The Prince of India, Volume II

and then appeared without lighting, for as yet there was nothing attractive enough to keep them. Like some great men of whom we occasionally hear, they were in the world before their t

the water cold, the air cr

in the vicinity, and then the roar, muffled by distance. The age of artillery had not yet arrived; nevertheless, cannon were quite well known to fame. Enterprising traders from the West had sailed into the Golden Horn with samples of the new arm on their decks; they were of such rude construction as to be unfi

white, it rode the waves to appearances a very beautiful "thing of life;" but the flag told nothing of i

enoese"-such was the

for that is not a l

then,

ower of Galata, a last salute was fired from her deck; then the two cities caught up the interest, and being able

a great Lord;" and thereupon t

is

, short sleeveless jackets, and red turbans of a style remarkable for amplitude. An officer, probably the sailing-master, went with them, and he, too, was heavily turbaned. A gaping crowd on the lan

it forward by suitable hand. He trusts to your knowledge of what

tarted back to the ship, leaving the captain of the guard to open the

ostino, May 5, Year of o

rent by baronial feuds and forays not to his taste, he left it in search of employment and honors abroad; that he made the pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulchre first, and secured there a number of precious relics, which he is solicitous of presenting to His Imperial Majesty; that from long association with the Moslems, whom Heaven, in its wisdom impenetrable to the understanding of men, permits to profane the Holy Land with their presence and wicked guardianship, he acquired a speaking knowledge of the Arabic and Turkish languages; that he engaged in warfare against those enemies of God, having the powerful sanction therefor o

OUNT C

f the Galatanese across the harbor, the revenues from importations were sadly curtailed; still the old city had its markets, and the world was welcome to them. The argument, however, which silenced the custodian's doubt was, that of the few who rode to the gates in their own galleys and kept them there ready to depart

we may return to Count Corti, and

p-builders at Palos and Genoa would have termed the new feature a cabin. It was beyond cavil an improvement; and on this occasion the proprietor utilized it as he well might. Since the first gun off St. Stephano, he had held the roof, finding it the best position to get and enjoy a

yet he is the same in one particular at least-he was in armor then, and he is still in armor-that is, he affects the same visorless casque, with its cape of fine rings buckled under the chin, the same shirt and overalls of pliable mail, the same shoes of transverse iron scales working into each other telescopically when the feet are in movement, the same golden spurs, and a surcoat in every particular like the Emir's, except

ness bright, Neither by

d, and adopt him as a favorite; wherefore the interest may be more pressing to know what he, an Islamite supposably without guile, a Janissary of rank, lately so high in his master'

ak places; its inhabitants, commerce, foreign relations; the character of its ruler, his resources and policies; its daily events; its cliques, clubs, and religious factions; especially is it for him to foment the differences Latin and Greek already a fire which has long been eating out to air in an inflammable house."... Mahommed, it will be recollected, acceded to the counsel, and in discussing the selection of a person suitable for the secret agency, the Prince said: ... "He who undertakes it should enter Constantinople and live there above suspicion. He must be crafty, intelligent, courtly in manner, accomplished in arms, of high rank, and with means to carry his state bravely; for not only ought he to be conspicuous in the Hippodrome; he should be welcome in the salons and pal

ying: "So has Mirza become a part of

the devotion to Mahommed dwelt upon so strongly by the Prince of India. An order to undertake the secret service will be accepted certainly as it is given. The very assurance that it w

d her to Therapia, and, as an Arab story-teller, was favored with an extended private audience in which he extolled himsel

pushed him on, there might yet have been some delay in the achievement. Ambition derived from genius is cautious in its first movements, counts the cost, ponders the marches to be made and the means to be employed, and is at times paralyzed by the simple contemplation of failure; in other words, dread of loss of glory is not seldom more powerful than the hope of glory. After the visit to Therapia, ho

em sufficient: first, the stern old Sultan, his father, was a just man, and friendly to the Emperor Constantine; but still stronger, and probably the deterrent in fact, he actually loved

rd on her gate. He closed his eyes against the mellow light on the water, and, silently admitting her the perfection of womanhood, held her image bef

le Turkish family, but harem born and bred. She might be charming, a very queen in the Seraglio; but, alas! the kinswoman of the Christian Emperor had furnished a glimpse of attractions which the fiancee to whom he was going could never attain-at

violating his own safeguard by abducting the Princess, he fell into revision of her

of it these words: ... "A wife I might become, not from temptation of gain or power, or in surrender to love-I speak not in derision of the passion, since, like the admitted virtues, it is fr

!... 'She might become my wife'-on condition.... What condi

er his.... "Constantinople is the Greek Church," he muttered, with flashing eyes. "I will tak

the venerable metropolis may be

joy. He threw his arm over the Emir's shoulder, and walked with him, laughing and talking, like a man in wine. His

Stand here before me....

on his knee: "My

efore me." [Footnote: A Turkish calligraphist works on his feet as frequent

e brought, and the Emir, again upon hi

e Prince of India already quoted respecting the duties of the agent in Constantinople. While writing, the Emir was variously moved; one instant, his

ails

is my will," was

speak

m him, and I dread losing

laughed

re thou goest, though out of reach of my right han

"Ah, my Saladin, thou wert never in love, I take it? Well-I am. Look no

up, yet he knew his

sed deputy of Hunyades. Give it back to me. 'Tis well. See, I place it on the third finger of my left hand. They say whoever looketh at her is thenceforth her lover. I caution thee, and so long as this ruby keepeth

y Lord," Mi

abour Emperor Constantine whom we saw here the day of

not, my

I think she must be a daughter of the houri this moment givi

changed

er and t

s, and the signature was the same as that

istian." He laughed again. "Mirza-the Mirza Mahommed swore by, and appointed keeper

ook the

oes and says; save her from harm: does one speak ill of her, kill him, only do it in my name-and forget not, O my Saladin!-as thou hopest a garden and a couch in Paradise-forget not that in Constantinople, when I come, I am to receive her from thy hand peerless in all things as I left her to-day.... Thou h

ald setting graven with the signature at the b

rable unto him than I, when I have my own. It is all said. Go now.... We will speak of rewards when next we meet.... Or stay! Thou art to communicate by way of this Castle, and for