in his turn, tied back to back to a female; it was my adored Cerise.  I had no time to speak to her, for they were hurried on board of the vessel.  It sank with them, and some hundreds more; and as the beautiful auburn hair of my wife was borne up from her shoulders, upon which it had been hanging loose, and floated a second or two on the wave after her head had disappeared, I sighed at the remembrance of the transitory enjoyment of competence and love which I had shared with my charming Cerise.

* * * * *

“And is she really dead now, Huckaback?” inquired the pacha.

“Yes, your highness, she is.”

“Allah karim—­God is most merciful.  There is an end of that woman at last; now the story will go on.”

* * * * *

I have reason to believe that I should have become a person of some consequence if I had been able to remain in France, but another foolish attempt on my part to save the life of the old lawyer at Marseilles, who had assisted me in recovering part of my father’s property, rendered me suspected.  Aware that between suspicion and the guillotine there were but few hours of existence, I contrived to get on board of an Italian brig that had put in from stress of weather, and made my escape.  The vessel was bound to North America for a cargo of salt fish, to be consumed on the ensuing Lent, and had a crew of fifteen men.  The captain was very ill when we sailed, owing, as he said, to a cup of wine which his wife had mixed with her tears, and persuaded him to drink at their parting.  He gradually declined as we proceeded on our voyage, until at last he was not able to quit his bed; and no person on board except myself having any knowledge of keeping a ship’s reckoning, that duty devolved upon me.

A few days before his death, the captain sent for me.  “Francois,” said he, “my wife has poisoned me, that I might not return to interrupt a connection which she had formed during my absence.  I have no children, and no relations that have ever cared for me.  I am the owner of the cargo, as well as the captain of this vessel, and it is my intention to make it over to you; I consider that you have the greatest claim to it, as there is nobody on board except yourself who can navigate her.  Understand me, it is not out of any particular regard, so much as to prevent my wife from obtaining my property, that I select you as my heir; you have, therefore, to thank heaven for your good fortune, more than you have me.  I have but one request to make in return, which is, that you will faithfully promise to cause five hundred masses to be said for my soul, upon your arrival in Italy.”

I readily made the promise which he required, and the captain drew up a will, which he read and executed before the whole of the crew, by which the vessel and cargo were made over to me.  Two days afterwards he expired.  We sewed him up in a hammock, and threw him overboard.  Although it was quite calm at the time, a gale sprung up immediately afterwards, which eventually increased to a hurricane.