that his young follower possessed a
wonderful instrument, and a wonderful talent for playing on it, and that
he wished to hear him. He intimated also to Jack that he must get up
and go through his hornpipe again. Jack, nothing loth, sprang to his
feet, and, as he passed Mr Vernon he whispered, "Now's your time, sir;
look about you."

We and several of the spectators were now forthwith ushered into the
presence of the great chief. We found him seated in the garden-porch of
his house, a number of lamps hanging from the trees around him. It was
a picturesque and romantic scene. Four or five persons--mostly grave
old gentlemen with long white beards--sat on cushions on either side of
him; while others, in rich dresses, which betokened some rank, stood
behind him. He had evidently been having a dinner party, and now wanted
an evening entertainment. Mr Vernon salaamed before him, and asked
what was the pleasure of so generous, magnificent, and grand a chief.

"Why, this: Understanding your young slave can play in a wondrous
manner, I wish to hear him," said the Sheikh. "But tell me, O merchant!
how is it that he can communicate with my captive, as I am told he does.
They must have been acquainted before."

This question at first puzzled the pretended Turk, but he promptly
replied, "O most wise and sagacious chief, worthy of being monarch of
the faithful, know that these Nazarenes are in their youth instructed in
many arts and sciences. Some play on instruments, some dance, others
sing, or paint likenesses of men and beasts, strange abomination as that
may appear. Now my slave is one who has learned to play on an
instrument, and he who has the happiness to be owned by your highness,
is one who has learned to dance."

"I see, I see," exclaimed the chief; "and it is a sin that two such
accomplished slaves should belong to different masters; therefore,
merchant, what price do you fix on yours? for, if he answers my
expectations, I intend to become his purchaser."

This announcement puzzled Mr Vernon somewhat; but, of course, he could
not refuse at once.

"He is unworthy of being possessed by your highness," he replied; "for
nature has not allowed him the power of speech. But, rather than speak
of that matter, let him show you a specimen of his art."

He then made a sign to me, and I struck up Jack's favourite hornpipe;
the Moors, old and young, black beards and grey, short and long, forming
a circle round him.