new moon, the eve of which was at hand. And it happened on that said
eve that Iskander calling to mind his contract with the Turkish prince
made in the gardens of the Seraglio at Adrianople, and believing from
the superstitious character of Mahomed that he would not fail to be at
the appointed spot, resolved, as we have seen, to repair to the
fountain of Kallista.

And now from that fountain the hero retired, bearing with him a prize
scarcely less precious than the freedom of his country, for which he
was to combat on the morrow's morn.

Ere the dawn had broken, the Christian power was in motion. Iskander
commanded the centre, Hunniades the right wing. The left was entrusted
at his urgent request to the Prince of Athens. A mist that hung about
the plain allowed Nicaeus to charge the right wing of the Turks almost
unperceived. He charged with irresistible fury, and soon disordered
the ranks of the Moslemin. Mahomed with the reserve hastened to their
aid. A mighty multitude of Janissaries, shouting the name of Allah and
his Prophet, penetrated the Christian centre. Hunniades endeavoured to
attack them on their flank, but was himself charged by the Turkish
cavalry. The battle was now general, and raged with terrible fury.
Iskander had secreted in his centre, a new and powerful battery of
cannon, presented to him by the Pope, and which had just arrived from
Venice. This battery played upon the Janissaries with great
destruction. He himself mowed them down with his irresistible
scimitar. Infinite was the slaughter! awful the uproar! But of all
the Christian knights this day, no one performed such mighty feats of
arms as the Prince of Athens. With a reckless desperation he dashed
about the field, and everything seemed to yield to his inspired
impulse. His example animated his men with such a degree of