IN TOUCH WITH THE MULLAH
Scarcely had the sun risen above the sandy horizon when Jim and Ali
Kumar rode from the oasis mounted upon two of the fleetest camels which
the expedition possessed. They carried upon their saddles sufficient
food and water to last them for a week, while each had a rifle and
abundance of ammunition. Turning their faces toward the south, they
urged their beasts into a long swinging trot, and sailed away over the
desert with the cheers of their comrades ringing in their ears.
"Before we return I hope to have obtained full news of my father," said
Jim, as they swept along. "If I find that he is only slightly guarded, I
shall take advantage of some dark night and try to reach him, and if we
get him to the camp, the Mullah may do as he likes, but I defy him to
capture us, for our position there is remarkably strong."
"During the daytime the attempt will be hopeless," answered Ali Kumar
thoughtfully. "But, master, I tremble to think of the consequences
during the night, for we are few, and they would be many. Creeping up to
us, they would rush upon us before we were prepared, and then nothing
could save the expedition."
"We shall see about that," exclaimed Jim doggedly. "It seems to me that
if we were to light big fires round our square, we ought to be able to
keep the enemy out. But I agree with you, it would be a hard matter, and
could not be accomplished without fighting. And now for ourselves. Are
we likely to strike the Mullah's camp if we push on in this direction?"
"I cannot say for certain," responded Ali. "But you will remember that
the tribesmen informed us that the white prisoner was some thirty miles
south of the Hoad. If that is the case, we should be nearer the Mullah
by nightfall. By that time it will be advisable to find some spot in
which we can safely hide. Then, on the following day, we can sally out,
and, pretending to be peaceful peasants, try to ascertain news of your
father."
"It sounds a good plan, Ali, but you must recollect that I am ignorant
of the language. That being the case, it may be necessary for me to
remain hidden while you go out, though when the time for rescue comes, I
insist upon taking a full share in the matter."
An hour after they had set out from the oasis the two riders entered
upon a stretch of country which differed vastly from that which they had
just left, for it was thickly clad with a carpet of fresh green, and was
dotted everywhere with bushes and trees, and in parts with huge masses
of foliage which showed the position of a forest. But nowhere was there
a habitation visible, and not a native was to be seen. Half a mile
farther on, however, was a large pool of water, from which the rays of
the sun were reflected with dazzling brilliancy; and to this they at
once rode, following one of the many paths that had been worn through
the bush in all directions by wild animals.
"Half an hour's halt here, and then on we go," said Jim. "How thankful I
am that this is the cool season, and that the heat of the sun is not too
great to prevent our marching during the day."
"It is fortunate, master," answered Ali, "for less than three months
hence the journey which we have already accomplished would have had to
satisfy us until nightfall. Then only could we have ventured to start
forward again, for at the time of noon the glare and strength of the sun
are so great that even a native prefers the shade, and loves to lie
there and sleep. But now we need have no fears of sunstroke, and can
ride on. Our beasts are in the finest condition, and we can rely upon
them to carry us the remaining thirty miles with the utmost ease.
To-morrow, if necessary, they will bear us back again with the same
certainty, for these are picked animals, and are worth some thirty of
the common kind. But I shall prepare food, so that we may eat now and
then pass on without halting."
Taking the rough bits from the mouths of the camels, Ali led them to the
water and allowed them to drink. Then he picketed them in the centre of
a patch of luxuriant grass, and left them there to graze to their
hearts' content, while he returned to help Jim with the meal. Already
the latter had a cheery fire burning, and was toasting two large juicy
steaks of deer-flesh over it. When they were ready, and the water
boiling, both sat down beside the embers, there being no ceremony
between master and man. Indeed, looking at them there, a stranger would
have been troubled to tell the difference between these two Somali
natives, for both had dusky features and dark hair, while their gestures
were apparently the same. A closer inspection, however, would have shown
him that the younger of the two could find no comfort in the squatting
attitude of which the natives are fond, and preferred to lie upon the
ground reclining upon his elbow. Then, again, he ate more daintily, and
drank from his tin mug as if he had been accustomed to better things.
