THE RISE OF ISKANDER

By Benjamin Disraeli

CHAPTER 1

The sun had set behind the mountains, and the rich plain of Athens wassuffused with the violet glow of a Grecian eye. A light breeze rose; theolive-groves awoke from their noonday trance, and rustled with returninganimation, and the pennons of the Turkish squadron, that lay at anchorin the harbour of Piræus, twinkled in the lively air. From one gateof the city the women came forth in procession to the fountain; fromanother, a band of sumptuous horsemen sallied out, and threw theirwanton javelins in the invigorating sky, as they galloped over theplain. The voice of birds, the buzz of beauteous insects, the breath offragrant flowers, the quivering note of the nightingale, the patteringcall of the grasshopper, and the perfume of the violet, shrinking fromthe embrace of the twilight breeze, filled the purple air with music andwith odour. 

A solitary being stood upon the towering crag of the Acropolis, amidthe ruins of the Temple of Minerva, and gazed upon the inspiring scene. Around him rose the matchless memorials of antique art; immortal columnswhose symmetry baffles modern proportion, serene Caryatides, bearingwith greater grace a graceful burthen, carvings of delicate precision, and friezes breathing with heroic life. Apparently the stranger, thoughhabited as a Moslemin, was not insensible to the genius of the locality, nor indeed would his form and countenance have misbecome a contemporaryof Pericles and Phidias. In the prime of life and far above the commonstature, but with a frame the muscular power of which was even exceededby its almost ideal symmetry, white forehead, his straight profile, hisoval countenance, and his curling lip, exhibited the same visage thathad inspired the sculptor of the surrounding demigods. 

The dress of the stranger, although gorgeous, was, however, certainlynot classic. A crimson shawl was wound round his head and glittered witha trembling aigrette of diamonds. His vest which set tight to his form, was of green velvet, richly embroidered with gold and pearls. Over thishe wore a very light jacket of crimson velvet, equally embroidered, andlined with sable. He wore also the full white camese common among theAlbanians; and while his feet were protected by sandals, the lower partof his legs was guarded by greaves of embroidered green velvet. Froma broad belt of scarlet leather peeped forth the jewelled hilts ofa variety of daggers, and by his side was an enormous scimitar, in ascabbard of chased silver. 

The stranger gazed upon the wide prospect before him with an air ofpensive abstraction. "Beautiful Greece, " he exclaimed, "thou art stillmy country. A mournful lot is mine, a strange and mournful lot, yet notuncheered by hope. I am at least a warrior; and this arm, though trainedto war against thee, will not well forget, in the quick hour of battle, the blood that flows within it. Themistocles saved Greece and dieda Satrap: I am bred one, let me reverse our lots, and die at least apatriot. "

At this moment the Evening Hymn to the Virgin arose from a neighbouringconvent. The stranger started as the sacred melody floated towardshim, and taking a small golden cross from his heart, he kissed it withdevotion, and then descending the steep of the citadel, entered thecity. 

He proceeded alone the narrow winding streets of Athens until he atlength arrived in front of a marble palace, in the construction of whichthe architect had certainly not consulted the surrounding models whichTime bad spared to him, but which, however, it might have offendeda classic taste, presented altogether a magnificent appearance. Half-a-dozen guards, whose shields and helmets somewhat oddly contrastedwith the two pieces of cannon, one of which was ostentatiously placed oneach side of the portal, and which had been presented to the Prince ofAthens by the Republic of Venice, lounged before the entrance, and paidtheir military homage to the stranger as he passed them. He passedthem and entered a large quadrangular garden, surrounded by arcades, supported by a considerable number of thin, low pillars, of barbarousworkmanship, and various-coloured marbles. In the midst of the gardenrose a fountain, whence the bubbling waters flowed in artificialchannels through vistas of orange and lemon trees. By the side of thefountain on a luxurious couch, his eyes fixed upon a richly-illuminatedvolume, reposed Nicæus, the youthful Prince of Athens. 

"Ah! is it you?" said the Prince, looking up with a smile, as thestranger advanced. "You have arrived just in time to remind me that wemust do something more than read the Persæ, we must act it. "

"My dear Nicæus, " replied the stranger, "I have arrived only to bid youfarewell. "

"Farewell!" exclaimed the Prince in a tone of surprise and sorrow; andhe rose from the couch. "Why! what is this?"

"It is too true;" said the stranger, and he led the way down one of thewalks. "Events have occurred which entirely baffle all our plans andprospects, and place me in a position as difficult as it is harrowing. Hunniades has suddenly crossed the Danube in great force, and carriedeverything before him. I am ordered to proceed to Albania instantly, andto repair to the camp at the head of the Epirots. "

"Indeed!" said Nicæus, with a thoughtful air. "My letters did notprepare me for this. 'Tis sudden! Is Amurath himself in the field?"

"No; Karam Bey commands. I have accounted for my delay to the Sultan bypretended difficulties in our treaty, and have held out the prospect ofa larger tribute. "

"When we are plotting that that tribute should be paid no longer!" addedNicæus, with a smile. 

"Alas! my dear friend, " replied the Turkish commander, "my situationhas now become critical. Hitherto my services for the Moslemin have beenconfined to acting against nations of their own faith. I am now suddenlysummoned to combat against my secret creed, and the best allies of whatI must yet call my secret country. The movement, it appears to me, mustbe made now or never, and I cannot conceal from myself, that it nevercould have been prosecuted under less auspicious circumstances. "

"What, you desponding!" exclaimed Nicæus; "then I must despair. Yoursanguine temper has alone supported me throughout all our dangeroushopes. "

"And Æschylus?" said the stranger, smiling. 

"And Æschylus, certainly, " replied Nicæus; "but I have lived to findeven Æschylus insipid. I pant for action. "

"It may be nearer than we can foresee, " replied the stranger. "There isa God who fashions all things. He will not desert a righteous cause. He knoweth that my thoughts are as pure as my situation is difficult. Ihave some dim ideas still brooding in my mind, but we will not discussthem now. I must away, dear Prince. The breeze serves fairly. Have youever seen Hunniades?"

"I was educated at the Court of Transylvania, " replied Nicæus, looking down with a somewhat embarrassed air. "He is a famous knight, Christendom's chief bulwark. "

The Turkish commander sighed. "When we meet again, " he said, "may wemeet with brighter hopes and more buoyant spirits. At present, I must, indeed, say farewell. "

The Prince turned with a dejected countenance, and pressed hiscompanion to his heart. "'Tis a sad end, " said he, "to all our happyhours and lofty plans. "

"You are as yet too young to quarrel with Fortune, " replied thestranger, "and for myself, I have not yet settled my accounts with her. However, for the present farewell, dear Nicæus!"

"Farewell, " replied the Prince of Athens, "farewell, dear Iskander!"

CHAPTER 2

Iskander was the youngest son of the Prince of Epirus, who, with theother Grecian princes, had, at the commencement of the reign of Amuraththe Second, in vain resisted the progress of the Turkish arms in Europe. The Prince of Epirus had obtained peace by yielding his four sons ashostages to the Turkish sovereign, who engaged that they should beeducated in all the accomplishments of their rank, and with a duedeference to their faith. On the death of the Prince of Epirus, however, Amurath could not resist the opportunity that then offered itselfof adding to his empire the rich principality he had long coveted. ATurkish force instantly marched into Epirus, and seized upon Croia, thecapital city, and the children of its late ruler were doomed to death. The beauty, talents, and valour of the youngest son, saved him, however, from the fate of his poisoned brothers. Iskander was educated atAdrianople, in the Moslemin faith, and as he, at a very early age, exceeded in feats of arms all the Moslemin warriors, he became a primefavourite of the Sultan, and speedily rose in his service to the highestrank. 

At this period the irresistible progress of the Turkish arms was thesubject of alarm throughout all Christendom. 

Constantinople, then the capital of the Greek Empire, had already beenmore than once besieged by the predecessors of Amurath, and had onlybeen preserved by fortunate accidents and humiliating terms. The despotsof Bosnia, Servia, and Bulgaria, and the Grecian princes of Etolia, Macedon, Epirus, Athens, Phocis, Boeotia, and indeed of all the regionsto the straits of Corinth, were tributaries to Amurath, and the rest ofEurope was only preserved from his grasp by the valour of the Hungariansand the Poles, whom a fortunate alliance had now united under thesovereignty of Uladislaus, who, incited by the pious eloquence of thecardinal of St. Angelo, the legate of the Pope, and, yielding to thetears and supplications of the despot of Servia, had, at the time ourstory opens, quitted Buda, at the head of an immense army, crossed theDanube, and, joining his valiant viceroy, the famous John Hunniades, vaivode of Transylvania, defeated the Turks with great slaughter, relieved all Bulgaria, and pushed on to the base of Mount Hæmus, knownin modern times as the celebrated Balkan. Here the Turkish general, Karam Bey, awaited the Christians, and hither to his assistance wasIskander commanded to repair at the head of a body of Janissaries, whohad accompanied him to Greece, and the tributary Epirots. 

Had Iskander been influenced by vulgar ambition, his loftiest desiresmight have been fully gratified by the career which Amurath projectedfor him. The Turkish Sultan destined for the Grecian Prince the handof one of his daughters, and the principal command of his armies. Helavished upon him the highest dignities and boundless wealth; and, whether it arose from a feeling of remorse, or of affection for awarrior whose unexampled valour and unrivalled skill had already addedsome of the finest provinces of Asia to his rule, it is certain thatIskander might have exercised over Amurath a far greater degree ofinfluence than was enjoyed by any other of his courtiers. But the heartof Iskander responded with no sympathy to these flattering favours. His Turkish education could never eradicate from his memory theconsciousness that he was a Greek; and although he was brought up inthe Moslemin faith, he had at an early period of his career, secretlyrecurred to the creed of his Christian fathers. He beheld in Amurath themurderer of his dearest kinsmen, and the oppressor of his country; andalthough a certain calmness of temper, and coolness of judgment, whichvery early developed themselves in his character, prevented him fromever giving any indication of his secret feelings, Iskander had longmeditated on the exalted duty of freeing his country. 

Dispatched to Greece, to arrange the tributes and the treaties of theGrecian princes, Iskander became acquainted with the young Nicæus;and their acquaintance soon matured into friendship. Nicæus wasinexperienced; but nature had not intended him for action. The youngPrince of Athens would loll by the side of a fountain, and dream of thewonders of old days. Surrounded by his eunuchs, his priests, and hiscourtiers, he envied Leonidas, and would have emulated Themistocles. Hewas passionately devoted to the ancient literature of his country, andhad the good taste, rare at that time, to prefer Demosthenes and Lysiasto Chrysostom and Gregory, and the choruses of the Grecian theatre tothe hymns of the Greek church. The sustained energy and noble simplicityof the character of Iskander, seemed to recall to the young prince theclassic heroes over whom he was so often musing, while the enthusiasmand fancy of Nicæus, and all that apparent weakness of will, and thosequick vicissitudes of emotion, to which men of a fine susceptibility aresubject, equally engaged the sympathy of the more vigorous and constantand experienced mind of his companion. 

To Nicæus, Iskander had, for the first time in his life, confided muchof his secret heart; and the young Prince fired at the inspiring tale. Often they consulted over the fortunes of their country, and, excitedby their mutual invention, at length even dared to hope that they mighteffect its deliverance, when Iskander was summoned to the army. It wasa mournful parting. Both of them felt that the last few months oftheir lives had owed many charms to their companionship. The parting offriends, united by sympathetic tastes, is always painful; and friends, unless this sympathy subsist, had much better never meet. Iskanderstepped into the ship, sorrowful, but serene; Nicæus returned to hispalace moody and fretful; lost his temper with his courtiers, and, whenhe was alone, even shed tears. 

CHAPTER 3

Three weeks bad elapsed since the parting of Iskander and Nicæus, whenthe former, at the head of ten thousand men, entered by a circuitousroute the defiles of Mount Hæmus, and approached the Turkish camp, whichhad been pitched, upon a vast and elevated table-ground, commandedon all sides by superior heights, which, however, were fortified andwell-garrisoned by Janissaries. The Epirots halted, and immediatelyprepared to raise their tents, while their commander, attended by a fewof his officers, instantly proceeded to the pavilion of Karam Bey. 

The arrival of Iskander diffused great joy among the soldiery; and as hepassed through the encampment, the exclamations of the Turkish warriorsannounced how ready they were to be led to the charge by a chieftain whohad been ever successful. A guard of honour, by the orders of Karam Bey, advanced to conduct Iskander to his presence; and soon, entering thepavilion, the Grecian prince exchanged courtesies with the Turkishgeneral. After the formal compliments had passed, Karam Bey waved hishand, and the pavilion was cleared, with the exception of Mousa, thechief secretary, and favourite of Karam. 

"You have arrived in good time, Iskander, to assist in the destructionof the Christian dogs, " said the Bey. "Flushed with their accursedsuccess, they have advanced too far. Twice they have endeavoured topenetrate the mountains; and each time they have been forced to retire, with great loss. The passages are well barricadoed with timber and hugefragments of rock. The dogs have lost all heart, and are sinking underthe joint sufferings of hunger and cold. Our scouts tell me theyexhibit symptoms of retreat. We must rush down from the mountains, andannihilate them. "

"Is Hunniades here in person?" inquired Iskander. 

"He is here, " replied Karam, "in person, the dog of dogs! Come, Iskander, his head would be a fine Ramadan present to Amurath. 'Tis ahead worth three tails, I guess. "

Mousa, the chief secretary, indulged in some suppressed laughter at thisjoke. Iskander smiled. 

"If they retreat we must assuredly attack them, " observed Iskander, musingly. "I have a persuasion that Hunniades and myself will soonmeet. "

"If there be truth in the Prophet!" exclaimed Karam. "I have no doubtof it. Hunniades is reserved for you, Bey. We shall hold up our heads atcourt yet, Iskander. You have had letters lately?"

"Some slight words. "

"No mention of us, of course?"

"Nothing, except some passing praise of your valour and discretion. "

"We do our best, we do our best. Will Isa Bey have Ætolia, think you?"

"I have no thoughts. Our royal father will not forget his children, andIsa Bey is a most valiant chieftain. "

"You heard not that he was coming here?" inquired Karam. 

"Have you?" responded the cautious Iskander. 

"A rumour, a rumour, " replied Karam. "He is at Adrianople, think you?"

"It may be so: I am, you know, from Athens. "

"True, true. We shall beat them, Iskander, we shall beat them. "

"For myself, I feel sanguine, " replied the Prince, and he arose toretire. "I must at present to my men. We must ascertain more accuratelythe movements of the Christians before we decide on our own. I aminclined myself to reconnoitre them. How far may it be?"

"There is not room to form our array between them and the mountains, "replied Karam. 

"'Tis well. Success attend the true believers! By to-morrow's dawn weshall know more. "

CHAPTER 4

Iskander returned to his men. Night was coming on. Fires and lightsblazed and sparkled in every direction. The air was clear, but verycold. He entered his tent, and muffling himself up in his pelisse ofsables, he mounted his horse, and declining any attendance, rode forsome little distance, until he had escaped from the precincts of thecamp. Then he turned his horse towards one of the wildest passes ofthe mountain, and galloping at great speed, never stopped until he hadgained a considerable ascent. The track became steep and rugged. Themasses of loose stone rendered his progress slow; but his Anatoliancharger still bore him at intervals bravely, and in three hours' time hehad gained the summit of Mount Hæmus. A brilliant moon flooded the broadplains of Bulgaria with shadowy light. At the base of the mountainousrange, the red watch-fires denoted the situation of the Christian camp. 

Iskander proceeded down the descent with an audacious rapidity; but hischarger was thorough-bred, and his moments were golden. Ere midnight, hehad reached the outposts of the enemy, and was challenged by a sentinel. 

"Who goes there?"

"A friend to Christendom. "

"The word?"

"I have it not--nay calmly. I am alone, but I am not unarmed. I do notknow the word. I come from a far country, and bear important tidings tothe great Hunniades; conduct me to that chief. "

"May I be crucified if I will, " responded the sentinel, "before I knowwho and what you are. Come, keep off, unless you wish to try the effectof a Polish lance, " continued the sentinel; "'tis something, I assureyou, not less awkward than your Greek fire, if Greek indeed you be. "

"My friend, you are a fool, " said Iskander, "but time is too preciousto argue any longer. " So saying, the Turkish commander dismounted, andtaking up the brawny sentinel in his arms with the greatest ease, threw him over his shoulder, and threatening the astounded soldier withinstant death if he struggled, covered him with his pelisse, and enteredthe camp. 

