 Chapter 8 of the Tragedy of the Khorosko This is a LibriVox recording, or LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information nor to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Reading by Lars Rolander The Tragedy of the Khorosko by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Chapter 8 Colonel Cochran was awakened from his slumber by someone pulling at his shoulder. As his eyes opened, they fell upon the black anxious face of Tipitili, the old Egyptian gunner. His crooked finger was laid upon his thick, liver-colored lips, and his dark eyes glanced from left to right with ceaseless vigilance. Like quiet, don't not move, he whispered in Arabic, I will lie here beside you, and they cannot tell me from the others. You can understand what I am saying? Yes, if you will talk slowly. Very good. I have no great trust in this black man-man sur. I had rather talked direct with the miralai. What have you to say? I have waited long until they should all be asleep, and now in another hour we shall be called to evening prayer. First of all, here is a pistol that you may not say that you are without arms. It was a clumsy old-fashioned thing, but the Colonel saw the glint of a percussion cap upon the nipple, and knew that it was loaded. He slipped it into the inner pocket of his Norfolk jacket. Thank you, said he, speak slowly, so that I may understand you. There are eight of us who wish to go to Egypt. There are also four men in your party. One of us, Mehmet Ali, has fastened twelve camels together, which are the fastest of all, save only those which are ridden by the emirs. There are guards upon watch, but they are scattered in all directions. The twelve camels are close beside us here, those twelve behind the acacia tree. If we can only get mounted and started, I do not think that many can overtake us, and we shall have our rifles for them. The guards are not strong enough to stop so many of us. The water-skins are filled, and we may see the Nile again by tomorrow night. The Colonel could not follow it all, but he understood enough to set a little spring of hope bubbling in his heart. The last terrible day had left its mark in his livid face and his hair, which was turning rapidly to gray. He might have been the father of the spruce well-preserved soldier, who had paced with straight back and military stride up and down the saloon deck of the corosco. That is excellent, said he. But what are we to do about the three ladies? The black soldier shrugged his shoulders. Me, fish, said he. One of them is old, and in any case there are plenty more women if we get back to Egypt. These will not come to any hurt, but they will be placed in the harem of the Caliphah. What you say is nonsense, said the Colonel Sterney. We shall take our women with us, or we shall not go at all. I think it is rather you who talk the thing without sense, the black man answered angrily. How can you ask my companions and me to do that which must end in failure? For years we have waited for such a chance as this, and now that it has come, you wish us to throw it away owing to this foolishness about the women. What have we promised you if we come back to Egypt? Ask Cochrane. Two hundred Egyptian pounds and promotion in the army, all upon the word of an Englishman. Very good. And you shall have three hundred each if you can make some new plan by which you can take the women with you. Tiputili scratched his woolly head in his perplexity. We might indeed upon some excuse bring three more of the faster camels round to this place. Indeed there are three very good camels among those which are near the cooking fire. But how are we to get the women upon them? If we had them upon them, we know very well that they would fall off when they began to gallop. I fear that you men will fall off, for it is no easy matter to remain upon a galloping camel. But as to the women, it is impossible. No, we shall leave the women, and if you will not leave the women, then we shall leave all of you and start by ourselves. Very good. Go, said the colonel abruptly. And settled down as if to sleep once more. He knew that with orientals it is the silent man who is most likely to have his way. The negro turned and crept away for some little distance where he was met by one of his fellowheen comrades, Mehmet Ali, who had charge of the camels. The two argued for some little time, for those three hundred golden pieces were not to be lightly resigned. Then the negro crept back to Colonel Cochran. Mehmet Ali's agreed, said he. He has gone to put the nose-roop upon three more of the camels. But it is foolishness, and we are all going to our death. Now come with me, and we shall awaken the women and tell them. The colonel shook his companions and whispered to them what was in the wind. Belmont and Farde were ready for any risk. Stevens, to whom the prospect of a passive death presented little terror, was ceased with a convulsion of fear when he thought of any active exertion to avoid it, and shivered in all his long, thin limbs. Then he pulled out his pedicure and began to write his will upon the flyleaf, but his hand twitched so that he was hardly legible. By some strange gymnastic of the legal mind a death even by violence, if accepted quietly, had a place in the order of things, while a death which overtook one galloping frantically over a desert was fully irregular and discomposing. It was not the solution which he feared, but the humiliation and agony of a fruitless struggle against it. Colonel Cochrane and T. Petilli had crept together under the shadow of the Great Acacia Tree to the spot where the women were lying. Sadie and her aunt lay with their arms round each other. The girl's head pillowed upon the old woman's bosom. Mrs. Belmont was awake and entered into the scheme in an instant. What you must leave me, said Miss Adams earnestly. What does it matter at my age anyhow? No, no, Aunt Eliza. I won't move without you. Don't you think it, cried the girl. You've got to come straight away or else we both stay right here where we are. Come, come, ma'am, there is no time for arguing or nonsense. Said the Colonel, roughly. Our lives all depend upon your making an effort, and we cannot possibly leave you behind. But I will fall off. I'll tie you on with my Puggery. I wish I had the Camberman which I lent poor Stuart. Now, T.P., I think we might make a break for it. But the black soldier had been staring with a disconsolate face out over the desert, and he turned upon a seal with an oath. There, said he suddenly, you see what comes of all your foolish talking. You have ruined our chances as well as your own. Half a dozen mounted Camelmen had appeared suddenly over the lip of the bowl-shaped hollow standing out hard and clear against the evening sky where the copper basin met its great blue lid. They were travelling fast and waved their rifles as they came. An instant later the bugle sounded an alarm, and the camp was up with a buzz like an overturned beehive. The Colonel ran back to his companions and the black soldier to his Camel. Stevens looked relieved and Belmont sulk-y, while Monsieur Fardy raved with his one uninjured hand in the air. Sacred name of a dog, he cried, Is there no end to it then? Are we never to come out of the hands of these accursed dervishes? Oh, they really are dervishes, are they? said the Colonel in an acid voice. You seem to be altering your opinions. I thought they were an invention of the British government. The poor fellow's temper was getting frayed and thin. The Colonel's snare was like a match to a magazine, and in an instant the Frenchman was dancing in front of him with a broken torrent of angry words. His hands was clutching at Cochrane's throat before Belmont and Stevens could pull him off. If it were not for your grey hairs, he said, Damn your impudence, cried the Colonel. If we have to die, let us die like gentlemen and not like so many corner boys, said Belmont with dignity. I only said I was glad to see that M. Fardy has learned something from his adventures. The Colonel sneered, Shut up, Cochrane! What do you want to aggravate him for? cried the Irishman. Upon my word, Belmont, if you forget yourself, I do not permit people to dress me in this fashion. You should look after your own manners, then. Gentlemen, gentlemen, here are the ladies, cried Stevens, and the angry overstrain men relapsed into gloomy silence, pacing up and down and jerking viciously at their moustaches. It is a very catching thing, ill temper, for even Stevens began to be angry at their anger and to scowl at them as they passed him. Here they were at a crisis in their fate, with the shadow of death above them, and yet their minds were all absorbed in some personal grievance, so slight that they could hardly put it into words. Misfortune brings the human spirit to a rare height, but the pendulum still swings. But soon their attention was thrown away to more important matters. The council of war was being held beside the wells, and the two emirs, stern and composed, were listening to a voluble report from the leader of the patrol. The prisoners noticed that, though the fierce old man stood like a grave image, the junger emir passed his hand over his beard, once or twice, with a nervous gesture, the thin brown fingers twitching among the long black hair. I believe the jippies are after us, said Belmont, not very far off either to judge by the fuss they are making. It looks like it, something has scared them. Now he is giving order. What can it be? Hermansur, what is the matter? The dragon came running up with the light of hope shining upon his brown face. I think they have seen something to frighten them. I believe that the soldiers are behind us. They have given the order to fill the water skins and be ready for a start when the darkness comes. But I am ordered to gather you together, for the mula is coming to convert you all. I have already told him that you are all very much inclined to think the same with him. How far Mansoor may have gone with his assurances may never be known. But the Muslim preacher came walking towards them at this moment with a paternal and contented smile upon his face, as one who has a pleasant and easy task before him. He was a one-eyed man with a fringe of grizzled beard and a face which was fat, but which looked as if it had once been fatter, for it was marked with many folds and creases. He had a green turban upon his head, which marked him as a mecca pilgrim. In one hand he carried a small brown carpet and in the other a parchment copy of the Quran. Laying his carpet upon the ground, he motioned Mansoor to his side and then gave a circular sweep of his arm to signify that the prisoners should gather round him and a downward wave which meant that they should be seated. So they grouped themselves round him, sitting on the short green sword under the palm tree. The seven forlorn representatives of an alien creed and in the midst of them sat the fat little preacher, his one-eyed dancing from face to face as he expounded the principles of his newer, cruder and more earnest faith. They listened attentively and nodded their heads as Mansoor translated the exhortation and with each sign of their acquiescence the Mola became more amable in his manner and more affectionate in his speech. For why should you die and my sweet lambs when all that is asked of you is that you should set aside that which will carry you to everlasting dienna and accept the law of Allah as written by his prophet which will assuredly bring you unimaginable joys as is promised in the book of the camel for what says the chosen one? And he broke away into one of those dogmatic texts which pass in every creed as an argument. Besides, is it not clear that God is with us since from the beginning when we had but sticks against the rifles of the Turks? Victory has always been with us. Have we not taken El-Obaid and taken Khartoum and destroyed Hicks and slain Gordon and prevailed against every one who has come against us? How then can it be said that the blessing of Allah does not rest upon us? The Colonel had been looking about him during the long exhortation of the Mola and he had observed that the dervishes were cleaning their guns, counting their cartridges and making all the preparations of men who expected that they might soon be called upon to fight. The two emirs were conferring together with grave faces and the leader of the patrol pointed as he spoke to them in the direction of Egypt. It was evident that there was at least a chance of a rescue if they could only keep things going for a few more hours. The camels were not recovered yet from their long march and the pursuers, if they were indeed close behind were almost certain to overtake them. For God's sake, Fardais, try and keep him in play, said he. I believe we have a chance if you can only keep the ball rolling for another hour or so. But a Frenchman's wounded dignity is not so easily appeased. M. Fardais had moodily with his back against the pantry and his black brows drawn down. He said nothing, but he still pulled at his thick, strong moustache. Come on, Fardais, we depend upon you, said Belmont. Let Colonel Cochrane do it, the Frenchman answered snappishly. He takes too much upon himself this Colonel Cochrane. There, there, said Belmont soothingly, as if you were speaking to a fractious child. I am quite sure that the Colonel will express his regret at what has happened and will acknowledge that he was in the wrong. I do nothing of the sort, snapped the Colonel. Besides, that is merely a personal quarrel, Belmont continued hastily. It is for the good of the whole party that we wish you to speak with the Moula, because we all feel that you are the best man for the job. But the Frenchman only shrugged his shoulders and relapsed into a deeper gloom. The Moula looked from one to the other and the kindly expression began to fade away from his large baggy face. His mouth drew down at the corners and became hard and severe. Have these infidels been playing with us then? said each to the Dragman. Why is it that they talk among themselves and have nothing to say to me? He is getting impatient about it, said Cochrane. Perhaps I'd better do what I can, Belmont, since this damned fellow has left us in the lurch. But the ready wit of a woman saved the situation. I am sure, Monsieur Fardy, said Mrs. Belmont, that you who are a Frenchman and therefore a man of gallantry and honour would not permit your own wounded feelings to interfere with the fulfilment of your promise and your duty towards three helpless ladies. Fardy was on his feet in an instant with his hands over his heart. To understand my nature, Madame, he cried, I am incapable of abandoning a lady. I will do all that I can in this matter. Now, Monsieur, you may tell the Holy Man that I am ready to discuss through you the high matters of his faith with him. And he did it with an ingenuity which amazed his companions. He took the tone of a man who is strongly attracted and yet has one single remaining shred of doubt to hold him back. Yet, as that one shred was torn away by the mula, there was always some other stubborn little point which prevented its absolute acceptance of the faith of Islam. And his questions were also mixed up with personal compliments to the priests and self-congratulations that they should have come under the teachings of so wise a man and so profound a theologian that the hanging pouches under the mula's eyes quivered with his satisfaction. And he was led happily and hopefully onwards from explanation to explanation while the blue overhead turned into violet and the green leaves into black until the great serene stars shone out once more between the crowns of the palm trees. As to the learnings of which you speak, my lamb said the mula in answer to some argument of our debts, I have myself studied at the University of El-Asr at Cairo and I know that to which you allude but the learning of the faithful is not as the learning of the unbeliever and it is not fitting that we pride too deeply into the ways of Allah. Some stars have tales, oh my sweet lamb and some have not but what does it profit us to know which are which? For God made them all and they are very safe in his hands. Therefore my friend be not puffed up by the foolish learning of the west and understand that there is only one wisdom which consists in following the will of Allah as his chosen prophet has laid it down for us in this book. And now my lambs, I see that you are ready to come into Islam and it is time for that bugle tells that we are about to march and it was the order of the excellent emir abderaman that your choice should be taken one way or the other before ever we left the wells. Yet my father there are other points upon which I would gladly have instruction said the Frenchman, for indeed it is a pleasure to hear your clear words after the cloudy accounts which we have had from other teachers. But the mullah had risen and a gleam of suspicion twinkled in his single eye. This further instruction may well come afterwards, said he, since we shall travel together as far as Khartoum and it will be a joy to me to see you grow in wisdom and in virtue as we go. He walked over to the fire and stooping down with the pompous slowness of a stout man. He returned with two half-chart sticks which he laid crosswise upon the ground. The dervishes came clustering over to see the new converts admitted into the fold. They stood round in the dim light tall and fantastic with the high necks and supercilious heads of the camel swaying above them. Now, said the mullah, and his voice had lost its conciliatory and persuasive tone. There is no more time for you. Here upon the ground I have made out two sticks, the foolish and superstitious symbol of your former creed. You will trample upon it a sign that you renounce it and you will kiss the Quran as a sign that you accept it and what more you need in the way of instruction shall be given to you as you go. They stood up the four men and the three women to meet the crisis of their fate. None of them except perhaps Miss Adams and Mrs. Belmont had any deep religious convictions. All of them were children of this world and some of them disagreed with everything which that symbol upon the earth represented. But there was the European pride, the pride of the white race which swelled within them and held them to the faith of their countrymen. It was a sinful, human, un-christian motive and yet it was about to make them public marches to the Christian creed. In the hushed intention of their nerves, low sounds grew suddenly loud upon their ears. Those swishing palm leaves about them were like a swift flowing river and far away they could hear the dull, soft thudding of a galloping camel. There is something coming, whispered Cochrane, try and stave them off for five minutes longer, Fardin. The Frenchman stepped out with a courteous wave of his uninjured arm and the air of a man was prepared to accommodate himself to anything. You will tell this holy man that I am quite ready to accept his teaching, and so I am sure are all my friends, said he to the Dragomon. But there is one thing which I should wish him to do in order to set at rest any possible doubts which may remain in our hearts. Every true religion can be told by the miracles which those who profess it can be bring about. Even I who am but a humble Christian can by virtue of my religion do some of these. But you, since your religion is superior, can no doubt do far more, and so I beg you to give us a sign that we may be able to say that we know that the religion of Islam is the more powerful. Behind all his dignity and reserve, the Arab has a good fund of curiosity. The harsh among the listening Arabs showed how the words of the Frenchman as translated by Mansour appealed to them. Such things are in the hands of Allah, said the priest. It is not for us to disturb his laws. But if you have yourself such powers as you claim, let us be witness to them. The Frenchman stepped forward and raising his hand. He took a large shining date out of the Mullah's beard. This he swallowed and immediately produced once more from his left elbow. He had often given his little conjuring entertainment on board the boat and his fellow passengers had had some good nature laughter at his expense, for he was not quite skillful enough to deceive the critical European intelligence. But now it looked as if this piece of obvious palming might be the point upon which all their fates would