USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94
to advance; thereupon they halted and when the man came up he said he had lost a part of his property and believed they had it; that he was their brother and would rather die than commit a bad action or suffer others to do one with impunity ; that they had firearms, but that he did not fear them. They seated themselves upon the ground, and Sidi Hamet and his brother justified themselves, as their slaves were starving. After a long discussion they decided to restore what they had taken, and the barley was poured out on the ground in a clean place, and the sack of meal, much light- ened, was also returned. They said this was all that was taken. After they had prayed to- gether, they all mounted and proceeded on their way. Late in the evening, when hearing voices of men hallooing, the masters seemed much frightened, and kept still and passed down a steep bank, having traveled about 56 miles. After they had fettered the camels, they took their guns, saw that they were primed and went up to the top of the plain, where they made their slaves follow; there they set up a most tremendous howling, one counterfeiting a tiger, another a lion, and the other a wolf .. The next morning after ascending to the plain, a man was seen approaching on a camel, who was recognized as the one that had been plun- dered. Riley and Savage had noticed their masters bury two small bags, which they had stolen from the strangers the day before. The man came up and accused them of having stolen his goods, and of having deceived him. They protested their innocence, and said he had ac- cused them wrongfully and that they had noth- ing of his in their possession and, calling upon God as their witness, asked him to search their camels. This seemed to satisfy the stranger and he departed. Sidi Hamet then dug up the bags and said that the man wanted his bags, and showed Riley what he supposed to be
Digitized by Google
-
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
III
opium and some hollow sticks that he thought were filled with gold.
On the 8th they started early and rode rapidly until about 4 P. M., when they came in sight of a large drove of camels feeding. Their owners asked Sidi Hamet and his men to remain with them for the night. They here bought a kid and killed and dressed it. The entrails, which were not cleansed, were given to Riley and his companions, but they could not wait till they were thoroughly cooked, so ate them half raw. They gave them a good drink of water, and at midnight, the usual time for Arabs to take their refreshments, they brought Riley a bowl containing about four or five pounds of hasty pudding with a hole in the middle, in which was poured a pint or more of good sweet milk.
On the 9th they set out early and traveled about 10 hours, at the rate of four miles an hour. They came to a well where a company of men were watering their camels. They trav- eled about 40 miles this day. As soon as day- light came on the 10th, they started and trav- eled until after dark, making about 45 miles.
On the 11th they set off early and traveled about 70 miles that day. On the 12th they traveled about all day and came to where there was a flock of goats. Sidi Hamet caught four of them and tied them until he could set- tle for them. He told the owners that he had left a good camel up on the plain that he would give for the goats. He had left a camel, but not a good one, as it was lame and had given out. But it was that or nothing so the trade was con- summated. They killed one of the goats and gave the entrails anda small piece of meat to the slaves, who were allowed to drink some of the broth in which the entrails were cooked.
On the 14th they traveled along the sea- shore about 20 miles and stopped with a fam- ily of Arabs. The man's name was Hassar
and his wife's was Tamar. She said that she had at one time saved the lives of some Spaniards that were shipwrecked on the coast, and that she had gone to Langarote (one of the Canary Islands) for some goods the captain had promised her father. Her father had kept three of the crew as hostages until her return.
On October 15th Hassar and his family struck their tents and traveled all that day with Sidi Hamet until night. On the 16th they started early and Sidi Hamet told Riley that there were many robbers and bad men that would endeavor to seize them and carry them off. They only traveled 15 miles before sun- set. As night came on, their masters mounted Savage, Clark and Burns on camels and drove them forward at a great rate, having their guns with them. Riley and Horace, who were on foot, could not at times keep up, and one of their masters always staid with them and hur- ried them on in this manner. They at length descended without making any noise into a val- ley full of high drifts of sand. All the women and children at this time were running on foot. Riley and Horace were placed on the camels and Clark and Savage were made to walk. Soon after Clark came running up and said that Sav- age had fainted and they were beating him. Riley slipped off his camel and ran back to where Seid was beating Savage's apparently lifeless body, while Hassar, who had caught him by the beard with one hand and in the other held a scimitar, was in the act of cutting his throat. Riley seized Hassar and jerked him away, and caught Savage's body in his arms and called for water. Hassar would have run Riley through, but Sidi Hamet prevented him. Sidi Hamet ordered the camel brought near and gave Savage some water. When he revived. this Arab shed tears and then put him and Clark on one camel. one to steady the other. Sidi Hamet desired Riley to get on with
Digitized by Google
II2
HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY
Horace, saying with a sneer, "The English are good for nothing; you can see our women and children can walk and run."
