History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 14

Author: Thaddeus S. Gilliland
Publication date: 1906
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 870

USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 14

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I can in some measure participate in the severe and dangerous suffering and hardships you must have under- gone, but, my dear Sir, console yourself, for thanks be to God I hope they will soon have a happy issue; for which purpose I devoutly pray the great Dispenser of all things will give you and your unfortunate compan- ions health and strength once more to visit your native land.

This letter will be delivered to you by Rais-bel- Cossin, in whom you may place the fullest confidence. He speaks Spanish and has directions to pay attention to your orders and render you every care your severe misfortunes may require. Be pleased to write me im- mediately, stating every particular relating to yourself, your crew and vessel, as I have given orders to the Moor to forward it to me without delay. I have agreed to pay the sum of nine hundred and twenty hard dollars to Sidi Hamet on your safe arrival in this town with your fellow-sufferers. He remains as a kind of a hos- tage for your safe appearance.

I have been induced to place implicit confidence in your word, and the respectable references you have given, confident that those gentlemen or yourself will readily reimburse me the whole of the expense that may be incurred in obtaining your redemption. I have the most sincere pleasure in acquainting you that you will be at liberty to commence your journey for this town on the receipt of this letter. And make what stages you please on the road, as I do not advise you in the eagerness of all you must feel to run into danger by over-exertion and fatigue. I would therefore recom- mend the greatest precaution on this point. I have sent, under charge of Rais-bel-Cossin, shoes and cloaks, which I have no doubt you will find very useful in pre- serving you from the rain and cold on the road.

I have also forwarded you some provisions and spirits that you may enjoy a foretaste of returning liberty.

I beg to recommend the greatest secrecy of your circumstances until your arrival here, for should the Moors suppose you able to pay more they would throw difficulties in the way and thereby much retard your redemption.

I shall send off an express to-morrow to the United

States' Consul General, at Tangiers, and a letter to Horatio Sprague of Gibraltar, informing them of your loss and of the favorable hopes I entertain of your im- mediate release. I have appointed with Rais-bel-Cos- sin on your arrival at a short distance of Magadore to wait at a garden of a friend of mine and send me notice of the same, when I shall immediately set out to meet you. I hope there is no occasion for me to say how truly I commiserate you and enter into all your misfortunes. When God grants me the pleasure to embrace you, it will be to me a day of great rejoicing.

I hope you will assure every one with you with my truest regard, and with sentiments embittered by the thoughts of the miseries you have undergone. But with the most sanguine hope of a happy end to all your suffering, I subscribe myself with the greatest esteem, my dear Sir,

Your friend, WILLIAM WILLSHIRE.

After reading and fully comprehending the full import of such a letter from a total strang- er, of whose name they had not even heard, they were melted to tears of rejoicing.

Amidst these heart-rending sensations, was heard the voice of Sheik Ali in thundering tones storming most furiously that Sidi Hamet had given up Riley and his companions for so paltry a sum. He said that Sidi Hamet must be a fool and a mad man to put himself in the power of a villainous Christian, who would undoubt- edly murder him and take back his money, so soon as they should arrive in Swearah.

The Moor now spoke up and said that he had bought Riley with his own money, paid to Sidi Hamet, before he left Swearah, and that Sidi Hamet had voluntarily stayed at Swenrah as hostage for his (Rais-bel-Cossin) safety as well as for the safe delivery of the slaves. "We are of the same religion" added Rias "and owe these Christian dogs nothing; but we have an undoubted right to make merchandise of them and make them carry our burdens like camels. That fellow (pointing to Riley) calls himself captain of a vessel. He has deceived his master and you, for he was nothing more

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than the cook on board, and the captain has long been dead." This the Sheik would not believe. "If it was so, how could he write a note to in- duce a stranger to pay so much money for him and his men. It was only a short one and the writer must be a man of much consequence, as well as knowledge. I fear you have leagued with a Christian against Sidi Hamet, first to rob him and then to take his life." Rais-bel- Crossin retorted, "No. by Allah! I am incapable of such an act of treachery." He told the Sheik that Riley was indeed only a cook, but being a stout fellow was able to endure fatigue better than the others. He said that if he would give them paper he would see that they could write even better than Riley.

