The firing ceased while we rode in between them and their object; and Suleyman assured the villagers politely that I was the right hand and peculiar agent of the English Consul-General, with absolutely boundless power to hang and massacre.
Upon the other hand, we all three argued with Sheykh Yusuf that he should leave the place at once and lay his case before the Governor.
'We will go with him,' said Suleyman to me, 'in order that your Honour may be made acquainted with the Governor--a person whom you ought to know.

His property will not be damaged in his absence, for they fear the law.

The heat of war is one thing, and cold-blooded malice is another.

It is the sight and sound of him that irritates them and so drives them to excess.' At length we got the Sheykh on horseback and upon the road; but he was far from grateful, wishing always to go back and fight.

We could not get a civil word from him on the long ride, and just before we reached the town where lived the Governor he managed to escape.
Rashid flung up his hands when we first noticed his defection.