"Mighty and gracious master! we have been tardy slaves, and humbly
acknowledge our fault; we will do all we can to redeem it, and we
hope soon to bring better news. Yes, we hope, gracious master, that
we shall soon be able to announce what our master desires to know."
"Then you have a trace?" said the pacha, his countenance lighting up
with joy.
"Yes, master, as yet only a trace; but we hope soon to have
certainty."
"Good, I will inquire no further. But of one thing I must remind
you: three days have already passed, within the next four days you
will have brought me the runaway slave or your heads fall."
"O gracious master, we hope to do so much sooner!"
"It is well," said the pacha, with a slight inclination of his
haughty head. "And now listen further: spread the report of my
departure tomorrow morning; say that Cousrouf Pacha will perhaps
depart this evening, with his harem and his servants, to return no
more."
"It shall be as our gracious master commands," said the two eunuchs.
"You know Mohammed Ali, the new boulouk bashi?"
"Yes, excellency, we know him."
"Let no one dare do him a bodily injury. Look down humbly when you
pass him, and, if he insults you with word or look, step
nevertheless respectfully aside. Let none of you dare to touch him
to injure a hair of his head, or to seek his life with poison, the
dagger, or any other weapon.
Pages:
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303