you shall yourself command. Where's
Mesrour? Take the eunuch guard and the company of gardeners,76 and
suppress the flames at all cost. Pull down the intervening buildings.
Abidan's troop arrived with succour, eh! I doubt it not. I expected
them. Open to none. They force an entrance, eh! I thought so. So that
javelin has killed a traitor. Feed me with arms. I'll keep the gate.
Send again to Asriel. Where's Pharez?'

'By your side, my lord.'

'Run to the Queen, my faithful Pharez, and tell her that all's well. I
wish it were! Didst ever hear a din so awful? Methinks all the tambours
and cymbals of the city are in full chorus. Foul play, I guess. Oh! for
Asriel! Has Pharez returned?'

'I am by your side, my lord.'

'How's the Queen?'

'She would gladly join your side.'

'No, no! Keep the gates there. Who says they are making fires before
them? Tis true. We must sally, if the worst come to the worst, and die
at least like soldiers. O Asriel! Asriel!'

'May it please your Highness, the troops are pouring in from all
quarters.'

''Tis Asriel.'

'No, your Highness, 'tis not the guard. Methinks they are Scherirah's
men.'

'Hum! What it all is, I know not; but very foul play I do not doubt.
Where's Honain?'

'With the Queen, Sire.'

''Tis well. What's that shout?'

'Here's the messenger from Asriel. Make way! way!'

'Well! how is't, Sir?'

'Please your Highness, I could not reach the guard.'

'Could not reach the guard! God of my fathers! who should let thee?'

'Sire, I was taken prisoner.'

'Prisoner! By the thunder of Sinai, are we at war? Who made thee
prisoner?'

'Sire, they have proclaimed thy death.'

'Who?'

'The council of the Elders. So I heard. Abidan, Zalmunna----'

'Rebels and dogs! Who else?'

'The High Priest.'

'Hah! Is it there? Pharez, fetch me some drink. Is it true Scherirah has
joined them?'

'His force surrounds the Serail. No aid can reach us without cutting
through his ranks.'

'Oh! that I were there with my good guard! Are we to die here like rats,
fairly murdered? Cowardly knaves! Hold out, hold out, my men! 'Tis sharp
work, but some of us will smile at this hereafter. Who stands by Alroy
to-night bravely and truly, shall have his heart's content to-morrow.
Fear not: I was not born to die in a civic broil. I bear a charmed life.
So to it.'

'Go to the Caliph, good Honain, I pray thee, go. I can support myself,
he needs thy counsel. Bid him not expose his precious