This controversy continued a long time. But Rais-bel-Cossin was a man of great cour- age, knowledge and eloquence and displayed great address in checking the avaricious calcu- lations of the Sheik in insisting upon Riley not being captain, and thus depreciating his value as a slave. It being late, Sidi Mohammed con- ducted the whole company into an apartment, that had served from its appearance as a stable for mules. They loudly insisted that they should lodge in the same place where they had been confined before, but Rais-bel-Cossin would not consent and declared that his slaves should stay by his side both day and night. They had · cost him a great deal of money and he was de- termined not to lose them. Thus they were put into comfortable quarters, and some hard bis- cuit. boiled tongue and some rum being given them. and their cloaks produced. they were soon comfortable for the night.

Rais-bel-Cossin, Seid. Bo Mohammed. and Sheik Ali lay on a platform slightly raised from the ground. Early in the morning Rais-bel- Cossin desired Riley to make tea. So he took out the kettle, had it filled with water, made a fire and soon had the tea ready for drinking.

The Moor directed Riley to pour a cup of tea for each of them, which he made thick with sugar. None of the people had ever seen a teacup or tasted tea. Riley waited on them until they had finished, when Rais-bel-Cossin turned to Sheik Ali and said, "I told you be- fore that Riley was the cook, and now you see with your own eyes that he is the only one that can wait on us."

All things being soon packed and loaded on mules, they started. The company consisted of Sheik Ali, Sidi Mohammed, Seid their mas- ter, Bo Mohammed and Rais-bel-Cossin. all well-armed. After giving Rais-bel-Cossin a brief history of the shipwreck trials and suffer- ing, at his request, the Moore raised his eyes toward Heaven and said. in Spanish. "Praised be God the most high and holy for his good- ness," and added, "You are the first Christians passing the Great Desert for such a distance. Sidi Hamet admired your conduct. courage and intelligence." Riley now inquired who Sheik Ali was, and why he was going on in company and said he much feared him. Rais- bel-Cossin informed him that all he knew about him he had learned from Sidi Mohammed. which was that he was the chief of a great and powerful tribe of Arabs. That Sidi Hamet had married his daughter but had since been at war with him; that his father-in-law had de- stroyed Sidi Hamet's town. taking back his daughter, but afterward restored her after making peace. He said that he feared it was for no good that he was going along. but that God would turn their evil machinations to their good. They passed several ruins, where the walls had been battered down with a battering ram, and were finally stopped by Sheik Ali at a town which was walled and had a heavy gate that was shut at night and barred by heavy timbers, and a guard set on the wall.

All this day Sheik Ali had been lost in

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reverie; he would seldom speak and when he did it was in a low tone to Seid, and Riley strongly suspected that some mischief was brewing.

On the 30th of October they made an early start, and were traveling rapidly over a plain, that seemed to be cultivated and was in full view of the Atlas Moutains, from which chilling blasts swept over the plain. Sheik Ali was very attentive to Riley all the morning, and had, in imitation of Rais-bel-Cossin, called him "Captain," and had endeavored to convince him that he had better go with him to the mountains, southward, where he had large possessions ; that he would give him one of his daughters for a wife, and make him chief in his nation. He had stopped the whole company two or three times to talk over his own affairs and it ap- peared that Seid was leagued with him and that they were bent on doing Riley and his men some mischief. They had traveled about 50 miles and were both tired and hungry when they approached the gate of a city. Seid and Sheik Ali entered and soon Sidi Mohammed and Rais- bel-Cossin were also invited in, leaving Riley and his men outside in charge of Bo Moham- med ( who stood in Sidi Hamet's place) and two others. Burns and Clark were so far ex- hausted that they could not sit up, and Riley, Horace and Savage were in so weak a state that Riley very much feared they would not be able to keep on for the remainder of the day.

