"Submission to you!" exclaimed the sheik, with a contemptuous
glance.

Mohammed's eyes flashed fiercely, as he placed his hand
threateningly on his pistol.

"Yes, you the sheik, must yield to me. See! there are the others who
dared to revolt. -Guard the sheik well, you men; the ulemas also!"

The latter had now approached, accompanied by the soldiers, and
Mohammed informed them that he, in the name of the tschorbadji,
insisted upon their gathering in the taxes.

"We cannot and will not do it!" answered the sheik, proudly. "It is
an injustice to demand the double tax, and it, would be folly to pay
it. It is our duty to protect the community, and we will do it!"

"Well, do as you will!" cried Mohammed, with flashing eyes. "Who
dares to preach rebellion shall surely die!--Hold fast these rebels,
my men, bind their hands behind their backs with their own scarfs,
and lead them to the governor's house. There let their heads fall,
that all may know how justice punishes the rebellious."

"Help! help!" cried the sheik and the ulemas. "Help!"

Their cries resounded far and wide, and, while the soldiers were
binding the ulemas and the sheik with their own scarfs, the armed
people came pressing forward to the open door of the mosque.