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In the Mahdi's Grasp, a fiction by George Manville Fenn |
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Chapter 35. Frank's Venture |
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_ CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE. FRANK'S VENTURE As Ibrahim had said, the task was easy, for the next morning, before the Hakim had commenced with his sick and wounded, one of the Soudanese harness-makers was at the palace gate with his men and a great white donkey heavily laden with admirable specimens of leather work, barbaric in style, but for the most part such as would have delighted anyone of artistic taste. The various objects were brought in and spread before the Hakim; but Frank was disappointed, for there was no such bridle as he had designed in his mind's eye--nothing so costly; and not one head-stall that was ornamented with gold. But in the end one was bought profusely decorated with heavy buckles and bosses of silver; the steel bit, too, had cheek pieces of the more precious metal, while to hang from beneath the neck of the steed that was to wear it, there was a large glistening ball of silver, from which streamed a great tuft of scarlet horsehair. The maker asked many piastres for his work, but it was well worth the price, and his face shone with pleasure as Ibrahim stood solemnly, bag in hand, to count them out; and then the black cleared away his stock-in-trade and went off rejoicing. "So far so good, Frank, my boy," said the professor; "but how do you mean to get the present delivered?" "By sheer daring," said Frank quietly, "and this very day if the young Emir will only let me be at rest." "And how then?" asked the Hakim anxiously. "The simplest way possible. I shall order through the guard the horse I ride to be brought round, and Ibrahim will saddle one of his camels to bear the bridle. Then I shall ride straight to the chief's place, Ibrahim will interpret my signs, and I shall give the present myself. After that I shall ask to be allowed to harness the Emir's favourite horse with my present. He is sure to consent, and it will go hard if I do not contrive to slip something into poor Harry's hand or a few words into his ear." "Yes," said the doctor, with energy; "and the simplicity of the business ought to ensure its success." "I begin to think it will," said the professor, "if some of our Emir's people do not stop you as you are going out." "I do not think they will," said Frank quietly; "and I have a feeling of confidence upon me which makes me ready to say I shall succeed." The professor said nothing, but he looked very grave and glanced at Ibrahim, whose countenance was solemn in the extreme, while the Hakim seemed plunged in thought. But they had to think of other things soon after, for there had been a fierce encounter at daybreak that morning, some miles from the city, for what reason the party did not know; but its results were the bringing of about a dozen wounded men on horse, donkey, and camel, to be carried into the tent-like booth in the grounds, where of late the Hakim had attended to his patients, and he and his assistants were as hard at work as they could be for hours. "You have thought no more about that plan of yours," said the professor anxiously, as the last wounded man was carried out after he had shown his thankfulness by kissing the Hakim's hand. "On the contrary," said Frank, smiling, "I have thought of nothing else, seen nothing else but that bridle all the morning, and now I feel that I must have made plenty of mistakes." "But it will be too late to make arrangements now," said the Hakim anxiously. "There are none to make," replied Frank. "Look here: there has been some serious fighting, of course, and I believe both the Emir and his son are away, or we should have seen them here." "It's of no use to argue with you, Frank," cried the professor pettishly. "You have an answer for everything. I'm sure you will be stopped." "Never mind," said Frank. "I am going to try what a bold stroke will do. If I am turned back I must get leave through our young chief another day, and chance dropping a word in Harry's ear." "I have done," said the professor. "Try." Frank nodded, and signed to the old Sheikh to come to them. He came, looking extra solemn and quiet. "You will go to the head guard, Ibrahim, and tell him I want my horse as soon as it can be brought to the door." "Yes, Excellency." "You will then saddle your best camel and spread upon it, so that they can be seen, this bit and bridle and trappings. If the guard asks where I am going you can tell him that I am going to take a present to the young chiefs friend." "Yes, Excellency. He will be sure to ask." "Good," said Frank, and the old man went out without another word, while Frank coolly prepared for his short journey by putting on the rich robe that had been given to him, and buckling on his sword and knife, finishing off with a handsome turban of the kind the desert warriors wore. "Here is Ibrahim back," said the professor, as he saw the old man reappear before Frank was ready. "He is coming to say that you cannot have a horse." "But he has gone to get his camel ready all the same," said Frank, smiling, and about a quarter of an hour later the Arab that Frank rode was led ambling up to the door of their quarters by one of the guard. The young man turned to give his friends a calm, smiling look of triumph, as he walked towards the window to glance at his steed. The next moment his countenance fell. For he had seen the gate from where he stood, and there, as if ready to accompany him wherever he went alone, was the chief guard, already mounted, and behind them, ready too and well-armed, were half a dozen men. "Ah!" said the doctor, with a sigh. "I feared there would be something like this." "Yes," said the professor; "they have us safely, and do not mean to let us go." "The young chief must have left word," said Frank bitterly, as he ground his teeth. "Of course, then, you give it up now?" said the professor quickly. "No," said Frank firmly, "I am going to start--at once." The lips of both his friends parted as if to utter a protest, but there was something so determined in Frank's eyes, so stern and set about the lines of his mouth, that they forbore, and the doctor spoke gently-- "Very well, Frank, lad," he said gravely; "you have had far more experience among these people in the city than I have, and you know the need of caution. Take care; a slip may mean destruction now we have climbed so near the pinnacle of our hopes. I will say no more than this--Go, and Heaven protect you." "Yes," said the professor earnestly, and he held out his hand. Frank grasped it firmly, and that of the doctor, who took his left, all three standing silently for a few minutes. Then Frank turned to go, but hesitated for a moment or two, for the professor was running his eye over him critically. "What is it?" said the younger man. "I was looking to see if there is anything about you that might raise suspicion." "Well?" "Nothing, my lad. I have had years of dealings with the people, and I should never take you for anything but a native of the desert." Frank nodded, and was mute again, as he walked out and across the path to where his horse was waiting the beautiful animal whinnying softly in token of recognition, and stretching out its velvety muzzle for the caress that was always given and enjoyed. The next minute the rider was in the saddle, with the Arab tossing its head and ambling gently beneath him. _ |
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