L'Esplendente [part 13]

The wary Israelite was employed all the while he was speaking in depositing the gold & jewels in a Coffer that stood by his side - As for the youth he cared not what became of the glittering heaps provided it proved the means of facilitating his progress in the Art he adored. - Jacoup loaded him with caresses & to prove them sincere took a ring of some [69] value of his finger as an exchange for the gifts he had receivd - terming them old Medals & Trinkets - which as he hinted were chiefly valuable on account of the Donor. - This very night - his deliverance from the Mountains was concerted - 'Twas agreed that Jacoup after taking leave of Abdoulrahman in due form - should depart on the morrow with all his Treasures & that a week after - a fleet courser & his Servants should wait at the base of the Hills to receive & convey Mehmed to the Town with all celerity. - This project being determind upon - they separated mutually pleas'd with each other - The Jew hugging himself upon the noble acquisition he had made at so small an expence - & Meh'med rejoicing in the approaching accomplishment of his Wishes. - At the first dawn of the following day - the whole encampment was in motion - the Tents struck - & the Magasines abandoned. Jacoup - follow'd after embracing Abdoulrahman - Meh'med feigned so great an excess of sorrow - that he could not bear to witness [70] the removal of his Friend & loiter'd upon the Hills. - His Father came out to console him & brought several pages of the Koran which he had written out - for the same purpose. - They were most respectfully receiv'd to all appearance - but neither the Koran nor any thing else could divert the young Man's impatience who thought every minute an Hour & every Hour an Age which intervend between Jacoups departure & his intended Escape. - At length the tedious week elabsed [sic]. - & Mehmed with a beating heart descended the Rocks - ventured with trembling feet over the bounds he had as yet never transgressd - & fled unobserved down the path which led to the plain - Such was his agitation & such the perturbed state of his Mind - that the Servants who waited below according to appointment call'd twice aloud before he heard them. - But no sooner were they perceived than he vaulted upon the Horse [71] who flying with wondrous speed across the Vale [ILLEGIBLE]. - His native Hills grew fainter & fainter - vast tracks of country [ILLEGIBLE] left behind - & Never having rode before he fancied himself born away by the Winds - the swift motion helped to obliterate any disagreeable reflections - & put to flight the melancholy image of his Fathers sufferings. - Enlivening thougts on the contrary were communicated by every successive object. - The busy villages - the cornfields scatter'd over with reapers - the river covered with Boats & glittering between Olive grounds all contributed to amuse & divert his attention & his Spirits set on float [72] by the rapidity of his course - inspired him with lively joy & brightened the Sunshine of the prospect. - In the midst of this enjoyment he found himself in a little Town - where relays were stationed for himself & the Servants who escorted him. - Mounting the fresh Horses they quitted the high road to avoid any pursuit & galloping thro' lanes & shady avenues - made such good haste that they reached a Hamlet on a Hill which overlooked the City - just as the Day began to close - Here they found other coursers in waiting - full of fire & activity - These noble Animals soon brought them under the embattled Walls of Seville [73] Passing an ancient Gate way - they traversed many streets of palaces & noble buildings in [sic] their way to Jacoups House - which stood by the Lonja. - Nothing was striking in its exterior - except an enormous crucifix above the Entrance & two statues of the Virgin & St Juan de Dios on each side. -

[Continued in Part 14]