That was the signal for all the men to draw their knives with
lightning-speed from their belts. They brandished them in their
fists, pressing from all sides upon the two officers, and swearing
to kill them if they did not go at once to Cavalla and announce what
had occurred here.

Some of the men rushed off to the dwelling of the sheik, while
others hastened to bring the ulemas to the square.

"Are we to pay the double tax, sheik? Speak for us; tell the
officers what answer they must take to the tschorbadji."

The sheik bowed kindly on every side as he made his way through the
circle of armed men. All was profound silence as he came before the
two officers, and all present listened in breathless silence to his
words.

"Lo, ye servants of justice!" exclaimed the sheik in a solemn voice,
"I say, go up to the city, and inform the tschorbadji that he has
demanded more than is just of the men of Praousta."

An overwhelming, thundering huzza interrupted the sheik.

"Speak on," was then the cry. "Let us hear what the good sheik has
to say to us!"

Once more there was breathless silence, and the sheik proceeded in
solemn tones: