"So I did," protested the orphan.
"Silence!" roared the bashaw, "you have made us eat nothing but dirt. You know you stole it."
Then turning to the rightful owner of the instrument, he said to him—
"Kallum Beg, the flute is yours. Still as you contradicted me in the open court, declaring it to be your property, when I had declared it to be the property of another, you are fined fifty sequins."
The Turk grunted, and shrugged his shoulders, for each of which offences he was instantly fined an additional fifty sequins, making a hundred and fifty. There being no appeal, the fine was paid and Kallum Beg received his flute.
"And now," continued the bashaw, "let that unbelieving dog receive twenty strokes of the bastinado, on the soles of his feet."
In an instant the orphan was jerked off his legs, and placed flat on the ground.
The executioner stepped forward, and having removed his slippers, flourished his cane.
"Begin," cried the judge.
Swish fell the bamboo upon the orphan's naked feet.