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"Yield, and I will be merciful!" At this there was a pause. They threw down their swords, and acknowledged themselves prisoners. But as Ranadar turned to look upon the dead body of Achmet, and to direct his men about the ship, he saw an aged man leaning against the side of the ship. For a moment he looked, and then springing forward, he caught the old man in his arms. "Monilon, alive!
"Maffeo, what was that you heard about these cursed Turks, when you were ashore?" "Didn't I tell you? Well, I heard that they had landed upon Komao, a little island near " "I know it well." "Where there were only a hundred inhabitants. Monilon, the principal man there, was seized, beaten, robbed, and the worst of it was, his daughter Iona was carried away." "What! carried away? Iona!
An aged man in the dress of a slave, but whose intellectual countenance belied his costume, was cleaning a sword. "Monilon!" cried the captain, sternly, "Why are you so long. May Allah eternally confound you, indolent heathen of a Greek!" "Achmet, you are my master. I am old. Do not beat me. I have not the strength of youth." "Insolent greybeard! Be more respectful.
Here the vineyards are seen, where vines hang in graceful festoons from tree to tree; orchards filled with a thousand fruits, gardens where blooming and odorous flowers give forth their fragrance to the air running streams and gushing fountains. In this paradise dwelt Monilon; here Iona was brought up, and here Ranadar came to take her to his home.
"Monilon, go below. We will blow up these knaves in your absence. You will have company soon from the slaves in yon ship." A wild shout from the corsair interrupted him. Suddenly the approaching vessel paused, and some movement was made upon her decks. "By great Allah, they are afraid. Ha! They are moving that long gun. They are pointing it."
Monilon took it, for well he knew that Ranadar would have it again-well he knew it, by the happy smile and lovely blushes of Iona. Komao rises from the sea not more than thirty miles to the north of Scio. It is a lovely spot, where trees of luxuriant foliage and richest fruit grow on every side.
The Turkish prisoners were carried to Scio, and after a long time were exchanged for Greek captives. The name of Ranadar gained new glory, and his deeds were spoken of everywhere. One tenth of the spoil was Ranadar's, but this he forced upon Monilon, in order to enable him again to rebuild his ruined home in Komao.
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