' The crowd fixed their eyes upon HAMET, for
whom their affection was now strongly moved, with looks of much greater
intelligence and sensibility; a confused murmur, like the fall of the
pebbles upon the beach when the surge retires from the shore, expressed
their gratitude to HAMET, and their apprehensions for themselves.
OMAR waited till they were again silent, and then improved the advantage
he had gained. 'ALMORAN,' said he, 'considers you as the slaves of his
power; HAMET as the objects of his benevolence: your lives and your
properties, in the opinion of ALMORAN, are below his notice; but HAMET
considers his own interest as connected with yours. When ALMORAN,
therefore, shall be unchecked by the influence of HAMET; he will leave
you to the mercy of some delegated tyrant, whose whole power will be
exerted to oppress you, that he may enrich himself.'
A new fire was now kindled in their eyes, and their cheeks glowed with
indignation at the wrongs that threatened them; they were no longer
disposed to act upon the principles of fatality, as they had perversely
understood them; and they argued at once like reasonable and free
beings, whose actions were in their choice, and who had no doubt but
that their actions would produce adequate effects.
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