A STORY OF THE

GREAT PESTILIENCE

OF BAGHDAD

 

PART FIRST[1]

 

[Robert Carter][2]

[Published in The Pioneer January, 1843 (1:1)]

[Edited and Annotated by Atha Zimmermann and Isabel Garcia for the University of Arizona Antebellum Magazine Edition Project May 3, 2015.]

[Editor's Note]

 

I.

Never since the days of Motastem, the last of the Caliphs,[3] had Bagdad been in so flourishing a condition, as in the year of Christ, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-one.

For nearly two centuries the viceroys of the Turkish sultans[4] had ruled the city with a rod of iron, and under their capricious and impolitic sway, its commerce, its manufactures, and its population, had dwindled to a shadow of their former greatness; and finally, with the increasing decay of the Ottoman power, the predatory Arabs who roam the vast Mesopotamian plain- the powerful tribes of the Aneiza,[5] the Jerbah,[6] and the Ageil[7] - began habitually, year after year, to invest the city, desolating its environs, and in more than one instance, forcing their way within the walls and carrying fire and sword to the very gates of the citadel.

Some twelve or fifteen years, however, before the date I have mentioned, an adventurer named Daoud, who had been the slave of a former pasha, and was distinguished for his wealth, his intelligence, and his apparent religious humility, was appointed to the then vacant pashalic.[8] Under his administration the aspect of affairs was speedily changed; an army of one hundred and fifty thousand men was raised, splendidly equipped, and disciplined and officered by European adventurers. With this immense force devoted to his will, the pasha easily subjected the refractory Arabs, and even by policy and bribery, so conciliated several of the tribes, that from formidable adversaries they became most efficient allies, and enabled him by their support, to throw off his allegiance to Constantinople, and defy equally the mandates and the arms of the sultan, who, embarrassed by the turbulence of his Janissaries, and by his difficulties with Russia, Greece and Egypt, was utterly unable to repress his powerful and contumacious vassal.

Having freed his dominions from their most terrible and inveterate scourge, and completely consolidated his power, the enlightened and energetic Daoud directed his attention to the internal condition of his capital. He enacted judicious laws, which were rigidly and impartially enforced, so that Bagdad soon became as noted for order and justice, as it had been for turbulence and tyranny: he protected and encouraged commerce, and again the streets and squares of the city swarmed, as in the days of the Caliphs, with a motley multitude of merchants and artisans drawn from the varied races that inhabit Asia. The haughty Turk, the meek Armenian, the subtle Greek, the proud Arab, the independent Bedouin,[9] the savage Turcoman,[10] the martial Kurd, the polite Persian, the cringing Jew, the chivalrous Circassian, and the beautiful Georgian, mingled freely and peacefully with the stranger natives of more distant lands - with the open-hearted Afghan, the fanatic Seik,[11] the melancholy Hindoo, the lively Burmese, the dignified Parsee, the ferocious Malay, the black-visaged Nubian, and the crafty trader from the celestial empire.[12] Nor were there wanting specimens of the less diversified nations of Christendom; for besides the pasha's military officers, who were chiefly French and Italians, there was then resident in Bagdad, an English mission and an Anglo-Indian Embassy. The vast and famous bazaar, with its ten thousand shops, was likewise filled with the products of every clime and country—with the camphor and copper of Japan, the teas and silks of China, the laces and calicoes[13] of Hindostan, the shawls and carpets of Persia, the gums and coffee of Arabia, the slaves of Zanzibar and Mozambique, and the more multifarious and less picturesque commodities of Europe and America.

The pasha too, with all his vigor and ambition, was sumptuous in his tastes and luxurious in his habits; he kept a numerous and brilliant court, and maintained much of that gorgeous magnificence for which the Orientals were formerly famous, but which the imperial reformers of Cairo and Constantinople, had banished from those capitals in endeavoring to introduce among their subjects the external simplicity, along with the civilization of Christendom.

The prosperity which the wise measures of Daoud brought to his people, and the splendor which his power and grandeur conferred upon their city, rendered them tolerably pleased with his government, even though he occasionally conveyed unlawfully to his coffers a portion of their hard-earned gold, or to his well-appointed harem the most attractive of their daughters.

II.

Prominent among the high officers of the pasha's army, was an English renegade, who bore the oriental name and title of Osman Aga. He had left his country for Hindostan at an early age, and had passed several years in the service of the East India Company;[14] but impelled by an

