CHAPTER XVI.

THE CROCODILES REJOICE.

HAVING arranged where we were to meet again, the Reis :Effendina and I parted. Ben Nil and I had left our camels in Hegasi; they had had a long rest, and were fresh for the present journey. We rode all day, and the sun was but little above the western horizon when we came in sight of the trees which marked the lake appointed as the spot where I was to find my caravan.

As we rode into sight we heard a voice cry: "The Effendi!" and instantly a chorus echoed: "The Effendi! The Effendi and Ben Nil! Praise be to Allah, they come, they come!" All the "Asaker" ran toward us, shouting and trying to touch us. We had to dismount then and there, while the men pressed our hands and shouted in delight that was very pleasant to me to witness, for it proved that I was not regarded as a stranger, but had won their hearts.

Of course, the first thing was to give an account of our adventures, and we sat down with the old "Askeri" to whom I had intrusted the command, and recounted all that had befallen us since we left them to go to rescue the Reis Effendina. Abd Asl and his spy lay near us, a little apart from the other prisoners, and could hear all that I said. Abd Asl stood it as long as he could, and then broke out in scornful laughter. "You boaster!" he cried. "Everything you say is a lie; you cannot deceive us. No one was ever in the hands of my son and escaped."

"Take care what you say, if you wish to spare yourself the whip," I said, rising and going over to him. "Politeness is most becoming to a man in your situation."

154

THE CROCODILES REJOICE. 155

"I will be silent now," he said with a snarl, "but you shall hear my voice, and that soon. You shall crawl in the dust before me. My son will come as our avenger, and destroy you utterly."

It was hardly worth while answering the empty threats of an old sinner completely in our power, so I turned away with a smile to explain to the "Asaker" leader the next move in a game I confidently hoped to win. We could only delay long enough to rest and refresh our camels at the lake, and then must immediately strike across to effect the conjunction with the Reis Effendina which was to ensnare Ibn Asl on his way to wreak his vengeance on me.

We got the prisoners on the camels, not an easy task, for they made it as difficult as they could, and swung off on the long-suffering beasts. I had not told any of the "Asaker" what lay before us, lest by chance the prisoners might get wind of it; but after we had ridden a great part of the night I ordered a halt, and getting my men around in a circle, told them what we hoped to accomplish. If I had said then that each one of them was to receive a thousand piasters their joy could not have been greater. To capture Ibn Asl and all his companions in his iniquitous trade by entrapping them! That was a thought which put new life into them. Each one wanted to be told the precise part he was to play in the drama, but I could not quite assign individual roles, since, until I had reconnoitered, I did not know myself exactly what was to be done.

Midnight passed without our catching sight of a human being on the plain. To the right lay a small ravine, and, since I could not be sure that Ibn Asl might not pass through it, rather than over the open plain, I resolved to investigate it by the first morning light. And, as it was possible that he might pass out of it by the other side when I

156 THE CROCODILES REJOICE.

entered it, I thought it better to leave part of my force where we were then camping until this was done. As soon as the East was streaked with red I made ready to go. I had received enough men from the emir to carry out my plan, while my own "Asaker" who had gone with me into the land of the Fessarah I gave into the command of the old "Askeri," the Fessarah guide who had thus far so well fulfilled his duties.

Having given him careful instructions and warned him to keep a sharp lookout for Ibn Asl, and above all things to prevent his escape, I started with the "Asaker," Ben Nil accompanying me, for the ravine.

Just beyond the ravine lay a swamp; it was here that the Reis Effendina was awaiting me, within hearing distance of shots should it be necessary to summon him, or if I came upon Ibn Asl before he did. Everything seemed to be arranged so that miscarriage of our plans was impossible, and I marched toward the ravine confident, and rejoicing in coming success. When we had penetrated the ravine for a considerable distance we found that the marsh extended into it, and we were compelled to proceed by twos. Ben Nil and I walked together a little further, and then I bade him keep back and follow me with the "Asaker" at a certain distance while I went on alone.

I turned into a narrow winding path which bent from left to right, and led directly into the rocks. Suddenly from out the shadow of the cliffs rang a voice, crying: "Halt! Not a step further, or we shoot." I stopped and looked around. Two trees stood side by side there, and before them a great rock jutted out, behind which three men must have been hidden, for I saw as many gun muzzles pointed at me from it -- a pretty bad situation to be in, for with but a finger pressure I could be riddled with shot.

THE CROCODILES REJOICE. 157

"Who are you?" I asked, in what I tried to make an easy, conversational tone.

"An old acquaintance of yours. Would you like to see me?"

"Of course."

"Then lay down your weapons, and I will come out."

"That would be sensible!" As I said this I made a sudden jump to the nearest tree, behind the trunk of which I was fully sheltered.

