And explanation was
unavoidable, and he was conscious that he could not afford one that did
not go a little lame.
"Why, as to that," said he, "these prisoners were wrested from the first
house upon which we came, and their capture occasioned some alarm.
Moreover, it was night-time when we landed, and I dared not adventure
the lives of my followers by taking them further from the ship and
attacking a village which might have risen to cut off our good retreat."
The frown remained stamped upon the brow of Asad, as Marzak slyly
observed.
"Yet Othmani," said he, "urged thee to fall upon a slumbering village
all unconscious of thy presence, and thou didst refuse."
Asad looked up sharply at that, and Sakr-el-Bahr realized with a
tightening about the heart something of the undercurrents at work
against him and all the pains that had been taken to glean information
that might be used to his undoing.
"Is it so?" demanded Asad, looking from his son to his lieutenant with
that lowering look that rendered his face evil and cruel.
Sakr-el-Bahr took a high tone. He met Asad's glance with an eye of
challenge.
"And if it were so my lord?" he demanded.
"I asked thee is it so?"
"Ay, but knowing thy wisdom I disbelieved my ears," said Sakr-el-Bahr.
"Shall it signify what Othmani may have said? Do I take my orders or am
I to be guided by Othmani? If so, best set Othmani in my place, give
him the command and the responsibility for the lives of the Faithful who
fight beside him.
Pages:
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217