On the following morning he announced to his soldiers that the
defterdar was innocent, and the viceroy alone guilty. He had
accumulated and possessed money and treasure, and could pay the
soldiers if he would. He had, however, determined to keep for
himself all the money sent from Stamboul for the troops.
The intelligence rapidly spreads among the soldiers that Cousrouf
has money, and can pay if he will.
"And pay he shall!" cries Taher Pacha. "I will march with you into
his stronghold. Woe to him; he has begun this work of slaughter, and
must take the consequences!"
The gates are closed and barred. What care the soldiers, encouraged
by their general's approach, for that?" The walls can be scaled!" No
sooner said than done. Like cats, the first climb over the high
wall, and the rest follow. The guards within are overpowered, and
the gates are thrown open. And now all rush in intent on victory,
and, above all, on obtaining money.
The viceroy's khaznadar advances to meet them with a body of
soldiers. Taher Pacha calls on him to surrender. The coward obeys,
and lays down his arms. Cousrouf sits quietly in his apartment,
little dreaming of what has taken place.
"Let them fight on; in a short time these rebels and traitors will
yield, and sue for mercy. I will have their heads severed from their
bodies, and sent to Stamboul as trophies of victory!"
But what does this strange noise mean?
A volley resounds from beneath Cousrouf's windows.
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