face with his own fist--"Tschorbadji Hassan, you shall punish the
insolence of this servant who dares to insult me, Cousrouf Pacha. I
demand of you punishment for this insolence."

"I have broken no law, and there is no law that condemns me to
punishment," said Mohammed, firmly and composedly. "Your excellency
does me the honor to dispute with me, that is all. With us
punishment is meted out according to the law only, and not at the
pleasure of every grand gentleman."

The tschorbadji stepped up to Cousrouf Pacha, and earnestly conjured
him to show mercy to his son's friend, for his sake.

"Consider that Osman is my only child, and my only happiness.
Consider that he loves Mohammed as if he were a brother. The
physicians say he would die if separated from Mohammed. Be merciful,
and forgive the insolence provoked by your own overbearing words. I
entreat you to be merciful, and to come away with me."

He took Cousrouf's arm in his own, and drew him away, almost
forcibly entreating him, with all the anxiety of a father's heart,
to forgive the uncultured youth, who knew nothing of becoming
deportment and polished manners. He was an untamed lion, unfamiliar
with the gentle ways of the domestic animals.

"And yet I wish I had this young lion in my power," said Cousrouf,
gnashing his teeth with rage, as he followed the governor. "I should
extract his teeth, and prove to the monster that he was not a lion,
but only a miserable cat, to be trodden under my feet!"