I did not call
upon you to speak, but to listen to what I have to say. Hearken, men
of Praousta, in the name of the tschorbadji! I give you until early
to-morrow morning to decide; if, at the hour of second prayers, you
have not sent three men to the palace of the tschorbadji, double the
amount that you have formerly paid, the sheik and the three ulemas
will lose their heads for your disobedience, and you will be the
murderers of four of the first men of Praousta."
He slightly lowered his gleaming sword, and, as a farewell greeting,
turned and walked up the mountain-path, not swiftly, not hastily, as
if he feared the men would fall upon him, but slowly, step by step,
not even glancing back to see if the crowd were following him,
quietly, sword in hand, and in front of him the two collectors.
BOOK II.
PARADISE AND HELL.
CHAPTER I
THE FLOWER OF PRAOUSTA.
The tschorbadji was in great uneasiness since Mohammed had gone on
his expedition to the rebellious village, and his son was profoundly
troubled and apprehensive. He could not endure to remain in the
broad hall which led to the garden, but followed his father to the
great saloon which commanded a view of the court-yard through which
Mohammed must come. He laid himself upon the divan, while his father
walked up and down with heavy steps, pausing occasionally at the
window looking into the court-yard, and then rapidly continuing his
walk.
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