On the 17th, they started early, still on the inclined plain, between the first and second bank of the sea. The black tops of high moun- tains appeared in the east. The ground was beaten with good camel paths. Towards night they came to water and grass, and later to where the ground was cultivated and where . there was a heap of barley straw. Here the masters gave the men some putrid remains of a goat, that had hung on the neck of a camel for four days. To the famished men this was delicious.
On the 19th they pursued their journey, all on foot, except Burns, who was too weak to walk. Suddenly about 2 o'clock a beautiful stream appeared to view, the banks covered with bushes and grass, while on the other side were cows, asses and sheep feeding.
They rested here on the 20th. While they remained here, an old man that could speak some Spanish questioned Riley about his country, and his friends in Swearah. He said he knew all the consuls, giving their names- Renshaw, Josef, Estevan and Caste. He said he was going to Swearah and would carry a letter for Riley if his master would let him write. Riley informed him that his friends name was Renshaw, guessing that he was the English consul.
Here the company was divided and Sidi Hamet and his men climbed a high mountain. Riley was satisfied that he did so for fear he would be followed and robbed of his slaves.
On October 22nd they starte 1 and marched along the seashore. As they were procee:ling along a narrow strip of beach, four armed men sprang out from behind a jutting rock to in- tercept their march. Sidi Hamet and Seid un- shenthedl their guns and starte:l to meet then,
although only two to four. The enemy stood in line across the beach. Sidi Hamet, holding his gun ready to fire. demanded if it was peace and extended his hand to receive that of the fellow. Sidi Hamet gave him his right hand, suspecting no treachery. But the fellow grasped it fast and would have shot him had not, at this juncture, two of Hassar's men come running like the wind, each of them with a double-barreled gun in his hand ready to fire. The robbers saw them turn the point, and the one that held Sidi Hamet's hand dropped it, saying with a loud laugh that he only did it to frighten him. This excuse was accepted for want of force sufficient to resent it. They pro- ceeded on their way, but these fellows, who were stout and active, hovered around the slaves, endeavoring to separate them from their masters in hopes of seizing on them as their own. Sidi Hamet, observing this, ordered the slaves to keep close to the camel's heels. while he and his company, now strong though none of them had scimitars, kept between the rob- bers and the slaves. When they found that Sidi Hamet's party were too vigilant for them, the robbers left off going along the beach. After ascending the bank that night. Sidi Hamet told Riley that they would have killed him and Seid and have taken. the slaves away where they would never have gotten to see their wives.
That night Seid brought in four large fish. Sidi Hamet asked Riley if they were good to eat. Riley said they were. He then told Riley to take them but to be careful and not choke on the bones. They had traveled about 40 miles this day. They now passed several small towns walled in with stones laid in mor- tar. These towns were generally protected on the outside with dry thorn bushes and their stock was driven within the walls at night. In the afternoon a company of 10 men. all arme:l
Digitized by Google
-
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
113
and on horseback. rode toward the party on the plains, making a loud jingling noise with their spurs against their stirrups, and crying ost "Hah! Hah! Hah!"
Our party consisted of Sidi Hamet, Seid, two of Hassar's men. Abdallah and one stran- ger who had joined them that day. all being armed with double-barreled muskets and some scimitars. They all sprang from their camels, unsheathed their guns and primed them anew, and stationed themselves in front of their prop- erty in line ready for action. The horsemen rode up within five yards of Sidi Hamet's men at full speed and then stopped their horses short. The chief of the horsemen then de- manded. in a loud imperious manner, who they were? Where they came from? If they knew Sidi Ishem? What countrymen their slaves were? And where they found them? Sidi Hamet replied to all their questions in a sharp, quick manner, as briefly as possible, and in his turn demanded. "Who are you? Where do you come from? And what right have you to ride up to me in such a manner and stop me and my slaves on the road?" A loud dispute was kept up on both sides for half an hour, when it closed and the party were allowed to proceed. The others rode to the south.