hang. A deep hum of surprise rose from the ring of Arabs and deepened as the Frenchman drew another date from the nostril of a camel and tossed it into the air, from which apparently it never descended. That gaping sleeve was obvious enough to his companions, but the dim light was all in favour of the performer. So delighted and interested was the audience that they paid little heed to the mounted camelman who trotted swiftly between the palm trunks. All might have been well had not Fadir carried away by his own success, tried to repeat his trick once more with the result that the date fell out of his palm and the deception stood revealed. In vain he tried to pass on at once to another of his little stock. The Mullah said something and an Arab struck Fadir cross his shoulders with the thick shaft of his spear. We have had enough of child's play, said the angry priest. Are we men of our babes that you should try to impose upon us in this manner? Here is the cross and the Quran. Which shall it be? Fadir looked helplessly round at his companions. I can do no more. You asked for five minutes. You have had them. Said he to Colonel Cochran. And perhaps it is enough the soldier answered. Here are the emirs. The camelman whose approach they had heard from afar had made for the two Arab chiefs and had delivered a brief report to them, stabbing with his forefinger in the direction from which he had come. There was a rapid exchange of words between the emirs and then they strode forward together to the group around the prisoners. Begots and barbarians they were nonetheless two most majestic men as they advanced through the twilight of the palm grove. The fierce old greybird raised his hand and spoke swiftly in short abrupt sentences and his savage followers dealt to him like hounds to a huntsman. The fire that smoldered in his arrogant eyes shone back at him from a hundred others. Here were to be read the strength and danger of the Madi movement. Here in these convulsed faces in that fringe of waving arms in these frantic red-hot souls who ask nothing better than a bloody death if their own hands might be bloody when they met it. Have the prisoners embraced the true faith? Asked the emir of the Raman looking at them with his cruel eyes. The mula had his reputation to preserve and it was not for him to confess to a failure. They were about to embrace it when led it rest for a little time o mula. He gave an order and the Arabs all sprang for their camels. The emir of what Ibrahim filed off at once with nearly half forty. The others were mounted and ready with their rifles unslung. What's happened? asked Belmont. Things are looking up, cried the colonel. By George I think we are going to come through all right. The deep the camel corpse are hot on our trail. How do you know? What else could have scared them? O colonel, do you really think we shall be saved? Sobbed Sadie The dull routine of misery through which they had passed had deadened all their nerves until they seemed incapable of any acute sensation. But now this sudden return of hope brought agony with it like the recovery of a frostbitten limb. Even the strong self-contained Belmont was filled with doubts and apprehensions. He had been hopeful when there was no sign of relief and now the approach of it set him trembling. Surely they wouldn't come very weak, he cried. By Joe if the commandant let them come weak, he should be court-martialed. Sure, we are in God's hands anyway, said his wife in her soothing Irish voice. Kneel down with me, yonder. If it is the last time and pray that earth or heaven, we may not be divided. Don't do that, don't cry the Colonel anxiously, for he saw that the eye of the Mula was upon them. But it was too late, for the two Roman Catholics had dropped upon their knees and crossed themselves. A spasm of fury passed over the faith of the Muslim priest at this public testimony to the failure of his missionary he turned and said something to the emir. Stand up, cried Mansour, for your life's sake stand up he is asking for leave to put you to death. Let him do what he likes, said the obstinate Irishman. We will rise when our prayers are finished and not before. The emir stood listening to the Mula with his baleful gaze upon the two kneeling figures. Then he gave one two rapid orders, and four camels were brought forward. The baggage camels which they had hitherto ridden were standing unsettled where they had been tethered. Don't be a fool Belmont, cried the Colonel, everything depends upon our humoring them. Do get up, Mrs. Belmont, you are only putting their backs up. The Frenchman shrugged his shoulders as he looked at them. Mon Dieu! he cried, were there ever such impracticable people? Voila! He added with a shriek as the two American ladies fell upon their knees beside Mrs. Belmont. It is like the camels one down, all down was ever anything so absurd. But Mr. Stevens had nailed down beside Sadie and buried his haggard face in his long thin hands. Only the Colonel and Monsieur Fardy remained standing. Cochrane looked at the Frenchman with an interrogative eye. After all, Sadie, it is stupid to pray all your life and not to pray now when we have nothing to hope for except through the goodness of Providence. He dropped upon his knees with a rigid military back, but his grizzled unshaven chin upon his chest. The Frenchman looked at his kneeling companions, and then his eyes traveled onwards to the angry faces of the Emir and Mola. Sapristi, he growled, do they suppose that the Frenchman is afraid of them? And so, with an ostentatious sign of the cross, he took his place upon his knees beside the others. Foul, bedraggled and wretched the seven figures knelt and waited humbly for their fate under the black shadow of the palm tree. The Emir turned to the Mola with a mocking smile and pointed at the results of his ministrations. Then he gave an order, and in an instant the four men were seized. A couple of deaf turns with a camel halter secured each of their wrists. Fardier screamed out for the rope had bitten into his open wound. The others took it with dignity of despair. You have ruined everything. I believe you have ruined me also, cried Malsoor, wringing his hands. The women are to get upon these three camels. Never, cried Vellmont, we won't be separated. He plunged madly, but he was weak from privation, and two strong men held him by each elbow. Don't fret, John, this wife, as they hurried toward the camel. No harm shall come to me. Don't struggle, or they'll hurt you, dear. The four men breathed as they saw the women dragged away from them. All their agonies had been nothing to this. Sadie and her aunt appeared to be half-senseless from fear. Only Mrs. Vellmont kept a brave face. When they were seated, the camel led under the tree behind where the four men were standing. I have a pistol in my pocket, said Vellmont, looking up at his wife. I would give me soul to be able to pass it to you. Keep it, John, and it may be useful yet. I have no fears. Ever since we prayed, I have felt as if our guardian angels had their wings round us. She was like a guardian angel herself as she turned to the shrinking Sadie and cokes some little hope back into her despairing heart. The short, thick Arab who had been in command of what Ibrahim's rearguard had joined the Emir and the Mola. The three consulted together with occasional oblique glances towards the prisoners. Then the Emir spoke to Mansour. The chief wishes to know which of you for is the richest man, said the drag-man. His fingers were twitching with nervousness and plucking incessantly at the front of his covercoat. Why does he wish to know, asked the Colonel. I do not know, but it is evident, cried Monsieur Fardy. He wishes to know which is the best worth keeping for his ransom. I think we should see this thing through together, said the Colonel. It's really new to decide, Stevens, for I have no doubt that you are the richest of us. I don't know that I am, the lawyer answered. But in any case, I have no wish to be placed upon a different footing to the others. The Emir spoke again in his harsh rasping voice. He says, Mansour translated, that the baggage camels are spent and that there is only one beast left which can keep up. It is ready now for one of you, and you have to decide among yourselves which is to have it. If one is richer than the others he will have the preference. Tell him that we are all equally rich. In that case he says that you are to choose at once which is to have the camel. And the others, the Dragonman shrugged his shoulders. Well, said the Colonel, if only one of us is to escape I think you fellows will agree with me that it ought to be Belmont since he is the married man. Yes, yes, let it be Monsieur Belmont, cried Fardé. I think so also, said Stevens, but the Irishman would not hear of it. No, no, share and share alike, he cried. All sink or all swim, and the devil take the flincher. They wrangled among themselves until they became quite heated in this struggle of unselfishness. Someone had said that the Colonel should go because he was the oldest, and the Colonel was a very angry man. One would think that I was an octogenarian, he cried. These remarks are quite uncalled for. Well, then, said Belmont, let us all refuse to go. But this is not very wise, cried the Frenchman. See, my friends, here are the ladies being carried off alone. Surely it would be far better that one of us should be with them to advise them. They looked at one another in perplexity. What Fardé said was obviously true, but how could one of them desert his comrades? The aimer himself suggested the solution. The chief says, said Monsieur, that if you cannot settle who is to go, you had better leave it to Allah and draw lots. I don't think we can do better, said the Colonel, and his three companions nodded their assent. It was the mullah who approached them with four splinters of palm bark protruding from between his fingers. He says that he who draws the longest has the camel, said Monsieur. I must agree to abide absolutely by this, said Cochrane, and again his companions nodded. The dervishes had formed a semicircle in front of them with a fringe of the oscillating heads of the camels. Before them was a cooking-fire which threw its red light over the groove. The aimer was standing with his back to it and his fierce face towards the prisoners. Behind the four men was a line and behind them again the three women who looked down from their camels upon this tragedy. With a malicious smile, the fat one eyed mullah advanced with his fist closed and the four little brown spicles protruding from between his fingers. It was to Belmont that he held them first. The Irishman gave an involuntary groan and his wife cast behind him, and the splinter came away in his hand. Then it was the Frenchman's turn and his was half an inch longer than Belmont's. Then came Colonel Cochrane whose peace was longer than the two others put together. Stevens was no bigger than Belmont's, the Colonel was the winner of this terrible lottery. You're welcome to my place Belmont, said he. I'm neither wife nor child and hardly friend in the world. Go with your wife and I'll stay. No, indeed. An agreement is an agreement. It is all fair play and the prize to the luckiest. The emir says that you are to mount at once, said Mansour, and an Arab dragged the Colonel by his wrist rope to the waiting camel. He will stay with the rearguard, said the emir to his lieutenant. I'm coming with you also. And this Dragamondog put him with the others and they put them all to death. End of chapter 8 read by Lars Rolander. Chapter 9 of the tragedy of the Crosco. This is a LibriVox recording or LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org reading by Lars Rolander. The tragedy of the Crosco by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Chapter 9 As none of the three could understand Arabic the order of the emir would have been unintelligible to them had it not been for the conduct of Mansour. The unfortunate Dragamond after all is treachery all his subservience and apostasy found his worst fears realized when the dervish leader gave his court command. With the shriek of fear the poor wretch threw himself forward upon his face and clutched at the edge of the Arabs' dibby flowing with his brown fingers at the edge of the cotton skirt. The emir tugged to free himself and then finding that he was still held by that pensive grip he turned and kicked at Mansour with the vicious impatience with which one drives off a pestering curl. The Dragamond's high red Tarbush flew up into the air and he lay groaning upon his face where the stunning blow of the Arabs' horny foot had left him. All was bustle and movement in the camp for the old emir had mounted his camel and some of his party were already beginning to follow their companions. The squatliff tenant, the mullah and about a dozen dervishes surrounded the prisoners. They had not mounted their camels for they were told off to be the ministers of death. The three men understood as they looked upon their faces that the sand was running very low in the glass of their lives. Their hands were still bound but their guards had ceased and called them. They turned round all three and said good-bye to the women upon the camels. All up now, Nora, said Belmont. It's hard luck when there was a chance of a rescue but we've done our best. For the first time his wife had broken down. She was sobbing convulsively with her face between her hands. Don't cry, little woman. We've had a good time together. Give my love to all friends at prey. Remember me to Amy McCarty and to the Blessingtons. You'll find there is enough and to spare. But I would take Roger's advice about the investments. Mind that. Oh, John, I won't live without you. Sorrow for her sorrow broke the strong man down face in the hairy side of her camel. The two of them sobbed helplessly together. Stevens, meanwhile, had pushed his way to Sadie's beast. She saw his worn earnest face looking up at her through the dim light. Don't be afraid for your aunt and for yourself, said he. I'm sure that you will escape. Colonel Cochran will look after you. The Egyptians cannot be far behind. I do hope you will have a good drink before you leave the wells. I wish I could give your aunt my jacket for it will be cold tonight. I'm afraid I can't get it off. She should keep some of the bread and eat it in the early morning. He spoke quite quietly like a man who is arranging the details of a picnic. A sudden glow of admiration for this quietly consistent man warned her impulsive heart. How unselfish you are, she cried. I never saw anyone like you. Talk about saints. There you stand in the very presence of death and you think only of us. I want to say a last word to you, Sadie, if you don't mind. I should dime so much happier. I have often wanted to speak to you and I thought that perhaps you would laugh for you never took anything very seriously, did you? That was quite natural of course with your high spirits but still it was very serious to me. But now I am really a dead man so it does not matter very much what I say. Oh, don't Mr. Stevens! cried the girl. I won't if it is very painful to you. As I said make me die happier but I don't want to be selfish about it. If I thought it would darken your life afterwards or be a sad recollection to you I would not say another word. What did you wish to say? It was only to tell you how I loved you. I always loved you. From the first I was a different man when I was with you but of course it was absurd. I knew that well enough I never said anything but I tried not to make myself ridiculous but I just want you to know about it now that it can't matter one way or the other. You'll understand that I really do love you when I tell you that if it were not that I knew you were frightened and unhappy these last two days in which we have been always together the happiest of my life. The girl sat pale and silent looking down with wondering eyes at his upturned face. She did not know what to do or say in this solemn presence of this love which burned so brightly under the shadow of death. To her child's heart it seemed incomprehensible and yet she understood that it was sweet and beautiful also. I won't say any more said he. I can see that it only bothers you but I wanted you to know and now you do know so it is all right. Thank you for listening so patiently and gently. Goodbye little Sadie I can't put my hand up will you put yours down? She did so and Stevens kissed it then he turned and took his place once more on the front and far there. In his whole life of struggle and success he had never felt such a glow of quiet contentment as suffused him at that instant when the grip of death was closing upon him. There is no arguing about love it is the innermost fact of life the one which obscures and changes all the others the only one satisfying and complete pain is pleasure and want is comfort and death is sweetness when once that golden mist is rounded. So it was that Stevens could have sung with joy as he faced his murderers he really had not time to think about them the important all-engrossing delightful thing was that she could not look upon him as a casual acquaintance anymore through all her life she would think of him she would know Colonel Cochran's camel was at one side and the old soldier whose wrists had been freed had been looking down upon the scene and wondering in his tenacious way whether all hope must really be abandoned. It was evident that the Arabs who were grouped around the victims were to remain behind with them while the others who were mounted would guard the three women and himself. He could not understand why the throats of his companions had not been already cut unless it were that with an eastern refinement of cruelty this rearguard would wait until the Egyptians were close to them so that the warm bodies of their victims might be an insult to the pursuers no doubt that was the right explanation the colonel had heard of such a trick before but in that case there would not be more than 12 Arabs with the prisoners were there any of the friendly ones among them? If Tipitilli and six of his men were there and if Belmont could get his arms free and his hand upon his revolver they might come through yet the colonel craned his neck and groaned in his disappointment he could see the faces of the guards in the firelight they were all Baghara Arabs men who were beyond either pity or bribery Tipitilli and the others must have gone on with the advance for the first time the stiff old soldier abandoned hope Goodbye you fellows God bless you he cried as a negro pulled at his camel's nose ring and made him follow the others the women came after him in a misery too deep for words their departure was a relief to the three men who were left I'm glad they are gone said Stevens from his heart Yes, yes, it is better cried Fardy How long are we to wait? Not very long now said Belmont grimly as the Arabs closed in around them the colonel and the three women gave one backward glance when they came to the edge of the oasis between the straight stems of the palms they saw the gleam of the fire and above the group of Arabs they caught a last glimpse of the three white hats an instant later the camels began to trot and when they look back once more the palm grove was only a black clump with a big twinkle of a light somewhere in the heart of it as with journeying eyes they gazed at that throbbing red point in the darkness they passed over the edge of the depression and in an instant the huge silent moonlit desert was round them without a sign of the oasis which they had left on every side the velvet blue black sky with its blazing stars sloped downwards to the vast dune colored plain the two were blurred into one at their point of junction the women had sat in the silence of despair and the colonel had been silent also for what could he say but suddenly all four started in their saddles and Sadie gave a sharp cry of dismay in the hush of the night there had come from behind them the petulant crack of a rifle then another then several together with a brisk ratata and then after an interval one more it may be the rescuers it may be the Egyptians cried Mrs. Belmont with a sudden flicker of hope Colonel Cochran don't you think it may be the Egyptians yes yes Sadie whimpered it must be the Egyptians the colonel had listened expectantly but all was silent again then he took his hat off with a solemn gesture there is no use