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Honain, continued Alroy, following the Grand Vizir out of the chamber, and leaving Scherirah alone, 'Honain, I have not yet interchanged a word with you in private. What think you of all this? 'Sire, I am prepared for the worst, but hope the best. ''Tis wise. If Abner could only keep that Karasmian in check! I am about to speak with Scherirah alone. I do suspect him much.
'I am sure I do not know. Never ask questions, my dear. Little boys never should. 'Yes, they should. I hope they will impale him alive. I shall be so disappointed if they do not. 'Keep to the left. Dash through the Butchers' bazaar: that is open. All right, all right. Did you push me, sir? 'Suppose I did push you, sir, what then, sir? 'Come along, don't quarrel. That is a Karasmian.
He was fair, or rather sandy-coloured, with a red beard, and blue eyes, and a flat nose. The moment he was seated, a trumpet was heard in the distance from an opposite quarter, and it was soon understood throughout the assembly that the great captive was about to appear. A band of Karasmian guards first entered the circle, and ranged themselves round the cord, with their backs to the spectators.
They would have burst through the guards and torn him in pieces, had not they been afraid of the Karasmian battle-axes. So they consoled themselves with the prospect of his approaching tortures. The Cadi of Bagdad bowed himself before the King of Karasmé, and whispered at a respectful distance in the royal ear. The trumpets sounded, the criers enjoined silence, and the royal lips again moved.
A tear stole down his cheek; the bitter drop stole to his parched lips; he asked the nearest horseman for water. The guard gave him a wetted sponge, with which he contrived with difficulty to wipe his lips, and then he let it fall to the ground. The Karasmian struck him. They arrived at the river. The prisoner was taken from the camel and placed in a covered boat.
He would have risen; his feet were bound. He looked round for Schirene, and called her name; he was answered only by a shriek. The amphitheatre was filled with Karasmian troops. His own men were surprised and overpowered. Kisloch and the Guebre had been on guard. He was raised from the ground, and flung upon a camel, which was instantly trotted out of the circus.
'Good news. Go fetch Abner. Haste! He'll find me here anon. I'll visit the camp awhile. Well, my brave fellows, you have hither come to conquer again with Alroy. You have fought before, I warrant, on the plain of Nehauend. 'Tis a rich soil, and shall be richer with Karasmian gore. 'God save your Majesty! Our lives are thine.
'What wouldst thou, Alroy? 'Nothing, sweet! A soldier's wife must bear strange sights, yet I would save you some. One of my men, forgetful you were here, burst into my tent in such a guise as scarce would suit a female eye. I must away, my child. I'll call thy slaves. One kiss! Farewell! but for a time. "To-morrow Israel will be avenged." What! in Karasmian blood? I have no faith. No matter.
Ere she died, the fatal prophetess foretold this time, and gloated on his future treachery. 'Think not of him. 'And the Karasmian; think you he is very strong? 'Enough, love, for our glory. He is a potent warrior: I trust that Abner will not rob us of our intended victory. 'So you triumph, I care not by whose sword. Dost go indeed to-morrow? 'At break of dawn.
'Magnanimous Alp Arslan, replied Alroy in a tone of undisguised contempt; 'thinkest thou that any torture can be equal to the recollection that I have been conquered by thee? 'By my beard, he mocks me! exclaimed the Karasmian monarch, 'he defies me! Touch not my robe. I will parley with him. Ye see no farther than a hooded hawk, ye sons of a blind mother.
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