But what was remarkable about the two was the fact that each possessed a
rifle of modern workmanship, while Jim had a pair of revolvers, the butt
of one of which peeped from beneath his clothing.
Their meal finished, Ali took from a pouch which dangled about his neck
a pinch of tobacco, and securing it in the hollow of his hand, proceeded
to roll a cigarette. Surely this was a strange thing for a native in
this wild part of the country to do! True, many followers of the Mullah
indulged in the smoking habit, but none knew of the cigarette. Ali,
however, had learnt the art at Berbera, and, indeed, behaved more like a
civilized individual than any native that Jim had as yet seen.
"I am a Christian and can sit at meat with my master, when he wills," he
had said some days before. "Therefore, should it fall out that you and I
ride away together, there will be no trouble on that score, though with
any other of your followers difficulties would arise, for they could not
eat with you, while to drink from the same vessel would be an insult to
their religion."
Having finished his cigarette, Ali sprang to his feet, and soon they
were on their way again. Riding across an undulating country, they at
length reached a part which was studded with hills, and upon ascending
to the summit of one of these, both came suddenly to a halt, and uttered
a cry of satisfaction.
"Back, master!" cried Ali in alarm, a second later. "Dismount from your
camel, and cause him to kneel, then creep forward with me, and lie full
length among the bushes, for, were we to ascend to the sky-line, our
figures would be seen at once. There, look!" he continued a moment
later, as they threw themselves upon the grass and stared into the
valley beyond. "You can see the mud huts which the Mullah's followers
occupy, and there are his herds."
Stretching his arm before him, Ali pointed down the farther slope of the
hill into a long winding depression, down the centre of which ran a
broad stream of water. Following his finger, Jim saw some hundreds of
low mud hovels, nestling close to the bank of the river, and so clear
was the atmosphere that he was able to distinguish numerous figures
moving about, while herds of camels, sheep, and horses were visible
everywhere.
"What is that?" he suddenly asked, pointing in his turn to a dark mass
in the centre of the valley. "It looks to me as though there were
horsemen there, but I shall soon tell you, for I have brought my glasses
with me."
Hastily withdrawing his field-glasses from the case, he raised them to
his eyes and looked long and carefully towards the object which he had
discovered.
"It is the Mullah's army," he said in an excited whisper, as if he
feared that the ordinary tones of his voice would be overheard at that
distance, and so alarm the enemy. "I can see a host of horsemen, and
more than three times as many men on foot. And--yes, there is someone
riding in front of them, who must be the Mullah."
The sight at which he gazed filled Jim with a feeling of excitement, for
now, at last, he was within touch of his goal. There, below him, was the
man to whom his father was a slave, and there, careering up the valley,
were a portion of the following who might even then be on their way to
attack the foolhardy Englishman who had come in quest of the prisoner.
Could Jim have read the thoughts of that tall man who so proudly rode
his charger in front of the gathering of warriors below, he would have
learned something that intimately concerned himself. As he sat his
horse there before his following, his face was turned in the direction
from which Jim and Ali had come, and his mind was engaged with the news
which had come to his ears two or three days before.
"An insolent Englishman has dared to cross the Hoad," he was murmuring
to himself. "His purpose, as told me by the spy, is to rescue one of my
beggarly prisoners. Let him beware. Before many hours have passed I will
slay his whole following, and he, too, shall find himself a slave."
Turning his horse with a touch of his heel, the Mullah held his hand
above his head and arrested the progress of his following. Then spurring
close up to them, he gave them their orders, and stood by as they
marched away.
"I wonder where they are bound for?" said Jim, as he watched the
movement through his glasses. "Their heads were turned towards the
north, and it looks as though they were bent upon a journey which would
take some time, for camels laden with baggage are accompanying them,
while some followers are driving a small herd of sheep and cattle. I
hope it does not mean that they have discovered our camp, and are
marching to attack it."
