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‘the paper to Osman, who perused it eagerly.
You, Osman, shall re-:
BORN
there is my authority,” exclaimed Dr. Moses, as he handed
‘JT shall re-
move these prisoners immediately.
main here and protect the property of Isaacs. _ Should he be
convicted, the property Teverts to the Bey. Guard it, as you
value your life!”
Osman turned pale. ‘He had aroused the Arabs to atrenzy,
and the duty was imposed on him to appease them.
‘Where are you going to take them?” inquired Osman, as
the soldiers made an opening in the crowd for the passage of
Isaacs and his daughter.
~ drew forth his cimeter.
_ To prison.”
_ On what charge?” i;
“ Giving aid and information to the enemy.” |
” CHAPTER XI.
THE ATTACK UPON THE PRISON.
Tne arrest of Isaacs and his daughter was a shrewd move
on the part of Dr. Moses to prevent Osman from seizing Esther
as his slave.
In the confidence of old Isaacs he was well informed as to
every movement of Reuben James, and to his individual
efforts to allay the suspicion of the Bey. was due the great suc-
cess which had rewarded Middy James in his dangerous role
of a spy, and enabled him to personate successfully the
character of Hassim, the governor of the prison. :
Dr. Moses had no sympathy with the Tripolitans in the un-
just war in which they were engaged. When called upon to
exercise his great- professional skill, he did so always to the
best of his ability, but there he stopped.
_ The treatment which the members of his creed had received
at the hands of the Tripolitans aroused his indignation, and
when he thought of the freedom of conscience which was
tolerated in America, he fervently prayed that the gallant
Decatur might teach the Bey many more such bitter lessons
as he had lately received.
_ When Dr. Moses reached the street with his prisoners the
muttered execrations Which he heard and the bitter looks of
hatred which he received from the Arabs who had there as-
sembled filled his heart with anxiety for the safety of Isaacs
and his daughter. |
Once inside the strong and massive walls of the prison, he
felt that they would be comparatively safe under the protec-
tion of the brave-hearted Middy James, and he urged the
soldiers who accompanied them to increased speed.
Middy James, disguised as Hassim, stood at the prison
gate. He recognized the forms of Esther Isaacs and, her
father. He swung the massive gates upon their iron binges
to admit them, and he closed them in the grim faces of their
pursuers.
“They are breaking ‘down the outer gates and will ¢ soon
flock into the court-yard,” exclaimed Middy James, as he
‘What can two of us, doctor, ‘do
against such a horde as that?”
“Tsaac3 and Esther are prisoners. I have arrested them
by authority of the Bey of Tripoli. As such I surrender them
to you, and you must protect them at all hazards,” exclaimed
Dr. Moses. :
TO BE A
A MIDDY.
‘‘Then, at all hazards, they shall be protected. I have
here over three hundred of my countrymen, who were taken
prisoners on board the ‘Philadelphia.’; I ‘will appeal to
them,” said Middy James, and he hastened to the part of tie
prison where they were contined.
‘He opened the dungeon doors and ordered them ‘forth into
the corridor. Captain Bainbridge was there to meet them.
* Men,” exclaimed Midday James, “the prison has been at-
tacked by a mob. They are now breaking down the outside
gates. The object of their fury is a feeble old man and a
young girl. You can protect them. Will you do it?”
“Put arms in our hands and we'll march through the City
of Tripoli!” cried the sailors, as with one voice.
- “Thave no arms to give you.- Break down the dungeon
gates, arm: yourselves with those bars of iron,” cried Middy
James, ‘and join me at the gate.” :
It was done. The iron gates were torn from their hinges
by the power of many. strong arms and rent asunder.
Middy James ran to the gate, unlocked it, and swung it
back upon its hinges. The Arabs were already assembled on
the outside. . noe :
‘Charge, boys! Follow me!” roared Captain Bainbridge.
With a yell that the Tripolitans had learned to recognize
the sailors rushed upon them.
Armed with their iron bars, which they wielded with
dexterity, they beat down the Arabs before them like grass be-
fore amower. The contest was short. With cries of “ Ameri-
canos!” the Arabs fled in terror, and soon the court-yard of
the prison was deserted, except where the dead and dying
Arabs lay upon the. stone pavement,
The fight was over, when the Bey of Tripoli rushed into the
court-yard, mounted on his blooded charger. :
Dr. Moses met him, and reported what had occurred.
‘*Who led this mob to attack the Prison?” demanded the
Bey, with a frown.
‘*Osman,” replied Dr. Moses.
‘Then he shall die!”
‘He is dead, sire. His body lies here in the court-yard.
I left him to protect the property of Isaacs, He deserted his
post and came here to lead the mob.”
‘Allah be praised that such a traitor is dead!” exclaimed
the Bey, who, after stationing his troops to prevent a renewal
of the attack upon the prison, rode back to his castle.
‘That night the sailors of the “Philadelphia” enjoyed the
soundest sleep which they had ever had in Tripoli. It is
true they slept within prison-walls, but’ they all felt that the
capture of the “ Phiadelphia’ "had been to a certain extent
avenged.
CHAPTER XII. °
MAHMET ESCAPES FROM THE “ ARGUS.”
Wnex Mabmet, the keeper of the prison, followed Middy
James to the Argus” by swimming in the wake of his boat,
it will be remembered he was captured by the crew of that
vessel and taken before Lientenant Decatur. There, at the
request of Middy James, he was held as a prisoner, and there
he had remained up to the present time.