But what is this? A strong boat is approaching, the admiral's boat
of some strange vessel that has probably only just arrived in the
harbor. Signals are given in the boat, and a flag is waved. The flag
proclaims what the capitan expected. The young boulouk bashi, who
stands in the admiral's boat, holds up a folded paper. It is an
official letter, the large red seals that hang from it by silken
strings show it to be such. The capitan pacha calls the attention of
the Mameluke beys to the boat now rapidly approaching.
"Alas, the service leaves one no time, not even a short hour, for
recreation and merrymaking. See, here comes another messenger! What
can he want? The capitan pacha is, after all, a mere servant. See!
The messenger holds the paper higher and beckons to me. No, he shall
not break in upon the joy of our festival with his presence! This
beautiful boat shall not be desecrated with business matters! Come
closer, and I will get into your boat and read the letter."
"But after you have read it, capitan Pacha," says Osman Bardissi, in
a frank, kindly voice, "after you have read it and have disposed of
this annoying business matter, you will come back to our boat, will
you not? we will wait for you."
"Yes, wait for me! But it may, after all, be necessary for me to
return, to attend to some important affairs with my officials,
instead of enjoying myself with you.
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