A DONGOLAH TALE magic from detection, she procured a dromedary swift as the wind, and visited the different regions she had heard described ; sometimes joining one caravan, and sometimes another. The immense treasures on her person were little diminished by this expense ; when, one day, the people of the caravan with which she travelled perceived a cloud of sand approaching them, and shortly afterwards distinguished a troop of horsemen at full gallop. Amnah and her companions urged on their camels, but, finally, finding flight useless, they endeavoured to hide themselves in a large well, which the heat of the summer had dried up. But the horsemen had seen them enter, and, delighted to have their prey secured, they offered to the young leader of their band his choice, whether he would have for his portion the first or the last of the persons whom they should find in the well.

Their chief, called Mustapha, was only twenty-one years of age, but renowned for his skill in the use of the matchlock, the sabre, and the lance. His shield, of the hide of the hippopotamus, was almost useless ; for with his sabre he parried the blows of his enemies ; with a slashing cut of his Damascus blade, which his father, who had travelled far towards the north, had brought him, he separated the limbs of his foes, and even severed the iron chain. At the shake of his lance all fled before him ; and never was a matchlock in more skilful hands. In form, he was the perfection of manly beauty and vigour, and his mind was richly endowed, displaying a judgment beyond his years, and greater presence of mind in danger than the oldest warrior. The Koran he knew by heart, and his chief delight was in listening to the traditions of his country. Young and generous, he could never repress his indignation at the recital of the evil deeds of the tyrants who had reigned over the land ; his eyes kindled with enthusiasm, and his cheeks glowed with pleasure and emulation when they told him of the valorous exploits of his ancestors, their generosity and hospitality. Like the rest of his race, much of his time w-as spent in excursions against the tribes with whom they were at war.

Perceiving where the caravan had taken refuge, Mustapha, having the first choice allowed to him, said, " I will take for my " share the captive at the extremity of the well : he who has most " to lose will have fled to the farthest." His companions cast lots for their portions. Some had young women, others young active male slaves ; all with some treasure. None were apparently so unfortunate as Mustapha, who found at the extremity of the well Amnah disguised as an old man, miserably clad, the picture of povert}'. His companions, with the freedom of friends, rallied him on the wisdom of his choice, in the following lines, which one of them sang, and the others joined in chorus : Our chief, what wisdom he has shown I God has blessed him with great judgment, O, what a prize he has gained !

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