Читать книгу Ben Hamed: or, The Children of Fate - Sylvanus Cobb - Страница 8

Table of Contents

Assad walked the floor of his chamber with quick and nervous steps, and ever and anon he stopped and looked out upon the moon which was rising slowly up in the eastern heavens. His sword was buckled to his side, and his garb was ready for the journey. The golden case was in his hand, and often would he stop by the small lamp that burned upon the table and look upon the sweet face that rested there. He raised it to his lips, and he pressed it to his heart, and anon he prayed to God for the peace and joy of the being he so wildly, fondly loved. The moments lagged as he had never known them to lag before, and it almost seemed that the moon had forgotten her way, and was standing still in her track. But the hours at length were gone. The moon had reached to within a few spans of the minaret of the nearest mosque, and Assad knew that in another hour 'twould be midnight. Just then the door softly opened, and Marouf entered. The two stood still a moment and gazed each other in the face.

Assad turned towards the lamp, and it was just expiring. He had filled it so that its going out should mark the hour in case the moon and stars were clouded.

"Are you ready?" he asked of Marouf.

"All ready, my master."

"Then let us away at once. The key of the river gate is in the lock, and we will depart by that way. Tread lightly, now."

Thus speaking, Assad opened the door and passed out, and with noiseless tread he descended to the court, and from thence he easily made his way to the garden, only having to pass one door. He heard a slave girl singing in the Syndic's apartment, and in unison therewith was the sound of a lute, and he knew from this that Elkader had retired to his couch, for thus was it his custom to make his slaves lull him to repose with soft music. So Assad stepped more boldly and soon the deep foliage of the trees afforded him shelter from any eyes that might be peering forth from the dwelling. In a few moments the bank of the river was reached, and they soon afterwards came to the southern corner of the wall. Here they found the key in the lock of the gate, and quickly passed through into the street which skirted the river towards the south. They had passed on some distance, and were just upon the point of turning up from the river, when a sudden cry from the water, as of some one in distress, fell upon their ears. They stopped, and listened, and it was soon evident that two men had by some means got into the river.

Assad hastened down to the water's edge, and by the light of the moon he could see two human beings straggling in the middle of the wide stream, and not far from them was an overturned boat.

"By Allah, who is all mercy," cried Assad, "we must not leave those two poor men to perish. Off with your coat and vest, Marouf, and drop our gold upon them, and we will save these fellows if we can."

The stout black needed no second bidding, and while Assad threw off his outer clothing he did likewise. They both plunged into the water at the same time, and ere long they reached the drowning men. Assad seized one of them, and Marouf seized the other, and then the black came to his master's assistance, for with his immense power, he was not only able to support his own man with one arm while he swam with the other, but he made Assad rest one hand upon his back. Thus they reached the shore in safety, and after some time spend in chafing the temples and breasts of the rescued men, they revived. They appeared to be two merchants of Balsora, and so thick was their clothing, and so cumbersome, that they must soon have sunk had not this timely aid arrived.

"Who art thou who has thus preserved us?" asked the man whom Assad had brought, as soon as he was able to rise.

"Only an humble craftsman and his slave," answered Assad, not caring to have the truth known.

"And yet you have perilled your lives to save two humble merchants," returned the first speaker. "By Allah, thou art fair of feature, and thy slave is of most exceeding weight of limb."

The moon shone so brightly that 'twas easy to distinguish faces, and Assad saw that he who spoke was white with age, and stooping with infirmity. "Come ye to the shop of the merchant Aboukir on the day after to-morrow, and thou shalt be rewarded," the merchant concluded.

Assad thought that the quickest way to be rid of the men would be to promise, so he did so, and pleading business, he turned away. He had lost some time, and he had gained a wet skin, but he murmured not, for had done a good deed, and in his soul he felt rewarded. Marouf saw that his young master was content, and he, likewise, felt no regret. When they reached the spot where they had thrown off their outer clothing they stopped and put the garments on, and having secured the money and their weapons they hastened on.

Without further trouble they reached the shop of the lamp-mender, and upon knocking at the door they were admitted. In an inner apartment which was but meanly furnished, they found Morgiana and Gulnare, and the two lovers met with new signs of pure affection. The maiden noticed how cold her lover was, and she asked the cause, whereupon Assad related what had happened.

"Never mind," said Mokanna, "I have new clothing for thee, and thy wet garments you may leave for me to dry. Follow me and you shall both have warmer clothing."