aspiring and uncontrollable spirit, and disgusted by the slowness of his advancement, and the tedium of his employment, he at length deserted, and crossing the Indus, entered the army of Runjeet Sing,[15] adopting with as little scruple, the peculiar religion of the Seiks, as he did their blue costume and their martial habits.[16] His courage and ability soon rendered him a great favorite with the astute Runjeet, who appointed him to the command of a division of his army, at the head of which in the terrible battle with the Afghans at Noushehra, he was cut down and carried a prisoner to Cabul. On his recovery from his wounds, he did not long hesitate to exchange the Grinth of the Seilc, for the Koran of the Mussulman, commended as was the latter by the rank of colonel in the army of Dost Mohammed. He was soon however detected in a daring intrigue, having for its object the restoration of Shah Shoojah[17] to the Afghan throne. He saved his head by a rapid flight to Persia, and remained a long time in voluptuous indolence at Ispahan, occupied apparently, solely in the study of the language and literature of the country. The reputation of his talents and exploits at length reached the ears of Daoud Pasha, who was ever anxious to secure the most accomplished instruments for his ambitious and regenerating purposes. Osman was invited to Bagdad, and was speedily made an aga, or commander of high rank. He sustained his military reputation by several brilliant victories over the Kurds and Persians, and at the period when my story commences was inferior in station to none of the pasha's officers, and apparently possessed the full confidence of his master. His fidelity was however in reality greatly and justly suspected by the wily pasha, who had found reason to believe that his ambitious and unprincipled lieutenant was engaged in treacherous negotiations, not only with the Sultan, but with some of the powerful Bedouin tribes in the vicinity of Bagdad, who, despite their defeats, were unbroken in their strength, and under an able leader, assisted by the Porte, might not improbably unseat the pasha from his usurped throne.

III.

It was the morning of a beautiful April day in the year before mentioned, and the fierce sun of the tropics, already several hours above the horizon, was pouring down his scorching rays into the narrow and winding streets of Bagdad, which, notwithstanding their furnace temperature, were thronged with a dense crowd of human beings, of all nations, sexes, ages, colors, classes and conditions, from whose hundred thousand throats resounded that prodigious and perpetual din, for which it is noted above all other cities, and which alone would suffice to establish its lineal descent from that wherein the tower of Babel reared its aspiring and accursed head.[18]

It was not however the ordinary tumult of a populace pursuing, in confined space, the confused and conflicting business of a great city: on the contrary, all seemed intent upon a common object, which was no other than to gain, by the most direct and speediest route, the eastern gate of the city which opened upon a vast and perfectly level plain, whose desolation was usually unrelieved by beast, bird, or plant of any kind.

To the eyes of the multitude, however, as they emerged from the narrow and strongly guarded gateway, a very animated scene was presented, for on the previous evening a large caravan of pilgrims to the shrine of Kerbelah, had arrived from Persia, and encamped at some distance from the walls. They were preparing to enter the city in great state, and the people of Bagdad were now pouring forth to welcome them and witness the display. The plain, far as the eye could reach, was covered with men, tents and animals: groups of the pilgrims were busy in all directions, packing their goods and equipage, loading their camels, or arraying themselves in their best habiliments, with the view of presenting an imposing appearance to the curious and somewhat supercilious citizens. Vast numbers of the latter had already arrived at the encampment, and were either riding about on the white asses, for which Bagdad is famous, or, mingled with the pilgrims, were chatting, jesting, and endeavoring to purchase the merchandise just arrived from Persia; driving their bargains with that skill and acuteness, for which no less than for its asses, their city is renowned throughout Asia.

Before high noon the caravan was completely prepared for its entry: the tents were all struck, the camels all laden, and the pilgrims, arranged with due order in their ranks, were impatiently waiting the signal to begin their march. The pasha of Bagdad had informed the chiefs of the caravan, that he would himself issue forth from the city to meet and escort them into its precincts: it was for his appearance that they were now delaying, and their patience was well nigh exhausted, when the sudden discharge of cannon from the walls, the shouts of the multitude, and the clangor of martial music, announced the approach of Daoud and his guards. He advanced surrounded by a thousand of the superb Circassian cavalry who constituted the flower of his army. They were all remarkably handsome and martial looking men, splendidly mounted, and covered from head to foot with brilliant chain armor of Damascus steel. They came on at a slow and stately pace, though now and then some of them would dart for a period from the ranks, wheeling and curveting their magnificent steeds, and hurling high in air their jereeds[19] or javelins.

The pasha was received with shouts, with the firing of muskets and of camel artillery, and with the grave and respectful salutations of the leaders of the caravan, who, grateful for the unusual honor shown them, were profound and profuse in their obeisances. After due exchange of courtesies, Daoud detached five hundred of his guard to the rear of the caravan, and the mingled cavalcade proceeded on its procession to the city gate.

Soon after they commenced their march, one of the gorgeously attired officers who surrounded the pasha, rode up to the latter, evidently with the intention of preferring some request. He was a tall and powerful man, apparently about thirty years of age, very handsome, with large black eyes, and a complexion whose dark hue seemed rather the result of exposure to the sun and wind, than of natural swarthiness of skin. He wore a snow-white turban of the finest muslin, a richly embroidered silk robe of bright purple, blue Turkish trowsers, and his costume was completed by boots of the most vivid yellow dye; at his girdle were pistols, a dagger, and a sabre with a richly jewelled hilt.

His request, which was merely of permission to quit the procession, was readily granted, and Osman Aga, for it was the English renegade, rode rapidly towards the city followed by a single attendant, a Nubian of immense size, black as jet, but with regular and expressive features.

