“If they retreat we must assuredly attack them,” observed Iskander, musingly. “I have a persuasion that Hunniades and myself will soon meet.” “If there be truth in the Prophet!” exclaimed Karam. “I have no doubt of it. Hunniades is reserved for you, Bey. We shall hold up our heads at court yet, Iskander. You have had letters lately?” “Some slight words.” “No mention of us, of course?” “Nothing, except some passing praise of your valour and discretion.” “We do our best, we do our best. Will Isa Bey have Ætolia, think you?” “I have no thoughts. Our royal father will not forget his children, and Isa Bey is a most valiant chieftain.” “You heard not that he was coming here?” inquired Karam. “Have you?” responded the cautious Iskander. “A rumour, a rumour,” replied Karam. “He is at Adrianople, think you?” “It may be so: I am, you know, from Athens.” “True, true. We shall beat them, Iskander, we shall beat them.” “For myself, I feel sanguine,” replied the Prince, and he arose to retire. “I must at present to my men. We must ascertain more accurately the movements of the Christians before we decide on our own. I am inclined myself to reconnoitre them. How far may it be?” “There is not room to form our array between them and the mountains,” replied Karam. “‘Tis well. Success attend the true believers! By to-morrow’s dawn we shall know more.” CHAPTER 4 Iskander returned to his men. Night was coming on. Fires and lights blazed and sparkled in every direction. The air was clear, but very cold. He entered his tent, and muffling himself up in his pelisse of sables, he mounted his horse, and declining any attendance, rode for some little distance, until he had escaped from the precincts of the camp. Then he turned his horse towards one of the wildest passes of the mountain, and galloping at great speed, never stopped until he had gained a considerable ascent. The track became steep and rugged. The masses of loose stone rendered his progress slow; but his Anatolian charger still bore him at intervals bravely, and in three hours’ time he had gained the summit of Mount Hæmus. A brilliant moon flooded the broad plains of Bulgaria with shadowy light. At the base of the mountainous range, the red watch-fires denoted the situation of the Christian camp. Iskander proceeded down the descent with an audacious rapidity; but his charger was thorough-bred, and his moments were golden. Ere midnight, he had reached the outposts of the enemy, and was challenged by a sentinel. “Who goes there?” “A friend to Christendom.” “The word?” “I have it not--nay calmly. I am alone, but I am not unarmed. I do not know the word. I come from a far country, and bear important tidings to the great Hunniades; conduct me to that chief.”