"What else would they have?" asked he.
"Nothing but chance to show their gratitude by valiant service," was the reply.
"This they shall have, with you to lead them," putting his hand on the young officer's shoulder.
"Nay, Sire, I may not supplant those who are my superiors by virtue of service already rendered."
"But I command it. The corps shall to-morrow be put under your orders as their chief Aga."
"I beg your Majesty to desist from this purpose," said Ballaban. "The spirit of the corps, its efficiency, depends upon the strictest observance of the ancient rules of Orchan and Aladdin. By them we have been made what we are."
"But," cried Mahomet angrily, "there shall be no other will than mine throughout the army."
"I would have no other will than thine, Sire," was the response; "but it were well if your will should be to leave the Janizaries' rule untouched."
"You young rebel!" cried Mahomet, half vexed yet half pleased as, bursting into a laugh, he dashed over the face of his friend a jar of iced sherbet which was upon a lacquered stand at his side.
"You may thank the devil that it wasn't the arrow I once shot you with," said the playful tyrant, as Ballaban jumped to his feet.