entire kennel of dogs in the banqueting hall, firing the Kasbah and
burning it to the ground, with all the Moorish tyrants inside of it like
rats in a trap.

One danger attended his bold adventure, for Naomi's person was within
the Kasbah walls. To meet this peril Ali was himself to find his way
into the dungeon, deliver Naomi, lock the Kasbah gate, and deliver up to
another the key that should serve as a signal for the beginning of the
great night's work.

Also one difficulty attended it, for while Ali would be at the Kasbah
there would be no one to bring up the Spaniards at the proper moment for
the siege--no one in Tetuan on whom the strangers could rely not to
lead them blindfold into a trap. To meet this difficulty Ali had gone in
search of the Mahdi, revealed to him his plan, and asked him to help
in the downfall of his master's enemies by leading the Spaniards at the
right moment to the gates that should be thrown open to receive them.

Hearing Ali's story, the Mahdi had been aflame with tender thoughts
of Naomi's trials, with hatred of Ben Aboo's tyrannies, and pity of
Israel's miseries. But at first his humanity had withheld him from
sympathy with Ali's dark purpose, so full, as it seemed, of barbarity
and treachery.

"Ali," he had said, "is it not all you wish for to get Naomi out of
prison and take her back to her father?"

"Yes, Sidi," Ali had answered promptly.

"And you don't want to torture these tyrants if you can do what you