In the Mahdi's Grasp Part 60

"Yes," said the Hakim, with a droll look of perplexity in his countenance; "no sooner is one cured than another appears."

"Yes, two," said the professor; "we did not think you were coming out into the Soudan to find a tremendous practice waiting, and no pay."

"But board and lodging, my dear Fred," replied the doctor, smiling.

"Exactly, and certainly that is of the best. But by the way, have you quite done with Emir Rontgen?"

"Quite," said the doctor. "Ibrahim told him that he was well off my hands this morning, and he scowled at me--well, I'll be fair--he looked at me as seriously as he could, made me a stately bow, and went away."

"These n.o.ble cut-throats pay their doctors' bills very cheaply," said the professor. "Hullo, Ibrahim, what is it?"

"The Emir, Excellency, to see the Hakim."

"Advice gratis only in the morning," said the professor gruffly. "Can't send him back, I suppose. What's the matter with him now?"

The explanation soon came, for their friend entered at once, followed by three of his men laden with something, and the next minute Ibrahim was busy at work interpreting the great chief's speech, which was to the effect that his brother Emir thanked the Hakim for saving him from death by his skill, and begged that the great and wise doctor would accept the trifles that he sent by the hand of his friend. In addition, he said that if at any time the Hakim would change his home, there was one for him in his patient's tribe, where all his people would live longer and be happier if they had so wise and learned a man in their midst.

"But tell the great Hakim," continued the Emir, "that he must not think of leaving me and mine. That I look upon him as a young man might look upon his n.o.ble, learned brother, for he has saved my life and my son's life, and given health and strength to hundreds who have come to ask his help."

The fierce, rugged face of the Emir grew softer as he spoke these last words, and then drawing back he signed to two of the men to lay their loads at the Hakim's feet, which they did, and then left the room.

"Tell the Hakim that this is from me for all that he has done for me and my son."

At a sign the third man laid his burden upon the rug in front of the doctor, and pa.s.sed out in turn, while bending down to take the latter's hand the great chief held it for a few moments in silence, and then moved toward the door.

"Stop!" cried the doctor quickly. "Tell the Emir to stay that I may thank him, Ibrahim."

The chief turned and shook his head.

"It is enough that the great Hakim will take my little gifts," he said, and he gravely pa.s.sed out of the room.

"Then they are grateful," said the professor, "and I beg their pardon, both of them. What have they sent for you? Rich rugs and silk and muslins, I suppose, and--"

"Never mind them," cried Frank in an excited whisper. "I have it now!"

"What?" said the doctor earnestly.

"The idea for getting near poor Hal."

"Ah!" cried the professor, as excited as the speaker, for Frank's manner carried conviction. "What is it?"

"A present to the young Emir's friend for saving our lives."

"But how's that going to bring you into contact with poor Harry?"

"Like this," whispered Frank eagerly. "He is proud of his horses and camels--this chief. I will give him the finest and most costly bit and bridle Ibrahim can buy in the bazaar."

"But are such things to be bought in the city?"

"Oh, _yes_, plenty of them. Fine red or brown morocco, ornamented with silver or gold. You could get such a one, Ibrahim?"

"Oh, yes, Excellency, or a saddle either."

"Yes," said the professor, after a few moments' thought. "Such a present would appeal to a man like that. Yes, Frank, I like that idea.

You could stop and watch while the bridle was put on. Ibrahim must see about the gift at once."

"Yes, Excellencies," said the old man; "the words are good. To-morrow, then, I shall bring plenty for them to choose. But will not your Excellencies see now what the great Emir has brought?"

"No--yes," said the Hakim. "We must not slight his gifts. Open them out."

Sam was summoned, and costly rugs, pieces of richly woven stuffs, the finest cotton haiks and burnooses, were spread out before the friends, and they noticed that their Emir's gift was far more costly than his friend's. But one and all had another present in their vision, one that seemed to stand out real before Frank Frere all the time--a rich, well-st.i.tched, red morocco head-stall and reins, ornamented with thick bosses and buckles of gold, and fitted with a silver bit; and that night when he slept the present was the main feature of one long-continued dream.

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE.

FRANK'S VENTURE.

As Ibrahim had said, the task was easy, for the next morning, before the Hakim had commenced with his sick and wounded, one of the Soudanese harness-makers was at the palace gate with his men and a great white donkey heavily laden with admirable specimens of leather work, barbaric in style, but for the most part such as would have delighted anyone of artistic taste.

The various objects were brought in and spread before the Hakim; but Frank was disappointed, for there was no such bridle as he had designed in his mind's eye--nothing so costly; and not one head-stall that was ornamented with gold. But in the end one was bought profusely decorated with heavy buckles and bosses of silver; the steel bit, too, had cheek pieces of the more precious metal, while to hang from beneath the neck of the steed that was to wear it, there was a large glistening ball of silver, from which streamed a great tuft of scarlet horsehair.

The maker asked many piastres for his work, but it was well worth the price, and his face shone with pleasure as Ibrahim stood solemnly, bag in hand, to count them out; and then the black cleared away his stock-in-trade and went off rejoicing.

"So far so good, Frank, my boy," said the professor; "but how do you mean to get the present delivered?"

"By sheer daring," said Frank quietly, "and this very day if the young Emir will only let me be at rest."

"And how then?" asked the Hakim anxiously.

"The simplest way possible. I shall order through the guard the horse I ride to be brought round, and Ibrahim will saddle one of his camels to bear the bridle. Then I shall ride straight to the chief's place, Ibrahim will interpret my signs, and I shall give the present myself.

After that I shall ask to be allowed to harness the Emir's favourite horse with my present. He is sure to consent, and it will go hard if I do not contrive to slip something into poor Harry's hand or a few words into his ear."

"Yes," said the doctor, with energy; "and the simplicity of the business ought to ensure its success."

"I begin to think it will," said the professor, "if some of our Emir's people do not stop you as you are going out."

"I do not think they will," said Frank quietly; "and I have a feeling of confidence upon me which makes me ready to say I shall succeed."

The professor said nothing, but he looked very grave and glanced at Ibrahim, whose countenance was solemn in the extreme, while the Hakim seemed plunged in thought.

But they had to think of other things soon after, for there had been a fierce encounter at daybreak that morning, some miles from the city, for what reason the party did not know; but its results were the bringing of about a dozen wounded men on horse, donkey, and camel, to be carried into the tent-like booth in the grounds, where of late the Hakim had attended to his patients, and he and his a.s.sistants were as hard at work as they could be for hours.

"You have thought no more about that plan of yours," said the professor anxiously, as the last wounded man was carried out after he had shown his thankfulness by kissing the Hakim's hand.

"On the contrary," said Frank, smiling, "I have thought of nothing else, seen nothing else but that bridle all the morning, and now I feel that I must have made plenty of mistakes."

"But it will be too late to make arrangements now," said the Hakim anxiously.