"I cannot say, master," answered Ali thoughtfully. "But their movement
looks suspicious. However, should they have gained news of our coming,
it will be only as I have expected all along, for how could we hope to
enter the country of this man without being discovered, when spies
abound, and when news may even have been sent from Berbera? Besides,
what of the traitor who induced the tribesmen to attack us? He had fled,
so said their messenger, but where or how he did not mention. Perhaps he
took advantage of the confusion to steal a camel, and with that to help
him, crossed the Hoad, knowing that he would be welcome to the Mullah.
If that is the case, we have trouble before us, and perhaps it would be
better for us to retire at once, so as to rejoin our companions."
"I think not," answered Jim promptly. "If those fellows down there are
bound for our camp, we can do no possible good by returning to our
friends, for we should only make a small addition to their numbers. No,
when we set out for this part, we did so with the full knowledge that
the camp in the oasis might have to defend itself at any moment. We
placed my comrade in charge, trusting to him to keep the enemy out, and
we must not allow this to break our faith in him and our followers. Let
us leave them to do their work while we complete ours. When you come to
think of it, the movement of those men below is probably the best thing
that could have happened, that is, supposing they are not successful in
their attack, as I firmly believe will be the case; for, knowing that
his followers have gone to intercept us, the Mullah will never suspect
that two of our expedition have detached themselves from the main body,
and are already in touch with his camp. He and those of his men who
remain with him will have no fear of a surprise of any sort, and will
therefore neglect all precautions. What could be more advantageous to
our cause?"
"It is a fine argument," replied Ali Kumar, after a long pause, "and I
believe you have seen this matter in the right light. As you say, to
lose faith now in our friends would be foolish. If they are attacked, as
I think is more than probable, they must trust to themselves, and live
or fall according to their ability. Meanwhile we have a chance which may
never occur again. Therefore, master, while you keep your glasses fixed
upon the Mullah's following, I shall leave you for a time and search
for a hiding-place. When I have found it I shall return, and then we
shall make our way down to the camels."
Accordingly Ali turned and descended the hill, leaving Jim stretched out
upon the summit, with his eyes fixed upon the distant warriors. In half
an hour the Mullah's expedition had disappeared behind an elevation, and
Jim at once turned his glasses upon the solitary horseman who had
watched them depart. He saw him put his horse into a furious gallop, and
head him towards the collection of mud hovels. Then he watched as the
rider pulled in his animal, and threw himself from the saddle. At this
moment a native ran out and took the reins from him, while the Mullah
strode into the midst of the camp. Though he was often hidden for a
considerable time by some clump of huts, Jim was able to follow him as
he advanced by watching for him as he crossed the open spaces. At last
he reached a house of considerable proportions, above the flat roof of
which a tattered banner blew out in the tropical breeze, showing a
groundwork of brilliant red, with figures worked upon it in darker
colours. A spear seemed to form the supporting post.
"He's gone in," said Jim, watching the figure of the Mullah with the
utmost eagerness. "I must make a careful note of the position of his
house, for I might have to find my way there some day. Indeed, if father
is there--and I see no other way of rescuing him--I shall choose a dark
night, and creep into the mud hut into which the Mullah has disappeared.
Then I'll put a pistol to his head, and give him the choice of death or
the loss of his slave. But I should have to be very careful of
treachery, and in any case it would be a desperate game to play.
However, we shall see. Having come so far, I do not mean to turn back
before I have made every effort, and if I fail after all, why, I'll
return to Berbera, join the British troops, and march in this direction
again in their company."
For long Jim lay full-length among the grass with which this hill was
thickly clad, and gazed down into the valley which formed the home and
hiding-place of the Mullah and his adherents. Every now and again he
would catch sight of some figure moving along the bank of the river, or
passing down the only street of which the village boasted. Instantly, up
would go his glasses to his eyes, and he would focus them upon the
object, hoping that this might prove to be the white prisoner, his
father. But in every case the figure proved to be some dusky warrior,
trudging along with his spear over one shoulder, and his hide-shield
dangling on his other arm, or one of the many wives with which these
Somali fighting men were blessed, walking down to the water to replenish
her household stock. Full as Jim's thoughts were of other things, he
could not help remarking the graceful carriage of these people. With
erect figures, and arms swinging easily at their sides, these women bore
upon their heads a tall earthen jar, which they balanced there with as
much ease as the average individual contrives to retain his hat.
