reme reluctance, but there was no resisting the
persuasive violence of Ted's powerful arm, nor the emphatic kick of the
muscular leg with which he propelled his Moorish friend into the street.
He did not wait, however, to remonstrate, but immediately drew forward
the hood of his burnous and hurried away.

Just then Bacri entered, conducting a number of women and children who
sought sanctuary there.

"Some of my people have need of the British arm to protect them," said
the Jew, with a sad smile.

"And they shall have it," said the consul, taking Bacri by the
hand.--"See them attended to, Flaggan," he added, turning to the seaman.

"Ay, ay, sir.--This way, my dears," said Ted, waving his hand with a
fatherly air to the group of weeping women and children, and conducting
them to one of the large chambers of the house, where Mrs Langley and
Paulina had already spread out bedding, and made further preparations
for a large party.

"Do you think, Bacri," said the consul, as the other was about to
depart, "that there is much chance of Hamet succeeding?"

"I do," answered the Jew. "Achmet is now become very unpopular. He is
too kind and generous to suit the tastes of the soldiers, and you are
aware that the janissaries have it all their own way in this city."

This was indeed the case. The Turkish soldiers were extremely insolent
and overbearing, alike to Moors and Jews, one of the privileges they
claimed being to enter the gardens of the inhabitants whenever they
pleased--not excepting those of the consuls--and eat and destroy fruit
and vegetables at will.

"Achmet's party," added Bacri, "is not strong, while that of Hamet is
not only numerous but influential. I fear much that the sands of his
glass are nearly run out."

"It is a woeful state of things," observed the Colonel, while a slight
flush mantled on his cheek--possibly at the thought of his having, as
the representative of a civilised power, to bow his head and recognise
such barbarians. "And you, Bacri, will you not also stay here?"

"No. There are others of my people who require my aid. I go to join
them. I trust that Hamet's promise--if he succeeds--will sufficiently
guard me from violence. It may be that they will respect my position.
In any case I stay not here.--Farewell."

When the Jew had left, the consul turned to superintend the arrangements
of his house, which by this time had assumed the appearance of a
hospital or prison--so numerous