“None at all,” growled1 Allison. “The vizier is as tricky2 and sly as his master. He assumed a dignified3 and benevolent4 air, was very sorry we were discontented, but can do nothing to help us.”
“How about horses?”
“The vizier states it is an ecclesiastical command that no beasts of burden shall be sold to an infidel, under pain of death. His Highness the Khan regrets it; His Excellency the Vizier regrets it. You are referred to Aboullah O’Brien, Grand Mufti of the Mosque5 of the Angels, who issued the order to the faithful.”
“Since the day we arrived. It was not aimed at us, by any means. It was a coincidence.”
“That looks bad,” said the Colonel gravely. “How about my interview with the Khan?”
“The vizier will intercede8 for you. He will go down on his knees to His Supreme9 Mightiness10; he will implore11 the Star of the Heavens to see you. But he doubts if we ever get within earshot of the Glorious and Magnificent Defender12 of the Faith, who is otherwise known as Ahmed Khan. It seems he has other fish to fry, and is busy getting them ready. We can do nothing with the scoundrelly vizier, I am certain.”
“Then we must depend upon David to get me an audience with the Khan. Americans are not accustomed to fail in what they undertake. See here, David,” turning to that worthy13 merchant; “can’t you bribe14 your way into the royal palace?”
“I will try, most Excellency,” answered David, eagerly. “But de bribe must be great moneys—grant moneys—many golt fillibees! Unt I promise nodding. Maybe I see de Khan; maybe nod. Who can tell?”
“It sounds like a risky15 investment, David,” remarked the doctor. “We’ll take time to think it over.”
They thought of many things, in the days that followed, but could arrive at no plan that promised to provide a caravan16 or give them an opportunity to negotiate with the Khan concerning the new railway.
The Colonel went personally to the palace one day, taking along the trembling David as interpreter. The official who met him at the entrance listened to him respectfully, but assured him that no message from an infidel could be carried to the Khan. Hints of money had no effect. It would cost him his head to disturb the Khan on such an errand.
Under these unfortunate conditions the Colonel began to be worried, and even the doctor lost much of his habitual17 cheerfulness. Aunt Lucy vowed18 vengeance19 upon every barbarian20 in Baluchistan, and promised the United States would wipe this miserable21 country off the map as soon as she returned and reported their treatment to her friend the senator.
But Allison, to the wonder of all, stopped grumbling22 and bore his imprisonment23 with rare fortitude24 and good nature. Janet also grew brighter and merrier day by day—a circumstance that did much toward reconciling her father to their enforced stay in Mekran. Bessie, always philosophic25 and gay, made no complaint of any sort. And so the days passed swiftly away and as yet brought no change in the fortunes of the stranded26 Commission.
One evening David came in greatly excited. A messenger had arrived from the Khan. Although that haughty27 potentate28 still ignored the Commission he had placed two saddle horses from his own stables at the disposal of the young ladies. If they would ride at daybreak on the following morning—that hour being the most cool and delightful29 of the day—the Khan would send a competent guard to protect them. His Most Serene30 and Magnificent Highness offered this courtesy in order to relieve the monotony of the young ladies’ stay in his capital. He made no mention of the other members of the party, who might exist as monotonously31 as ever. And the messenger awaited an answer.
This was, indeed, a startling proposition. Eastern women did not ride, yet the Khan seemed to know that nothing could be more acceptable to American girls than a dash across country on the back of a spirited horse. They were very glad to accept the favor, and the Colonel hoped it might lead in some way to more friendly relations between them and the ruler of Mekran, and perhaps result in the interview he so ardently32 desired.
“But who’s going to chaperon them?” enquired Aunt Lucy. “It seems I’m not invited.”
The Colonel thought the khan’s guard would be sufficient.
“But it’s a heathen country, and they’ll have to bandage their faces,” declared the old lady.
“We’ll wear veils until we are out of Mekran,” said Bessie. “Then there will be no masculine eyes to see us, and we’ll take them off.”