They reined up their steeds as they reached the gate, and Osman, stationing himself and follower just within the entrance, looked through it for a moment at the approaching caravan, then turned and addressed the Nubian, who, from long service, was quite familiar with his master, whose confidence he possessed to a degree that rendered him rather a friend than a menial;

''The time for action is at hand, Rustom, though my plans are not quite matured, a blow must be struck without delay. I have for sometime fancied that the pasha suspected me, but last night I learned from Hassan Bey that the whole conspiracy is known, and that my destruction is resolved on, as soon as my faithful Kurds can be got out of the way. They received orders but three hours ago to escort this very caravan when it departs for Kerbelah to-morrow, and Kaliel Aga will command them on their march, the pasha having requested me to remain, under pretence of preparing for the campaign against Ali. But as soon as my friends leave the city, I shall doubtless be seized and executed."

"Daoud is ever prompt Without the Kurds we should be almost at his mercy. How many of your Arab friends are within the city?''

" But seven hundred of the Jerbah; and two thousand are encamped without the walls. Sheick Abdalla's last letter promised fifteen thousand of the Aneiza, but it will be five days before they can possibly reach Bagdad."

" The danger is indeed imminent. I see but one way to avoid it."

" And that is?"

" To place yourself at the head of the troops devoted to you-force your way to the desert and assemble the Arab tribes. Once in the field, with the assistance that the Sultan will gladly give, you can defy the whole force of Daoud, and perhaps even drive him from his pashalic. "

" Such was my first impulse when warned by Hassan Bey. By this morning's dawn, I would have left Bagdad, had I not last night received tidings which have led me to defer my departure. Thou rememberest Bogos, the Armenian of Julfa with whom I had dealings during my visit to Ispahan last winter, on the secret mission to the Persian Shah?':

"Do I recollect my father? Or have I lost all memory of the mother who bore me? Never can I forget the lying, cheating, christian scoundrel! I carry about with me a token to remember him by! This ring which he swore would have graced the finger of a Sultan, I paid him twenty tomans[20] for, and it is not worth as many paras.[21]" The negro grinned with rage as he held up his hand, and Osman, glancing at the gaudy ornament, whose lustre had so misled his follower, replied with a smile,

"He still possesses a jewel which the haughtiest sultan of the earth might be proud to wear. His daughter Miriam is fairer and purer than the snows of her own Ararat,[22] and has a soul worthy of its stately dwelling place. I saw her often during my brief sojourn at the Persian court last winter, and had I not been obliged to follow the Shah on his removal to Teheran, she would ere this have been my bride. Last night a hadji, who came with yonder caravan, brought me a letter from her, by which I learn that the dog of a father, has even now brought her to Bagdad with the pilgrims, with the intention of selling her, as he would a dromedary,[23] to the pasha, whose passion has been excited by the report of her beauty, and whose gold has prevailed on Bogos despite his christian creed, to sacrifice his daughter to his avarice."

"The thrice-accursed villain! Shall I send a bullet through him as he enters the gate? ''

"Nay, that were somewhat too summary a proceeding. My purpose in tarrying here, is to ascertain beyond doubt that he accompanies the caravan: this can only be done by observing the pilgrims as they pass. If the Armenian enters, keep your eye upon him, follow to his caravanserai, ascertain if Miriam be with him, and as quickly as possible acquire all information which will assist me to rescue her, as I will do this very night, either by force or stratagem."

"Allah Kerim! My Aga, are you losing your senses’!" cried the Nubian vehemently, "would you peril your life for a smooth-faced girl? Know you not there is little time to spare, if you do not wish to lie with your head between your legs in the great square of the city?"

"Peace! Rustom; I am neither mad nor even imprudent. Do you but obey my orders and all will be well. To-day while my Kurds are in Bagdad, the pasha will not dare attempt aught against me; and to night I will gratify both love and revenge, by rescuing my mistress, and robbing Daoud of his most cherished treasure."

During this conversation, the caravan had been gradually approaching the walls, and now the guard of the pasha, who led the van, began to enter the gate. The calm, grave face of Daoud relaxed into a smile, as he perceived Osman Aga among the spectators, and his passing salute was as courteously, and apparently as kindly given and returned, as though the most undiminished friendship and confidence existed between the two. As the pilgrims moved on, Osman and his servant examined them eagerly and attentively, till nearly the whole caravan had been viewed by them and not a semblance of the Armenian had been seen.

"I have been deceived," said Osman, sadly; "Miriam is still at Ispahan. Well! I need no longer delay my escape from this city, and perhaps”-

"By Allah!" interrupted the" Nubian; "Here he comes! Look at the wretch, with his meek face and stuffed-out belly! I have half a mind to fling my jereed at him. And glory to the prophet! the maiden is with him too! else why that litter?''

