Part 16

“Soto has charged me to communicate to you a project which he has formed to deliver us all. It is concerted, that as soon as we reach the coast of Barbary, which we are fast approaching, we are to rise, cut the throats of the officers and soldiers, beginning with the Captain, proclaim _Liberty_ to the rest of the galley-slaves, who will immediately assist us, render ourselves masters of the galley, and seek an asylum amongst the Turks. This enterprise has been in contemplation,” continued he, “upwards of two months. We have a sufficient quantity of arms concealed, all our measures are taken, and we have resolved to save ourselves, Turks as well as Christians, or perish in the attempt. All that is required of you is to blow up the powder-room at a signal given. This is our plot; and after the cruel treatment you have experienced from the Captain, we have thought that you would not refuse to join us.” I replied to the Turk, that he might depend there was nothing I was not capable of undertaking to be revenged on the Captain, and that he might assure the conspirators that I would do what was expected of me. This, however, was very far from my intention. When the day approached that the plot was to be put in execution, I requested a soldier who came near my seat to tell the Captain that I had a secret of the greatest importance to reveal to him. “But,” added I, “tell him to send for me immediately; his life depends upon his compliance.” The Captain considered this as a trick of mine to reconcile myself to him, and regain my post in his kinsman’s service; and though he did condescend to hear what I had to say, he resolved to make me suffer for it, if I was only trifling with him. He sent for me, however, and I discovered all I knew; told him where the arms lay concealed; and named the principal inventors of the plot, at the head of which I did not forget to rank my friend Soto.

The Captain, perceiving now that it was no trifling matter, resolved to proceed with caution, and ordering all the soldiers to their arms, commanded a search to be made, and found a vast quantity of fire-arms and other weapons in the place I had pointed out. He then caused the ringleaders of the conspiracy to be seized, who, being put to the torture, confessed all. Soto and one of his comrades were condemned to be drawn in quarters by four galleys, and the rest were decimated, of whom five were hung, and the others had their noses cut off. Soto, before he died, owned that it was by his contrivance the piece of plate and hat-band had been taken out of the Knight’s cabin, and that I was innocent of it. The Captain commended me highly for my zeal and fidelity, after the unjust usage I had met with; asked my pardon publicly; ordered my irons to be struck off; gave me the liberty of the galley; and he and all the officers signed a letter setting forth the considerable service I had rendered the King in saving the galley and so many lives; which was transmitted to Court to procure an order from his Majesty for my enlargement. It were needless to state with what a grateful heart I returned thanks to Heaven for such a revolution in my prospects, promising to amend, and live better for the future.

Thus, friendly Reader, I have given you an account of the principal adventures of my life. What followed after the King was graciously pleased to grant me my liberty, you may expect to hear, should I live long enough to tell you.

THE END.

London: Printed by John Nichols and Son, 25, Parliament-street.

* * * * *

_Just published_

By LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, BROWN, and GREEN, Paternoster Row.

In one vol. 12mo. price 3_s._ 6_d._ boards.

A CRITICAL AND ANALYTICAL

DISSERTATION

ON THE

NAMES OF PERSONS.

BY JOHN HENRY BRADY.

“In hoc est hoax, Et quiz et joax. With gravity for graver folks.”

“This little volume will amply repay the attention of the curious, and we recommend it to general perusal.”--_Gentlemen’s Magazine_, _June, 1, 1822_.

“We recommend Mr. Brady’s Dissertation to the notice of our readers. It will serve as a text book, and furnish copious hints for many an amusing chapter of conversational pleasantry.”--_General Weekly Register_, _April, 1822_.

“This is an amusing little trifle.”--_Gazette of Fashion._

“This is an ingenious and playful little work.”--_Literary Chronicle._

* * * * *

_Literary Notices of the First Edition of_

THE

LIFE AND ADVENTURES

OF

GUZMAN D’ALFARACHE,

OR

THE SPANISH ROGUE.

“We congratulate the public upon the addition which Mr. Brady has made to their literary amusements. This is one of the most amusing books we know; and the Translator has preserved the simplicity as well as the spirit of the original.”--_European Magazine._

“This translation is executed with considerable spirit and great fidelity.”--_Monthly Magazine._

“The Translator has produced a very entertaining version of the adventures of that prototype of adventurers the Chevalier Guzman.”--_Literary Gazette._

“This is a very splendid translation of the adventures of an incorrigible rogue and vagabond.”--_Literary Chronicle._

“The work before us exposes with exquisite satire the tricks of beggars; and many will read with pleasure the repeated villanies of the roguish adventurer, because they are united with much dry humour and keen remark.”

“Mr. Brady’s translation is animated and good.”--_Gentleman’s Magazine._