Yussuf the Guide Part 22

When the heat of the day had somewhat abated the journey was continued; and, at last, when the night was beginning to fall and arrangements had to be made for sleep, the outlook was very black, for they were in a very desert place, and, though Yussuf and the professor both climbed eminences from time to time, there was not a trace of human habitation, while their supply of food was growing very short.

"Never mind," said the professor cheerily. "Let's have a good night's rest. I don't think we need set a watch here, eh, Yussuf?"

"It is always better to do so, effendi," said the Muslim, in his quiet thoughtful manner; "there is a great ridge of rocks yonder in front, and who knows what may be on the other side."

"But no one has seen us come here; and if they had, we have not much to lose."

"Except the Turkish gold the two excellencies have in the belts round their waists," said Yussuf quietly.

Mr Preston started at this, but said nothing then. Later on he found that his thoughts had been shared upon the subject, for, as they sat close up to a projecting cliff, Mr Burne leaned towards him and whispered:

"Did you tell the guide that you had a lot of money in your cash-belt?"

"No. Did you?"

"No."

"It is very strange," said the professor.

"It is worse," was the reply; "but, look here, for goodness' sake don't go making me uncomfortable by hinting that Yussuf has designs against us."

"I am not going to," said the professor shortly. "I agree that it is strange that he should know it, but I am going to place absolute faith in Yussuf. If I am deceived in the man so much the worse for me."

"But he is an unspeakable Turk, Preston, and you are always reading what the Turks are."

"I am always reading what their wretched government is. As a race I believe the Turks are a particularly grave, gentlemanly race of men."

"I am sure," said Lawrence, "that Yussuf is doing all he can in our interest."

"Tchah! stuff, boy! what do you know about human nature?" cried Mr Burne angrily. "We are out here in the desert at this man's mercy."

"But he fought for us and saved me from drowning."

"Of course he did, boy; he is paid to do it."

"Then why don't you trust him, sir?" said Lawrence, speaking out boldly.

"Because very likely he is doing all this to save us for himself.

Suppose he robs us and then runs away to Tadmor in the wilderness, or some other outlandish place, what can we do? There are no policemen here."

"Hush," said Mr Preston; "here he is."

Yussuf came gravely stalking down from above where he had been taking a fresh observation inland.

"I can see nothing, effendi," he said softly. "We must sleep and see what another day brings forth."

"Yes," said Mr Preston; "and we are all weary. But, Yussuf."

"Effendi?"

"How did you know that my friend, here, and I carried belts containing gold?"

The Muslim looked from one to the other sharply, and it was plain that he read the suspicion in their eyes, for his own flashed, and a stern aspect came over his countenance.

It pa.s.sed away directly and his face lit up with a smile.

"Simply enough, excellencies," he said. "Mr Burne, here, is always feeling his waist to find out whether it is quite safe, or lifting it up a little because it is heavy."

"I? What? No such thing, sir--no such thing," cried the old lawyer angrily.

"Well, I have seen you do so a great many times," said Mr Preston laughing.

"And so have I, Mr Burne," cried Lawrence, "often."

"I deny it, gentlemen, I deny it," he cried; and sitting up he involuntarily placed his hands just above his hips, and gave himself a hitch after the fashion of a sailor.

The professor burst into a hearty laugh; Lawrence roared; and Yussuf's face was so comically grave that Mr Burne could not resist the infection, and laughed in turn.

"There," he exclaimed; "I suppose, I do without knowing it, and I am so cautious, too."

"But come," said Mr Preston, turning to Yussuf, "you have not seen me do this, I think."

"No, effendi, never; but when we were busy baling the water out of the boat for these dogs of Greeks to escape, your garments were wet and clung to you tightly, and the shape of the belt could be plainly seen."

"Of course it could," said the professor bluffly. "Why, Yussuf, I believe now in the story about the dervish who was asked if he met the camel, and told the owners all about it: the lame leg, the missing tooth, the load of rice on one side, the honey on the other, and all without seeing it."

"Nonsense!" said Mr Burne testily, "how could he?"

"Why, my dear sir, you must have forgotten that old tale. By the light impression of one foot in the sand, by the herbage not being evenly cropped, and by the ants being busy with the fallen grain on one side, the flies, attracted by the honey, upon the other."

"Bah!" exclaimed the old lawyer. "Eastern tales are all gammon. I don't believe in the East at all."

"Nor in people being cast ash.o.r.e in desert places and having encounters with Greek sailors. Nor in their having a faithful experienced Mussulman guide, who fought for them and strove his very best to get them out of their troubles, eh, Burne? Well, I do, and I'm very tired.

Good-night, Yussuf. You are going to sleep, I suppose?"

"No, effendi," said the Turk. "I shall watch till the stars say it is two hours past midnight, and then I shall awaken you."

"Humph! Wrong again," cried Mr Burne testily. "I always am wrong.

What are you laughing at, sir?"

"At you, Mr Burne. I beg your pardon, I couldn't help it," said Lawrence.

"Oh, I'll forgive you, boy. I'm glad to see you can laugh like that, instead of being regularly knocked up with our troubles. I begin to believe that you never have been ill, and were shamming so as to get a holiday."

"Do you, sir?" said Lawrence sadly.

"No, my boy. Good-night. Good-night, Yussuf," he added, and then he raised an echo by blowing his nose.

"Good-night, excellency," said the Turk, rather haughtily; and soon there was nothing to be heard but the sighing of the night wind and the low murmur of the rippling sea.