It was indeed Bogos who rode by as Rustom spoke with downcast eyes, and a countenance bearing much of that mild and placid expression which peculiarly characterizes his pacific and patient race. He was closely followed by a litter, borne between two camels, and evidently containing one or more females.

"Haste, good Rustom," cried Osman, as the Armenian passed; ''follow, follow, and on no account lose sight of him. Gain speedily all the intelligence you can, and come with it to my palace, where I will await you."

The Nubian made no reply, but followed the caravan while his master turned into a side, street, and rode rapidly toward a distant part of the city.

IV.

The brief twilight of that eastern clime had vanished, and night was folding its raven wings upon the city, like an eagle settling on her nest. The stars were struggling through the gloom, endeavoring one by one to obtain a glimpse of their shrouded brother. The breeze unpinioned by the setting sun, swept with a gentle motion the broad bosom of the arrowy Tigris, whose banks lined with palaces and palm trees, with minarets[24] and mosques, presented no unworthy image of the grandeur of Bagdad when under the mighty and magnificent caliphs, she was the fitting capital of the noblest empire that the earth has ever seen.

In a vast and ancient palace, whose walls rose abruptly from the water's edge, and in an apartment of great size and sumptuousness, the sides and ceiling of which were encrusted with the most fanciful arabesques in stucco, and inlaid with mirrors and mother-of-pearl, and the floor covered with the richest carpets of Persia, save in the centre, where, from a basin of black marble, rose a sparkling and refreshing fountain, was seated, upon a divan[25] of richly embroidered crimson velvet, Osman Aga, the English adventurer. He was restless and abstracted, and was evidently waiting the arrival of some one long and anxiously expected. He at length rose, and approaching a large and beautiful book-case, which occupied one end of the room, opened its doors of curiously wrought rosewood, and disclosed a considerable collection of splendidly bound European volumes, interspersed with the more picturesque manuscripts of the best oriental authors. He glanced along the shelves, upon which were ranged the chief works of those brilliant but pernicious authors the French and English infedels of the last century, to the perusal of whose writings Osman Aga might, perhaps, have traced the formation of those unsettled principles, and that loose morality, whose influence had made him what he was - a hypocritical apostate, and a reckless and crime-stained adventurer. Drawing out one of the volumes, he turned a few of its pages by the light of the lamps which hung from the ceiling, but, suddenly, as if struck by some bitter thought, flung vehemently aside the book, and began to pace the room, with rapid and irregular steps.

"I know not wherefore, but my spirit sinks, and the brain, on which alone through life I have relied, seems now about to fail me. This night, this very night, my destiny must be decided; tomorrow's sun will see me a captive, and perhaps a corpse, or armed to struggle with sultans and their viceroys, for the mastery of Asia: love, empire, life itself, are upon the issue, yet I cannot plot, cannot contrive, and, indeed, can scarcely think.

"And then, this girl- this Armenian girl. 'Tis to me the most profound of mysteries, that in hers my being is so closely wrapt. I, who scorned as a weakness the very thought of woman, and deemed fame and power alone worth man's pursuit, am now periling everything for the sake of this young maiden. 'Tis past belief. Yet, Miriam, sweet Miriam, I am strongly tempted to relinquish all for thee; to cast aside my wealth, my power, my blood-bought honors, and my towering hopes, and leaving this barbaric land, bear thee to some green and quiet spot, and spend beside thee, in contented security, the remainder of my days.

"It may not be. I cannot, even for thy sake, relinquish the achievements of so many years, the results of so much toil, so much thought, so much enterprise, and so much crime. A life of tumult, of excitement, of adventure, has unfitted me for the ordinary tenor of human existence. Nor can I look into thy majestic eyes, or gaze upon thy queenly countenance, nor feel that thou, too, wouldst rejoice to share my fate - with me to aspire, to struggle, to conquer, and to rule.

"My soul revives! And once more upon the desert, beyond these cramping walls, and at the head of an army, I will become again subtle to plan, and audacious to execute. Now for this night's work. My faithful Kurds, and my no less faithful Arabs, will meet me near the northern gate, and once beyond the walls, and at their head, all will be well. Miriam, if Rustom does not fail me, will be rescued before midnight, and by the rising of to-morrow's sun, I will be on my road to Aleppo, at the head of seven thousand men.

"My palace and its contents, I suppose, must be left to the mercy of his highness. Well! by my sword I gained them, and by my sword I can replace them."

He paused for a moment in the centre of the room, and, by clapping his hands summoned, in the oriental manner, a slave, who almost instantly, with folded arms and head bent down, stood waiting his commands.

"Has Rustom returned?"

"He has, my lord; but a moment since."

"Let him attend me, at once."

The slave disappeared, and, immediately afterward, the Nubian entered,' bearing in his appearance traces of recent and severe exertion.

"What detained you, Rustom? you should have been here three hours ago."

''That son of an Armenian cow, the thrice-detested Bogos, has led me over half Bagdad, in search of him. In passing through the Bazaar, which was crowded to suffocation, I was stopped by the crowd, and before I could force a passage, the villain had disappeared; and it is only within two hours, after inquiring at nearly all the caravanserais in the city, that I succeeded in finding him. But, praise be to Allah! the maiden is with him, and they are both at the Khan of Hillah, on this side of the river.

