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Updated: June 8, 2025
It was useless to look for her elsewhere than in the sheik's house, and there we did not find her. The law forbids our doing more, and the tschorbadji, when he placed the soldiers at the disposal of our gracious master, and ordered them to accompany us, expressly commanded that we should not enrage the men of Praousta to desperation, or to any thing contrary to law."
All is still quiet in Praousta the walk among the cliffs, and down to the shore. Then suddenly "What is that on the beach? O Allah, the merciful! Is that not a dead body? Is it not Mohammed? Bound and gagged! He does not move! Quick, cut the ropes, take the gag out of his mouth!" This is speedily done, but still Mohammed does not move. "Is he dead? There are no wounds to be seen on his person!
"From the depths of the sea? " repeated the viceroy, with pallid cheeks. "Tell me, Ibrahim, were you diving off the shore of Praousta?" "Yes, father. You know the shore is steep, and the sea deep, close in to the beach. There I dived and found the bag, with which I swam to the shore. The bag contained bones, and also that which I have brought you."
The men of Praousta are really not able to pay two hundred sequins, but what they lack in money I have in money's worth." "You speak in enigmas, maiden," said the tschorbadji. "You have the money, and yet you have it not. What does this mean?"
"To die?" said the maiden, with a gentle smile. "Why die now, when we have only just begun to live?" "I must die that your father may live. I have already told you, Masa, that I have sworn by my honor, that the men of Praousta shall pay the double tax, as they are in duty bound to do. I have pledged my honor, that is, my life.
He now ordered the soldiers to conduct the prisoners inside the enclosure. Calmly and silently they entered. Not one word had been uttered by them since they left Praousta; with heads erect, and with proud bearing, they entered their prison. "Force conquers even the philosopher.
"This is revolt rebellion!" he said, after a pause. "What shall I do? The men of Praousta are remarkable for their strength, as well as for their free and independent opinions." He ordered the collectors to leave the room, and await his call without; then paced thoughtfully up and down. The two young men dared not disturb him. "I do not know what to do," he said, after a long silence.
Mohammed regards his friend as though he did not understand him. "What do you mean, Osman?" "Nothing, nothing at all, Mohammed, except that it is sometimes dangerous to allow one's happiness to be observed. Bear this in mind, my friend, and draw a veil over your radiant countenance." In Praousta, all was again uproar and confusion.
Then go to Praousta, to the sheik's house, and demand the restoration of my slave. Demand it in my name. If her father refuses, search the house and every place connected with it. Break open the doors if he refuses to unlock them. If you do not find her there, search the other houses of the village. I must have her! If you do not find her to-day, then find her to-morrow or the next day.
Mohammed saw now for the first time the youthful and beautiful face of the fair girl who was called the "Flower of Praousta." Her great black eyes were fastened imploringly on his. Her scarlet lips quivered as she repeated, "Oh, kill him not, but, if you must, then let me die with him!"
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