osition that we were obliged to retreat ingloriously,
leaving at every charge twenty of our number behind. Therefore, I repeat
it, I will either have that price for him, great as it may appear, or
else I will gratify my revenge by seeing him drudge for life in my
victorious galley.'

"At this the Turk examined young Francisco with new attention; and he
who had hitherto fixed his eyes upon the ground in sullen silence now
lifted them up; but scarcely had he beheld the person that was talking
to the captain when he uttered a loud cry and repeated the name of
_Hamet_. The Turk, with equal emotion, surveyed him for a moment, and
then, catching him in his arms, embraced him with the transports of a
parent who unexpectedly recovers a long-lost child. It is unnecessary to
repeat all that gratitude and affection inspired Hamet to say, but when
he heard that his ancient benefactor was amongst the number of those
unhappy Venetians who stood before him, he hid his face for a moment
under his vest and seemed overwhelmed with sorrow and astonishment,
when, recollecting himself, he raised his arms to heaven and blessed
that Providence which had made him the instrument of safety to his
ancient benefactor. He then instantly flew to that part of the market
where Francisco stood waiting for his fate with a manly, mute despair.
He called him his friend, his benefactor, and every endearing name which
friendship and gratitude could inspire; and, ordering his chains to be
instantly taken off, he conducted him and his son to a magnificent
house, which belonged to him in the city. As soon as they were alone,
and had time for an explanation of their mutual fortunes, Hamet told the
Venetians that, when he was set at liberty by their generosity, and
restored to his country, he had accepted a command in the Turkish
armies; and that, having had the good fortune to distinguish himself on
several occasions, he had gradually been promoted, through various
offices, to the dignity of Bashaw of Tunis. 'Since I have enjoyed this
post,' added he, 'there is nothing which I find in it so agreeable as
the power it gives me of alleviating the misfortunes of those unhappy
Christians who are taken prisoners by our corsairs. Whenever a ship
arrives, which brings with it any of these sufferers, I constantly visit
the markets and redeem a certain number of the captives, whom I restore
to liberty. And gracious Allah has shown that he approves of these faint
endeavou