That is truly fortunate! Thanks, thanks, good Rustom; you have brought me cheering news! Take half an hour for rest and refreshment, and, as you go out, bid Haroun bring me the garb of an eunuch, and the coloring liquid, that I may disguise myself."

Haroun, the slave, soon entered with the required articles, and Osman Aga, by the application of a dye, in a few minutes completely changed his complexion into that of the blackest [26]Ethiopian[27]. This done, he laid aside his costly outer garments, and donned habiliments more suited to the character he wished to assume. Before, however, he put on the long loose robe which concealed his whole person, he carefully arranged in his belt a sabre, a dagger, and a pair of double barrelled pistols. He also secured, in the same place, a large and heavy purse, which he took from a table in the room.

“Now," he muttered, as he examined his appearance in one of the mirrors that were inlaid in the wall of the room," Daoud himself might mistake me for the Aga of his eunuchs. Courage and adroitness are all that I require to-night, and they are qualities that never yet have failed me, nor do I think they will now, when my very existence depends upon their exercise.''

He paused a few minutes, to write upon and carefully seal a piece of paper, which he affixed to his girdle, and then left the saloon, and passed quickly to the outer court of the palace, where half-a-dozen slaves were reclining, who started to their feet when they heard his steps. A few brief stern orders were issued to these attendants, and the court was rapidly filled with horses and a well armed band of about fifty men, who immediately mounted, and remained prepared to sally forth.

Rustom soon made his appearance also, completely armed, and Osman, who had waited for him, bounded on a splendid black Arabian, which a slave was holding, and at the head of the troop issued into the street.

"This handful of men will never do, my Aga," said Rustom; " If you mean to storm the caravanserai, knock Bogos on the head and carry off his daughter.''

"I mean to do no such thing," was the reply; " a quiet stratagem will effect all I wish, much more safely and effectually."

V

The Khan, or caravanserai [28]of Hillah, was situated in one of the most retired quarters of Bagdad. On the night in question, it was crowded with merchants and pilgrims, who were chiefly gathered under one of the arches of the great square, listening to a Persian story-teller, while he related monstrous adventures with dives, peris[29], genii, and enchanters.

Suddenly a violent knocking was heard at the outer gate. The keeper of the Khan, a fat pompous personage, much averse to locomotion, was among the most earnest auditors of the Persian, and for some time paid no attention to the summons, till it increased to an extent that threatened to dislodge the gate from its hinges.

“Who knocks at this unseemly hour, and thus disturbs a quiet Khan?” said the janitor,[30] in a surly tone; “you may as well depart, for there is no room for you here.”

“By the beard of the Prophet[31], if thou dost not open quickly, I will make room, by dragging out the headless carcases [32]of some of ye. Must an aga of the eunuchs, with an order from the pasha in his hand, wait at thy gate till thou hast finished thy pipe? Thy tardy feet shall soon be quickened by the bastinado[33].”

The keeper no sooner heard the title of his visiter [34]mentioned, than he made all imaginable haste to unbar the gate, and speedily admitted a huge negro, who imperiously commanded the trembling being before him, to lead the way to the quarters of Bogos, the Armenian.

This latter personage was quietly smoking his pipe, in the gallery which fronted his apartments, and, at the approach of the stranger, courteously rose and awaited his address. The eunuch saluted him gravely and condescendingly[35], and as they entered together the apartment of the Armenian, said in a tone of the greatest suavity—

“Worthy Bogos, I have been sent by our lord the pasha, with a litter and an escort, for the purpose of conveying your lovely daughter to the harem of his highness. The passage of the river has already greatly delayed my arrival here, and consequently I can remain with you but a short period. Will you do me the favor to inform the maiden of my presence, and the necessity of immediate departure?”

The Armenian gazed for a moment upon the face of the eunuch, and then without replying, cast his eyes upon the floor, evidently in deep perplexity; at length he spoke, and in a tone so firm and decided, that its contrast with the meekness of his manner was indeed almost startling.

“Where is your authority from the pasha, for the reception of my daughter? I cannot deliver the child to a stranger, without a written order from his highness.

“It would not be wise to do so, most prudent Bogos,” responded the eunuch, taking from his girdle a paper, which he tendered to the other; “but you see I am provided with an order, signed with the pasha’s own seal.”

The Armenian scrutinized keenly and carefully the document presented him, and was apparently satisfied by the perusal, though he made no movement to produce his daughter.

“Why this hesitation?” demanded the eunuch.

A grave smile overspread the face of the Armenian as he replied, “There was somewhat understood between the pasha and myself, touching a certain sum of money,”—

“I comprehend, most upright Bogos,” interrupted the eunuch, giving him a heavy purse; “examine that, and tell me if its contents are what you expected.”

