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Updated: June 8, 2025
He soothed the displeasure of the men called on to take the field, spoke of the heroic deeds they could perform, and of the beautiful land to which they were to go, so distant from the quiet, desolate Praousta. And in a few days the three hundred men were ready to embark. But how was it with regard to the captain and his lieutenant?
Think well of this, and rest assured the tschorbadji will confirm what he has declared through me. To-morrow, at the hour of prayer, must the double tax be paid by the men of Praousta, or your heads shall be placed on the cliffs where everybody can see them, and your bodies thrown upon the rock Bucephalus, that the vultures and ravens may feed upon them."
When you see me doing every thing to make you happy it will touch your heart, and you will love me." At this moment loud cries and lamentations were heard from without. "Those are the men of Praousta, who have come up and are lamenting. Do you not hear the call from the mosque? The second hour of prayer is at hand, the time has came. Decide, Masa!"
They use their swords vigorously upon those who oppose them; the sight of blood terrifies the others, and the cries of the wounded silence them. The eunuchs' soldiers are allowed to enter each house, for the men of Praousta are too poor to be able to provide for more than one wife, and the poor man's wife has no separate, secluded apartments.
The men without shrunk back before the soldiers' gleaming weapons, and hastened to the other doors, but they found them all closed, only the one entrance was open, the one at which the collectors stood. Within lay the sheik and the ulemas, all bound, upon their knees, praying the men of Praousta to come to their help.
"Yes, governor, something dreadful has happened," they answered, bowing deeply. "We have been down to Praousta, as your excellency ordered, to collect the double tax." "And you have brought the gold with you, and given it to my treasurer?" "No, we have not brought it."
Profound silence reigned in Cavalla, in the palace of the governor, and in the village of Praousta the men were at the mosque, praying that Allah would vouchsafe them wisdom for the duties of the coming day. To the slender female kneeling in the mosque they whispered: "Soften your father's heart, maiden, and beseech him to allow us to obey this hard command." Did she understand?
The old woman is still sitting opposite Mohammed's house, reposing there, apparently, after smoking her pipe. Her head is thrown back, resting against the door, and her eyes are closed; she seems to be sleeping. A new and great event occupied the attention of the inhabitants of Cavalla and Praousta on the following morning.
The collectors received the tschorbadji's order, to return to Praousta with Mohammed, with bowed heads and anxious countenances. "They will murder us." groaned one of them. "They are all armed with swords and knives, and they will tear our arms from us at once."
You stood there like David before Goliath, and overthrew him in the dust. You made the insolent giant small, you hero. I thank you, my Mohammed!" The great square which lay in the centre of the village of Praousta resounded with wild outcries and clamorings.
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