nd is she really dead now, Huckaback?" inquired the pacha.

"Yes, your highness, she is."

"_Allah karim_--God is most merciful. There is an end of that woman at
last; now the story will go on."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have reason to believe that I should have become a person of some
consequence if I had been able to remain in France, but another foolish
attempt on my part to save the life of the old lawyer at Marseilles, who
had assisted me in recovering part of my father's property, rendered me
suspected. Aware that between suspicion and the guillotine there were
but few hours of existence, I contrived to get on board of an Italian
brig that had put in from stress of weather, and made my escape. The
vessel was bound to North America for a cargo of salt fish, to be
consumed on the ensuing Lent, and had a crew of fifteen men. The
captain was very ill when we sailed, owing, as he said, to a cup of wine
which his wife had mixed with her tears, and persuaded him to drink at
their parting. He gradually declined as we proceeded on our voyage,
until at last he was not able to quit his bed; and no person on board
except myself having any knowledge of keeping a ship's reckoning, that
duty devolved upon me.

A few days before his death, the captain sent for me. "Francois," said
he, "my wife has poisoned me, that I might not return to interrupt a
connection which she had formed during my absence. I have no children,
and no relations that have ever cared for me. I am the owner of the
cargo, as well as the captain of this vessel, and it is my intention to
make it over to you; I consider that you have the greatest claim to it,
as there is nobody on board except yourself who can navigate her.
Understand me, it is not out of any particular regard, so much as to
prevent my wife from obtaining my property, that I select you as my
heir; you have, therefore, to thank Heaven for your good fortune, more
than you have me. I have but one request to make in return, which is,
that you will faithfully promise to cause five hundred masses to be said
for my soul, upon your arrival in Italy."

I readily made the promise which he required, and the captain drew up a
will, which he read and executed before the whole of the crew, by which
the vessel and cargo were made over to me. Two days afterwards he
expired. We sewed him up in a hammock, and threw him overboard.
Although it was q