The Tell-Tale Heart - The Pioneer, January 1843 — reading text

under an able leader, assisted by the Porte, those capitals in endeavoring to introduce among might not improbably unseat the pasha from his their subjects the external simplicity, along usurped throne. with the civilization of Christendom. The prosperity which the wise measures of IIT. Daoud brought to his people, and the splendor It was the morning of a beautiful April day which his power and grandeur conferred upon in the year before mentioned, and the fierce sun their city, rendered them tolerably pleased with of the tropics, already several hours above the his government, even though he occasionally horizon, was pouring down his scorching rays conveyed unlawfully to his coffers a portion of into the narrow and winding streets of Bagdad, their hard-earned gold, or to his well-appointed which, notwithstanding their furnace tempera- harem the most attractive of their daughters. ture, were thronged with a dense crowd of human beings, of all nations, sexes, ages, colors, classes and conditions, from whose hun- aa. dred thousand throats resounded that prodigious Prominent among the high officers of the and perpetual din, for which it is noted above pames army, was an English renegade, who all other cities, and which alone would suffice re the oriental name and title of Osman Aga. to establish its lineal descent from that wherein, He had left his country for Hindostan at an the tower of Babel reared its aspiring and ac- early age, and had passed several years in the cursed head. service of the East India Company; but im- it was not however the ordinary tumult of a pelled by an aspiring and uncontrollable spirit, populace pursuing, in confined space, the con- and disgusted by the slowness of his advance- fused and conflicting business of a great city: ment, and the tedium of his employment, he at on the contrary, all seemed intent upon a com- length deserted, and crossing the Indus, entered mon object, which was no other than to gain, the army of Runjeet Sing, adopting with as by the most direct and speediest route, the little scruple, the peculiar religion of the Seiks, eastern gate of the city which opened upon a as he did their blue costume and their martial vast and perfectly level plain, whose desolation habits. His courage and ability soon rendered was usually unrelieved by beast, bird, or plant him a great favorite with the astute Runjeet, of any kind. who appointed him to the command of a divi- To the eyes of the multitude, however, as they sion of his army, at the head of which in the emerged from the narrow and strongly guarded terrible battle with the Afghans at Noushehra, gateway, a very animated scene was presented, he was cut down and carried a prisoner to for on the previous evening a large caravan of pil- Cabul. On his recovery from his wounds, he grims to the shrine of Kerbelah, had arrived from did not long hesitate to exchange the Grinth Persia, and encamped at some distance from of the Seik, for the Koran of the Mus- the walls. They were preparing to enter the |  THE ARMENIAN’S DAUGHTER. 19 city in great state, and the people of Bagdad costume was completed by boots of the most were now pouring forth to welcome them and vivid yellow dye; at his girdle were pistols, a witness the display. ‘The plain, far as the eye dagger, and a sabre with a richly jewelled hilt. could reach, was covered with men, tents and His request, which was merely of permission animals: groups of the pilgrims were busy in to quit the procession, was readily granted, and all directions, packing their goods and equipage, Osman Aga, for it was the English renegade, loading their camels, or arraying themselves in rode rapidly towards the city followed by a their best habiliments, with the view of present- single attendant, a Nubian of immense size, ing an imposing appearance to the curious and black as jet, but with regular and expressive somewhat supercilious citizens. Vast numbers features. of the latter had already arrived at the encamp- They reined up their steeds as they reached ment, and were either riding about on the white the gate, and Osman, stationing himself and fol- asses, for which Bagdad is famous, or, mingled lower just within the entrance, looked through with the pilgrims, were chatting, jesting, and it for a moment at the approaching caravan, endeavoring to purchase the merchandise just then turned and addressed the Nubian, who, arrived from Persia; driving their bargains with from long service, was quite familiar with his that skill and acuteness, for which no less than master, whose confidence he possessed to a for its asses, their city is renowned throughout degree that rendered him rather a friend than a Asia. menial ; Before high noon the caravan was completely ‘*'The time for action is at hand, Rustom, prepared for its entry : the tents were all struck, though my plans are not quite matured, a blow the camels all laden, and the pilgrims, arranged must be struck without delay. I have for some- with due order in their ranks, were impatiently time fancied that the pasha suspected me, but waiting the signal to begin their march. last night I learned from Hassan Bey that the The pasha of Bagdad had informed the chiefs whole conspiracy is known, and that my destruc- of the caravan, that he would himself issue tion is resolved on, as soon as my faithful Kurds forth from the city to meet and escort them can be got out of the way. ‘They received or- into its precincts : it was for his appearance that ders but three hours ago to escort this very they were now delaying, and their patience was caravan when it departs for Kerbelah to-mor- well nigh exhausted, when the sudden discharge row, and Kaliel Aga will command them on of cannon from the walls, the shouts of the their march, the pasha having requested me to multitude, and the clangor of martial music, remain, under pretence of preparing for the announced the approach of Daoud and _ his campaign against Ali. But as soon as my guards. He advanced surrounded by a thou- friends leave the city, I shall doubtless be seized sand of the superb Circassian cavalry who con- and executed.”’ stituted the flower of hisarmy. They were all ‘** Daoud is ever prompt Without the Kurds remarkably handsome and martial looking men, we should be almost at his mercy. How many splendidly mounted, and covered from head to of your Arab friends are within the city ?”’ foot with brilliant chain armor of Damascus ‘* But seven hundred of the Jerbah; and two steel. ‘They came on at a slow and stately thousand are encamped without the walls. pace, though now and then some of them would Sheick Abdalla’s last letter promised fifteen dart for a period from the ranks, wheeling and thousand of the Aneiza, but it will be five days curveting their magnificent steeds, and hurling before they can possibly reach Bagdad.”’ high in air their jereeds or javelins. ‘The danger is indeed imminent. I see but The pasha was received with shouts, with one way to avoid it.”’ the firing of muskets and of camel artillery, and *¢ And that is?’’ with the grave and respectful salutations of the ‘To place yourself at the head of the troops leaders of the caravan, who, grateful for the un- devoted to you—force your way to the desert usual honor shown them, were profound and and assemble the Arab tribes. Once in the profuse in their obeisaneces. After due exchange field, with the assistance that the Sultan will of courtesies, Daoud detached five hundred of gladly give, you can defy the whole force of his guard to the rear of the caravan, and the Daoud, and perhaps even drive him from his mingled cavalcade proceeded on its procession pashalic.”’ to the city gate. ‘* Such was my first impulse when warned by Soon after they commenced their march, one Hassan Bey. By this morning’s dawn, I would of the gorgeously attired officers who surround- have left Bagdad, had I not last night received ed the pasha, rode up to the latter, evidently tidings which have led me to defer my departure. with the intention of preferring some request. Thou rememberest Bogos, the Armenian of He was a tall and powerful man, apparently Julfa with whom I had dealings during my about thirty years of age, very handsome, with visit to Ispahan last winter, on the secret mis- large black eyes, and a complexion whose dark sion to the Persian Shah? ”’ hue seemed rather the result of exposure to the ‘¢Do I recollect my father? Or have [f lost sun and wind, than of natural swarthiness of all memory of the mother who bore me? Never skin. He wore a snow-white turban of the can I forget the lying, cheating, christian scoun- finest muslin, a richly embroidered silk robe of drel! I carry about with me a token to remem- bright purple, blue Turkish trowsers, and his ber him by! ‘This ring which he swore would eee  20 THE PIONEER. have graced the finger of a Sultan, I paid him ‘* T have been deceived,’’ said Osman, sadly; twenty tomans for, and it is not worth as many ‘* Miriam is still at Ispahan. Well! I need no paras.”’ The negro grinned with rage as he longer delay my escape from this city, and per- held up his hand, and Osman, glancing at the haps ’? — gaudy ornament, whose lustre had so misled ‘*By Allah!” interrupted the~ Nubian ; his follower, replied with a smile, ‘¢Here he comes! Look at the wretch, ‘* He still possesses a jewel which the haugh- with his meek face and stuffed-out belly! I tiest sultan of the earth might be proud to have half a mind to fling my jereed at him. wear. His daughter Miriam is fairer and purer And glory to the