My transition had been remarkable; the sight that met my eyes was,
indeed, sufficient to cause breathless wonderment.
What time had elapsed since, in the darkness of night, I had fallen
senseless beneath the palms of the oasis of Sabo-n-Gari, or by what
means I had been rescued from the tortures of a lingering death by fever
and thirst, I knew not. I had lapsed into unconsciousness at a moment
when the last of my brave comrades had been slain, only to awaken and
find myself stretched on a divan in a spacious apartment, the walls of
which were richly hung with rose-coloured silk. The marble floor was
half hidden by the profusion of rugs of beautifully blended hues, while
around, near the arched roof, verses and good counsels from the Koran
were written in Arabic characters, in long lean letters of gold. There
were many dainty coffee-stools of inlaid silver and pearl, and a number
of soft divans of gold-coloured silk. The place was windowless, but the
sunlight, apparently reflected and intensified by mirrors, was admitted
from the roof, and so directed that it fell in a golden bar across my
face, presumably for the purpose of bringing me back to consciousness.
At one end of this brilliant apartment was a door with horse-shoe arch,
like all the others, leading to a little retreat, the gloom of which
was, to me, impenetrable. In a corner, close to me, was a great gold
perfuming-pan from which rose sweet odours in a column of thin blue
smoke, while two gilded derboukas and a pair of slippers, cast aside
upon one of the larger mats, showed that the occupants had indulged in
those terpsichorean exercises in which Eastern women delight.
Almost before I could realise the luxury of my surroundings, a soft,
cool hand was laid upon my fevered brow, and, turning my head with
difficulty, I suddenly beheld a vision of wondrous beauty. Over me
there bent a fair face, so perfect in feature that I became entranced.
The eyes, dark and large, expressive of the soul that lay behind, held
me in fascination, and I gazed, tongue-tied, in amazement.
She was young, not more than twenty, with a countenance white as those
of the Englishwomen who come to Algiers at Ramadan; soft brown eyes
denoting the mildest, tenderest nature, and a mouth sweetly pursed like
the bud of a rose. Tendrils of soft, brown, wavy hair strayed across a
fair forehead, hung heavily with strings of golden sequins, the centre
of which was formed by a great oval pearl surrounded by diamonds, the
finest my eyes had ever beheld, and in her ears were large,
delicately-chased rings of gold. Her dress was the gorgeous costume of
the harem: the tiny skullcap thickly embroidered with gold and seed
pearls, set jauntily upon her head, the zouave of palest amaranth
velvet, similarly embroidered, worn over a gauzy, low-necked vest, and
the flimsy _serroual_ or trousers of pale pink China silk. Her white,
delicately-moulded arms were bare, adorned by heavy _mesais_ of gold and
jingling bangles set with gems, while her feet, likewise uncovered, were
thrust into dainty little embroidered slippers of pale green velvet, her
_redeefs_ being composed of single bands of curiously worked gold set
with beautiful jacinths. Her necklets, of which she wore fully a dozen,
were of various patterns, several being composed of strings of golden
coins, or discs of gold thickly encrusted with rubies and turquoises,
her oval perfume bottle, suspended at her breast, being conspicuous on
account of the top being formed of a single emerald, while the diamonds
set in the ornament itself were of amazing lustre.
My mouth was parched, but she knelt beside me, and supporting me with
her left arm, with her right held a goblet to my lips.
How it came about I never knew, but before the draught was finished a
change passed over me. Whether it was her soft touch, her strange and
fawnlike loveliness, or the tender pity in her eyes matters not, the
issue was the same; she struck some chord in my turbulent nature, and in
a moment it was filled full with passion for her. I did not for a
moment mistake the significance of the flood of feeling that surged
through my veins. I have never shirked facts.
"I thank thee," I said; "thine hand is kind."
As she smiled upon me, moving slightly, her sequins tinkled, and the ray
of sunlight, streaming full upon her, caused her jewels to flash and
gleam with a thousand iridescent fires, producing an effect that was
dazzling.
