runs into the Nile as soon as it bursts its shell, so does woman, from
her nature, plunge into deceit, before even her tongue can give
utterance to the lies which her fertile imagination has already
conceived."

And with this handsome compliment to the sex, Mustapha gave his final
orders and retired.

Whether the unfortunate man, thus accused of treason, derived any
benefit from being permitted to "retain counsel," will be shown by the
following story, which he told to the pacha when summoned on the ensuing
day.



STORY OF THE CAMEL-DRIVER.

That your highness should wish for an explanation of the very doubtful
language which you overheard last night, I am not surprised; but I trust
you will acknowledge, when I have finished my narrative, that I was
fully justified in the expressions which I made use of. I am by birth
(as my dress denotes) a Fellah of this country, but I was not always so
poor as I am now. My father was the possessor of many camels, which he
let out for hire to the merchants of the different caravans which
annually leave this city. When he died, I came into possession of his
property, and the good-will of those whom he had most faithfully served.
The consequence was, that I had full employ, my camels were always
engaged, and, as I invariably accompanied them that they might not be
ill-treated, I have several times been to Mecca, as this ragged green
turban will testify. My life was one of alternate difficulty and