On the 23rd they were awakened without any noise being made, two hours before day- light and went on their way. Riley and his men suspected that some roguery was going on, and had rot traveled for more than two leagues when just at the dawn of day they heard the sound of horses' feet coming up at full speed behind them. The clanking of their arms and spurs ma:le a great noise. The masters and their men stripped the covers from their guns and gave them to Riley to carry. The horse- men, four in number, came up by this time and, passing Sidi Hamet's party a short distance on
the right, rode around the camels and stopped them. Sidi's men were five in number, four of them with double-barreled guns. Bidding Riley to keep as close to them as possible with the men, they ran at their greatest speed to the encounter, whilst Riley and his men followed after as close as they could, fearing to be sepa- rated from them and falling into the hands of the banditti. The two parties approached each other with loud cries, the voices of those on horseback sounding like trumpets, and those of the masters being but little lower, so that the mountain rang again with the sound. The slaves expected every moment the slaughter would commence. Each one attempted to yell louder that his opponent. Riley had ap- proached near his master and could distinctly hear one of the horsemen accuse Sidi Hamet of a breach of hospitality and reproach him in the most opprobrious terms for some wrong, which he alleged had been done him. The others were at the same time wrangling with the other men. This war of words having sub- sidled a little, one of them asked Sidi Hamet what his name was and after considerable de- lay on account of punctillos (each insisting that the other should tell his first) Sidi Hamet gave his, and the other then said that his was Ali Mohammed. Then ensued a long dispute be- tween them, each charging the other with per- fidy. During this interval and as daylight ap- peared, the opposing party were being strength- ened by being joined by many armed and un- armed men running on foot. According as their opponents increased in force the members of Sidi Hamet's party lowered their voices, but the clamor was still so loud that Riley could understand nothing of what was said. The Arab that had joined the company with two camels, the day before, had not set out with the party this morning, but he now came running
Digitized by Google
114
HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY
up. Sidi had driven off his camels and this was the cause of the uproar that was raging. The purloined camels were then in the drove, and while the others were quarreling he ran around and drove them back. When the mas- ters could not keep what they feloniously had taken, they began to lower their voices. At length Sidi Hamet spoke to Ali Mohammed in a low tone of voice and asked him to ride apart from the others with him. Sidi Hamet now told Ali that his party had no intention of driving off any camels except their own, and the mistake had been occasioned by the dark- ness. He then protested that he was incapable of committing an unworthy action, that he abhorred a thief and that, as he was entirely innocent of intentionally driving off the man's camels, he would not acknowledge that he had done wrong designedly. He would sell his life as dearly as possible in maintaining his character. Ali Mohammed appeared satisfied with this, and said to him, "I am el Rias (the chief), and am your friend because you are a brave man." . So making Sidi Hamet's excuse to those around him, and the lost camels being recovered, they were allowed to pursue their journey. Hassar's men with their camels and Abdallah with his camel now filed off to the left, leaving only the original party.
