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Melton was still more astounded when Guy told him of the stealing of the despatches. "Then Torres knows their contents," he said, "and he will act accordingly. This is certainly a bad business, Chutney. Those papers must be delivered to Sir Arthur as soon as possible, though, to tell the truth, I fear Zaila is doomed. But we are losing precious time. Something must be done at once."
"Shall we proced to Zaila, or get the captain to steam direct for Aden and collect all the available troops?" "No, no," groaned Forbes. "That would be useless. Zaila is sixty miles up the coast. We can beat the Arabs, and get there in time to prepare the town for defense. The garrison is wretchedly small, but they will have to hold out until assistance can come from Aden."
The great annual fair has just opened at Berbera, and I have on board large stores of merchandise and trading properties. On other occasions I go to Zaila first, but during the progress of the fair I always go direct to Berbera and unload. I supposed that fact to be generally understood," and, turning on his heel, the captain walked off to give some orders to his men.
The horrified expression on the Greek's countenance broke the spell, and raising his voice he said clearly and distinctly: "Tell your master we are Portuguese who have come from Zaila at the bidding of Makar Makalo, the ruler."
You must remember that British influence is little felt at Berbera. Your best plan is to say nothing, but relate the whole affair to the governor at Zaila. And now, as we may lie in the harbor here all day, you had better go on shore. You will see a strange sight." Guy put the recovered documents away in an inner pocket, and followed the captain on deck, in a very angry frame of mind.
Guy turned his head for a last look at Zaila and the harbor, now beginning to glimmer in the first rays of the sun, and then a stretch of sand-hills hid the town from view. Little did he realize that which he must pass through before he saw the coast again. From the ruined fortifications of the town an unseen observer watched the departure of the caravan. It was Manuel Torres.
"Now then," continued Melton, "this can mean nothing but a massacre. The only soldiers in the place are about sixty of the Bombay infantry, who were sent down here from Zaila, and as for the fortifications, they are nothing but a few mud walls. There they lie yonder," and he pointed to an English flag floating over the house-tops some distance away. "We are only wasting time here," he added.
"Don't excite them," he said cautiously; "their punishment is sure in the end. How can they defend Zaila against the British gunboats that will be sent here? We have possibly a chance for our lives yet. Don't destroy that last chance." The colonel plainly had strong hopes.
I believe now that he will effect your escape in some way, but don't be surprised to find yourself sent back to Zaila alone. Makar's clemency will be extended to no one but yourself." "Nonsense," returned Guy. "I tell you he means to save you, too. However, we shall not be parted, Melton. I assure you of that. I will accept no deliverance that does not include you, too."
"At Zaila?" repeated the captain, with a look of sudden surprise. "Ah, yes. Possibly tomorrow, probably not until the following day." It was now Guy's turn to be surprised. "Do you mean to tell me," he said, "that it takes two or three days to cross the Gulf of Aden?" "No," replied the captain briskly.
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