"Put down your weapons and come over the stone which lies there between us. I will do the same," said my "old acquaintance."

"Very well; I'll come, but if I see the glimmer of the smallest weapon, the tiniest knife, you will go whence you cannot return."

I put my revolver in my trouser pocket, and stood my gun against the tree, with my knife beside it. I might have left the revolver there, too, for I was perfectly safe; a glance backward showed me that my followers were ready.

I had recognized the voice which had addressed me as that of Ibn Asl's lieutenant, so was not surprised when I had taken my stand by the stone designated to see him come forth -- but where was his master?

The man paused a few feet from me, stood looking at me a moment, then said scornfully: "You did not expect to find me here!"

"Yes, and no," I replied. "I knew that you would be awaiting me here, yet it was not you, but Ibn Asl, for whom I was looking."

"You knew that? Allah alone knows a11 things," the lieutenant sneered.

"Bid Ibn Asl come here," I said, disregarding him.

"He is not here."

158 THE CROCODILES REJOICE.

"I know that he is here somewhere."

"You know that. You are not so omniscient as you have the credit of being. If you really did know where Ibn Asl was now, you would not act quite so confidently as you do at present." These words made me consider; if only I had left Ben Nil to guard the prisoners! However, I kept my uneasiness to myself and answered with a laugh: "You need not tell me where he is. I know enough. You are not sufficiently clever to deceive me, and you cannot escape the trap I have set for you."

"You! A trap?" He laughed scornfully. "I will not say that Allah has stricken you with blindness, for you seem to see me, but I can tell you that you and your twenty 'Asaker' are in a trap, and not we."

"Then you know, I suppose, that the Reis Effendina is behind you with his 'Asaker,' and that your retreat is cut off?" I asked quietly.

"The Reis Effendina?" he gasped. "You lie!"

"I speak the truth; and I have not twenty, but many more men with me. I had twenty, but yesterday the Reis gave me a great many more. So I demand that you lay down your arms and surrender. If you resist your blood be on your own head; you will be thrown to the crocodiles."

"Effendi, you are trying to get around me by craft. I -- it can't be --"

"See here," I interrupted, "it is not necessary for you to insult me further. I will be merciful and prove the truth of my words, and save unnecessary bloodshed, though you do not deserve it." I put my hands to my lips, trilled a long, peculiar note which was used by the Reis Effendina's troops, and it was echoed nearer than I had thought to hear it.

"Well?" I suggested.

THE CROCODILES REJOICE. 159

"What was that?"

"What should it be but the Reis answering my signal? That will announce to him that I am here, and he will advance at once. Then look at this." I turned and waved my hand. Ben Nil and his forty men rushed through the pass, their guns pointed at the lieutenant. As he saw this unwelcome sight he cried out: "O Allah! There are a hundred men! I surrender." He turned, waved his hand, and his two comrades came forth, and all three laid their arms at my feet. That portion of his troops which Ibn Asl had left with his lieutenant were stationed at the back of the ravine. The Reis Effendina found them there as he advanced to join me; we heard a few shots, and then the Reis came in sight, calling as he came: "Effendi, Effendi have you captured the wretch?"

"Ibn Asl is not with his men," I said low, going over where the lieutenant could not hear us. "He must be near by; let us disarm and handcuff this crowd and hurry back to the rest of my men, who must have caught the chief villain."

We accomplished the task of disarming very rapidly, secured our prisoners, and Ben Nil and I made all possible speed back to our "Asaker."

As soon as we got within sight of them it was evident that something was wrong. Three men lay on the ground, and the old leader, with several others were bending over them; it took but a glance to see that they were dead.

"How did this happen?" I asked.

"They were shot by a stranger, Effendi," replied the leader, looking up. "He said that he was sent by the Reis Effendina with a message for you. These men, with two others, were on guard. They told him that you had gone to meet the Reis and capture Ibn Asl. He asked in which

160 THE CROCODILES REJOICE.

direction, and when we had told him he suddenly drew his revolver, fired these three fatal shots, laughed, and said they were a message to announce who had called on you, and rode away before we could recover from our surprise and horror."

"What did he look like?" I demanded, though it needed no description to tell me who the murderer was.

"He wore a white haïk, and was not tall, but very strongly built; he wore a full brown beard."

"Of course; what kind of idiots did I intrust with this post? Let me congratulate you on having had a chance to kill or capture Ibn Asl -- and of having let him slip away as safely as if he were a harmless turtle dove."

"Ibn Asl! Oh, Effendi! how could we know him? He said he was sent by the Reis. But since he killed our men and rode away so mockingly my soul has been full of foreboding that it could be no other than Ibn Asl."

