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Updated: June 2, 2025
They say that vengeance is sweet. I will taste it and try," said the merchant, with a grim smile. "`Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord," returned Bacri slowly; "says not your own Scripture so?" "It may be so, but man's power of endurance is limited," retorted Francisco gloomily. "But God's power to aid and strengthen is not limited," returned the Jew.
I ordered her to be double-shotted, and that big black rascal Manqua slily crammed in a handful of nails without leave. I only hope she won't burst." "Burst!" exclaimed the padrone, with a laugh; "if you were to load her even beyond the muzzle she wouldn't burst. "Nevertheless," said Bacri earnestly, "I advise you to trust entirely to your sails."
The short twilight of southern latitudes was giving place to the shades of night, when Bacri the Jew issued from the low door of his house, and threaded the narrow labyrinth of streets which compose the old town of Algiers. The greater part of the old, or, as it is styled, the Moorish town, remains almost exactly the same at the present time that it was at the time of which our tale treats.
Just then Bacri entered, conducting a number of women and children who sought sanctuary there. "Some of my people have need of the British arm to protect them," said the Jew, with a sad smile. "And they shall have it," said the consul, taking Bacri by the hand. "See them attended to, Flaggan," he added, turning to the seaman. "Ay, ay, sir.
Besides, the moon will be lower in half an hour, and that will favour your enterprise." Being constrained to wait, Mariano busied himself in making the useful preparations. He wound the rope tightly round his waist, and covered it with a thin scarf such as was commonly worn by the Moors. He also trimmed and prepared a small lantern. "Now," said Bacri, looking at his watch, "you may go.
"Do you think, Bacri," said the consul, as the other was about to depart, "that there is much chance of Hamet succeeding?" "I do," answered the Jew. "Achmet is now become very unpopular. He is too kind and generous to suit the tastes of the soldiers, and you are aware that the janissaries have it all their own way in this city." This was indeed the case.
Shouting for a beam, he ran to a neighbouring pile of timber, and, with the aid of some others, returned bearing a battering-ram, which would soon have dashed in the door, if it had not been opened by Bacri himself, who had returned just in time to attempt to save his house from being pillaged. For a few seconds the rioters were checked by surprise at the cool, calm bearing of the Jew.
Of course, Sidi Hamet attempted to fulfil his engagement with Bacri, by placing guards over the houses of the more wealthy Jews, as well as giving orders to the troops not to molest them. But, like many other reckless men, he found himself incapable of controlling the forces which he had set in motion.
"Then let us be gone without delay," urged Francisco, "for, good sirs, my neck has for some time past felt sundry twinges, as though the bow-string were already around it." "Half an hour must elapse ere we can venture forth with safety," said Bacri. "'Tis well that you have brought the knotted rope with you. Mariano knows how to use it.
"It is indeed dreadful," returned Bacri, "and yet, although the European powers must be thoroughly aware of it, through their consuls, this is the state of things that they not only tolerate, but absolutely sanction by the presence of their representatives and the payment of tribute."
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