Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 341, March, 1844, Vol. 55

e, that although broken into numerous creeks and bays, there are but few places where vessels, eve

r to accomplish in safety the navigation of the shallow rocky sea; and even when the mariner succeeds in setting foot on land, he

summits of the high chalky cliffs, that it would have been difficult to discover much of the appearance of the persons in question, but for an occasional streak of light that shot out of a narrow ravine opening among the rocks in rear of the party, and lit up some dark-bearded visage, o

of the Grand Turk, the people of Ancona-all, in short, who inhabited the shores of the Adriatic, and were interested in its commerce, or in the countless merchant vessels that skimmed over its waters-trembled and turned pale when the name of these daring freebooters was mentioned in their hearing. In vain was it that the Sultan, who in his sublimity scarcely deigned to know the names of some of the great European powers, had caused hi

mind's eye, and, like Banquo's ghost, filled the vacant seats at the table; while the men gazed anxiously out, expecting to see their granaries and store-houses in flames. Nor were the seaman's apprehensions less lively, when night surprised him with some valuable cargo in the neighbourhood of the pirates' haunts. Every rock, each tree, and bush became an object of dread; the very ripple of the waves on the shingle a sound of

them to the encounter of their foes on the devastated plains of Cardavia. In the despatches from Madrid, from the ministers of that monarch on whose dominions the sun never set, to his ambassadors, the name of these seven hundred outlaws occupied a frequent and prominent place. But by none were the Uzcoques more feared and detested than by the greyheaded do

covery of some object of unusual value elicited an exclamation of delight, or a disappointment brought a grumbling curse to their lips. They seemed carefully to avoid noise, lest it should draw down upon them the observation of the castle that frowned above their he

o lay bound hand and foot at a short distance from the pirates, "why do these mangy cu

hold of on his passage by the Uzcoques. He was sitting up, being less strictly manacled than his more youthful and energetic-looking companion; and his comical counten

an ever, and now and then concealing something of value under their cloaks, "could not the greed

oth old Hassan slowly, "'As peo

oulders warned the old Turk to keep his proverbs for a more fitting season. The pirate was a

p at the castle. For a moment all was still and hushed as the grave, and the Uzcoques scarcely seemed to breathe as they drew their greedy hands in silent haste out of the sacks; then, suddenly recovering from their stupefaction, they snatched up their muskets and crowded into a dark cavern in the rock, which the beams of the setting sun had now for the first time rendered visible, without, however, lighting up its deep and dark recesses. In their haste and alarm, more than one of the freebooters had his tattered man

most recess of which they bestowed them. They then rejoined their companions, who were grouped together at the entrance of the cavern like a herd of frightened deer, and gazing anxiously up at the castle. After the lap

he sacks, and hastily filled them with the various objects lying on the beach. Every thing being collected, the pirates commenced toiling their way up the steep mountain path leading to the castle,

er would expect us back about this time, and doubtless was on the look-out. These Turkish hounds have seen every thing, and might easily betray us. Let us leave them here till to-morro

cely died away on the ears of the anxiously listening captives, when loud acclamations and cries of joy announced the arrival of the first detachment at the castle. The heavy gates of the f

dly, that the young Turk had scarcely had time to recover from the giddy, half-stunned state into which

, in a voice of suppressed fury

, shrugged his shoulders, and opened his eyes wider than befor

and foot, that chafes me to madness, and makes my very blood boil in my v

ave forgotten the most dreadful part of our position. Bound hand and foot as we are

the other. "Has ter

e. "He who awakes and forthwith invokes the holy name of Allah, is thereby delivered from the first noose; by performing his ablutions, the second becomes loosened; an

e Koran, old man?