"You are getting keen-witted," I said; but Ben Nil, whose wrath was too mixed with disgust to allow him to comment on this maddening piece of stupidity, interrupted me. "He cannot have gone far in this short time, Effendi. Let us not waste a moment on this son and grandson of stupidity," he said.

"Yes, we will do what we can to avert the consequences of the blunder. Here, you men; some of you saddle Ben Nil's camel and my own. We will ride after Ibn Asl. You are to watch the prisoners. Go, tell the Reis Effendina what has happened, and say that we shall not be gone long." In two minutes we were in the saddle, riding like the wind toward the northern end of the swamp, at which point we were told Ibn Asl had disappeared.

At a certain point not far away from where we had started Ben Nil and I separated, he to ride to the south

THE CROCODILES REJOICE. 161

and I to the north. I held my gun ready for instant use, and kept my eyes open in all directions; but for a long time I saw no one. After I had ridden for perhaps seven miles I saw ahead of me a spot where the grass was long. I saw a camel lying in it, and as I looked it sprang up, as if at a word of command, and a man swung himself into the saddle. The camel, which was a magnificent one, broke instantly into a run, and its rider turned in the sadd1e and swung his gun in the air in an insolent salute.

I was not sure that I was near enough to shoot, even if I had wanted to. I gave chase, but, fast as my camel was, he was no match for the fleet beast the slave-dealer rode. He was riding across the line between me and Ben Nil, and when I saw that I could not overtake him I gave up the chase, feeling sure Ben Nil would have the chance I had missed.

As I watched what was happening I saw that Ibn Asl made a turn to the left, as though he feared the swamp, and this movement brought him out of the range of Ben Nil's gun. Then I saw Ben Nil come out from behind the bushes, where evidently he had hidden feeling certain of firing at his foe unseen, and fly after Ibn Asl at the best speed his good camel was capable of making. He had come a little nearer the pursued, who turned his camel away from the swamp, thus bringing its side toward Ben Nil and giving him a fine chance to shoot the beast in the breast. And at that very instant I saw Ben Nil stop and fire. I saw the smoke from his gun, heard the shot, and saw that the white camel, which deserved a better master than it had stopped short as though stunned. Then it gathered itself together and flew as if it had been shot from a cannon, urged every moment to even greater speed by its rider.

162 THE CROCODILES REJOICE.

Once more Ben Nil fired, but Ibn Asl rushed onward toward the marsh -- he had escaped! A few seconds later and I had joined Ben Nil, and stood with him looking after the diminishing white speck which represented the downfall of our hopes.

"Your first shot struck the camel, but not the second one," I said. "Why on earth didn't you shoot again quicker?"

"I was so surprised not to see the camel fall that I could not," he replied. "I know that my first shot struck it full in the breast. It must have been wounded; it can't get far; let us follow him." "It could not have run like that if it had been wounded," I said. "We will go look for traces of blood, if you like --"

We followed the trail of the camel, but saw not the smallest red drop to warrant Ben Nil's hope that the camel was wounded, yet I was as sure as he that the shot had hit it. As we returned on foot, for we had dismounted the better to examine the ground, we saw something bright glittering in the grass just where the camel had been when Ben Nil fired. We picked it up; it was the spent bullet from Ben Nil's gun.

"What a shame, what an unspeakable pity!" cried the young man, looking at it with tears of rage in his eyes. "I hit the ornaments on the camel's breast-plate. The whole thing is spoiled by a miserable little metal breast-plate."

"That is precisely what happened," I assented. "I noticed that the camel wore a sort of shield, studded with brass knobs. It can't be helped, Ben Nil; you aimed true and you did your best, but if you had followed up that first shot with a second one quickly, while the camel paused that moment, the beast would be dead now and its master

THE CROCODILES REJOICE. 163

in our hands. It is a thousand pities, but we will hope to capture Ibn Asl yet. Let us go back to the emir."

We rode less rapidly in returning, for there was no need of haste. Ibn Asl was safe for the present, and we were not impatient to tell the news to the Reis Effendina.

We found him forming an impromptu court of justice for the trial of the prisoners. We told him our misfortunes briefly, and when he had mastered his disappointment sufficiently we returned with him to the circle, in the midst of which lay the old fakir and his spy, with all the other prisoners bound and lying around the outer edge of the ring formed by the "Asaker."

All pretence of courage had been abandoned by the two miserable wretches in the center; the fakir, especially, was fairly howling with terror, imploring the Reis Effendina to spare him, and, the moment he caught sight of me, appealing to my duty as a Christian to forgive my enemies and intercede in his favor.

