Читать книгу Ben Hamed: or, The Children of Fate - Sylvanus Cobb - Страница 4

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ON all hands the arms of the sons of Islam had been victorious, and the close of the eighth century, and the opening of the ninth, saw the Arabian dominion at its zenith of power and splendor. The followers of Mahomet had not only established one of the most mighty governments of earth, but they had drawn wealth and refinement, and other adjuncts of national power from conquered nations. Bagdad was the capital, and there the Caliph, Haroun al Raschid, held his court, as Commander of the Faithful, and God's Apostle on earth.

The day was closing in Bagdad, and the deep shades had already thrown themselves across the inner apartment of the market of the money-changers. At the head of the place, behind a counter more costly than the others, sat Elkader, the Syndic of those who dealt in precious metals, and changed money for percentage. He was a tall, spare man, with gray hair and gray beard, but his eyes were black as two coals. Threescore years had been given him of life, and ever since his very boyhood he had been engaged in getting money. His face was hard and cold, and even the crafty Jews, whose stalls were about him, and who worked hard for money, gazed with wonder upon the strange ingenuity with which the Syndic sometimes emptied the pockets of his spendthrift customers.

The Syndic of the money-changers looked up and saw that the day was departing, and turning to his table, he commenced to gather up the money and ingots that lay there. From a hook by his side he took a large bag made of camel's hide, and began to scrape the money into it. There was money of gold, money of silver, and many bars of pure metal direct from India. When the bag had received all the money, it was of such weight that Elkader could not move it upon the floor; much less could he lift it. In fact, it would seem that no man could raise it up, and that only a cruel man would inflict such a burden upon a mule. When the bag was secured at the mouth the Syndic turned toward the back of the market, he called name of Marouf, and thereupon there came forth a black slave, of such huge proportions, that one who knew him not would have started with fear. He was ten spans high, and as broad as an ox. He bowed before the Syndic, and awaited his pleasure.

"Take this bag and follow me," was Elkader's order.

Marouf swung the bag upon his broad shoulders as though it had been filled with feathers, and then followed his master from the market. Elkader's house was upon the bank of the Tigris, and though it looked dark and gloomy from the street, yet within it was furnished with luxuriant costliness, while the garden in the rear, which extended to the river, was one of the most beautiful in Bagdad. The Syndic entered his house, and having procured a lamp, he descended to the cellar, which was deep and spacious, and in one corner of which was a door so curiously contrived that it could not be distinguished from the rest of the wall. This door opened by a secret spring, but Marouf knew not where it was, for as soon as he had reached the cellar bottom his master set down his lamp and blindfolded him, and then taking him by the arm, he led him several times about the place by devious ways, until he came to the door. Here he touched the secret spring, and the heavy door slowly swung open, revealing a deep vault beyond, into which the Syndic led his slave. There were many sacks standing against the walls, like the one Marouf had just brought in, and all of them seemed well filled. Then on one side stood a large iron chest; it was seven spans long, four spans high, and four spans wide, and it was secured by four stout locks of solid steel.

The slave set down the bag, and then the Syndic led him away, taking care to close the door behind him. But as soon as Marouf had reached the hall above, his master returned to the cellar and opened the vault and went in. He closed the door after him, and then proceeded to unlock the iron chest, and when he had thrown back the heavy lid the rays of the lamp were flashed back from a thousand bright jewels that lay there exposed. Elkader stood a while to feast his eyes upon the immense wealth the chest contained, and then he proceeded to select certain jewels which he had come for. He took out a necklace of pearls and a necklace of rubies, a tiara of diamonds, and several costly rings for the ears and hands, besides bracelets and brooches. These he concealed within the bosom of his vest, and then he relocked the chest and went up to his own private room, where none came unless they were called. Here he placed the jewels upon a table, and then rang a bell; and shortly afterwards the door was opened, and a youth who had not seen more than twenty years of life entered. His name was Assad, and he was Elkader's slave.

Elkader had no especial love for anything on earth save his wealth; yet he valued Assad next, for among all his slaves this youth was the only one whom he could implicitly trust to handle his money and his jewels in his absence. Assad knew the secret of the vault, and he was often sent there to bring gold and precious stones.

"Assad," spoke the Syndic, "you know Ali Shir, the Syndic of the merchants?"

"I know him well, my master," replied the youthful slave.

"And you know his house?"

"Very well. I have carried him money several times."