deceiving ourselves Mrs. Belmont said he we may as well face the truth our friends are gone from us but they have met their end like brave men but why should they fire their guns they had they had spares she shuddered as she said it that is true said the colonel I would not for the world take away any real grounds of hope which you may have but on the other hand there is no use in preparing bitter disappointments for ourselves if we had been listening to an attack we should have heard some reply besides an Egyptian attack would have been an attack in force it is as you say a little strange that they should have wasted their cartridges by Joe look at that he was pointing over the eastern desert two figures were moving across its expanse swiftly and stealthily furtive dark shadows against the lighter ground they saw them dimly dipping and rising over the rolling desert now lost now reappearing in the uncertain light they were flying away from the Arabs and then suddenly they halted upon the summit of a sand hill and the prisoners could see them outlined plainly against the sky they were camelmen but they sat their camels astride as a horseman sits his horse GP camel corpse cried the colonel Joe men said Miss Adams despair only a vedette ma'am throwing feelers out all over the desert this is one of them main body ten miles off is likely is not there they go giving the alarm good old camel corpse the self-contained methodical soldier had suddenly turned almost in articulate with his excitement there was a red flash upon the top of the sand hill and then another followed by the crack of the rifles then with a whisk the two figures were gone as swiftly and silently as two trout in a stream the Arabs had halted for an instant as if uncertain whether they should delay their journey to pursue them or not there was nothing left to pursue now for amid the undulations of the sand drift the vedettes might have gone in any direction the emir galloped back along the line with exhortations and orders then the camels began to trot and the hopes of the prisoners were dulled by the agonies of the terrible jolt mile after mile mile after mile they sped onwards over that vast expanse the women clinging as best they might for the pommels the colonel almost as spent as they but still keenly on the lookout for any sign of the pursuers I think, I think that something is moving in front of us the colonel raised himself upon his saddle and screened his eyes from the moonshine by Jove you're right there mam there are men over Jonder they could all see them now a straggling line of riders far ahead of them in the desert they are going in the same direction as we cried Mrs. Belmont whose eyes were very much better than the colonels Cochrane muttered an oath into his moustache look at the tracks there said he of course it is our own vanguard who left the palm grove before us the chief keeps us at this infernal pace in order to close up with them as they drew closer we see plainly that it was indeed the other body of Arabs and presently the emir what Ibrahim came trotting back to take counsel with the emir Abdulrahman they pointed in the direction in which the vedettes had appeared and shook their heads like men who have many engraved misgivings then the raiders joined into one long straggling line and the whole body moved steadily towards the southern cross which was twinkling just over the skyline in front of them hour after hour the dreadful trot continued while the fainting ladies clung on convulsively and Cochrane worn out but indomitable encouraged them to hold out and peered backwards over the desert for the first glad signs of their pursuers the blood throbbed in his temples and he cried that the role of drums coming out of the darkness in his feverish delirium his so clouds of pursuers at their very heels and during the long night he was forever crying glad tidings which ended in disappointment and heartache the rise of the sun showed the desert stretching away around them with nothing moving upon its monstrous face except themselves with dull eyes and heavy hearts they stared round at that huge and empty expanse their hopes thinned away like the light morning mist upon the horizon it was shocking to the ladies to look at their companion and to think of the spruce hail old soldier who had been their fellow passenger from Cairo as in the case of Miss Adams old age seemed to have pounced upon him in one spring his hair which had grizzled hour by hour during his privations was now of a silvery white white stumble too had obscured the firm clean line of his chin and throat the veins of his face were injected and his features were shot with heavy wrinkles he rode with his back arched and his chin sunk upon his breast for the old time rotted body was worn out but in his bright alert eyes there was always a trace of the gallant tenon who lived in the shattered house delirious spent and dying he preserved his chivalrous protecting air as he turned to the ladies shot little scraps of advice and encouragement at them and peered back continually for the help which never came an hour after sunrise the raiders called a halt and food and water were served out to all then at a more moderate pace they pursued their southern journey their long straggling line trailing out over a quarter of a mile of desert from their more careless bearing and the way in which they chatted as they rode it was clear that they thought they had shaken off their pursuers their direction now was east as well as south and it was evidently their intention after this long detour to strike the Nile again at some point far above the Egyptian outposts already the character of the scenery was changing and they were losing the long levels of the pebbly desert and coming once more upon those fantastic sunburned black rocks and that rich orange sand through which they had already passed on every side of them rose the scaly conical hills with their loose slag-like debris and jagged edged course with senior streams of sand running like water courses down their center the camels followed each other twisting in and out among the boulders and scrambling with their adhesive spongy feet over places which would have been impossible for horses among the broken rocks those behind could sometimes only see the long undulating darting necks of the creatures in front as if it were some nightmare procession of serpents indeed it had much the effect of a dream upon the prisoners for there was no sound save the soft dull padding and shuffling of the feet the strange wild freeze moved slowly and silently onwards amid a setting of black stone and yellow sand with the one arch of vivid blue spanning the rugged edges of the rubbing Miss Adams who had been frozen into silence during the long cold night began to thaw now in the cherry warmth of the rising sun she looked about her and rubbed her thin hands together why Sadie she remarked I thought I heard you in the night dear and now I see that you have been crying I've been thinking aunty well we must try and think of others dearie and not of ourselves it's not of myself aunty never fret about me Sadie no aunty I was not thinking of you was it of anyone in particular of Mr Stevens aunty how gently was and how brave to think of him fixing up every little thing for us and trying to pull his jacket over his poor roped up hands with those murderers waiting all round him he's my saint and hero from now on saint and hero from now ever after well he's out of his troubles anyhow said Miss Adams with that bluntness which the years bring with them then I wish I was also I don't see how that would help him well I think he might feel less lonesome said Sadie and drooped her saucy little chin upon her breast there had been riding in silence for some little time when the colonel clapped his hands to his brow with a gesture of dismay good god he cried I'm going up my head again and again they had perceived it during the night but he had seemed quite rational since daybreak they were shocked therefore at this sudden outbreak and tried to calm him with soothing words he shouted whatever do you think I saw don't trouble about it whatever it was said Mrs. Belmont laying her hands soothingly upon his as the camels close together it's no wonder that you are overdone you have thought and worked for all of us so long we shall hold presently and a few hours sleep will quite restore you but the colonel looked up again and again he cried out in his agitation and surprise I never saw anything plainer in my life he groaned it's on the point of rock on our right front poor old Stuart with my red cummerbund round his head just the same as we left him the ladies had followed the direction of the colonel's frightened gaze and in an instant they were all as amazed as he there was a black bulging ridge like a bastion upon the right side of the terrible core up which the camels were winding at one point it rose into a small pinnacle on this pinnacle stood a solitary motionless figure clad entirely in black save for a brilliant dash of scarlet upon his head there could not surely be two such short sturdy figures or such large colorless faces in the Libyan desert his shoulders were stooping forward and he seemed to be staring intently down into the ravine his pose and outline were like a caricature of the great Napoleon can it possibly be he it must be it is cried the ladies you see he's looking towards us and waving his hand good heavens they'll shoot him get down you fool or you'll be shot roar the colonel but his dry throat would only emit a discordant croaking several other dervishes had seen the singular apparition upon the hill and had unslunged their remingtons but a long arm suddenly shot up behind the figure of the Birmingham clergyman a brown hand seized upon his skirts and he disappeared with a snap higher up the pass just below the spot where Mr. Stewart had been standing appeared the tall figure of the emir abdaraman he had sprung upon a boulder and was shouting and waving his arms but the shouts were drowned in a long rippling roar of musketry from each side of the core the bastion likely was fringe with gun barrels with red tabooshes dropping over the triggers from the other lip also came the long spurts of flame