So at daybreak Janet and Bessie were ready for their ride, and soon a grizzled Baluch warrior33 rode up to the house leading two magnificent bays from the famous stables of Mehmet. The one that Janet rode was the very animal that had carried Ahmed on his swift journey from the monastery34, and Bessie’s horse was but little inferior.
The warrior saluted35 and assisted the ladies to mount. It was Dirrag. He led them through the streets, around the palace enclosure and out at the south gate. A beautiful country lay spread before them, and as the keen morning air saluted their nostrils36, brightened their eyes and flushed their cheeks, the girls dashed away at a canter with Dirrag silently following a few paces behind.
After their long confinement37 within the walls of a city dwelling38 this free, invigorating exercise was a great delight to the two girls, and they enjoyed the ride thoroughly39. Passing through the city on their return they closely veiled their faces, yet were evidently objects of curiosity to those of the natives who were abroad so early.
Dirrag held the stirrups for them to dismount and then silently touched his cap and led the horses back to the khan’s stables. But next morning he was again at their door with the mounts, and their ride became a daily event to the girls.
Dirrag knew no English, but Janet and Bessie had come to understand many of the Baluch words—a dialect evidently founded upon Arabic—and could even speak a few simple sentences, learned by contact with the native servants and somewhat puzzling explanations from David. So the silence of their first rides began to be broken by laconic40 observations on the part of the battered41 old warrior, who seemed not to object to acting42 as escort to the charming infidel women. Occasionally they passed the house of Agahr the Vizier and Maie, who was informed of all that occurred in the capital, watched from her latticed window the graceful43 forms of the American girls riding by and on several occasions when they neglected to arrange their veils caught glimpses of their fair faces.
It was enough to set the vizier’s daughter wild with envy and chagrin44. Why should the Khan favor these outcasts-these women of another world? Was it for them the harem was being prepared, despite her father’s protestation that Ahmed had never seen the foreign women nor ever would see them? The girl well knew that their beauty could in no way compare with her own in the eyes of any true Baluch. The Americans were deformed45 by being laced and belted at the waist and wearing heavy, close-fitting draperies that must not only be uncomfortable but were decidedly ugly in appearance. But Maie could not deny they sat their horses gracefully46 and with rare self-possession, and men have queer ideas of beauty. Perhaps Ahmed Khan might admire the novelty of their white faces, their queerly arranged hair and the pink finger nails that lacked any trace of the beautifying henna.
Maie was jealous, and with good reason. She had abandoned her handsome cousin Kasam for the more powerful and scarcely less handsome Ahmed Khan, and if fate destined47 her to lose them both she was surely to be pitied.
But her father declared he had no such fears. Ahmed was difficult to understand, it was true; but Ahmed was a man, and he had seen and admired Maie. Was he not beautifying his harem? and what place could these stiff Americans have amid the luxuries of the perfumed baths, the gardens of the Court of the Maidens48, or the musk-scented cushions of the oriental divans50? It would be as absurd as putting a frog in the jar devoted51 to gold-fish. Add to this argument the fact that Maie was the most beautiful maiden49 the world had ever known, and none but a fool could fail to read the lines of destiny.
One morning Dirrag turned to the west, and led his fair companions across the valley and up the curve of the long hill that enclosed it. The country was more wild and unsettled here than at the south or east, and when finally they mounted the brow ofthe hill and gazed down into the next valley Dirrag pointed52 out a cluster of white dots showing far away against the green of the fertile plains.
“Kasam,” said he.
The girls looked with eager interest.
“Is it a camp?” asked Bessie, twisting her tongue into the Baluch dialect.
Dirrag seemed to understand.
“Kasam is a rebel,” he said, looking calmly at the tents. “Many traitors53 to our great khan have joined him. His army grows daily. It will be battle, some day, and Kasam and his host will disappear like snow before the sun.”
“Has the Khan also an army?” asked Janet.
Dirrag smiled, proudly.
“The warriors54 of Mekran are as numerous as the leaves in the forest. Our mighty55 khan does not mind Kasam, for the buzzing of a bee against the window-pane is not annoying. But when the time comes he will crush the rebel in a day.”
