THE WAR OF GREEK INDEPENDENCE 1821 TO 1833 BY W.ALISON PHILLIPS 1897

208 THE WAR OF GREEK INDEPENDENCE
old All Pasha, who, though not given to the exercise
of clemency, twice commuted a sentence of death
which had been passed on the young brigand, and
even enrolled him in his body-guard.
Trained thus
little im-
in the school of the Pasha of Janina, a character naturally
fierce and subtle had received, as yet,
press of higher and nobler influences. After the fall
of Ali, Karaiskakis took once more to the mountains,
and, as a chief of Klephts, ultimately threw in his lot
with the cause of the Greeks. His patriotism had,
however, not been above suspicion. More than once
he had entered into relations with the Turks, and was
suspected, not without justice, of playing
the same
selfish game as Odysseus. But of his courage, his
skill as a leader, and his immense influence over the
wild hillsmen, there could be no doubt.
Among the
Arniatoli his name had passed into a proverb.
'
Why
are you running, fool,' they would cry out when any
one fled, 'as though Karaiskakis were after you?'
'
Karaiskakis/ said the Albanians of Kiutayeh's army,
' is the only Romaic captain whom we fear.'
To this man the Hellenic government decided,
not without misgiving, to entrust the command of
the Greek forces in Attica. Zai'mis, the President,
Karaiskakis's personal enemy, agreed to forget old
grudges in the face of the common danger, em-