"Return to your home," he said, in a commanding voice. "First, however, tell your father that he must submit himself, and prevail upon these rebels to become obedient. If he succeeds, I swear, in the name of Allah, that he shall return with you to his home. Speak to him, and prove the power of your words." "Return, Masa," said the sheik, in an unfaltering voice. "It was most improper for you to come here. You did it from love to me, therefore it must be pardoned. Now, however, I order you to go home, and remain there, as it becomes a woman. I, however, praise Allah; he alone must decide my fate, and the fate of all." "No, father, I cannot leave you," cried Masa, breathlessly, pressing her father's hands to her lips. "Remember, you are the Lord of my life, the light of my eyes! Remember that I have no one but you in all the world, and that your Masa is as solitary as in a wilderness when you are not beside her. Remember that, O my father!" "Enough!" interrupted Mohammed, in a harsh voice. "Enough words.-- You there, you men of Praousta, will you pay the tax, the double tax, as the tschorbadji has ordered?" The men, who had pressed close against the high porch outside the mosque, remained silent for a moment and looked hesitatingly before them. "Will you pay it?" repeated Mohammed. "You will, I am sure." "No!" cried the sheik, aloud. "You will not, you shall not, pay this tax!" "No," repeated the three ulemas. "No, you will not, you shall not, pay this tax!" Then suddenly, as if inspired by the bold words of the four prisoners, the men held themselves more erect, and, looking threateningly at Mohammed and at the soldiers, repeated what the ulemas had said. "No, we will not, we will not pay the tschorbadji the double tax! We will pay neither the double nor the simple tax!" "Good! you have spoken," said Mohammed. "Your fate is decided, and that of these men also!--Collectors, lock the door." Masa uttered a cry, and, rushing to Mohammed, clung wildly to his knees. "Mercy, lord, have mercy! Think of your own father, think of your mother! If you have a mother that you love, oh, think of her!" He pushed her roughly and hastily from him. That word pierced his heart like a knife, and still he dared not listen to it. There was a threatening murmur among the men, and several sought to press forward, but the collectors threatened them with instant death if they came forward a single step. Two of the soldiers approached the young girl to carry her out. "Let no one dare touch me, or I will throw myself on your swords!" she cried. "If I must go, I will do so. But on you be the blood of my father if it is shed! I tell you, if you murder him, I will die also; and if you have a father or a mother in heaven, I will accuse you, young man!" She uttered these words in a ringing voice, then flew toward the door. The soldiers pushed her out, and the collectors threw the iron-bound doors together.