his being the case, I may say that I am the most powerful person
here, since I can do what I please with my master. I mention this
because it may be that I shall so contrive with him that you shall
become his property, and being constantly with me, time will tell us
what we had best do, both for your consolation, if you will or can be
consoled, and to enable me to exchange the life I lead here for a better
one."

"I thank you, Mahmoud, for the friendship you offer me," replied
Ricardo, "though I well know that, do what you may, it will avail
nothing. But let us quit this subject, and go to the tents, for, as I
perceive, great numbers of people are coming forth from the city; no
doubt it is the old viceroy who is quitting it to give place to my
master."

"It is so," said Mahmoud. "Come then, Ricardo, and you will see the
ceremony of the reception."

"Come on," said Ricardo; "perhaps I shall have need of you, if the
superintendent of my master's slaves have missed me, for he is a
Corsican renegade of no very tender heart."

Here the conversation ended, and the two friends reached the tents, just
as the new pasha was coming out to receive his predecessor, Ali Pasha.
The latter came attended by all the janissaries who have formed the
garrison of Nicosia ever since the Turks have had possession of it, in
number about five hundred. They marched in two divisions, the one armed
with guns, the other with drawn scimetars. Arrived at the tent of
Hassan, the new Pasha, they all surrounded it. Ali made a low obeisance
to Hassan, who returned the salutation, but did not bow so low. Ali then
entered Hassan's tent, and the Turks placed the new Pasha on a powerful
steed, richly caparisoned, and led him round the tents, and up and down
the plain; vociferating in their own language, "Long live Sultan
Soliman, and Hassan Pasha, his representative!" which cry they
frequently repeated, and each time louder and louder. This part of the
ceremony being ended, they brought Hassan back to Ali's tent, where the
two pashas and the cadi remained alone together for an hour to consult,
as Mahmoud informed Ricardo, as to what was to be done upon some works
which Ali had begun. Afterwards the cadi appeared at the door of the
tent, and proclaimed in Turkish, Arabic, and Greek, that all who desired
to crave justice or make any other appeal against Ali Pasha, might now
enter freely, for there was Hassan Pasha, sent by the Grand Signor to be
viceroy of