Some time after the child was born, the Agha, moved either by curiosity or compassion, expressed a strong desire to see it, and when it was brought into his presence, was so captivated by its appearance, that he loaded it with gifts, and gave orders that it should be sumptuously apparelled, and should remain with its mother in the house of the major-domo until he had decided as to its future fate.  Just about this time the Grand Sultana had presented her Lord Ibrahim with a baby boy; and proving extremely weak after her delivery, it was found necessary to procure a wet-nurse for the heir to the sword and dominions of Othman.  No better opportunity could have offered for Jumbel Agha.  He at once introduced his disgraced slave and her “pretty by-blow” to his imperial mistress, who accepted the services of the mother without hesitation.  For two years mother and child had their home in the grizzled old palace on Seraglio Point, until at last the Sultan began to display such a decided preference for the nurse’s boy, that the jealousy of the Sultana was aroused, and she banished the offenders from her sight.  Her anger was also excited against the unfortunate Agha, who had been the means of introducing them into the harem, and she set herself to plot his ruin.  Her dusky servitor was, however, sufficiently shrewd to perceive his danger, and begged Ibrahim’s permission to resign his office, in order to undertake the pilgrimage to Mecca.  At first his request was refused; for Jumbel Agha was a favourite slave, and whoever obtains leave to go the holy pilgrimage is ipso facto made free.  But the chief eunuch having agreed to go as a slave, and to return to his post when he had performed his devotions, Ibrahim permitted him to set out.

A little fleet of eight vessels was ready to sail for Alexandria, and one of these was appropriated to Jumbel Agha and his household, amongst whom was his beautiful slave and her little son.  After drifting about for some time in the inconstant breezes off the Syrian coast, they fell in with six galleys, which they at first supposed to be friendly ships of the Turkish fleet, but which ultimately proved Maltese cruisers, and showed fight.  The Agha made a valiant resistance, and fell in the struggle, as did also Sciabas, the fair Russian—­the cause of his journey and his misfortunes.  The baby, however, was preserved alive; and when the Maltese boarded their prize, they were attracted by the gorgeously dressed child, and inquired to whom it belonged.  The answer, given either in fear or in the hope of obtaining better treatment, was that he was the son of Sultan Ibrahim, and was on his way to Mecca, under the charge of the chief eunuch, to be circumcised.  The captors, greatly exhilarated by the intelligence, at once made all sail for Malta, and there the glorious news was accepted without question.  For a time the knights were so elated that they seriously began to consult together as to the possibility of exchanging