re you? It is the hundred and f

a tone of indifference. "If that is

es on his wrists rendered ineffectual. "Allah protect me! Is it not enough that I have fallen into captiv

claimed the youth in great wrath. "I an unbeliever! I

, and endeavour to lay hold of the hem of the young m

d ignorance. I am well pleased when I break no commandment of the Koran; and trouble m

d Hassan, not a little scanda

hout awaking," replied the young Turk laughing. "T

d his face to the wall in const

that the shameless scoundrels do not rob on their own account, since they are obliged to pilfer and conceal a part of their plunder in order to get a profit from their misdeeds. Marked you not, Ha

bowed his hea

s in the land of the Giaour is also manifest to his penetrating vision. Witness the veil of turpitude and cunning which has long been seen through by the clear eyes of our holy mollahs, and of the council at the Seraglio, and which has just now been to

the good maiden that accompanies the pira

emanded the youth, in vain endeavouring

e Christian maiden been taken from among the Uzcoques? She belongs to them, she is the daughter of their leader, the terrible Dansowich, beside whom she is ever to be found, instilling the musk and amber of mildness int

into my heart! As the sound of bubbling fountains, and the rustle of flowery groves to the parched wanderer in the desert, fell her sweet

inspire you with an unholy desire for a Nazarene woman, began by blinding you. According

like the morning star, and her cheeks of velvet. Oh, that I could again behold her! In that hope it was that I

t that the pirates have this year committed greater cruelties

hear the shrieks of the tortured; instead of her word

ired Hassan, who was getting impatient a

well of truth. It is not the Uzcoques alone," s

errupted th

me audible, a keel grated on the beach, and th

aimed Ibrahim; "but these are not laden wi

and trampling of feet increased, and above

the mouth of the cavern. "They are already at the castle-the gates, no doubt, ar

ng Turk

xclaimed. "It is Strasold

anguish. "How shall we deliver thee? Alas! alas! who can tell th

e newly arrived Uzcoques who had hurried up the winding path, were

hands in despair. The next moment a sudden thought seemed

north wind and the tempest, come forth and shatter the most stately vessels against our iron-bound coast.4 Up, Uzcoques, and fire the cave

; her features of regular and striking beauty; her complexion, naturally of that clear rich brown, which lends more lustre to the eyes than the purest red and white, was now ghastly with intense alarm; and this death-like paleness imparted a more prominent and commanding character to her well-defined, jet-black brows, and the full, dark, humid eyes, which gleamed like brilliants through their long lashes. Heavy tresses of raven hair, escaping beneath her turban-like head-dress, streamed out like a sable banner as she rushed into the cavern, then fell and flowed in waving luxuriance over neck and shoulders to her girdle. The Turks

fted them on one side, and, at the sane time, dispersing the smoke, gave the Turks a momentary glimpse of the maiden, standing with uplifted hands, expectation, anxiety, an

etry diminished and finally ceased. "Uzcoques!" she cried in a louder voice, and with inspiration in her thrilling tones-"Take he

ment was heard the rush of

solda in piercing accents. "Utter not a word. You

r companions. Just then some damp branches that had lain smouldering and smoking on the fire, burned brightly up, and by their light Ibrahim and Hassan beheld the m

statues of fire. In the handsome countenance of one of the figures thus suddenly revealed to her, Strasolda recognized the young Moslem, whose prisoner she had been, and whose noble person and bearing, courteous manners, and gentle treatment, had more than once since the day of her captivity, occupied the thoughts and fancy of the Uzcoque maiden. Unaware of Ibrahim's capture,

damp wood, augmenting as the flame diminished, was now so overpowering that the Turks were in imminent danger of suffocation. In their extremity, making a violent effort, their pent up voices found vent in a cry of such startli

feguard it affords to those who serve it, than that which is found beneath the shadow of the cross. Better the sharp cimeter and plighted word of the Moslem, than the fair promises of the lying Christian, who, in the hour of peril, abandons those by whose courage he has profited. But enough!" cried she in an altered tone. "Our first duty

nd sadness the pirates followed t

k lay, revolving in his mind the eventful scene he had witnessed, and the strange and startling circumstances that had come to his knowledge during the few preceding hours. The capture of Dansowich was an event of much importance; nor was there less weight in the discovery Ibrahim had made of the dependence of the Uzcoques upon a higher power, which, in secret, aided and profite

ded. With much interest did he endeavour to solve the problem, and explain what appeared almost miraculous, how so fair a creature-such a masterpiece of Heaven's handiwork-could have passed her childhood and youth amongst the refuse of humanity assembled on the island, and yet have retained the spotless purity which was apparent in every look and gesture. But, however interesting these reflec