Argosy, Vol. 111, No. 1 — page 89: what you’re looking at

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

THROUGH RABAT’S a wisp of blue smoke rising from a group of huts a mile away was tinged with violet, and each member of the party was shim- mered in radiant gold until the sun was come to the ridge of the mountain top. Squatted in a circle near the animals were Rabbit, Larbi, Wakid, and their friends chattering softly in the hill tongue. As soon as the sun was warm upon the face Rabbit rose and came over to the three Americans. “You get busy! Come ‘long, my frien’s!” commanded Rabbit amiably. ‘“‘ No good fidels stop here cos wild man come ‘long soon!” ‘“What on earth’s the man_ talking about?” demanded Seagrove, unwilling to move his aching limbs. _ “He says,” interpreted Morden rising, ‘““ that we must get a move on, or—or we’ll get arrested for obstructing the traffic! Come, Eileen!” - Don’ t be a fool!” muttered Seagrove peevishly. ‘‘ Never mind, dad!”’ cried Eileen cheer- fully, as Morden helped her to rise, ‘‘ we’ll just phone for a taxi!” Seagrove merely snorted at this untimely levity and rolled over in a most undignified manner onto his hands and knees, from which posture he could raise his weary body the more easily. He stood watching sourly while Eileen was assisted into the saddle of Rabbit's mount. ‘“Now fat gen’l’man he get up on him horse!” urged Rabbit, indicating the moun- ta.nous saddle of Wakid’s animal. | ‘* ‘Yes, come on, dad! We'll be in Tan- giers in no time now!” urged Eileen, smil- ing. Seagrove walked painfully to the place of torture and turned with a grim smile. ‘““Say, daughter,” said he, “if any of those strenuous-life fools at the country club talk my head off again about the joys of exercise just jolt me up to send ’em to our friend here!” However this time the strangers, unused to the Moorish gymnastics, were a little more comfortable; for, at Rabbit’s instiga- tion, they each one occupied the saddle proper with the escort riding on the animal’s rump. EYES. 19 ‘“‘ Hey!” shouted Seagrove as he moved off. ‘‘ You, guide! What time are we due at Tangiers?” Rabbit, whose brown legs stuck out on either side, was engaged in persuading a native cigarétte to submit to be lighted. He peered around curiously as if in search of some strange animal making a strange noise; but his eyes sought everywhere but the man from whom the shout had arisen. “Hey!” shouted Seagrove _irritably. “You! Morden!” he added, ‘“ doesn’t the idiot understand English?”’ ‘* Rabbit,” said Morden from the other side, ‘‘ Mr. Seagrove’s asking you what time we shall arrive at Tangiers?”’ Rabbit stared across at Seagrove and smiled blandly. ‘“ Mos’ strawdin’ry,”’ he announced care- fully. “ I think he make noise cos he have pain in him tummy. Mos’ strawdin’ ye Mr. Seagrove, me Mr. Rabbit, ‘osopher an’ frien’, by Sinfooloosir! Yessir!” Eileen snickered and turned away her head, not daring to catch Morden’s eyes beside her. Seagrove stared perplexedly. ‘* What the devil’s he driving at?’ he de- manded. ‘I don’t understand.” ‘““Un’erstan’?”” echoed Rabbit quickly. ‘““Him very true words. Mohammed he wise man. He say ’fidel never un’erstan’ heart of Mohammed man. An’ just cos that, he go ney catch green spiders. Yes- sir.” ‘“ Rabbit,” interposed Morden, .compre- hending that somehow the queer Rabbit considered himself insulted, “‘ when do you think that we shall get to Tangiers?” Rabbit turned his head to him and smiled benignly. ‘“°Fidel he say we ’rive Tanga six ’clock twenty minute. Mohammed man he say we ‘rive when Allah wills. Mos’ strawdin- ry wise man, huh?’’ ‘“What’s he say?” demanded Seagrove. ‘““ He means that he doesn’t know when we'll get there, dad,” interpreted Eileen. ‘Probably to-night,” added Morden, aware that Rabbit was in a cantankerous mood and fearful of consequences if Sea- grove persisted. ‘“T still believe that fellow’s a fraud,” muttered Seagrove disgustedly. GomiGcyoo CS (CO