The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 1 — page 104: what you’re looking at

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

104 A MONTH IN THE MOON. ‘“Well, then,’’ replied Norbert, ‘‘ go and tell your master that we know him not, nor wish to know him; tell him that it is in nowise thé part of a shepherd of men to provoke those who are not his enemies, and have never — done harm to any of his; add, moreover, that it is an intolerable piece of im- pudence to offer terms of capitulation before giving battle.’ ‘“ Have I heard aright?’’ cried the Arab. ‘‘ Darest thou defy the Mahdi, after refusing his magnanimous offer ?’’ ‘“I defy no one, but I ask to be left in peace to pursue my work.’’ ‘“Woe to you!’’ said the envoy. ‘‘ Accuse no one but yourself of the ruin that shall overtake you.”’ Turning on his heel, he went without another word to rejoin his escort at the edge of the esplanade, where he threw himself into his saddle and rode down the Peak road, turning round once towards the observatory with a threatening and insulting gesture. He had scarcely gone out of sight around the first zigzag when a great uproar arose on the esplanade. Virgil’s voice was heard high above the rest in tones of violent rage. Norbert hastened to the spot, and found his trusty lieutenant striving in vain to hold back the guard, who were hurrying after the envoys. ‘The prophet has spoken, and we will not remain with the infidels,’’ said one of the negroes. ‘“It is a disgrace !’’ retorted Virgil. ‘‘ Desert your flag in this way! I will blow out the brains of the first who tries to pass.’’ **Virgil,’’ said Norbert, ‘‘no violence! Call Chaka at once, and have two or three of these men put in irons.’’ : But the negro burst into an insolent laugh. ‘““That’s it,’ he said. ‘‘ Call Chaka, and may all whom thou callest to thy aid respond as he will to thy appeal.’’ And before Virgil had time to guess his intentions, he bounded over him like a panther, and hurried down the road. “What does all this mean?’’ asked Norbert. | ‘Nothing good, I fear,’’ replied Virgil. At the same moment Chaka came with the remainder of the men, and advancing alone toward Norbert, said in a loud voice : ‘‘Lord of Tehbali, I had sworn fealty to thee. Thou didst spit in my hand, and Chaka respects covenants. But thou hast broken this one. The death of Kaddour lies between us. Thou art powerful, but thou art as noth- ing beside him who made the corn to grow before my eyes. All is over between us. Strive not to retain us. Farewell! The Prophet calls, and we obey his voice.”’ Norbert saw at a glance that there was nothing to be done in the face of such a decision. Had these men attacked him, he could have met force with. force ; but what could he do to those who simply refused service and for- swore their contract? He went back to the hall in silence, while the guard defiled before Chaka and went off down the road. This defection made matters serious. At the head of a compact little troop Norbert might have defied the Mahdi. But now that he had only (E(0) An) Ebhoo €