Quick, ye soldiers, prepare for
battle ! Ye cannoneers, do your duty!"
He calls to the cannoneers who stand by the guns crowning the wall
that surrounds his house. But the cannoneers refuse to obey him.
Another loud cry escapes Bardissi's lips. Now he understands
Mohammed's action, and knows why the troops were relieved, others
sent to his palace a few days before, and why a new body-guard had
been assigned him.
These are Mohammed's men, and they now refuse obedience to Bardissi.
He now comprehends Mohammed's whole scheme, and his heart is filled
with anguish and immeasurable wrath.
"Alas! Nothing is left me but to flee. Come, my Mamelukes. Load the
dromedaries with the treasure; let the women enter the carriages.
Quick, we must act with the speed of lightning. You, my faithful
Youssouf, you will stand by me as you stood by Mourad."
"I will fight beside you while life lasts."
All is now activity. The dromedaries are laden with treasure, with
chests of gold and silver coins, with jewelry, Persian carpets,
furs, and silken garments. The women enter the closed carriages; the
eunuchs take their place beside them. Now Bardissi mounts his war-
horse, beside him his best and truest friend, Youssouf, and many
others of his faithful followers.
The Mamelukes now throw open the gates, and with uplifted swords,
ready for the conflict, sally forth from the court-yard.
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