Part 48 (2/2)
”Withdraw,” he curtly bade him, ”and take that stout sea-warrior with thee” And he indicated Marzak
Biskaine turned to the Basha ”Is it thy wish, my lord?” he asked
Asad nodded in silence, and ether with the cowed Marzak
”My lord,” said Sakr-el-Bahr, when they were alone, ”yesterday Iof this breach between us, and it was refused But now had I been the traitor and e of the huer have been mine to propose or to sue
Instead it would have beenproof of my loyalty, it is my hope and trust that I may be restored to the place I had lost in thy confidence, and that this being so thou wilt accede now to that proposal ofthe Frankish woman yonder”
It was unfortunate perhaps that she should have been standing there unveiled upon the poop within the range of Asad's glance; for the sight of her it may have been that overcame his momentary hesitation and stifled the caution which prompted him to accede He considered her a er had made livid
”It is not for thee, Sakr-el-Bahr,” he answered at length, ”to make me proposals To dare it, proves thee far removed indeed from the loyalty thy lips profess Thou knowesther Once hast thou thwarted and defiedto that end the Prophet's Holy Law
Continue a barrier in my path and it shall be at thy peril” His voice was raised and it shook with anger
”Not so loud,” said Sakr-el-Bahr, his eyes gleaer ”For should my men overhear these threats of thine I will not answer for what may follow I oppose thee at rimly ”It is war between us, Asad, since thou hast chosen it Remember hereafter when the consequences come to overwhelm thee that the choice was thine”
”Thou !” blazed Asad
Sakr-el-Bahr turned on his heel ”Pursue the path of an old man's folly,” he said over his shoulder, ”and see whither it will lead thee”
Upon that he strode away up the gangway to the poop, leaving the Basha alone with his anger and soht fear evoked by that last boldthat he ed with anxiety He had conceived a plan; but between the conception and its execution he realized that ht lie
”Mistress,” he addressed Rosamund as he stepped upon the poop ”You are not wise to show yourself so openly”
To his alance
”Not wise?” said she, her countenance scornful ”You a and show me by your actions that you desire another?”
He did not need to ask her what she meant At once he perceived how she had misread the scene she had witnessed
”I'll but reravely, ”that once before you did ment, as has been proven to you”
It overthrew soan
”I do but ask you to save your judgment for the end If I live I shall deliver you Meanwhile I beg that you will keep your cabin It does not help me that you be seen”
She looked at hi on her lips But before the callance she slowly lowered her head and withdrew beyond the curtain
CHAPTER XX THE MESSENGER
For the rest of the day she kept the cabin, chafing with anxiety to knoas toward and the h all those hours froer to contain herself, she went forth again, and as it chanced she did so at an unti prayer was being recited aboard the galeasse, her crew all prostrate Perceiving this, she drew back again instinctively, and remained screened by the curtain until the prayer was ended Then putting it aside, but without stepping past the Nubians ere on guard, she saw that on her left Asad-ed-Din, with Marzak, Biskaine, and one or two other officers, was again occupying the divan under the awning Her eyes sought Sakr-el-Bahr, and presently they beheld hi stride, in the wake of the boat-swain'smeal to the slaves
Suddenly he halted by Lionel, who occupied a seat at the head of his oar iway He addressed hiua franca, which Lionel did not understand, and his words rang clearly and were heard--as he intended that they should be--by all upon the poop
”Well, dog? How does galley-slave fare suit thy tender stomach?”