The countenance of the Armenian brightened as he told [36]the gold, which he with the dispatch and precision of one much accustomed to the task, and carefully fastening the purse at his girdle, he rose and eagerly opening a door which communicated with a neighboring room, called to some one within, “Miriam, Miriam, come forth, my child.”

A minute elapsed, and there entered the room a female, tall in stature, and of a figure already noble and commanding, though with a youthfulness of feature which, at a glance, showed that she was scarcely yet matured into the full bloom of womanhood. The superb though irregular beauty of her face, was partially shaded by masses of the blackest hair, which fell in careless but graceful curls upon a small and snowy neck. Her eyes, which were eminently large and dark, even for an oriental, seemed dimmed in the brilliancy by recent weeping, traces of which were visible on her colorless, yet haughty cheek.

She started as her glance fell upon the eunuch, and would have thrown over her face the veil which she carried upon her arm, had her father not said,

“It is only an officer [37]of the pasha’s harem, Miriam.” The Armenian paused for a moment, and then proceeded with the air of one about to make an unpleasant communication, the influence of which upon the hearer is somewhat to be dreaded.

“He has come to conduct you to the harem of his highness, and requires your immediate departure; there is no reason for delay, as all that you require from here can be sent to the palace to-morrow.”

His words produced a powerful effect upon his daughter. She gazed at him for a moment, as if she did not fully comprehend the purport of what he had said; then suddenly rousing from her stupor, rushed forward and seized him by the arm, exclaiming with passion and vehemence,

“Did I hear aright? Are you still bent upon sacrificing your child for a handful of gold? Did you not promise, did you not swear, before we left Julfa, that you had renounced all thoughts of this unhallowed, this most monstrous thing? Speak, father,” she continued, with her wild earnest eyes, and her face flushed with excitement, fixed upon Bogos, who fairly quailed between her stern glance and muttered,

“Peace— silence— it is fixed— you must go.”

“But I will not go! I will not yield myself,— a Christian woman[38],— to be the harlot [39]slave of a Mussulman; sooner will I die!”

“It cannot now be avoided, my daughter. The pasha expects you, and here in Bagdad we are both in his power. He was sent for, and indeed has paid for you.”

“Paid for me! Mother of God! Am I a beast[40], to be bought and sold? Never! thou unnatural parent and apostate Christian! Were the pasha thrice as powerful, I would not debase myself to him. I will appeal to the patriarch of our Armenian people, who is in the city. I will appeal to the Franks[41], to all Christians in Bagdad, who surely will not suffer this foul wrong to one of their creed.”

As she poured out her invectives, Bogos began to recover from his embarrassment, and at length, irritated by her taunts, seized her harshly, and in an angry voice exclaimed, “No more of this! Thou must go, and that forthwith.”

A change came over the face of the unhappy Miriam, that transformed her in a moment from a raging fury, to a helpless supplicating woman. She flung herself suddenly at her father’s feet, and in a voice choked with sobs and tears implored his mercy.

“Father, father, spare me but this sin— this shame— and in aught else I will be thy most willing slave, thy most dutiful daughter! Let us fly this hateful city— let us go to our own land, and I will toil for thee, father, and thy gold will be none the less, even if thou returnest to this Turk the price of thy daughter’s perdition!”

Bogos, unmoved by this appeal, endeavored to raise her from the floor, on which she had sunk, and turning to the eunuch said,

“Aga, assist me, and we will bear her to the litter.”

The person he addressed had witnessed with great agitation the brief interview between father and daughter, but had said nothing during its continuance. As Bogos spoke, the blast of a trumpet from a neighboring street rose clear and loud upon the air, and was accompanied by a slight and scarcely perceptible tumult at the gate of the caravanserai. The eunuch started at the sound, and as if impelled into sudden activity, bounded forward like a tiger, and answered the expectant Armenian by a blow from a dagger which he drew from beneath his robe. It was given by a vigorous and practiced hand, and reached the heart of Bogos, who with a faint cry relinquished his grasp of his daughter, and fell headlong to the floor. The eunuch caught up the astonished maiden, and hastily exclaimed,

“Fear not, it is I, thy lover, Osman. I came thus disguised to rescue thee, for I had learned that this very night the pasha designed to have thee conveyed to his harem, I have slain thy father because delay were fatal, for that trumpet was sounded by my followers at the gate, and warns me that the pasha or his messenger are close at hand.”

Even before the conclusion of this rapid speech, he had carried Miriam, who, confused with joy, grief, and terror, was unable to speak, half way along the narrow and deserted corridor of the caravanserai. When he reached the gate he found it open, and exhibiting to view the black face of Rusom, who stooping from his horse, was peering in with great anxiety.

“By Allah!” he exclaimed, as his master rushed out, “I thought you would never return! Here is Daoud himself coming for the girl, with his whole guard at his heels. If we tarry five minutes more, our heads will not be worth as many date-stones[42].”

“There was, indeed, no time for deliberation; but with true military promptness, the Armenian’s daughter was placed in the ready litter, and in three minutes the cavalcade was moving rapidly away from the caravanserai.

