Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 13, 2025
"Do you mean to tell me, Monsieur Fardet, that the siege of Khartoum and the death of Gordon and the rest of it was just one great bluff?" "I will not deny that there was an emeute, but it was local, you understand, and now long forgotten. Since then there has been profound peace in the Soudan."
"In that case he says that you are to choose at once which is to have the camel." "And the others?" The dragoman shrugged his shoulders. "Well," said the Colonel, "if only one of us is to escape, I think you fellows will agree with me that it ought to be Belmont, since he is the married man." "Yes, yes, let it be Monsieur Belmont," cried Fardet. "I think so also," said Stephens.
The men turned away in that silence which is beyond tears. Monsieur Fardet fell upon his face, and shook with dry sobbings. The Arabs were firing their rifles as a welcome to their friends, and the others as they trotted their camels across the open returned the salutes and waved their rifles and lances in the air.
Monsieur Fardet glanced across to where the red core of Colonel Cochrane's cigar was glowing through the darkness. "You are an American, and you do not like the English," he whispered. "It is perfectly comprehended upon the Continent that the Americans are opposed to the English."
"But this is absurd," cried the Frenchman excitedly; "why should these people wish any harm to me? I have never injured them. On the other hand, I have always been their friend. If I could but speak to them, I would make them comprehend. Hola, dragoman, Mansoor!" The excited gestures of Monsieur Fardet drew the sinister eyes of the Baggara chief upon him.
"But I have heard of raids, Monsieur Fardet, and I've read of battles, too, when the Arabs tried to invade Egypt. It was only Two days ago that we passed Toski, where the dragoman said there had been a fight. Is that all bluff also?" "Pah, my friend, you do not know the English.
What Fardet said was obviously true, but how could one of them desert his comrades? The Emir himself suggested the solution. "The chief says," said Mansoor, "that if you cannot settle who is to go, you had better leave it to Allah and draw lots." "I don't think we can do better," said the Colonel, and his three companions nodded their assent.
Belmont, "that you, who are a Frenchman, and therefore a man of gallantry and honour, would not permit your own wounded feelings to interfere with the fulfilment of your promise and your duty towards three helpless ladies." Fardet was on his feet in an instant, with his hand over his heart. "You understand my nature, madame," he cried. "I am incapable of abandoning a lady.
"Then you may make my compliments to monsieur the chief, and tell him that it is not the custom for Frenchmen to change their religion under compulsion." The chief said a few words, and then turned to consult with a short, sturdy Arab at his elbow. "He says, Monsieur Fardet," said the dragoman, "that if you speak again he will make a trough out of you for the dogs to feed from.
Monsieur Fardet sat moodily with his back against the palm-tree, and his black brows drawn down. He said nothing, but he still pulled at his thick, strong moustache. "Come on, Fardet! We depend upon you," said Belmont. "Let Colonel Cochrane do it," the Frenchman answered snappishly. "He takes too much upon himself this Colonel Cochrane." "There!
Word Of The Day
Others Looking