“At four francs apiece, cotton nightcaps!” said the captain, and twelve thousand hands were extended. “Order!” he continued; “come up on the larboard side, and go down on the starboard.” Every Jew crossed the vessel in turn, carried away a nightcap, and left four francs. The captain’s receipts were forty-eight thousand francs, whereof thirty-six thousand were clear profit. The twelve thousand Jews returned to Tunis, every man plus a cotton nightcap, and minus four francs. The next day the captain presented himself at the palace of the Bey, at whose feet he prostrated himself, and kissed his papooshes. “Well?” said the Bey. “Your highness,” said the captain, “I come to thank you.” “You are satisfied?” “Delighted.” “And you prefer Turkish justice to French justice?” “There is no comparison between them.” “This is not all,” said the Bey. And, turning to his secretary, he bade him take his pen and write at his dictation. The writing was a second decree, forbidding the Jews, under pain of death, to appear in the streets of Tunis with cotton nightcaps on their heads, and granting them twenty-four hours to dispose of their recent purchases as advantageously as possible. “Do you understand?” said the Bey to the captain. “Oh, highness!” cried the Marseillese in an ecstasy of delight, “you are the greatest of all Beys, past, present, and to come.” “Return to your vessel, and wait.” Half an hour later, the trumpets sounded in the streets of Tunis, and the town’s-people thronged to the unusual summons. Amongst the listeners the Jews were easily recognised by their triumphant air, and by their cotton nightcaps cocked over one ear. The decree was read in a loud and intelligible voice. The Jews’ first impulse was to throw their nightcaps into the fire. On reflection, however, the head of the synagogue saw that twenty-four hours were allowed to get rid of the proscribed articles. The Jew is essentially a calculating animal. The Jews of Tunis calculated that it was better to lose one half, or even three quarters, than to lose the whole. Having twenty-four hours to turn in, they began by driving a bargain with the boatmen, who on the previous occasion had abused their haste, and overcharged them. Two hours later, the French ship was again surrounded by boats. “Captain! captain!” cried twelve thousand voices. “Cotton nightcaps to shell! cotton nightcaps to shell!” “Pooh!” said the captain. “Captain, itsh a bargain; captain, you shall have them sheap.” “I have received a letter from Europe,” said the captain. “Vell! vell!” “It advises a great fall in cotton nightcaps.” “Captain, ve vill looshe upon them.” “So be it,” said the captain. “I can only give you half price.” “Ve vill take it.” “I bought them at two francs. Let those who will give them for one come on board by the starboard gangway, and depart by the larboard.” “Oh, captain!” “It’s to take or to leave, as you like.” “Captain.” “All hands to make sail!” shouted the captain.