United States or Djibouti ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"God bless her, and God bless you, too!" replied Nicæus. "I pray you let me go." "Nay! dear Nicæus, are we not friends?" "The best and truest, Iskander. I will to the camp, and meet you in your tent ere morning break. At present, I would be alone." "Dear Nicæus, one word. You have said upon one point, what I could well wish unsaid, and dared to prophesy what may never happen.
In a few minutes, their order seemed generally broken, and their leaders in vain endeavoured to rally them. Waving his bloody scimitar, and bounding on his black charger, Iskander called upon his men to secure the triumph of the Cross and the freedom of Epirus. Pursuit was now general. The Turks were massacred by thousands.
They repaired as usual to the Serail, and were attended by Kaflis to the chamber of the tower, who congratulated Iskander on their way on the rapid convalescence of the captive.
He went up the steps, and looked down upon the spring as if he were about to drink, but instead of doing that, he drew his scimitar, and plunged it into the water, and called out with a loud voice the name of "Iskander!" three times. Whereupon Iduna, actuated by an irresistible impulse, came forward from her hiding-place, but instantly gave a loud shriek when she beheld the Prince Mahomed!
"Is Yuruk a fool not to know that in the world without, new things have arisen since long ago we fled from Iskander into the secret valley? What have you to beguile Cherkis beyond this woman flesh? Much, I think. Go then to him unafraid." Cherkis? There was a familiar sound to that. Cherkis? Of course it was the name of Xerxes, the Persian Conqueror, corrupted by time into this Cherkis.
But the heart of Iskander responded with no sympathy to these flattering favours. His Turkish education could never eradicate from his memory the consciousness that he was a Greek; and although he was brought up in the Moslemin faith, he had at an early period of his career, secretly recurred to the creed of his Christian fathers.
Iskander, dear, dear Iskander, you who have so much wisdom, and so much courage; you who can devise all things, and dare all things; help me, help me; on my knees I do beseech you, take up this trying cause of foul oppression, and for the sake of all you love and reverence, your creed, your country, and perchance your friend, let your great genius, like some solemn angel, haste to the rescue of the sweet Iduna, and save her, save her!"
"The person who has penetrated the Seraglio of Constantinople in disguise to rescue the Lady Iduna," answered Iskander, "is the Prince Nicæus." "Nicæus!" exclaimed Iduna, in an agitated tone. "The voice to which I listen is surely not that of the Prince Nicæus; nor the form on which I gaze," she added, as she unveiled. Beside her stood the tall figure of the Armenian physician.
I would not cure her too soon, eh?" "You take a most discreet view of affairs," responded Iskander, with an air of complete assent, and they entered the chamber of the tower. Iduna performed her part with great dexterity; but, indeed, it required less skill than herself and her advisers had at first imagined.
Just as they were preparing to return to the Christian camp, a great noise was heard in the grove, and presently, in the direction whence Iduna had arrived, there came a band of men bearing torches and examining the grove in all directions in great agitation. Iskander and Hunniades stood upon their guard, but soon perceived they were Greeks.
Word Of The Day