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But I could never get them to relate that story clearly. I could understand then why Suleymân had kept him in strict order on the journey; for my English friends were quite incapable of seeing any fun in such a character. Nor did I ever tell them of the great adventure of that journey, in which their cook was very nearly done to death.
As prearranged with Mîtri, he feigned great surprise at sight of the Emîr, exclaiming: "I thought you said the garden of Elias. This is the garden of Azîz abu Suleymân." "Something queer has happened," said his patron, showing great uneasiness. "These people have been trying to explain to me, but I can't understand them." Iskender looked to the priest for elucidation.
The Ottoman army too was suffering severely, from disease, as well as from the deadly weapons of the Knights, and in the hope of sparing his men Suleymān offered the garrison life and liberty if they would surrender the city.
You go out from your queenly London—the centre of the greatest and strongest amongst all earthly dominions—you go out thence, and travel on to the capital of an Eastern Prince, you find but a waning power, and a faded splendour, that inclines you to laugh and mock; but let the infernal Angel of Plague be at hand, and he, more mighty than armies, more terrible than Suleyman in his glory, can restore such pomp and majesty to the weakness of the Imperial city, that if, when HE is there, you must still go prying amongst the shades of this dead empire, at least you will tread the path with seemly reverence and awe.
Accustomed as he was to such a mass of hair upon his neck, for lack of it he caught a cold and died. 'That story fits the case before us to a nicety, said Suleymân in conclusion, with an air of triumph. 'What is the moral of it, deign to tell us, master! the cry arose from all sides in the growing twilight.
I know not what he said; but, when the wretched-looking man came out again, the usher slipped into the inner room with reverence and, presently returning, bowed to us and bade us enter. I went in, followed by Suleymân, who swelled and strutted like a pouter pigeon in his flowing robes.
The poniard of Suleyman had slain this great captain the same day that the cannon of Marengo laid low another hero of the army of Egypt.
"Well, never mind, sir," said Horace; "if you can't, I shall take the will for the deed." "First of all, it will be prudent to learn where Suleyman is, that I may humble myself before him and make my peace." "Yes," said Horace, gently, "I would. I should make a point of that, sir. Not now, you know. He might be in bed. To-morrow morning."
Suleymân declared that we had wept like babes at such a prospect. No, that must never be; our grief would kill us. We had been obliged to think of some contrivance by which our hearts' delight might bear us company without much risk, and with the help of Allah we had hit upon a splendid plan, yet simple: That he should lay aside his lance and armour, dress as a Christian, and become our cook.
I spoke in approbation of the view expressed, and the old man, emboldened, laughed: 'To lie is bad, to kill is bad, to steal is bad. Our Lord destroy this rogue of an Intention, which plain men cannot catch nor understand! 'Nay, listen! Suleymân became persuasive and profoundly earnest, as was his manner always under opposition. 'Thou hast not altogether caught my meaning.
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