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Updated: May 15, 2025
At the further extremity we spied a building looking very majestic in the moonlight, with a large garden about it enclosed with high walls, and deciding that this must be the residence of Ali Oukadi, who, we had learnt, was the most important merchant of these parts, we lay us down against the wall, and fell asleep, thinking of our dear Moll, who perchance, all unconscious, was lying within.
'Tis a fortnight's journey, at the least, to England, and then you have to deal with your steward, who will seek only to put obstacles in your way, so that six weeks may pass ere Moll is redeemed, and what may befall her in the meantime?" "She is safe. Ali Oukadi is a good man. She has nought to fear while she is under his protection. Do not misjudge the Moors. They have many estimable qualities."
After spending another day in fruitless endeavour to obtain a passage, nothing would satisfy Dawson's painful, restless spirit but we must return to Thadviir; so thither we went once more to linger about the palace of Ali Oukadi, in the poor hope that we might see Moll come out to take the air.
"Yet, Madam," says I, "by your saying there is hope, I gather there must be also danger." "There is," answers she, at which Jack nods with conviction. "There are good and bad men amongst the Moors as amongst other people." "Aye, to be sure," says Dawson. "I say she is safe under the protection of Ali Oukadi, but when the ransom is paid and she leaves Thadviir, she may stand in peril."
Godwin, and says he: "Madam, with your sanction my friend Sidi ben Ahmed will charge Mr. Dawson with a letter to Ali Oukadi, promising to pay him the sum of three thousand gold ducats upon your niece being safely conducted hither within the space of three weeks." "Señor," answers she, "I thank Sidi ben Ahmed very deeply and you also," adds she, overcoming her compunctions, "for this offer.
Finally, Ali Oukadi, rising from his cushions, says gravely, addressing Dawson: "I will write without delay to Sidi ben Ahmed in answer to his letter." "But my daughter," says Dawson, aghast, and as well as he could in the Moorish tongue. "Am I not to have her?" "My friend says nothing here," answers the old man, regarding the letter, "nothing that would justify my giving her up to you.
Presently, we were admitted to an outer office, and there received by a very bent, venerable old Moor, who, having greeted us with much ceremony, says, "I am Ali Oukadi. What would you have of me?" "My daughter Moll," answers Jack, in an eager, choking voice, offering his letter.
At this moment other voices came to us from within, calling Lala Mollah; and presently the quick witch answers them from a distance, with a laugh, as if she had been playing at catch-who-can. Then Dawson and I, turning about, discovered to our consternation Ali Oukadi standing quite close beside us, with folded arms and bent brows. "You are unwise," says he, in a calm tone.
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