The fort had been commenced under the protection of a large force; and the Baron was now employed in forming fresh entrenchments, and taking every means to strengthen his position; waiting in hopes of some opportunity occurring to revenge himself for the losses he had sustained. No houses had as yet been built; the troops living in wretched huts hastily constructed of mud and boughs, and the officers in their tents. Towards the close of the day, the Baron was seated in his tent, when his aide-de-camp announced to him that one of the chiefs of the enemy, with a flag of truce, desired an audience immediately. "Let him be admitted," said the General. "We may at length have awed some of these barbarians into subjection." The Baron rose to receive his guest as the officer returned, ushering in a tall ferocious looking warrior, his heavy sword clashing against his armour, as with a fearless step he entered the tent. The General started when he saw him; for he thought of the young Khan to whose death he had been instrumental, and of his squire whom he had unjustly shot, as gazing earnestly at the stranger, he almost fancied the dead stood before him. For a few moments neither spoke, as the civilised European commander confronted the wild warrior of the mountains, who returned his glance with a haughty and seemingly contemptuous stare. At length, banishing his superstitious fears, he spoke. "Who are you, chief, that thus venture into the camp of the Russians?" "I am Kaloret Khan," answered the chief in a fierce tone. At the sound of that name the Baron started, laying his hand upon his sword to prepare himself for the expected attack. "Fear not," said the Khan in a contemptuous tone, "I come not to do you harm. Did I wish to kill you, I could have done so ere this. See!" he added, pointing to the opening of the tent, before which one of his wild clansmen was holding his war horse. "I could have struck you dead, and mounted my fleet steed, leaping your paltry entrenchments, before one of your slow-moving soldiers could have stopped me. No, Russian, I come not to harm you." "For what purpose do you come here? What ask you?" said the General. "I come," answered the Khan, frowning darkly, and clenching his gauntleted hand, "I come to seek revenge." "A goodly feeling, and one that should be encouraged by all brave men," answered the Baron. "And on whom do you seek it?" "On those who have injured me. On a chieftain, Arslan Gherrei, who refused to let his daughter be my wife; and shall I tamely brook such an insult? I would bear the girl away, in spite of her refusal; I would revenge myself upon him for my brother's death; who is said to have come to ask your aid to carry off the chieftain's daughter, when he died by the hand of Selem, his newly found son." "You have heard truly, Khan," answered the General. "Say, how can I assist you in your wishes, and I will gladly hold the hand of friendship forth to you."