Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 146 No. 4 — page 39: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

DOWN THE COAST OF BARBARY. This amazing and unexpected meeting had overwhelmed him. He could realize how this quick-witted and desperate girl had seized one slim hope of escaping the harem; how she had worked upon the be- sotted and superstitious Hassan Bey until he feared her more than he desired her. “By Heavens, what a woman!” thought Spence. He turned as the Moor came toward him. “Well, senor, what think you of the bride I promised?” “I do not steal brides, Mulai Ali. I help her, because she is a woman. I desire no wife, however.” “You might do worse,” said the other. “T have arranged with that eunuch, her sole guard. He will leave her with us and accompany us into Morocco.” “Can you trust him?” The Moor smiled. “He would rather be chief eunuch of a Sultan’s harem than a slave in Arzew.” Spence studied the Moor. “You seem confident, my friend! Yet you have no army. Ripperda’s assassins are seeking you—”’ “ Allah rules all things; who would dis- pute the ways of God? If a thing is or- dained, it will come to pass. “ Besides,” added Mulai Ali dryly, “I am not without friends. Do you fear to accompany me, who go alone to seek a throne?” “ Fear?” Spence laughed, and put out his hand. “Luck be with you, and my aid!” “Good. You and the astrologer must leave here to-night and ride ahead. We follow in the morning—you must warn Dr. Shaw to be ready. Come and give your orders.”’ He led the way to the courtyard, sum- moned two of the Spahis, and ordered them to do as Spence commanded. The Ameri- can issued curt orders, which the Moor af- firmed with a nod. If the Spahis were surprised, they made no comment; their obedience to Mulai Ali was implicit. Spence fancied that they, too, looked forward to high commands in El Magrib when Mulai Ali won his venture. 509 “Tf you'll instruct that black eunuch what to do,” said Spence to the Moor, “ you may then leave all to me and dismiss the affair as settled. I know no Arabic, and I fancy the eunuch has no Spanish.” Mulai Ali nodded his assent, and de- parted. Spence returned to his quarters and wait- ed until Dr. Shaw returned. Then he in- formed the divine as to their divided jour- ney. He said nothing about Mistress Bet- ty; not that he doubted the hearty co- Operation of his friend, but Shaw rather fancied his character of envoy, and would be spared by ignorance a good deal of worry. “You can leave early in the morning, doctor?” he concluded. “ Certainly. I have carefully copied the inscription on the hypogeum, and there is little else to tempt me. Why are you thus going ahead, Patrick? I like it not.” Spence chuckled. “ Private affairs,” he said cheerfully. “ Hassan is giving a feast to-night; kindly make no remark upon my disappearance, but get off early in the morning with Mulai Ali. Ride swiftly to Tlemcen. We'llsmeet there. Believe me, it is better that you know nothing of my errand just yet.” “Very well, very well,” assented Shaw, not without a sigh. “ But, Patrick, if there is anything forward that smacks of fight- ing, I pray you not to let my cloth prevent me from having some share! I am an ex- . cellent hand with the rapier, as you know—” Spence clapped him on the shoulder. “Cheer up, Shaw! I promise that you'll have fighting in plenty before you ever see Algiers again! And now give me a spare flint or two for my pistols, and I’ll ask no more.” CHAPTER IV. “ Methinks he hath no drowning mark upon him; his complexion is perfect gallows.” HAT night Hassan Bey, in honor of his guests, held high revel. There was no lack of wine, since the Turks paid small heed tocCliniksscpkesiii)