of my dear daughter and of her gallant companion prevented such a
necessity. It was strange to me to find such joyous reception
amongst my friends expressed in such a whispered silence. There was
no time for comment or understanding or the asking of questions--I
was fain to take things as they stood, and wait for fuller
explanation.

This came later, when my daughter and I were able to converse alone.

When the expedition went out against the Silent Tower, Teuta and I
went to her tent, and with us came her gigantic companion, who seemed
not wearied, but almost overcome with sleep. When we came into the
tent, over which at a little distance a cordon of our mountaineers
stood on guard, he said to me:

"May I ask you, sir, to pardon me for a time, and allow the Voivodin
to explain matters to you? She will, I know, so far assist me, for
there is so much work still to be done before we are free of the
present peril. For myself, I am almost overcome with sleep. For
three nights I have had no sleep, but all during that time much
labour and more anxiety. I could hold on longer; but at daybreak I
must go out to the Turkish warship that lies in the offing. She is a
Turk, though she does not confess to it; and she it is who has
brought hither the marauders who captured both your daughter and
yourself. It is needful that I go, for I hold a personal authority
from the National Council to take whatever step may be necessary for
our protection. And when I go I should be clear-headed, for war may
rest on that meeting. I shall be in the adjoining tent, and shall
come at once if I am summoned, in case you wish for me before dawn."
Here my daughter struck in: