seedy enough be now if his
horse hadn't bin a good 'un, for we wos attacked, and half his party
killed and took, forby my six messmates; but--"

"Your name is Ted Flaggan?" inquired the consul hastily.

"It is," said the seaman, in great surprise; "sure yer honour must be--"

The sentence was cut short by the arrival of the janissaries, who pulled
up with looks of considerable astonishment on finding the mad fugitive
engaged in quiet conversation with the British consul.

"Gentlemen," said Colonel Langley, with much urbanity of tone and
manner, "I suppose you wish to make a prisoner of this man?"

The soldiers admitted that such was their desire and intention.

"Then you will oblige me," continued the Colonel, "by allowing me to be
his jailer in the meantime. He is a British subject, of whom I can give
a good account at the fitting time and place. Sidi Hassan, under whose
charge he has been by my orders, will doubtless soon arrive in town, and
further enlighten you on this subject."

Without waiting for a reply the Colonel bowed, and wheeling his horse
round rode quietly away, followed by the Irishman, who regarded his new
jailer with a very puzzled look, while a touch of humour further tended
to wrinkle his remarkably expressive countenance.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

TED FLAGGAN AND RAIS ALI PROCEED ON A MISSION, AND SEE IMPRESSIVE
SIGHTS.

Two days after the events narrated in the last chapter, Mrs Langley,
being seated on her favourite couch in the court under the small
banana-tree, sent Zubby into the garden to command the attendance of Ted
Flaggan. That worthy was gifted with a rare capacity for taking the
initiative in all things, when permitted to do so, and had instituted
himself in the consul's mansion as assistant gardener, assistant cook
and hostler, assistant footman and nurseryman, as well as general
advice-giver and factotum, much to the amusement of all concerned, for
he knew little of anything, but was extremely good-humoured, helpful,
and apart from advice-giving--modest.

"Flaggan," said Mrs Langley, when the stout seaman appeared, hat in
hand, "I want you to accompany our interpreter, Rais Ali, into town, to
bring out a message from a gentleman named Sidi Omar. Ali himself has
other duties to attend to, and cannot return till evening, so take
particular note of the way, lest you should miss it in returning."

"I will, ma'am," replied Ted, with a forecastle bow, "Does Mister Ally
onderstan