r-in-chief of cavalry, has been here to
make the arrangement with me. I have long known of his designs; indeed,
we Jews know nearly all the secret plots that go on around us; for gold
is potent, and we have those who are willing to give us information both
in the palace and in the casba. I likewise know that Sidi Omar, whom
you may have seen, also aims at the throne; but he has no chance against
his rival Hamet, who is a more powerful man in mind and body, besides
being younger. Your old enemy Sidi Hassan has agreed to assist Hamet,
who has promised to reward him with the office next in dignity to his
own. I have more than once warned Achmet of what is plotting, for he
has been kinder to my people than most of the Deys who preceded him, but
he is strangely slow in guarding himself. He is a bold, fearless man,
and perchance trusts too much to a popularity which for some time has
been on the wane--chiefly, I believe, because he is not a sufficiently
unprincipled villain to please the taste of the lawless crew over whom
he reigns."

"This is a dreadful state of things!" said Mariano, who had listened to
the narration in silent amazement.

"It is indeed dreadful," returned Bacri, "and yet, although the European
powers must be thoroughly aware of it, through their consuls, this is
the state of things that they not only tolerate, but absolutely sanction
by the presence of their representatives and the payment of tribute."

"Tribute!" exclaimed Mariano, in a tone of indignation, "is it possible
that tribute is paid by the great powers to these miserable pirates?"

"Even so, young man," answered Bacri, with a smile, "just as we Jews pay
them tribute to avoid being pillaged--only, without having our excuse.
We are compelled to do it; but no one can suppose for a moment that a
small power like Algiers can _compel_ nearly all the maritime nations to
bow before it. Nevertheless, the nations _do_ submit, some of them to
very humiliating terms. You saw the Swedish frigate conveying two
store-ships that entered the port yesterday?"

"Yes."

"Well, these vessels contained the annual tribute due by Sweden, and
that country is also bound by treaty to furnish the Dey with a person
capable of directing his gunpowder factory! Denmark not only pays
tribute, but is bound to pay it in naval stores, and her consul here is
at present in disgrace because his country has failed to pay its tribute
at the specified time. There is an A