'  Pah  !'  he  exclaimed,  '  I  have  caused  the  deaths  of  too  many
with  arms  in  their  hands,  to  fear  this  unarmed  wretch.  Advance
then,  that  we  may  speak  with  thee  conveniently ;  be  not  afraid,  we
will  do  thee  no  harm.'

'  I  fear  thee  not,  O  Sultaun,'  said  Herbert  Compton  (for  so  in
very  truth  it  was),  advancing,  and  bowing  stiffly  yet  respectfully,
'  I  fear  thee  not;  what  canst  thou  do  to  me  that  I  should  fear  thee?'

'  I  could  order  thee  to  be  put  to  death  this  instant,'  said  the
Sultaun  sharply ;  while  others  cried  out  fiercely  that  the  speech
was  insolent,  and  revUed  him.
Herbert  looked  round  him  proudly,  and  many  a  one  among
the  crowd  of  flatterers  quailed  as  his  clear  blue  eye  rested  on
them.  'I  am  not  insolent!'  he  exclaimed;  'if  my  speech  is
plain  and  honest,  take  ye  a  lesson  from  it,  cowards  !  who  could
insult  one  so  helpless  as  I  am  ;'  and  he  drew  himself  up  to  his
full  height  and  folded  his  arms,  awaiting  what  the  Sultaun  should
say  to  him.  His  dress  was  mean,  of  the  coarsest  white  cotton
cloth  of  the  country ;  his  head  was  bare,  and  so  were  his  feet ;
but  in  spite  of  this,  there  was  a  dignity  in  his  appearance  which
inspired  involuntary  respect,  nay  awe  to  many.
