The International Monthly, Volume 5, No. 3, March, 1852Various
History
The International Monthly, Volume 5, No. 3, March, 1852
Various
Art, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Science -- History -- Periodicals
The young Hebrew occupied herself in thoughts full of courage, and
reflections full of moral fortitude; whilst her parents, who had been
duly apprised of her removal to the subterranean cell, spent their time
in lamenting the sad change, and in seeking out persons whose influence
might soften the obdurate heart of the governor. In this search did Haim
Hachuel renew his diligence, every day that the unfortunate maiden
continued to groan beneath her chains, till at length his paternal
lamentations reached the compassionate ears of Don Jose Rico,
vice-consul of Spain, at that time, in Tangier. The voice of complaining
humanity never failed to touch the feeling heart of this good man; nor
could he rest till his benevolent work was begun. He respectfully,
therefore, petitioned the governor to mitigate the sufferings of the
young Jewess, or even, if possible, to liberate her altogether; public
sympathy being, as he represented, already excited in her behalf to a
powerful degree. These representations he urged with so much force and
effect, that, had the matter rested in the hands of Arbi Esid alone, he
would have set her at liberty at once. However, he replied with
considerable courtesy, that the whole circumstances of the affair had
been referred to the emperor, of whose imperial commands he was in
momentary expectation. This answer placed the matter in a less favorable
light, in the eyes of Don Jose--obstructing, as it did, any means of
bringing comfort to the helpless Sol, while she, still immured in the
dungeon, looked forward to death as the only escape from her
accumulating woes. Many days did not elapse, however, before the
expected dispatches arrived from the emperor, bearing his orders that
the captive Jewess should be conducted immediately to Fez.
This unexpected and unlooked-for result caused the utmost consternation
among all acquainted with the circumstances. Both Moors and Hebrews
evinced an almost equal desire to preserve the life of the beautiful
Sol; but the fatal order admitted no delay, and there was no choice but
to comply with it with the utmost promptitude. The governor, therefore,
summoned Haim Hachuel, and after communicating to him the commands of
the emperor, he informed him that his daughter must begin her journey to
Fez on the following day, and required of him the necessary sum
(amounting to forty dollars)[11] to defray the expenses of the transit.
This he demanded within two hours' time.
The Jew returned with several friends to his own home, and secretly
arranged that one of them should follow his daughter at a distance, so
as not to lose sight of her altogether. It was no easy matter to find
one able and willing to undertake a mission of so much difficulty and
danger, in defiance of the express commands of the governor; but at
length a Jew, but little known in the town, was found to accept the
charge, and having provided himself with money, he was sent on the way.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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