“That may not be so easy,” exclaimed Bessie, while her eyes sparkled indignantly. “Prince Kasam is no child I’ll bet he knows very well what he’s about!”
Dirrag shrugged56 his shoulders. He did not understand, for in her excitement she spoke57 in English. But other ears heard the words, and a young man rode out from a clump58 of trees that had concealed59 him and advanced toward the ladies with a bow and a smile.
It was Kasam himself, mounted upon a magnificent gelding that was black as night. He wore a native costume, sparkling with jewels, and looked as handsome and manly60 as any prince in a fairy tale.
Dirrag, frowning and alert, drew his terrible curved cimeter and prepared to defend his charges. But the girls were pleased at the encounter, and Bessie managed to cry out in Baluch: “Don’t strike, Dirrag! It is Prince Kasam.”
“Good reason to strike,” growled the warrior; but he stood at attention, awaiting the outcome of the adventure and admiring secretly the enemy’s boldness.
“I thank you, fair ladies, for your protection,” said Kasam, speaking gaily61 and in English. “Not that I particularly fear your doughty62 champion, but because it affords me the opportunity I have longed for to talk frankly63 with you, and explain why I seemingly abandoned you on the eve of your arrival in Mekran.”
Kasam laughed.
“All is fair in love and war,” he rejoined. “You did not need the caravan any longer, and I needed it badly. It was natural I should take advantage of your good nature and my own necessities. Look!” pointing proudly to the plain below; “it is the encampment of my army—the host that is to win for me the throne of Mekran!”
“Are our horses and dromedaries there? And our escort of Afghans?” asked Janet.
“All are there. For the money loss you have sustained I can easily recompense you. As for my own desertion, I agreed to guide your party to Mekran, and I kept my promise. Really, I cannot see that you have just cause for complaint.”
“We have no way to leave the city,” replied Janet. “Your act has made us prisoners in Mekran.”
“That was part of my plan,” declared the young man, eyeing the girl with open admiration65. “I do not want you to leave Mekran until I am khan.”
“Why?” she asked.
He hesitated, and glanced at Dirrag.
“Let us ride on,” he said, “and, if you will kindly66 pace beside me, Miss Janet, I will confide67 to your ears alone my hopes and ambitions.”
He reached out and caught the rein68 of her bridle69, drawing the horse beside his own, and then he rode slowly down the hill toward the city. Dirrag, puzzled by the action and marvelling70 that the Prince should venture so near the khan’s headquarters, followed a few paces behind Kasam, with Bessie at his side. The girl’s face had flushed red at Kasam’s evident preference for her friend, and her lips were pressed ominously71 together. She nodded approval as she saw that the warrior beside her still held his drawn72 cimeter tightly clasped in his hand, for the stern look upon his grim features boded73 no good to the rebel prince.
For a few paces Kasam rode in silence; then, glancing behind to make sure they were not overheard, he said:
“Miss Moore—Janet! the conditions that surround me oblige me to be frank with you, and to discard all foolish formalities. Although I have been educated in London you must not forget I am a native Baluch, and that we of the East are children of impulse, obeying the dictates74 of our hearts spontaneously and scorning that cold formality so much affected75 by your race. I have neither the time nor the opportunity to woo you in the dignified Western fashion. But I love you; and, after all, that is enough for a man to say!”
“Prince Kasam!”
“Since you must hear me, pray rob your voice of its scorn, my love. Be sweet and fond as a woman should. Let your real soul peep out of your beautiful eyes—let your heart bound wild and free in unison76 with my own. We are man and woman, fitted to sweet communion one with the other and destined to be happy in the passionate77 union of our lives.” His voice was broken and excited; his eyes sparkled with fierce intensity78; the conventionality of the Western civilization he had once known was all forgotten. “I love you—I adore you, my Janet! And I am a prince—soon to be Khan of all this great land. Speak to me, dear one! Promise to leave all else and cling to me alone—to follow my fortunes until I can place you in the palace where you shall be queen!”
“You have taken me by surprise, Prince Kasam,” said Janet, gravely. “I am sorry you have spoken in this way.”
“And why?” he cried. “Can love be denied when it clamors at the door of an eager heart? Why should I not love you? Why should you not accept my love?”