Opening her lips she displayed an even set of beautiful pearly teeth, as
she exclaimed, in the soft speech of my mother tongue,--
"Peace, O stranger. May the blessing of the One, whose name be exalted,
rest eternally upon thee. Let not fear oppress thee; of a verity thou
art with friends."
"Mine eyes are bewildered, O One of Beauty, whose countenance is as the
glorious light of day, and whose eyes are brilliant as stars in the
desert. Upon thee be perfect peace and the fervent blessings of one who
hath approached near unto Certainty," I answered with difficulty. Then,
as I raised my hand and it came into contact with bandages about my
shoulder, I added "The darkness of unconsciousness hath long obscured my
mind, and I know not under whose roof I rest. Allah hath been gracious
unto me. Verily, He bestoweth abundant provision on such of His
servants as He pleaseth."
"Yea, O stranger," she answered, piously. "Everything shall perish
except Himself; unto Him belongeth judgment. Accursed be those who
struck thee down, for Allah, Gracious Bestower of abundant benefits,
knoweth both the secret malice which their breasts conceal and the open
hatred which they discover."
In a fit of renewed weakness, brought about by the turmoil of my blood,
I lay back upon the silken pillows watching her face. It almost seemed
as though something of what was passing in my mind communicated itself
to her.
"Knowest thou mine enemies?" I asked, raising myself, and, to my
astonishment, discovering, for the first time, that the loose garments I
wore were of finest silk, and that I was veiled and disguised as a
woman.
"I know that thou wouldst kill me," she answered briefly, with a curious
smile, standing before me with hands behind her back, a veritable houri.
"Kill thee! Why?"
"Because thou art a soldier of the great Khalifa of Omdurman, enemy of
my people, and Ruler of the Soudan."
"What name bearest thou?" I asked.
"I am called Azala Fathma."
"Daughter of whom?"
"Daughter of 'Othman, Sultan of Sokoto."
"Thou--Princess of Sokoto!" I gasped, struggling slowly and with
difficulty to my feet, scarcely believing my ears. "Where, then, have I
taken mine ease?"
"For three days past hast thou been concealed here, in the harem of
thine enemy," she answered, in low, placid tones, looking seriously at
me. Then, noticing the uneasy glance I cast in the direction of the
dark alcove beyond, she added quickly, "Let not apprehension fall upon
thee. To this my apartment none dares enter unbidden, therefore thou
art safe, even in the midst of those whom thou didst seek to destroy."
"Chastise me not with a scourge of words, O Daughter of the Sultan," I
said, apologetically. "Thy servant Zafar-Ben-A'Ziz, Arab of the Chawi,
horseman of the Khalifa, armeth not himself against those who give him
succour, nor seeketh he the overthrow of the city of thy father."
Leaning gracefully, with her back against the twisted column of polished
marble, inlaid with gold, supporting the arched roof, she clasped her
hands behind her handsome head and gazed at me. Then, half
reproachfully she said,--
"Whoso doth that which is right, doth it to the advantage of his own
soul; and whoso doth evil, doth it against the same: hereafter shall we
return unto Allah. Thou earnest with scouts to reconnoitre--perchance
to enter this our city singly or in company--so that on the advance of
the ruthless legions of thy Sultan thou mightest, by treachery, admit
them within our walls. But Allah, who hath placed the twelve signs in
the heavens, is merciful and knoweth the hearts of men. Thine
encampment was discovered and destroyed."
"How was my life spared?" I asked.
"I was present when thou wert forced to bite the dust," she explained.
"I had journeyed unto Katsena, where I had lingered one moon, and was
returning hither to Kano when my Tuareg guards, warned of thine
approach, watched thee by stealth, and in the darkness fell upon thee at
a moment when thou wert unprepared. On the rising of the sun I searched
the spot, and found that thou alone still lived. Secretly thou wert
attired in the haick belonging to one of my handmaidens, and by my
orders conveyed hither in a _jakfi_ on one of mine own camels. Still
dressed as a female slave thou wert able to pass the guards of the outer
courts and of the harem, to rest and recover on mine own divan."