VI.

The foremost of the pasha’s party reached the gate in time to catch a glimpse of those who preceded them, as they disappeared in the obscure and winding street.

The inquiry made by Daoud for the Armenian, soon revealed his horrible fate to the astonished beholders. His body was searched, and the forged order which Osman had given him being found, afforded the pasha a clue to the murderer, and an explanation of the disappearance of Miriam. The hand-writing he recognised, and the motives that prompted the deed were easily conjectured.

Enraged to the utmost by the discovery, he instantly dispatched officers to every gate of the city, with orders to prevent all egress[43], and with his guard commenced a rapid pursuit in the direction taken by Osman Aga.

VII.

“How far now to the gate of Mosul, Rostom?”

“’T is scarce a mile, Aga.”

“Ten minutes then will bring us there. Press on.”

“We are pursued, Aga,” said an Arab, riding up from the rear. His senses, sharpened by a life on the desert, were as acute as those of an animal.

“How? art sure?”

“I hear the tramp of many horses— their number is very great, and they approach us fast.”

“Forward! forward! then. Rustom, your horse is swift and fresh— ride on at full speed, and in the great square by the Mosul gate, you will find Suleiman [44]Bey, waiting for us with a large body of troops— tell him to advance immediately and meet us, for we shall have to stand at bay, ere we can reach the gate.”

Rustom obeyed, and his spirited charger soon carried him beyond the sight of the band, which their leader was in vain endeavoring to urge to a greater speed.

Their pursuers at length gained so fast, that Osman Aga became aware that he would in a few minutes be overtaken. He therefore, as he reached a small open place, on one side of which rose, serene and solemn in the bright moonlight, a vast and stately mosque, halted his men, and arrayed them in front of the street by which the Pasha would approach. The litter containing Miriam he placed in charge of two men at the further extremity of the square. He then calmly awaited the approach of his pursuers.

Very soon the shining chain of armor of the Pasha’s Circassians [45]was visible in the street, and gallantly they came galloping on, until they were nearly upon the entrance of the square. They halted abruptly, on perceiving the band of Osman Aga. The latter had their carbines unslung and prepared, and gave the Circassians a volley which sent twenty or thirty to the ground, and produced considerable disorder in their ranks. It was but momentary, however, for they instantly rallied, and uttering the terrible janissary[46] shout, charged sword in hand, into the square. They were gallantly met by Osman and his band, and for a few minutes a most furious conflict was maintained. The citizens, roused by the clamor, thronged the windows and terraces of their houses, some bearing aloft torches, while others perceiving that the Pasha’s guard were among the combatants, and supposing that their opponents were hostile Arabs, who had entered the city to plunder, began to fire upon the latter.

Though Osman Aga made the most heroic and desperate exertions to maintain his ground— though he repeatedly charged at the head of his men, the guard of the Pasha, in the hope of meeting the latter hand to hand, he was at length with the scanty remnant of his gallant party, driven across the square to the place where he had stationed the litter containing Miriam. Before this he paused, determined there to make a final stand in the hope that Suleiman Bey would arrive in time to succor him.

Just as Daoud was preparing to lead forward his guard to a last grand assault, Osman with inexpressible pleasure heard in the street behind him the rapid trampling of a numerous body of horsemen whom he felt certain were the troop Suleiman Bey coming to his rescue.

On, on, like a whirlwind came they, Kurds and Arabs, uttering fierce, wild yells, and cries of “Allah akbar,” “God is great,” and with Rustom on his black steed bounding at their head. Their furious onset bore back the Circassians, despite the efforts of their officers, until they reached the opposite side of the square: there they maintained their ground, and a conflict hand to hand ensued, in the midst of which a party hard pressed by Osman himself, who had assumed the command of his rescuers, burst the barred and iron-covered doors of a dwelling-house, into which they rushed, and were hotly pursued by Osman and a number of Arabs, who drove them from room to room till they reached the terraced roof. They could fly no farther, and were instantly cut down, together with some of the inmates of the house who had been holding torches to illuminate the scene below. One of these, which was still blazing in the stiffened grasp of its slain bearer, caught the eye of Osman Aga as he turned to descend from the roof, and instantly suggested a procedure which was as promptly executed. He seized the torch, and calling to his men to follow him, rushed down stairs, pausing as he passed, to apply the torch to the divans, the hangings, and the wood-work of the dwelling, from which almost as soon as he left it, the flames burst forth with great violence, and as no attempt was made to check them, communicated speedily to the neighboring houses.

The uproar was now increased tenfold. The battle still raged furiously, but the heat and smoke of the burning houses speedily became almost insupportable, and the alarmed and enraged populace flying from the conflagration, so crowded the square and the neighboring streets, that the combatants themselves found it difficult to pursue their work of blood.

