ld first fall sick in order to
give colour to the report of her death, and that the feigned malady
ought to last some days. The cadi was much more disposed to say that she
died suddenly, finish the whole job at once, despatch his wife, and
allay the raging fire that was consuming his vitals; but he was obliged
to submit to the advice of his two counsellors.

Meanwhile, Halima had declared her design to Mahmoud and Ricardo, who
had signified their readiness to accomplish it when passing the Crosses
of Alexandria, or entering the castles of Anatolia; but so intolerably
did the cadi importune them, that they made up their minds to do so upon
the first opportunity that offered. After they had been six days at sea
the cadi thought that Leonisa's feigned malady had lasted quite long
enough, and was very urgent with them that they should finish with
Halima on the following day, and to quiet him they promised that they
would do so. But when that day came, which, as they expected, was to
witness the accomplishment of their own secret plans, or to be the last
of their lives, they suddenly discovered a vessel giving chase to them,
with all speed of sails and oars. They were afraid it was a Christian
corsair, from which neither party had any good to expect; for if it were
one, the mussulmans would be made captive, and the Christians, though
left at liberty, would be plundered of everything. Mahmoud and Ricardo,
however, took comfort in the prospect of freedom for Leonisa and
themselves; nevertheless, they were not without fear of the insolence of
the corsairs, for people who abandon themselves to such practices,
whatever be their religion or law, are invariably cruel and brutal. The
cadi's crew made preparation to defend themselves; but without quitting
their oars, and still doing all in their power to escape; but the vessel
in chase gained upon them so fast that in less than two hours it was
within cannon-shot. Seeing her so close, they lowered their sails, stood
to their arms, and awaited the assault, though the cadi told them they
had nothing to fear, for the stranger was under Turkish colours and
would do them no harm. He then gave orders to hoist the white flag of
peace.

Just then Mahmoud chanced to turn his head, and espied another galley of
some twenty benches apparently, bearing down upon them from the west. He
told the cadi, and some Christians at the oar said that this was a
vessel of their own people. The confusion and