The River of Darkness; Or, Under Africa Read online

  CHAPTER IX.

  A CLOSE SHAVE.

  A brief pause, then the gates swung on creaking hinges, and the caravanfiled in between the dingy walls that had reared themselves forcenturies from the summit of that hill.

  For an instant a hush of curiosity fell on the multitude within, as thecaravan appeared; but as the Arab leader suddenly trailed in the dustthe English flag that had once floated from the fortifications of Zailaa great shout arose, so that the very air seemed to tremble, and thepeople pressed tumultuously on the caravan from all sides.

  "Zaila has fallen! Zaila has fallen!" they cried, and with wild joy theybeat their arms in the air, while those in the rear sought thehouse-tops, so as better to see the new arrivals.

  In the first excitement Guy and Melton had escaped notice, but now theywere suddenly espied, and the sight of the two hated Englishmen rousedthe passions to the highest pitch of ferocity. The foreigners' presencein the town was a sacrilege, an insult, and with threats and angry criesthe mob surged round the group. At last, so great was the crush, thecamels were forced to halt.

  "Kill the infidels! Kill the dogs of unbelievers!" howled themultitude, and waxing more furious with every shout, they drew daggersand knives and raised their spears.

  The Arabs had quietly closed round Guy and Melton, forming with theircamels a protective circle, and this alone saved the Englishmen fromdeath. But every instant the situation was becoming more critical. Themob grew bolder, and even tried to force the group apart in spite of theprotestations of the Arabs, who had begun to point their riflesthreateningly. Hundreds of savage faces glared unutterable hatred at thetwo strangers, hundreds of wretches were thirsting for their blood, and,finally roused to uncontrollable fury, the crowd swept impetuouslyagainst the caravan from all sides.

  The frightened camels pranced and reared, and the cordon of defensesuddenly broken, a dozen savages rushed on Guy and Melton. A long spearpierced Forbes under the arm and down he went beneath the camels.

  A burly wretch dashed at Guy with a dagger, but the Arab brought downthe butt of his rifle on the fellow's head just in time, as he droppedlike a log.

  A man behind hurled his spear, but his aim was poor, and, instead ofstriking Guy, it entered the poor camel's neck; the beast, plungingmadly forward, hurled Guy and the Arab to the ground.

  This alone saved their lives. As Guy staggered to his feet, cries ofquite a different nature burst from the mob, and in fright and panicthey began to scatter in all directions. The rattle of musketry brokeout some distance ahead, and the Arabs, joining in eagerly, began toempty their rifles into the fleeing mass.

  The Englishmen were saved. A compact body of men in linen tunics andleopard skin caps came sweeping forward. They were armed with rifles,and as they ran they kept shooting into the struggling crowd which wasshrieking and groaning with agony.

  In five minutes the place was deserted, and the stony ground wasliterally covered with bodies. It was a terrible example of RaoKhan's despotic rule.

  Melton was lifted up, and to Guy's deep sorrow it was seen that he hadreceived an ugly thrust along the side, not of a serious nature, butragged and painful.

  Two of the Emir's troopers, for such they proved to be, carried him, forhe was unable to walk or ride.

  Guy and the Arab mounted a fresh camel, first putting the wounded animalout of his misery, and then, preceded by the Emir's guard, the caravanresumed its march up the street.

  The first sight of Harar was novel and interesting. Before them was along avenue, fully a mile in length, at the extreme end of which couldbe dimly seen the northern wall of the town. This avenue was like abarren mountain road, strewn with rubbish and heaps of rocks, and thedwellings, which rose on all sides to the height of two stories, were,many of them, constructed of sandstone and granite, cemented with areddish clay. They were impressively gloomy and clingy.

  The terrible scene just enacted had terrorized the people. Many Arabscame flocking across the streets and exchanged greetings with thenewcomers, but very few Somalis or Gallas were to be seen. The sight ofthe Emir's guard seemed to have stricken the town like a palsy. Theshops and booths were closed and deserted. The curtains of the houseswere closely drawn; here and there at the doors lay goods that had beendropped in the sudden panic, and at one place a man lay dead across thethreshold, still clutching in his stiffened fingers a bunch of brightlycolored rugs.

  But now the scene became animated and lively; people flocked out fromtheir houses, among them many women, whom Guy regarded curiously, forthey seemed to be of quite a different type from the men, and passablygood-looking. They made no demonstration, however, but very quietlyfollowed the caravan.

  The center of the town was now close at hand, and a short distanceahead, on the left-hand side, rose a more imposing abode than thosearound it. It was built of granite, and above the flat roof rose asquare tower with circular windows. It boasted a spacious courtyard,inclosed by a low stone parapet, and within this space were a dozenarmed guards, clad in leopard skin caps, and bearing brightly polishedrifles.

  It was the palace of the Emir. As the caravan drew up to the gates theescort sounded a blast of trumpets, and almost immediately the doorswere opened and a grave and dignified Arab came slowly out.

  He spoke a few words to the leader of the caravan, who dismounted atonce, and bidding Guy follow him, entered the courtyard. Close behindhim came Melton, borne by the soldiers.

  Passing between the guard, they entered a narrow vestibule hung withrich curtains, and in a moment more were ushered into the dreadedpresence of Rao Kahn.

  The Emir was seated on a low dais at the further side of a spaciousapartment. The first glance struck terror to Guy's heart. Rao Khan was ashort, thickset man, with a round, smooth face. His eyes were sunkendeeply under the forehead, and the expression of his face was a strangeblending of brutality, avarice, and treachery. He was simply clad inwhite linen, with a great sword at his side, and on his head was aleopard skin cap, so constructed that the tail of the leopard hung downhis back.

  Before him squatted four solemn-faced Arabs. The floor was spread withrugs and the skins of various animals, and on the heavily curtainedwalls hung a dazzling array of every description, bronze and coppershields, and strips of oddly-woven tapestry. At sight of the Englishflag which the Arab now produced, the Emir's eyes sparkled, his face litup with fiendish joy, and he began to talk wildly in a strange tongue.

  The Arab replied, giving him no doubt an account of the insurrection,for the names Berbera, Zaila, and Makar Makalo were frequentlymentioned.

  Guy, from his position at Melton's side, who had been placed on a softlion skin, watched the strange scene with wonder. He was more worried atpresent about Melton than anything else. The spear wound had not yetbeen dressed, and the poor fellow was in too much pain even to talk.

  At last the Arab turned round, and, pointing to the Englishmen, spoke ina low tone to the Emir, who half rose from his seat and looked sharplyat the captives.

  Guy met his gaze calmly and steadily. In a moment the suspense would beover, and their fate would be decided one way or the other.