“Have you no other claim to prefer?” he said. “One I certainly have, highness, but I dare not.” “Dare, and speak.” “It seems to me that I deserve compensation for the time I have lost, whilst awaiting the memorable decision your highness has just pronounced.” “’Tis just.” “The rather,” continued the captain, emboldened by the Bey’s approbation, “that I was expected at Gibraltar in the beginning of the winter, which is now over, and the favourable season for the sale of my cargo is past.” “And of what does thy cargo consist?” demanded the Bey. “Highness, of cotton nightcaps.” “What are cotton nightcaps?” The captain took from his pocket a specimen of his goods, and presented it to the Bey. “For what purpose is this utensil?” said the latter. “To cover the head,” replied the captain. And joining example to precept, he put on the nightcap. “It is very ugly,” quoth the Bey. “But very comfortable,” retorted the captain. “And you say that my delay to do you justice has occasioned you a loss?” “Of ten thousand francs, at least, highness.” The Bey called his secretary. The secretary entered, crossed his hands upon his breast, and bowed to the ground. Then he took his pen, and the Bey dictated to him a few lines, which, being in Arabic, were totally unintelligible to the captain. When the secretary had done writing: “’Tis good,” said the Bey; “let this decree be proclaimed throughout the city.” Again the secretary crossed his hands upon his breast, bent himself to the earth, and departed. “Craving your highness’s pardon,” said the captain, “may I venture to inquire the substance of that decree?” “Certainly; it is an order to all the Jews in Tunis to cover their heads, within twenty-four hours from this time, with a cotton nightcap, under penalty of decapitation.” “Ah! _tron de l’air_!” exclaimed the Marseillese; “I understand.” “Then if you understand, return to your ship, and make the best profit you can of your goods; you will soon have customers.” The captain threw himself at the feet of the Bey, kissed his papooshes and returned to his ship. Meanwhile, by sound of trumpet, and in all the streets of Tunis, the following proclamation was made. “Praises to Allah, the universal, to whom all things return! “The slave of Allah glorified, who implores his pardon and absolution, the Mouchir Sidi-Hussein-Pacha, Bey of Tunis: “Forbids every Jew, Israelite, or Nazarene, to appear in the streets of Tunis without a cotton nightcap upon his accursed and infidel head. “This, under pain of decapitation. “Giving to the unbelievers twenty-four hours to provide themselves with the said covering. “To this order all obedience is due. “Written under date of the 20th April, in the year 1243 of the Hegira. (Signed,) “SIDI HUSSEIN.”