The mortifying result of the morning had made Seid very ill-natured. He had claimed Horace from the beginning as his slave, and Savage also belonged to him. He had always doubted Riley's word to his brother, and would not believe that a miserable creature like Riley could find a friend to advance money to ranson: them, although he, Hassar and all the com- pany had a high opinion of Riley's courage since he had put his own life in jeopardy to save Savage's life. Seid had endeavored to sell his slaves at every place they came to after leaving the desert. Hassar as well as others
had taken a particular fancy to Horace, and had offered a large sum for him. in camels and other merchandise. but the interference of Sidi Hamet, who had sworn that Horace should not be separated from Riley, and aided by Riley's entreaties and tears whenever he heard it sug- gested, had saved him thus far. Seid now de- termined to take his slaves and make the most of them. When they stopped the preceding night, the Arabs strove hard to get possession of Horace. Seid had made a bargain to sell Horace in the morning, but was dissuaded by his brother. Sidi Hamet was riding on his big camel before the rest, when Seid caught hold of Savage and Horace and stopped them. It was now that Sidi Hamet's wrath was kindled. He leaped from his camel and, darting like lightning up to Seid, laid hold of him and dis- engaged Savage and Horace from his grasp. They clinched each other like lions and with fury in their looks strove to throw each other to the ground. Seid was the largest and the stoutest man. They writhed and twisted in every shape until they fell to the ground, but Sidi Hamet was underneath. Fire seemed to flash from their eyes. They writhed and twisted until they finally got to their feet. Each grasped his gun at the same moment, retired a few paces, tore from it the cloth and pre- sented it at the others breast with dreadful fury. Sidi Hamet fired both barrels of his gun in the air. Now he threw it on the ground. bared his breast and advanced with a firm step toward Seid and said. "I am unarmed: now fire." Seid now hesitated. Sidi Hamet. find- ing his brother's mind wavering, ran to Horace and sent him to Riley, telling his brother he could have Clark in his stead. but Seid would not consent, whereupon he added Burns, which was two for one. Seid had made Savage sit down and had placed one of his feet on him. while his brother ordered Horace and Riley to
Digitized by Google
1
-
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
115
go first to the south and then to the east, fol- lowing the camels and then bade Savage to follow, but Seid presented his gun and told Savage that if he attempted to go he would blow. his brains out. Sidi Hamet told him to run and he obeyed. When they came near, they were ordered to stop, and the two brothers sat on the ground and figured in the sand with their fingers. Clark and Burns were again of- fered for Horace, but Seid would not consent. He would keep the slave he had bought. "You shall not separate Horace from his father; I have sworn it." "Then I will destroy him," exclaimed Seid furiously; springing up, he seized Horace by the breast and dashed him to the ground with all his might. The force of the blow beat the breath out of his body and he lay apparently dead. Seid's passion began to subside a little and Sidi Hamet, going to Horace, took him by the hand, raised him up on his seat and his breath returned and he re- vived. Sidi Hamet was melted to tears at the sight, and in a tender voice he said to Horace, "Go to Riley." The brothers then seated them- selves on the ground to discuss their affairs, when some strangers came in sight, which re- minded them that it would require their united force to defend themselves and their property, and they decided to resort to some village for further discussion. Sidi Hamet would not trust himself with his brother alone, so he hired a stout young fellow to go along, by the name of Bo Mohammed.
Sidi Hamet called Riley to him and said that he should set out in the morning for Swearah in company with their host, Sidi Mo- hammed, where he hoped to arrive in three days. as he would ride on a mule and push on, night and day: and that Riley must write a letter to his friend which he would carry. "If your friend will fulfill your engagements and pay the money for you and your men, you shall
be free. If not, you must die for having de- ceived me, and your men shall be sold into slavery for what they will bring."
"I have fought for you," he added, "suf- fered hunger and thirst and fatigue to restore you to your family for I believe God is with you. I have paid away all my money on your word alone. Seid and Bo Mohammed will guard you during my absence."
This night was spent in great anxiety by Riley, as he knew no one to whom to write; he knew no one in Madagore, yet he must take his chance. He remembered his remarkable dream. It had literally come to pass so far; why should he doubt its whole accomplishment ; yet he could not rest. The next morning Sidi Hamet said, "Come Riley, write a letter," giv- ing him a scrap of paper as wide as his hand and about eight inches long. Riley begged hard to be taken along, but he would not consent. Riley wrote the following letter :
SIR-The brig "Commerce" from Gibraltar for America was wrecked on Cape Bagdose on the 28th of August last. Myself and four of my crew are nearly naked in barbarian slavery. I conjure you by all the ties that bind man to man, by those of kindred, blood and everything you hold most dear, and by as much as liberty is dearer than life, to advance the money re- quired for our redemption, which is nine hundred and twenty dollars and two double-barrelled guns. I can draw for any amount the moment I am at liberty-on Batard, Sampson & Sharp, London; Cooper & Benson, Liverpool; Munroe & Burton, Lisbon; or on Horatio Sprague, Gibraltar. Should you not believe me, my life must instantly pay the forfeit. I have a wife and five helpless children to deplore my death. My com- panions are Aaron R. Savage, Horace Savage, James Clark and Thomas Burns. I left six more in slavery on the desert. My present master, Sidi Hamet, will hand you this and tell you where we are. He is a worthy man. Worn down to the bones by the most dreadful of all sufferings, naked and a slave. I implore your pity, and trust that such distress will not be suffered to plead in vain. For God's sake send an interpreter and a guard, if that is possible. I speak French and Spanish. JAMES RILEY,
Late Master and Supercargo of the Brig "Commerce."
