ali pacha-第13章
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He spent the night at Chenderia； a castle built on a rock； whence the town of Kardiki was plainly visible。 Next day at daybreak Ali despatched an usher to summon all the male inhabitants of Kardiki to appear before Chenderia； in order to receive assurances of the pacha's pardon and friendship。
The Kardikiotes at once divined that this injunction was the precursor of a terrible vengeance： the whole town echoed with cries and groans； the mosques were filled with people praying for deliverance。 The appointed time arrived； they embraced each other as if parting for ever； and then the men； unarmed； in number six hundred and seventy； started for Chenderia。 At the gate of the town they encountered a troop of Albanians； who followed as if to escort them； and which increased in number as they proceeded。 Soon they arrived in the dread presence of Ali Pacha。 Grouped in formidable masses around him stood several thousand of his fierce soldiery。
The unhappy Kardikiotes realised their utter helplessness； and saw that they； their wives an children； were completely at the mercy of their implacable enemy。 They fell prostrate before the pacha； and with all the fervour which the utmost terror could inspire； implored him to grant them a generous pardon。
Ali for some time silently enjoyed the pleasure of seeing his ancient enemies lying before him prostrate in the dust。 He then desired them to rise； reassured them； called them brothers； sons； friends of his heart。 Distinguishing some of his old acquaintances； he called them to him； spoke familiarly of the days of their youth； of their games； their early friendships； and pointing to the young men； said； with tears in his eyes。
〃The discord which has divided us for so many years has allowed children not born at the time of our dissension to grow into men。 I have lost the pleasure of watching the development of the off…spring of my neighbours and the early friends of my youth； and of bestowing benefits on them； but I hope shortly to repair the natural results of our melancholy divisions。〃
He then made them splendid promises； and ordered them to assemble in a neighbouring caravanserai； where he wished to give them a banquet in proof of reconciliation。 Passing from the depths of despair to transports of joy； the Kardikiotes repaired gaily to the caravanserai； heaping blessings on the pacha； and blaming each other for having ever doubted his good faith。
Ali was carried down from Chenderia in a litter； attended by his courtiers； who celebrated his clemency in pompous speeches； to which he replied with gracious smiles。 At the foot of the steep descent he mounted his horse； and； followed by his troops； rode towards the caravanserai。 Alone； and in silence； he rode twice round it； then； returning to the gate； which had just been closed by his order； he pulled up his horse； and； signing to his own bodyguard to attack the building； 〃Slay them！〃 he cried in a voice of thunder。
The guards remained motionless in surprise and horror； then as the pacha； with a roar； repeated his order； they indignantly flung down their arms。 In vain he harangued； flattered； or threatened them； some preserved a sullen silence； others ventured to demand mercy。 Then he ordered them away； and； calling on the Christian Mirdites who served under his banner。
〃To you； brave Latins；〃 he cried； 〃I will now entrust the duty of exterminating the foes of my race。 Avenge me； and I will reward you magnificently。〃
A confused murmur rose from the ranks。 Ali imagined they were consulting as to what recompense should be required as the price of such deed。
〃Speak；〃 said he； 〃I am ready to listen to your demands and to satisfy them。〃
Then the Mirdite leader came forward and threw back the hood of his black cloak。
〃O Pacha！〃 said he； looking Ali boldly in the face； 〃thy words are an insult； the Mirdites do not slaughter unarmed prisoners in cold blood。 Release the Kardikiotes； give them arms； and we will fight them to the death； but we serve thee as soldiers and not as executioners。〃
At these words； which the black…cloaked battalion received with applause； Ali thought himself betrayed； and looked around with doubt and mistrust。 Fear was nearly taking the place of mercy； words of pardon were on his lips； when a certain Athanasius Vaya； a Greek schismatic； and a favourite of the pacha's； whose illegitimate son he was supposed to be； advanced at the head of the scum of the army； and offered to carry out the death sentence。 Ali applauded his zeal； gave him full authority to act； and spurred his horse to the top of a neighbouring hill； the better to enjoy the spectacle。 The Christian Mirdites and the Mohammedan guards knelt together to pray for the miserable Kardikiotes； whose last hour had come。
The caravanserai where they were shut in was square enclosure； open to the sky； and intended to shelter herds of buffaloes。 The prisoners having heard nothing of what passed outside； were astonished to behold Athanasius Vaya and his troop appearing on the top of the wall。 They did not long remain in doubt。 Ali gave the signal by a pistol…shot； and a general fusillade followed。 Terrible cries echoed from the court； the prisoners； terrified； wounded； crowded one upon another for shelter。 Some ran frantically hither and thither in this enclosure with no shelter and no exit； until they fell； struck down by bullets。 Some tried to climb the walls； in hope of either escape or vengeance； only to be flung back by either scimitars or muskets。 It was a terrible scene of despair and death。
After an hour of firing； a gloomy silence descended on the place； now occupied solely by a heap of corpses。 Ali forbade any burial rites on pain of death； and placed over the gate an inscription in letters of gold； informing posterity that six hundred Kardikiotes had there been sacrificed to the memory of his mother Kamco。
When the shrieks of death ceased in the enclosure； they began to be heard in the town。 The assassins spread themselves through it； and having violated the women and children； gathered them into a crowd to be driven to Libokovo。 At every halt in this frightful journey fresh marauders fell on the wretched victims； claiming their share in cruelty and debauchery。 At length they arrived at their destination； where the triumphant and implacable Chainitza awaited them。 As after the taking of Kormovo； she compelled the women to cut off their hair and to stuff with it a mattress on which she lay。 She then stripped them； and joyfully narrated to them the massacre of their husbands； fathers； brothers and sons； and when she had sufficiently enjoyed their misery they were again handed over to the insults of the soldiery。 Chainitza finally published an edict forbidding either clothes； shelter； or food to be given to the women and children of Kardiki； who were then driven forth into the woods either to die of hunger or to be devoured by wild beasts。 As to the seventy…two hostages； Ali put them all to death when he returned to Janina。 His vengeance was indeed complete。
But as； filled with a horrible satisfaction； the pacha was enjoying the repose of a satiated tiger； an indignant and threatening voice reached him even in the recesses of his palace。 The Sheik Yussuf； governor of the castle of Janina； venerated as a saint by the Mohammedans on account of his piety； and universally beloved and respected for his many virtues； entered Ali's sumptuous dwelling for the first time。 The guards on beholding him remained stupefied and motionless； then the most devout prostrated themselves； while others went to inform the pacha； but no one dared hinder the venerable man； who walked calmly and solemnly through the astonished attendants。 For him there existed no antechamber； no delay； disdaining the ordinary forms of etiquette； he paced slowly through the various apartments； until； with no usher to announce him； he reached that of Ali。 The latter； whose impiety by no means saved him from superstitious terrors； rose hastily from the divan and advanced to meet the holy sheik； who was followed by a crowd of silent courtiers。 Ali addressed him with the utmost respect； and endeavoured even to kiss his right hand。 Yussuf hasti
