Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 146 No. 4 — page 37: what you’re looking at

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

DOWN THE COAST OF BARBARY. tensive groves, its rocky precipices, its ruins. A dust cloud upon the road resolved itself into a hundred horsemen headed by Hassan Bey—a hard-fighting old Turk whose wine- frosted nose showed small regard for re- ligious precepts. With a great firing of guns and clamor, the parties met. Escorted by this guard of honor, Spence and Dr. Shaw entered the town. The bey had made ready quarters for them in the kasbah, or citadel, and received them with an entertainment that was lavish. The feast lasted far into the night. In the morning Spence wakened to find Mulai Ali present. The Moor and Dr. Shaw were engaged in a discussion of re- ligious points, which ended when the worthy divine sallied forth to inspect the ruins and make notes. Mulai Ali remained while Spence broke his fast. “Well,” asked the Moor, “ and did you see the man in the black burnoose?”’ Spence looked up sharply and described the attempted murder. ‘“ Who is the man, then?” “His name is Gholam Mahmoud. He was once a Janissary; he is now one of Rip- perda’s bodyguard of renegades. We shall probably find him ahead of us on the road.” “H-m! You seem little concerned,” said Spence with a shrewd glance. “ The eveni is in the hands of God, the compassionate! I saw the astrologer last night, and go this morning to receive my horoscope.” “ Good! This astrologer is a slave, eh? An old man? And English?” Mulai Ali smiled in a singular fashion. * Yes, captured by Hassan from an Eng- lish ship, and kept here secretly. Hassan is afraid of the astrologer, yet refuses to sell the slave to me. I have need of the stars to guide me, and should like to have the slave in our company, if possible.” “Oh!” Spence studied the other man, and chuckled. “ You will aid him to escape, then?” “ After I have eaten the salt of Hassan?” The Moor gestured in dissent. “I could not do this. Of course, a Christian has no Caae and might manage it.” Spence aol into a laugh. 507 “Certainly, I have no scruples! Let us be frank, Mulai Ali. You want me to steal this astrologer for you?” “Let us ask the stars about it,” said the other evasively. Clearly, the Moor would not speak frank- ly; yet eagerness struggled against gloom in his eyes. The man was strongly tempted, thus to split hairs with his religious scruples. “T will attend to it,” said Spence curtly. “When can we see the astrologer?” “Now.” A curious smile stole into the bearded features. “‘ You are ready?” Spence nodded, rose, and followed. They descended to the kasbah courtyard, where their Spahis and the garrison Janis- saries were fraternizing. Hence, Mulai Ali passed into the gardens adjoining, the guards saluting him respectfully. They came to a square, commodious tower of stone, centered in a small grove of pome- granates. Before the doorway of this tower squatted a huge black eunueh, half asleep, across his knees the glistening blade of a broad scimi- tar. Sighting them, he sprang up and sa- luted Mulai Ali, then loosened the bar of the door and stood aside. Plainly, Mulai Ali had unquestioned access to Hassan’s astrologer. ‘ After you, senor,” said the Moor. Spence found himself in a well-lighted room, hung with gorgeous stuffs. Upon a stone stairway to the right appeared an old hag, who addressed them in Spanish. “ It is too early, senores—” “Say that Mulai Ali the Idrisi is here,” spoke up the Moor curtly. “ And with him a Christian, who seeks guidance from the stars. Hasten, slave!” Mumbling imprecations, the hag scuttled up the stairs. In a moment she was back again and beckoning them to follow. They entered a chamber which had evi- dently been long occupied by gentry of the same profession. A stuffed crocodile, moth- eaten and musty, hung on wires from the ceiling; about the room were skulls, stuffed birds, instruments inherited from the Moors of elder years. Above a curtained doorway hung a hand- some pentacle of brass; beside: it was the Arabic nine-squared comic iy ee aa