For the moment the airship was forgotten. The whole ship's company
flocked to the foredeck and formed a group around the prostrate form of
Timothy Ball. Tom was already on his knees beside the man, putting in
practice the principles of first aid, and receiving unexpected
assistance from M'Cracken, who showed remarkable adeptness.
"How did it _happen_?" cried Mr. Greatorex, supposing that his man's
plight was due to some accident.
"The Jew!" said Timothy, faintly.
"The villain! Bring him _here_, some one."
"He ain't here, sir; went over the side. It wasn't him that stabbed me;
it was a Moor that came up out of a boat and helped the Jew to get away.
Never mind me, sir; I'm all right."
Mr. Greatorex fumed.
"This puts a _stop_ to it, Tom. It's a villainous business, and we'll go
straight back home."
Tom made no reply. He was completing the adjustment of a tourniquet.
"And we've no doctor on board!" Mr. Greatorex went on. "We'll run back
to Gibraltar and get assistance. Can't let the poor fellow bleed to
_death_, you know."
"He'll no bleed to death," said M'Cracken huskily. "It's just a wee
flesh wound. He'll be a' richt in a twa-three days."
"Glad to hear it."
"The question is, who shall I take with me now?" said Tom, rising to his
feet and ignoring Mr. Greatorex's expressed determination to go home.
"The sooner I'm off the better, for that rascally Jew will tell all he
knows about the airship, and the Moors will be on their guard."
"But we're going _home_, Tom."
"Surely you won't let our enterprise be ruined by a rogue!" replied Tom.
"There's all the more reason for going on with it."
"Gad, you're right," cried Mr. Greatorex, veering round again. "We'll do
it in the _teeth_ of them. But you'll want some one with you in place of
Tim. If I were twenty years younger I'd go myself. You want a man who
knows _something_ about engines. Can't spare _you_, Mumford, I'm
afraid."
"No, sir," replied the engineer, "and I'm rather heavy. But there's
young M'Cracken; he's a light weight; an uncommonly handy fellow too,
and judging from some remarks of his when we've been watching the
airship, he knows something about 'em; seems to have read a good deal. I
can do without him for a day or two, especially if we lie at anchor
here."
"Ah! Yes! Where _is_ he? He was here a few seconds ago."
M'Cracken was haled from below. He appeared even more grimy than ever.
"Look here, M'Cracken," said Mr. Greatorex. "Mr. Dorrell wants some one
to _help_ him, and Mr. Mumford suggests you: speaks _well_ of you, you
know. You've never been on an airship, of course; but all you've to do
is to keep _calm_, and do _exactly_ as you are told. You're not
_afraid_--no _nerves_, oh?"
"No, sir."
"You're very hoarse still. It will do you _good_, you know, to be away
from that furnace for a day or two. Well, you'd better get a wash."
"No time for that," said Tom quickly. "It's past ten o'clock, and we
ought to have started long ago."
"Very well. You're not going _visiting_, to be sure. Well, M'Cracken, go
and put on your reefer; the night's cold, and will be colder."
"Ay, ay, sir," returned M'Cracken, and dived with alacrity below. He was
back in less than a minute. Then Tom entered the car of the airship,
followed by Abdul and the stoker. With one hand on the steering wheel
and the other on the lever controlling the engines, he called to the men
to cast loose the ropes securing the car to the deck. Then he started
the ascensional screw, and with a whirr like that of a gigantic
humming-top the airship rose slowly from the yacht's deck.
"Good-bye, Tom," shouted Mr. Greatorex. "Be _careful_, my boy; run no
risks."
"Good-bye! Good-bye!"
"This is ripping," said the stoker, as the machine rose higher and
higher into the air.
Tom started so violently that he unconsciously jerked back the lever and
stopped the motion of the machine.
"Pull that lever, quick!" he called.
"Done it already," said the stoker, with his hand on the lever that
adjusted the planes. "Lucky I've been up before, Dorrell."
"Good heavens, you're--yes, you're Oliphant. Whew! won't the old man be
in a tantrum. How in the world did you disguise yourself?"
"Sammy Byles' clothes, a little lampblack, and my native brogue do make
a difference, don't they! I'm afraid Mr. Greatorex _will_ be a trifle
fizzy; but that won't matter, afterwards."
"I'm not sure I oughtn't to go back and drop you."
"Nonsense. I'm in for it now, and when you come to think of it you
couldn't have a better man. Bar Timothy, nobody knows so much about the
machine as I do; and I warrant I'm a better hand in a scrimmage, whether
with fists or revolvers. I've brought my Colt."
