Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 10, 2025
Oh, the delight of being once more free, with the possibility of some day clasping in his arms his loved ones, still so far away. Suddenly awaking from his reverie, Antonio thanked Ashmed again and again. Resuming their walk, Antonio talked of his childhood and his home in Italy; and so tenderly and pathetically did he speak of his parents that Ashmed's heart was deeply moved.
This pleased the parents, and won for Antonio their full appreciation. Ashmed now decided to take his family, Antonio included, to visit his country estate, which lay in the southwestern part of Algeria near the mountains. Here he owned a large house, surrounded by a beautiful garden. A short distance from the house stood a great number of olive trees belonging to the estate.
They were the old fisherman and the young sailor who had been captives with Antonio, but were now free and had come to offer their thanks. It was a touching sight. Ashmed said, "Don't thank me, but rather this boy. He is your emancipator." "Yes," said the old fisherman, "this is the boy who appeared to us, like an angel, and comforted us as we sat in chains. We now lay our thanks at his feet."
In it, Antonio read the greetings which his friend, the lawyer, extended to him, together with thanks to him and Ashmed for their kind helpfulness in securing his liberty for him. On the following day, as the guests were all seated at the table, a knock announced some strangers.
Ashmed and Fatime withdrew to the library, and seated themselves to enjoy a quiet half-hour in conversation. "My dear husband," said his wife, "I wish you had come a few moments sooner, and you would have heard a sad story. It was so full of love and longing that if I could help Antonio get back to his mother I feel that I should be repaying him, in a measure at least, for saving my child.
Many slaves were busily employed gathering the olives, which were afterwards pressed to extract the oil. Shortly after their arrival, Ashmed took his family to view the estate and to watch the laborers finishing their day's work. The sun was fast declining and the men, before leaving the grounds for the day, tried to extinguish a small fire which they had shortly before lighted.
Let us give thanks." After a long silence, the conversation again became animated. The men narrated the varied incidents in their lives, and talked about their future prospects. Ashmed gave the men some ready money with which to start in business, and they promised to repay him as soon as they were able. Ashmed did not wish the money refunded, but they felt that it would be more manly to do this.
They wept over his woes, and rejoiced over his bravery, and praised him for his steadfastness. At the end of the week Ashmed and his family called upon Antonio's people. Ashmed honored them as if they were his own.
What could better suit your purpose than to do it now. Our treasures of gold and silver, pearls, diamonds and other valuables we could take with us. Our landed estates and all your wares we could sell. Let us do so as soon as possible, and leave Algiers forever." Ashmed praised his wife for her cleverness, and resolved to carry out her plans immediately.
After a few more months of planning, he met with unusual success in disposing of his property, real and personal, and with his wife, the children and Antonio soon took passage on a steamer bound for Italy. As the city of Algiers receded from view, Ashmed and his family felt happy. Antonio was the happiest boy in the world.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking