and to the villages around, to seek for their mistress Kalasrade and her slaves; six he dismissed with his daughters to the plains of Rezeb, commanding them, with their attendants, to join his sons, and seek some shelter and refreshment in a neighbouring village, and leaving orders for his beloved Kalasrade, if she were found, to retire to her children.

Sadak then went through the most unfrequented paths, and into the loneliest parts of the wood, to seek his beloved, calling upon her as he passed along, and pronouncing the names of the slaves that were missing. This he continued till night had thrown her sable garments on the earth, and he had compassed his palace every way around for several miles, when he resolved to turn again to his palace and enquire of his slaves concerning his beloved Kalasrade. He passed through the woods, guided by the red glare of light which the clouds reflected from the fire that had nigh consumed his dwelling, and entered the further part of the terrace, whereon stood the few remains of his once elegant building.

The flames, unsatiated with their former cruelties, seemed to rekindle at his presence. His slaves came weeping toward him, but

could give no tidings of their amiable mistress; and Sadak, who in the morning had looked with the utmost satisfaction on the

lively scenes around him, now saw the melancholy face of nature, enlightened with the dusky gleams of his own unexpected ruin.

But yet the wreck of nature could not have disturbed Sadak more than the loss of his beloved: he doubted not but that the fire was kindled by those slaves who had torn Kalasrade from his arms; and though he felt within himself the deepest affliction, his blood curdled with horror when he reflected on the tenfold distresses which encompassed the pure and spotless partner of his affections.

O Alla!' said the trembling Sadak, 'for'tify my faith, and teach me, even in the hor

rors of this night, to believe that mercy triumphs over evil, and that the paths of de'struction are controuled by thy all-seeing power! To me all is confusion, misery, and terror! But thou seest through the ' dark abyss, and guidest the footsteps of the 'just in the valleys of desolation! Neverthe'less, O thou Just One! forgive the sinking of

my soul, and pour the virtuous balm of hope into the wounded spirit of thine afflicted 'servant!'

The bounteous Alla heard the voice of his servant, and the heart of Sadak was fortified and strengthened with religious hope.

Having disposed of what effects his slaves had rescued from the flames in a place of security, Sadak hastened to the village where his children were assembled, and, disguising the severer pangs he felt himself, endeavoured to assuage the grief of his fond family for the loss of their mother. Several of Sadak's friends soon joined him in the village; and the relations of his wife offered to take care of his children, while he went in search of Kalasrade and his villanous slaves. Sadak, with thankfulness, embraced the offer of Mepiki, the father of his beloved; and, having tenderly embraced his children, directed his steps toward the sea-side, and crossed in one of his feluccas to the city of Constantinople.

No sooner was Amurath seated on his throne in the divan, than Sadak fell prostrate before him.

'My brave soldier,' said Amurath, arise.

-The world, Sadak,' continued the prince, 'talk largely concerning your happiness; and 'those who envy not the Othman crown, yet pant after the elegant and peaceable retire'ments of the fortunate Sadak. Has Sadak 'then a wish ungratified, that he comes thus a humble supplicant at a monarch's feet?' The smiles of his prince,' answered Sadak, ' are a soldier's joy; and in the sunshine of those smiles did Sadak live an envied life, till one dark cloud interposed, and blasted the ripe fruit of Sadak's joy.'

'What means my Sadak?' answered Amurath. • While I led my sons to the plain,' replied Sadak, to teach them the duties which they owed their prince, the flames seized my peaceful dwelling; and ere I could return to the rescue of my beloved Kalasrade four slaves had dragged her away, and I and my ' attendants have in vain been seeking her in 'woods and plains that surround my habitation; wherefore, O Amurath! I come a 'supplicant to thy throne, to ask redress of 'thee.'

"That,' answered Amurath, brave soldier! 'thou shalt have; my hasnadar baski shall pay thee twice the value of thine house.

Thou shalt have twenty of my slaves; and, ' as to thy beloved, go where fancy leads thee, and seek a new Kalasrade.' The words of Amurath were as the arrows of death in the heart of Sadak; and he said, 'Let the hand of 'justice overtake the robbers, and let the 6 power of my lord restore Kalasrade to my

'arms.'

Kalasrade,' answered Amurath, 6 has, doubtless, been so long in your slaves' pos'session, that she is ere this contented with her lot instead of being the slave of one, she is now the mistress of four.-By why 'should a weak female trouble the brave sol'dier's heart? The chance of war gives them to our arms; and, as they change their 'lords, our females change their love.'

As the blasted oak is torn by the thunderbolt, so was the heart of Sadak rent by the words of Amurath; but he concealed the storms that shook his breast, and, bowing to the earth, departed from the divan. He applied himself that day to enquire in the Bisisten and public market-places concerning Kalasrade and his four slaves; and hearing no tidings of them there, he went to the water-side, among the levents, or watermen;