LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 941, 30 June 1877, Page 3

LITERATURE.

WHO WAS HE ? WHO IS HE ?

( Continued.) Only there could be no doubt that the general’s ‘ way with the natives ’ was not the best calculated to conciliate them to the nil of their conquerors. Ali Ben Maza had been specially incensed by the general’s contumelious allusion to the ‘camel-driver of Mecca.’ True, the allusion was historically correct ; but it was certainly altogether out of place on this occasion, and it rankled deeply in the Moorish chieftain’s breast—as the general might have learned somewhat ta his discomposure had he been present a few hours later at a meeting of Moors at the mansion of Ibrahim Ben Abdallah, a wealthy Algerine who resided about half a mile be yond the Jardin du Dey, before tbe Porte Bab el-Oued, or Gate of the West, at which certain sinister resolutions were taken, to be carried into effect at the earliest opportunity—that very night, if a chance should present itself. The general, however, was utterly unconscious of any danger that might possibly threaten him. At about seven o’clock in the evening he set out in mufti from the Kue des Lotophages on a visit to his friend Bernelle, Colonel of the Foreign Legion, who resided about half an hour’s walk from the forte Hab-a Zoun, or Gate of the East He did not observe that a young native was dogging his steps. On his return to town about three hours after, just when he was approaching the Porte Bab-a-Zoun, he was suddenly and desperately set upon by four Moorish swordsmen.

The general was renowned as a bean sabreur ; but unhappily lie had no sabre or sword to wield, only a common walking cane. However, being an adept in the kindred sciences of single-stick and quarter-staff, he made excellent use of even that rather insufficient weapon, managing to keep his fierce assailants at bay for a short time. But four yataghans, in the hands of expert swordsmen, are rather long odds against a walking-stick, even though an Admirable Crichton were handling the latter ; so the poor general was soon bleeding profusely from two wounds, one in the left shoulder, the other extending half over the skull to the brow, and another minute would certainly have terminated the affair fatally for him, had not a new champion suddenly appeared on the field, who made his presence felt in a singularly striking manner.

The new-comer had also only a stick ; but it had a heavy leaden knob at one end and a long iron spike at the other, and the bearer made play with it with the vigour of a fullgrown Hercules, and with such marvellous skill and rapidity as would have done honour to a lineal descendant of the Miller. He made a most effective entry with a tremendous tap on the heads of the two chief assailants, who were thereby completely knocked out of time ; and as just at this very moment the tramp of the patrol was heard approaching from the direction of the city gate, the other two intending assassins, deeming discretion the safer part of valour, after a short fight took to their heels ; whilst the friend in need rushed to the assailed man, who was just sliding down in a faint, to support him in his arms. By this time the patrol had come up. By the light of the sergeant’s lantern the fainting general saw, as in a half-conscious dream, a handsome energetic young face bending solicitously over him.

The wounded general was taken to his residence, where he was immediately attended by Dr Eichaker, surgeon of the third battalion of the Foreign Legion, who happened to be at head-quarters. The general remained unconscious for three weeks, and recovered but slowly. Six months after, he finally gave up active service, and retired with his daughter to his estates in Touraiue, taking up his residence in the season at his family mansion in Paris, the Hotel Tersac in the Rue St. Dominique.

The two Moors who were found stretched on the battle field were taken to the prison do villc, where they were treated with special care. They had the misfortune to recover, of course only to be done to death in the orthodox fashion. No need to say that neither of them was Ali Ben Maza or Ibrahim Ben Abdallah, who both of them knew better than to put their heads in jeopardy in a mere private assassination affair. As it was found that the general's preserver had received a heavy sword-cut across the left upper arm, he was taken to the Caratine hospital to have his wound attended to. He here explained to the medical officer that he had most important urgent affairs to look after in Toulon and Marseilles ; so he simply had his wounded arm properly dressed and bandaged, and left by next morning’s steamer for France. A patient’s name not being an important factor or feature in the diagnosis or prognosis of his case, no inquiry had been made of him on this point. So when the general, about three weeks after, having recovered consciousness, wished to know his preserver’s name, there was no one to give the desired information, to the general’s great and grievous disappointment and sorrow. Again, who was he ? # # ; A- *A‘ #

It was in Paris, on a splendid day in August 1837, late in the aftenu on. A welldressed young man was slowly walking up the Boulevard des Italiens, on the righthand side, in the direction of the Madeleine, lie was apparently twenty-four or twentylive years of ago, a little above middle height, and well proportioned. He was just passing in front of the Cafe de Madrid when a tall, middle aged, distinguished looking gentleman, seated at one of the small tables outside, who had been watching his approach for some time with evident interest, rose, walked up to him, and shaking him warmly by the hand, cried, in a hearty cheery voice. ‘ Raymond, my dear Raymond ! this is a pleasure indeed, 1 beg you ' o believe as great as it was unexpected. Who would have thought of meeting you here in Paris, and just on the very day of my own return here, after three years’ absence from Prance? Why, it must be eighteen months since we last met in St. Petersburg.’ Then suddenly noticing the deep crape on his friend’s hat he continued in a more subdued manner, with warm sympathy, ‘ Ah, I sec. 1 am truly grieved. You have lost some one near and dear to you ; perhaps your father ?’ ‘ Ay, my father indeed I replied the young man • ‘ my father by loving a (lection and adoption, though by kinship simply my uncle. Yes, my dear Count Dartrigue, I have lost him.’ ‘ I stand alone in the world now,

quite alone, and —’ after some hesitation—- ‘ I have come to Paris in search of something to do ; some opening in life ; a career to embrace ; some occupation, in fact, by which to get a living. ‘ I am sincerely sorry to hear you say so, Raymond. But how is this ? Why, it is only eighteen months sinc-i M. Raymond was universally looked upon as one of the wealthiest and most prosperous merchants in the Russian empire ! ’ ‘ True, my dear count, so he was. But he was through life a thoroughly honest and upright man, of a most trusting generous nature, open-hearted and open-handed, and but little fit to cope with Russian roguery and Tartar duplicity. My noble father was shamelessly robbed and despoiled by a set of princely knaves, aided and abetted by the things called law and justice there, of course because the upright man, strong in the consciousness of his right, disdained purchasing these articles of the official administrators and expounders of them ; and the tricky Government, so far from protecting the right, joined with a will in his raid upon the ‘ French adventurer, who had battened upon the poor natives and had amassed a colossal fortune there,” when they knew full well that he had brought with him into the land three million francs, good and honest money, of his own. Why trouble you with details ? In brief, the upshot was that we lost everything, save honour.' {To hr continued. :