They approached a watch-fire, around which several soldiers were warmingthemselves. 

"Who goes there?" inquired a second sentinel. 

"A friend to Christendom, " answered Iskander. 

"The word?"

Iskander hesitated. 

"The word, or I'll let fly, " said the sentinel, elevating his cross bow. 

"The Bridge of Buda, " instantly replied the terrified prisoner beneaththe pelisse of Iskander. 

"Why did not you answer before, then?" said one of the guards. 

"And why do you mock us by changing your voice?" said another. "Come, get on with you, and no more jokes. "

Iskander proceeded through a street of tents, in some of which werelights, but all of which were silent. At length, he met the esquire of aPolish knight returning from a convivial meeting, not a little elevated. 

"Who are you?" inquired Iskander. 

"I am an Esquire, " replied the gentleman. 

"A shrewd man, I doubt not, who would make his fortune, " repliedIskander. "You must know great things have happened. Being on guardI have taken a prisoner, who has deep secrets to divulge to the LordHunniades. Thither, to his pavilion, I am now bearing him. But he is astout barbarian, and almost too much for me. Assist me in carrying himto the pavilion of Hunniades, and you shall have all the reward, andhalf the fame. "

"You are a very civil spoken young gentleman, " said the Esquire. "Ithink I know your voice. Your name, if I mistake not, is Leckinski?"

"A relative. We had a common ancestor. "

"I thought so. I know the Leckinskies ever by their voice. I am freeto help you on the terms you mention--all the reward and half the fame. 'Tis a strong barbarian, is it? We cannot cut his throat, or it will notdivulge. All the reward and half the fame! I will be a knight to-morrow. It seems a sort of fish, and has a smell. "

The Esquire seized the Shoulders of the prisoner, who would have spokenhad he not been terrified by the threats of Iskander, who, carrying thelegs of the sentinel, allowed the Polish gentleman to lead the way tothe pavilion of Hunniades. Thither they soon arrived; and Iskander, dropping his burthen, and leaving the prisoner without to the charge ofhis assistant, entered the pavilion of the General of the Hungarians. 

He was stopped in a small outer apartment by an officer, who inquiredhis purpose, and to whom he repeated his desire to see the Hungarianleader, without loss of time, on important business. The officerhesitated; but, summoning several guards, left Iskander in theircustody, and, stepping behind a curtain, disappeared. Iskander heardvoices, but could distinguish no words. Soon the officer returned, and, ordering the guards to disarm and search Iskander, directed the GrecianPrince to follow him. Drawing aside the curtain, Iskander and hisattendant entered a low apartment of considerable size. It was hungwith skins. A variety of armour and dresses were piled on couches. Amiddle-aged man, of majestic appearance, muffled in a pelisse of furs, with long chestnut hair, and a cap of crimson velvet and ermine, waswalking up and down the apartment, and dictating some instructions to aperson who was kneeling on the ground, and writing by the bright flameof a brazen lamp. The bright flame of the blazing lamp fell full uponthe face of the secretary. Iskander beheld a most beautiful woman. 

She looked up as Iskander entered. Her large dark eyes glanced throughhis soul. Her raven hair descended to her shoulders in many curls oneach side of her face, and was braided with strings of immense pearls. A broad cap of white fox-skin crowned her whiter forehead. Her featureswere very small, but sharply moulded, and a delicate tint gave animationto her clear fair cheek. She looked up as Iskander entered, with an airrather of curiosity than embarrassment. 

Hunniades stopped, and examined his visitor with a searchinginquisition. "Whence come you?" inquired the Hungarian chieftain. 

"From the Turkish camp, " was the answer. 

"An envoy or a deserter?"

"Neither. "

"What then?"

"A convert. "

"Your name?"

"Lord Hunniades, " said Iskander, "that is for your private ear. I amunarmed, and were I otherwise, the first knight of Christendom canscarcely fear. I am one in birth and rank your equal; if not in fame, atleast, I trust, in honour. My time is all-precious: I can scarcely stayhere while my horse breathes. Dismiss your attendant. "

Hunniades darted a glance at his visitor which would have baffled aweaker brain, but Iskander stood the scrutiny calm and undisturbed. "Go, Stanislaus, " said the Vaivode to the officer. "This lady, sir, "continued the chieftain, "is my daughter, and one from whom I have nosecrets. "

Iskander bowed lowly as the officer disappeared. 

"And now, " said Hunniades, "to business. Your purpose?"

"I am a Grecian Prince, and a compulsory ally of the Moslemin. In aword, my purpose here is to arrange a plan by which we may effect, atthe same time, your triumph, and my freedom. "

"To whom, then, have I the honour of speaking?" inquired Hunniades. 

"My name, great Hunniades, is perhaps not altogether unknown to you:they call me Iskander. "

"What, the right arm of Amurath, the conqueror of Caramania, theflower of Turkish chivalry? Do I indeed behold that matchless warrior?"exclaimed Hunniades, and he held forth his hand to his guest, andungirding his own sword, offered it to the Prince. "Iduna" continuedHunniades, to his daughter, "you at length behold Iskander. "

"My joy is great, sir, " replied Iduna, "if I indeed rightly understandthat we may count the Prince Iskander a champion of the Cross. "

Iskander took from his heart his golden crucifix, and kissed it beforeher. "This has been my companion and consolation for long years, lady, "said Iskander; "you, perhaps, know my mournful history, Hunniades. Hitherto my pretended sovereign has not required me to bare my scimitaragainst my Christian brethren. That hour, however, has at lengtharrived, and it has decided me to adopt a line of conduct longmeditated. Karam Bey who is aware of your necessities, the moment youcommence your retreat, will attack you. I shall command his left wing. In spite of his superior power and position, draw up in array, and meethim with confidence. I propose, at a convenient moment in the day, towithdraw my troops, and with the Epirots hasten to my native country, and at once raise the standard of independence. It is a bold measure, but Success is the child of Audacity. We must assist each other withmutual diversions. Single-handed it is in vain for me to commence astruggle, which, with all adventitious advantages, will require theutmost exertion of energy, skill, and patience. But if yourself andthe King Uladislaus occupy the armies of Amurath in Bulgaria, I am notwithout hope of ultimate success, since I have to inspire me all themost urgent interests of humanity, and combat, at the same time, for myGod, my country, and my lawful crown. "

"Brave Prince, I pledge you my troth, " said Hunniades, coming forwardand seizing his hand; "and while Iskander and Hunniades live, they willnever cease until they have achieved their great and holy end. "

"It is a solemn compact, " said Iskander, "more sacred than if registeredby all the scribes of Christendom. Lady Iduna, your prayers!"

"They are ever with the champions of the Cross, " replied the daughterof Hunniades. She rose, the large cloak in which she was enveloped fellfrom her exquisite form. "Noble Iskander, this rosary is from the HolySepulchre, " continued Iduna; "wear it for the sake and memory of thatblessed Saviour who died for our sins. "

Iskander held forth his arm and touched her delicate hand as he receivedthe rosary, which, pressing to his lips, he placed round his neck. 

"Great Hunniades, " said the Grecian Prince, "I must cross the mountainsbefore dawn. Let me venture to entreat that we should hear to-morrowthat the Christian camp is in retreat. "

"Let it be even so, " said the Hungarian, after some thought, "and mayto-morrow's sun bring brighter days to Christendom. " And with thesewords terminated the brief and extraordinary visit of Iskander to theChristian general. 

CHAPTER 5

The intelligence of the breaking up of the Christian camp, and theretreat of the Christian army, soon reached the Divan of Karam Bey, whoimmediately summoned Iskander to consult on the necessary operations. The chieftains agreed that instant pursuit was indispensable, and soonthe savage Hæmus poured forth from its green bosom swarms of that lightcavalry which was perhaps even a more fatal arm of the Turkish powerthan the famous Janissaries themselves. They hovered on the rear of theretreating Christians, charged the wavering, captured the unwary. Itwas impossible to resist their sudden and impetuous movements, whichrendered their escape as secure as their onset was overwhelming. Weariedat length by the repeated assaults, Hunniades, who, attended by somechosen knights, had himself repaired to the rear, gave orders for thearmy to halt and offer battle. 

Their pursuers instantly withdrew to a distance, and gradually forminginto two divisions, awaited the arrival of the advancing army of theTurks. The Moslemin came forward in fierce array, and with the sanguinecourage inspired by expected triumph. Very conspicuous was Iskanderbounding in his crimson vest upon his ebon steed and waving his gleamingscimitar. 

The Janissaries charged, calling upon Allah! with an awful shout. TheChristian knights, invoking the Christian saints, received the Turksat the points of their lances. But many a noble lance was shivered thatmorn, and many a bold rider and worthy steed bit the dust of that field, borne down by the irresistible numbers of their fierce adversaries. Everywhere the balls and the arrows whistled through the air, andsometimes an isolated shriek heard amid the general clang, announcedanother victim to the fell and mysterious agency of the Greek fire. 

Hunniades, while he performed all the feats of an approved warrior, watched with anxiety the disposition of the Turkish troops. Hitherto, from the nature of their position, but a portion of both armies hadinterfered in the contest, and as yet Iskander had kept aloof. But now, as the battle each instant raged with more fury, and as it was evidentthat ere long the main force of both armies must be brought intocollision, Hunniades, with a terrible suspense, watched whether theGrecian prince were willing or even capable of executing his plan. Without this fulfilment, the Christian hero could not conceal fromhimself that the day must be decided against the Cross. 

In the meantime Iskander marked the course of events with not lesseagerness than Hunniades. Already Karam Bey had more than once summonedhim to bring the Epirots into action. He assented; but an hour passedaway without changing his position. At length, more from astonishmentthan rage, the Turkish commander sent his chief secretary Mousa himselfto impress his wishes upon his colleague, and obtain some explanationof his views and conduct. Mousa found Iskander surrounded by some of theprincipal Epirot nobles, all mounted on horseback, and standing calmlyunder a wide-spreading plane tree. The chief secretary of Karam Beywas too skilful a courtier to permit his countenance to express hisfeelings, and he delivered himself of a mission rather as if he had cometo request advice, than to communicate a reprimand. 

"Your master is a wise man, Mousa, " replied Iskander; "but evenKaram Bey may be mistaken. He deems that a battle is not to be won byloitering under a shadowy tree. Now I differ with him, and I even meanto win this day by such a piece of truancy. However, it may certainlynow be time for more active work. You smile encouragement, good Mousa. Giorgio, Demetrius, to your duty!"

At these words, two stout Epirots advanced to the unfortunate secretary, seized and bound him, and placed him on horseback before one of theircomrades. 

"Now all who love their country follow me!" exclaimed Iskander. Sosaying, and at the head of five thousand horsemen, Iskander quitted thefield at a rapid pace. 

CHAPTER 6

With incredible celerity Iskander and his cavalry dashed over the plainsof Roumelia, and never halted, except for short and hurried intervalsof rest and repose, until they had entered the mountainous borders ofEpirus, and were within fifty miles of its capital, Croia. On the eveof entering the kingdom of his fathers, Iskander ordered his guardsto produce the chief secretary of Karam Bey. Exhausted with fatigue, vexation, and terror, the disconsolate Mousa was led forward. 

"Cheer up, worthy Mousa!" said Iskander, lying his length on the greenturf. "We have had a sharp ride; but I doubt not we shall soon findourselves, by the blessing of God, in good quarters. There is a city athand which they call Croia, and in which once, as the rumour runs, theson of my father should not have had to go seek for an entrance. Nomatter. Methinks, worthy Mousa, thou art the only man in our societythat can sign thy name. Come now, write me an order signed Karam Beyto the governor of this said city, for its delivery up to the valiantchampion of the Crescent, Iskander, and thou shalt ride in future at apace more suitable to a secretary. "

The worthy Mousa humbled himself to the ground, and then talking hiswriting materials from his girdle, inscribed the desired order, anddelivered it to Iskander, who, glancing at the inscription, pushed itinto his vest. 

"I shall proceed at once to Croia, with a few friends, " said Iskander;"do you, my bold companions, follow me this eve in various parties, and in various routes. At dead of the second night, collect in silencebefore the gates of Croia!"

Thus speaking, Iskander called for his now refreshed charger, and, accompanied by two hundred horsemen, bade farewell for a brief periodto his troops, and soon having crossed the mountains, descended into thefertile plains of Epirus. 

When the sun rose in the morning, Iskander and his friends beheld at thefurther end of the plain a very fine city shining in the light. It wassurrounded with lofty turreted walls flanked by square towers, and wasbuilt upon a gentle eminence, which gave it a very majestic appearance. Behind it rose a lofty range of purple mountains of very picturesqueform, and the highest peaks capped with snow. A noble lake, from whichtroops of wild fowl occasionally rose, expanded like a sheet of silveron one side of the city. The green breast of the contiguous hillssparkled with white houses. 

"Behold Croia!" exclaimed Iskander. "Our old fathers could choosea site, comrades. We shall see whether they expended their time andtreasure for strangers, or their own seed. " So saying, he spurred hishorse, and with panting hearts and smiling faces, Iskander and hiscompany had soon arrived in the vicinity of the city. 

The city was surrounded by a beautiful region of corn-fields andfruit-trees. The road was arched with the over-hanging boughs. The birdschirped on every spray. It was a blithe and merry morn. Iskander pluckeda bunch of olives as he cantered along. "Dear friends, " he said, lookinground with an inspiring smile, "let us gather our first harvest!" And, thereupon, each putting forth his rapid hand, seized, as he rushedby, the emblem of possession, and following the example of his leader, placed it in his cap. 

They arrived at the gates of the city, which was strongly garrisoned;and Iskander, followed by his train, galloped up the height of thecitadel. Alighting from his horse, he was ushered into the divan of thegovernor, an ancient Pacha, who received the conqueror of Caramania withall the respect that became so illustrious a champion of the Crescent. After the usual forms of ceremonious hospitality, Iskander, with acourteous air presented him the order for delivering up the citadel; andthe old Pacha, resigning himself to the loss of his post with Orientalsubmission, instantly delivered the keys of the citadel and town toIskander, and requested permission immediately to quit the scene of hislate command. 

Quitting the citadel, Iskander now proceeded through the whole town, andin the afternoon reviewed the Turkish garrison in the great square. Asthe late governor was very anxious to quit Croia that very day, Iskanderinsisted on a considerable portion of the garrison accompanying him as aguard of honour, and returning the next morning. The rest he divided inseveral quarters, and placed the gates in charge of his own companions. 

At midnight the Epirots, faithful to their orders, arrived and unitedbeneath the walls of the city, and after inter-changing the signalsagreed upon, the gates were opened. A large body instantly marchedand secured the citadel. The rest, conducted by appointed leaders, surrounded the Turks in their quarters. And suddenly, in the noon ofnight, in that great city, arose a clang so dreadful that people leaptup from their sleep and stared with stupor. Instantly the terrace ofevery house blazed with torches, and it became as light as day. Troopsof armed men were charging down the streets, brandishing their scimitarsand yataghans, and exclaiming, "The Cross, the Cross!" "Liberty!""Greece!" "Iskander and Epirus!" The townsmen recognised theircountrymen by their language and their dress. The name of Iskanderacted as a spell. They stopt not to inquire. A magic sympathy at oncepersuaded them that this great man had, by the grace of Heaven, recurredto the creed and country of his fathers. And so every townsman, seizingthe nearest weapon, with a spirit of patriotic frenzy, rushed intothe streets, crying out, "The Cross, the Cross!" "Liberty!" "Greece!""Iskander and Epirus!" Ay! even the women lost all womanly fears, and stimulated instead of soothing the impulse of their masters. Theyfetched them arms, they held the torches, they sent them forth with vowsand prayers and imprecations, their children clinging to their robes, and repeating with enthusiasm, phrases which they could not comprehend. 

