"
"It shall be observed," was the impatient answer, and I will so pay
before they leave. But I want others yet, and we will make one account
an it please thee. That fellow yonder now. I have orders to buy him
for my captain." And he indicated Lionel, who stood at Rosamund's side,
the very incarnation of woefulness and debility.
Contemptuous surprise flickered an instant in the eyes of the dalal.
But this he made haste to dissemble.
"Bring forth that yellow-haired infidel," he commanded.
The corsairs laid hands on Lionel. He made a vain attempt to struggle,
but it was observed that the woman leaned over to him and said something
quickly, whereupon his struggles ceased and he suffered himself to be
dragged limply forth into the full view of all the market.
"Dost want him for the oar, Ali?" cried Ayoub-el-Samin across the
quadrangle, a jest this that evoked a general laugh.
"What else?" quoth Ali. "He should be cheap at least."
"Cheap?" quoth the dalal in an affectation of surprise. "Nay, now.
'Tis a comely fellow and a young one. What wilt thou give, now? a
hundred philips?"
"A hundred philips!" cried Ali derisively. "A hundred philips for that
skinful of bones! Ma'sh'-Allah! Five philips is my price, 0 dalal."
Again laughter crackled through the mob. But the dalal stiffened with
increasing dignity. Some of that laughter seemed to touch himself, and
he was not a person to be made the butt of mirth.
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