We had ridden fast across the country from the lake to get back before the gates of Oran were shut, which they always were at sunset, when, just as we were entering the town and trotting on, we met a party of Turkish and Moorish boys, who tried to frighten our horses by throwing up their loose garments in the animals’ faces, and making a great noise. All our horses stood this, except the one on which the servant boy was mounted, which reared up, and, dashing forward, knocked down with his fore feet one of the young Turks who had been most forward in the mischief. His head was a good deal cut, and bled profusely. We should have said he was very justly served. Not so the Moors and Kabiles. A hue and cry was instantly raised, and we were followed by a mob, demanding the life of the poor Portuguese for having, he being a Christian, drawn the blood of a true follower of the prophet. Pushing on to the vice-consul’s, we jumped off our horses, shoved in the young Portuguese, and locked and barricaded the doors. The Moors and Kabiles surrounded the house, making a great clamour, insisting that the servant should be immediately given up and put to death. Nothing but their fear of the English prevented them breaking into the place. We hoisted our colours on the flagstaff at the consul’s house, when it was considered a fortress, and respected accordingly. In a city like Oran, where each man is a spy on his neighbour, the news was fortunately not long in reaching the ears of the Bey, who, on the first intimation of the danger that threatened the consul’s residence, sent down a party of troops, with the captain of the port, to restore order, and act as circumstances might require. Some management was necessary to get the captain of the port into the house, as also to keep out the Moors, who, had they laid hold of the boy, would certainly have murdered him. We at length succeeded, and then explained that, returning from shooting, we had ridden full trot into the town in order to get home before the gates were closed at sunset, clearly showing that but for the boys frightening our horses no harm could possibly have happened. He said that he did not in the least doubt the truth of our story, but should the boy die,--accidents not being provided against in their code of laws,--nothing short of the death of the Portuguese lad would appease the populace, since blood, and Turkish blood, too, had been spilt. I proposed putting on my uniform and attending the vice-consul and captain of the port to the palace, which was done. Passing through the crowd was not very agreeable, but, under the protection of a guard, we reached our destination in safety. The old Bey laid down the Moorish law with great clearness, arguing the point calmly, and evidently with a friendly feeling towards us.