Later, a movement about the central dwelling from which the flag flew
attracted his attention, and looking closely in that direction, he saw
four armed men suddenly emerge from the shadow of the walls into the
road in front, where they formed up in line. Four others at once placed
themselves in front of their comrades, and having saluted one another in
ceremonious fashion, as people of the East are accustomed to do, they
separated, the first party disappearing down the street, while the
second filed into their positions about the Mullah's residence. But of
the latter there was never a sign; he remained in the seclusion of his
mud hut, his thoughts, no doubt, fixed upon that tiny camp belonging to
the insolent Englishman, which he hoped to hear, in the course of a few
hours, had fallen a prey to his followers.
"I must be careful to remember about those guards," murmured Jim
thoughtfully, "for should it become necessary for me to visit the house,
they might interrupt our interview and spoil my chances. But we shall
see; perhaps Ali will have good news for me."
For three hours he lay on the summit of the hill, keeping a careful
watch on the Mullah's camp, and wondering all the while what had
happened to his native headman, and why his return was so long delayed.
"I hope nothing has happened to him," he said at last, in anxious tones.
"It would be a serious matter if he were captured, for it would let the
Mullah know that there were spies close at hand. But I can't think what
has happened to him, for amongst the following below there must be a
huge number of strange men collected together, and Ali's clever enough
to pass himself as one of these. Besides----Hallo! Who's that?"
Happening to turn his head to look at the two camels which were grazing
some two hundred yards in the rear, Jim suddenly caught sight of a
figure running towards him, and waving an arm to attract his attention.
Grasping his rifle, and shooting a cartridge into the breech, he at once
retired from the summit of the hill, taking care to creep on all-fours
through the grass until well away from the sky-line. Then he started to
his feet, and running forward until close to a large mass of rock, he
knelt behind it, and, raising his weapon to his shoulder, covered the
man who was approaching.
"Very likely it is Ali," he said to himself; "but should it happen to be
anyone else, I shall be quite ready for him."
A minute later any doubts which he might have had were dispelled, for,
topping a rise which intervened between himself and Jim, the stranger
showed clearly against the distant horizon.
"Ali!" cried Jim, in tones of relief; and at once rising from his seat,
he hastened towards him with his rifle over his shoulder, and his mind
filled with alarm at the evident excitement under which his follower
laboured.
"What is it? What has happened, Ali?" he demanded. "Have you been
discovered? And if so, are you being followed? In that case we had
better get the camels ready at once, so that we may ride for our lives,
for to attempt to remain here would be madness."
"No, do not touch our animals, but sit down and listen," answered Ali
breathlessly, throwing himself upon the ground, as if he were exhausted,
and lying there panting so hard that he seemed unable to speak. At
length, however, he took a sip of water from the gourd which dangled at
his waist, and seeming to revive at once, sat up and gazed at his
master.
"All is well," he said, "and I have not been discovered. But I have seen
things which have caused me to tremble with alarm, and which sent me
back to you at my fastest pace to warn you."
"What is it, then," asked Jim anxiously, unable to guess what could have
happened to his follower. "Come, tell me at once, Ali."
Leaning forward, he placed his hand upon the native's shoulder and shook
him gently so as to hasten him, for the sight of Ali's excitement had
filled him with a vague feeling of alarm.
"Listen, then, master, and I shall tell you what happened to me after I
left you upon the summit of the hill. But first let us climb to our
position again, and take our posts there, for I warn you that if we are
to escape from this place alive, we must be ever watchful, and keep our
eyes constantly fixed upon the valley below."
This wise precaution was immediately carried out. Then Ali turned
towards Jim and continued his story.
