Adventure Magazine, April 10, 1924 — page 26: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

24 Adventure “Where are your followers, O valiant lion,” he demanded of Robert ironically. “Ask the kites and the wolves. They were slain in affrays with the Nazarenes and the Bedawans.”’ “Allah, can it be so? What do you seek of me?” “Guidance and protection through the Iron Gates.” The khan bared long teeth in a mocking smile. “Nay, you know not the Gates. Who can protect a stranger who lacks the right to enter?” Knowing that a display of temper was ex- pected of him, at this, Robert touched his sword-hilt. “By the ninety and nine holy names, does a son of the Seljuks and a great-grandson of a caliph take grass between his teeth to bespeak a gatekeeper?” Months of dwelling with the nobles of Cairo enabled him to imitate the mincing temper of a high-born Egyptian; with his mustache and head shaven and his bare feet blackened by the sun of the plains, he had little to fear. Yet Inalzig was not satisfied, although his tone became more courteous. “Upon what mission do you ride to the Shah, O Cairene?” Abdullah threw in carelessly, as if ex- plaining to a friend— “‘None leave the Sialak, the Gates, or enter to the great city except they go or come upon an order of Muhammad Shah— on whom be peace—the Emperor of Khar and the shield of Islam.” “Does the jackal ask of the wolf, ‘Why are ye here?’”’ Robert took his cue. ‘“‘TI will speak of my mission to the governor of the great city, and to you, Inalzig Khan, I say—” he thought swiftly—‘‘that the Sul- tans of Cairo and Damietta have withstood the Nazarenes and send word of their deeds to Muhammad Shah.” The Kankali nodded without emotion, and made room for the twain on the carpet. “Hameian—contentment be upon you, O ameer. I care naught for such matters, being sent on a foray to fetch a quota of maidens and spoil from the accursed Naza- renes and the desert tribes. If you can pass the Gates you will have fair greeting in Bokhara, the city of which I spoke. For the Shah draws his sword and mounts for war.” “With whom?” demanded Abdullah with sudden interest. “Mashallah—have I been within the walls of Bokhara this last year, that I should know? Some tribe of unbelievers from the north dares to withstand the emperor.” Will Bunsley had been staring about eagerly at the piles of wicker baskets holding the fruits of the foray, and certain tents set apart for the captives, without seeing any sign of the girl or the priest. “Tt is my wish,” remarked the chief of the Kankalis, leaning back on his cushions, “that the infidel be stripped and bound and stretched out for some of my men to try the edge of their simitars. Is it not written that he who causes the death of an unbe- liever will not fail of paradise?”’ A glance from Abdullah warned Robert that this request was not to be lightly re- fused. The khan had halted his men for a day’s rest, and a curious throng had gath- ered about the archer, who had forgotten to mumble and gape as usual. “It would bring ill fortune upon us to slay him, O captain of many,” objected Robert, heedless of the minstrel’s concern. “Flow?” “He is djimn-infested. The devil of mad- ness is in him.” Inalzig signed for a slave to bring wine- cups and shook his head indifferently. “T am no servant of the priests and herder of the afflicted of Allah. The Frank could not pass the Gates, so why weary two horses in bearing him thither?” “Do you see the color of his hair and skin?” ‘Aye, red as heart of fire.” “When a man is blind, what is the color of his eyes?” “White.” * “True. Allah hath set his seal on the eyes. Now when the devil entered this man, his skin turned red. Verily, it is a strange devil. The infidel, being mad, believes that he can overthrow any warrior with all weapons. Yah ahmak, the simpleton will bring mirth to your heart.” “Allah!”? The Kankali smiled and sipped at his cup. ‘Let us see what he does. Nay, do not give him a bow—” as Robert reached for one in a corner of the tent—“for the —— might send the shaft this way. Let him try his skill with a spear, a stabbing-spear.”’ Robert glanced at Bunsley and risked speaking to the archer. *Owilag to the almost inevitable cataract. GCoOmiGcdooksEeo 5}