and the angry clatter of the rifles the raiders were caught in an amboscade the emir fell but was up again and waving there was a splotch of blood upon his long white beard he kept pointing and gesticulating but his scattered followers could not understand what he wanted some of them came tearing down and some from behind were pushing to the front a few dismounted and tried to climb up sword in hand to that deadly line of mussels but one by one they were hit and came rolling from rock to rock to the bottom of the ravine the shooting was not very good one negro made his way unharmed up the whole side only to have his brain stashed out with a butt end of a martini the emir had fallen off his rock and lay in a crumpled heap like a brown and white patchwork quilt at the bottom of it and then when half of them were down it became evident even to those exalted fanatical souls that there was no chance for them and that they must get out of these fatal rocks and into the desert again they galloped down the pass and it is a frightful thing the camel galloping of a broken ground the beast's own terror his ungainly bounce the sprawl of his four legs all in the air together his hideous cries and the yells of his rider who is bucked high from his saddle with every spring make a picture which is not to be forgotten the women screamed as this mad torrent of frenzied creatures came pouring past them but the colonel edged his camel and theirs farther and farther in among the rocks and away from the retreating Arabs the air was full of whistling bullets and they could hear them smacking loudly against the stones all round them keep quiet and they'll pass us whispered the colonel who was all himself again now that the hour for action had arrived I wish to heaven I could see Tipitilli or any of his friends now is the time for them to help us he watched the mad stream of fugitives as they flew past upon their shambling squattering loose jointed beasts but the black face of the Egyptian gunner was not among them and now it really did seem as if the whole body of them in their haze to get clear of the ravine had not a thought to spend upon the prisoners the rush was past and only stragglers were running the gauntlet of the fierce fire which poured upon them from above the last of all a young baghara with a black moustache and pointed beard looked up as he passed and shook his sword in impotent passion at the Egyptian riflemen at the same instant a bullet struck his camel and the creature collapsed all neck and legs upon the ground the young Arab sprang off its back and ceasing its nose string he beat it savagely with the flat of his sword to make it stand up but the dim glazing eye told its own tale and in desert warfare the death of the beast is the death of the rider the baghara glared round like a lion at bay his dark eyes flashing murderously from under his red turban crimson spot and then another sprang out upon his dark skin but he never winced at the bullet wounds his fierce gaze had fallen upon the prisoners and with an exultant shout he was dashing towards them his broads bladed sword gleaming above his head Miss Adams was the nearest to him but at the sight of the rushing figure and the maniac face she threw herself off the camel upon the far side the Arab bounded on to a rock and aimed a thrust at Mrs Belmont but before the point could reach her the Colonel leaned forward with his pistol and blew the man's head in yet with a concentrated rage which was superior even to the agony of death the fellow lay kicking and striking bounding about among the loose stones like a fish upon the shingle Don't be frightened ladies cried the Colonel he's quite dead I assure you I'm so sorry to have done this in your presence but the fellow was dangerous I had a little score of my own to settle with him for he was the man who tried to break my ribs with his screaming Tom I hope you are not hurt Miss Adams one instant and I will come down to you but the old Boston lady was by no means hurt for the rocks had been so high that she had a very short distance to fall from her saddle Sadie, Mrs Belmont and Colonel Cochrane had all descended by slipping on to the boulders and climbing down from them but they found Miss Adams on her feet and waving the remains of her green veil in triumph Hooray Sadie Hooray my own darling Sadie she was streaking we are saved my girl we are saved after all by George so we are cried the Colonel and they all shouted in an ecstasy together but Sadie had learned to think more about others during those terrible days of schooling her arms were round Mrs Belmont and her cheek against hers you dear sweet angel she cried how can we have the heart to be glad when you, when you but I don't believe it is so cried the brave Irish woman no I'll never believe it until I see John's body lying before me and when I see that I don't want to live to see anything more the last her wish had clattered down the core and now above them on either cliff they could see the Egyptians tall thin square shoulder figures looking when outlined against the blue sky wonderfully like the warriors in the ancient bas-reliefs their camels were in the background and they were hurrying to join them at the same time others began to ride down from the farther end of the ravine their dark face is flushed and their eyes shining with the excitement of victory and pursuit a very small Englishman straw-colored moustache and a weary manor was riding at the head of them he halted his camel beside the fugitives and saluted the ladies he wore brown boots and brown belts with steel buckles which looked trim and workman-like against his khaki uniform had them that time had them proper said he very glad to have been of any assistance I'm sure hope you're none the worse for it all what I mean it's rather rough work for ladies you're from half I suppose ask the Colonel no we're from the other show we're the Saras crowd you know we met in the desert and we headed him off and the other Johnny's herded him behind we've got him on toast I tell you get up on that rock and you will see things happen it's going to be a knockout in one round this time we left some of our people at the wells we are very uneasy about them said the Colonel I suppose you haven't heard anything of them the young officer looked serious and shook his head bad job that said he they're a poisonous crowd when you put them in a corner I mean we never expected to see you alive and we are very glad to pull any of you out of the fire the most we hope was that we might revenge you any other Englishman with you Archer is with the flanking party he'll have to come past for I don't think there's any other way down we've got one of your chaps up there a funny old bird with a red topknot see you later I hope good day ladies he touched his helmet tapped his camel and trotted on after his men we can't do better than stay where we are until they are all past said the Colonel for it was evident now that the men from above would have to come round in a broken single file they went past black men and brown Sudanese and Felahim was the best for the camel corpse is the corpse delete of the Egyptian army each had a brown bandelier over his chest and his rifle held across his thigh a large man with a drooping black moustache and a pair of binoculars in his hand was riding at the side of them hello Archer croaked the Colonel the officer looked at him with a vacant unresponsive complete stranger I'm Cochran you know we traveled up together excuse me sir but you have the advantage of me said the officer I knew a Colonel Cochran Cochran but you are not the man he was three inches taller than you with black hair and that's all right cried the Colonel Testily you try a few days with the dervishes and see if your friends will recognize you God God Cochran is it really you I could not have believed it great Scott what you must have been through I've heard before of fellas growing gray in a night but by Joe quite so said the Colonel flashing allow me to hint to you Archer that if you could get some food and drink for these ladies passing my personal appearance it will be much more practical that's all right said Captain Archer your friends Stuart knows that you are here and he is bringing some stuff round for you poor fair ladies but the best we have you're an old soldier Cochran get up on the rocks presently and you'll see a lovely sight no time to stop for we shall be in action again in five minutes anything I can do before I go you haven't got such a thing as a cigar ask the Colonel wistfully Archer drew a thick satisfying partaga from his case and handed it down with half a dozen wax festas then he canted after his men and the old soldier leaned back against the rock and drew in the fragrant smoke it was then that his dangle nerves knew the full virtue of tobacco the gentle anodyne which stays the failing strength and soothes the worrying brain he watched the dim blue reek swirling up from him and he felt the pleasant aromatic bite upon his palate while a restful languor prepped over his wary and harassed body the three ladies sat together upon a flat rock good land what a sight you are Sadie cried Miss Adam suddenly and it was the first three appearance of her old self what would your mother say if she saw you why sakes alive your hair is full of straw and your frock clean crazy I guess we all want some setting to rights said Sadie in a voice which was much more subdued than that of the Sadie of old Mrs Belmont you look just too perfectly sweet anyhow but if you'll allow me I'll fix your dress for you but Mrs Belmont's eyes were far away and she shook her head sadly as she gently put the girl's hands aside I do not care how I look I cannot think of it said she could you if you had left the man you love behind you I have mine I'm begin beginning to think I have sub poor Sadie and buried her hot face in Mrs Belmont's motherly bosom end of chapter nine read by Lars Rolander chapter 10 of the tragedy of the corosco this is a Librebox recording all Librebox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit Librebox.org reading by Lars Rolander the tragedy of the corosco by Sir Arthur Connandoil chapter 10 the camel corpse had all passed onwards down the core in pursuit