While he strengthened by every means his authority from within, he missed no opportunity of extending his rule without.  In 1803 he declared war against the Suliots, whose independence he had frequently endeavoured either to purchase or to overthrow.  The army sent against them, although ten thousand strong, was at first beaten everywhere.  Ali then, as usual, brought treason to his aid, and regained the advantage.  It became evident that, sooner or later, the unhappy Suliots must succumb.

Foreseeing the horrors which their defeat would entail, Emineh, touched with compassion, issued from her seclusion and cast herself at Ali’s feet.  He raised her, seated her beside him, and inquired as to her wishes.  She spoke of generosity, of mercy; he listened as if touched and wavering, until she named the Suliots.  Then, filled with fury, he seized a pistol and fired at her.  She was not hurt, but fell to the ground overcome with terror, and her women hastily intervened and carried her away.  For the first time in his life, perhaps, Ali shuddered before the dread of a murder.

It was his wife, the mother of his children, whom he saw lying at his feet, and the recollection afflicted and tormented him.  He rose in the night and went to Emineh’s apartment; he knocked and called, but being refused admittance, in his anger he broke open the door.  Terrified by the noise; and at the sight of her infuriated husband, Emineh fell into violent convulsions, and shortly expired.  Thus perished the daughter of Capelan Pacha, wife of Ali Tepeleni, and mother of Mouktar and Veli, who, doomed to live surrounded by evil, yet remained virtuous and good.

Her death caused universal mourning throughout Albania, and produced a not less deep impression on the mind of her murderer.  Emineh’s spectre pursued him in his pleasures, in the council chamber, in the hours of night.  He saw her, he heard her, and would awake, exclaiming, “my wife! my wife!—­It is my wife!—­Her eyes are angry; she threatens me!—­Save me!  Mercy!” For more than ten years Ali never dared to sleep alone.

CHAPTER IV

In December, the Suliots, decimated by battle, worn by famine, discouraged by treachery, were obliged to capitulate.  The treaty gave them leave to go where they would, their own mountains excepted.  The unfortunate tribe divided into two parts, the one going towards Parga, the other towards Prevesa.  Ali gave orders for the destruction of both, notwithstanding the treaty.

The Parga division was attacked in its march, and charged by a numerous body of Skipetars.  Its destruction seemed imminent, but instinct suddenly revealed to the ignorant mountaineers the one manoeuvre which might save them.  They formed a square, placing old men, women, children, and cattle in the midst, and, protected by this military formation, entered Parga in full view of the cut-throats sent to pursue them.