She
is not like other women, she is more like a man. How Butheita will
rejoice over the arms!"
"Then make her rejoice, Arnhyn. And now hear how you can do so. You
informed me that Youssouf and his forces were in advance of the
others, and that Mohammed Ali followed him?"
"Thus it is; a day's march in advance. But Mohammed Ali, so
everybody says, is a daring and untiring soldier. Who knows but he
may march at night, too, and unite with Youssouf?"
"You are right, Arnhyn," replied Bardissi, "and it is this that I
wish to prevent. I wish, if possible, to avoid encountering Mohammed
Ali. It is of this that I desire to speak with you. Come, let us
withdraw a little farther from the tents and discuss this matter."
All is silent. The Mamelukes and kachefs lie sleeping beside their
horses. No one hears what passes between the Mameluke bey, Osman
Bardissi, and the Bedouin sheik, Arnhyn.
They speak in whispers; no one sees Arnhyn display his white teeth
in his delight, nor sees the glad smile that suddenly lights up his
countenance.
"A splendid scheme, master. By Allah! I would do it though you had
not promised so rich a reward. I give you my word it shall be done
as you direct. We will make Sarechsme Mohammed Ali harmless."
"You will start out at once?" said Bardissi.
"Immediately, master, for I must soon return," replied Arnhyn. "By
sunrise you will come up with Youssouf, and I must be there with my
ravens to gather the spoils.
Pages:
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467