of the retreating dervishes and for a few minutes the escaped prisoners had been left alone but now there came a cheery voice calling upon them and a red turban bobbed about among the rocks with a large white face of the non-conformist minister smiling from beneath it he had a thick lance with which to support his injured leg and this murderous crutch combined with his peaceful appearance to give him a most incongruous aspect as of a sheep which has suddenly developed claws behind him were two negroes with a basket and a water skin not a word, not a word he cried as he stumped up to them I know exactly how you feel I've been there myself bring the water Ali only half a cup Miss Adams you shall have some more presently now your turn Mrs Belmont dear me, dear me you poor souls how my heart has bleed for you there's bread and meat in the basket but you must be very moderate at first he chuckled with joy and slapped his fat hands together as he watched them but the others he asked his face turning grave again the colonel shook his head we left them behind at the wells I fear that it is all over with them tut tut cried the clergyman in a boisterous voice which could not cover the despondency of his expression you thought no doubt that it was all over with me but here I am in spite of it never lose heart Mrs Belmont your husband's position could not possibly be as hopeless as mine was when I saw you standing on that rock-up-jander I put it down to delirium said the colonel if the ladies had not seen you I should never have ventured to believe it I'm afraid that I behaved very badly Captain Archer says that I nearly spoiled all their plans and that I deserved to be tried by a drumhead court-martial and shot the fact is that when I heard the Arabs beneath me I forgot myself in my anxiety to know if any of you were left I wonder that you were not shot without any drumhead court-martial said the colonel how did you get here the half of people were close upon our track at the time when I was abandoned and they picked me up in the desert I must have been delirious I suppose for they tell me that they heard my voice singing hymns a long way off and it was that under the providence of God which brought them to me they had a camel ambulance and I was quite myself again by next day I came with the Saras people after we met them because they have the doctor with them my wound is nothing and he says that a man of my habit will be the better for the loss of blood and now my friends his big brown eyes lost their twinkle and became very solemn and reverent we have all been upon the very confines of death and our dear companions may be so at this instant the same power which saved us may save them and let us pray together that it may be so always remembering that if in spite of our prayers it should not be so then that also must be accepted as the best and wisest thing so they knelt together among the black rocks and prayed as some of them had never prayed before it was very well to discuss prayer and treat it lightly and philosophically upon the deck of the Korosko it was easy to feel strong and self-confident in the comfortable deck chair with the slippered Arab handing round the coffee and liquors but they had been swept out of that placid stream of existence and dashed against the horrible jagged facts of life battered and shaken they must have something to cling to a kind inexorable destiny was too horrible a belief a chastening power acting intelligently and for a purpose a living working power tearing them out of their grooves breaking down their small sectarian ways forcing them into the better path that was what they had learned to realize during these days of horror great hands had closed suddenly upon them and had molded them into new shapes and fitted them for new uses could such a power be deflected by any human supplication it was that or nothing the last court of appeal left open to injured humanity and so they all prayed as a lover loves or a poet writes from the very inside of their souls and they rose with that singular illogical feeling of inward peace and satisfaction which prayer only can give hush said Cochrane listen the sound of a volley came crackling up the narrow core and then another and another the colonel was fidgeting about like an old horse which hears the bugle of the hunt and the jumping of the pack where can we see what is going on come this way this way if you please there is a path up to the top if the ladies will come after me they will be spared the sight of anything painful the clergyman led them along the side to avoid the bodies which were littered thickly down the bottom of the core it was hard walking over the shingly slaggy stones but they made their way to the summit at last beneath them lay the vast expanse of the rolling desert and in the foreground such a scene as none of them are ever likely to forget in that perfectly dry and clear light with the unbearing brown tint of the hard desert as a background every detail stood out as clearly as if these were toy figures arranged upon a table with enhanced touch of them the dervishes or what was left of them were riding slowly some little distance out in a confused crown their patchwork gibbys and red turbines swaying with the motion of their camels they did not present the appearance of men who were defeated for their movements were very deliberate but they looked about them and changed their formation as if they were uncertain what their tactics ought to be it was no wonder that they were puzzled for upon their spent camels their situation was as hopeless as could be conceived the saras men had all emerged from the core and had dismounted the beasts being held in groups of four while the riflemen knelt in a long line with a woolly curling fringe of smoke sending volley after volley at the Arabs who shot back in a desultory fashion from the backs of their camels but it was not upon the salon group of dervishes nor yet upon the long line of kneeling riflemen that the eyes of the spectators were fixed far out upon the desert three squadrons of the half a camel corpse were coming up in a dense closed column which wheeled beautifully into a widespread semi-circle as it approached the Arabs were caught between two fires by Joe cried the colonel see that the camels of the dervishes had all knelt down simultaneously and the men had sprung from their backs in front of them was a tall stately figure who could only be the emir mad ibrahim they saw him kneel for an instant in prayer then he rose and taking something from his saddle he placed it very deliberately upon the sand and stood upon it good man cried the colonel he's standing upon his sheepskin what do you mean by that? asks steward every Arab has a sheepskin upon his saddle when he recognizes that his position is perfectly hopeless and yet is determined to fight to the death he takes his sheepskin off and stands upon it until he dies see they are all upon their sheepskins they will neither give nor take quarter now the drama beneath them was rapidly approaching its climax the half our corpse was well up and a ring of smoke and flames surrounded the clump of kneeling dervishes who answered it as best they could many of them were already down but the rest loaded and fired with the unflinching courage which has always made them worthy antagonists a dozen carcadrest figures upon the sand showed that it was no bloodless victory for the Egyptians but now there was a stirring bugle call from the Saras men and another answered it from the half our corpse their camels were down also and the men had formed up into a single long curved line one last volley and they were charging inwards with a wild inspiriting gel which the blacks had brought with them from their central African wilds for a minute there was a mad vortex of rushing figures rifle butts rising and falling spearheads gleaming and darting among the rolling dust cloud then the bugle rang out once more the Egyptians fell back and formed up with a quick precision of highly disciplined troops and there in the center each upon his sheepskin lay the gallant barbarian and his raiders the 19th century had been revenged upon the 7th the three women had stared horror stricken and yet fascinated at the stirring scene before them now Sadie and her aunt were sobbing together the colonel had turned to them with some cheering words when his eyes fell upon the face of Mrs. Belmont it was as white and set as if it were carved from ivory and her large gray eyes were fixed as if she were good heavens Mrs. Belmont what is the matter he cried for answer she pointed out over the desert far away miles on the other side of the scene of the fight a small body of men were riding towards them by job yes there is someone there who can it be they were all straining their eyes but the distance was so great that they could be sure that they were camel men and about a dozen in number it's those devils who were left behind in the palm grove said Cochran there's no one else it can be one consolation they can't get away again they walked right into the lion's mouth but Mrs. Belmont was still gazing with the same fixed intensity and the same ivory face now with a wild shriek of joy she threw her two hands into the air it's they she screamed they are saved it's they Colonel it's they oh Miss Adams Miss Adams it is they she capered about on the top of the hill with wild eyes like an excited child her companions would not believe her for they could see nothing but there moments when our mortal senses are more acute than those who have never put their whole heart and soul into them can ever realize Mrs. Belmont had already run down the rocky path on the way to her camel before they could distinguish that which had long before carried its glad message to her in the van of the approaching party three white dots shimmered in the sun and they could only come from three European hats the riders were traveling swiftly and by the time their comrades had started to meet them they could plainly see that it was indeed Belmont Fardy and Stevens with the Dragman Mansour and the wounded Sudanese rifleman as they came together they saw that their escort consisted of Tipitilli and the other old Egyptian soldiers Belmont rushed