About this time dark clouds came up and a heavy downpour of rain ensued. . They were then allowed to enter under the gateway for shelter. Riley for a long time now looked for Rais-bel-Cossin to come out and began to fear some disaster or treachery on the part of Sheik Ali, whose loud voice they could hear roaring within. This tremendous clamor between the Sheik and the others continued about two hours, when Rais-bel-Cossin made his appearance, es-

corted by a number of men. His intelligent countenance bespoke fear, grief and indigna- tion. Hc called Riley aside from his compan- ions and told him that Sheik Ali was the inti- mate friend of Muley Ibrahim, the king or governor of the city and that Sheik Ali had claimed Riley and his men as his property, al- leging that Sidi Hamet owed him a large amount of money. That as Sidi Hamet was now held as a hostage or slave to a Christian in Swearah, he insisted that they should not proceed one step farther until 1,500 dollars were produced, together with Sidi Hamet. the husband of his daughter, and that in conjunc- tion with Seid he had contrived to stop them here by the power of the Prince.

Rais-bel-Cossin further informed Riley that he had argued the matter every way but all to no purpose; that he had promised the money required, 600 dollars as soon as they should reach Santa Cruz in the Emperor's dominions and that he would have the Prince and the Sheik go along and receive it there, and there await for the return of Sidi Hamet. "But they will not hear to me, and I must set off immed- iately to carry this discouraging news to Mr. Willshire, leaving you here until my return in three days." He was about to mount his mule, when Sidi Mohammed, who went in the first place with Sidi Hamet to Swearah, came near him and said : "Rais, Muley Ibrahim and Sheik Ali have determined you shall not go to Swea- rah; they fear you will cause war to break out between them and the Sultan." Sidi Moham- med, observing Riley in tears, took him by the hand and said, "Don't be cast down, Riley, I will go to Swearah and carry a letter from Rais and from you to Mr. Willshire, and if he wants a hostage I will stay. I have two wives. and seven children, and houses and lands, and herds of cattle. i will be a more valuable host- age than Sidi Hamet. He is your friend. and

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will come immediately and relieve you." Rais now joined Sheik Ali and the Prince, who with many attendants were seated on the ground in a circle outside the city gate. Here they de- bated the matter over again. Rais insisted they were his slaves; that neither the Prince nor the Sheik had a right to detain what he had bought with his own money, much less to stop him like a criminal; that it was contrary to their religion (which made them all brothers) to commit such an outrage on hospitality. Sheik Ali on the other hand claimed that Sidi Hamet and Seid owed him money to a large amount, that the slaves were their joint property and that he had an undoubted right to detain them and carry the slaves off to his own dominion to his own tribe, and there keep them until Sidi Hamet should return and pay the debt. Rais insisted that he had paid his money and had nothing to do with Sheik Ali's claim. How- ever, after extolling the justice and virtue of the prince to the highest degree, they both agreed to leave it to Muley Ibrahim to decide what should be done. Muley Ibrahim now asked Sidi Mohammed and Bo Mohammed, what they knew concerning the business, They gave testimony in favor of Rais-bel-Cossin, previous claim. Thus prepared, Muley Ibra- him said: "You, Sheik Ali, my old friend, and Rais-bel-Cossin, both of you claim these five Christian slaves as your property and each of you has some reason on his side, yet as it is not in my power to decide whose claim is the best founded I am resolved with a strict re- gard to justice and without going into further evidence to keep the slaves in my own city, carefully guarded until messengers can be sent to Swearah, who shall bring down Sidi Hamet, when you three being confronted may settle your claims as shall be found most consistent with justice."

He then proposed that Rais should remain

with him like a friend and have nothing to fear. This plan was agreed to by all parties and they shook hands upon it like friends.

This done, the slaves were conducted into the city and into a house adjoining where the prince lived, and sentinels with muskets were placed at the door and at the gate.

Muley Ibrahim, the Sheik and Rais were conversing the whole night. In the morning of the 2nd of November, Rais furnished Riley with a pen, ink and paper. and told him to write to Mr. Willshire, stating their present situation as near as he could. At an early hour Seid, Sidi Mohammed and Bo Mohammed set out for Swearah, taking the letters and prom- ising to return as soon as possible. Sheik Ali also soon after left, promising to return in four days. Being now left alone with Rais-bel-Cos- sin Riley was told by Rais that their detention would be only for a few days, and would be for their benefit, and that he hoped to make a friend of the Prince, in whose power they now were. Riley told him that he almost de- spaired of living to regain his liberty, as he was extremely feeble and would soon perish. "What! said Rais, "dare you distrust the power that God, who has preserved you so long by miracles!" Rais then called Muley Ibrahim and had a long conference with him. By the tenor of the conversation they could understand that Rais was flattering him highly, but in a delicate way. He asked in a very delicate way about the Prince's wives : understanding he had only one, he inquired if she had any children and was answered that she had none. He next wanted to know if she had any tea or sugar, and was answered in the negative. Rais now managed to get a little wood and some water and Riley made a fire and boiled some coffee- this was done by the help of a small negro girl, who was a slave to Muley Ibrahim and dur- ing the absence of the Prince. Rais by giving

