re we left the guard overcome by the boy. The
poor half witted child sat close beside the body, which was
perfectly inanimate. Now he looked up at the bright stars for an
instant, now at the still features of the guardsman, and then at the
spot where the slave had disappeared over the wall. His movements
were nervous and irregular, and he seemed to be trying to understand
something or to make up his mind upon some thought that had stolen
into his brain.

Suddenly he lifted his head, his eyes glowed like fire, and his
chest heaved like a woman's.--He scanned the wall for an instant,
then turning, retreated a few yards towards the centre of the
grounds. With a short start and a wild bound he was upon its top!
another leap carried him to the ground, and with the speed of a
horse he ran to the water's edge, just in time for Komel to stretch
out her hand and draw him on board the boat. He who sat in the stern
was muffled up, and his face could not be seen, but he started to
his feet at what seemed to him to be an intrusion; but a sign from
the Armenian put all to rights, and the boy coiled himself up like a
piece of rope at the feet of the fair girl.

Time was precious to them now, and Selim seizing one oar, the
Armenian pulled with another, while he in the stern steered the
caique quietly beneath the shade of the shore for some distance,
when her course was suddenly altered, and striking boldly across the
harbor, it was soon lost among the shipping at anchor.

A little adroitness, with cool courage, will often put all
calculations at fault, and thus had the plan for Komel's release
proved perfectly successful; thus had the Sultan been robbed of his
favorite slave from out the very walls that encircled his palace
grounds in spite of all his supposed security. Though it was very
plain that the whole affair came very near miscarrying at the time
when the guard appeared, and would perhaps have done so had the
fellow understood his duty and fired a shot at once, thus if not
shooting those engaged in this depredation upon the Sultan's
household, at least giving an alarm that would probably have
resulted in the arrest of all the parties concerned. But thanks to
the bravery and skill of the poor half-witted boy, all had gone
safely through, and now Komel found herself seated with the
beautiful Zillah in Selim's cabin, safe from all harm.

"So," said the Armenian, drawing a long breath after the unusual
exertion he had just ex