“Because I do not belong to myself,” she answered, trying hard, as a true woman will, to soften80 the blow. “Can I give you what another claims as his right?”
She should have said more, or not so much; but she did not know the Baluch temper.
He drew a quick breath at her words and reined81 his horse to a sudden halt. Her own horse stopped at the same time, and for one long moment Kasam gazed steadily82 into the fair face she turned pleadingly upon him.
With an exclamation83 and a passionate gesture he spurred forward. The black gelding was off like the wind across the plain, and Janet was left to stare wonderingly after him.
Dirrag swore heartily84; but the native oaths, lacking translation, did not offend the ears of the American girls. The warrior dared not leave his companions to pursue the prince, who circled around and made straight for the hillside in the direction of his encampment.
An embarrassing silence fell upon the three as they again rode forward. Dirrag was plainly suspicious of Janet’s secret conference with the rebel, and Bessie’s sweet face was masked with a grieved and despondent85 expression that was new to it.
But Janet was too preoccupied86 to notice her friend’s distress87, nor did she deign88 to explain, even with a word, her strange interview with Kasam.
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收听单词发音
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1
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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tricky
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| adj.狡猾的，奸诈的；(工作等)棘手的，微妙的 | |
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dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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mosque
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| n.清真寺 | |
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meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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enquired
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| 打听( enquire的过去式和过去分词 )； 询问； 问问题； 查问 | |
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intercede
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| vi.仲裁，说情 | |
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supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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mightiness
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| n.强大 | |
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implore
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| vt.乞求，恳求，哀求 | |
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defender
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| n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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bribe
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| n.贿赂；v.向…行贿，买通 | |
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risky
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| adj.有风险的，冒险的 | |
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caravan
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| n.大蓬车；活动房屋 | |
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habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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18
vowed
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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barbarian
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| n.野蛮人；adj.野蛮(人)的；未开化的 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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grumbling
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| adj. 喃喃鸣不平的, 出怨言的 | |
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imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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philosophic
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| adj.哲学的，贤明的 | |
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stranded
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| a.搁浅的，进退两难的 | |
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haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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potentate
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| n.统治者；君主 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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monotonously
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| adv.单调地，无变化地 | |
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ardently
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| adv.热心地，热烈地 | |
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warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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monastery
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| n.修道院，僧院，寺院 | |
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35
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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36
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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laconic
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| adj.简洁的；精练的 | |
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battered
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| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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43
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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45
deformed
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| adj.畸形的；变形的；丑的，破相了的 | |
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46
gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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47
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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48
maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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49
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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50
divans
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| n.（可作床用的）矮沙发( divan的名词复数 )；（波斯或其他东方诗人的）诗集 | |
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51
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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52
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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53
traitors
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| 卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 )； 叛徒； 背叛者； 背信弃义的人 | |
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54
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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55
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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56
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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57
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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58
clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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59
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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60
manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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61
gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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62
doughty
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| adj.勇猛的，坚强的 | |
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63
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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66
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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67
confide
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| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
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68
rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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69
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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70
marvelling
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| v.惊奇，对…感到惊奇( marvel的现在分词 ) | |
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71
ominously
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| adv.恶兆地，不吉利地；预示地 | |
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72
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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boded
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| v.预示，预告，预言( bode的过去式和过去分词 )；等待，停留( bide的过去分词 )；居住；（过去式用bided）等待 | |
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dictates
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| n.命令，规定，要求( dictate的名词复数 )v.大声讲或读( dictate的第三人称单数 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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75
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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76
unison
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| n.步调一致，行动一致 | |
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77
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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78
intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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79
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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80
soften
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| v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和 | |
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81
reined
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| 勒缰绳使（马）停步( rein的过去式和过去分词 )； 驾驭； 严格控制； 加强管理 | |
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82
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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83
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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84
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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85
despondent
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| adj.失望的，沮丧的，泄气的 | |
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86
preoccupied
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| adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式) | |
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87
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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deign
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| v. 屈尊, 惠允 ( 做某事) | |
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