Page:Memoirs of the Lady Hester Stanhope.djvu/124

 think I will write to the commandant; for poor Mustafa will go crazy if his children are taken away from him. I have only to say that I wish the commandant to bakshysh" (make a present of) "these boys to me, and I know he will do it:" then, reflecting a little while, she altered her mind. "No, doctor," says she, "it will not do: I must not do anything in the face of the laws of the country; and, besides, I shall have all the fathers and mothers in Sayda up here. Go, tell him so." I did, and Mustafa returned very much dispirited to Sayda.

He had scarcely got back to his shop, when, as he had anticipated, he was summoned before the motsellem, and questioned about his children. With an assumed air of cheerfulness and submission, he answered that they were within call, and, if necessary, he would fetch them immediately. The motsellem, by way of precaution, was about to send a guard of a couple of soldiers, to see that no trick was played him; but Mustafa, laughing, exclaimed—“ Oh ! don't be afraid of me : I shan’t run off. That man" (pointing to a small merchant of his acquaintance standing by)—"that man will be bail for my appearance." The man nodded his head, and said—"There is no fear of Maalem Mustafa: I will be responsible for him."

Mustafa went towards his house, and, as soon as he was out of sight, looking round to make sure that he