"So I remember. Now listen, Assad: Ali Shir has a son named Hassan, who is of age in five days from this. He also has a most beautiful slave girl named Morgiana. She is like the full moon in loveliness, and her like is not known elsewhere. Hassan has long been enamored of the handsome slave, and he has demanded her hand in marriage. Ali Shir has meant her for the caliph, but Hassan is headstrong and eager, and his father dares not refuse him, so he has promised him Morgiana's hand. You know the Syndic of the merchants is rich, and he means to bestow upon the wife of his son a portion befitting the station she is to occupy; and for this purpose, he has asked of me some jewels with which to adorn her person. I have selected a quantity here, and you will take them at once to Ali Shir and let him select such as please him. You will observe that the prices are attached to each one, and he will pay you for what he takes ere you come away."

Assad bowed low, in token of obedience, and when the jewels had been carefully tied up in a piece of soft leather, he took them and hid them in his bosom, and then turned away from his master's house. Ali Shir's house was not far from where Elkader lived, but it was on the other side of the river, and Assad had some distance to walk in order to reach the bridge. He had not walked far before he noticed that he was closely followed by some one, but he did not turn, thinking within himself that when he reached the bridge and turned off to cross he should be alone. But he was disappointed in this, for when he had gained the bridge he found his follower still behind him. He turned to see who it was that thus trod upon his own steps, and by the light of the moon, which then shone full and clear, he could see that it was an old man, with flowing white beard, who stooped, from age, but who yet walked nimbly. Assad lagged in his pace, to see if the old man would not pass him, but the old man lagged likewise. Then Assad quickened his pace, and thereupon he that followed did the same. Next Assad stopped, and so did the old man stop.

"Surely," thought Assad, "this man must know that I carry rich jewels, and he hopes to rob me of them." So he resolved to speak with him, but he took the precaution first to place his hand upon the hilt of his sword.

"Do you follow me for any purpose?" he asked, turning full upon the stranger.

"I do follow thee," replied the old man, "but I mean thee no harm." His voice was kind, and Assad was at once assured. "You came from the house of Elkader, the Syndic of money-changers?"

"I did," answered Assad,

"And you live with him?"

"I am his slave."

"Your name is Assad?"

"Yes."

"You have been with Elkader for some years?"

"Ever since I can remember. My father was his slave before me, I have been told, though I never saw him."

As Assad thus spoke, the old man drew nigh to him and gazed up into his face. The youth saw then that he was very old, and that he was clothed in the garb of a common laborer.

"Is thy master kind to thee?" asked the stranger.

"He has never treated me ill."

"Ah—he knows thy pride and thy worth. He fears, were he to wound the one, he might lose the other. You do not love him well."

"By Allah, old man, that cannot matter to you; and moreover I am in haste, for I have business of importance to perform."

"So be it, my son," quickly replied the old man. "But wait while I give into thy hands a packet, which has been entrusted to my keeping for thee." As he spoke he placed his hand in his bosom and drew forth a small packet, which be handed to the youth. "Take it," he continued, "for it is thine."

"But what means this?" asked Assad, not a little surprised at what had happened; "Who art thou?"

"I am called Mokanna, though I am of no kin with the one-eyed rebel who renounced the true God, and raised his accursed hand against the Prince of the Faithful. If you would seek me ever, you will find me near the bazaar of the Balsora merchants, where I have a little shop in which I mend lamps, and other Metallic vessels."

"But what is this?" asked Assad, raising the packet.

"You must find out for yourself."

Thus speaking, the old man turned about, and after watching him until he was out of sight, Assad pursued his way. When he reached Ali Shir's house, he found that the merchant had gone out and would not return until the next day; so he retraced his steps, and when he reached his master's dwelling, he explained the reason of his bringing back all the jewels, and at the same time he offered to return them; but the Syndic said:

"No; keep them till the morrow, and when Ali Shir returns, go you to his house with them, and if he be not there, go to his shop. I remember now that Ali told me he thought some of going to his house in the country. He will be back early."

After this Assad retired and concealed the jewels in his own apartment. It was nothing new for him thus to have immense sums left in his charge, for often, when the Syndic was going away to be gone a few days, he would leave much business in the hands of the trusty stave, and he always found it faithfully attended to. And hence had Assad always received better treatment from Elkader's hands than had the others of the household, for the Syndic was by nature a hard, cruel man, and his power in the city was great; but he seldom, if ever, allowed his temper to injure his own interests. He knew that Assad could not bear an indignity, or suffer wrong a second time from the same hand; so he was careful towards him.