The Pacha of Many Tales | Page 6

men are too often thwarted by the folly and
obstinacy of the other sex. May your slave venture to observe, that
many very fine stories were obtained by the caliph Haroun, and his
vizier Mesrour, as they walked through the city in disguise. In all
probability a similar result might be produced, if your highness were to
take the same step, accompanied by the lowest of your slaves,
Mustapha."
"Very true," replied the pacha, delighted at the prospect, "prepare two
disguises, and we will set off in less than an hour--Inshallah, please the
Lord, we have at last hit upon the right path."
Mustapha, who was glad to direct the ideas of the pacha into a more
harmless channel, procured the dresses of two merchants, (for such, he
observed, were the usual habiliments put on by the caliph and his vizier
in the Arabian Nights), and he was aware that his master's vanity would
be gratified at the idea of imitating so celebrated a personage.
It was dusk when they set off upon their adventures. Mustapha directed
some slaves well armed to follow at a distance, in case their assistance
might be required. The strict orders which had been issued on the
accession of the new pacha (to prevent any riot or popular commotion),
which were enforced by constant rounds of the soldiers on guard,
occasioned the streets to be quite deserted.

For some time the pacha and Mustapha walked up one street and down
another, without meeting with anything or any body that could
administer to their wishes. The former, who had not lately been
accustomed to pedestrian exercise, began to puff and show symptoms
of weariness and disappointment, when at the corner of a street they fell
in with two men, who were seated in conversation; and as they
approached softly, one of them said to the other, "I tell you, Coja, that
happy is the man who can always command a hard crust like this,
which is now wearing away my teeth."
"I must know the reason of that remark," said the pacha; "Mesrour
(Mustapha, I mean), you will bring that man to me to-morrow, after the
divan is closed."
Mustapha bowed in acquiescence, and directing the slaves who were in
attendance to take the man into custody, followed the pacha, who,
fatigued with his unusual excursion, and satisfied with the prospect of
success, now directed his steps to the palace and retired to bed. Zeinab,
who had lain awake until her eyes could remain open no longer, with
the intention of reading him a lecture upon decency and sobriety, had at
last fallen asleep, and the tired pacha was therefore permitted to do the
same.
When Mustapha arrived at his own abode, he desired that the person
who had been detained should be brought to him.
"My good man," said the vizier, "you made an observation this evening
which was overheard by his highness the pacha, who wishes to be
acquainted with your reasons for stating 'that happy was the man who
could at all times command a hard crust, like that which was wearing
away your teeth.'"
The man fell down on his knees in trepidation. "I do declare to your
highness, by the camel of the Holy Prophet," said he, in a faltering
voice, "that I neither meant treason, nor disaffection to the
government."
"Slave! I am not quite sure of that," replied Mustapha, with a stern look,

in hopes of frightening the man into a compliance with his
wishes--"there was something very enigmatical in those words. Your
'hard crust' may mean his sublime highness the pacha; 'wearing away
your teeth' may imply exactions from the government; and as you
affirmed that he was happy who could command the hard crust--why it
is as much as to say that you would be very glad to create a rebellion."
"Holy Prophet! May the soul of your slave never enter the first
heaven," replied the man, "if he meant anything more than what he said;
and if your highness had been as often without a mouthful of bread as
your slave has been, you would agree with him in the justice of the
remark."
"It is of little consequence whether I agree with you or not," replied the
vizier; "I have only to tell you that his sublime highness the pacha will
not be satisfied, unless you explain away the remark, by relating to him
some story connected with the observation."
"Min Allah! God forbid that your slave should tell a story to deceive
his highness."
"The Lord have mercy upon you if you do not," replied the vizier; "but,
to be brief, if you can invent a good and interesting story, you will
remove the suspicions of the pacha, and probably be rewarded with a
few pieces