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the girl a small lump of sugar persuaded her to carry a large lump to her mistress and also a cup of coffee, thick with sugar. The girl re- turned and told Rais that her mistress was much obliged to him and would keep the cup and saucer and that she had never seen one be- fore. She begged to know what she could do to serve him. Rais sent back word that she could serve him best by trying to make the Prince his friend. About an hour after, the Prince came in and asked Rais what he had been doing with his wife, saying at the same time. "You had no need of gaining my friend- ship through her, for you had it already." He asked Rais to accompany him to the mosque. and when they returned about two hours later, it was to be seen that all was right between them, and that he had all the liberty he required. In the evening the Prince came and prayed with Rais. After the Prince retired, Rais told Riley that he had sent off a rich man, an old ac- quaintance of his, for money to pay Sheik Ali his demand. "But," said Rais, "God made Muley Ibrahim my friend, and he has given his princely word to protect both me and my slaves. and if force is necessary will provide sufficient escort to the Emperor's dominion. And he will provide fowls and eggs for you in the morn- ing. and tell your shipmates that they have nothing to fear."

The next morning. November 3rd, Muley Ibrahim brought some salt and some eggs which were cooked for breakfast, and gave Rais half a dozen fowls. And Rais, taking the fowls wings in his left hand and turning his face toward the east, after saying "Bismillah" (" In the name of the Most Holy God"), cut their throats and Riley and his men dressed and cooked them after their own fashion. The Prince and Rais had a bowl of soup and some of the fowl, and the Prince insisted on Riley eating out of the same dish with him.

To the circumstances of this stoppage alone and the friendship of the Prince and his protec- tion, Riley attributed under Providence the sal- vation of their lives. On the second ciay of their detention, the old man Rais-bel-Cossin had written to for assistance came to see him, after riding all night to be with Rais in time. The old man had two mules, one laden with provis- ions, and said he had brought $500 for his friend's use, as he had been requested. But Rais had now become the friend of Muley Ibrahim and did not need the money. The old man said that if Rais would say the word he would go and collect his friends and take the slaves of Rais by force of arms, in spite of Sheik Ali's opposition and would carry the slaves safe to Santa Cruz. But as Muley Ibrahim had given his word. on which Rais said he could depend, to see them safe to Santa Cruz, and to use all the force and influence that was necessary, the old man returned home. Rais by making a present to a pious man of great influence prevailed upon him to use his influence with the Sheik to allow the slaves to be removed to Santa Cruz, stating that Sidi Ishem whom the Sheik knew and feared, would set out from his city the next day with a force, in order to seize upon the slaves whom he had tried so hard to purchase, and if they were not in the Emperor's dominion before he came, another day would place them in Sidi Ishem's hands and the Sheik would not only lose the slaves, but get into a war with that powerful chief. When the Sheik returned to the prison, in which the slaves were kept. Rais contrived to find out what had passed between the Shariff and the Sheik by meeting the Shariff at the gate as had been arranged.

Sheik Ali in the meantime was unfolding his plan to Muley Ibrahim and trying to gain the latter's consent to let the slaves be carried off by night by surprise. but the Prince would

