He is every thing to
me, mother, brother, sister. We two are alone together, and love
nothing in the world but each other!"
"Then I am sorry for you, poor child!" said the pacha. "Your father
is lost if the tax is not paid. You say yourself that the men of
Praousta cannot pay the double tax, and should they fail to do so
the heads of the four prisoners must fall."
"Be merciful! O master, be merciful," cried Masa. "You are rich and
mighty. You can save him. Oh, save him!"
"You are in error," said the pacha, "in this case I am powerless;
even the tschorbadji can do nothing. He pledged this word to
Mohammed Ali; he took the triple oath that he would allow him to act
as he should think best in this matter. Mohammed Ali has sworn that
the heads of the prisoners shall fall unless the people of Praousta
pay the tax, and that he will behead them himself if no other
executioner can be found."
"Horrible! and thus was his oath," cried Masa, shuddering.
"I pray you, master, tell me, were these his words; did he swear he
would himself execute my father?"
"He did. And, believe me, the youth will keep his word. He is blood-
thirsty and cruel, and it will gladden his heart to cool his wrath
in your father's blood."
"No! It is impossible!" cried Masa, in terror. "He cannot be so
cruel, and he is not!"
"Then you know him? " said the pacha, his eyes gleaming with hatred.
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