WHO or what the strangers were who wished to board the "dahabijeh" I did not know, but they could hardly make matters worse for me, and might better them. So when they expressed a desire to join us I threw out the gangplank, and bade them come. This brought the captain to his feet quicker than a glass of brandy could have done; he rushed over to me and said in a low, fierce tone: "What are you doing? Who has the right of permitting people to board this ship, you or I?"

"Both," I replied.

"No, I alone. And these men, whose voices I recognize "

He stopped short, for the three came on deck that moment. When the pilot caught sight of them he slunk out of sight in the shadow, and disappeared, followed by the famous ghost. The captain would perhaps have been happier at a longer range; in any case the arrival made him very uncomfortable, but as there was no way of escaping he remained where he was, laying his hands crossed on his breast and then touching his forehead, lips and breast with the right one, and bowing to the very ground, showing by the ceremony of his greeting that these were no ordinary people.

The man who had hailed me was in the prime of life, strongly built, and, as far as I could see, richly clad. He wore full white trousers, with dark low shoes' a gold edged

blue jacket with a red silk shawl as sash, in which he carried a saber and two gold and ivory inlaid pistols. A white silk mantle swung from his shoulders, and his turban was of the same material. His face was adorned with a beautiful, silky black beard, and his dark eyes rested on me with a sharp but kindly look. Without glancing at the captain, he said to me: "May Allah send you a peaceful night."

"Hail to you," I replied briefly but courteously.

Turning sharply to the captain the newcomer said: "Do you know me?"

"The happiness of the sight of thy countenance has not fallen to my lot," was the truly Oriental reply.

"It will not prove a happiness. Were there not two men here?"

"My pilot and this passenger's servant, Sijadetak; my sailors are all ashore."

"Why did those two disappear? Where are they, gone down below to join the rats? Bid them come up, if they don't want to get the bastinado." As he said this he pointed to one of his men at whose girdle hung a powerful whip; he knew how to enforce obedience! The captain had called him Sijadetak, a word equivalent to "your lordship," and used only to men in high station. The captain, evidently much alarmed, went to the hatchway and called his men, who reappeared trembling and pale beneath their dark skins burned by the Egyptian sun.

In the meantime the newcomer had beckoned me aside, and sitting down with me on a bench by the helm asked me to tell him what I knew of the "dahabijeh's" crew, and how I had been treated during my short trip. "You need not hesitate to speak frankly," he said. "This man here is my pilot, and the one there with the whip is my favorite, my right hand, who does everything I require. Many a slave dealer and slave-owner has learned by that whip on his

back that this hand of mine is quick, willing and strong. My motto is: 'Woe to him who does evil.’"

"Then you prosecute slave-dealers?" I cried, delighted. "Are you an officer?"

"H'm," he laughed. "I am and I am not. My name is Achmed Abd el Iusaf; I am a captain, called the Reis Effendina."

Now that title meant "the captain of our lord," and understanding it I exclaimed in wonder: "Reis Effendina! the captain of the Viceroy! Then you must have a special commission!"

"I have, and it is my duty to discover and pursue every malefactor against the law prohibiting slave-dealing. I have good reason for believing that this 'dahabijeh' is engaged in this traffic in human beings, and was on the look out for it to search it."

"I have no reason to suspect that, bad as matters have been for me on board," I said.

"I do not believe she is carrying slaves now," answered the Reis, "but I am sure she is arranged below deck for the transport of slaves, and is on her way to the Sudan for her cargo."

"Then that will explain her captain's connection with Abd el Barak," I said, and beginning with my first glimpse of the little fig merchant, I told the Reis Effendina all my adventures to the time of his coming on board. He heard me without a word or movement till I reached the point where I had spied upon and listened to the four men as they discussed my robbery and murder later.

I continued my tale, and just as it was ended the "favorite," the "right hand," returned at the head of ten armed men, whom he stationed at different points on the boat, and then came to his master, saying: "Emir, as we came we saw a man hiding behind a tree, and watching the 'dahabijeh.' I tried to seize him, but he fled. If Allah has given me as good eyes as I think I have I could swear that it was the same man we saw before you came on board."

"Ah, the pickpocket juggler! What a pity he escaped you. He knows now in whose hands the 'dahabijeh' has fallen. But I shall be in Cairo to-morrow and will have him captured."

"If you find him," I suggested.

"Oh, I'll find him! I will arouse the entire police force, and they know his customary haunts. And now, Effendi' I know all you have to tell me, and I know further that you are a man whom I should have on 'Esch Schadin,' my ship, which bears the name of the 'Falcon,' because she flies like a hawk, and no vessel can approach her. Will you be my lieutenant?"

"I am very grateful, but it is impossible; I am only a young American, trying his wings, and cannot take up any definite position abroad."

"Then you shall at least be the 'Falcon's' honored guest up the Nile. And now come with me, while I deal with these scoundrels."

"Barak."

"Ah, the same as your worthy Mokkadem! Yet you told this Effendi it was Ben Schorak! I warn you I will not be as patient as he. Did you play the ghost at Murad Nassyr's ?"

"No."

"Good! We will help your memory."