"When I left you," he said, "I placed my rifle beside a boulder, for I
knew that it would at once arouse the cupidity and suspicion of any whom
I might meet. Then I descended the hill, and taking advantage of a long
stretch of thick undergrowth which ran towards the village, I reached
its outskirts without having seen a single stranger. Then I watched for
an hour as the people walked to and fro, and happening to see two women
who were busily engaged in crushing corn for their bread, I crept into
the house behind them, and sat in the doorway listening to their
conversation. From what they said I gathered that the Mullah can collect
as many as sixty thousand men to march behind his banner, but that the
greater portion are at present living peaceful lives in their own
particular portion of the country. However, as soon as the British
troops advance, the call to arms will be sounded, and all will hasten to
join the Mullah. A little while later, one of the women began to speak
of the expedition which started out this morning, and from her I learned
that it has undoubtedly gone in search of our camp. But guns are scarce,
and it seems that the band only has about fifty with it. That the Mullah
had warning of our approach was evident, for one of the women stated
that her husband was the scout who had observed our arrival on this
side of the Hoad.
"Though I listened to their chatter for long, I learned nothing more of
importance, for they conversed about their children and their homes. And
so, carefully looking down the street, and observing that large numbers
were about, I slipped in amongst them, feeling confident that my
presence would not be noticed. Soon I was in their market, and following
the lead of others of the men who were about, I purchased some fruit,
haggling over the price, as is customary. Then, as I wandered from the
stalls into the street again, I saw the white prisoner coming towards
me."
"The white prisoner! My father!" almost shouted Jim, his pulses
throbbing with the news. "Are you sure that it was he? What did he look
like? Was he ill, and overcome by his miserable condition?"
He clutched Ali eagerly by the arm and poured the questions upon him so
rapidly that the latter could not answer, but lay there gazing at him
stolidly, as if astounded at his excitement.
"Gently! Speak quietly, master," he replied. "The questions which you
ask are unnecessary, for there is but one prisoner, one white slave
owned by the Mullah; assuredly, this one whom I saw is your father, and
that he is ill and downcast is only to be expected. Indeed, so heavy are
his cares, and so great the labour demanded of him, that already he has
aged. Though but a few weeks have passed since he was cast upon this
coast, and fell into the hands of these, our enemies, yet the time has
been sufficient to make great changes in him. He is a tall man, but no
longer does he bear himself proudly, for this drudgery and the
hopelessness of life have overcome his spirit. He lacks energy, and
walks along with eyes cast down and with never a thought of his
surroundings. Indeed, it is clear that his mind is forever bent upon
escape, and that when he chances to look to right or left he does so
with the hope that something shall be there to help him--some friend
who, pitying his condition, has come prepared to stretch out a hand, and
aid him to reach his countrymen once more. As he passed me by, and
looked at me vacantly, ignorant of the fact that I was in reality a
comrade of his son who had marched all this way and had encountered so
many dangers in the hope of rescuing him, it went to my heart to notice
the deep lines that care had set upon his face, and the whiteness of his
hair. Yes, master, no longer is it grey at the temples alone."
"Poor father!" murmured Jim sorrowfully, his pity raised to the highest
at Ali's words. "Poor dad! What a change in his condition!"
For more than a minute there was silence.
"Go on!" at last said Jim, in more resolute tones. "It was a blow to
hear that there is such a change in my father, and that he was so
downcast. But after considering the matter, I am bound to confess that
it is only to be expected. I must congratulate myself upon the fact that
you have seen him alive, for we might have arrived at the Mullah's camp
to find him dead, worn out by his sufferings. What if his hair is grey?
Other men have lost their colour in a night under some great strain, but
they have recovered it to some extent later on. Father will do the same.
Once free, he will become the same jolly fellow I have always known
him."
Tears stood in Jim's eyes as he spoke, for he was deeply moved at the
thought of his father's condition, but with an effort he steadied
himself, and signalled to Ali to proceed by raising his hand, for he
could not trust himself to speak.
