Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 24, 2025
"Thyself invoked the memory of the days that are gone, when, scimitar in hand, we charged side by side aboard the infidel, and thou didst beseech me to engage again beside thee. And now...." He spread his hands, anger gathered in his eyes. "Whence this change?" he demanded sternly. Sakr-el-Bahr hesitated, caught in his own toils.
Aboard the carack, Sakr-el-Bahr bestowed Rosamund in the cabin over the quarter, taking the precaution to lock the door that led to the stern-gallery.
A Nubian had entered to announce that Sakr-el-Bahr was come and was awaiting the orders of his lord in the courtyard. Asad rose instantly and for all that Fenzileh, greatly daring as ever, would still have detained him, he shook her off impatiently, and went out.
And all unconscious of the lurking peril she held steadily to her course, until not half a mile remained between her and that inauspicious lee. Excitement stirred the mail-clad corsair; he kicked his heels in the air, then swung round to the impassive and watchful Sakr-el-Bahr. "She will come! She will come!" he cried in the Frankish jargon the lingua franca of the African littoral.
"They are thine, then, O Ali, for two hundred and thirty. Give thanks to Allah for so good a bargain." The Nubians were surrendered to Ali's followers, whilst the dalal's two assistants advanced to settle accounts with the corsair. "Wait wait," said he, "is not the name of Sakr-el-Bahr good warranty?"
Sakr-el-Bahr crossed to her side and in a glare of torches saw a body of men coming forth from the black archway of the gate. "It almost seems as if, departing from thy usual custom, thou hast spoken truth, O Fenzileh." She faced him, and he suspected the venomous glance darted at him through her veil. Yet her voice when she spoke was cold. "In a moment thou'lt have no single doubt of it.
"We are drawing steadily away," she groaned. "They will never overtake us now." So feared Sakr-el-Bahr. He more than feared it. He knew that save for some miraculous rising of the wind it must be as she said. And then out of his despair leapt inspiration a desperate inspiration, true child of that despair of which it was begotten. "There is a chance," he said to her.
Slowly then, smiling with unutterable malice, Marzak lowered his bow. He was satisfied. His true aim was reached. He had drawn his enemy into self-betrayal. Asad's was the voice that shattered that hush of consternation. "Kellamullah!" he bellowed. "What is this? Art thou mad, too, O Sakr-el-Bahr?" "Ay, mad indeed," said Marzak; "mad with fear."
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.
None the less, take care not to speak of the only woman whose name I reverence." And then turning at bay, as even the rat will do, Lionel sprang upon him, with clawing hands outstretched to reach his throat. But Sakr-el-Bahr caught him in a grip that bent him howling to his knees. "You find me strong, eh?" he gibed. "Is it matter for wonder?
Word Of The Day
Others Looking