Bardissi makes no reply. He only looks at his friend, and grasps his hand warmly. "I thank you, Mohammed, for having come." "It is my duty, Bardissi," replies he, loud enough to be understood by all his soldiers. "Yes, it is the duty of the sarechsme to be identified with his soldiers; and if, impelled by their want, they went too far, I beg for their forgiveness; but I also beg that justice be done them; and their demands are just. They are in great want, for I have forbidden them to rob and plunder. They have long waited patiently for their pay. But I beg you to give it them now, Bardissi." The soldiers who had heard all, cried loudly: "Long live our sarechsme! Long live Bardissi, our chief!" "Believe me, soldiers, he will give you your pay!--Will you not, Bardissi?" "Yes, sarechsme, your soldiers shall receive their pay. I give you my word, they shall be paid to-morrow. Come to the citadel, to my defterdar to-morrow morning, and he will pay you." "You have heard it, soldiers: you are to be paid to-morrow. And now go!" But no one moved; they stood still, grumbling in low tones. "What," cried the sarechsme, with sparkling eyes, "you dare to remain when I have told you to go! Do you distrust the promise of Osman Bey Bardissi, and of your general? Go, I tell you! You are to be paid to-morrow. Therefore, go and wait!" They no longer dare to defy, and quietly withdraw. Bardissi grasps his friend's hand again. "I thank you. You have freed me from much embarrassment; you have done me a great service. But I beg you to lend me your kindly assistance still further. Tell me where am I to get the money with which to pay the soldiers to- morrow?" "To-morrow? Why trouble yourself about to-morrow? I will endeavor to keep the soldiers quiet for a few days, and, in the meanwhile, we will devise new plans for raising money. I know of one means that I have often thought of." "Name it, my friend!" "It is dangerous." "Name it, nevertheless. No matter about the danger, provided I raise money." "Well, then," said Mohammed, deliberately, "it seems unjust to me that our people should bear the burden of taxation alone! Why should not a tax be imposed on the Franks and Levantines also?" "On the foreigner?" said Bardissi, with a start. "That has never been done, that I am aware of." "Then let it be done now for the first time. They have been allowed to accumulate wealth here, without bearing any of the burdens of government." "You are right: it should be done. My defterdar shall take the necessary steps at once. The Levantines and Franks shall be made to pay this very day, and your soldiers shall have the money." Bardissi hastily departed to give the necessary instructions. Mohammed Ali returned slowly to his house, a complacent smile on his countenance. "Only continue in your present course, and you will soon fall into the pit I have dug for you and yours. Proceed! Your new tax will create quite a sensation!"