Dick Merriwell's Pranks Part 17

"You were struck by the train," explained Merriwell. "Your camel was killed, and you seemed to be dead; but I think you are all right now."

"For which you may thank this boy and his friend here," said the husky chap, who had protected the boys. "To all appearances, you were as dead as old Mohammed; but they pumped the breath back into you in a hurry."

Several of the Arabs now brought cushions, which were placed beneath the head and shoulders of the sheik. One of them spoke to him hurriedly in a low tone, and seemed telling him all about what had taken place. When this man had finished speaking the sheik made a gesture with his hand and bade him retire.

He then called for d.i.c.k.

"Be careful, Richard," cautioned Professor Gunn. "These men are treacherous. There's no telling what he means to do."

d.i.c.k laughed and stepped nearer to the sheik.

"Boy," said the old Arab, "they tell me that I was dead, and by your infidel magic you brought life back into my body."

"You were unconscious, that was all. The shock had driven the breath from your body, and we simply revived the action of your lungs."

"Had you not done so--"

"You sure would have croaked for fair," put in Buckhart.

"What you ask of me, if it is in my power, I will give," declared the sheik. "That is the word of Ras al Had, and, though no pledge to an infidel is binding, may the wrath of Allah fall on me if I break this one. Speak."

"If you think I did it for pay of any sort, you are mistaken," said the young American, with a touch of resentment. "You can't reward me for a thing like that."

"Then if ever you are in need or in danger, and I can be of service, the sword and the life of Ras al Had shall be at your command. I swear this by the beard of the Prophet!"

"All aboard!" shouted a voice. "Train's going to start."

There was a general rush for the cars.

CHAPTER IX-THE STRUGGLE AT THE STATION

"Well, that certain was an adventure, all right," laughed Brad, when they were again seated in their compartment and the train was moving.

"I don't know what I'll do with you boys!" exclaimed Professor Gunn, with an air of exasperation. "You keep me on pins and needles all the time. I surely thought those Arabs would slice you up when they saw you go after the old sheik. They thought you were defiling the dead."

"But the old boy was grateful when he learned that we had pumped the breath back into him," said d.i.c.k.

"He pretended to be," nodded the professor; "but that is no sign."

"Why not?"

"He's a Mohammedan, and they think it no harm to do anything to an infidel. They may deceive him, lie to him, steal from him, even kill him, without committing a sin. Richard, do not take any stock in the words of that old rascal."

"I don't have to," said young Merriwell; "for it is not likely I'll ever see him again. All the same, I seemed to feel that he was sincere when he expressed his grat.i.tude."

"It's evident he's a gent of some authority in his tribe," put in Brad.

"All the rest of his particular bunch seemed to stand in awe of him a plenty."

Their interest in the strange country, together with their recent adventure, gave them food enough for conversation, and the journey was not nearly as long as they had expected it would seem.

At last, as the train approached Damascus, they found themselves in a narrow valley that was almost a gorge. Through this valley a clear stream rushed and roared over an exceedingly rocky bed. This stream drove a number of mills, the entrances to which were always surrounded by donkeys and camels, these animals having brought little loads of grain to the mills to be ground.

On the outskirts of the city they pa.s.sed a group of Turkish villas, which looked very picturesque and attractive. These, they were told, were occupied by exiled officers of the Turkish government, who had committed offenses of some sort or had excited the distrust of the sultan. Instead of ordering them beheaded, their imperial master had sent them to Damascus, where they could be closely guarded.

Finally the train drew into the station at Damascus.

"Say, just have a look!" cried Brad. "I opine the whole town has turned out to meet us."

There was a great crowd at the station-Arabs, a.s.syrians, Armenians, Turks, Jews, Greeks, Egyptians, and people from many desert tribes. They were all in a great tumult and uproar. A fence prevented them from crowding close to the track, but behind this fence they were packed thick as sardines in a box, staring, talking, pushing, gesticulating, and making a great hubbub.

"I wonder if this is the usual thing," said d.i.c.k. "Perhaps some noted person is on this train."

"Not likely that has brought them here," declared the professor. "The arrival of a train is an event, and probably all the idle men in town rush to the station to see it come in."

Their compartment door was flung open.

With alacrity the two boys descended to the platform.

"There they are!" cried a familiar voice that gave Buckhart a thrill.

"Oh, d.i.c.k! Hey, Brad!" called another voice.

d.i.c.k located the person who called to him. He grasped Buckhart's arm and pointed.

"There they are-Budthorne and his sister!" he exclaimed.

In the midst of the crowd beyond the fence, being jostled about by the swaying mob, were Dunbar Budthorne and Nadia, whom they had last seen in Italy.

Professor Gunn was calling to the boys.

"Hold on, you kittenish young rascals!" he croaked. "Don't be in such a hurry. Help look after this baggage."

But the professor was forgotten in the excitement of what followed. d.i.c.k saw the wild crowd separate Dunbar Budthorne and his sister. He saw the two forced apart. Nadia was whirled aside. Then two men grasped her, one placing a dusky hand over her mouth to prevent her from shouting, while she was swept off her feet and literally borne away.

d.i.c.k shouted to Brad. He made a rush for the fence. Up into the air he sailed in a great leap that carried him over the obstruction and into the midst of the crowd.

The American boy seemed like an infuriated animal, for he hurled people to the right and left like one possessing the strength of a giant. He ripped a pathway through that crowd in a most amazing manner.

Nadia Budthorne was struggling vainly with her captors, who were on the point of lifting her into a carriage, when the American boy reached them.

d.i.c.k struck one man a blow that caused him to release the girl instantly.

But another swarthy fellow appeared and sought to seize the boy, while still one held fast to the girl.

Nadia, however, managed to get her mouth clear of the smothering hand that had been pressed over it.