“The sultan, the Lord of Life, has sent this to you, O pacha! as a proof of his indulgence and great mercy.” And the capidji bachi produced a silken bowstring, and at the same time he handed the fatal scroll to the pacha.
“Mustapha,” whispered the pacha, “while I read this, collect my guards; I will resist. I fear not the sultan at this distance, and I can soften him by presents.”
But Mustapha had no such fellow feeling. “O pacha!” replied he, “who can dispute the will of heaven’s vice-gerent? There is but one God and Mahomet is his Prophet.”
“I will dispute it,” exclaimed the pacha. “Go out, and call my trustiest guards.”
Mustapha left the divan, and returned with the mutes and some of the guards, who had been suborned by himself.
“Traitor,” exclaimed the pacha.
“La Allah, il Allah; there is but one God,” said Mustapha.
The pacha saw that he was sacrificed. He read the firman, pressed it to his forehead, in token of obedience, and prepared for death. The capidji bachi produced another firman, and presented it to Mustapha. It was to raise him to the pachalik.
“Barik Allah, praise be to God for all things,” humbly observed Mustapha. “What am I but the sultan’s slave, and to execute his orders? On my head be it!”
Mustapha gave the sign, and the mutes seized the unfortunate pacha.