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Well, then, Signor Aladdin, replied the singular
amphitryon, you heard our repast announced, will you now
take the trouble to enter the dining-room, your humble
servant going first to show the way? At these words, moving
aside the tapestry, Sinbad preceded his guest. Franz now
looked upon another scene of enchantment; the table was
splendidly covered, and once convinced of this important
point he cast his eyes around him. The dining-room was
scarcely less striking than the room he had just left; it
was entirely of marble, with antique bas-reliefs of
priceless value; and at the four corners of this apartment,
which was oblong, were four magnificent statues, having
baskets in their hands. These baskets contained four
pyramids of most splendid fruit; there were Sicily
pine-apples, pomegranates from Malaga, oranges from the
Balearic Isles, peaches from France, and dates from Tunis.
The supper consisted of a roast pheasant garnished with
Corsican blackbirds; a boar's ham with jelly, a quarter of a
kid with tartar sauce, a glorious turbot, and a gigantic
lobster. Between these large dishes were smaller ones
containing various dainties. The dishes were of silver, and
the plates of Japanese china.
Franz rubbed his eyes in order to assure himself that this
was not a dream. Ali alone was present to wait at table, and
acquitted himself so admirably, that the guest complimented
his host thereupon. Yes, replied he, while he did the
honors of the supper with much ease and grace -- yes, he is
a poor devil who is much devoted to me, and does all he can
to prove it. He remembers that I saved his life, and as he
has a regard for his head, he feels some gratitude towards
me for having kept it on his shoulders. Ali approached his
master, took his hand, and kissed it.
Would it be impertinent, Signor Sinbad, said Franz, to
ask you the particulars of this kindness?
Oh, they are simple enough, replied the host. It seems
the fellow had been caught wandering nearer to the harem of
the Bey of Tunis than etiquette permits to one of his color,
and he was condemned by the bey to have his tongue cut out,
and his hand and head cut off; the tongue the first day, the
hand the second, and the head the third. I always had a
desire to have a mute in my service, so learning the day his
tongue was cut out, I went to the bey, and proposed to give
him for Ali a splendid double-barreled gun which I knew he
was very desirous of having. He hesitated a moment, he was
so very desirous to complete the poor devil's punishment.
But when I added to the gun an English cutlass with which I
had shivered his highness's yataghan to pieces, the bey
yielded, and agreed to forgive the hand and head, but on
condition that the poor fellow never again set foot in
Tunis. This was a useless clause in the bargain, for
whenever the coward sees the first glimpse of the shores of
Africa, he runs down below, and can only be induced to
appear again when we are out of sight of that quarter of the
globe.
Franz remained a moment silent and pensive, hardly knowing
what to think of the half-kindness, half-cruelty, with which
his host related the brief narrative. And like the
celebrated sailor whose name you have assumed, he said, by
way of changing the conversation, you pass your life in
travelling?
Yes. I made a vow at a time when I little thought I should
ever be able to accomplish it, said the unknown with a
singular smile; and I made some others also which I hope I
may fulfil in due season. Although Sinbad pronounced these
words with much calmness, his eyes gave forth gleams of
extraordinary ferocity.
You have suffered a great deal, sir? said Franz
inquiringly.
Sinbad started and looked fixedly at him, as he replied,
What makes you suppose so?
Everything, answered Franz, -- your voice, your look,
your pallid complexion, and even the life you lead.
I? -- I live the happiest life possible, the real life of a
pasha. I am king of all creation. I am pleased with one
place, and stay there; I get tired of it, and leave it; I am
free as a bird and have wings like one; my attendants obey
my slightest wish. Sometimes I amuse myself by delivering
some bandit or criminal from the bonds of the law. Then I
have my mode of dispensing justice, silent and sure, without
respite or appeal, which condemns or pardons, and which no
one sees. Ah, if you had tasted my life, you would not
desire any other, and would never return to the world unless
you had some great project to accomplish there.
Revenge, for instance! observed Franz.
The unknown fixed on the young man one of those looks which
penetrate into the depth of the heart and thoughts. And why
revenge? he asked.
Because, replied Franz, you seem to me like a man who,
persecuted by society, has a fearful account to settle with
it.
Ah, responded Sinbad, laughing with his singular laugh
which displayed his white and sharp teeth. You have not
guessed rightly. Such as you see me I am, a sort of
philosopher, and one day perhaps I shall go to Paris to
rival Monsieur Appert, and the little man in the blue
cloak.
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