Dick Merriwell's Pranks Part 21

Then came the leather shops, the cloth store, the curio shops, the place of odd and ancient weapons, the goldsmith's bazaar, and, most fascinating of all, the Street of the Greeks. In the latter place were to be seen all sorts of Oriental articles and ornaments, embroideries, rugs, carpets, silks, clothing, armors, weapons, pipes, gems, coins, fezzes.

They were besieged by Armenians, Greeks, and Jews, all anxious and eager to sell them goods. Only the Turks sat back in dignified silence and declined to solicit trade. Some of the dealers were offensive in their insistence. They pulled Nadia and held articles before her for inspection, dilating on the merits of the goods. They named prices and then asked for offers.

Budthorne became confused and Professor Gunn grew angry. d.i.c.k was compelled to look after Nadia. She clung to his arm.

In this manner they came face to face with Brad Buckhart, who was wandering through the bazaars alone.

Nadia gave a little cry.

"There's Brad!"

He turned like a flash and disappeared amid a ma.s.s of people who were crowding before one of the booths.

"Oh, Brad!" called d.i.c.k.

"Why, what made him do that?" exclaimed the girl, in dismay.

Merriwell was provoked.

"Come!" he urged. "He can't get away. We'll find him."

They hurried after the Texan. d.i.c.k caught a glimpse of him leaving the bazaars. Nadia was still clinging to d.i.c.k's arm.

At the beginning of a narrow street Buckhart paused and glanced back, then he turned and disappeared down the street.

Never had d.i.c.k known his friend to behave in such a perplexing manner.

"I'll shake some of the foolishness out of him if I ever get my hands on him," Merriwell mentally vowed.

Thinking they would have no trouble in returning to the bazaars and finding the professor and Dunbar, they hastened down the narrow street.

Turning a corner, they came against a caravan of loaded camels in a most sudden and startling manner. It was necessary to hug the wall in order to let the animals and their drivers pa.s.s.

There were many dogs in the streets. These animals prowled about or slept serenely beneath the feet of pedestrians, who were careful to step over them or to turn out and go round without disturbing them.

As in Constantinople, the dogs were the street cleaners, and no one harmed them.

After following the crooked street some distance and failing to again catch a glimpse of Buckhart, d.i.c.k decided they had better turn back.

"I don't know how we could have missed him," he said.

"He may have turned onto another street."

"I saw no other street."

"I did."

Retracing their steps, they came upon a street that was like a choked alley. Nadia believed they could return to the bazaars more quickly by taking it.

But when they had followed it into still another street, and turned from this into yet another, she confessed that she was bewildered and knew not which course should be pursued.

Then d.i.c.k set out to make his way back as quickly as possible, the girl relying wholly on his judgment. They seemed entangled in a network of very crooked and very bewildering streets.

Again they were suddenly confronted by a number of loaded camels. The one in advance was heavily loaded, his pack being so broad that it nearly touched the walls on either side. The beast came swinging on.

Nadia uttered a cry of alarm and turned to run. She fled up some steps and disappeared within an open doorway.

d.i.c.k gave a gasp of dismay as he followed her, for he saw she had entered a Moslem temple, and he knew such an intrusion might produce an uproar.

He sprang up the steps. Even as he did so, he heard sudden shouts of alarm and anger coming from within the temple.

Then Nadia reappeared, looking rather startled and agitated.

"Goodness!" she gasped. "I almost ran right onto a lot of monks at their devotions!"

The camels were swinging past.

"We must get away from here in a hurry!" exclaimed d.i.c.k.

Even as he uttered the words several priests came hurrying to the open door of the temple. They saw Nadia. One of them pointed at her and shouted to his companions. Then the whole of them moved again, as if eager to lay hands on her.

"Here's trouble!" muttered d.i.c.k, feeling for his pistol.

"Don't let them touch me!" gasped Nadia.

The head priest called to some of the men of the train that was pa.s.sing.

Several of these men, swarthy and villainous in appearance, halted in answer to this call. The words of the priest seemed to arouse them. They glared at the girl and started to mount the steps.

Out flashed Merriwell's pistol.

"Hold on, you dogs!" he commanded, displaying the weapon. "Stop where you are! Back up, or I'll have to damage some of you!"

The sight of that pistol caused the foremost among them to retreat precipitately.

But d.i.c.k and Nadia were caught between two fires, as it were. The angry priests were behind them, while a number of savage men were in front.

The American boy knew he must lose not a moment in changing his position.

Grasping Nadia's wrist, he hurried down the steps and attempted to flee along the street.

Another shout from the priests caused several of the fierce-looking men to place themselves before d.i.c.k and the girl. Although Merriwell threatened to shoot, they would not let him pa.s.s.

Merriwell looked round for some place where he could hold off the fanatical Moslems. He was forced to retreat against the nearest wall.

Supporting Nadia with one arm, he lifted his pistol and fearlessly faced the howling crowd, which now began to close about them in a half circle, urged on by the priests.

"Death to the infidels!" howled the crowd.

They shook their fists at the boy and girl. Those behind tried to urge on those in advance. One old Turk spat at d.i.c.k.