"Be happy, master. It matters nothing, whatever the colour of the hair,
so long as life is there," answered Ali, in reassuring tones. "But let
me proceed. Had I dared to do so, I would have signed to the prisoner
and endeavoured to meet him in some out-of-the-way spot, but I saw that
such an act would have been madness, for as he approached, I noticed
first one, and then a second, armed warrior lounging amidst the throng,
but keeping a careful eye all the while upon their charge. Even when my
eyes and the prisoner's met, I could do nothing but turn hastily away
and gaze at the passers-by on the opposite side. Then, little by little,
I moved in the direction taken by your father, hoping to discover the
house in which he dwelt, and have speech with him. But the attempt was
doomed to disappointment in the last respect, for his guards kept ever
at his side. However, I had the good fortune to find where he slept. It
is that tumble-down dwelling which stands behind the central one from
which the flag hangs, and some few paces away from it. See! There it is!
And before the door is an armed Somali warrior keeping watch upon the
prisoner."
Rising to his knees, Ali leant one hand upon the ground and with the
other directed Jim's eyes to the house of which he had spoken.
"Behind the big one, and with a man in front of the door," remarked the
latter, with his eyes glued to the glasses. "Yes, I can see it, Ali, and
feel sure that I can make my way to it in the dark. But go on with your
story."
"Half an hour passed without my seeing the prisoner again," said Ali,
sinking into the grass once more, "so I crept away, and rejoined the
people. Then, just as I was about to make my way back to you, I
suddenly caught sight of a face which set me trembling. My knees knocked
together in my terror, and had I not clung to the post of a doorway
which stood near at hand, I should have fallen, for never before has
death been so near to me."
He turned to Jim with flashing eyes, and with cheeks which looked pale
in spite of his dusky complexion. Indeed, glancing at his features, it
was easy to see that his fear was great, and that the face which he had
caught sight of had caused him no little uneasiness.
"I should have fallen," he repeated, "but the doorpost held me up while
this man passed. Then I turned upon my heel, and slipping from the
village, fled hither for my life."
"Who can it have been? Speak, man!" demanded Jim impatiently, bewildered
at his follower's words. "A strange face? Why! It cannot have been----"
"Yes, master, it was the traitor who led the tribesmen against us,"
gasped Ali. "Of a sudden I saw him coming towards me, and I trembled
lest he should recognize me; for, had he done so, that instant would
have been the signal for my death, and with my life would have gone all
your hopes, too. Our danger is now greater than ever before, and it
seems to me that we should be foolish to remain any longer."
"And why?" demanded Jim curtly, a look of determination coming over his
face. "You are unmanned by this incident and your imagination. What if
the traitor is in the Mullah's village? Is it likely that he suspects
that we are close at hand? No! I tell you he is chuckling at the thought
that we are with our friends, and that the followers of the Mullah are
about to attack us. Pull yourself together, Ali, and be a man! Or, if
you cannot, leave me to carry out the rescue alone, for I declare that I
will not retire. To-night I shall go down to that hut and endeavour to
rescue the prisoner. If it is impossible, I shall wait for another
opportunity; but turn my face the other way and leave father to his fate
I will not, not even if our presence here is discovered."
He spoke the words almost fiercely, and turned upon his follower with
flushed features and angry eye.
"Well, what is it to be?" he demanded curtly. "There are the camels
below. Take one, and fly at once, if you will, for I had rather that you
did not stay if you are not ready to stand by me."
"Master, I was a coward for the moment," answered Ali humbly. "The sight
of that traitor and my narrow escape filled me with fear, and I returned
to you feeling as though the Somali warriors were following closely upon
me, shouting for my life. But you are brave, and help me to act rightly
in this matter. Forgive me. I will stand by you, whatever the danger,
and if you persist in going into the Mullah's village to-night in the
hope of releasing the captive, I will follow you at a distance and await
you with the camels. If, by chance, you are unsuccessful, and fall into
the hands of these people, I swear that I will not leave this part till
I have done my utmost to help you. Go, then, and may God aid you in your
undertaking!"
There was no doubt of his earnestness, for, rising to his knees once
more, he extended his hand and grasped Jim's firmly, looking steadily
into his eyes.
"You are a man again, and will be true to your word," said Jim simply.
"Now bring up the food and water, for at sundown I shall leave for the
Mullah's camp."