The Turks fought with the desperation of men who feel that they arebetrayed, and must be victims. The small and isolated bodies were soonmassacred, all with cold steel, for at this time, although some of theterrible inventions of modern warfare were introduced, their use was notgeneral. The citadel, indeed, was fortified with cannon; but the greaterpart of the soldiery trusted to their crooked swords, and their unerringjavelins. The main force of the Turkish garrison had been quartered inan old palace of the Archbishop, situate in the middle of the city on aslightly rising and open ground, a massy building of rustic stone. Herethe Turks, although surrounded, defended themselves desperately, usingtheir cross bows with terrible effect; and hither, the rest of the citybeing now secured, Iskander himself repaired to achieve its completedeliverance. 

The Greeks had endeavoured to carry the principal entrance of the palaceby main force, but the strength of the portal had resisted their utmostexertions, and the arrows of the besieged had at length forced them toretire to a distance. Iskander directed that two pieces of cannon shouldbe dragged down from the citadel, and then played against the entrance. In the meantime, he ordered immense piles of damp faggots to be litbefore the building, the smoke of which prevented the besieged fromtaking any aim. The ardour of the people was so great that the cannonwere soon served against the palace, and their effects were speedilyremarked. The massy portal shook; a few blows of the battering ram, andit fell. The Turks sallied forth, were received with a shower of Greekfire, and driven in with agonising yells. Some endeavoured to escapefrom the windows, and were speared or cut down; some appeared wringingtheir hands in despair upon the terraced roof. Suddenly the palace wasannounced to be on fire. A tall white-blueish flame darted up from acloud of smoke, and soon, as if by magic, the whole back of the buildingwas encompassed with rising tongues of red and raging light. Amid aBabel of shrieks, and shouts, and cheers, and prayers, and curses, the roof of the palace fell in with a crash, which produced amid thebesiegers an awful and momentary silence, but in an instant they startedfrom their strange inactivity, and rushing forward, leapt into thesmoking ruins, and at the same time completed the massacre and achievedtheir freedom. 

CHAPTER 7

At break of dawn Iskander sent couriers throughout all Epirus, announcing the fall of Croia, and that he had raised the standardof independence in his ancient country. He also despatched a trustymessenger to Prince Nicæus at Athens, and to the great Hunniades. The people were so excited throughout all Epirus, at this great andunthought-of intelligence, that they simultaneously rose in all the opencountry, and massacred the Turks, and the towns were only restrained ina forced submission to Amurath, by the strong garrisons of the Sultan. 

Now Iskander was very anxious to effect the removal of these garrisonswithout loss of time, in order that if Amurath sent a great poweragainst him, as he expected, the invading army might have nothing torely upon but its own force, and that his attention might not in any waybe diverted from effecting their overthrow. Therefore, as soon as histroops had rested, and he had formed his new recruits into some order, which, with their willing spirits, did not demand many days, Iskanderset out from Croia, at the head of twelve thousand men, and marchedagainst the strong city of Petrella, meeting in his way the remainder ofthe garrison of Croia on their return, who surrendered themselves to himat discretion. Petrella was only one day's march from Croia, and whenIskander arrived there he requested a conference with the governor, andtold his tale so well, representing the late overthrow of the Turks byHunniades, and the incapacity of Amurath at present to relieve him, that the Turkish commander agreed to deliver up the place, and leave thecountry with his troops, particularly as the alternative of Iskander tothese easy terms was ever conquest without quarter. And thus, by a happymixture of audacity and adroitness, the march of Iskander throughoutEpirus was rather like a triumph than a campaign, the Turkish garrisonsimitating, without any exception, the conduct of their comrades atPetrella, and dreading the fate of their comrades at the capital. Inless than a month Iskander returned to Epirus, having delivered thewhole country from the Moslemin yoke. 

Hitherto Iskander had heard nothing either of Hunniades or Nicæus. Helearnt, therefore, with great interest, as he passed through thegates of the city, that the Prince of Athens had arrived at Croiathe preceding eve, and also that his messenger had returned fromthe Hungarian camp. Amid the acclamations of an enthusiastic people, Iskander once more ascended the citadel of Croia. Nicæus received him atthe gate. Iskander sprang from his horse, and embraced his friend. Hand in hand, and followed by their respective trains, they entered thefortress palace. 

"Dear friend, " said Iskander, when they were once more alone, "you seewe were right not to despair. Two months have scarcely elapsed since weparted without prospect, or with the most gloomy one, and now we are ina fair way of achieving all that we can desire. Epirus is free!"

"I came to claim my share in its emancipation, " said Nicæus, with asmile, "but Iskander is another Cæsar!"

"You will have many opportunities yet, believe me, Nicæus, of provingyour courage and your patriotism, " replied Iskander; "Amurath will neverallow this affair to pass over in this quiet manner. I did not commencethis struggle without a conviction that it would demand all the energyand patience of a long life. I shall be rewarded if I leave freedomas an heritage to my countrymen; but for the rest, I feel that I bidfarewell to every joy of life, except the ennobling consciousness ofperforming a noble duty. In the meantime, I understand a messengerawaits me here from the great Hunniades. Unless that shield ofChristendom maintain himself in his present position, our chance ofultimate security is feeble. With his constant diversion in Bulgaria, we may contrive here to struggle into success. You sometimes laugh atmy sanguine temper, Nicæus. To say the truth, I am more serene thansanguine, and was never more conscious of the strength of my opponentthan now, when it appears that I have beaten him. Hark! the peoplecheer. I love the people, Nicæus, who are ever influenced by genuine andgenerous feelings. They cheer as if they had once more gained a country. Alas! they little know what they must endure even at the best. Nay!look not gloomy; we have done great things, and will do more. Who waitswithout there? Demetrius! Call the messenger from Lord Hunniades. "

An Epirot bearing a silken packet was now introduced, which he deliveredto Iskander. Reverently touching the hand of his chieftain, themessenger then kissed his own and withdrew. Iskander broke the seal, anddrew forth a letter from the silken cover. 

"So! this is well!" exclaimed the prince, with great animation, as hethrew his quick eye over the letter. "As I hoped and deemed, a mostcomplete victory. Karam Bey himself a prisoner, baggage, standards, great guns, treasure. Brave soldier of the Cross! (may I prove so!) Yourperfectly-devised movement, (poh, poh!) Hah! what is this?" exclaimedIskander, turning pale; his lip quivered, his eye looked dim. He walkedto an arched window. His companion, who supposed that he was reading, did not disturb him. 

"Poor, poor Hunniades!" at length exclaimed Iskander, shaking his head. 

"What of him?" inquired Nicæus, quickly. 

"The sharpest accident of war!" replied Iskander. "It quite clouds myspirit. We must forget these things, we must forget. Epirus! he is nota patriot who can spare a thought from thee. And yet, so young, sobeautiful, so gifted, so worthy of a hero! when I saw her by her greatfather's side, sharing his toils, aiding his councils, supplying hisnecessities, methought I gazed upon a ministering angel! upon--"

"Stop, stop in mercy's name, Iskander!" exclaimed Nicæus, in a veryagitated tone. "What is all this? Surely no, surely not, surely Iduna--"

"'Tis she!"

"Dead?" exclaimed Nicæus, rushing up to his companion, and seizing hisarm. 

"Worse, much worse!"

"God of Heaven!" exclaimed the young Prince, with almost a frantic air. "Tell me all, tell me all! This suspense fires my brain. Iskander, youknow not what this woman is to me; the sole object of my being, thebane, the blessing of my life! Speak, dear friend, speak! I beseech you!Where is Iduna?"

"A prisoner to the Turk. "

"Iduna a prisoner to the Turk. I'll not believe it! Why do we wearswords? Where's chivalry? Iduna, a prisoner to the Turk! 'Tis false. Itcannot be. Iskander, you are a coward! I am a coward! All are cowards! Aprisoner to the Turk! Iduna! What, the Rose of Christendom! has it beenplucked by such a turbaned dog as Amurath? Farewell, Epirus! Farewell, classic Athens! Farewell, bright fields of Greece, and dreams that madethem brighter! The sun of all my joy and hope is set, and set for ever!"

So saying, Nicæus, tearing his hair and garments, flung himself upon thefloor, and hid his face in his robes. 

Iskander paced the room with a troubled step and thoughtful brow. Aftersome minutes he leant down by the Prince of Athens, and endeavoured toconsole him. 

"It is in vain, Iskander, it is in vain, " said Nicæus. "I wish to die. "

"Were I a favoured lover, in such a situation, " replied Iskander, "Ishould scarcely consider death my duty, unless the sacrifice of myselfpreserved my mistress. "

"Hah!" exclaimed Nicæus, starting from the ground. "Do you conceive, then, the possibility of rescuing her?"

"If she live, she is a prisoner in the Seraglio at Adrianople. You areas good a judge as myself of the prospect that awaits your exertions. It is, without doubt, a difficult adventure, but such, methinks, as aChristian knight should scarcely shun. "

"To horse;" exclaimed Nicæus, "to horse--And yet what can I do? Were shein any other place but the capital I might rescue her by force, but inthe heart of their empire, it is impossible. Is there no ransom that cantempt the Turk? My principality would rise in the balance beside thisjewel. "

"That were scarcely wise, and certainly not just, " replied Iskander;"but ransom will be of no avail. Hunniades has already offered torestore Karam Bey, and all the prisoners of rank, and the chieftrophies, and Amurath has refused to listen to any terms. The truth is, Iduna has found favour in the eyes of his son, the young Mahomed. "

"Holy Virgin! hast thou no pity on this Christian maid?" exclaimedNicæus. "The young Mahomed! Shall this licentious infidel--ah!Iskander, dear, dear Iskander, you who have so much wisdom, and so muchcourage; you who can devise all things, and dare all things; help me, help me; on my knees I do beseech you, take up this trying cause of fouloppression, and for the sake of all you love and reverence, your creed, your country, and perchance your friend, let your great genius, likesome solemn angel, haste to the rescue of the sweet Iduna, and save her, save her!"

"Some thoughts like these were rising in my mind when first I spoke, "replied Iskander. "This is a better cue, far more beseeming princes thanboyish tears, and all the outward misery of woe, a tattered garmentand dishevelled locks. Come, Nicæus, we have to struggle with a mightyfortune. Let us be firm as Fate itself. "

CHAPTER 8

Immediately after his interview with Nicæus, Iskander summoned some ofthe chief citizens of Croia to the citadel, and submitting to them hisarrangements for the administration of Epirus, announced the necessityof his instant departure for a short interval; and the same evening, erethe moon had risen, himself and the Prince of Athens quitted the city, and proceeded in the direction of Adrianople. They travelled with greatrapidity until they reached a small town upon the frontiers, where theyhalted for one day. Here, in the Bazaar, Iskander purchased for himselfthe dress of an Armenian physician. In his long dark robes, and largeround cap of black wool, his face and hands stained, and his beard andmustachios shaven, it seemed impossible that he could be recognised. Nicæus was habited as his page, in a dress of coarse red cloth, settingtight to his form, with a red cap, with a long blue tassel. He carried alarge bag containing drugs, some surgical instruments, and a few books. In this guise, as soon as the gates were open on the morrow, Iskander, mounted on a very small mule, and Nicæus on a very large donkey, thetwo princes commenced the pass of the mountainous range, an arm of theBalkan which divided Epirus from Roumelia. 

"I broke the wind of the finest charger in all Asia when I last ascendedthese mountains, " said Iskander; "I hope this day's journey way beaccepted as a sort of atonement. "

"Faith! there is little doubt I am the best mounted of the two, " saidNicæus. "However, I hope we shall return at a sharper pace. "

"How came it, my Nicæus, " said Iskander, "that you never mentioned to methe name of Iduna when we were at Athens? I little supposed when I mademy sudden visit to Hunniades, that I was about to appeal to so fair ahost. She is a rarely gifted lady. "

"I knew of her being at the camp as little as yourself, " replied thePrince of Athens, "and for the rest, the truth is, Iskander, thereare some slight crosses in our loves, which Time, I hope, will fashionrightly. " So saying Nicæus pricked on his donkey, and flung his stickat a bird which was perched on the branch of a tree. Iskander did notresume a topic to which his companion seemed disinclined. Their journeywas tedious. Towards nightfall they reached the summit of the usualtrack; and as the descent was difficult, they were obliged to rest untildaybreak. 

On the morrow they had a magnificent view of the rich plains ofRoumelia, and in the extreme distance, the great city of Adrianople, its cupolas and minarets blazing and sparkling in the sun. This gloriousprospect at once revived all their energies. It seemed that the momentof peril and of fate had arrived. They pricked on their sorry steeds;and on the morning of the next day, presented themselves at the gates ofthe city. The thorough knowledge which Iskander possessed of the Turkishcharacter obtained them an entrance, which was at one time almostdoubtful, from the irritability and impatience of Nicæus. They repairedto a caravansera of good repute in the neighbourhood of the seraglio;and having engaged their rooms, the Armenian physician, attended by hispage, visited several of the neighbouring coffee-houses, announcing, atthe same time, his arrival, his profession, and his skill. 

As Iskander felt pulses, examined tongues, and distributed drugs andcharms, he listened with interest and amusement to the conversation ofwhich he himself was often the hero. He found that the Turks had notyet recovered from their consternation at his audacity and success. Theywere still wondering, and if possible more astounded than indignant. The politicians of the coffee-houses, chiefly consisting of Janissaries, were loud in their murmurs. The popularity of Amurath had vanishedbefore the triumph of Hunniades, and the rise of Iskander. 

"But Allah has in some instances favoured the faithful, " remarkedIskander; "I heard in my travels of your having captured a greatprincess of the Giaours. "

"God is great!" said an elderly Turk with a long white heard. "The Hakimcongratulates the faithful because they have taken a woman!"

"Not so merely, " replied Iskander; "I heard the woman was a princess. Ifso, the people of Franguestan will pay any ransom for their great women;and, by giving up this fair Giaour, you may free many of the faithful. "

"Mashallah!" said another ancient Turk, sipping his coffee. "The Hakimspeaks wisely. "

"May I murder my mother!" exclaimed a young Janissary, with greatindignation. "But this is the very thing that makes me wild againstAmurath. Is not this princess a daughter of that accursed Giaour, thatdog of dogs, Hunniades? and has he not offered for her ransom our braveKaram Bey himself, and his chosen warriors? and has not Amurath saidnay? And why has he said nay? Because his son, the Prince of Mahomed, instead of fighting against the Giaours, has looked upon one of theirwomen, and has become a Mejnoun. Pah! May I murder my mother, but if theGiaours were in full march to the city, I'd not fight. And let him tellthis to the Cadi who dares; for there are ten thousand of us, and wehave sworn by the Kettle but we will not fight for Giaours, or those wholove Giaours!"

"If you mean me, Ali, about going to the Cadi, " said the chief eunuch ofMahomed, who was standing by, "let me tell you I am no tale-bearer, and scorn to do an unmanly act. The young prince can beat the Giaourswithout the aid of those who are noisy enough in a coffee-house whenthey are quiet enough in the field. And, for the rest of the business, you may all ease your hearts; for the Frangy princess you talk of ispining away, and will soon die. The Sultan has offered a hundred pursesof gold to any one who cures her; but the gold will never be counted bythe Hasnadar, or I will double it. "

"Try your fortune, Hakim, " said several laughing loungers to Iskander. 

"Allah has stricken the Frangy princess, " said the old Turk with a whitebeard. 

"He will strike all Giaours, " said his ancient companion, sipping hiscoffee. "It is so written. "

"Well! I do not like to hear of women slaves pining to death, " said theyoung Janissary, in a softened tone, "particularly when they are young. Amurath should have ransomed her, or he might have given her to one ofhis officers, or any young fellow that had particularly distinguishedhimself. " And so, twirling his mustachios, and flinging down hispiastre, the young Janissary strutted out of the coffee-house. 

"When we were young, " said the old Turk with the white beard to hiscompanion, shaking his head, "when we were young--"

"We conquered Anatolia, and never opened our mouths, " rejoined hiscompanion. 

"I never offered an opinion till I was sixty, " said the old Turk; "andthen it was one which had been in our family for a century. "

"No wonder Hunniades carries everything before him, " said his companion. 

"And that accursed Iskander, " said the old man. 

The chief eunuch, finishing his vase of sherbet, moved away. TheArmenian physician followed him. 

