"`Why do you take so much interest in this man?' demanded the Dey, who
seemed to me rather short in his temper at the time.

"`Because he is the father of one of my female slaves, your highness,' I
replied; `and it is the fear that they will be separated for ever that
makes the man desperate and the girl miserable. If you will permit me,
I should like to reunite them. Your highness has often expressed a wish
to do me some kindness for the privilege I once had of saving your
highness's life. Will you now refuse me this man's life?' `Nay, I will
not refuse you, Ben-Ahmed. But I do not see that my granting your
request will reunite the father and child, unless, indeed, you are
prepared to purchase the man.'

"`I am prepared to do so, your highness,' I said.

"`In that case you are at liberty to go to the Bagnio and take him out.
Here is my ring.'

"Now, Foster," continued the Moor, drawing the ring in question from his
vest-pocket, "take this. Show it to the captain of the guard at the
Bagnio, who will admit you. Tell him that I sent you for one of the
slaves. After that your own intelligence must guide you. Go, and God
go with you."

"I will do as you command, Ben-Ahmed," said Foster; "but I must tell you
frankly that I will not--"

"Silence!" thundered the Moor, with a look of ferocity which the amazed
midshipman could not account for. "Have you not understood me?"

"Yes, sir, perfectly, but--"

"When a slave receives a command," cried Ben-Ahmed in rising wrath, "it
is his duty to obey in silence. Again I say--go!"

The middy bowed with feelings of indignation, but on reaching the door
paused, and again essayed to speak.

"I give you fair warning, Ben-Ahmed, that I will _not_--"

"Silence!" again roared the Moor, seizing an ornamental box and hurling
it violently at his slave, who, dipping his head, allowed it to go
crashing against the wall, while he went out and shut the door.

"Well, old boy, I'm absolved from any allegiance to _you_," he muttered,
as he walked smartly down the garden walk towards the gate; "so if I do
a good deal more than your bidding you mustn't be surprised. But your
sudden burst of anger is incomprehensible. However, that's not my
business now."

Had any one been there to observe the Moor after the middy had taken his
departure, he would have seen that the passion he had displayed
evaporated as rapidly as it had arisen, and that he resumed the amber
mouthpiece of his