Part 40 (1/2)

”She is making too wide a sweep,” said the Sultan.

”She does not seem inclined to turn at all,” observed the Kislar Aga.

”She will strike the current if she turn not soon,” rejoined Mahomet excitedly.

The prow of her kaik turned off westward.

”She is in the stream!” cried several. ”She will be overturned!” But on sped the kaik, heading full down the current, which, catching it like some friendly sprite from beneath, bore it quickly out of sight around the Seraglio Point; and on--on into a thick mist which was rolling up, as if sent of heaven to meet it, from the broad expanse of the sea.

”An escape!” cried the Sultan. ”After her every one of you black devils!”

The eunuchs wasted several precious moments in getting the command through their heads, and, even when they started, it was evident that their muscles were too flaccid, their spines too limp, and their wind not full enough to overhaul the flying skiff of the Albanian.

”To sh.o.r.e! To horse!” cried the raging monarch.

A quarter of an hour later, hors.e.m.e.n were clattering down the stony street along the water front of Marmora, pausing now and then to stare out into the sea mist, das.h.i.+ng on, stopping and staring, and on again.

The foremost to reach the Castle of the Seven Towers left orders to scour the sh.o.r.e, and to set patrol to prevent any one landing. Some were ordered to dart across to the islands. Within an hour from the escape every inch of sh.o.r.e, and the great water course opposite the city, were under complete surveillance.

Just before this was accomplished a man arrived at the water's edge, close to the south side of the great wall of which the Castle of Seven Towers was the northern flank. He held two horses, saddled and bagged, as if for a distant journey. A second man appeared a moment later, who came up from a clump of bushes a little way below.

”In good time, Marcus!” said the new comer, who stooped close to the water and listened, putting his hand to his ear so as to exclude all sounds except such as should come from the sea above.

”Listen! an oar stroke! Yes! Keep everything tight, Marcus.”

Darting into the copse, in a moment more the man was gliding in a kaik, with a noiseless stroke, out in the direction of the oar splash of the approaching boat. Nearer and nearer it came. The night and the mist prevented its being seen. The man moved close to its line. It was a light kaik, he knew from the almost noiseless ripple of the water as the sharp prow cut it. The man gave a slight whistle, when the stroke of the invisible boat ceased, and the ripple at its prow died away.

”Morsinia!”

”Ay, thank heaven!” came the response.

”Speak not now, but follow!” and he led the way cautiously toward the little beach where the horses were heard stamping. They were several rods off, piloting themselves by the sound.

”Hark!” said the man, stopping the boats. Hoofs were heard approaching, and voices--

”She might have put across to the Princess Island,” said one.

”Nonsense!” was the reply. ”She would only imprison herself by that--more likely she has gone clean across to Chalcedon. But I hold that she has played fox, and turned on her trail. Ten liras to one that she is by this time in Galata with some of the Genoese Giaours.

If so, she will try to escape in a galley; but that can be prevented: for the Padishah will overhaul every craft that sails out until he finds her. But hoot, man! what have we here? Two horses! A woman's baggage! She has an accomplice! An elopement! The horses are tied.

The runaway couple haven't arrived yet. Dismount, men! we will lie in wait along the sh.o.r.e here. Yes, let their two horses stand there to draw them to the spot by their stamping. Send ours out of hearing. Now every man to his place! Silence!”

”Back! Back! We are pursued on land,” said the man in the boat to Morsinia, and both boats pushed noiselessly out again from the sh.o.r.e.

”I had prepared for this, Morsinia. You must come into my boat; we will row below for a mile, where we can arrange it at the sh.o.r.e.”

Quietly they shot down in the lessening current, until they turned into a little cove made by a projecting rock. As lightly as a fawn the girl leaped to the beach. Her companion was by her side in an instant.

She drew back, and gave no return to his warm embrace, but said heartily: