"The Grand Vizier must die," he answered. "As for Abdullah, he may
remain alive, but he must be banished." After all, Abdullah had done no
harm to Guel-Bejaze.
Sulali returned to the Seraglio.
"Halil permits the Chief Mufti to live, but he demands death for the
three others," said he.
At these words Achmed sprang from the divan like a lion brought to bay
and drew his sword.
"Come hither, then, valiant rebels, as ye are!" cried he. "If you want
the heads of my servants, come for them, and take them from me. No, not
a drop of their blood will I give you, and if you dare to come for them
ye shall see that the sword of Mohammed has still an edge upon it.
Unfurl the banner of the Prophet in front of the gate of the Seraglio.
Let all true believers cleave to me. Send criers into all the streets to
announce that the Seraglio is in danger, and let all to whom the
countenance of Allah is dear hasten to the defence of the Banner! I will
collect the bostanjis and defend the gates of the Seraglio."
The two grey beards kissed the Sultan's hand. If this manly burst of
emotion had only come a little earlier, the page of history would have
borne a very different record of Sultan Achmed.
The Banner of Danger was immediately hung out in the central gate of the
Seraglio, and there it remained till early the next evening.
At dawn the criers returned and reported that they had not been able to
get beyond the mosque of St. Sophia, and that the people had responded
to their crying with showers of stones.
Pages:
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133