Page:Zawis and Kunigunde (1895).djvu/112

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108
SLAVERY. DELIVERANCE. ORDINATION

from the houses, and in a tongue he partly understood. Prokop accosted the first well-dressed person he met, and inquired for the episcopos. The residence of this dignitary was at once pointed out in the building already mentioned. Prokop forthwith made himself and his eventful condition known; and before two hours had elapsed a formidable body of more than fifteen hundred men had seized Ben Yusuf and all his appendages. The entire property was placed under guard, the captives instantly liberated with shouts, and Ben Yusuf himself escaped a severe flogging only by the intercession of Prokop. Of Ben Yusuf’s men three were recognized as old offenders, and bastinadoed. The bazaar received the new-comers with loud demonstrations. The women were distributed through the households, the men disposed of themselves as opportunity offered. Prokop, already known by reputation, entered the presbyter’s household, and assumed duties in the religious ministrations to the greatly increased population of the place. Don Abraham, with astonishment, found in Gran two Mahomedan merchants who evidently held a position of respect and influence.

Two days later Pietro approached Gran, and with him a number of fugitives whose homes had been desolated in Moravia. With this small company, numbering about twenty persons, appeared two strangers, dressed in dark robes, and bearing as a badge each a cross of equal arms, fleurie, quarterly sable and argent.

In the early afternoon of the Saturday after