The old man led the way to another room, when Assad was presented with the garb of a merchant of Aleppo. It was a costly dress of the richest fabric, and adorned with gold and silver lace. For Marouf the garb of a eunuch was prepared, and as soon as the change had been made the trio returned to where the women were. Assad would have admired his rich dress on any other occasion, but he thought nothing of it now.

"We have nothing more to do here," said Mokanna, "save to change your weapons, for those blades of Bagdad may betray you. I have some Damascus blades that are far better, and which will moreover be more seemly for those who come from Aleppo."

The did man took a lamp and passed into another room, and when he returned he brought with him two swords, one of them an exquisitely finished weapon of the ordinary size, and the other of such a size that he seemed almost to stagger beneath its weight. It was broad and heavy, and of exceeding length, but Marouf took it as though it had been but a dagger, and girded it about his loins with a look of unfeigned pride and pleasure.

"Now," said the old man, "follow me as quickly as possible, for we have no time to spare." And thus speaking he led the way to the street, and took his course towards the gate of Abu Jaafar.

The distance was not far, and at the gate Mokanna easily gained egress. Beyond this was the open country, and ere long the lamp mender stopped at a small cot where an old man made his appearance. Assad recognized the owner of the cot as a poor fisherman who often came into the city to dispose of the proceeds of his nets, and whose name was Mahomed. He and Mokanna conversed apart a few moments, and then the guide turned to our hero, while the fisherman went off towards a small wood which could be seen in the moonlight at no great distance. The travelling party entered the cot at Mokanna's beck, and then the latter said:

"Now, Assad, you are about to leave this place, and you need to remember what I tell you. What has happened to thee thus far, is but the opening of a destiny which you must fulfill. It is not in my power to tell thee all that shall come to pass, for only the one living and true God knows that. Mahomed has now gone to bring the horses, and they are of a breed powerful and strong of endurance. Your road leads to the northward, but be sure that you leave Mosul well to the left hand. Travel to the eastward of it at least ten leagues, for if you are found there you will be in danger."

"How can danger threaten me there?" asked Assad, with astonishment. "I am not known there at all."

"You will be known if you venture into the city," resumed Mokanna, "and you will run the risk of danger if you pass near to it. You will find a good road near the borders of Persia, and when you are sure that you have left Mosul well to the westward, then you may turn your steps in again until you reach the little hamlet of Laban. This is some five-and-seventy miles from Mosul, to the northward, and there you will find a shelter, but be sure that you do not travel further north than that without advice from me, or from the man to whom I shall send you. When you reach Laban you will inquire for the sheik Abdalla, and to him you will give this letter. After that you will look to him for guidance, and you may rest assured that he will befriend you to the utmost of his power."

"But what is all this?" cried the youth, as he took the letter. "Who am I, that this danger should hang about me, and that a Koord sheik should be my friend? I had only hoped to escape from Bagdad that I might claim the pure being I love, but now, I find that dangers are all about me. I must keep clear of Mosul because there is danger there, and I must not go north of Laban because there is danger there also. Now what means all this? Will you not explain it?"

"I cannot, my son. Were I acting for myself; then I might speak more freely. I can only assure you that 'twill be for your highest good to follow my directions to the very letter. But here come the horses. To-night you will keep the polar star directly ahead, and on the morrow you can he guided by the sun. You may travel near two hundred miles in that direction, and then you must turn off to the right to avoid Mosul. Any of the merchants on the Persian borders will direct you to the hamlet of Laban, for that is one of their chief stopping places when among the mountains after game and furs. And, moreover, some years ago, a mine of diamonds was found there, though the supply was quickly exhausted. You understand all now."

Mahomed was now present, and Assad asked no more questions. He went to the door, and there he found four powerful horses, completely caparisoned for a journey.

"In the sack upon your saddle," said Mokanna, turning to Assad, "you will find two thousand pieces of gold. That sum will be sufficient for your journey."

"But we have money enough already," returned the youth.

"Never mind; more may not come amiss. But see, the moon is well up, and ere many hours the sun will follow it. It is well that you should be at some distance from Bagdad ere that time."

As the old man thus spoke he pointed out Morgiana's horse and as soon as Assad had helped her to mount, he leaped into his own saddle. Marouf lifted Gulnare to her seat, and when he saw that all else was ready he also mounted. Mokanna simply waved his hand, and the horses, as though they understood the signal, set off.

"God be with thee!" the old lamp-mender uttered. Assad turned and silently thanked him for the benediction; and then drawing close to the side of Morgiana, he put spurs to his horse and ere long the walls and minarets of Bagdad were lost to view.