Those Who Declare Themselves To Be
Sick, Inshallah (Please God), Shall Be Sick.
You will all be welcomed
upon your arrival at Katariff.
In the letter I have written to the
Governor, inclosing your names, I have requested him to give each man
upon his appearance FIVE HUNDRED LASHES WITH THE COORBATCH, FOR
DESERTION, and to imprison him until my return."
Checkmate! My poor Tokrooris were in a corner, and in their great
dilemma they could not answer a word. Taking advantage of this moment of
confusion, I called forward "the buffalo," Abderachman, as I had heard
that he really had contemplated a pilgrimage to Mecca. "Abderachman," I
continued, "you are the only man who has spoken the truth. Go to Mecca!
and may God protect yon on the journey! I should not wish to prevent you
from performing your duty as a Mahometan."
Never were people more dumbfounded with surprise. They retreated, and
formed a knot in consultation, and in about ten minutes they returned to
me, old Moosa and Hadji Ali both leading the pilgrim Abderachman by the
hands. They had given in; and Abderachman, the buffalo of the party,
thanked me for my permission, and with tears in his eyes, as the camels
were about to start, he at once said good-by. "Embrace him!" cried old
Moosa and Hadji Ali; and in an instant, as I had formerly succumbed to
the maid Barrake, I was actually kissed by the thick lips of Abderachman
the unwashed! Poor fellow!
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