At a signal from the emir four men laid the liar down and held him, while the "right hand" used his right hand, bringing the great whip down on the soles of his feet till the wretch cried, "Stop. I did play ghost."

"I thought you would remember," said the emir, with satisfaction. "Tell us who were your companions in the masquerade."

"The Mokkadem and his servant."

"That will do; stand over yonder."

The men let go, and helped him up with a kick that sent him flying. Then the emir turned to the captain and said angrily: "As to you, you are no slave or servant, but a believing Moslem, and a commander of a 'dahabijeh'; there can be no excuse for you."

The favorite evidently knew what he was to do. Without waiting for a signal he asserted his dignity as whip bearer, and laid the bastinado over the rascal's shoulder twice with such emphasis that he cringed under the pain.

"Well done," said the emir, very content with the zeal of his assistant. "Slave, servant, commander, Moslem or heathen are all alike before Allah and my whip. And now, most worthy captain, speak the truth. How long has this Barak been on the ship ?"

"Since this morning," he answered sullenly.

"Who brought him, and what was he here for?"

"The Mokkadem. He was to serve the foreign Effendi."

"Of that I know nothing."

"So you, too, are forgetful, and must have the same medicine for your memory."

The captain was laid on the deck and whipped, but only twice, when he signified his readiness to answer.

"See how quickly the whip cures poor memory!" said the emir admiringly. "The crocodile's skin opens the pores of the body and softens the hardest heart! Now, did you know the wallet was to be stolen, and the Effendi murdered later?"

"Yes," was the reply, after hesitation that called forth one more stroke. "I will not question you further, you disgust me," said the emir. "You are a cowardly dog, with courage to sin but not to meet the consequences. Stand over by the mast. And now the pilot."

The poor wretch had been shaking like an aspen at the sight of the others' punishment, and as he heard himself called fell on his knees clamoring: "O Allah, O heaven, O your highness! Don't beat me; I will confess everything, everything."

"Emir," I said to the Reis Effendina, "have compassion on him! He does not seem to be so bad. He had to obey his captain, and I heard nothing from him to condemn when I listened to their talk. He has been in a bad crowd; that is all."

"He is right, the Effendi is right! Allah will bless him for these words," stammered the frightened creature.

"Very well, I will do as he suggests, and only ask you one question: Is the Effendi's story of these events true?"

"Yes, it is all true, every word."

"That will do. Get up and go into the cabin, nor move nor speak to these other men."

The man gladly went away. The emir arose, and taking

three of his men, including his "right hand," each carrying a lamp, went down into the hold, while the captain bit his lips, not only from the pain of his stripes, but because of the discovery about to be made.

In the meantime I sought the pilot. "Did you know this was a slave-ship?" I whispered to him.

"A slave-ship!" he stammered. "Who knows it?"

"The emir and his men."

"O me, O wretchedness, O ruin! Allah, Allah! My bones are melted and my soul trembles. I am overwhelmed in a sea of troubles. Who will take pity on me, and what hand will deliver me!"

"Hush. Don't make such a noise. You are sixty years old. Have you a family?"

"A son, and my wife in Gubatar."

"Then flee to them, and stay there till this matter has blown over. Here is money. There is a little boat in tow at the stern; take it and escape, and hasten. I will engage the attention of the emir's men till you are safe."

"Yes, yes, Effendi! Oh, what thanks can I --"

"Don't talk, but act. Allah protect your flight and deliver you from such companions again."

"Never again will I do wrong. Effendi, no Moslem would have pitied me, but you, a Christian --"

I heard no more, for I had already quitted him and begun talking to the sailors of the "Falcon," in which they evidently took such pride that they were engrossed in their subject, and I felt sure the pilot would get off unseen.

When the emir came back on deck his eyes blazed with anger; although he had expected to find the hold prepared for the reception of slaves, the actual sight of it made him furious. Going straight up to the captain he said: "You shall have the bastinado now in good earnest, and taste some of the suffering you have caused others. He who

robs men and deals in slaves can expect only death and eternal punishment."

"I do not understand you, emir. It is not just to threaten me with suffering, for I walk in ways of justice, and my paths are the paths of the virtuous, whom Allah loves," replied the captain.

"Silence, dog," thundered the emir. "If you do not understand, I will take care that you at least feel my whip. Your wickedness is great, but your impudence exceeds it. Do you think I am blind? The Reis Effendina can guess accurately the destination of this ship, and the purpose it was to serve. You will restore five hundred piasters to this Effendi for the passage-money he gave you, and in slight compensation for the crime you attempted against him. Bring the money at once."

pressions of good-will and liking as I was sure were not inspired by Oriental exuberance of politeness and which I echoed sincerely.

The morning was nearly dawning when I was installed on the "Falcon," but I immediately turned in, for I was overcome with sleep after two nights without any. My pillow was fit for a pasha, and the soft-scented cover lids delicious. In ten minutes after I had gone to my cabin I was sleeping the sleep of security and weariness after my exciting adventures, and was only wakened at sunset of the next day by the voices of the sailors at evening prayer, as the "Falcon" glided up the Nile.

Contents

Introduction