The affair, however, was destined to a speedy termination. The Pasha had, ere he left the caravanserai, dispatched a messenger to the commander of a considerable body of troops stationed at the bridge which unites the two divisions of the city, with orders to advance with all speed to his assistance. These now approached in another direction from that in which Daoud reached the square, and the first imitation that Osman Aga had of their arrival, was from the simultaneous charge made by them and the guards of the Pasha. It was irresistible— and the genius and courage of the renegade were in vain exerted to redeem the fight. His force, now far outnumbered, was surrounded and divided, and finally he was himself unhorsed, and his followers cut down or captured, with the exception of a small band which, headed by Rustom, cut their way through the enemy, and hotly pursued, galloped off in the direction of the Mosul gate, which they knew would be found unguarded.

Osman forced his way to litter which was not far distant, and found it overthrown, and the fair inmate struggling in the grasp of two ferocious Turks.To pistol one and cut down the other with his sabre[47], was the work of a moment, and the next, Osman, with Miriam in his arms, was rushing rapidly down a narrow street, pursued by three horsemen, who overtook him just as he gained the entrance of a small alley, into which he turned. It being too narrow to admit their horses, his pursuers dismounted, and two of them followed him with drawn scimetars[48]. Impeded by the weight of Miriam, he was soon overtaken. He suddenly stopped and turned upon the Circassians, one of whom, as he called upon Osman to surrender, received the contents of his remaining pistol. The other, dismayed by the fall of his comrade, and unprovided with fire-arms, did not deem it prudent to encounter alone, one of the most redoubted swordsmen of Asia, and hastily regained the street where he had left his horse.

Osman pursued his way unmolested for a short distance, until he arrived at one of the entrances of the great bazaar, where he found a masterless steed, whose rider had doubtless fallen in the recent battle, quietly drinking from the basin of a huge fountain. He easily caught the animal, which he mounted, and placing Miriam before him, rode at a rapid rate until he reached a quarter of the city near the eastern wall.

He dismounted at the door of a vast but dingy and dilapidated mansion, and knocked violently for some time, without receiving any answer. At length a person bearing a light, approached, and inquired in Turkish,

“Who is there?”

Osman Aga’s reply was in English. “A friend— a countryman— open quickly, for the love of God— I am in danger, and require shelter.”

The door was immediately opened, and Osman and Miriam entered and were received with cordiality, mingled with wonder and curiosity, by an extremely mild and intelligent looking man of middle age, dressed in European costume. He was the head of the English mission [49]which had been for some time established in Bagdad. Osman soon explained the situation of himself and his fair companion, and solicited an asylum for them both until they could effect their escape from the city. This was readily granted, and the result of the conference was, that before morning, Osman Aga was united in marriage by the rites of the Protestant church, to Miriam, daughter of Bogos, the Armenian.

 

Editor’s Note

During the early nineteenth century fascination of the East permeated throughout American society, culture, and literature. Traveling circuses featured Egyptian hyenas and Bengal tigers. P. T. Barnum’s museums displayed Egyptian mummies. Scholars studied and explored the origins and religions of the East as evidenced in Edward Robinson’s Biblical Research in Palestine, Mount Sinai and Arabia and William F. Lynch’s scientific survey of the Dead Sea described in his Narrative of the United States Expedition of the River Jordan and the Dead Sea. The East even shaped architecture, and   “by the 1840s ‘Moorish,’ ‘Turkish,’ and ‘Oriental’ houses faced Grecian and Federal styles in builder’s manuals of design inspiring a particular keen interest in garden structures Turkish baths” (Luedtke 29).

In literature, like “The Armenian’s Daughter,” the East was a popular setting for an exoticized story. Spanning across “the vast Mesopotamian plain,” the setting of this short story encompasses not the actual plains of the East, but a place that Edward Said calls the Orient. Said defines the Orient as an “almost a European invention… a place of romance, exotic beings, haunting memories and landscapes, remarkable experiences” (1). Though Robert Carter, an American author, wrote this story, Said’s characterizations of the Orient are evident throughout the story.

Of importance in the story is Osman’s choice to pass as an Ethiopian man, and the consequent dying of his skin. As mentioned in one of the footnotes, Carter was likely referring to the biblical figure of the Ethiopian eunuch from Acts 8:26-40. According to some biblical scholars (Ephrem the Syrian, Jerome, Bede), the Ethiopian’s color was washed away during the baptism and he became white (Burke 8). This interpretation serves as a parallel to Carter’s depiction of Osman intentionally dying his skin black to pass as an Ethiopian. In regards to blackface, the practice, today, holds many negative connotations. According to the OED, the practice was popular in the period between 1830 to 1965, when white actors painted their faces in an exaggerated manner to resemble the face of a black person. In early American cinema, black roles would be played by white actors, largely for comedic effect, or to emphasize white supremacy. One of the most notable examples of this is D.W. Griffith’s The Birth of a Nation, as well as the director’s other works. The act is associated with racism and oppression of African Americans and is a taboo practice in modern America. However, this is a taboo that is primarily unique to the United States due, as was mentioned, to the cultural practice of having white actors pass as black.