onwards to meet his wife but Fardy stopped to grasp the colonel's hand Vive la France, vivons les Anglais he was yelling Tu vas bien n'est pas colonel Ah can I vivons la foi et les chrétiens he was incoherent in his delight the colonel too was as enthusiastic as his Anglo-Saxon standard would permit he could not gesticulate but he laughed in the nervous crackling way which was his top note of emotion my dear boy I'm juiced glad to see you all again I gave you up for lost never was as pleased at anything in my life how did you get away it was all you're doing mine yes my friend and I've been quarrelling with you with a rifle wretch that I am but how did I save you it was you who arranged with this excellent tipitili and the others that they should have so much if they brought us alive into Egypt again they slipped away in the darkness and hid themselves in the groove then when we were left they crept up with their rifles and shot the men who were about to murder us that cursed Mola I am sorry they shot him for I believe that I could have persuaded him to be a Christian and now with your permission I will hurry on and embrace Miss Adams for Belmont has his wife and Stevens has Miss Sadie so I think it is very evident that the sympathy of Miss Adams is reserved for me a fortnight had passed away and the special boat which had been placed at the disposal of the rescued tourists was already far north of Asyot next morning they would find themselves at Baliani where one takes the express for Cairo it was therefore their last evening together Mrs. Schlesinger and her child who had escaped unhurt had already been sent down from the frontier Miss Adams had been very ill after her crevations and this was the first time she was allowed to come upon deck after dinner she sat now in a lounge chair thinner, sterner and kindlier than ever while Sadie stood beside her and tucked the rugs around her shoulders Mr. Stevens was carrying over the coffee and placing it on the wicker table beside them on the other side of the deck Belmont and his wife were seated together in silent sympathy Monsieur Fardy was leaning against the rail and arguing about the remissness of the British government in not taking a more complete control of the Egyptian frontier while the Colonel stood very erect in front of him with the red end of a cigar stump protruding from under his moustache but what was the matter with the Colonel who would have recognized him who had only seen the broken old man in the Libyan desert there might be some little grisling about the moustache but the hair was back once more at the fine glossy black which had been so much admired upon the voyage up with a stony face and an unsympathetic manner he had received upon his return to Halfa all the commiserations about the dreadful way in which his privations had blanched him and then diving into his cabin he appeared within an hour exactly as he had been before that fatal moment when he had been cut off from the many-fold resources of civilization and he looked in such a sternly questioning manner at everyone who stared at him that no one had the moral courage to make any remark about this modern miracle it was absurd from that time forward that if the Colonel had only to ride a hundred yards to the desert he always began his preparations by putting a small black bottle with a pink label into the side pocket of his coat but those who knew him best at times when a man may best be known said that the old soldier had a young man's heart and a young man's spirit so that if he wished to keep a young man's color also it was not very unreasonable after all it was very soothing on the saloon deck with no sound but the gentle lipping of the water as it rippled against the sides of the steamer the red afterglow was in the western sky and it mottled the broad smooth river with crimson dimly they could discern the tall figures of herons standing upon the sandbanks and farther off the line of riverside date palms glided past them in a majestic procession once more the silver stars were twinkling out the same clear placid inexorable stars to which their weary eyes had been so often upturned during the long nights of their desert martyrdom why do you put up in Cairo Miss Adams asked Mrs. Belmont at last Shepherds I think and you Mr. Stevens oh Shepherds decidedly we are staying at the continental I hope we shall not lose sight of you I don't want ever to lose sight of you Mrs. Belmont cried Sadie oh you must come to the states and we'll give you just a lovely time Mrs. Belmont laughed in her pleasant mellow fashion we have our duty to do in Ireland and we have been too long away from it already my husband has his business and I have my home and they are both going to rack and ruin besides she added slyly it is just possible that if we did come to the states we might not find you there we must all meet again said Belmont if only to talk our adventures over once more it will be easier in a year or two we are still too near them and yet we are far away and dream like it all seems remarked his wife Providence is very good in softening disagreeable remembrances in our minds all this feels to me as if it had happened in some previous existence Farde held up his wrist with a cotton bandage still rounded the body does not forget as quickly as the mind this does not look very dreamlike far away Mrs. Belmont how hard it is that some should be spared and some not if only Mr. Prown and Mr. Headingling were with us then I should not have one care in the world why should they have been taken and we left Mr. Stewart had limped on to the deck with an open book in his hand a thick stick supporting his injured leg why is the ripe fruit picked and the unripe lived said he in answer to the young girl's exclamation we know nothing of the spiritual state of these poor dear young fellows but the great master Gardner plucks his fruit according to his own knowledge I brought you up a passage to read to you there was a lantern upon the table and he sat down beside it the yellow light shown upon his heavy cheek and the red edges of his book the strong steady voice rose above the wash of the water let them give thanks whom the Lord hath redeemed and delivered from the hand of the enemy and gathered them out to the lands from the east and from the west from the north and from the south they went to stray in the wilderness out of the way and found no city to dwell in hungry and thirsty their soul fainted in them so they cried unto the Lord in their trouble and he delivered them from their distress he led them forth by the right way that they might go to the city where they dwelt oh that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness and declare the wonders that he doth for the children of men it sounds as if it were composed for us and yet it was written two thousand years ago said the clergyman as he closed the book in every age man has been forced to acknowledge the guiding hand which leads him for my part I don't believe that inspiration stopped two thousand years ago when Tennyson wrote with such favor and conviction oh yet we trust that somehow good will be the final goal of ill he was repeating the message which had been given to him just as Micah or Ezekiel when the world was younger repeated some cruder or more elementary message that is all very well Mr. Stuart said the Frenchman you ask me to praise God for taking me out of danger and pain what I want to know is why since he has arranged all things he ever put me into that pain and danger I have in my opinion more occasion to blame than to praise you would not thank me for pulling you out of that river if it was also I who pushed you in the most which you can claim for your providence is that it has healed the wound which its own hand inflicted I don't deny the difficulty said the clergyman slowly no one who is not self-deceived can deny the difficulty look how boldly Tennyson faced it in the same poem the grandest and deepest and most obviously inspired in our language remember the effect which it had upon him I falter where I firmly trod and falling with my weight of cares upon the great world's altar stairs which loop through darkness up to God I stretch lame hands of faith and group and gather dust and chaff and call to what I feel is Lord of all and faintly trust the larger hope it is the central mystery of mysteries the problem of sin and suffering the one huge difficulty which the reasoner has to solve in order to vindicate the dealings of God with man but take our own case as an example I for one am very clear what I have got out of our experience I say it with all humility but I have a clearer view of my duties than ever I had before it has taught me to be less remiss in saying what I think is true less indolent in doing what I feel to be right and I Crate Sadie it has taught me more than all my life put together I have learned so much and unlearned so much I am a different girl I never understood my own nature before said Stevens I can hardly say that I had a nature to understand I lived for what was important and I neglected what was vital oh a good shake up does nobody any harm the kernel remarked too much of the feather bed and four meals a day life is not good for man or woman it is my firm believe said mrs. pelmont gravely that there was not one of us who did not rise to a greater height during those days in the desert than before or since when our sins come to be weighed much may be forgiven us for the sake of those unselfish days they all sat in thoughtful silence for a little while the scarlet streaks turned to karmine and the gray shadows deepened and the wild foul flew past in dark straddling these over the dull metallic surface of the great smooth flowing Nile cold wind had sprung up from the eastward and some of the party rose to leave the deck Stevens leaned forward to Sadie do you remember what you promised when you were in the desert he whispered what was that you said that if you escape you would try in future to make someone else happy then I must do so you have said you are happy and their hands met under the shadow of the table end of chapter 10 and end of the book The Tragedy of the Corosco by Sir Arthur Conandoil read by Lars Rolander thank you for listening