CHAPTER 9

The chief eunuch turned into a burial-ground, through which a way led, by an avenue of cypress-trees, to the quarter of the Seraglio. TheArmenian physician, accompanied by his page, followed him. 

"Noble sir!" said the Armenian physician; "may I trespass for a momenton your lordship's attention?"

"Worthy Hakim, is it you?" replied the chief eunuch, turning round withan encouraging smile of courteous condescension, "your pleasure?"

"I would speak to you of important matters, " said the physician. 

The eunuch carelessly seated himself on a richly-carved tomb, andcrossing his legs with an air of pleasant superiority, adjusted a fineemerald that sparkled on his finger, and bade the Hakim address himwithout hesitation. 

"I am a physician, " said the Armenian. 

The eunuch nodded. 

"And I heard your lordship in the coffee-house mention that the Sultan, our sublime Master, had offered a rich reward to any one who couldeffect the cure of a favourite captive. "

"No less a reward than one hundred purses of gold, " remarked the eunuch. "The reward is proportioned to the exigency of the cue. Believe me, worthy sir, it is desperate. "

"With mortal means, " replied the Armenian; "but I possess a talisman ofmagical influence, which no disorder can resist. I would fain try itsefficacy. "

"This is not the first talisman that has been offered us, worthydoctor, " said the eunuch, smiling incredulously. 

"But the first that has been offered on these terms, " said the Armenian. "Let me cure the captive, and of the one hundred purses, a moiety shallbelong to yourself. Ay! so confident am I of success, that I deem itno hazard to commence our contract by this surety. " And so saying, theArmenian took from his finger a gorgeous carbuncle, and offered it tothe eunuch. The worthy dependent of the Seraglio had a great taste injewellery. He examined the stone with admiration, and placed it onhis finger with complacency. "I require no inducements to promote theinterests of science, and the purposes of charity, " said the eunuch, with a patronising air. "'Tis assuredly a pretty stone, and, as thememorial of an ingenious stranger, whom I respect, I shall, withpleasure, retain it. You were saying something about a talisman. Areyou serious? I doubt not that there are means which might obtain you thedesired trial; but the Prince Mahomed is as violent when displeased ordisappointed as munificent when gratified. Cure this Christian captive, and we may certainly receive the promised purses: fail, and your headwill as assuredly be flung into the Seraglio moat, to say nothing of myown. "

"Most noble sir!" said the physician, "I am willing to undertake theexperiment on the terms you mention. Rest assured that the patient, ifalive, must, with this remedy, speedily recover. You marvel! Believeme, had you witnessed the cures which it has already effected, you wouldonly wonder at its otherwise incredible influence. "

"You have the advantage, " replied the eunuch, "of addressing a man whohas seen something of the world. I travel every year to Anatolia withthe Prince Mahomed. Were I a narrow-minded bigot, and had never beenfive miles from Adrianople in the whole course of my life, I mightindeed be sceptical. But I am a patron of science, and have heard oftalismans. How much might this ring weigh, think you?"

"I have heard it spoken of as a carbuncle of uncommon size, " replied theArmenian. 

"Where did you say you lodged, Hakim?"

"At the Khan of Bedreddin. "

"A very proper dwelling. Well, we shall see. Have you more jewels? Imight, perhaps, put you in the way of parting with some at good prices. The Khan of Bedreddin is very conveniently situated. I may, perhaps, towards evening, taste your coffee at the Khan of Bedreddin, and we willtalk of this said talisman. Allah be with you, worthy Hakim!" The eunuchnodded, not without encouragement, and went his way. 

"Anxiety alone enabled me to keep my countenance, " said Nicæus. "Apatron of science, forsooth! Of all the insolent, shallow-brained, rapacious coxcombs--"

"Hush, my friend!" said Iskander, with a smile. "The chief eunuch ofthe heir apparent of the Turkish empire is a far greater man than a poorprince, or a proscribed rebel. This worthy can do our business, and Itrust will. He clearly bites, and a richer bait will, perhaps, securehim. In the meantime, we must be patient, and remember whose destiny isat stake. "

CHAPTER 10

The chief eunuch did not keep the adventurous companions long insuspense; for, before the muezzin had announced the close of day fromthe minarets, he had reached the Khan of Bedreddin, and inquired for theArmenian physician. 

"We have no time to lose, " said the eunuch to Iskander. "Bring with youwhatever you may require, and follow me. "

The eunuch led the way, Iskander and Nicæus maintaining a respectfuldistance. After proceeding down several streets, they arrived at theburial-ground, where they had conversed in the morning; and when theyhad entered that more retired spot, the eunuch fell back, and addressedhis companion. 

"Now, worthy Hakim, " he said, "if you deceive me, I will never patronizea man of science again. I found an opportunity of speaking to thePrince this afternoon of your talisman, and he has taken from myrepresentations such a fancy for its immediate proof, that I found itquite impossible to postpone its trial even until to-morrow. I mentionedthe terms. I told the Prince your life was the pledge. I said nothingof the moiety of the reward, worthy Hakim. That is an affair betweenourselves. I trust to your honour, and I always act thus with men ofscience. "

"I shall not disgrace my profession or your confidence, rest assured, "replied Iskander. "And am I to see the captive to-night?"

"I doubt it not. Are you prepared? We might, perhaps, gain a littletime, if very necessary. "

"By no means, sir; Truth is ever prepared. "

Thus conversing, they passed through the burial-ground, and approachedsome high, broad walls, forming a terrace, and planted with youngsycamore-trees. The eunuch tapped with his silver stick, at a smallgate, which opened, and admitted them into a garden, full of largeclumps of massy shrubs. Through these a winding walk led for some way, and then conducted them to an open lawn, on which was situate a vastand irregular building. As they approached the pile, a young man ofvery imperious aspect rushed forward from a gate, and abruptly accostedIskander. 

"Are you the Armenian physician?" he inquired. 

Iskander bowed assent. 

"Have you got your talisman? You know the terms? Cure this Christiangirl and you shall name your own reward; fail, and I shall claim yourforfeit head. "

"The terms are well understood, mighty Prince, " said Iskander, for theyoung man was no less a personage than the son of Amurath, and futureconqueror of Constantinople; "but I am confident there will be nonecessity for the terror of Christendom claiming any other heads thanthose of his enemies. "

"Kaflis will conduct you at once to your patient, " said Mahomed. "Formyself, I cannot rest until I know the result of your visit. I shallwander about these gardens, and destroy the flowers, which is the onlypleasure now left me. "

Kaflis motioned to his companions to advance, and they entered theSeraglio. 

At the end of a long gallery they came to a great portal, which Kaflisopened, and Iskander and Nicæus for a moment supposed that they hadarrived at the chief hall of the Tower of Babel, but they found theshrill din only proceeded from a large company of women, who wereemployed in distilling the rare atar of the jasmine flower. All theirvoices ceased on the entrance of the strangers, as if by a miracle; butwhen they had examined them, and observed that it was only a physicianand his boy, their awe, or their surprise, disappeared; and they crowdedround Iskander, some holding out their wrists, others lolling out theirtongues, and some asking questions, which perplexed alike the skilland the modesty of the adventurous dealer in magical medicine. Theannoyance, however, was not of great duration, for Kaflis so belabouredtheir fair shoulders with his official baton, that they instantlyretreated with precipitation, uttering the most violent shrieks, andbestowing on the eunuch so many titles, that Iskander and his page werequite astounded at the intuitive knowledge which the imprisoned damselspossessed of that vocabulary of abuse, which is in general mastered onlyby the experience of active existence. 

Quitting this chamber, the eunuch and his companions ascended a loftystaircase. They halted at length before a door. "This is the chamber ofthe tower, " said their guide, "and here we shall find the fair captive. "He knocked, the door was opened by a female slave, and Iskander andNicæus, with an anxiety they could with difficulty conceal, were usheredinto a small but sumptuous apartment. In the extremity was a recesscovered with a light gauzy curtain. The eunuch bidding them keep in thebackground, advanced, and cautiously withdrawing the curtain slightlyaside, addressed some words in a low voice to the inmate of the recess. In a few minutes the eunuch beckoned to Iskander to advance, andwhispered to him: "She would not at first see you, but I have told heryou are a Christian, the more the pity, and she consents. " So saying, he withdrew the curtain, and exhibited a veiled female figure lying on acouch. 

"Noble lady, " said the physician in Greek, which he had ascertainedthe eunuch did not comprehend; "pardon the zeal of a Christian friend. Though habited in this garb, I have served under your illustrious sire. I should deem my life well spent in serving the daughter of the greatHunniades. "

"Kind stranger, " replied the captive, "I was ill prepared for such ameeting. I thank you for your sympathy, but my sad fortunes are beyondhuman aid. "

"God works by humble instruments, noble lady, " said Iskander, "and withhis blessing we may yet prosper. "

"I fear that I must look to death as my only refuge, " replied Iduna, "and still more, I fear that it is not so present a refuge as myoppressors themselves imagine. But you are a physician; tell me then howspeedily Nature will make me free. "

She held forth her hand, which Iskander took and involuntarily pressed. "Noble lady, " he said, "my skill is a mere pretence to enter thesewalls. The only talisman I bear with me is a message from your friends. "

"Indeed!" said Iduna, in an agitated tone. 

"Restrain yourself, noble lady, " said Iskander, interposing, "restrainyourself. Were you any other but the daughter of Hunniades I would nothave ventured upon this perilous exploit. But I know that the Lady Idunahas inherited something more than the name of her great ancestors--theirheroic soul. If ever there were a moment in her life in which it behovedher to exert all her energies, that moment has arrived. The physicianwho addresses her, and his attendant who waits at hand, are two of theLady Iduna's most devoted friends. There is nothing that they will nothazard, to effect her delivery; and they have matured a plan of escapewhich they are sanguine must succeed. Yet its completion will require, on her part, great anxiety of mind, greater exertion of body, danger, fatigue, privation. Is the Lady Iduna prepared for all this endurance, and all this hazard?"

"Noble friend, " replied Iduna, "for I cannot deem you a stranger, andnone but a most chivalric knight could have entered upon this almostforlorn adventure; you have not, I trust, miscalculated my character. Iam a slave, and unless heaven will interpose, must soon be a dishonouredone. My freedom and my fame are alike at stake. There is no danger, andno suffering which I will not gladly welcome, provided there be even aremote chance of regaining my liberty and securing my honour. "

"You are in the mind I counted on. Now, mark my words, dear lady. Seizean opportunity this evening of expressing to your gaolers that you havealready experienced some benefit from my visit, and announce your risingconfidence in my skill. In the meantime I will make such a report thatour daily meetings will not be difficult. For the present, farewell. ThePrince Mahomed waits without, and I would exchange some words with himbefore I go. "

"And must we part without my being acquainted with the generous friendsto whom I am indebted for an act of devotion which almost reconciles meto my sad fate?" said Iduna. "You will not, perhaps, deem the implicittrust reposed in you by one whom you have no interest to deceive, andwho, if deceived, cannot be placed in a worse position than she atpresent fills, as a very gratifying mark of confidence, yet that trustis reposed in you; and let me, at least, soothe the galling drearinessof my solitary hours, by the recollection of the friends to whom I amindebted for a deed of friendship which has filled me with a feeling ofwonder from which I have not yet recovered. "

"The person who has penetrated the Seraglio of Constantinople indisguise to rescue the Lady Iduna, " answered Iskander, "is the PrinceNicæus. "

"Nicæus!" exclaimed Iduna, in an agitated tone. "The voice to which Ilisten is surely not that of the Prince Nicæus; nor the form on which Igaze, " she added, as she unveiled. Beside her stood the tall figureof the Armenian physician. She beheld his swarthy and unrecognisedcountenance. She cast her dark eyes around with an air of beautifulperplexity. 

"I am a friend of the Prince Nicæus, " said the physician. "He is here. Shall he advance? Alexis, " called cut, Iskander, not waiting forher reply. The page of the physician came forward, but the eunuchaccompanied him. "All is right, " said Iskander to Kaflis. "We are sureof our hundred purses. But, without doubt, with any other aid, the casewere desperate. "

"There is but one God, " said the eunuch, polishing his carbuncle, with avisage radiant as the gem. "I never repented patronizing men of science. The prince waits without. Come along!" He took Iskander by the arm. "Where is your boy? What are you doing there, sir?" inquired the eunuch, sharply, of Nicæus, who, was tarrying behind, and kissing the hand ofIduna. 

"I was asking the lady for a favour to go to the coffee-house with;"replied Nicæus, "you forget that I am to have none of the hundredpurses. "

"True, " said the eunuch; "there is something in that. Here, boy, hereis a piastre for you. I like to encourage men of science, and all thatbelong to them. Do not go and spend it all in one morning, boy, and whenthe fair captive is cured, if you remind me, boy, perhaps I may give youanother. "

CHAPTER 11

Kaflis and his charge again reached the garden. The twilight was nearlypast. A horseman galloped up to them, followed by several runningfootmen. It was the prince. 

"Well, Hakim, " he inquired, in his usual abrupt style, "can you cureher?"

"Yes;" answered Iskander, firmly. 

"Now listen, Hakim, " said Mahomed. "I must very shortly leave the city, and proceed into Epirus at the head of our troops. I have sworn twothings, and I have sworn them by the holy stone. Ere the new moon, Iwill have the heart of Iduna and the head of Iskander!"

The physician bowed. 

"If you can so restore the health of this Frangy girl, " continuedMahomed, "that she may attend me within ten days into Epirus, you shallclaim from my treasury what sum you like, and become physician to theSeraglio. What say you?"

"My hope and my belief is, " replied Iskander, "that within ten days shemay breathe the air of Epirus. "

"By my father's beard, you are a man after my own heart, " exclaimed theprince; "and since thou dealest in talismans, Hakim, can you give me acharm that you will secure me a meeting with this Epirot rebel withinthe term, so that I may keep my oath. What say you? what say you?"

"There are such spells, " replied Iskander. "But mark, I can only securethe meeting, not the head. "

"That is my part, " said Mahomed, with an arrogant sneer. "But themeeting, the meeting?"

"You know the fountain of Kallista in Epirus. Its virtues are renowned. "

"I have beard of it. "

"Plunge your scimitar in its midnight waters thrice, on the eve of thenew moon, and each time summon the enemy you would desire to meet. Hewill not fail you. "

"If you cure the captive, I will credit the legend, and keep theappointment, " replied Mahomed, thoughtfully. 

"I have engaged to do that, " replied the physician. 

"Well, then, I shall redeem my pledge, " said the prince

"But mind, " said the physician, "while I engage to cure the lady andproduce the warrior, I can secure your highness neither the heart of theone nor the head of the other. "

"'Tis understood, " said Mahomed. 

CHAPTER 12

The Armenian physician did not fail to attend his captive patient at anearly hour on the ensuing morn. His patron Kaflis received him with anencouraging smile. 

"The talisman already works;" said the eunuch: "she has passed a goodnight, and confesses to an improvement. Our purses are safe. MethinksI already count the gold. But I say, worthy Hakim, come hither, comehither, " and Kaflis looked around to be sure that no one was withinhearing, "I say, " and here he put on a very mysterious air indeed, "theprince is generous; you understand? We go shares. We shall not quarrel. I never yet repented patronizing a man of science, and I am sure I nevershall. The prince, you see, is violent, but generous. I would not cureher too soon, eh?"

"You take a most discreet view of affairs, " responded Iskander, with anair of complete assent, and they entered the chamber of the tower. 

Iduna performed her part with great dexterity; but, indeed, it requiredless skill than herself and her advisers had at first imagined. Hermalady, although it might have ended fatally, was in its origin entirelymental, and the sudden prospect of freedom, and of restoration to hercountry and her family, at a moment when she had delivered herself up todespair, afforded her a great and instantaneous benefit. She could not, indeed, sufficiently restrain her spirits, and smiled incredulously whenIskander mentioned the impending exertion and fatigues with doubt andapprehension. His anxiety to return immediately to Epirus, determinedhim to adopt the measures for her rescue without loss of time, and onhis third visit, he prepared her for making the great attempt on theensuing morn. Hitherto Iskander had refrained from revealing himself toIduna. He was induced to adopt this conduct by various considerations. He could no longer conceal from himself that the daughter of Hunniadesexercised an influence over his feelings which he was unwilling toencourage. His sincere friendship for Nicæus, and his conviction that Itwas his present duty to concentrate all his thought and affection in thecause of his country, would have rendered him anxious to have resistedany emotions of the kind, even could he have flattered himself thatthere was any chance of their being returned by the object of his risingpassion. But Iskander was as modest as he was brave and gifted. Thedisparity of age between himself and Iduna appeared an insuperablebarrier to his hopes, even had there been no other obstacle. Iskanderstruggled with his love, and with his strong mind the struggle, thoughpainful, was not without success. He felt that he was acting in amanner which must ultimately tend to the advantage of his country, the happiness of his friend, and perhaps the maintenance of his ownself-respect. For he had too much pride not to be very sensible to thebitterness of rejection. 

