Republican Herald

MISCELLANY.

ANECDOTE OF JESSE, THE FRENCH MARSEILLAISE.—A Turk was detected in secret negotiation with an Arab, and three witnesses deposed to having heard him say, that the citadel had been surrendered by Jews, but still continued to hold Moslems for revenge. "Here," exclaimed Jesse, rushing upon the traitor, "take this from the Jews!" and laid him lifeless at his feet with a cleft head.

Two others were suspected as ringleaders. Jesse, well knowing how to deal with his countrymen, dragged them himself from the main body, and ordered their instant execution before the eyes of their trembling comrades, who were instantly reduced to obedience by this terrible example, and afterwards became enthusiastically attached to their fearless young leader.

Jesse led out his 150 Turks to occupy the town, from which the Arabs had been driven. At the gate he halted and declared to his men, that whoever took anything from the deserted houses should suffer instant death. He then ordered the tricolored flag to be planted on the walls, and a volley to be fired in its honor. His eagle glance notes that one Turk does not fire.—"Why hast thou not obeyed?" he sternly asked. "My gun missed fire," grumbled the Turk. "Indeed," said Jesse going up to him, "let me see what is the matter," and coolly setting the muzzle of the piece against the mutineer's breast he shot him dead with his own bullet.

He has been repeatedly compelled to such sudden executions, to which, indulging his singular character, he has always given a sort of dramatic effect. One man was caught robbing a house, and alleged that he only sought the cistern to drink. "He shall drink at leisure," said Jesse, and had him thrown in. A third quitted his post. Jesse ordered him to be brought back and hanged upon the spot, that he might for the future set a better example.

Day and night he was upon the walls, everywhere, and nowhere allowing himself, even by night, only short and interrupted reposes, sometimes here, and sometimes there. Upon one occasion, when, overpowered by weariness, he had fallen asleep near a post, he was awakened by feeling an arm round him.—Starting he draws his dagger and sees the brave old Turk, who exclaims, "Stay one minute before thou stabbest me. I saw thee sleeping unguarded, and took thee in my arms, for thy youth has shone so gloriously before our age, that thy life is become more precious to us than those dazzling stars that shine in heaven. Sleep in peace then on my bosom; Ali watches over thee, not a shadow of danger shall approach."

Jesse, who was about to have plunged his dagger into the heart of a supposed traitor, was deeply moved by those artless words of fidelity. He kissed the old man's hand, and went to sleep on his lap.

He was told that a spy of the bey of Constantine had got into the town disguised as a Bedouin of a friendly tribe. Jesse thought the execution of a spy would produce little effect, and relying upon his completed preparations for defence, adopted a different course. He ordered the pseudo Bedouin to be brought before him; he himself led him everywhere, showed him his powder magazine, &c., and then asked, "Have you noticed everything?" The spy expecting instant death, stammered out, "Yes." "Good; then go and tell the bey of Constantine all you have seen; I shall be glad if you can persuade him to visit me."—Prince Puckler Muska in Africa.