Harper's New Monthly Magazine Vol. IV, No. 19, Dec 1851Various
History
Harper's New Monthly Magazine Vol. IV, No. 19, Dec 1851
Various
American literature -- Periodicals; Civilization -- Periodicals; Culture -- Periodicals
So saying Ali sprang away, and effected his escape. No sooner was he out
of sight than Omar, who had been awakened by the sound of voices, but
who had feigned sleep when he heard what turn affairs were taking, arose
and laughed, saying: "Well done, Amina! thou art worthy of thy father.
How thou didst cajole that son of a dog by false promises?"
"Nay, father; what I have promised must be performed."
"Ay, ay. Thou didst promise justice, and, by the beards of my ancestors,
justice shall assuredly be done!"
Next day Ali was seized and conducted to the prison adjoining the
governor's palace. Amina, when she heard of this, in vain sought to
obtain his release. Her father laughed at her scruples, and avowed his
intention of putting the young man to death in the cruelest possible
manner. He had him brought before him, bound and manacled, and amused
himself by reviling and taunting him--calling him a fool for having
yielded to the persuasions of a foolish girl! Ali, in spite of all, did
not reply; for he now thought more of Amina than of the indignities to
which he was subjected; and instead of replying with imprudent courage,
as under other circumstances he might have done, he took care not to
exasperate the tyrant, and meanwhile revolved in his mind the means of
escape. If he expected that his mildness would disarm the fury of Omar,
never was mistake greater; for almost in the same breath with the order
for his being conducted back to prison was given that for public
proclamation of his execution to take place on the next day.
There came, however, a saviour during the night: it was the young Amina,
who, partly moved by generous indignation that her word should have been
given in vain, partly by another feeling, bribed the jailers, and
leading forth the young man, placed him by the side of his trusty steed
which had been stolen from him, and bade him fly for his life. He
lingered to thank her and enjoy her society. They talked long and more
and more confidentially. At length the first streaks of dawn began to
show themselves; and Amina, as she urged him to begone, clung to the
skirts of his garments. He hesitated a moment, a few hurried words
passed, and presently she was behind him on the horse, clasping his
waist, and away they went toward the mountains, into the midst of which
they soon penetrated by a rugged defile.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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