THE RED TARTANE. 



as thine, and for my life I would not that the precious talisman was 

 defiled by these miscreants of infidels." 



Fasillo passed through two strong iron gates, which were again 

 carefully made fast ; and preceded by the aged jew, whose spare and 

 angular form was enveloped in a loose yellow robe, he entered a nar- 

 row passage, lighted only from above. 



"Wait, wait, my son, while I examine the precious scroll more 

 closely," exclaimed the old man, his eyes twinkling with eagerness, 

 beneath his thick eye-brows. " By the five stars of Stenboth, these are 

 the proofs of high rank, indeed, amongst the select, and I obey with 

 life and fortune he who bears them. Young man, thou hast but to 

 command." 



" Thou art called Jacob, but thy name is Zamarik," said Fasillo. 

 " True may the blessed angel touch me with his finger if I lie !" 

 " Then, Zamarik, thou hast magazines, to which an entrance near 

 the cave of Betim Sah gives access?" 



" True may the blessed angel touch me with his finger if I lie !" 

 " And in these magazines are stored the rich tissues of Tunis, the 

 costly silks of Turkey, and the splendid cachmeres from Ispahan ?'* 

 The Jew turned pale, but, nevertheless, a third time answered: 

 " True may the blessed angel touch me with his finger if I lie !" 

 " Thou wilt go there to-night, and without delay without eva- 

 sion allow this merchandise to be conveyed on board a Tartane now 

 lying at anchor under Danish colours in the cove of Betim' Sah ?" 



The Jew, who had hitherto been standing in an attitude of the 

 deepest humility, started back as if he had been bitten by a viper, 

 exclaiming : 



" By the girdle of the magi, thou canst not do it it is impossible 

 my hair stands on end at the mere thought !" 



" Infamous Jew," returned Fasillo, " dost thou believe I desire thy 

 merchandise for nothing ? Thou shalt have gold gold enough to 

 buy thy magazines, thyself, and thy rabbi, twice over." 



" Divine Spirit, protect thy terrified servant keep thy gold, young 

 man; thou art strangely deceived as to the motives of my refusal; do 

 I not know that, with this sacred symbol, thou can'st demand all I 

 possess my fortune and my life? but dost thou know what it is 

 thou askest ?" And, clasping his hands in the most profound ter- 

 ror, with eyes fixed with intense interest upon the young man, he 

 awaited his reply. 



" I do know, Zamarik," returned Fasillo calmly. 

 "Thou dost know! but, no, it is impossible ;" then looking timid- 

 ly around as if he feared to be overheard, he approached Fasillo, 

 whispered in his ear a moment, and fixed upon him a look of terrified 

 anxiety. 



" Again I tell thee, I know," said the latter, without the slightest 

 symptom of irresolution being discernible in either his countenance 

 or voice. 



" And thou wilt ?" 

 " I will.' 1 



That night Fasillo saw the merchandize embarked, and, as Bentek 

 and the negroes carried the last bales on board, the Jew, who had not 



