of Karam Bey.

The arrival of Iskander diffused great joy among the soldiery; and as
he passed through the encampment, the exclamations of the Turkish
warriors announced how ready they were to be led to the charge by a
chieftain who had been ever successful. A guard of honour, by the
orders of Karam Bey, advanced to conduct Iskander to his presence; and
soon, entering the pavilion, the Grecian prince exchanged courtesies
with the Turkish general. After the formal compliments had passed,
Karam Bey waved his hand, and the pavilion was cleared, with the
exception of Mousa, the chief secretary, and favourite of Karam.

"You have arrived in good time, Iskander, to assist in the destruction
of the Christian dogs," said the Bey. "Flushed with their accursed
success, they have advanced too far. Twice they have endeavoured to
penetrate the mountains; and each time they have been forced to retire,
with great loss. The passages are well barricadoed with timber and
huge fragments of rock. The dogs have lost all heart, and are sinking
under the joint sufferings of hunger and cold. Our scouts tell me they
exhibit symptoms of retreat. We must rush down from the mountains, and
annihilate them."

"Is Hunniades here in person?" inquired Iskander.

"He is here," replied Karam, "in person, the dog of dogs! Come,
Iskander, his head would be a fine Ramadan present to Amurath. 'Tis a
head worth three tails, I guess."

Mousa, the chief secretary, indulged in some suppressed laughter at
this joke. Iskander smiled.