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not consent. They were now within his walls, and he had given his word that they should not be removed until the disputed right of property was settled by all parties face to face. This he should insist on. Finding that his plan would not work and fearing Sidi Ishem's arrival, he addressed Rais-bel-Cossin and told him in a flattering way that he had found him to be an honorable man, and wished to be his friend; that he did not doubt Rais' word since he knew his character and would therefore consent to go on with the slaves the next morning as far as Santa Cruz, where they would await the arrival of Sidi Hamet, and settle the right of property amicably. Rais, as crafty as the Sheik, being in the whole secret, was careful not to evince any desire to go on and told the Sheik that he had stopped him and his Chris- tian slaves, in the first place,contrary to the laws of justice and hospitality, and that as he had kept them so long a time he had no wish to re- move them at this time, but would wait with patience the arrival of Sidi Hamet, who would convince the Sheik that he had done wrong in detaining them. At last he suffered himselt to be persuaded by the united voices of Sheik Ali and Muley Ibrahim, but on the express condition that they were to be escorted to Santa Cruz by the Prince, who was a party to the whole secret. Rais-bel-Ibrahim had previously agreed to accompany them with 200 horse- men as a guard on the road in order to prevent any treachery on the part of Sheik Ali, who might already have troops stationed along the route to seize and carry off the slaves to the mountains.

On the morning of the 4th of November, the slaves being placed on camels which were saddled much better than any that had hitherto been furnished, they set off from Stuka, ac- companied by Rais-bel-Cossin, Muley Ibrahim

and his two servants, and Sheik Ali with his attendant. They continued on until about noon when Santa Cruz was pointed out. It is sit- uated on the summit of a high mountain, and can be seen a great distance. When they ap- proached within about two miles of Santa Cruz, the sun had not set and Rais in- formed Riley that he did not want to enter the lower town until dark, and did not mean to go near the fortress if he could help, for fear of insult and detention. A little while after sunset, they entered the lower town or port as it was called. The street was filled with Moors, men and boys, who saluted the slaves by spitting on them, pelting them with stones and sticks, and ad- dressing them with foul epithets, but some of the old men now and then uttered, "How de do Christians," in broken English or Spanish. They were conducted through the street to the northern part of the town.

After supper Rais bel Cossin told Riley to keep a good lookout, that he should watch the motions of Sheik Ali, who he feared was still plotting against the liberty of the slaves. Riley informed his companions that they were now in the dominions of the Emperor of Morocco, and would be liberated in a very few days. He ex- horted them to bear up and exert all their re- maining strength in order to reach Swearah (or Magadore).

Soon after midnight Rais appeared and, finding Riley awake, aroused the owners of the camels and requested them to go on speedily. and then told Riley that Sheik Ali had stolen off quietly and visited the governor who had agreed on his representations to take the slaves into custody in the morning at daybreak, and assist in extorting the money the Sheik demanded, or connive at the slaves being stolen and carried back by Sheik Ali's men to Suse. "I have

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A BUSINESS STREET IN WILLSHIRE

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MAIN STREET, VAN WERT, Looking West from Market Street

A BUSINESS STREET IN OHIO CITY

MAIN STREET, DELPHOS, Looking North

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learned this from an old friend of mine, that I had commissioned to watch the Sheik," said Rais. "Awaken your shipmates; you must die- part this instant ; the drivers know the road; it is very rocky; you must tell your men to hold on as tight as possible and remember if you are four leagues from this town before daylight your liberty is secured; if not, you will be again the most miserable slaves. Encourage your men to their utmost exertions. I will join you as soon as possible." The camels being ready, the slaves were put on them and pro- ceeded up the rocky slope in profound silence, although as rapidly as possible. Sleep seemed to literally seal the eyes of the Moors in the lower town and batteries that they passed. They had been hurrying on as fast as possible for about two hours, and had gained the distance of probably three leagues from Santa Cruz, when their ears were struck with the clinking sound of iron against the stones, which an- nounced the approach of horsemen. Though it was still dark, they discovered close by them on the right a considerable number of men rid- ing on mules and passing the other way. Not a word was uttered on either side, nor could. the faces of any be distinguished, though they were not more than three or four rods apart. .\ thought darting across Riley's mind suggested to them that it was their old master. Riley called out "Sidi Hamet." and was quickly answered, "Ascoon Riley," ("Who is it. Riley"). The whole company stopped immedi- ately and the next moment Riley was kissing the hand of his old master. Sidi Hamet. Seid. Sidi Mohammed and Bo Mohammed were in the party besides three or four Moors. whom their friends had sent down, charged with the money and mules for their ransom and convey- ance. The principal Moor, who had charge of the money until the slaves were delivered over according to the wish of Sidi Hamet. spoke

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History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 14

Author: Thaddeus S. Gilliland Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Number of Pages: 870

Author: Thaddeus S. Gilliland
Publication date: 1906
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 870