Yussuf the Guide Part 10

"Simply," said the professor smiling, "because you drew both the triggers at once."

"It is false, sir. I just rested my fingers upon them as you are doing now."

"And the piece went off!" said the professor drily, but smiling the while. "It is a way that all guns and pistols have."

The dealer smiled his thanks, and Mr Burne started up in the chair, but threw himself back again.

"Oh, dear! oh, my gracious me!" he groaned; "and you two grinning at me and rejoicing over my sufferings."

"My dear sir, indeed I am very sorry," said the dealer.

"Yes, I know you are," said Mr Burne furiously, "because you think, and rightly, that I will not buy your precious gun. Bless my heart, how it does hurt! I feel as if I should never be able to sit up again. I know my vertebrae are all loose like a string of beads."

"Will you allow us to a.s.sist you into my private room, sir?" said the dealer.

"No, I won't," snapped the sufferer.

"But there is a couch there, and I will send for the resident English doctor."

"If you dare do anything of the kind, confound you, sir, I'll throw something at you. Can't you see that there is nothing the matter with me, only I'm in pain."

"But he might relieve you, Burne," said the professor kindly.

"I tell you I don't want to be relieved, sir," cried the little lawyer.

"And don't stand staring at me like that, boy; I'm not killed."

"I am afraid that you are a great deal hurt," said Lawrence, going to his side and taking his hand.

"Oh, dear! oh, dear!" groaned the sufferer. "Well, I'm not, boy, not a bit. There."

"Let me send for a doctor, sir," said the dealer.

"I tell you I will not, man. Do you take me for a Greek or a Turk, or a heretic? Can't you see that I am an Englishman, sir, one who is never beaten, and never gives up? There, go on selling your guns."

"Oh, nonsense!" said the professor; "we cannot think of such things with you in that state."

"State? What state, sir? Here you, Mr What's-your-name, I beg your pardon. I ought to have known better. Not used to guns. Pens are more in my way. Confoundedly stupid thing to do. But I've learned more about a gun now than I should have learned in six months. I beg your pardon, sir."

"Pray, say no more, sir," replied the dealer; "it is not needed."

"Yes, it is, sir," cried the lawyer fiercely. "Didn't I tell you I was an English gentleman. An English gentleman always apologises when he is in the wrong. I apologise. I am very sorry for what I said."

The dealer smiled and bowed, and looked pleased as he handed the sufferer another gla.s.s of wine, which was taken and sipped at intervals between a few mild _ohs_! and _ssfths_!

"Not a bad wine this. What is it?"

"One of the Greek wines, sir."

"Humph! not bad; but not like our port. Now, you people, go on with your business, and don't stare at me as if I were a sick man. Here, Mr What's-your-name, put that gun in a case, and send it round to the hotel. I've taken a fancy to it."

"Send--this gun, sir?"

"Yes. Didn't I speak plainly? Didn't the professor, my friend here, say it was a good gun?"

"Yes, sir, yes: it is an excellent piece of the best English make."

"Well, I want a gun, and I suppose any piece would go off as that did if somebody handled it as stupidly as I did."

"Yes, sir, of course."

"Then send it on, and the pistol too. Ah, that's better--I'm easier; but I say, Preston, I shall have to be carried back."

"I'm very glad you are easier, but really if I were you I would see a doctor."

"I've no objection to seeing a doctor, my dear sir, but I'm not going to have him do anything to me."

"Then you really wish us to go on with our purchases?"

"Why, of course, man, of course. What did we come for? Go on, man, go on. Here, mister, show me one or two of these long carving knives."

"Carving knives?" said the dealer. "I do not keep them."

"Yes, you do: these," said Mr Burne, pointing to a case in which were several Eastern sabres.

"Oh, the swords!" said the dealer smiling. "Of course."

"You are not going to buy one of these, are you, Mr Burne?" said Lawrence eagerly.

"To be sure I am," was the reply. "Why shouldn't I play at soldiers if I like. There, what do you say to that?" he continued, drawing a light, keen-looking blade from its curved sheath. "Try it. Mind it don't go off--I mean, don't go slashing it round and cutting off the professor's legs or my head. Can you lift it?"

"Oh, yes," cried Lawrence, poising the keen weapon in his hand before examining its handsome silver inlaid hilt.

"Think that would do for me? Oh, dear me, what a twinge!"

"Yes, sir, admirably," replied Lawrence.

"Then I don't," was the gruff retort. "Seems to me that it would just suit you. There, buckle on the belt."

Lawrence did as he was told, but the belt was too large and had to be reduced.

"Hah! that's better," said Mr Burne. "There, that's a very handsome sword, Lawrence, and it will do to make you look fierce when we are in the country, and to hang up in your room at home to keep in memory of our journey. Will you accept it, my boy, as a present?"

"Oh, thank you," cried the lad excitedly.

"Took a fancy to it as soon as you saw it, you young dog. I saw you!"

cried the old lawyer chuckling. "There, now for a dagger or knife to go with it."

The dealer produced one in an ornamental sheath directly, and explained that it was for use as a weapon, for hunting, or to divide food when on a journey.