Had he perceived more indications of a very cordial feeling subsistingbetween Nicæus and Iduna, he would perhaps not have persisted inmaintaining his disguise. But he had long suspected that the passion ofthe Prince of Athens was not too favourably considered by the daughterof Hunniades, and he was therefore exceedingly anxious that Nicæusshould possess all the credit of the present adventure, which Iskanderscarcely doubted, if successful, would allow Nicæus to urge irresistibleclaims to the heart of a mistress whom he had rescued at the peril ofhis life from slavery and dishonour, to offer rank, reputation, andlove. Iskander took, therefore, several opportunities of leading Idunato believe that he was merely the confidential agent of Nicæus, and thatthe whole plan of her rescue from the Seraglio of Adrianople bad beenplanned by his young friend. In the meantime, during the three dayson which they had for short intervals met, very few words had beeninterchanged between Nicæus and his mistress. Those words, indeed, hadbeen to him of the most inspiring nature, and expressed such a deepscale of gratitude, and such lively regard, that Nicæus could nolonger resist the delightful conviction that he had at length created apermanent interest in her heart. Often he longed to rush to hercouch, and press her hand to his lips. Even the anticipation of futurehappiness could not prevent him from envying the good fortune ofIskander, who was allowed to converse with her without restraint; andbitterly, on their return to the khan, did he execrate the pompouseunuch for all the torture which he occasioned him by his sillyconversation, and the petty tyranny of office with which Kaflis alwaysrepressed his attempts to converse for a moment with Iduna. 

In the meantime all Adrianople sounded with the preparations for theimmediate invasion of Epirus, and the return of Iskander to his countrybecame each hour more urgent. Everything being prepared, the adventurersdetermined on the fourth morning to attempt the rescue. They repaired asusual to the Serail, and were attended by Kaflis to the chamber ofthe tower, who congratulated Iskander on their way on the rapidconvalescence of the captive. When they had fairly entered the chamber, the physician being somewhat in advance, Nicæus, who was behind, commenced proceedings by knocking down the eunuch, and Iskanderinstantly turning round to his assistance, they succeeded in gagging andbinding the alarmed and astonished Kaflis. Iduna then exhibited herselfin a costume exactly similar to that worn by Nicæus, and which herfriends had brought to her in their big. Iskander and Iduna thenimmediately quitted the Serail without notice or suspicion, and hurriedto the khan, where they mounted their horses, that were in readiness, and hastened without a moment's loss of time to a fountain without thegates, where they awaited the arrival of Nicæus with anxiety. Afterremaining a few minutes in the chamber of the tower, the Prince ofAthens stole out, taking care to secure the door upon Kaflis, hedescended the staircase, and escaped through the Serail without meetingany one, and had nearly reached the gate of the gardens, when he waschallenged by some of the eunuch guard at a little distance. 

"Hilloa!" exclaimed one; "I thought you passed just now?"

"So I did, " replied Nicæus, with nervous effrontery; "but I came backfor my bag, which I left behind, " and, giving them no time to reflect, he pushed his way through the gate with all the impudence of a page. Herushed through the burial-ground, hurried through the streets, mountedhis horse, and galloped through the gates. Iskander and Iduna were insight, he waved his hand for them at once to proceed, and in a moment, without exchanging a word, they were all galloping at full speed, nordid they breathe their horses until sunset. 

By nightfall they had reached a small wood of chestnut-trees, where theyrested for two hours, more for the sake of their steeds than their ownrefreshment, for anxiety prevented Iduna from indulging in any repose, as much as excitement prevented her from feeling any fatigue. Iskanderlit a fire and prepared their rough meal, unharnessed the horses, andturned them out to their pasture. Nicæus made Iduna a couch of fernand supported her head, while, in deference to his entreaties sheendeavoured in vain to sleep. Before midnight they were again on theirway, and proceeded at a rapid pace towards the mountains, until a fewhours before noon, when their horses began to sink under the unitedinfluence of their previous exertions and the increasing heat of theday. Iskander looked serious, and often threw a backward glance in thedirection of Adrianople. 

"We must be beyond pursuit, " said Nicæus. "I dare say poor Kaflis isstill gagged and bound. "

"Could we but reach the mountains, " replied his companion, "I shouldhave little fear, but I counted upon our steeds carrying us therewithout faltering. We cannot reckon upon more than three hours' start, prince. Our friend Kaflis is too important a personage to be longmissed. "

"The Holy Virgin befriend us!" said the Lady Iduna. "I ca urge my poorhorse no more. "

They had now ascended a small rising ground, which gave the wideprospect over the plain. Iskander halted and threw an anxious glancearound him. 

"There are some horsemen in the distance whom I do not like, " said thephysician. 

"I see them, " said Nicæus; "travellers like ourselves. "

"Let us die sooner than be taken, " said Iduna. 

"Move on, " said the physician, "and let me observe these horsemenalone. I would there were some forest at hand. In two hours we may gainthe mountains. "

The daughter of Hunniades and the Prince of Athens descended the risingground. Before them, but at a considerable distance was a broad andrapid river, crossed by a ruinous Roman bridge. The opposite bank of theriver was the termination of a narrow plain, which led immediately tothe mountains. 

"Fair Iduna, you are safe, " said the Prince of Athens. 

"Dear Nicæus, " replied his companion, "imagine what I feel. "

"It is too wild a moment to express my gratitude. "

"I trust that Iduna will never express her gratitude to Nicæus, "answered the prince; "it is not, I assure you, a favourite word withhim. "

Their companion rejoined them, urging his wearied horse to its utmostspeed. 

"Nicæus!" he called out, "halt. "

They stopped their willing horses. 

"How now! my friend;" said the prince; "you look grave. "

"Lady Iduna!" said the Armenian, "we are pursued. "

Hitherto the prospect of success, and the consciousness of the terribledestiny that awaited failure, had supported Iduna under exertions, whichunder any other circumstances must have proved fatal. But to learn, atthe very moment that she was congratulating herself on the felicitouscompletion of their daring enterprise, that that dreaded failure wasabsolutely impending, demanded too great an exertion of her exhaustedenergies. She turned pale; she lifted up her imploring hands and eyes toheaven in speechless agony, and then, bending down her head, wept withunrestrained and harrowing violence. The distracted Nicæus sprung fromhis horse, endeavoured to console the almost insensible Iduna, and thenwoefully glancing at his fellow adventurer, wrung his hands in despair. His fellow adventurer seemed lost in thought. 

"They come, " said Nicæus, starting; "methinks I see one on the brow ofthe hill. Away! fly! Let us at least die fighting. Dear, dear Iduna, would that my life could ransom thine! O God! this is indeed agony. "

"Escape is impossible, " said Iduna, in a tone of calmness whichastonished them. "They must overtake us. Alas! brave friends, I havebrought ye to this! Pardon me, pardon me! I am ashamed of my selfishgrief. Ascribe it to other causes than a narrow spirit and a weak mind. One course alone is left to us. We must not be taken prisoners. Ye arewarriors, and can die as such. I am only a woman, but I am the daughterof Hunniades. Nicæus, you are my father's friend; I beseech you sheatheyour dagger in my breast. "

The prince in silent agony pressed his hands to his sight. His limbsquivered with terrible emotion. Suddenly he advanced and threw himselfat the feet of his hitherto silent comrade. "Oh! Iskander!" exclaimedNicæus, "great and glorious friend! my head and heart are both too weakfor these awful trials; save her, save her!"

"Iskander! exclaimed the thunderstruck Iduna. Iskander!"

"I have, indeed, the misfortune to be Iskander, beloved lady, " hereplied. "This is, indeed, a case almost of desperation, but if I haveto endure more than most men, I have, to inspire me, influences whichfall to the lot of few, yourself and Epirus. Come! Nicæus, there is butone chance, we must gain the bridge. " Thus speaking, Iskander caughtIduna in his arms, and remounting his steed, and followed by the Princeof Athens, hurried towards the river. 

"The water is not fordable, " said Iskander, when they had arrived at itsbank. "The bridge I shall defend; and it will go hard if I do not keepthem at bay long enough for you and Iduna to gain the mountains. Away;think no more of me; nay! no tear, dear lady, or you will unman me. An ins inspiring smile, and all will go well. Hasten to Croia, and letnothing tempt you to linger in the vicinity, with the hope of my againjoining you. Believe me, we shall meet again, but act upon what I say, as if they were my dying words. God bless you, Nicæus! No murmuring. Foronce let the physician, indeed, command his page. Gentle lady, commendme to your father. Would I had such a daughter in Epirus, to head mytrusty brethren if I fall. Tell the great Hunniades my legacy to him ismy country. Farewell, farewell!"

"I will not say farewell!" exclaimed Iduna; "I too can fight. I willstay and die with you. "

"See they come! Believe me I shall conquer. Fly, fly, thou noble girl!Guard her well, Nicæus. God bless thee, boy! Live and be happy. Nay, nay, not another word. The farther ye are both distant, trust me, thestronger will be my arm. Indeed, indeed, I do beseech ye, fly!"

Nicæus placed the weeping Iduna in her saddle, and after leading herhorse over the narrow and broken bridge, mounted his own, and then theyascended together the hilly and winding track. Iskander watched them asthey went. Often Iduna waved her kerchief to her forlorn champion. Inthe meantime Iskander tore off his Armenian robes and flung them intothe river, tried his footing on the position he had taken up, stretchedhis limbs, examined his daggers, flourished his scimitar. 

The bridge would only permit a single rider to pass abreast. It wassupported by three arches, the centre one of very considerable size, theothers small, and rising out of the shallow water on each side. In manyparts the parapet wall was broken, in some even the pathway was almostimpassable from the masses of fallen stone, and the dangerous fissures. In the centre of the middle arch was an immense key-stone, on which wassculptured, in high relief, an enormous helmet, which indeed gave, amongthe people of the country, a title to the bridge. 

A band of horsemen dashed at full speed, with a loud shout, down thebill. They checked their horses, when to their astonishment they foundIskander with his drawn scimitar, prepared to resist their passage. Butthey paused only for a moment, and immediately attempted to swim theriver. But their exhausted horses drew back with a strong instinct fromthe rushing waters: one of the band alone, mounted on a magnificentblack mare, succeeding in his purpose. The rider was half-way in thestream, his high-bred steed snorting and struggling in the strongcurrent. Iskander, with the same ease as if he were plucking the ripefruit from a tree, took up a ponderous stone, and hurled it with fatalprecision at his adventurous enemy. The rider shrieked and fell, androse no more: the mare, relieved from her burthen, exerted all herfailing energies, and succeeded in gaining the opposite bank. There, rolling herself in the welcome pasture, and neighing with a note oftriumph, she revelled in her hard escape. 

"Cut down the Giaour!" exclaimed one of the horsemen, and he dashedat the bridge. His fragile blade shivered into a thousand pieces as itcrossed the scimitar of Iskander, and in a moment his bleeding head fellover the parapet. 

Instantly the whole band, each emulous of revenging his comrades, rushedwithout thought at Iskander, and endeavoured to overpower him by theirirresistible charge. His scimitar flashed like lightning. The twoforemost of his enemies fell, but the impulse of the numbers prevailed, and each instant, although dealing destruction with every blow, he felthimself losing ground. At length he was on the centre of the centrearch, an eminent position, which allowed him for a moment to keepthem at bay, and gave him breathing time. Suddenly he made a desperatecharge, clove the head of the leader of the band in two, and beat themback several yards; then swiftly returning to his former position, hesummoned all his supernatural strength, and stamping on the mighty, butmouldering keystone, he forced it from its form, and broke the masonryof a thousand years. Amid a loud and awful shriek, horses and horsemen, and the dissolving fragments of the scene for a moment mingled as itwere in airy chaos, and then plunged with a horrible plash into thefatal depths below. Some fell, and, stunned by the massy fragments, roseno more; others struggled again into light, and gained with difficultytheir old shore. Amid them, Iskander, unhurt, swam like a river god, andstabbed to the heart the only strong swimmer that was making his wayin the direction of Epirus. Drenched and exhausted, Iskander at lengthstood upon the opposite margin, and wrung his garments, while he watchedthe scene of strange destruction. 

Three or four exhausted wretches were lying bruised and breathless onthe opposite bank: one drowned horse was stranded near them, caught bythe rushes. Of all that brave company the rest had vanished, and thebroad, and blue, and sunny waters rushed without a shadow beneath thetwo remaining arches. 

"Iduna! thou art safe, " exclaimed Iskander. "Now for Epirus!" Sosaying, he seized the black mare, renovated by her bath and pasture, and vaulting on her back, was in a few minutes bounding over his nativehills. 

CHAPTER 13

In the meantime let us not forget the Prince of Athens and the LadyIduna. These adventurous companions soon lost sight of their devotedchampion, and entered a winding ravine, which gradually brought themto the summit of the first chain of the Epirot mountains. From it theylooked down upon a vast and rocky valley, through which several muletracks led in various directions, and entered the highest barrier of themountains, which rose before them covered with forests of chestnutand ilex. Nicæus chose the track which he considered least tempting topursuit, and towards sunset they had again entered a ravine washed by amountain stream. The course of the waters had made the earth fertileand beautiful. Wild shrubs of gay and pleasant colours refreshed theirwearied eye-sight, and the perfume of aromatic plants invigoratedtheir jaded senses. Upon the bank of the river, too, a large cross ofroughly-carved wood brought comfort to their Christian hearts, and whilethe holy emblem filled them with hope and consolation, and seemed anomen of refuge from their Moslemin oppressors, a venerable Eremite, with a long white beard descending over his dark robes, and leaning ona staff of thorn, came forth from an adjoining cavern to breathe theevening air and pour forth his evening orisons. 

Iduna and Nicæus had hitherto prosecuted their sorrowful journey almostin silence. Exhausted with anxiety, affliction, and bodily fatigue, withdifficulty the daughter of Hunniades could preserve her seat upon hersteed. One thought alone interested her, and by its engrossing influencemaintained her under all her sufferings, the memory of Iskander. Sinceshe first met him, at the extraordinary interview in her father'spavilion, often had the image of the hero recurred to her fancy, oftenhad she mused over his great qualities and strange career. His fame, sodangerous to female hearts, was not diminished by his presence. And now, when Iduna recollected that she was indebted to him for all that sheheld dear, that she owed to his disinterested devotion, not only life, but all that renders life desirable, honour and freedom, country andkindred, that image was invested with associations and with sentiments, which, had Iskander himself been conscious of their existence, wouldhave lent redoubled vigour to his arm, and fresh inspiration to hisenergy. More than once Iduna had been on the point of inquiring ofNicæus the reason which had induced alike him and Iskander to preserveso strictly the disguise of his companion. But a feeling which she didnot choose to analyse struggled successfully with her curiosity: shefelt a reluctance to speak of Iskander to the Prince of Athens. In themeantime Nicæus himself was not apparently very anxious of conversingupon the subject, and after the first rapid expressions of fear and hopeas to the situation of their late comrade, they relapsed into silence, seldom broken by Nicæus, but to deplore the sufferings of his mistress, lamentations which Iduna answered with a faint smile. 

The refreshing scene wherein they had now entered, and the cheeringappearance of the Eremite, were subjects of mutual congratulation;and Nicæus, somewhat advancing, claimed the attention of the holyman, announcing their faith, imprisonment, escape, and sufferings, andentreating hospitality and refuge. The Eremite pointed with his staffto the winding path, which ascended the bank of the river to the cavern, and welcomed the pilgrims, in the name of their blessed Saviour, to hiswild abode and simple fare. 

