"By whom captured?" asked the general in alarm.
"By Janizaries."
Castriot smiled, and asked, "It is certain he was not slain?"
"Certain, Sire, for Ino saw him being taken away."
"Let the prisoner lie there until Captain Constantine returns."
The morning found Amesa still bound. No one had been allowed to speak to him, nor he to utter a word.
During Castriot's absence from the tent not one approached it; only the guard patrolled at the distance of a couple of rods.
"The torture of such a villain's thoughts will be more cruel than our taunts or swords. Let him lie there, and tear himself with his own devil claws!" had been Castriot's order.
Toward noon the camp rang with cheers. Scouts reported that Constantine had escaped, and was returning. Castriot alone seemed unsurprised, though gratified with the news. He went to the edge of the camp to meet him.
"Well, my boy, your brother was not so well pleased with your looks, and let you go sooner than I thought he would. I expected you not until to-night."