A CLOSE SHAVE.
A brief pause, then the gates swung on creaking hinges, and the caravan
filed in between the dingy walls that had reared themselves for
centuries from the summit of that hill.
For an instant a hush of curiosity fell on the multitude within, as the
caravan appeared; but as the Arab leader suddenly trailed in the dust
the English flag that had once floated from the fortifications of Zaila
a great shout arose, so that the very air seemed to tremble, and the
people pressed tumultuously on the caravan from all sides.
"Zaila has fallen! Zaila has fallen!" they cried, and with wild joy they
beat their arms in the air, while those in the rear sought the
house-tops, so as better to see the new arrivals.
In the first excitement Guy and Melton had escaped notice, but now they
were suddenly espied, and the sight of the two hated Englishmen roused
the passions to the highest pitch of ferocity. The foreigners' presence
in the town was a sacrilege, an insult, and with threats and angry cries
the mob surged round the group. At last, so great was the crush, the
camels were forced to halt.
"Kill the infidels! Kill the dogs of unbelievers!" howled the
multitude, and waxing more furious with every shout, they drew daggers
and knives and raised their spears.
The Arabs had quietly closed round Guy and Melton, forming with their
camels a protective circle, and this alone saved the Englishmen from
death. But every instant the situation was becoming more critical. The
mob grew bolder, and even tried to force the group apart in spite of the
protestations of the Arabs, who had begun to point their rifles
threateningly. Hundreds of savage faces glared unutterable hatred at the
two strangers, hundreds of wretches were thirsting for their blood, and,
finally roused to uncontrollable fury, the crowd swept impetuously
against the caravan from all sides.
The frightened camels pranced and reared, and the cordon of defense
suddenly broken, a dozen savages rushed on Guy and Melton. A long spear
pierced Forbes under the arm and down he went beneath the camels.
A burly wretch dashed at Guy with a dagger, but the Arab brought down
the butt of his rifle on the fellow's head just in time, as he dropped
like a log.
A man behind hurled his spear, but his aim was poor, and, instead of
striking Guy, it entered the poor camel's neck; the beast, plunging
madly forward, hurled Guy and the Arab to the ground.
This alone saved their lives. As Guy staggered to his feet, cries of
quite a different nature burst from the mob, and in fright and panic
they began to scatter in all directions. The rattle of musketry broke
out some distance ahead, and the Arabs, joining in eagerly, began to
empty their rifles into the fleeing mass.
The Englishmen were saved. A compact body of men in linen tunics and
leopard skin caps came sweeping forward. They were armed with rifles,
and as they ran they kept shooting into the struggling crowd which was
shrieking and groaning with agony.
In five minutes the place was deserted, and the stony ground was
literally covered with bodies. It was a terrible example of Rao Khan's
despotic rule.
Melton was lifted up, and to Guy's deep sorrow it was seen that he had
received an ugly thrust along the side, not of a serious nature, but
ragged and painful.
Two of the Emir's troopers, for such they proved to be, carried him, for
he was unable to walk or ride.
Guy and the Arab mounted a fresh camel, first putting the wounded animal
out of his misery, and then, preceded by the Emir's guard, the caravan
resumed its march up the street.
The first sight of Harar was novel and interesting. Before them was a
long avenue, fully a mile in length, at the extreme end of which could
be dimly seen the northern wall of the town. This avenue was like a
barren mountain road, strewn with rubbish and heaps of rocks, and the
dwellings, which rose on all sides to the height of two stories, were,
many of them, constructed of sandstone and granite, cemented with a
reddish clay. They were impressively gloomy and dingy.
The terrible scene just enacted had terrorized the people. Many Arabs
came flocking across the streets and exchanged greetings with the
newcomers, but very few Somalis or Gallas were to be seen. The sight of
the Emir's guard seemed to have stricken the town like a palsy. The
shops and booths were closed and deserted. The curtains of the houses
were closely drawn; here and there at the doors lay goods that had been
dropped in the sudden panic, and at one place a man lay dead across the
threshold, still clutching in his stiffened fingers a bunch of brightly
colored rugs.
But now the scene became animated and lively; people flocked out from
their houses, among them many women, whom Guy regarded curiously, for
they seemed to be of quite a different type from the men, and passably
good-looking. They made no demonstration, however, but very quietly
followed the caravan.
The center of the town was now close at hand, and a short distance
ahead, on the left-hand side, rose a more imposing abode than those
around it. It was built of granite, and above the flat roof rose a
square tower with circular windows. It boasted a spacious courtyard,
inclosed by a low stone parapet, and within this space were a dozen
armed guards, clad in leopard skin caps, and bearing brightly polished
rifles.
It was the palace of the Emir. As the caravan drew up to the gates the
escort sounded a blast of trumpets, and almost immediately the doors
were opened and a grave and dignified Arab came slowly out.
He spoke a few words to the leader of the caravan, who dismounted at
once, and bidding Guy follow him, entered the courtyard. Close behind
him came Melton, borne by the soldiers.
Passing between the guard, they entered a narrow vestibule hung with
rich curtains, and in a moment more were ushered into the dreaded
presence of Rao Kahn.
The Emir was seated on a low dais at the further side of a spacious
apartment. The first glance struck terror to Guy's heart. Rao Khan was
a short, thickset man, with a round, smooth face. His eyes were sunken
deeply under the forehead, and the expression of his face was a strange
blending of brutality, avarice, and treachery. He was simply clad in
white linen, with a great sword at his side, and on his head was a
leopard skin cap, so constructed that the tail of the leopard hung down
his back.
Before him squatted four solemn-faced Arabs. The floor was spread with
rugs and the skins of various animals, and on the heavily curtained
walls hung a dazzling array of every description, bronze and copper
shields, and strips of oddly-woven tapestry. At sight of the English
flag which the Arab now produced, the Emir's eyes sparkled, his face lit
up with fiendish joy, and he began to talk wildly in a strange tongue.
The Arab replied, giving him no doubt an account of the insurrection,
for the names Berbera, Zaila, and Makar Makalo were frequently
mentioned.
Guy, from his position at Melton's side, who had been placed on a soft
lion skin, watched the strange scene with wonder. He was more worried at
present about Melton than anything else. The spear wound had not yet
been dressed, and the poor fellow was in too much pain even to talk.
At last the Arab turned round, and, pointing to the Englishmen, spoke in
a low tone to the Emir, who half rose from his seat and looked sharply
at the captives.
Guy met his gaze calmly and steadily. In a moment the suspense would be
over, and their fate would be decided one way or the other.