The next day Ali was resting, with his head on Basilissa’s lap, when he was informed that the enemy was advancing upon the intrenchments which had been raised in the midst of the ruins of Janina.  Already the outposts had been forced, and the fury of the assailants threatened to triumph over all obstacles.  Ali immediately ordered a sortie of all his troops, announcing that he himself would conduct it.  His master of the horse brought him the famous Arab charger called the Dervish, his chief huntsman presented him with his guns, weapons still famous in Epirus, where they figure in the ballads of the Skipetars.  The first was an enormous gun, of Versailles manufacture, formerly presented by the conqueror of the Pyramids to Djezzar, the Pacha of St. Jean-d’Arc, who amused himself by enclosing living victims in the walls of his palace, in order that he might hear their groans in the midst of his festivities.  Next came a carabine given to the Pacha of Janina in the name of Napoleon in 1806; then the battle musket of Charles XII of Sweden, and finally—­the much revered sabre of Krim-Guerai.  The signal was given; the draw bridge crossed; the Guegues and other adventurers uttered a terrific shout; to which the cries of the assailants replied.  Ali placed himself on a height, whence his eagle eye sought to discern the hostile chiefs; but he called and defied Pacho Bey in vain.  Perceiving Hassan-Stamboul, colonel of the Imperial bombardiers outside his battery, Ali demanded the gun of Djezzar, and laid him dead on the spot.  He then took the carabine of Napoleon, and shot with it Kekriman, Bey of Sponga, whom he had formerly appointed Pacha of Lepanto.  The enemy now became aware of his presence, and sent a lively fusillade in his direction; but the balls seemed to diverge from his person.  As soon as the smoke cleared, he perceived Capelan, Pacha of Croie, who had been his guest, and wounded him mortally in the chest.  Capelan uttered a sharp cry, and his terrified horse caused disorder in the ranks.  Ali picked off a large number of officers, one after another; every shot was mortal, and his enemies began to regard him in the light of a destroying angel.  Disorder spread through the forces of the Seraskier, who retreated hastily to his intrenchments.

The Suliots meanwhile sent a deputation to Ismail offering their submission, and seeking to regain their country in a peaceful manner; but, being received by him with the most humiliating contempt, they resolved to make common cause with Ali.  They hesitated over the demand for hostages, and at length required Ali’s grandson, Hussien Pacha, in exchange.  After many difficulties, Ali at length consented, and the agreement was concluded.  The Suliots received five hundred thousand piastres and a hundred and fifty charges of ammunition; Hussien Pacha was given up to them, and they left the Ottoman camp at dead of night.  Morco Botzaris remained with three hundred and twenty men, threw down the palisades, and then ascending Mount Paktoras with his troops, waited for dawn in order to announce his defection to the Turkish army.  As soon as the sun appeared he ordered a general salvo of artillery and shouted his war-cry.  A few Turks in charge of an outpost were slain, the rest fled.  A cry of “To arms” was raised, and the standard of the Cross floated before the camp of the infidels.