Part 34 (1/2)
My guides, Zeki Ibn Belal, as well as Hamed Ibn Hussein, both belong to the Kababish tribe. The Gilif mountain is their own country; and they were familiar with every path. We unsaddled the camels, and concealed the saddles among the boulders.
”We have come into our own country; and she will protect her son,” said Hamed Hussein. ”Have no fear; as long as we live you need have no misgiving. Remain quietly concealed here. A little way off there is a cleft in the rocks containing water. I will water the animals there.
Zeki will bring you a water-skin full. I will also hide the beasts elsewhere, that our halting-place may not be betrayed by the vultures circling above. Wait for me here; and we will see what our next step must be.”
I was alone and somewhat depressed. I had hoped to make a straight dash for the Egyptian frontier, and to out-distance my pursuers by speed; and now a crowd of unexpected obstacles was gathering round me. About two hours later, Zeki arrived with the water-skin on his shoulders.
”Taste the water of my native land,” he cried. ”See how fresh and pure it is. Take confidence. G.o.d, if He will, will bring our enterprise to a happy end.”
I drank a deep draught. It was delicious indeed.
”I am full of confidence,” I said to Zeki; ”but a little put out by the delay.”
”Malaish kullu shai bi iradet Illahi (It matters not. All happens as G.o.d ordains), and perhaps this delay has its good side too. Let us wait for Hamed Hussein.”
Soon after midday Hamed came. We ate our frugal meal of bread and dates, and while doing so arranged that Zeki should ride to the friends who were privy to my escape, a brief two days' journey, and fetch new animals.
”I will ride the Bisharin mare,” said Zeki. ”She is strong, and has not yet got to the end of her tether. This is Sat.u.r.day evening. I shall ride all night and to-morrow, Sunday. Monday morning early, please G.o.d, I shall reach our friends. We must allow one to two days there; because, it may be, no animals will be ready. But, Thursday or Friday, I should get here with fresh camels if no misfortune happens to me.”
”It is better to put it a little later,” I answered. ”We will wait for you here till Sat.u.r.day. If you arrive sooner, all the better; but remember that our life is in your hand. Above all, be cautious in bringing the animals, that you arouse no suspicion.”
”Trust in our good fortune and my good-will,” and he grasped my hand in farewell.
”G.o.d protect you, and bring you back right soon.”
He tied a few dates up in a cloth as provision for the journey, and took the saddle on his shoulders. Hamed described the spot accurately to him where he would find the mare. As he turned, he enjoined us to be careful not to be seen; and in a few moments he was lost to sight. We cleared the ground which was to serve as our night's resting-place, of stones, and were in the best of spirits as to our success.
”I have a proposal to make to you,” said Hamed to me after a long interval. ”A relation of mine, Ibrahim Masa, is Sheikh of this district, and has his house at the foot of the hill, about four hours' distance from here. Now though, as I hope, no one has seen us, still it would be better to warn him of our arrival, so that he may be prepared for any eventuality. I will describe our situation to him without mentioning your name. As my kinsman, he is bound to give us asylum, and would warn us in time of pursuit, if it should be that our track is followed to the base of the hills, though indeed this is scarcely to be feared. If you agree, I will go during the night, so as to see him without being observed by other people, and will be back with you early in the morning.”
”The plan is good; but take twenty more dollars with you, and offer them as a small contribution to his house, and, as you have said, do not mention my name.”
Hamed left me at sunset; and I was alone with my thoughts. I thought of my housefolk and companions, to whom, in spite of the difference of race and of many unattractive qualities, I had grown accustomed in the long course of years, and whom I had just left behind me in the hands of the enemy. I thought of the dear ones I was now on my way to meet, of my sisters, my friends and well-wishers. If only my adventures have a successful issue! Exhausted with fatigue, I fell asleep on my hard bed.
I woke while the dawn was gray, and shortly afterwards heard the sound of approaching footsteps. I knew it must be my guide.
”All goes well,” said he as he came up. ”The Sheikh, my kinsman, greets his unknown guest, and bids G.o.d protect you. Fortify yourself with patience. For the present, we have nothing else to do.”
He sat down between two blocks of stone, from which his dark skin was hardly distinguishable, and kept watch. I sat a short distance below in the shade of a little tree which struggled for existence among the rocks; and we talked in low tones of the present and the former condition of the country. It was past midday when I suddenly heard behind the noise of footsteps, and, turning round, I saw, to my disgust, a man about one hundred and fifty yards off, climbing the slope opposite me, trying to draw the end of his farda, which was twisted round his loins, over his head. Judging from the direction he had come from, he must have seen us.
”In any case it is a fellow-countryman,” said Hamed, who had heard the sound, and had perceived him. ”Anyhow it will be better that I should overtake him and speak with him. Or do you not agree?”
”Certainly, make haste, and if necessary, give him a small present,” I answered.
My companion left his seat, and followed the man at a swift pace. He had now reached the crest of the hill and pa.s.sed out of my sight. A few minutes later, I saw them both approaching me with smiling faces.
”We are in luck,” Hamed cried from a distance. ”He is one of my numerous relations. Our mothers are children of two sisters.”
The man came up to me and offered his hand in greeting.
”The peace of G.o.d be with you. From me you run no danger,” he said as he sat down on the stone at my side.
I gave him a few dates, and bade him taste our travelling fare. ”Who are you?”