ! another murder ! you the murderer of your be- 

 nefactor !" 



<e He took advantage of his hospitality to seduce my sister, and he 

 could not marry her. What should'st thou have done in my place, 

 Fasillo ?" 



The young man covered his face with his hand, then whispered, 

 " and your sister ?" 



" There remained a last proof of affection for me to give her, and 

 I gave it," replied the Gitano, his voice broken by emotion. I killed 

 her, Fasillo." 



" Killed your sister, too ! accursed be the fraticide !" 



" Boy, dost thou know in Egypt the fate that awaits a young girl 

 who falls, should her seducer be already married? dost thou know 

 it ? They strip her of her clothes, and lead her naked through the 

 streets, mulitating her in the most horrible manner ; after which, she 

 is dressed in sackcloth, and exposed at the door of a mosque, where 

 every one, even a Christian, may load her with blows and reproaches. 

 What more wouldst thou have done for thy sister ?" 



" Hitherto, murder nothing but murder still, in spite of myself, 

 I admire !" said Fasillo, dejectedly. 



" Let us drink, boy !r look at the sparkling, silvery foam ! Let us 

 drink, Fasillo, and chase away the gloomy remembrances of times 



