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Updated: May 16, 2025
Just remember, young fellar, it's an honour to speak to the chief." "Oh, is it?" said George, tired of the man's patronage. "Well, if you'll lead the way, I shall be obliged, for it is no honour to speak to you." Muttering something derogatory to Helmar's nationality, the man led the way into the house. In a few minutes Helmar stood in front of the Colonel in charge.
There was no cringing in his manner, and at times George thought he even detected a slight tone of command in his voice. "This is the prisoner of whom I spoke," he said in Arabic; "he is not a British subject, but comes from Germany." Arabi lazily turned his head in Helmar's direction, and without changing the position of his body slowly eyed him from head to foot.
Again, with diminished ranks, the order of march was resumed. Horses floundered in the sand, too weary to lift their feet, others with drooping heads marched along in a dogged determined sort of way that betokened their condition. It was terrible. The officer riding beside Helmar was well mounted, and his horse as yet showed no signs of giving in. Observing the freshness of Helmar's mount, he said
"Be not angry with thy servant," said the man with a furtive glance, which he quickly averted as he caught Helmar's eye. "I but thought. Arabi is there." "How do you know?" asked George quickly. "I hear," was the evasive reply. Then, seeing the dissatisfied look on Helmar's face, he tried to ingratiate himself.
The man in whose guardianship Mariam was about to trust her patient was a powerfully-built fellow of forty. He possessed a strong, honest face of a similar cast to his mother's, although perhaps a shade paler. He was dressed in the ordinary Egyptian garb, and, as his mother presented him, he advanced with outstretched hand and gripped Helmar's in a manner as hearty as it was honest.
Interpreter Helmar's acceptance of the post must be forwarded to the Commander-in-Chief without delay." "I congratulate you, Lieutenant Helmar, on the result of your distinguished services," said the Colonel, breaking through his official iciness. "I hope what has gone before may be but the precursor of many such services in the future," and he shook our astonished hero by the hand. "But, sir "
"If you have finished all you have to say," he said sternly, "I shall be glad to return to my prison." Arden laughed coarsely at Helmar's indifference, and yet, while the smile was still on his lips, a look of anxiety came into his eyes as the calm demeanour of his former friend struck a latent chord of fear in his black heart.
There was a grunt as the head was withdrawn and another face appeared in its place. There was no mistaking it this time, it was distinctly white, and when a voice came in English "Who are you and what do you want?" Helmar's heart gave an instinctive leap for joy. "These are queer times," the speaker went on, "and I do not care to do business with every passing stranger."
Suddenly a rattle of musketry from behind drew Helmar's attention. Turning his head quickly he saw a large party of men approaching at a gallop, in skirmishing order. A Maxim gun was in position and belching forth a hail of lead. There were others who had seen the same thing, and felt the deadly effects of the relentless Maxim. Arden pulled his horse up nearly on to its haunches.
I would not draw lots however, and in the night the sailor whispered to Helmar again and again, and I sat in the bows with my clasp-knife in my hand, though I doubt if I had the stuff in me to fight; and in the morning I agreed to Helmar's proposal, and we handed halfpence to find the odd man.
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