It was a disgusting spectacle, and it sickened me with a contemptuous half-pity. I knew there would be no use in pleading for the fakir, nor did I see how I could justly ask the Reis Effendina to spare one who deserved the utmost punishment of the law, if ever a man did. But I did ask him to pardon the spy, conditionally on his future good behavior and his solemn oath never again to take part or service in the crime of slave-dealing.

The emir, who, as I think and hope, not only felt under obligations to me, but had grown fond of me, granted my request, and the spy gave the required promise -- let us hope that it was kept.

Then the old fakir was unbound, and fell on his knees before the Reis Effendina. Ben Nil thrust the "Asaker's" banner into his hand to emphasize, with a boy's sense of

164 THE CROCODILES REJOICE.

humor, the contrast between the man's abject terror and anything that suggested spirit. The leader of the "Asaker" stood beside him, and, raising his hands outspread before him, called for silence, while all the men, headed by our Fessarah guide on his Arabian horse, looked grimly on, impatient to see the end of the old hypocrite. I looked at him as he knelt there and reviewed my own experiences with him, my meeting him at the tomb in Siout, how venerable and pious he had looked! -- his attempt to bury me alive, his having already done so to Ben Nil -- his long life of cruelty to his fellow-man under the pretence of extraordinary piety, and I could not but own to myself that, whatever his fate, he deserved it.

The emir must have felt and thought as I did, for his eyes rested sternly on the collapsed old figure and he said severely: "At last, at last you have come to judgment! I have sought for you long and you always escaped, but now justice shall be done!"

"I demand another judge!" cried the fakir, rousing himself from his terror.

"There is none who could deal with you as harshly as you deserve. Whoever he was, and whatever he did, he would always be in arrears in his accounts with you. Your crimes mount up into the hundreds; thousands of men have to thank you for being enslaved, as well as for the murder of their dearest ones. How many villages have you attacked and burned? How many innocent children have you slain? And all the time you wore the mask of a saint, praying, and profaning the name of Allah and His Prophet. Your role is ended and I will send you where you belong, to your master, Sheitan, whose works you have performed."

"You have no right to kill me," whined Abd Asl.

THE CROCODILES REJOICE. 165

"Not only I, but many, countless others, have that right, and have had it for many a day. It is a pity that it has not been used, for each day of your life meant more crimes. I will not have on my head the responsibility of continuing your misdeeds. It is my solemn duty to rid Egypt of you, her latest plague. It is for me to pronounce sentence upon you, and that sentence is death."

His words fell like the blows of a hammer. The cowardly old sinner groveled on the ground imploring mercy, and appealing to his reputation for sanctity as a reason for receiving it, apparently not being able to understand that it was that very thing which increased the Reis' wrath against him.

"Enough of this!" he cried, angrily. "Have you not the decency to meet with some pretence of courage the fate you imposed on so many? You would have torn out the tongue and eyes, and cut off the limbs, of this Effendi; how should you die? There is no death painful enough for one who loved to torture others; but I have no taste for such pastime, and the Effendi, whom you would have tortured, I know desires to beg for you the mercy which even for his sake I would not grant you. Your death shall be quicker than you deserve; you shall be thrown to the crocodiles"

"O Allah, you cannot do that! Spare me, Reis Effendina," moaned the wretch.

"Spare you? To what end? This Effendi spared you; Ben Nil gave you your miserable life, and you forthwith began to plot against them anew. You are a fiend, whose nature is to return good with evil, kindness with cruelty. What I have said, I have said; you shall be thrown to the crocodiles. Men, do your duty."

166 THE CROCODILES REJOICE.

In spite of his shrieks and struggles the fakir was bound hand and foot. Then he became quite still, and we, too, were perfectly silent. Not a man in the camp spoke a word as four "Asaker" took up the prisoner and carried him away. Not a sound was heard till from the swamp came a moaning that rose into a cry, and ended in a shriek that pierced one's flesh and bones. Then all was still again; the crocodiles had received their prey.

I was shuddering and horror-stricken, yet even then I could not say that, according to the customs of this people and the primitive forms of punishment which they still knew, the sentence had been too severe for such a criminal.

The emir laid his hand affectionately on my shoulder. "The history of the fakir is closed," he said. "I hope that our work together does not end with it. There is much to be done. Ibn Asl is still at large, and the slave trade in Egypt is far from being abolished. Will you stay with me and see the end?"

"My time is my own, and my life untrammeled," I replied. "I shall be glad to help you if I can, and my thirst for adventure is not sated."

"Come, then," the emir said, smiling. "That is pleasant hearing! We will rest now, for rest is as uncertain as it is sweet in the desert. You have saved my life, having rescued helpless women from slavery worse than death. You have wrought a good work, my young hero from the new land of the West, and you have wrought well. Our task is done; we will await the will of Allah for our next one."

Chapter 17


Contents


Introduction