"Then to thee, O Azala, Princess of Sokoto, whose beauty is peerless, I
owe my life," I answered, fervently. "Truly hast thou snatched me back
from the grave, even though I sought to assist in the sacking of this,
the palace of thy father, and in the holding of thy people in bondage.
Tell me, why shouldst thou interest thyself in my well-being?"
Hesitating, apparently confused at my question, Azala moved uneasily,
toying with the silken fringe of her broad girdle.
"Is it not written that we should bear no malice?" she answered, after a
pause. "Al-Sijil registereth our deeds."
"Wisdom falleth from thy lips," I said, smiling. "But hadst thou no
motive in bringing me into this thine apartment, even at the imminent
risk of detection and disgrace?"
"I am not compelled to answer thy question," she replied, with a forced
laugh. "Reason underlyeth most of our actions."
"And wilt thou not explain thy reason?"
"No. At present my lips must remain sealed," she answered calmly, her
bejewelled breast heaving and falling in a long-drawn sigh.
"Peradventure thou mayest learn my motive some day; then will thine eyes
open in astonishment, for thou wilt gain knowledge of things undreamed
of and behold marvels amazing."
"Thou speakest in enigmas. When may these secrets be revealed unto me?
Of what character are they?"
"Seek not to unloosen my tongue's strings, O mine enemy--"
"Nay, not enemy, friend, grateful and ever devoted," I interrupted.
"Then, if thou art my friend seek not to discover mine innermost
thoughts," she said, earnestly. "As the wicked are in Sajin, beneath
the seventh heaven, where dwelleth Eblis and his host, so assuredly will
those who seek to discover the hidden marvels without mine aid or
sanction taste of the bitter fruit of Al-Zakkum."
"But if thou givest unto me a pledge that thou wilt render explanation,
I will be content," I said.
"Not only will I, when the time is ripe, explain the strange secret unto
thee, but, likewise, shall I seek thine assistance in elucidating a
strange and incomprehensible mystery."
"I am thine to command," I answered gallantly, taking her slim, white
hand in mine. "When thou desireth me to serve thee, O Azala, thou wilt
find me ever ready, for to thee I owe my life; my future is in thine
hands."
"To seek the key of the hidden mystery, to vanquish the angel Malec who
hath charge of the gates of hell, will require a stout heart and lion's
courage," she said slowly, fixing her clear, wonderful eyes upon mine,
and allowing her soft bejewelled hand to linger for a second within my
grasp.
"When the day dawneth thou wilt not find me wanting in defiance of
danger, for, of a verity, I fear nothing with the beauteous daughter of
the Sultan 'Othman as my pole-star."
For a second a blush suffused her pale cheeks.
"As thou trusteth me, so also will I trust thee," she said, in deep
earnestness. "Even though my position is exalted as Princess of Sokoto;
even though I am surrounded by all that is beautiful, with many slaves
to do my bidding, yet unhappiness eateth like a canker-worm into my
heart."
"Wherefore art thou unhappy?" I asked, sympathetically.
"Ah! the reason none may know," she sighed. "Until I call upon thee to
render thine aid in seeking to discover things that are forbidden, thou
must necessarily remain in the outer darkness of ignorance. Here, in
the palace of my father, thou must remain in hiding until the time for
action cometh. Then will I show thee that which will fascinate and
astound thee."
"Thy words of mystery arouse curiosity within me," I said. "Canst thou
not reveal to me anything now?"
"Nothing. Save to tell thee that thou canst, if thou wilt, shield me
from a fate worse than death. A disaster, horrible and complete,
threateneth to overwhelm me, and thou alone canst prevent it."
"How?"
"By patience, silence, and passive obedience to my commands."
