Jack Hildreth on the Nile | Page 3

prisoners, with many others, to sell us."
"So you are slaves, you poor little creatures!" I cried. "What was your native country called?"
"I don't know; it had no name; there was a river called Bahr el Abiad. Our people were called Dongiol," answered the boy.
"Well, don't cry any more to-day; nothing shall happen you. Here are ten piasters, which you may share with Djangeh; she shall have her supper, and not be abused."
As I laid the money in his hand tears of joy sprang in his eyes, his lips moved as if to thank me, but he could not speak, and I turned away, followed by his grateful eyes.
I went into the cafe and sat down to think over this sad little story. The Viceroy had forbidden slave-trading, and yet here was proof that, as I had been told, it was still secretly carried on. Poor, faithful, loving little chap! He had not forgotten his country and people, and how beautiful and touching was his love for his sister! And this Abd el Barak, which means "dispenser of blessings"; how ill his name accorded with his actions!
As I was reflecting on these things and considering how I could rescue the children, a man appeared from the side street who could never pass unnoticed. He was in the prime of life, of a commanding figure, tall and strongly built, evidently possessing great muscular power. He had heavy jaws, compressed lips, and his color indicated African blood in his veins. In spite of the indications that he had sprung from the Sudan, he wore green slippers and turban to show he was a successor of the Prophet. In each hand he held a prayer chain, and around his neck hung a case with the "Hama‰l" -- that is, a Koran written in the sacred city of Mecca, and bought during a pilgrimage to the tomb of the Prophet. Holding himself very erect, he made his way along the street, his whole manner saying, plainly: "Here am I; who is like to me? Fall down in the dust before me." From the first glance, this man was antagonistic to me, though I did not guess how just my dislike was, nor what grounds he was to give me for detesting him. The bystanders saluted the newcomer with profound salaams, laying their hands on their hearts, lips and brow, all of which he acknowledged with the slightest bend of the head, and passed through a door near-by, signaling the little slave boy and girl to follow. I saw an expression of terror on the boy's face as his trembling sister joined him, and the eyes of both were full of tears.
Could this man be Abd el Barak? Of course it was, and I hastened after the children with a presentiment that they would need me. As I reached the door a frightened wail rang in my ear; I sprang over the sill. Behind the door lay a small court, in which the man was standing. He held Djangeh up by the hair with both hands, and she dared not utter a sound beyond a moan, which she could not repress. Before them knelt the boy, pleading: "Let her go; oh, let her go, and I will pay for her."
The wretch shook Djangeh from side to side as she hung by her hair, and said to the boy, with a ferocious grin: "So you have more money than you give? I thought so. Give it over, and if you --" He stopped, for he saw me. Letting the poor child sink downward, he demanded: "Who are you? What do you want?"
"Let that child free, instantly!" I answered.
He gnashed his teeth like a wild beast, but I paid no attention to this; rather, to make sure I was obeyed, dealt him a blow on the chest which made his fingers open, and Djangeh fell to the ground, where she lay, not daring to move. Abd el Barak stepped back a few paces, bent over, doubled his fists, and would have thrown himself upon me, but I cried: "Stop! Will a successor of the Prophet get into a scrimmage?"
He paused and straightened himself, but what a face I saw! It defied description. The blood had left it, and its brown tint had changed to a dirty gray. His lips were open, disclosing two rows of long, yellow teeth; his eyes flashed fire, and his breath came in gasps.
"Dog!" he snarled. "Thou hast attacked a Sheik, a successor of the Prophet. Dost thou know me?"
"No," I answered, quietly, keeping my eyes on his.
"I am the Sheik Hadschi Abd el Barak, Mokkadem of the sacred Kadis."
This was an interesting piece of news. He was the chief of the members of the pious brotherhood which administered so-called justice in Egypt! However,