Digitized by Google
116
HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY
After Sidi Hamet had left for Swearah, Riley spent the time in fear and trembling. He had pledged his word that if the money was not forthcoming for his ransom, he was to have his throat cut, and the rest of the crew sold for what they would bring; and as he did not know a person in Swearah, he had every reason to fear.
On the sixth day after Sidi Hamet's ab- sence, a man arrived that Seid recognized and called Sheik Ali (Ali, the chief). In his de- portment he was grave and dignified. He raised his voice terribly on occasions, and spoke in tones almost of thunder, yet when he wished to please, it trilled on the ear like softest music. This chief was often conversing in a low tone of voice with Seid respecting Riley and his men. He said that he didn't doubt but that Riley's friends would raise any amount of money for his ransom and he was sorry that he had not met Sidi Hamet before he started for Swearah. He questioned Riley as to his friends, family, property, etc. He also wished to know the story of the shipwreck and was very curious to find out how much money and other property fell into the hands of the people that first met them. He examined their bodies and finding a cross in India ink on Clark's arm, he pronounced him a Spaniard, and said he should not be ransomed but go to the moun- tains and work for him.
On the seventh day after Sidi Hamet's ab- sence, one of the most fierce and ill-looking men they had ever seen appeared and hailed Seid by name, and demanded that he open the gate directly. Seid demanded to know his name, he replied, "Ullah Omar," that he came from Swearah and had met near that place Sidi Hamet, who requested him to call and tell Seid where he was and that God had prospered his journey so far. The gate was now opened an 1 he entered. He was a powerful man and hetv-
ily armed. After shaking hands all around and hearing that Riley was captain, he ad- dressed him, and told him that he had seen his friend within one day's ride of Swearah. That he no doubt would be with them tomorrow and hoped that Riley's friend in Swearah or Magadore would be as true to Riley as Sidi Hamet was. After they had eaten and washed together, and prayed together, Ullah Omar took his leave. During the whole time they re- mained here, their keepers washed their whole bodies twice a day, at noon and evening. and their hands before and after eating.
Riley was now in a fever of excitement to know what his fate was to be, dreading yet anxious to know what it would be. His re- markable dream was all that kept him up, as it had all transpired so far as he had dreamed. The eighth day passed slowly, but in the even- ing a Moor came to the part of the yard where they were and called out in English. "How-de- do Captain." Riley eagerly seized his hand and begged to know what his doom was, and if Sidi Hamet had come back. He then spoke in Spanish and told Riley that he came from Magadore, that Riley's letter had been re- ceived by one of the best of men, an English- man, who was his friend and had shed tears on reading the letter. That the Englishman had paid the money to Sidi Hamet im- mediately, and had sent him (the Moor) off immediately, without giving a moment's time to take leave of his wife, and that he had been on his mule ever since, traveling night and day as fast as possible. At this moment. the Moor handed Riley the following letter.
MAGADORE, October 28th, 1815.
I have this moment received your two notes by Sidi Hamet, the contents of which I hope you will be perfectly assured have called forth my most sincere pity for your sufferings and those of your companions in captivity.
By a Gibraltar paper I discovered, under the ar-
Digitized by Google
117
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
rivals from the 5th to the 11th of August, the name of your vessel, and that she was American, from which I conclude both you and your crew must be subjects of the United States. Had it not been for this paper, some delay would have occurred as your paper does not state to what nation you belong. I congratulate you most sincerely on the good fortune you and your fel- low sufferers have met, by being in the hands of a man who seems to be guided by some degree of com- miseration.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.