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But it suited Marzak not at all that the matter should be thus dismissed, that it should conclude upon a note of weakening from his father, upon what indeed amounted to a speech of reconciliation. Before Sakr-el-Bahr could make answer he had cut in to set him a question laden with wicked intent. "How will thy bride beguile the season of thine absence, O Sakr-el-Bahr?"
But Marzak did not yet own himself defeated. He had been soundly schooled by his guileful Sicilian mother. "Yet there is something in all this I do not understand," he murmured, with false gentleness.
But here Sakr-el-Bahr interfered, bidding them, instead, to bring it up to the stern and place it in the poop-house. Asad had dismounted, and stood with Marzak at his side at the head of the gangway when the youth finally begged his father himself to take command of this expedition, allowing him to come as his lieutenant and so learn the ways of the sea.
"There is thy son, O father of Marzak." "There is, O mother of Marzak." "And a man's son should be the partner of his soul. Yet is Marzak passed over for this foreign upstart; yet does this Nasrani of yesterday hold the place in thy heart and at thy side that should be Marzak's." "Could Marzak fill that place," he asked.
He never doubted that he must cover himself with ridicule in the performance, and that there he would be constrained to abandon this pretended match. "By the Koran," said Biskaine, "thou'lt need all thy skill to equal such a shot, Marzak." "'Twas not the mark I chose," replied Marzak sullenly. "Thou wert the challenger, O Marzak," his father reminded him. "Therefore the choice of mark was his.
"Were I a man, O fountain of my soul," said she, "and had I a son, none but myself should be his preceptor. I should so mould and fashion him that he should be another me. That, O my dear lord, is thy duty to Marzak. Entrust not his training to another and to one whom despite thy love for him I cannot trust. Go forth thyself upon this expedition with Marzak here for thy kayia." Asad frowned.
Sakr-el-Bahr strode away to the starboard bulwarks, deeming the matter at an end. Marzak observed him. "Yet at that small mark," he said, "I challenge him again." As he spoke he fitted a second shaft to his bow. "Behold!" he cried, and took aim. But swift as thought, Sakr-el-Bahr heedless now of all consequences levelled at Marzak the bow which he still held. "Hold!" he roared.
A chorus of applause and admiration greeted the shot, and drew the attention of all the crew to what was toward. Marzak tightened his lips, realizing how completely he had been outwitted. Willy-nilly he must now shoot at that mark. The choice had been taken out of his hands by Sakr-el-Bahr.
"If we are ripe for the gardeners hand, the gardener will pluck us." Less fatalistic and more practical was the counsel of Biskaine. "It were well to act upon the assumption that we are indeed discovered, and make for the open sea while yet there may be time." "But that were to make certain what is still doubtful," broke in Marzak, fearful ever. "It were to run to meet the danger."
"Thou hast heard, Marzak?" he said. "Sakr-el-Bahr is returned." "Victoriously, I hope," the lad lied glibly. "Victorious beyond aught that was ever known," replied Tsamanni. "He sailed at sunset into the harbour, his company aboard two mighty Frankish ships, which are but the lesser part of the great spoil he brings."
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