He received them with a proud, gloomy look, asked why they came, and
how these rebellious soldiers dare approach him in such a manner.
They bowed their heads, and, as they approached the caimacan,
entreated him in humble tones to satisfy the just demands of the
soldiers. They conjured him to do so for the sake of peace, and for
his own sake. The soldiers were in a highly excited state, and
disposed to adopt extreme measures.
"To adopt extreme measures!" cried Taher "How dare you address such
words to me?"
"We have been sent to you by the troops, highness, and must act
according to our instructions. Once more, we implore you to pay the
soldiers!"
"And once more I repeat to you that I neither can nor will pay
them!" cried Taker, furiously. "If the traitors dare to threaten me,
I will lay their heads at their feet!"
"Then we had best begin with you!" cried the bim bashis, rushing
upon him, and running him through with their ataghans. They then
severed the head from the body, opened a window, and hurled it down
to the soldiers, who received it with shouts of delight, and then
rushed into the palace.
The caimacan's faithful Armenians threw themselves in their way, and
a murderous conflict arose on the stairway, and in all the halls and
apartments of the palace. The conflict extended to all the streets
of the city, and the work of slaughter was carried on all over
Cairo.
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