"The men of Praousta went themselves, and brought out the sheik and the ulemas, that they might speak decisively for all. We were to take their answer to the tschorbadji." "And they did this?" cried Mohammed, forgetting all proper reverence, and speaking to the men in the presence of the governor. "Yes, they did this," returned the collectors, breathing hard. "What did they say!" demanded the tschorbadji, excitedly. "The sheik looked at us contemptuously, and ordered us to state to the tschorbadji that Praousta had no thought of paying either the double or the simple tax." "And the ulemas?" asked Osman, rising from his couch, "did they confirm what the sheik said?" "Yes, sir, they confirmed what the sheik said," answered the collectors. "It is then an open revolt," cried the outraged tschorbadji. "They refuse obedience to my commands!" "Yes, they refuse to obey you!" repeated the collectors. "Every fisherman has armed himself with sword and knife, and swears to die sooner than pay this unjust tax, as they call it." "And you allowed yourselves to be frightened by such words," cried Mohammed, with flaming eyes. " And you did not fall upon them, sword in hand, to force them to their duty!" "We were but two against fifty!" "Two men against fifty cowards! I should think the men would have carried the day. But you are not men; you did not even draw your swords and fell this seditious sheik to the earth!" "The people would have torn us to pieces!" exclaimed the collectors, "if we had attempted it." "You would have perished in the fulfilment of your duty!" cried Mohammed. "Far better that, than to return home with the knowledge that you had acted as cowards!" Osman looked wonderingly at his friend, while the tschorbadji stood lost in thought, his countenance growing darker and darker. "This is revolt--rebellion!" he said, after a pause. "What shall I do? The men of Praousta are remarkable for their strength, as well as for their free and independent opinions." He ordered the collectors to leave the room, and await his call without; then paced thoughtfully up and down. The two young men dared not disturb him. "I do not know what to do," he said, after a long silence. "I have no military force, and in Praousta dwell more than fifty brave, bold men. You know I have only fifty collectors in my service in all the districts of the peninsula. I do not know where to begin; even if I had the men, I would very unwillingly use force. I believe the best thing I can do would be to go down, with a few servants, to the village, and seek, by kind words, to quiet the people, and induce them to pay the tax. What do you think, my son, Osman?" Mohammed listened, with flashing eyes, to the tschorbadji; and breathlessly awaited Osman's answer. But Osman only looked at his friend, and said to his father, "Ask Mohammed what he thinks." "Well, then, you speak, Mohammed," said the tschorbadji; "what do you think of my proposition?"