It was some time before Tom recovered from his surprise; but for the
moment his attention was occupied by the airship. At last he said--
"Well, Oliphant, I'm glad enough to have you with me. I hope we shall
come through all right."
While speaking, he had stopped the ascensional screws and set the
horizontal going. A small aneroid hung just above his head, lit by a
carefully screened electric lamp. The reading indicated that the airship
had risen to a height of five hundred metres. Maintaining the ascent
solely by the inclination of the planes, Tom brought the whole force of
the engines to bear on the horizontal screws, and the machine glided
onwards at a speed of some twenty miles an hour, gradually rising as she
went. Then, at the altitude of a thousand metres, when Tom judged that
he was high enough to clear the tops of the hills that fringed the
coast, Oliphant reduced the angle of the planes so that it was just
sufficient to maintain a constant height at the increased speed of
twenty-five miles.
"By Jove, this _is_ ripping!" cried Oliphant again.
It was a bright starlit night, without a breath of wind. At this
altitude the air was crisp and keen, producing a sense of exhilaration
in the occupants of the car. Even Abdul, who had quaked inwardly and
clutched the rail when the machine rose to such a giddy height, had now
lost his tremors, and looked around him with wonderment and delight. The
ship was soaring over the land, which lay outstretched like a vast black
floor three-quarters of a mile beneath. Behind, the lights of the yacht
could be faintly distinguished; before, there was not a glimmer over the
whole country. The airship crossed a peak or two, then sailed over a
rolling plain; by and by more hills loomed black in front. The aneroid,
an extremely delicate instrument, now indicated that the machine was
slowly sinking. Oliphant again adjusted the planes; the airship passed
clear of the hills, and Tom steered as directly as he could guess for
the spot he had marked on his map.
When the voyage had lasted for about an hour the rising moon threw more
light on the scene, lending a weird beauty to the variegated
landscape--bare rugged hills alternating with wooded slopes and dark
valleys. But it was impossible, at the height at which they were
sailing, to distinguish any landmarks; Abdul knew the country
thoroughly, but was quite at a loss in this unfamiliar situation. He had
told Tom that the fastness where the diplomatist was probably held
captive stood on the top of an extremely steep hill, and explained that
the most convenient spot from which to approach it was a small tableland
about a sixth of a day's journey from it. This was Tom's objective; but
as it was impossible to make sure of reaching it unless Abdul could
obtain some guidance from prominent natural features, Tom more than once
allowed the airship to sink almost to the ground, so that the Moor might
scan the country.
On one of these occasions, about four hours after they had left the
yacht, Abdul said that he recognized a hill stream whose source was
within a short distance of the sheikh's stronghold. From the directions
he was now able to give, Tom managed to steer fairly straight for the
tableland, and after once more descending so that Abdul might assure
himself that he had not been mistaken, he finally brought the airship to
rest at the desired spot. It was past three o'clock in the morning; the
sky was already lightening with what Abdul called subhi kázib--the false
dawn which often in these latitudes illumines the sky an hour or so
before the real dawn. The three adventurers were all very tired, and on
Abdul explaining that the tableland was but rarely visited, and that so
far as he knew there were no wild beasts in the neighbourhood, Tom
thought that they might all safely take a few hours' sleep before
considering the next move. The tableland was not entirely flat; it had
many depressions, and jagged rocks stood up on all sides around the
comparatively clear space on which the airship rested. Only one hill,
and that apparently four or five miles distant, stood higher, and even
the hawk-like vision of the mountaineers was not likely to discover the
airship from so remote a spot.
The real dawn--subhi sadik--was some little while past when the Moor
awoke, first of the three. He had just completed his morning devotions
and ablutions at a little spring when the others roused themselves.
Among the contents of the car were a spirit lamp, a tin of condensed
milk, and materials for making tea; and while they ate their breakfast
Tom discussed with Oliphant the programme for the day.
"The first thing is to find out exactly where Ingleton is imprisoned,"
said Tom, "and what chance there is of getting into communication with
him. That's a job for Abdul; obviously we can't help him; we can't do
better than lie snug here while he goes and gets what information he
can."
"A pretty dangerous job for him if he's caught, isn't it?"
"Well, it's a good many years since he left these parts, and he must
have altered. I doubt whether he'll be recognized. Luckily the hills are
covered with mist, too; if he starts soon he'll be able to get a good
way before he's likely to run across any of his countrymen."
"Or lose himself?"
"No, master," said Abdul, "I don't not lose myself. I go all right."
"The sooner the better, then," said Tom. "We'll wait for you here."
The Moor, who had resumed his native dress, at once girt his djellab
about him and prepared to descend the hillside. Tom and Oliphant watched
him breathlessly until the mist hid him from view. He went over the brow
of the hill and began to clamber down its steep side with the agility
and sure-footedness of a mountain goat. When he was out of sight the
others returned to their half-finished breakfast, ready to endure with
what patience they might the long waiting until the Moor should have
completed his errand.
"What if he doesn't come back?" said Oliphant.
"We shall have to risk it ourselves. I'm certainly not going back
without making the attempt now that we have come so far. It's pretty
cold up here; I shall be glad when the sun sucks up this mist."
When the mist at last cleared away, a magnificent view spread out before
the two watchers on the hill-top. They themselves were perched on the
top of a practically bare rock, but a hundred feet below them the hill
side was covered with forest, broken, however, with huge patches of
rocky ground, on which apparently not even the hardiest tree could find
a lodgment. For miles around, the country showed a succession of
tree-clad hills, with here and there a waterfall, and here and there a
bare summit, not, however, truncated like the hill on which they had
landed. Far away to the north-west they could descry, through their
field-glasses, a considerable walled village perched on the shoulder of
a hill, with one or two large buildings, one presumably a mosque, and a
second evidently the stronghold of the sheikh. This no doubt was the
place in which they were interested. It lay in the direction generally
indicated by the Moor, although when he started it was hidden by the
mists.
The hours dragged all too slowly by. They talked over the situation,
occasionally getting up to stretch their limbs, but not venturing to
move about much, lest they should be seen by any chance shepherd or
hunter. On the plain below they caught sight of animals moving, and
longed to take a shot at them--now a gazelle, now a wild hog. But to fire
a shot was out of the question, and they had to content themselves with
exchanging reminiscences of sport at home.
Darkness fell again. Abdul had not returned. Each spent a restless
night, and rose with the dawn, eagerly scanning the country, as soon as
the mist was dispersed, for a sign of their emissary, but in vain.
"I hope he hasn't been collared," said Tom.
"Or turned traitor!"
"He wouldn't do that, I'm sure. I like the fellow. Of course you read a
lot about oriental duplicity, but I don't believe Abdul is a rogue.
Anyway, we should have time to get away in the airship before any one
could molest us here, and he knows that. For the life of me I don't know
what we can do if he _has_ been collared. We can't do a thing until we
know where Ingleton is; we certainly can't go inquiring ourselves. All
we can do is to go back to the yacht and try and pick up some
English-speaking native who can tell us what we want to know, and that
means loss of time."
"And more than that; it would mean that I'd have to turn into M'Cracken
again, and I don't believe I could keep up the disguise any longer. I
say, what's that moving down there?"
They seized their field-glasses and turned them towards a patch moving
along the outskirts of a wood some miles away.
"Moors, by Jove!" exclaimed Oliphant. "And mounted. And coming this way.
It looks as though Abdul had betrayed us, after all."
"Don't be in a hurry. They're making no attempt to mask their approach.
I don't believe they're coming here at all. No; see, they are wheeling
off to the right, in the direction of the hill village yonder. We
needn't worry ourselves. But I'm getting sick of this, and it'll be
serious soon. I only brought three days' grub in the car, and I'm afraid
we ate more than we ought yesterday. That's the worst of having nothing
to do."
"It's so plaguy hot, too, when the sun's up. For two pins I'd go down
and have a shot at something in the woods. No doubt it's cooler down
there, and there's no fun in lying about up here to frizzle."
"There'd certainly be no fun in being pitched into a Moorish dungeon. By
all accounts they're rather horrible. I think I'd rather frizzle here
than stew there. In any case, even supposing the Moors didn't find out
who was firing, the shots would put them on their guard and perhaps
spoil our game. I say, Oliphant, reel off some of your stories."
But even Oliphant's stories in the Doric palled, and by and by Tom got
up and said that he was going for a stroll. He was away for nearly an
hour, and Oliphant began to feel uneasy at his prolonged absence.
Oliphant dared not call, for fear of being overheard by an enemy; nor
did he care to explore. But he was making up his mind to follow Tom down
the steep path when the wanderer at last returned.
"Rather interesting spot, this," he said. "Round the corner below there
I came upon some caves."
"I wondered what had become of you. Did you get lost?"
"No. The odd thing is that these caves are up about twenty feet from a
ridge of rock, and can't be got at without a ladder. I tried to mount,
but the wall is almost flat."
