s skill could no longer fight against Destiny, he
finally gave way.

Drawing a secret token from his bosom, he handed it to Kursheed's envoy,
saying, "Go, show this to Selim, and you will convert a dragon into a
lamb." And in fact, at sight of the talisman, Selim prostrated himself,
extinguished the match, and fell, stabbed to the heart. At the same time
the garrison withdrew, the Imperial standard displayed its blazonry, and
the lake castle was occupied by the troops of the Seraskier, who rent the
air with their acclamations.

It was then noon. Ali, in the island, had lost all illusions. His pulse
beat violently, but his countenance did not betray his mental trouble.
It was noticed that he appeared at intervals to be lost in profound
thought, that he yawned frequently, and continually drew his fingers
through his beard. He drank coffee and iced water several times,
incessantly looked at his watch, and taking his field-glass, surveyed by
turns the camp, the castles of Janina, the Pindus range, and the peaceful
waters of the lake. Occasionally he glanced at his weapons, and then his
eyes sparkled with the fire of youth and of courage. Stationed beside
him, his guards prepared their cartridges, their eyes fixed on the
landing-place.

The kiosk which he occupied was connected with a wooden structure raised
upon pillars, like the open-air theatres constructed for a public
festival, and the women occupied the most remote apartments. Everything
seemed sad and silent. The vizier, according to custom, sat facing the
doorway, so as to be the first to perceive any who might wish to enter.
At five o'clock boats were seen approaching the island, and soon Hassan
Pacha, Omar Brionis, Kursheed's sword-bearer, Mehemet, the keeper of the
wardrobe, and several officers of the army, attended by a numerous suite,
drew near with gloomy countenances.

Seeing them approach, Ali sprang up impetuously, his hand upon the
pistols in his belt. "Stand! . . . what is it you bring me?" he cried
to Hassan in a voice of thunder. "I bring the commands of His Highness
the Sultan,--knowest thou not these august characters?" And Hassan
exhibited the brilliantly gilded frontispiece which decorated the firman.
"I know them and revere them." "Then bow before thy destiny; make thy
ablutions; address thy prayer to Allah and to His Prophet; for thy, head
is demanded. . . ." Ali did not allow him to finish. "My head," he
cried with fury, "