ed to save him, but
couldn't, and was nearly lost himself.--But what is all the noise about
outside, sister--and the shooting off of guns?"

The noise referred to by the pretty Sicilian was caused by a party of
rioters who, returning from the slaughter of the Dey, were hurrying
towards the house of Bacri, intent on plunder. They were led by one of
those big blustering men, styled bullies, who, in all lands, have a
talent for taking the lead and talking loud when danger is slight, and
modestly retiring when it is great.

Waving a scimitar, which already dripped with blood, this man headed the
rushing crowd, and was the first to thunder for admittance at the Jew's
door. But no one answered his demands.

Shouting for a beam, he ran to a neighbouring pile of timber, and, with
the aid of some others, returned bearing a battering-ram, which would
soon have dashed in the door, if it had not been opened by Bacri
himself, who had returned just in time to attempt to save his house from
being pillaged.

For a few seconds the rioters were checked by surprise at the cool, calm
bearing of the Jew. Then they dropped the beam, uttered a yell of
execration, and rushed upon him, but were unexpectedly checked by one of
their own number suddenly turning round, and in a voice of stern
authority ordering the crowd to stand back.

The young janissary who acted thus unexpectedly was a tall handsome man
of resolute bearing, but with a frame that rather denoted activity than
strength. As he held a glittering sword threateningly in his right
hand, his order was obeyed for a few seconds, and then it was observed
that he held in his left hand a rope, which was tied round the neck of a
Christian slave. This slave was none other than our unfortunate friend
Francisco Rimini.

"Who art thou that issues commands so bravely?" demanded the bully,
stepping forward.

"You must be aware, comrades," said the young soldier, addressing the
crowd rather than his interrogator, "that Sidi Hamet--now Dey of
Algiers--has given strict orders that the houses of the Jews are to be
respected. I am here to see these orders carried out."

"And who art thou? again I demand," said the bully, observing that his
comrades showed a tendency to waver, "that dost presume to--"

"I am one," cried the young soldier, with a whirl of his gleaming blade
so close to the man's nose that he staggered back in alarm--"I am one
who knows how to fulfil his duty. Perchance I