The cavern widened when they entered, and comprised several smallapartments. It was a work of the early Christians, who had founda refuge in their days of persecution, and art had completed thebeneficent design of nature. The cavern was fresh, and sweet, and clean. Heaven smiled upon its pious inmate through an aperture in the roof; thefloor was covered with rushes; in one niche rested a brazen cross, andin another a perpetual lamp burnt before a picture, where Madonna smiledwith meek tenderness upon her young divinity. 

The Eremite placed upon a block of wood, the surface of which he hadhimself smoothed, some honey, some dried fish and a wooden bowl filledfrom the pure stream that flowed beneath them: a simple meal, butwelcome. His guests seated themselves upon a rushy couch, and whilethey refreshed themselves, he gently inquired the history of theiradventures. As it was evident that the Eremite, from her apparel, mistook the sex of Iduna, Nicæus thought fit not to undeceive him, butpassed her off as his brother. He described themselves as two Athenianyouths, who had been captured while serving as volunteers under thegreat Hunniades, and who had effected their escape from Adrianople undercircumstances of great peril and difficulty; and when he had gratifiedthe Eremite's curiosity respecting their Christian brethren in Paynimlands, and sympathetically marvelled with him at the advancing fortunesof the Crescent, Nicæus, who perceived that Iduna stood in great need ofrest, mentioned the fatigues of his more fragile brother, and requestedpermission for him to retire. Whereupon the Eremite himself, fetching aload of fresh rushes, arranged them in one of the cells, and invited thefair Iduna to repose. The daughter of Hunniades, first humbling herselfbefore the altar of the Virgin, and offering her gratitude for all thelate mercies vouchsafed unto her, and then bidding a word of peace toher host and her companion, withdrew to her hard-earned couch, soon wasburied in a sleep as sweet and innocent as herself. 

But repose fell not upon the eye-lids of Nicæus in spite of all labours. The heart of the Athenian Prince was distracted by two most powerful ofpassions--Love and Jealousy--and when the Eremite, pointing out to hisguest his allotted resting-place, himself retired to his regular andsimple slumbers, Nicæus quitted the cavern, and standing upon the bankof the river, gazed in abstraction upon the rushing waters foaming inthe moonlight. The Prince of Athens, with many admirable qualities, wasone of those men who are influenced only by their passions, and who, inthe affairs of life, are invariably guided by their imagination insteadof their reason. At present all thought and feeling, all considerations, and all circumstances, merged in the overpowering love he entertainedfor Iduna, his determination to obtain her at all cost and peril, andhis resolution that she should never again meet Iskander, except as thewife of Nicæus. Compared with this paramount object, the future seemedto vanish. The emancipation of his country, the welfare of his friend, even the maintenance of his holy creed, all those great and nobleobjects for which, under other circumstances, he would have beenprepared to sacrifice his fortune and his life, no longer interested orinfluenced him; and while the legions of the Crescent were on the pointof pouring into Greece to crush that patriotic and Christian causeover which Iskander and himself had so often mused, whose interests thedisinterested absence of Iskander, occasioned solely by his devotion toNicæus, had certainly endangered, and perhaps, could the events of thelast few hours be known, even sacrificed, the Prince of Athens resolved, unless Iduna would consent to become his, at once to carry off thedaughter of Hunniades to some distant country. Nor indeed, even with hiseasily excited vanity, was Nicæus sanguine of obtaining his purposeby less violent means. He was already a rejected suitor, and undercircumstances which scarcely had left hope. Nothing but the sole creditof her chivalric rescue could perhaps have obtained for him the interestin the heart of Iduna which he coveted. For while this exploit profferedan irresistible claim to her deepest gratitude, it indicated also, onthe part of her deliverer, the presence and possession of all thosegreat qualities, the absence of which in the character and conduct ofher suitor, Iduna had not, at a former period, endeavoured to conceal tobe the principal came of his rejection. And now, by the unhappy courseof circumstances, the very deed on which he counted, with sanguine hope, as the sure means of his success, seemed as it were to have placed himin a more inferior situation than before. The constant society of hismistress had fanned to all its former force and ardour, the flame which, apart from her, and hopeless, he had endeavoured to repress; while, onthe other hand, he could not conceal from himself, that Iduna must feelthat he had played in these rest proceeding but a secondary part;that all the genius and all the generosity of the exploit rested withIskander, who, after having obtained her freedom by so much energy, peril, sagacity and skill, had secured it by a devoted courage whichmight shame all the knights of Christendom; perhaps, too, had secured itby his own life. 

What if Iskander were no more? It was a great contingency. The eternalservitude of Greece, and the shameful triumph of the Crescent, wereinvolved, perhaps, in that single event. And could the possession ofIduna compensate for such disgrace and infamy? Let us not record thewild response of passion. 

It was midnight ere the restless Nicæus, more exhausted by his agitatingreverie than by his previous exertions, returned into the cavern, andfound refuge in sleep from all his disquietudes. 

CHAPTER 14

The Eremite rose with the Sun; and while he was yet at matins, wasjoined by Iduna, refreshed and cheerful after her unusual slumbers. After performing their devotions, her venerable host proposed thatthey should go forth and enjoy the morning air. So, descending theprecipitous bank of the river, he led the way to a small glen, thebed of a tributary rivulet, now nearly exhausted. Beautiful clumps ofbirch-trees and tall thin poplars, rose on each side among the rockscovered with bright mosses, and parasitical plants of gay and variouscolours. One side of the glen was touched with the golden and gratefulbeams of the rising sun, and the other was in deep shadow. 

"Here you can enjoy nature and freedom in security;" said the Eremite, "for your enemies, if they have not already given up their pursuit, willscarcely search this sweet solitude. "

"It is indeed sweet, holy father, " said Iduna; "but the captive, who hasescaped from captivity, can alone feel all its sweetness. "

"It is true, " said the Eremite; "I also have been a captive. "

"Indeed! holy father. To the Infidels?"

"To the Infidels, gentle pilgrim. "

"Have you been at Adrianople?"

"My oppressors were not the Paynim, " replied the Eremite, "but theywere enemies far more dire, my own evil passions. Time was when my eyesparkled like thine, gentle pilgrim, and my heart was not as pure. "

"God is merciful, " said Iduna, "and without His aid, the strongest arebut shadows. "

"Ever think so, " replied the Eremite, "and you will deserve rather Hislove than His mercy. Thirty long years have I spent in this solitude, meditating upon the past, and it is a theme yet fertile in instruction. My hours are never heavy, and memory is to me what action is to othermen. "

"You have seen much, holy father?"

"And felt more. Yet you will perhaps think the result of all myexperience very slight, for I can only say unto thee, trust not inthyself. "

"It is a great truth, " remarked Iduna, "and leads to a higher one. "

"Even so, " replied the Eremite. "We are full of wisdom in old age, asin winter this river is full of water, but the fire of youth, like thesummer sun, dries up the stream. "

Iduna did not reply. The Eremite attracted her attention to a patch ofcresses on the opposite bank of the stream. "Every morn I rise onlyto discover fresh instances of omnipotent benevolence, " he exclaimed. "Yesterday ye tasted my honey and my fish. To-day I can offer ye a freshdainty. We will break our fast in this pleasant glen. Rest thou here, gentle youth, and I will summon thy brother to our meal. I fear me muchhe does not bear so contented a spirit as thyself. "

"He is older, and has seen more, " replied Iduna. 

The Eremite shook his head, and leaning on his staff, returned tothe cavern. Iduna remained, seated on a mossy rock, listening to theawakening birds, and musing over the fate of Iskander. While she wasindulging in this reverie, her name was called. She looked up with ablush, and beheld Nicæus. 

"How fares my gentle comrade?" inquired the Prince of Athens. 

"As well as I hope you are, dear Nicæus. We have been indeed fortunatein finding so kind a host. "

"I think I may now congratulate you on your safety, " said the Prince. "This unfrequented pass will lead us in two days to Epirus, nor do Iindeed now fear pursuit. "

"Acts and not words must express in future how much we owe to you, " saidIduna. "My joy would be complete if my father only knew of our safety, and if our late companion were here to share it. "

"Fear not for my friend, " replied Nicæus. "I have faith in the fortuneof Iskander. "

"If any one could succeed under such circumstances, he doubtless is theman, " rejoined Iduna; "but it was indeed an awful crisis in his fate. "

"Trust me, dear lady, it is wise to banish gloomy thoughts. "

"We can give him only our thoughts, " said Iduna, "and when we rememberhow much is dependent on his life, can they be cheerful?"

"Mine must be so, when I am in the presence of Iduna, " replied Nicæus. 

The daughter of Hunniades gathered moss from the rock, and threw it intothe stream. 

"Dear lady, " said the Prince of Athens, seating himself by her side, and stealing her gentle hand. "Pardon me, if an irrepressible feeling atthis moment impels me to recur to a subject, which, I would fain hope, were not so unpleasing to you, as once unhappily you deemed it. O!Iduna, Iduna, best and dearest, we are once more together; once moreI gaze upon that unrivalled form, and listen to the music of thatmatchless voice. I sought you, I perhaps violated my pledge, but Isought you in captivity and sorrow. Pardon me, pity me, Iduna! Oh!Iduna, if possible, love me!"

She turned away her head, she turned away her streaming eyes. "Itis impossible not to love my deliverers, " she replied, in a low andtremulous voice, "even could he not prefer the many other claimsto affection which are possessed by the Prince of Athens. I was notprepared for this renewal of a most painful subject, perhaps not underany circumstances, but least of all under those in which we now findourselves. "

"Alas!" exclaimed the prince, "I can no longer control my passion. Mylife, not my happiness merely, depends upon Iduna becoming mine. Bearwith me, my beloved, bear with me! Were you Nicæus, you too would needforgiveness. "

"I beseech you, cease!" exclaimed Iduna, in a firmer voice; and, withdrawing her hand, she suddenly rose. "This is neither the time norplace for such conversation. I have not forgotten that, but a few daysback, I was a hopeless captive, and that my life and fame are even nowin danger. Great mercies have been vouchsafed to me; but still I perhapsneed the hourly interposition of heavenly aid. Other than such worldlythoughts should fill my mind, and do. Dear Nicæus, " she continued, in amore soothing tone, "you have nobly commenced a most heroic enterprise:fulfil it in like spirit. "

He would have replied; but at this moment the staff of the Eremitesounded among the rocks. Baffled, and dark with rage and passion, thePrince of Athens quitted Iduna, and strolled towards the upper part ofthe glen, to conceal his anger and disappointment. 

"Eat, gentle youth, " said the Eremite. "Will not thy brother join us?What may be his name?"

"Nicæus, holy father. "

"And thine?"

Iduna blushed and hesitated. At length, in her confusion, she replied, "Iskander. "

"Nicæus, " called out the Eremite, "Iskander and myself await thee!"

Iduna trembled. She was agreeably surprised when the prince returnedwith a smiling countenance, and joined in the meal, with many cheerfulwords. 

"Now I propose, " said the Eremite, "that yourself and your brotherIskander should tarry with me some days, if, indeed, my simple fare haveany temptation. "

"I thank thee, holy father, " replied Nicæus, "but our affairs areurgent; nor indeed could I have tarried here at all, had it not beenfor my young Iskander here, who, as you may easily believe, is littleaccustomed to his late exertions. But, indeed, towards sunset, we mustproceed. "

"Bearing with us, " added Iduna, "a most grateful recollection of ourhost. "

"God be with ye, wherever ye may proceed, " replied the Eremite. 

"My trust is indeed in Him, " rejoined Iduna. 

CHAPTER 15

And so, two hours before sunset, mounting their refreshed horses, Nicæusand Iduna quitted, with many kind words, the cavern of the Eremite, and took their way along the winding bank of the river. Throughout themoonlit night they travelled, ascending the last and highest chain ofmountains and reaching the summit by dawn. The cheerful light of morningrevealed to them the happy plains of a Christian country. With joyfulspirits they descended into the fertile land, and stopped at a beautifulGreek village, embowered in orchards and groves of olive-trees. 

The Prince of Athens instantly inquired for the Primate, or chiefpersonage of the village, and was conducted to his house; but itsmaster, he was informed, was without, supervising the commencement ofthe vintage. Leaving Iduna with the family of the Primate, Nicæus wentin search of him. The vineyard was full of groups, busied in the mostelegant and joyous of human occupations, gathering, with infinite burstsof merriment, the harvest of the vine. Some mounted on ladders, fixedagainst the festooning branches, plucked the rich bunches, and threwthem below, where girls, singing in chorus, caught them in panniers, ortheir extended drapery. In the centre of the vineyard, a middle-agedman watched with a calm, but vigilant eye, the whole proceedings, andoccasionally stimulated the indolent, or prompted the inexperienced. 

"Christo, " said the Prince of Athens, when he had approached him. ThePrimate turned round, but evidently did not immediately recognise theperson who addressed him. 

"I see, " continued the prince, "that my meditated caution wasunnecessary. My strange garb is a sufficient disguise. "

"The Prince Nicæus!" exclaimed the Primate. "He is, indeed, disguised, but will, I am sure, pardon his faithful servant. "

"Not a word, Christo!" replied the prince. "To be brief, I have crossedthe mountains from Roumelia, and have only within this hour recognisedthe spot whither I have chanced to arrive. I have a companion with me. I would not be known. You comprehend? Affairs of state. I take it forgranted that there are none here who will recognise me, after threeyears' absence, in this dress. "

"You may feel secure, my lord, " replied Christo. "If you puzzled me, whohave known you since you were no bigger than this bunch of grapes, youwill quite confound the rest. "

"'Tis well. I shall stay here a day or two, in order to give theman opportunity to prepare for my reception. In the meantime, it isnecessary to send on a courier at once. You must manage all this for me, Christo. How are your daughters?"

"So, so, please your Highness, " replied Christo. "A man with sevendaughters has got trouble for every day in the week. "

"But not when they are so pretty as yours are!"

"Poh! poh! handsome is that handsome does; and as for Alexina, she wantsto be married. "

"Very natural. Let her marry, by all means. "

"But Helena wants to do the same. "

"More natural still; for, if possible, she is prettier. For my part, Icould marry them both. "

"Ay, ay! that is all very well; but handsome is that handsome does. Ihave no objection to Alexina marrying, and even Helena; but then thereis Lais--"

"Hah! hah! hah!" exclaimed the prince. "I see, my dear Christo, thatmy foster sisters give you a very proper portion of trouble. However, Imust be off to my travelling companion. Come in as soon as you can, mydear fellow, and will settle everything. A good vintage to you, and onlyas much mischief as necessary. " So saying, the prince tripped away. 

"Well! who would have thought of seeing him here!" exclaimed the worthyPrimate. "The same gay dog as ever! What can he have been doing atRoumelia? Affairs of state, indeed! I'll wager my new Epiphany scarf, that, whatever the affairs are, there is a pretty girl in the case. "

CHAPTER 16

The fair Iduna, after all her perils and sufferings, was at lengthsheltered in safety under a kind and domestic roof. Alexina, andHelena, and Lais, and all the other sisters emulated each other in theattentions which they lavished upon the two brothers, but especially theyoungest. Their kindness, indeed, was only equalled by their ceaselesscuriosity, and had they ever waited for the answers of Iduna to theirquestions, the daughter of Hunniades might, perhaps, have been somewhatpuzzled to reconcile her responses with probability. Helena answered thequestions of Alexina; Lais anticipated even Helena. All that Iduna hadto do was to smile and be silent, and it was universally agreed thatIskander was singularly shy as well as excessively handsome. In themeantime, when Nicæus met Iduna in the evening of the second day oftheir visit, he informed her that he had been so fortunate as toresume an acquaintance with an old companion in arms in the person ofa neighbouring noble, who had invited them to rest at his castle atthe end of their next day's journey. He told her likewise that hehad dispatched a courier to Croia to inquire after Iskander, who, heexpected, in the course of a few days, would bring them intelligenceto guide their future movements, and decide whether they should at onceproceed to the capital of Epirus, or advance into Bulgaria, in caseHunniades was still in the field. On the morrow, therefore, theyproceeded on their journey. Nicæus had procured a litter for Iduna, forwhich her delicate health was an excuse to Alexina and her sisters, andthey were attended by a small body of well-armed cavalry, for, accordingto the accounts which Nicæus had received, the country was stilldisturbed. They departed at break of day, Nicæus riding by the side ofthe litter, and occasionally making the most anxious inquiries after thewell-being of his fair charge. An hour after noon they rested at a well, surrounded by olive-trees, until the extreme heat was somewhat allayed;and then remounting, proceeded in the direction of an undulating ridgeof green hills, that partially intersected the wide plain. Towardssunset the Prince of Athens withdrew the curtains of the litter, andcalled the attention of Iduna to a very fair castle, rising on a fertileeminence and sparkling in the quivering beams of dying light. 

