"I think that such a thing should never be permitted. It does not become you to go and beg, when you should command, governor," he cried. "Will you empower me to collect the tax?" "How will you do it?" asked the tschorbadji, with a doubting smile. "That is my secret, governor. Give me authority to treat with the rebels, and give me, in addition, two collectors and six armed soldiers." "I will give you my small body-guard. They are eight in number, and I give you full authority to collect the tax." "I thank you, governor," cried Mohammed, with a beaming face. "You have given me a weighty commission, and you shall see that I will justify the confidence you place in me. I will go at once." "Do so, and I will order my men to obey you in all things," said the tschorbadji. "Farewell, my Osman," cried Mohammed his whole being as full of energy and determination as if he were going to battle. He bowed smilingly to his friend, and passed from the hall with a firm step. The collectors received the tschorbadji's order, to return to Praousta with Mohammed, with bowed heads and anxious countenances. "They will murder us." groaned one of them. "They are all armed with swords and knives, and they will tear our arms from us at once." "If they should tear your arms from you, and you do not fall upon them, with tooth and nail," cried Mohammed, with determined look, "you are nothing but cowards, and I will kill you with my own hand." The tschorbadji had, in the mean time, called his small body guard together, and commanded them to go down to Praousta with Mohammed, and to obey him in all things. "Come, then, my men, let us go," cried Mohammed. The tschorbadji detained him a moment. "Will you not take a weapon, you are entirely unarmed?" "Yes, I will take a weapon. Not that I fear for myself; no, I have no fear; but I will make one more combatant against the rebels. Give me a sword and a pistol." The tschorbadji himself brought both to him, and then bade him farewell. Mohammed, at the head of the eight soldiers and the two collectors, went down the mountain path to the village. There every thing had become quiet. Obeying the words of the sheik, the men had gone to their huts, and did not see that Mohammed and his followers had entered the great mosque, which stood at the entrance of the village. Then Mohammed bowed down within the holy of holies, and, turning his head toward Mecca, prayed in a low voice to the prophet "Thou seest, my lord and God, that I have raised my foot to take the first step on the way to my great future. Uphold my feet, let me not fall into the abyss of forgetfulness. Give me strength, that I may go forward without fainting. Be with me, Mohammed, thou great prophet. Permit thy stars to be a light unto me, and be merciful to the poorest of thy servants!" Then, raising himself proudly up, he ordered the soldiers to close three of the entrances of the mosque, and to leave only the principal door open.