Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 9, 2025
He explained to her then that by the Muslim law all that was required was a declaration made before a kadi, or his superior, and in the presence of witnesses. He was still at his explanation when from below there came a sound of voices, the tramp of feet, and the flash of torches. "Here is Asad returning in force," he cried, and his voice trembled. "Do you consent?"
He murmured in his soul, "May Allah heal him!" as he would have prayed on hearing of a stranger's illness, but with no sense of guilt or responsibility. To have opened his heart to Asad would have been to risk destroying this blissful state of indifference. He feared to revive his emotions of the day before; so confined himself to pious exclamations.
What of those slaves of his those two from England, O Asad? I am told that one is a woman, tall and of that white beauty which is the gift of Eblis to these Northerners. What is his purpose with her that he would not show her in the suk as the law prescribes, but comes slinking here to beg thee set aside the law for him? Ha! I talk in vain.
Thy duty is to let him go upon this expedition that he may learn the trade that lies before him." Asad considered a moment. Then: "Be it so," he answered slowly. "Shalt set forth, then, with Sakr-el-Bahr, my son." "With Sakr-el-Bahr?" cried Fenzilch aghast. "I could find him no better preceptor." "Shall thy son go forth as the servant of another?" "As the pupil," Asad amended. "What else?"
Going out in obedience to that harsh command he found a litter with two mules waiting in charge of Mahmûd, in addition to the thoroughbred horse of the missionary and the donkeys of the two ladies, which were guarded by Costantîn, the father of Asad. "May Allah comfort thee, O Iskender!" exclaimed the muleteer fervently.
In fear Rosamund drew closer to Sakr-el-Bahr. But Asad laughed again. "No need to fear their marksmanship," he cried. "They cannot see us. Their own lights dazzle them. On! On!" "He is right," said Sakr-el-Bahr. "But the truth is that they will not fire to sink us because they know you to be aboard." She looked out to sea again, and beheld those friendly lights falling farther and farther astern.
To that venomous glance he opposed his ever ready mockery. He turned to Biskaine. "Withdraw," he curtly bade him, "and take that stout sea-warrior with thee." And he indicated Marzak. Biskaine turned to the Basha. "Is it thy wish, my lord?" he asked. Asad nodded in silence, and motioned him away together with the cowed Marzak.
My religion teaches me to remove my hopes and ambitions from this world; and Allah knows I have experienced enough of its vicissitudes. All I ask now is leave to live and die in peace." "That is beautiful, what thou sayest!" Asad would rejoin with his superior smile. "But wait a month or so till thou hast survived thy present grievance; then wilt thou wish that thou hadst done as I have.
"Take up thy bow!" "If thou delay much longer," put in Asad, "he will be beyond thine aim. Already he is scarcely visible." "The more difficult a butt, then," answered Sakr-el-B ahr, who was but delaying to gain time. "The keener test. A hundred philips, Marzak, that thou'lt not hit me that head in three shots, and that I'll sink him at the first! Wilt take the wager?"
His heart leapt with joy at the sight of Elias close at hand armed with his fine silver-mounted riding-whip. But instead of pursuing Asad, who had taken to his heels, and of whipping the life out of him, Elias contented himself with throwing a stone and celebrating in a loud voice the immodesty of Asad's mother and the revolting manner of his conception and birth.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking