DOCTOR AND PATIENT.
The bright wits of Miss Marlowe were active. Mustad took the lead
along the path, she following next, while Almos, the leader of the
Ghoojurs, and his three companions, brought up the rear. Like most of
the trails through the Asiatic jungles, this was inclosed on each side
by a growth of trees, undergrowth and matted vegetation of such density
that it was next to impossible for any one to pick his way forward or
backward except by keeping within the path itself. To step aside into
the jungle would immediately involve one in so inextricable a tangle
that he could move only with the greatest difficulty.
An attempt to escape, therefore, by darting to one side was not to be
thought of, and she knew that her only hope lay with her absent
friends. She was confident that they would speedily return, and,
finding her gone, start in immediate pursuit. A collision between them
and the Ghoojurs was imminent.
The latter acted as if their only interest lay in their prisoner. So
far as she could judge no attention was paid to the rear, whence the
danger of attack threatened. The place of Mustad, at the head,
confirmed her suspicion that he had been playing the part of guide for
the rest from the first.
She did not doubt that her home and its contents had been burned by the
wretches, but under the circumstances the matter gave her little
concern. She was inclined to believe that her captors meant to conduct
her into the town of Akwar, nearby, and with her knowledge of the
fanatical hatred of the population against all Christians she still
hoped to find some friends there who would protect her from harm. And
thus it was that she was not in the state of collapse or despair that
might be supposed.
Suddenly a pistol was fired from some point at the rear beyond her
captors, and out of sight. All the men instantly stopped, grasped
their arms and looked back, the young woman doing the same. Her
thought was: "That was father or Jack, but he did not hit any one;
therefore, it wasn't Jack."
While the six were looking expectantly to the rear Dr. Marlowe, his
face flushed, and his whole appearance, showing his intense excitement,
came into sight. He was panting from his severe exertion, and raised
his hand as a signal for the Ghoojurs to wait for him. It is probable
that he would have received a shot, but for an interruption that was as
unexpected as it was remarkable. Almos, the leader of the Ghoojurs,
emitted a yell that could have been heard a half-mile away, and leaped
several feet in the air, while his companions with exclamations of
terror hastily recoiled from him.
"Great Allah! He has been bitten!" exclaimed the horrified Mustad,
almost knocking the young woman off her feet in his rush towards his
master; but one of the others had perceived the monstrous cobra, and,
clubbing his gun, he beat the life out of it with one blow, before it
could glide away into the jungle. It looked as if this part of the
country was specially pestered by the dreadful reptiles.
Almos knew he was doomed. All hope had vanished, and, dropping to the
ground, he bared his bronzed ankle, looked at the tiny points where the
horrible poison had been injected into his system, and then, like the
fatalist be was, he calmly folded his arms and waited for the last
moment that was rushing upon him. He was a faithful follower of the
Prophet and knew how to meet the inevitable that awaits us all. His
companions, awed and silent, stood around, unable to say or do anything
that could give him comfort. Miss Marlowe, after walking part way to
the group, paused and looked at them and at her father, who was
hurrying to the spot. She wondered that Almos had permitted the
killing of the cobra, since the snake is looked upon as sacred in
India, and few natives can be induced to injure one. The Ghoojurs
probably slew it in the flurry of the moment.
Dr. Marlowe had heard the cry and noted the excitement, but did not
suspect the cause until he drew near the spot. Then Mustad, familiar
with the skill of the medical man, beckoned to him and said:
"Make haste, great sahib, Almos has been bitten by a snake; no one can
save him but you."
The stricken chief, from his seat on the ground, looked up in the face
of the white man, of whose wonderful skill he had received proof in his
own self. The countenance of the Ghoojur was of ashen hue, and the
yearning expression of his eyes told of the hope that had been kindled
within his breast.
Now that the physician had dropped into what may be called his
professional character, he was himself again. He set down the caba
containing his instruments, and medicaments, adjusted his glasses, and
stooping over, intently studied the wound made by the cobra. Then he
drew out his watch, as if he were timing the pulse beats of a patient.
"It is one minute and a half since you were bitten," he said, still
holding the timepiece in his hand, but looking into the face of Almos;
"in three more minutes and a half no power but Allah can save you."
Catching the full meaning of these words, the Ghoojur leader quivered
with suddenly renewed hope.
"Can you save me?" he asked in Hindustani.
"I have in there," replied the physician, tapping his caba with his
long forefinger, "that which will render the bite of the snake as
harmless as the peck of a bird that flies in the air, but barely three
minutes remain in which to apply it."
"Then I beseech you, do not wait," said the eager Almos, shoving his
foot towards the doctor; "great is the English doctor; be quick; why do
you tarry?"
"Before I heal you," replied Dr. Marlowe, with maddening deliberation,
"I must be paid my fee; I have attended you before and refused to
accept what you offered, but now I demand payment before applying the
remedy."
"You shall have it; name it, I beg you; all that I have shall be yours
if you will save me, but haste, O great physician, haste!"
"It is strong, and will do its work well, if it be given the chance."
He next drew out a lancet, with its edge like a razor's. Almos
breathlessly watched him, but when he expected the doctor to begin
work, he leaned back and said:
"Why should I bring you back from death, when you are seeking the lives
of my daughter and myself? The best thing I can do is to let you die,
as you will do in two minutes and a half more," he added, looking again
at his watch; "the venom of the cobra works fast and it will soon
strike your heart."
"You promised to save me if I would pay you in advance.
"So I will."
"Name your fee; be quick with it!"
"It is that you and the rest of the Ghoojurs shall leave me and mine
alone; that you shall depart at once; that you shall not attempt to
follow, nor harm us in any way. Without that pledge on your part, I
shall let you die like the dog that you are. What is your answer?"
"I promise; I promise!" exclaimed Almos, almost beside himself with
excitement and renewed hope. "I will guide you through the jungle to a
safe point, and will watch over you till all danger is gone."
"You have given me your promise, but you may break it; swear by the
mantle of the Prophet, or I shall let you die."
"I swear by the mantle of the Prophet!" the Ghoojur chieftain fairly
shrieked, "that I will do as I have promised! Quick, quick, or it will
be too late!"
"You have made the most sacred vow that a Mussulman can make; I will
test it by saving your life."