COUNTESS DE BOTJRK. 95 
to the French consul, who immediately communicated its con- 
tents to M. Desault. The unfortunate young lady there re- 
lated, in a simple, but affecting manner, that after the ship- 
wreck of her mother, she and her suite had been consigned 
to the most frightful and abject slavery ; that they were dying 
of hunger and subject to every kind of ill treatment that could 
be inflicted by the enemies of religion and humanity ; and 
that they were devoured by vermin. She implored him in- 
stantly to take compassion on their misery and to send them 
some relief, till he was able to procure their liberty, of which 
the continual menaces of the barbarians tended to deprive 
them of all hope. This letter deeply affected all those who 
read it. Every one made an offer of his money and his ser- 
vices to M. Desault, who did not want much entreaty on the 
subject, being intimately acquainted with the family of Made- 
moiselle de Bourk. He instantly gave orders for the equip- 
ment of a French tartan lying in the port, purchased clothes 
and provisions, and obtained of the Dey a letter of recom- 
mendation to the grand marabout, or the high priest of Bugia, 
who possesses the greatest authority over those people. He 
likewise wrote to the young lady and sent her several pre- 
sents. On the evening of the same day the tartan set sail, and 
in a short time arrived at Bugia. 
There, Ibrahim Aga, the national interpreter, sent by M. 
Desault, in the tartan, presented the Dey's and M. Desault's 
letters to the grand marabout. Though sick, the latter in- 
stantly rose from his bed, mounted his horse with the mara- 
bout of Gigeri, the interpreter, and six or seven other Moors, 
and proceeded to the mountains, Vv^hich were five or six days 
journey from Bugia. Upon their arrival, the Moors, the mas- 
ters of the captives, having descried the company at a dis- 
tance, shut themselves up in their hut, to the number of ten or 
twelve, with drawn sabres. The marabout knocked violently 
at the door and asked where were the Christians. They re- 
ceived for answer that they were at the extremity of the vil- 
lage ; but a Moor, who was within, made a sign that they 
were in the hut. The company immediately alighted, and or- 
dered the door to be opened. The Moors then fled, and the 
marabouts entered. 
At the sight of them the slaves conceived that their last hour 
was come ; but their apprehensions were soon dispelled by the 
grand marabout, who went up to Mademoiselle de Bourk and 
delivered the consul's letters, together with the provisions he 
had sent her. He and all his suite passed the night in the hut, 
