He was approaching the arena of Nicopolis when a third Tartar messenger informed him of the defeat of his army.

Ali changed countenance, and could scarcely articulate the order to return to Prevesa.

Once in his palace, he gave way to such fury that all around him trembled, demanding frequently if it could be true that his troops were beaten.

"May your misfortune be upon us!" his attendants answered, prostrating themselves.

All at once, looking out on the calm blue sea which lay before his windows, he perceived his fleet doubling Cape Pancrator and re-entering the Ambracian Gulf under full sail; it anchored close by the palace, and on hailing the leading ship a speaking trumpet announced to Ali the death of his admiral, Athanasius Macrys.
"But Parga, Parga!" cried Ali.
"May Allah grant the pacha long life! The Parganiotes have escaped the sword of His Highness." "It is the will of Allah!" murmured the pacha; whose head sank upon his breast in dejection.
Arms having failed, Ali, as usual, took refuge in plots and treachery, but this time, instead of corrupting his enemies with gold, he sought to weaken them by division..