ordered, to collect the double tax."

"And you have brought the gold with you, and given it to my
treasurer?"

"No, we have not brought it."

"Not brought it!" exclaimed the tschorbadji, with the utmost
astonishment; "I send you to collect the taxes, and you return
without the money. Have thieves fallen upon you, and robbed you? My
collectors have allowed the gold to be taken from them, and now dare
to appear, empty-handed, before me!"

"O governor, we are innocent," replied the men. "No thieves took the
money from us, but the men of Praousta have revolted; they have
assembled together in the market place, and have solemnly declared
that they will never pay the double tax!"

While they were making their report, Mohammed sprung from his seat,
and listened breathlessly to them.

"They refused to pay the tax," said the tschorbadji, in an angry
voice. "And did you not go to the sheik and ulemas?"

"The men of Praousta went themselves, and brought out the sheik and
the ulemas, that they might speak decisively for all. We were to
take their answer to the tschorbadji."

"And they did this?" cried Mohammed, forgetting all proper
reverence, and speaking to the men in the presence of the governor.