"I fear, " said Nicæus, "that my friend Justinian will scarcely havereturned, but we are old comrades, and he desired me to act as hisSeneschal. For your sake I am sorry, Iduna, for I feel convinced that hewould please you. "

"It is, indeed, a fair castle, " replied Iduna, "and none but a trueknight deserves such a noble residence. "

While she spoke the commander of the escort sounded his bugle, and theycommenced the ascent of the steep, a winding road, cut through a thickwood of ever-green shrubs. The gradual and easy ascent soon brought themto a portal flanked with towers, which admitted them into the outworksof the fortification. Here they found several soldiers on guard, and thecommander again sounding his bugle, the gates of the castle opened, and the Seneschal, attended by a suite of many domestics, advanced andwelcomed Nicæus and Iduna. The Prince of Athens dismounting, assistedhis fair companion from the litter, and leading her by the band, andpreceded by the Seneschal, entered the castle. 

They passed through a magnificent hall, hung with choice armour, andascending a staircase, of Pentelic marble, were ushered into a suite oflofty chambers, lined with Oriental tapestry, and furnished with manycostly couches and cabinets. While they admired a spectacle so differentto anything they had recently beheld or experienced, the Seneschal, followed by a number of slaves in splendid attire, advanced and offeredthem rare and choice refreshments, coffee and confectionery, sherbetsand spiced wines. When they had partaken of this elegant cheer, Nicæusintimated to the Seneschal that the Lady Iduna might probably wish toretire, and instantly a discreet matron, followed by six most beautifulgirls, each bearing a fragrant torch of cinnamon mind roses, advancedand offered to conduct the Lady Iduna to her apartments. 

The matron and her company of maidens conducted the daughter ofHunniades down a long gallery, which led to a suite of the prettiestchambers in the world. The first was an antechamber, painted like abower, but filled with the music of living birds; the second, which wasmuch larger, was entirely covered with Venetian mirrors, and restingon a bright Persian carpet were many couches of crimson velvet, coveredwith a variety of sumptuous dresses; the third room was a bath, madein the semblance of a gigantic shell. Its roof was of transparentalabaster, glowing with shadowy light. 

CHAPTER 17

A flourish of trumpets announced the return of the Lady Iduna and thePrince of Athens, magnificently attired, came forward with a smile, andled her, with a compliment on her resuming the dress of her sex, ifnot of her country, to the banquet. Iduna was not uninfluenced by thatexcitement which is insensibly produced by a sudden change of scene andcircumstances, and especially by an unexpected transition from hardship, peril, and suffering, to luxury, security, and enjoyment. Their spiritswere elevated and gay: she smiled upon Nicæus with a cheerful sympathy. They feasted, they listened to sweet music, they talked over theirlate adventures, and, animated by their own enjoyment, they became moresanguine as to the fate of Iskander. 

"In two or three days we shall know more, " said Nicæus. "In themeantime, rest is absolutely necessary to you. It is only now that youwill begin to be sensible of the exertion you have made. If Iskander beat Croia, he has already informed your father of your escape; if hehave not arrived, I have arranged that a courier shall be dispatchedto Hunniades from that city. Do not be anxious. Try to be happy. Iam myself sanguine that you will find all well. Come, pledge me yourfather's health, fair lady, in this goblet of Tenedos!"

"How know I that at this moment he may not be at the point of death, "replied Iduna. "When I am absent from those I love, I dream only oftheir unhappiness. "

"At this moment also, " rejoined Nicæus, "he dreams perhaps of yourimprisonment among barbarians. Yet how mistaken! Let that considerationsupport you. Come! here is to the Eremite. "

"As willing, if not as sumptuous, a host as our present one, " saidIduna; "and when, by-the-bye, do you think that your friend, the LordJustinian, will arrive?"

"Oh! never mind him, " said Nicæus. "He would have arrived to-morrow, butthe great news which I gave him has probably changed his plans. I toldhim of the approaching invasion, and he has perhaps found it necessaryto visit the neighbouring chieftains, or even to go on to Croia. "

"Well-a-day!" exclaimed Iduna, "I would we were in my father's camp!"

"We shall soon be there, dear lady, " replied the Prince. "Come, worthySeneschal, " he added, turning to that functionary, "drink to this noblelady's happy meeting with her friends. "

CHAPTER 18

Three or four days passed away at the castle of Justinian, in whichNicæus used his utmost exertions to divert the anxiety of Iduna. Oneday was spent in examining the castle, on another he amused her with ahawking party, on a third he carried her to the neighbouring ruins of atemple, and read his favourite Æschylus to her amid its lone andelegant columns. It was impossible for any one to be more amiable andentertaining, and Iduna could not resist recognising his many virtuesand accomplishments. The courier had not yet returned from Croia, which Nicæus accounted for by many satisfactory reasons. The suspense, however, at length became so painful to Iduna, that she proposed to thePrince of Athens that they should, without further delay, proceed tothat city. As usual, Nicæus was not wanting in many plausible argumentsin favour of their remaining at the castle, but Iduna was resolute. 

"Indeed, dear Nicæus, " she said, "my anxiety to see my father, or hearfrom him, is so great, that there is scarcely any danger which I wouldnot encounter to gratify my wish. I feel that I have already taxed yourendurance too much. But we are no longer in a hostile land, and guardsand guides are to be engaged. Let me then depart alone!"

"Iduna!" exclaimed Nicæus, reproachfully. "Alas! Iduna, you are cruel, but I did not expect this!"

"Dear Nicæus!" she answered, "you always misinterpret me! It wouldinfinitely delight me to be restored to Hunniades by yourself, but theseare no common times, and you are no common person. You forget that thereis one that has greater claims upon you even than a forlorn maiden, yourcountry. And whether Iskander be at Croia or not, Greece requires thepresence and exertions of the Prince of Athens. "

"I have no country, " replied Nicæus, mournfully, "and no object forwhich to exert myself. "

"Nicæus! Is this the poetic patriot who was yesterday envyingThemistocles?"

"Alas! Iduna, yesterday you were my muse. I do not wonder you arewearied of this castle!" continued the prince in a melancholy tone. "This spot contains nothing to interest you; but for me, it holds allthat is dear, and, O! gentle maiden, one smile from you, one smile ofinspiration, and I would not envy Themistocles, and might perhaps rivalhim. "

They were walking together in the hall of the castle; Iduna steppedaside and affected to examine a curious buckler, Nicæus followed her, and placing his arm gently in hers, led her away. 

"Dearest Iduna, " he said, "pardon me, but men struggle for their fate. Mine is in your power. It is a contest between misery and happiness, glory and perhaps infamy. Do not then wonder that I will not yield mychance of the brighter fortune without an effort. Once more I appeal toyour pity, if not to your love. Were Iduna mine, were she to hold outbut the possibility of her being mine, there is no career, solemnly Iavow what solemnly I feel, there is no career of which I could not becapable, and no condition to which I would not willingly subscribe. Butthis certainty, or this contingency, I must have: I cannot exist withoutthe alternative. And now upon my knees, I implore her to grant it tome!"

"Nicæus, " said Iduna, "this continued recurrence to a forbidden subjectis most ungenerous. "

"Alas! Iduna, my life depends upon a word, which you will not speak, andyou talk of generosity. No! Iduna, it is not I that I am ungenerous. "

"Let me say then unreasonable, Prince Nicæus. "

"Say what you like, Iduna, provided you say that you are mine. "

"Pardon me, sir, I am free. "

"Free! You have ever underrated me, Iduna. To whom do you owe thisboasted freedom?"

"This is not the first time, " remarked Iduna, "that you have remindedme of an obligation, the memory of which is indelibly impressed upon myheart, and for which even the present conversation cannot make mefeel less grateful. I can never forget that I owe all that is dear toyourself and your companion. "

"My companion!" replied the Prince of Athens, pale and passionate. "Mycompanion! Am I ever to be reminded of my companion?"

"Nicæus!" said Iduna; "if you forget what is due to me, at leastendeavour to remember what is due to yourself?"

"Beautiful being!" said the prince, advancing and passionately seizingher hand; "pardon me! pardon me! I am not master of my reason; I amnothing, I am nothing while Iduna hesitates!"

"She does not hesitate, Nicæus. I desire, I require, that thisconversation shall cease; shall never, never be renewed. "

"And I tell thee, haughty woman, " said the Prince of Athens, grindinghis teeth, and speaking with violent action, "that I will no longer bedespised with impunity. Iduna is mine, or is no one else's. "

"Is it possible?" exclaimed the daughter of Hunniades. "Is it, indeed, come to this? But why am I surprised! I have long known Nicæus. I quitthis castle instantly. "

"You are a prisoner, " replied the prince very calmly, and leaning withfolded arms against the wall. 

"A prisoner!" exclaimed Iduna, a little alarmed. "A prisoner! I defyyou, sir. You are only a guest like myself. I will appeal to theSeneschal in the absence of his lord. He will never permit the honourof his master's flag to be violated by the irrational caprice of apassionate boy. "

"What lord?" inquired Nicæus. 

"Your friend, the Lord Justinian, " answered Iduna. "He could littleanticipate such an abuse of his hospitality. "

"My friend, the Lord Justinian!" replied Nicæus, with a malignant smile. "I am surprised that a personage of the Lady Iduna's deep discriminationshould so easily be deceived by 'a passionate boy!' Is it possible thatyou could have supposed for a moment that there was any other lord ofthis castle, save your devoted slave?"

"What!" exclaimed Iduna, really frightened. 

"I have, indeed, the honour of finding the Lady Iduna my guest, "continued Nicæus, in a tone of bitter raillery. "This castle ofKallista, the fairest in all Epirus, I inherit from my mother. Of lateI have seldom visited it; but, indeed, it will become a favouriteresidence of mine, if it be, as I anticipate, the scene of my nuptialceremony. "

Iduna looked around her with astonishment, then threw herself upon acouch, and burst into tears. The Prince of Athens walked up and down thehall with an air of determined coolness. 

"Perfidious!" exclaimed Iduna between her sobs. 

"Lady Iduna, " said the prince; and he seated himself by her side. "Iwill not attempt to palliate a deception which your charms couldalone inspire and can alone justify. Hear me, Lady Iduna, hear mewith calmness. I love you; I love you with a passion which has beenas constant as it is strong. My birth, my rank, my fortunes, do notdisqualify me for an union with the daughter of the great Hunniades. If my personal claims may sink in comparison with her surpassingexcellence, I am yet to learn that any other prince in Christendom canurge a more effective plea. I am young; the ladies of the court havecalled me handsome; by your great father's side I have broken somelances in your honour; and even Iduna once confessed she thought meclever. Come, come, be merciful! Let my beautiful Athens receive afitting mistress! A holy father is in readiness dear maiden. Come now, one smile! In a few days we shall reach your father's camp, and then wewill kneel, as I do now, and beg a blessing on our happy union. " As hespoke, he dropped upon his knee, and stealing her hand, looked into herface. It was sorrowful and gloomy. 

"It is in vain, Nicæus, " said Iduna, "to appeal to your generosity;it is useless to talk of the past; it is idle to reproach you forthe present. I am a woman, alone and persecuted, where I could leastanticipate persecution. Nicæus, I never can be yours; and now I delivermyself to the mercy of Almighty God. "

"'Tis well, " said Nicæus. "From the tower of the castle you may beholdthe waves of the Ionian Sea. You will remain here a close prisoner, until one of my galleys arrive from Piræus to bear us to Italy. Mine youmust be, Iduna. It remains for you to decide under what circumstances. Continue in your obstinacy, and you may bid farewell for ever to yourcountry and to your father. Be reasonable, and a destiny awaits you, which offers everything that has hitherto been considered the source orcause of happiness. " Thus speaking, the prince retired, leaving the LadyIduna to her own unhappy thoughts. 

CHAPTER 19

The Lady Iduna was at first inclined to view the conduct of the Princeof Athens as one of those passionate and passing ebullitions in whichher long acquaintance with him had taught her he was accustomed toindulge. But when on retiring soon after to her apartments, she wasinformed by her attendant matron that she must in future considerherself a prisoner, and not venture again to quit them withoutpermission, she began to tremble at the possible violence of anill-regulated mind. She endeavoured to interest her attendant in herbehalf; but the matron was too well schooled to evince any feelingor express any opinion on the subject; and indeed, at length, fairlyinformed Iduna that she was commanded to confine her conversation to theduties of her office. 

The Lady Iduna was very unhappy. She thought of her father, she thoughtof Iskander. The past seemed a dream; she was often tempted to believethat she was still, and had ever been, a prisoner in the Serail ofAdrianople; and that all the late wonderful incidents of her life werebut the shifting scenes of some wild slumber. And then some slightincident, the sound of a bell or the sign of some holy emblem, assuredher she was in a Christian land, and convinced her of the strange truththat she was indeed in captivity, and a prisoner, above all others, to the fond companion of her youth. Her indignation at the conduct ofNicæus roused her courage; she resolved to make an effort to escape. Her rooms were only lighted from above; she determined to steal forth atnight into the gallery; the door was secured. She hastened back to herchamber in fear and sorrow, and wept. 

Twice in the course of the day the stern and silent matron visited Idunawith her food; and as she retired, secured the door. This was the onlyindividual that the imprisoned lady ever beheld. And thus heavily rolledon upwards of a week. On the eve of the ninth day, Iduna was surprisedby the matron presenting her a letter as she quitted the chamber forthe night. Iduna seized it with a feeling of curiosity not unmixedwith pleasure. It was the only incident that had occurred during hercaptivity. She recognised the hand-writing of Nicæus, and threw it downwith; vexation at her silliness in supposing, for a moment, that thematron could have been the emissary of any other person. 

Yet the letter must be read, and at length she opened it. It informedher that a ship had arrived from Athens at the coast, and that to-morrowshe must depart for Italy. It told her also, that the Turks, underMahomed, had invaded Albania; and that the Hungarians, under thecommand of her father, had come to support the Cross. It said nothing ofIskander. But it reminded her that little more than the same time thatwould carry her to the coast to embark for a foreign land, would, wereshe wise, alike enable Nicæus to place her in her father's arms, andallow him to join in the great struggle for his country and his creed. The letter was written with firmness, but tenderly. It left, however, on the mind of Iduna an impression of the desperate resolution of thewriter. 

Now it so happened, that as this unhappy lady jumped from her couch, andpaced the room in the perturbation of her mind, the wind of her draperyextinguished her lamp. As her attendant, or visitor, had paid herlast visit for the day, there seemed little chance of its being againillumined. The miserable are always more unhappy in the dark. Light isthe greatest of comforters. And so this little misfortune seemed to theforlorn Iduna almost overwhelming. And as she attempted to look around, and wrung her hands in very woe, her attention was attracted by abrilliant streak of light upon the wall, which greatly surprised her. She groped her way in its direction, and slowly stretching forth herhand, observed that it made its way through a chink in the frame of oneof the great mirrors which were inlaid in the wall. And as she pressedthe frame, she felt to her surprise that it sprang forward. Had she notbeen very cautious the advancing mirror would have struck her with greatforce, but she had presence of mind to withdraw her hand very gradually, repressing the swiftness of the spring. The aperture occasioned bythe opening of the mirror consisted of a recess, formed by a closed-upwindow. An old wooden shutter, or blind, in so ruinous a state, that thelight freely made its way, was the only barrier against the elements. Iduna, seizing the handle which remained, at once drew it open withlittle difficulty. 

The captive gazed with gladdened feelings upon the free and beautifulscene. Beneath her rose the rich and aromatic shrubs tinged with thesoft and silver light of eve: before her extended wide and fertilechampaign, skirted by the dark and undulating mountains: in the clearsky, glittering and sharp, sparkled the first crescent of the new moon, an auspicious omen to the Moslemin invaders. 

Iduna gazed with, joy upon the landscape, and then hastily descendingfrom the recess, she placed her hands to her eyes, so long unaccustomedto the light. Perhaps, too, she indulged in momentary meditation. Forsuddenly seizing a number of shawls; which were lying on one of thecouches, she knotted them together, and then striving with all herforce, she placed the heaviest, coach on one end of the costly cord, andthen throwing the other out of the window, and entrusting herself tothe merciful care of the holy Virgin, the brave daughter of Hunniadessuccessfully dropped down into the garden below. 

She stopped to breathe, and to revel in her emancipated existence. Itwas a bold enterprise gallantly achieved. But the danger had now onlycommenced. She found that she had alighted at the back of the castle. She stole along upon tip-toe, timid as a fawn. She remembered a smallwicket-gate that led into the open country. She arrived at the gate. Itwas of course guarded. The single sentinel was kneeling before an imageof St. George, beside him was an empty drinking-cup and an exhaustedwineskin. 

"Holy Saint!" exclaimed the pious sentinel, "preserve us from allTurkish infidels!" Iduna stole behind him. "Shall men who drink no wineconquer true Christians!" continued the sentinel. Iduna placed her handupon the lock. "We thank thee for our good vintage, " said the sentinel. Iduna opened the gate with the noiseless touch which a feminine fingercan alone command. "And for the rise of the Lord Iskander!" added thesentinel. Iduna escaped!

Now she indeed was free. Swiftly she ran over the wide plain. She hopedto reach some town or village before her escape could be discovered, andshe hurried on for three hours without resting. She came to a beautifulgrove of olive-trees that spread in extensive ramifications about theplain. And through this beautiful grove of olive-trees her path seemedto lead. So she entered and advanced. And when she had journeyed forabout a mile, she came to an open and very verdant piece of ground, which was, as it were, the heart of the grove. In its centre rose a fairand antique structure of white marble, shrouding from the noon-day sunthe perennial flow of a very famous fountain. It was near midnight. Iduna was wearied, and she sat down upon the steps of the fountain forrest. And while she was musing over all the strange adventures of herlife, she heard a rustling in the wood, and being alarmed, she rose andhid herself behind a tree. 

And while she stood there, with palpitating heart, the figure of a manadvanced to the fountain from an opposite direction of the grove. Hewent up the steps, and looked down upon the spring as if he were aboutto drink, but instead of doing that, he drew his scimitar, and plungedit into the water, and called out with a loud voice the name of"Iskander!" three times. Whereupon Iduna, actuated by an irresistibleimpulse, came forward from her hiding-place, but instantly gave a loudshriek when she beheld the Prince Mahomed!

"Oh! night of glory!" exclaimed the prince, advancing. "Do I indeedbehold the fair Iduna! This is truly magic!"

"Away! away!" exclaimed the distracted Iduna, as she endeavoured to flyfrom him. 

"He has kept his word, that cunning leech, better than I expected, " saidMahomed, seizing her. 

"As well as you deserve, ravisher!" exclaimed a majestic voice. A tallfigure rushed forward from the wood, and dashed back the Turk. 

"I am here to complete my contract, Prince Mahomed, " said the stranger, drawing his sword. 

"Iskander!" exclaimed the prince. 

"We have met before, prince. Let us so act now that we may meet for thelast time. "

"Infamous, infernal traitor, " exclaimed Mahomed, "dost thou, indeed, imagine that I will sully my imperial blade with the blood of myrun-away slave! No I came here to secure thy punishment, but I cannotcondescend to become thy punisher. Advance, guards, and seize him! Seizethem both!"

Iduna flew to Iskander, who caught her in one arm, while he waved hisscimitar with the other. The guards of Mahomed poured forth from theside of the grove whence the prince had issued. 

"And dost thou indeed think, Mahomed, " said Iskander, "that I have beeneducated in the Seraglio to be duped by Moslemin craft. I offer theesingle combat if thou desirest it, but combat as we may, the struggleshall be equal. " He whistled, and instantly a body of Hungarians, headed by Hunniades himself, advanced from the side of the grove whenceIskander had issued. 

"Come on, then, " said Mahomed; "each to his man. " Their swords clashed, but the principal attendants of the son of Amurath deeming the affairunder the present circumstances assumed the character of a mere rashadventure, bore away the Turkish prince. 

"To-morrow then, this fray shall be decided on the plains of Kallista, "said Mahomed. 

"Epirus is prepared, " replied Iskander. 

The Turks withdrew. Iskander bore the senseless form of Iduna to herfather. Hunniades embraced his long-lost child. They sprinkled her facewith water from the fountain. She revived. 

"Where is Nicæus?" inquired Iskander; "and how came you again, dearlady, in the power of Mahomed?"

"Alas! noble sir, my twice deliverer, " answered Iduna, "I have, indeed, again been doomed to captivity, but my persecutor, I blush to say, wasthis time a Christian prince. "

"Holy Virgin!" exclaimed Iskander. "Who can this villain be?"

"The villain, Lord Iskander, is your friend; and your pupil, dearfather. "

"Nicæus of Athens!" exclaimed Hunniades. 

Iskander was silent and melancholy. 

Thereupon the Lady Iduna recounted to her father and Iskander, sittingbetween them on the margin of the fount, all that had occurred to her, since herself and Nicæus parted with Iskander; nor did she omit torelate to Hunniades all the devotion of Iskander, respecting which, like a truly brave man, he had himself been silent. The great Hunniadesscarcely knew which rather to do, to lavish his affection on his belovedchild, or his gratitude upon Iskander. Thus they went on conversingfor some time, Iskander placing his own cloak around Iduna, and almostunconsciously winding his arm around her unresisting form. 

Just as they were preparing to return to the Christian camp, a greatnoise was heard in the grove, and presently, in the direction whenceIduna had arrived, there came a band of men bearing torches andexamining the grove in all directions in great agitation. Iskander andHunniades stood upon their guard, but soon perceived they were Greeks. Their leader, seeing a group near the fountain, advanced to makeinquiries respecting the object of his search, but when he indeedrecognised the persons who formed the group, the torch fell from hisgrasp, and he turned away his head and hid his face in his hands. 

Iduna clung to her father; Iskander stood with his eyes fixed upon theground, but Hunniades, stern and terrible, disembarrassing himself ofthe grasp of his daughter, advanced and laid his hand upon the stranger. 

"Young man, " said the noble father, "were it contrition instead of shamethat inspired this attitude, it might be better. I have often warned youof the fatal consequences of a reckless indulgence of the passions. More than once I have predicted to you, that however great might be yourconfidence in your ingenuity and your resources, the hour would arrivewhen such a career would place you in a position as despicable as it wasshameful. That hour has arrived, and that position is now filled by thePrince of Athens. You stand before the three individuals in this worldwhom you have most injured, and whom you were most bound to love and toprotect. Here is a friend, who hazarded his prosperity and his existencefor your life and your happiness. And you have made him a mere panderto your lusts, and then deserted him in his greatest necessities. Thismaiden was the companion of your youth, and entitled to your kindestoffices. You have treated her infinitely worse than her Turkish captor. And for myself, sir, your father was my dearest friend. I endeavoured torepay his friendship by supplying his place to his orphan child. How Idischarged my duty, it becomes not me to say: how you have dischargedyours, this lady here, my daughter, your late prisoner, sir, can bestprove. "

"Oh! spare me, spare me, sir, " said the Prince of Athens, turning andfalling upon his knee. "I am most wretched. Every word cuts to myvery core. Just Providence has baffled all my arts, and I am grateful. Whether this lady can, indeed, forgive me, I hardly dare to think, oreven hope. And yet forgiveness is a heavenly boon. Perhaps the memoryof old days may melt her. As for yourself, sir--but I'll not speak, Icannot. Noble Iskander, if I mistake not, you may whisper words in thatfair ear, less grating than my own. May you be happy! I will not profaneyour prospects with my vows. And yet I'll say farewell!"

The Prince of Athens turned away with an air of complete wretchedness, and slowly withdrew. Iskander followed him. 

"Nicæus, " said Iskander; but the prince entered the grove, and did notturn round. 

"Dear Nicæus, " said Iskander. The prince hesitated. 

"Let us not part thus, " said Iskander. "Iduna is most unhappy. She bademe tell you she had forgotten all. "

"God bless her, and God bless you, too!" replied Nicæus. "I pray you letme go. "

"Nay! dear Nicæus, are we not friends?"

"The best and truest, Iskander. I will to the camp, and meet you in yourtent ere morning break. At present, I would be alone. "

"Dear Nicæus, one word. You have said upon one point, what I could wellwish unsaid, and dared to prophesy what may never happen. I am not madefor such supreme felicity. Epirus is my mistress, my Nicæus. As there isa living God, my friend, most solemnly I vow, I have had no thoughts inthis affair, but for your honour. "

"I know it, my dear friend, I know it, " replied Nicæus. "I keenly feelyour admirable worth. Say no more, say no more! She is a fit wife for ahero, and you are one!"

CHAPTER 20

After the battle of the bridge, Iskander had hurried to Croia withoutdelay. In his progress, he had made many fruitless inquiries after Idunaand Nicæus, but he consoled himself for the unsatisfactory answers hereceived by the opinion that they had taken a different course, andthe conviction that all must now be safe. The messenger from Croia thatinformed Hunniades of the escape of his daughter, also solicited hisaid in favour of Epirus against the impending invasion of the Turks, andstimulated by personal gratitude as well as by public duty, Hunniadesanswered the solicitation in person at the head of twenty thousandlances. 

Hunniades and Iskander had mutually flattered themselves, when apart, that each would be able to quell the anxiety of the other on thesubject of Iduna. The leader of Epirus flattered himself that hislate companions had proceeded at once to Transylvania, and the Vaivodehimself had indulged in the delightful hope that the first person heshould embrace at Croia would be his long-lost child. When, therefore, they met, and were mutually incapable of imparting any informationon the subject to each other, they were filled with astonishment anddisquietude. Events, however, gave them little opportunity to indulgein anxiety or grief. On the day that Hunniades and his lances arrived atCroia, the invading army of the Turks under the Prince Mahomed crossedthe mountains, and soon after pitched their camp on the fertile plain ofKallista. 

As Iskander, by the aid of Hunniades and the neighbouring princes, andthe patriotic exertions of his countrymen, was at this moment at thehead of a force which the Turkish prince could not have anticipated, heresolved to march at once to meet the Ottomans, and decide the fate ofGreece by a pitched battle. 

The night before the arrival of Iduna at the famous fountain, theChristian army had taken up its position within a few miles of theTurks. The turbaned warriors wished to delay the engagement until thenew moon, the eve of which was at hand. And it happened on that said evethat Iskander calling to mind his contract with the Turkish prince madein the gardens of the Seraglio at Adrianople, and believing from thesuperstitious character of Mahomed that he would not fail to be at theappointed spot, resolved, as we have seen, to repair to the fountain ofKallista. 

And now from that fountain the hero retired, bearing with him a prizescarcely less precious than the freedom of his country, for which he wasto combat on the morrow's morn. 

Ere the dawn had broken, the Christian power was in motion. Iskandercommanded the centre, Hunniades the right wing. The left was entrustedat his urgent request to the Prince of Athens. A mist that hung aboutthe plain allowed Nicæus to charge the right wing of the Turks almostunperceived. He charged with irresistible fury, and soon disordered theranks of the Moslemin. Mahomed with the reserve hastened to their aid. A mighty multitude of Janissaries, shouting the name of Allah and hisProphet, penetrated the Christian centre. Hunniades endeavoured toattack them on their flank, but was himself charged by the Turkishcavalry. The battle was now general, and raged with terrible fury. Iskander had secreted in his centre, a new and powerful battery ofcannon, presented to him by the Pope, and which had just arrived fromVenice. This battery played upon the Janissaries with great destruction. He himself mowed them down with his irresistible scimitar. Infinite wasthe slaughter! awful the uproar! But of all the Christian knights thisday, no one performed such mighty feats of arms as the Prince of Athens. With a reckless desperation he dashed about the field, and everythingseemed to yield to his inspired impulse. His example animated his menwith such a degree of enthusiasm, that the division to which he wasopposed, although encouraged by the presence of Mahomed himself, couldno longer withstand the desperate courage of the Christians, and fledin all directions. Then, rushing to the aid of Iskander, Nicæus, at thehead of a body of picked men, dashed upon the rear of the Janissaries, and nearly surrounded them. Hunniades instantly made a fresh charge uponthe left wing of the Turks. A panic fell upon the Moslemin, who werelittle prepared for such a demonstration of strength on the part oftheir adversaries. In a few minutes, their order seemed generallybroken, and their leaders in vain endeavoured to rally them. Waving hisbloody scimitar, and bounding on his black charger, Iskander called uponhis men to secure the triumph of the Cross and the freedom of Epirus. Pursuit was now general. 

CHAPTER 21

The Turks were massacred by thousands. Mahomed, when he found that allwas lost, fled to the mountains, with a train of guards and eunuchs, and left the care of his dispersed host to his Pachas. The hills werecovered with the fugitives and their pursuers. Some fled also to theseashore, where the Turkish fleet was at anchor. The plain was strewnwith corpses and arms, and tents and standards. The sun was now high inthe heavens. The mist had cleared away; but occasional clouds of smokestill sailed about. 

A solitary Christian knight entered a winding pass in the green hills, apart from the scene of strife. The slow and trembling step of hiswearied steed would have ill qualified him to join in the triumphantpursuit, even had he himself been physically enabled; but the Christianknight was covered with gore, unhappily not alone that of his enemies. He was, indeed, streaming, with desperate wounds, and scarcely could hisfainting form retain its tottering seat. 

The winding pass, which for some singular reason he now pursued insolitude, instead of returning to the busy camp for aid and assistance, conducted the knight to a small green valley, covered with sweet herbs, and entirely surrounded by hanging woods. In the centre rose the ruinsof a Doric fane: three or four columns, grey and majestic. All was stilland silent, save that in the clear blue sky an eagle flew, high in theair, but whirling round the temple. 

The knight reached the ruins of the Doric fane, and with difficultydismounting from his charger, fell upon the soft and flowery turf, andfor some moments was motionless. His horse stole a few yards away, and though scarcely less injured than its rider, instantly commencedcropping the inviting pasture. 

At length the Christian knight slowly raised his head, and leaning onhis arm, sighed deeply. His face was very pale; but as he looked up, andperceived the eagle in the heaven, a smile played upon his pallid cheek, and his beautiful eye gleamed with a sudden flash of light. 

"Glorious bird!" murmured the Christian warrior, "once I deemed that mycareer might resemble thine! 'Tis over now and Greece, for which I wouldhave done so much, will soon forget my immemorial name. I have stolenhere to die in silence and in beauty. This blue air, and these greenwoods, and these lone columns, which oft to me have been a consolation, breathing of the poetic past, and of the days wherein I fain hadlived, I have escaped from the fell field of carnage to die amongthem. Farewell my country! Farewell to one more beautiful than Greece, farewell, Iduna!"

These were the last words of Nicæus, Prince of Athens. 

CHAPTER 22

While the unhappy lover of the daughter of Hunniades breathed his lastwords to the solitary elements, his more fortunate friend received, inthe centre of his scene of triumph, the glorious congratulations of hisemancipated country. The discomfiture of the Turks was complete, andthis overthrow, coupled with their recent defeat in Bulgaria, securedChristendom from their assaults during the remainder of the reignof Amurath the Second. Surrounded by his princely allies, and thechieftains of Epirus, the victorious standards of Christendom, and thetriumphant trophies of the Moslemin, Iskander received from the greatHunniades the hand of his beautiful daughter. "Thanks to these bravewarriors, " said the hero, "I can now offer to your daughter a safe, anhonourable, and a Christian home. "

"It is to thee, great sir, that Epirus owes its security, " said anancient chieftain, addressing Iskander, "its national existence, andits holy religion. All that we have to do now is to preserve them; norindeed do I see that we can more effectually obtain these great objectsthan by entreating thee to mount the redeemed throne of thy ancestors. Therefore I say GOD SAVE ISKANDER, KING OF EPIRUS!"

And all the people shouted and said, "GOD SAVE THE KING! GOD SAVEISKANDER, KING OF EPIRUS!"