The Pirate City

Gaining the roof, Achmet looked over the parapet -- and his first glance was enough to convince him that he must bid farewell to all hope. The palace was completely surrounded. The insurgents set up a fierce shout on observing him, firing a volley of balls from many directions -- all passing harmlessly overhead. "Now you see, Ashweesha," he said with a sad smile to the Sultana, who had followed him to the terrace, "my time has come. It is fate. Allah has willed it so -- so there is no possibility of averting it!"