, so hear my last resolve. Let a
pardon, sealed by the sultan's hands, be given me, and I will submit. I
will go to Constantinople, to Asia Minor, or wherever I am sent. The
things I should see here would no longer be fitting for me to behold."

To this Kursheed's envoys made answer that without doubt these terms
would be conceded. Ali then touched his breast and forehead, and,
drawing forth his watch, presented it to the keeper of the wardrobe. "I
mean what I say, my friend," he observed; "my word will be kept. If
within an hour thy soldiers are not withdrawn from this castle which has
been treacherously yielded to them, I will blow it up. Return to the
Seraskier, warn him that if he allows one minute more to elapse than the
time specified, his army, his garrison, I myself and my family, will all
perish together: two hundred thousand pounds of powder can destroy all
that surrounds us. Take this watch, I give it thee, and forget not that
I am a man of my word." Then, dismissing the messengers, he saluted them
graciously, observing that he did not expect an answer until the soldiers
should have evacuated the castle.

The envoys had barely returned to the camp when Kursheed sent orders to
abandon the fortress. As the reason far this step could not be
concealed, everyone, exaggerating the danger, imagined deadly mines ready
to be fired everywhere, and the whole army clamoured to break up the
camp. Thus Ali and his fifty followers cast terror into the hearts of
nearly thirty thousand men, crowded together on the slopes of Janina.
Every sound, every whiff of smoke, ascending from near the castle, became
a subject of alarm for the besiegers. And as the besieged had provisions
for a long time, Kursheed saw little chance of successfully ending his
enterprise; when Ali's demand for pardon occurred to him. Without
stating his real plans, he proposed to his Council to unite in signing a
petition to the Divan for Ali's pardon.

This deed, formally executed, and bearing more than sixty signatures, was
then shown to Ali, who was greatly delighted. He was described in it as
Vizier, as Aulic Councillor, and also as the most distinguished veteran
among His Highness the Sultan's slaves. He sent rich presents to
Kursheed and the principal officers, whom he hoped to corrupt, and
breathed as though the storm had passed away. The following night,
however, he heard the voice of Emineh, calling him several times, and
concluded th