Check-mate! My poor Tokrooris were in a corner,
and in their great dilemma they could not answer
a word. Taking advantage of this moment of confusion,
I called forward “ the buffalo” Abderachman,*
as I had heard that he really had contemplated a
pilgrimage to Mecca. “ Abderachman,” I continued,
“ you are the only man who has spoken the truth.
Go to Mecca ! and may God protect you on the
journey; I should not wish to prevent you from
performing your duty as a Mahometan.”
Never were people more dumbfounded with surprise
; they retreated, and formed a knot in consultation,
and in about ten minutes they returned
to me, old Moosa and Hadji Ali both leading the
pilgrim Abderachman by the hands. They had given
in ; and Abderachman, the buffalo of the party,
thanked me for my permission, and with tears in
his eyes, as the camels were about to start, he at
once said good-bye. “ Embrace him! ” cried old
Moosa and Hadji Ali ; and in an instant, as I had
formerly succumbed to the maid Barrake, I was
actually kissed by the thick lips of Abderachman
the unwashed .! Poor fellow ! this was sincere
gratitude without the slightest humbug; therefore,
although he was an odoriferous savage, I could not
help shaking him by the hand and wishing him a
prosperous journey, assuring him that I would watch
over his comrades like a father, while in my service.
In a few instants these curious people were led by
a sudden and new impulse; my farewell had perfectly
delighted old Moosa and Hadji Ali, whose
hearts were won. “ Say good-bye to the Sit \” (the
lady) they shouted to Abderachman ; but I assured
them that it was not necessary to go through the
whole operation to which I had been subjected, and
that she would be contented if he only kissed her
hand. This he did with the natural grace of a
savage, and was led away crying by his companions,
who embraced him with tears, and they
parted with the affection of brothers.
Now to hard-hearted and civilized people, who
often school themselves to feel nothing, or as little
as they can, for anybody, it may appear absurd to
say that the scene was affecting, but somehow or
other it was; and in the course of half-an-hour,
those who would have deserted had become staunch
friends, and we were all, black and white, Mahometans
and Christians, wishing the pilgrim God
speed upon his perilous journey to Mecca.
The camels started, and, if the scene was affecting,
the invalids began to be more affected by the tartar
emetic: this was the third act of the comedy. The
plot had been thoroughly ventilated: the last act
exhibited the perfect fidelity of my Tokrooris, in
whom I subsequently reposed much confidence.
In the afternoon of that day, the brothers Sheriff
arrived; these were the most renowned of all the
sword-hunters of the Hamrans, of whom I have
already spoken ; they were well mounted, and, having
met our caravan of camels on the route, heavily
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