"I'll go and have a look. How do you get there?"
"Down the hill a little way, turn to the right, go along the ridge, and
look up. The caves are about halfway between the ridge and the top of
the hill."
Oliphant followed these directions, and by and by returned, with his
trousers cut in several places.
"I tried to climb up," he explained, "but couldn't manage it. I think it
could be done, though, with practice."
"Which we haven't time for."
The discovery of the caves had occupied some little time, and furnished
material for speculation and talk that helped to relieve the tedium of
waiting. But their patience had well nigh given out when night once more
descended and still Abdul had not returned. The two were eating their
supper in moody silence when they heard suddenly the sound of a stone
rattling down the hillside. They seized their revolvers and sprang up,
waiting for another sound. Clearly some one, man or animal, was climbing
the hill. All was again silent; then, from some point beyond them, came
the sound of a high-pitched voice.
"It's Abdul. Thank goodness!" cried Oliphant, with a laugh. "Come on,
you laggard, and give an account of yourself."
"You have been a long time, Abdul," said Tom, as that young Moor came
through the darkness.
"True, master; but it is with us a saying, 'Every delay is good.'"
"Well, come and have something to eat. You're pretty tired and hungry,
no doubt. Then you can tell us what you have done."
But Abdul declined the food offered him, and producing a wallet from
beneath his djellab, displayed a heap of dates. He related that he had
made his way safely into the village, but as he went through the street
towards the house of Hamet Ali--a friend on whose discretion he could
rely--he fancied from the manner of an old water-carrier that the man had
recognized him. He contrived to slip away among a company of muleteers
that happened to be passing, and reached his friend's house unmolested;
but shortly afterwards he learnt from this friend that the water-carrier
had mentioned his suspicions, and that inquiries were being diligently
made for him through the village. Every exit was watched; and his friend
was in some anxiety lest an emissary of the sheikh should come and
search the house. Hamet, however, was an old enemy of the sheikh,
though, with true oriental dissimulation, he had hitherto managed to
hide the fact. He agreed to give Abdul shelter so long as it was safe to
do so, but impressed upon him that he must not venture to show himself
out of doors.
He then inquired what had brought Abdul to the village, and the boy
thought it advisable to confide in him, taking care to heighten the
mystery of the wonderful ship that sailed through the air, and to
promise, on the Englishmen's behalf, liberal bakshish to Hamet if he
lent all possible assistance to the enterprise. He wished his friend to
send a messenger to Tom, but this Hamet refused to do, for the results
to himself, if the messenger were followed and caught, might be
disastrous.
On the morning of the same day, when Hamet returned from his usual visit
to the sôk, he reported that a camel-driver had arrived, bearing a
message from a Jew of Rabat, Salathiel ben Ezra by name, who proposed to
come in person to see the sheikh, and had sent a swift rider in advance
to request a safe-conduct. The Jews are tolerated, scorned, made to do
menial work, in the ports; in remote districts of Morocco they carry
their lives in their hands. But the message conveyed to the sheikh had
been such that Salathiel's request was granted, and a dozen men had been
sent on horseback towards the coast as an escort. Hearing this, Abdul
decided that at all costs he must return to his employer. Under cover of
the night he had contrived to slip away from the village, and had come
back by a circuitous route so as to make sure of not being intercepted.
"But what of the prisoner?" asked Tom. "Did you learn anything of him?"
"Yes, master. He is in the sheikh's kasbah."
"What is kasbah?"
"Strong place, master; thick walls; a very bad prison."
"We are on the right track, Oliphant," said Tom.
"It looks bad, though. Ingleton will be pretty well guarded, you may be
sure; and I don't for the life of me see how we can break into a strong
place and get him out."
"Unless we bribe his jailers. Could we get him away with bakshish,
Abdul?"
"No, master. The sheikh would cut hands and feet off, put eyes out, and
more."
"Evidently we've got our work cut out, Oliphant. And you may depend upon
it our friend Salathiel has somehow found out our errand and is coming
to warn the sheikh. I remember now that I saw him talking to one of the
Moors who came aboard the yacht."
"That explains it."
"How long will it take him to get here, Abdul?"
"Two three days, master."
"We must be beforehand with him, then. Are you prepared for short
rations, Oliphant? Our grub won't last more than another day."
"Plenty dates and figs in woods, master," said Abdul.
"We shan't starve, then. Let's have a good sleep, Oliphant. We shall
want all our strength for this job."
"We shall indeed. Poor old pater! Wouldn't he have the blues if he knew
where I am!"