ith his enemies, both internal and external. A conspiracy,
hatched between the discontented pachas and the English agents, shortly
broke out, and one day, when Ali was presiding at the artillery practice
of some French gunners sent to Albania by the Governor of Illyria, a
Tartar brought him news of the deposition of Selim, who was succeeded by
his nephew Mustapha. Ali sprang up in delight, and publicly thanked
Allah for this great good fortune. He really did profit by this change
of rulers, but he profited yet more by a second revolution which caused
the deaths both of Selim, whom the promoters wished to reestablish on the
throne, and of Mustapha whose downfall they intended. Mahmoud II, who
was next invested with the scimitar of Othman, came to the throne in
troublous times, after much bloodshed, in the midst of great political
upheavals, and had neither the will nor the power to attack one of his
most powerful vassals. He received with evident satisfaction the million
piastres which, at, his installation, Ali hastened to send as a proof of
his devotion, assured the pacha of his favour, and confirmed both him and
his sons in their offices and dignities. This fortunate change in his
position brought Ali's pride and audacity to a climax. Free from
pressing anxiety, he determined to carry out a project which had been the
dream of his life.

CHAPTER V

After taking possession of Argyro-Castron, which he had long coveted, Ali
led his victorious army against the town of Kardiki, whose inhabitants
had formerly joined with those of Kormovo in the outrage inflicted on his
mother and sister. The besieged, knowing they had no mercy to hope for,
defended themselves bravely, but were obliged to yield to famine. After
a month's blockade, the common people, having no food for themselves or
their cattle, began to cry for mercy in the open streets, and their
chiefs, intimidated by the general misery and unable to stand alone,
consented to capitulate. Ali, whose intentions as to the fate of this
unhappy town were irrevocably decided, agreed to all that they asked. A
treaty was signed by both parties, and solemnly sworn to on the Koran, in
virtue of which seventy-two beys, heads of the principal Albanian
families, were to go to Janina as free men, and fully armed. They were
to be received with the honours due to their rank as free tenants of the
sultan, their lives and their families were to be spared, and also their
po