Page:Ballantyne--The Pirate City.djvu/272

252 gone hard with him, however, Hamet being a much more powerful man, had not Sidi Omar, with a band of his janissaries, dashed in and secured him.

"But for enemies within thou hadst not overcome me thus easily," said the Dey bitterly, as two of the soldiers held him fast, while others bound his arms behind his back.

"Very true, Hamet," returned Omar, with quiet indifference of manner; "and now it remains with thee to choose thy death, for that must be speedily accomplished.—Ho! there, fetch the cup!"

A silver cup, filled with poison, was brought and presented to the unhappy Hamet by his former friend, Sidi Hassan.

"My undoing has been caused by leniency to dogs like thee," said the Dey, with a dark scowl; then, clearing his brow, and drawing himself up with dignity, he turned to Omar, and added, "I decline to take part in mine own death. If I must die, let me be led forth to the place of public execution. I would die as I have lived: with my face to my foes, and in the sight of my comrades."

"Be it so, we are ready," returned Omar; "let the torch-men lead the way."

As Omar truly said, they were indeed ready, for in a few seconds the front of the palace was lighted up with blazing torches, a procession was formed, and Hamet was led forth to the Bab-Azoun gate,