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I tell you he is his friend, and we will have no power to harm him." "But Arden is powerful, and while Naoum is away, will be able to do as he likes," replied one of the men, in a tone of conviction. "You are a fool, and cannot see before your nose," cried Abdu, irritably. "Arabi dare not quarrel with Naoum; the other is only powerful in favour, he does not wield the hold over our master.
At first Burton made some attempt to create the impression that there was actually a Haji Abdu, and that the verses were merely a translation. Indeed, he quotes him, at the end of his Supplemental Nights, vol. ii., and elsewhere, as an independent author. Later, however, the mask which deceived nobody was removed.
When such a man sat down to write a poem, embodying his view of "the Higher Law," what could have been expected but a notable manuscript. With his poem, "the Kasidah," we shall now concern ourselves. It purports to be a translation from the Arabic of Haji Abdu El Yezdi. Its style is like that of the Rubaiyat. It is erude, but subtile.
The sun had set, and night had closed in when Naoum again came to George to notify him that the guard awaited to take him to Cairo. "The little wretch Abdu is to be in charge of you, Helmar," said he, after informing him of the presence of the guard. "How this comes to be arranged, I do not know, but there is evidently some purpose in it.
One or two of the other men backed their leader up, but Belbeis hung back with a look on his face that boded no good to Abdu. Helmar saw the look and had risen to his feet quietly, so as not to attract the attention of the soldiers, but Hakesh caught sight of his white face, and a smile came into his eyes. "Ah," he said, addressing Helmar in English, "you can speak for me.
Possibly Abdu was not aware that his prisoner could speak Arabic, for they conversed quite freely, and George distinctly heard every word they said. Abdu was the man his attention was mainly fixed upon. "No, no," he was saying, "the officer Arden has been fooled by this Naoum. Arabi would have killed him at once but for the money-man Naoum.
Using his coat as a pillow, he stretched himself out on his trestle and waited patiently for some one to come. Every now and then he burst out laughing, as his thoughts went back to the journey to Cairo. What stunning fellows those two guards had proved themselves and how smartly they had fooled Abdu! He wondered where they were, and if they would be allowed to look after him.
This happened thrice, to the despair of Abdu, who saw his hope of pastime taken from him. In the end he was compelled to get the Câdi to release him from his vow, and sing again, although he would have much preferred to be a merchant. That shows the difference between a trader in our cities and one in any city of the Franks, whose sole desire is to sell quickly and repeatedly.
If he had had any idea that he was to travel comfortably he was quickly undeceived, for the train, which was waiting, consisted of nothing but goods wagons; into one of these he was unceremoniously hustled and the doors firmly bolted. One source of comfort to him, at this treatment, was the fact that Abdu and his two guards had to travel in the same compartment.
There is a superstition regarding that man, and even the worst fanatics would not harm him, so he was set free, and the man Abdu has been reprimanded for interfering with him." "And a good thing too, it will perhaps be a lesson to him and " "Make him hate you the more." "Why hate me the more? He ought to thank me that I have saved him from murdering the poor old man."
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