drowndid on landin
an wan wos spiflikated be the moors which are born divls an no
mistaik. I rite to say that weer starvin but the Kaid as they cals
the guvner Here says heel take a ransum for us of 150 spanish dolars
the Kaid has past his word in yoor name to the moors for that sum or
theyd hav spiflikate us too. I hope yer onor has as much to spair in
yer pokit, an will luke alive wid it, for if yoo don't its all up wid
me mesmaits inkloodin yoor onors obedent humbil servint to comand ted
flagan."

"Well, I hope, with poor Flaggan," said Mrs Langley laughingly, "that
you _have_ as much to spare in your `pokit,' for if not, it is plain
that the poor fellows will be led into captivity."

"I would readily advance a larger sum for so good an end," replied the
consul, folding the letter. "I shall at once ride into town to make
arrangements, and as it is so late, will pass the night in our town
house. I shall send our new attendant, Sidi Hassan, on this mission,
and leave you for the night under the guardianship of Rais Ali."

The consul left immediately, and next morning Sidi Hassan set out for
Bugia with the necessary ransom.

In regard to this we need say nothing more than that he accomplished his
purpose, paid the ransom, and received the seven British seamen,
accompanied by whom he commenced the return journey, he and his men
riding, and driving the sailors on foot before them as though they had
been criminals. On the way, however, they were attacked, not far from
Algiers, by a body of predatory Arabs from the Jurjura mountains.

These bold villains, at the very first onset, killed more than half of
the Turkish escort, and put the rest to flight. Six of the sailors they
captured and carried off, but Ted Flaggan, who was an exceedingly active
as well as powerful man, proved himself more than a match for them all.
During the melee he managed to throw himself in the way of one of the
best-mounted among the Arabs, who instantly charged him, but Ted sprang
aside and let him pass, ducking low to avoid a cut from his curved
sword.

Before he could turn, the Irishman ran close to his side, seized him by
the burnous, at the same time grasping his bridle, and pulled him out of
the saddle with such sudden violence that he fell headlong to the
ground, where he lay quite stunned by the fall. Flaggan instantly
sprang into the saddle, as if he had been an accomplished cavalier,
though in reality he knew