Part 6 (2/2)
”You're an Irishman, I perceive,” said the consul, smiling.
”Well, now, yer right, sur; though how ye came to persaive is more nor I can understand.”
”Where have you come from? and how in such a plight?” demanded the consul in some surprise, observing that a troop of janissaries came galloping up the winding road, near the top of which they stood.
”Sorrow wan o' me knows where we touched at last,” replied the seaman in some perplexity; ”the names goes out o' me head like wather out of a sieve. All I'm rightly sure of is that I set sail four days ago from a port they calls Boogee, or so'thin' like it, in company with a man called Seedy Ha.s.san; an' sure he'd ha bin seedy enough be now if his horse hadn't bin a good 'un, for we wos attacked, and half his party killed and took, forby my six messmates; but--”
”Your name is Ted Flaggan?” inquired the consul hastily.
”It is,” said the seaman, in great surprise; ”sure yer honour must be--”
The sentence was cut short by the arrival of the janissaries, who pulled up with looks of considerable astonishment on finding the mad fugitive engaged in quiet conversation with the British consul.
”Gentlemen,” said Colonel Langley, with much urbanity of tone and manner, ”I suppose you wish to make a prisoner of this man?”
The soldiers admitted that such was their desire and intention.
”Then you will oblige me,” continued the Colonel, ”by allowing me to be his jailer in the meantime. He is a British subject, of whom I can give a good account at the fitting time and place. Sidi Ha.s.san, under whose charge he has been by my orders, will doubtless soon arrive in town, and further enlighten you on this subject.”
Without waiting for a reply the Colonel bowed, and wheeling his horse round rode quietly away, followed by the Irishman, who regarded his new jailer with a very puzzled look, while a touch of humour further tended to wrinkle his remarkably expressive countenance.
CHAPTER EIGHT.
TED FLAGGAN AND RAIS ALI PROCEED ON A MISSION, AND SEE IMPRESSIVE SIGHTS.
Two days after the events narrated in the last chapter, Mrs Langley, being seated on her favourite couch in the court under the small banana-tree, sent Zubby into the garden to command the attendance of Ted Flaggan. That worthy was gifted with a rare capacity for taking the initiative in all things, when permitted to do so, and had inst.i.tuted himself in the consul's mansion as a.s.sistant gardener, a.s.sistant cook and hostler, a.s.sistant footman and nurseryman, as well as general advice-giver and factotum, much to the amus.e.m.e.nt of all concerned, for he knew little of anything, but was extremely good-humoured, helpful, and apart from advice-giving--modest.
”Flaggan,” said Mrs Langley, when the stout seaman appeared, hat in hand, ”I want you to accompany our interpreter, Rais Ali, into town, to bring out a message from a gentleman named Sidi Omar. Ali himself has other duties to attend to, and cannot return till evening, so take particular note of the way, lest you should miss it in returning.”
”I will, ma'am,” replied Ted, with a forecastle bow, ”Does Mister Ally onderstand English?”
”Oh yes,” returned Mrs Langley, with a laugh. ”I forgot that he was absent when you arrived. You will find that he understands all you say to him, though I'm not quite sure that you will understand all he says to you. Like some of the other Moors here, he has been in the British navy, and has acquired a knowledge of English. You'll find him a pleasant companion, I doubt not. Be so good as to tell him that I wish to see him before he leaves.”
Obedient to the summons, Rais Ali quickly appeared. The interpreter was a stout, tall, dignified man of about thirty-five, with a great deal of self-a.s.sertion, and a dash of humour expressed in his countenance.
”Ali,” said Mrs Langley, ”you are aware that Sidi Omar is to be married to-morrow. I have been invited to the wedding, but have stupidly forgotten the hour at which I was asked to see the bride dressed. Will you go to Sidi Omar, or some of his people, and find this out? Take the sailor, Mr Flaggan, with you, and send him back with the information as soon as possible.”
”Yis, mum,” replied the interpreter; ”an' please, mum, I was want too, tree days' leave of absins.”
”No doubt Colonel Langley will readily grant your request. Have you some particular business to transact, or do you merely desire a holiday?”
”Bof,” replied the Moor, with a mysterious smile. ”I'se got finished the partikler bizziness of bein' spliced yesterdays, an' I wants littil holiday.”
”Indeed,” said Mrs Langley in surprise, ”you have been very quiet about it.”
”Ho yis, wery quiet.”
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