"I am thine," I said, as, entranced by her marvellous grace and beauty,
my arm slowly encircled her slim waist, begirt with dull gold and
flashing jewels. I strove to draw her to me, but without any violence
of movement, and with the most perfect dignity, she disengaged herself
from my embrace. Yet I held her to me and breathed into her ear words
of devotion. Then, as her beautiful head at last turned slowly toward
me, and her eyes, looking into mine, spoke mutely of reciprocated
affection, our lips met in a hot, passionate caress.
I was trembling upon the pinnacle of Al-Araf, that partition that
divides pleasure from misery, love from hatred, hell from paradise. She
was the proud and handsome daughter of the Sultan 'Othman, the woman,
the fame of whose exquisite beauty had long ago reached us even in
far-off Omdurman; I, a mere Dervish, without home or property, one of a
band paid by the all-powerful Khalifa to plunder, murder and destroy.
What words of tenderness I uttered I scarcely remember. The sensuous
fragrance, rising from the perfuming-pan, seemed to induce a sweet,
dreamy half-consciousness, but for the first time I experienced the
passion of love. I loved her with all the strength of my being, and the
only words that impressed themselves upon me in those moments of mad
infatuation were those uttered by the woman I adored,--
"Yea, O Zafar, I will place my trust in thee." Resting in my embrace,
her bright eyes betrayed her perfect happiness, and as I softly stroked
her silky hair and implanted a kiss upon her white, sequin-covered brow
she clung to me with her long bare arms clasped tightly around my neck
in an ecstasy of joy.
"Never will I forsake thee," I answered, fondly. "With the faithfulness
and obedience of a slave will I carry out thy commands, for thou art my
queen and I thy devoted bondman."
Tears dimmed her bright, clear eyes; tears of joy she vainly strove to
suppress.
"Truly to-day is the dawn of my life's happiness," she said, in a low
tone, full of emotion. "To-day Allah hath sent me a friend."
"And, on my part, I pledge myself unto thee with unswerving devotion," I
exclaimed, fervently. "In veiled words hast thou spoken of certain
solemn secrets. When thou explainest to me my task of elucidation,
assuredly wilt thou find me ready and eager to undertake it. In thine
hands thou holdest my future, for life or death."
"Upon those who seek to come between us may the wrath of the One Granter
of Requests fall like an avenging fire; may they find no patron nor
defender, nor may they rest beneath the shadow of the lote-tree," she
said. "It is written in the Book of Everlasting Will that Allah, who
knoweth all things, joineth man and woman with his bounteous blessing.
Therefore may the rose-grove of thy prosperity and good fortune be
increased daily in freshness and magnificence, and in what difficulty
thou mayest be placed, or into what evil thou mayest peradventure, fall,
bear in thy mind my declaration of love, and remember always that, even
though deserts of great space and rapid waters may separate us, I am
thine and thou art mine alone. I trust to thee to break asunder the
invisible bonds that fetter me unto misery."
"But surely we shall not be parted," I exclaimed, the mere suggestion
being intolerable.
"Neither sultans nor their kin are capable of ruling events," she said.
"Of what the future may have in store none knoweth but the sorceresses
and the wise women, who, alas! holdeth their knowledge to themselves."
"True, O Azala, my enchantress. In like manner wilt thou remember
always, if we part, that I shall be striving to return unto thee; that
the one object of my life henceforward is to break asunder the
mysterious fetters of thine unhappiness."
Our hands clasped. She looked straight into my eyes. Hers was no
dreamy nature. With her, to resolve was but a preliminary of to
execute. No physiognomist would need to have been told that this
beautiful woman, so quick in intelligence, so kind in manner, so buoyant
and joyous in disposition, was at the same time, in force of character
and determination, as firm as adamant.
"And thou wilt not fail to render me assistance in the hour of my need?"
she exclaimed.
"May Allah bear witness that I am prepared to strive towards the
elucidation of thy mystery while I have breath."