“Kàhpe-oghlou pezevènk!” said the Pasha, in an angry tone, looking towards his interpreter. (The words are untranslatable to ears polite, although they may fall from a Turk fifty times in a day. They may be rendered in this case, “The infernal scoundrel!”) “One more question,” he added, “I would beg to ask the young lady. You say that the youth you call Hassan jumped alone on the deck of the other boat; how many men might there be on the deck at the time?”
“I did not count them; there might be eight or ten; some were pulling at a rope on shore.”
“And how is it they did not drive him back, and prevent him from striking the _kawàss_?”
“I cannot tell; I saw them strike at him on all sides, but it seems they had not power to stop him, for he reached the _kawàss_, broke his sword, and beat him down before jumping into the canal.”
“Ajàib!—wonderful!” said the Viceroy, turning to his dragoman. “What a tale is this; and if it be true, what dirt have these lying dogs been eating?” As he spoke, he pointed again to the letter he held in his hand.
“The Viceroy is astonished at your tale,” said the interpreter, addressing Emily; “it differs so entirely from the report sent to him by the _kawàss_.”
“I grant that it seems improbable,” said Emily, slightly colouring; “but as I own that I was very much frightened, if his Highness thinks that I have stated anything incorrectly, it is easy to know the truth. The _rais_ of our boat was close beside me all the time, and saw what passed; let the Pasha send for him and make him relate what he saw.”
When this was translated to the Viceroy, his eyes sparkled again, and he said, turning to Mr Thorpe, “The young lady is fit to be a cadi; by Allah! with your leave, it shall be as she says.”
“By all means,” replied Mr Thorpe; “let the _rais_ be brought before his Highness immediately.”
Demetri, having been sent down to the boat, returned in a few minutes with the _rais_, whose relation of the circumstances differed in no essential particular from that made by Emily.
“Mashallah!” said the Viceroy, “it is wonderful; with Mr Thorpe’s permission I should like to see and question this youth.”
Mr Thorpe having signified his acquiescence, Demetri was again sent to the boat, and soon returned, accompanied by Hassan.