a second flag and descended.  The French continued their cannonade, and the breach appeared almost practicable, when suddenly they were astounded by a terrific explosion, which shook the whole ground as with an earthquake.  An immense column of smoke, mixed with streaks of flames, burst from the centre of the fortress; masses of solid masonry were hurled into the air to an amazing height, while cannon, stones, timbers, projectiles, and dead bodies were scattered in every direction.  What was all this?  The negro had done his duty—­the fort was blown up!

In a skirmish near Mascara, one of Abd-el-Kader’s negro soldiers killed two Frenchmen with his own hand.  The Emir, who was an eye-witness of his bravery, rewarded him on the field of battle by presenting him with his own sword and the Cross of the Crescent, the only military order in the service, and which is never awarded except fur a very distinguished action.  Colonel Scott says the black was presented to him, and seemed as proud of the honour conferred on him as if he had been made a K.G.C.B.

In the strifes and disputes for succession that have characterized the history of the Barbary princes, and reddened their annals with blood, nothing has been more remarkable than the fidelity of the negroes to their respective masters, and the bravery with which they have defended them to the last hour of their reign or existence.  When all his partisans have deserted a pretender, when the soldiers of the successful competitor to the throne have been in the act of pouncing upon the fallen or falling prince, a handful of brave followers has rushed to the rescue, and surrounded the person of their beloved leader, pouring out their life-blood in his defence—­and these men were negroes!  To use a vulgar metaphor, the negro will defend his master with the savage courage and tenacity of a bull-dog.  And this is the principal reason which has induced the despotic princes of North Africa to cherish the negroes, of whom they have encouraged a continual supply from the interior.

The history of this Imperial Guard of Negroes is interesting, as showing the inconveniences as well as the advantage of such a corps, for these troops have not been always so well conducted as they are at present.  At one time, the Shereefs claimed a species of sovereignty over the city of Timbuctbo and the adjacent countries.  In the year 1727, Muley Ismail determined to re-people his wasted districts by a colony of negroes.  His secret object was, however, to form a body guard to keep his own people in check, a sort of black Swiss regiment, so alike is the policy of all tyrants.  In a few years, these troops exceeded 100,000 men.  Finding their numbers so great, and their services so much needed by the Sultan, they became exigeant and rapacious, dictating to their royal master.  Muley Abdallah was deposed six times by them.  Finding their yoke intolerable, the Sultan decimated them by sending them to fight in the mountains.