Author: Henryk Sienkiewicz
Category: Nonfiction
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them," answered Stas.
But observing that the little girl's face was becoming pale, he shoutedat the Bedouins, running ahead, to slacken their pace. His calls,however, had only this result: that again resounded the cries of"Yalla," and the animals increased their speed.
The boy thought at first that the Bedouins did not hear him, but whenon his repeated orders there was no response and when Gebhr, who wasriding behind him, did not cease lashing the camel on which he sat withNell, he thought it was not the camels that were so spirited but thatthe men for some reason unknown to him were in a great hurry.
It occurred to him that they might have taken the wrong road and that,desiring to make up for lost time, they now were speeding from fearthat the older gentlemen might scold them because of a late arrival.But after a while he understood that such could not be the case, as Mr.Rawlinson would have been more angered for unnecessarily fatiguingNell. Then what did it mean? And why did they not obey his commands? Inthe heart of the boy anger and fear for Nell began to rise.
"Stop!" he shouted with his whole strength, addressing Gebhr.
"Ouskout! (be silent)!" the Sudanese yelled in reply; and they sped on.
In Egypt night falls about six o'clock, so the twilight soon becameextinct and after a certain time the great moon, ruddy from thereflection of the twilight, rolled on and illuminated the desert with agentle light.
In the silence could be heard only the heavy breathing of the camels,the rapid hoof-beats on the sand, and at times the swish of whips. Nellwas so tired that Stas had to hold her on the saddle. Every littlewhile she asked how soon they would reach then destination, andevidently was buoyed up only by the hope of an early meeting with herfather. But in vain both children gazed around. One hour passed, thenanother; neither tents nor camp-fires could be seen.
Then the hair rose on Stas' head, for he realized that they werekidnapped.
VI
Messrs. Rawlinson and Tarkowski actually expected the children, notamidst the sand-hills of Wadi Rayan, where they had no need or desireto ride, but in an entirely different direction, in the city ofEl-Fachn on a canal of the same name at which they were examining thework finished before the end of the year. The distance between El-Fachnand Medinet in a straight line is almost twenty-eight miles. As,however, there is no direct connection and it is necessary to ride toEl-Wasta, which doubles the distance, Mr. Rawlinson, after looking overthe railway guide, made the following calculations.
"Chamis left the night before last," he said to Pan Tarkowski, "and inEl-Wasta he caught the train from Cairo; he was therefore in Medinetyesterday. It would take an hour to pack up. Leaving at noon theywould have to wait for the night train running along the Nile, andas I do not permit Nell to ride at night, they would leave thismorning and will be here immediately after sunset."
"Yes," said Pan Tarkowski, "Chamis must rest a little, and though Stasis indeed impulsive, nevertheless, where Nell is concerned you mayalways depend upon him. Moreover, I sent him a postal card not to rideduring the night."
"A brave lad, and I trust him," answered Mr. Rawlinson.
"To tell the truth, so do I. Stas with his various faults has anupright character and never lies, for he is brave, and only a cowardlies. He also does not lack energy and if in time he acquires a calmjudgment, I think he will be able to take care of himself in thisworld."
"Certainly. As to judgment, were you judicious at his age?"
"I must confess that I was not," replied Pan Tarkowski, laughing, "butI was not so self-confident as he."
"That will pass. Meanwhile, be happy that you have such a boy."
"And you that you have such a sweet and dear creature as Nell."
"May God bless her!" answered Mr. Rawlinson with emotion.
The two friends warmly shook hands, after which they sat down toexamine the plans and the report of expenditures connected with thework. At this occupation the time passed until evening.
About six o'clock, when night fell, they were at the station, strollingalong the walk, and resumed their conversation about the children.
"Superb weather, but cool," said Mr. Rawlinson. "I wonder if Nell tooksome warm clothing with her."
"Stas will think of that, and Dinah also."
"I regret, nevertheless, that instead of bringing them here, we did notgo to Medinet."
"You will recollect that that is just what I advised."
"I know, and if it were not that we are to go from here farther south,I would have agreed. I calculated, however, that the trip would taketoo much time and on the whole it would be best to have the childrenhere. Finally, I will confess to you that Chamis suggested the idea tome. He announced that he prodigiously yearned for them and would behappy if I sent for both. I am not surprised that he should be soattached to them."
Further conversation was interrupted by signals announcing the approachof the train. After an interval the fiery eyes of the locomotiveappeared in the darkness, and at the same time could be heard its puffsand whistle.
A row of lighted coaches drew alongside the platform, quivered, andstood still.
"I did not see them in any window," said Mr. Rawlinson.
"Perhaps they are seated further inside and surely will come outimmediately."
The passengers began to alight, but they were mainly Arabs, as El-Fachnhas nothing interesting to see except beautiful groves of palms andacacias. The children did not arrive.
"Chamis either did not make connections in El-Wasta," declared PanTarkowski, with a shade of ill-humor, "or after a night of traveloverslept himself, and they will not arrive until to-morrow."
"That may be," answered Mr. Rawlinson, with uneasiness, "but it alsomay be possible that one of them is sick."
"In that case Stas would have telegraphed."
"Who knows but that we may find a despatch in the hotel?"
"Let us go."
But in the hotel no news awaited them. Mr. Rawlinson became more andmore uneasy.
"What do you think could have happened?" said Pan Tarkowski. "If Chamisoverslept himself, he would not admit it to the children and would cometo them to-day and tell them that they are to leave to-morrow. To us hewill excuse himself by claiming that he misunderstood our orders. Inany event, I shall telegraph to Stas."
"And I to the Mudir of Fayum."
After a while the despatches were sent. There was indeed no cause foruneasiness; nevertheless, in waiting for an answer the engineers passeda bad night, and early morning found them on their feet.
The answer from the Mudir came about ten o'clock and was as follows:
"Verified at station. Children left yesterday for Gharak el-Sultani."
It can easily be understood what amazement and anger possessed theparents at this unexpected intelligence. For some time they gazed ateach other, as if they did not understand the words of the despatch;after which Pan Tarkowski, who was an impulsive person, struck thetable with his hand and said:
"That was Stas' whim, but I will cure him of such whims."
"I did not expect that of him," answered Nell's father.
But after a moment he asked:
"But what of Chamis?"
"He either did not find them and does not know what to do or else rodeafter them."
"Yes, I think so."
An hour later they started for Medinet. In camp they ascertained thatthe camels were gone, and at the station it was confirmed that Chamisleft with the children for El-Gharak. The affair became darker anddarker and it could be cleared up only in El-Gharak.
In fact, only at that station did the dreadful truth begin to dawn.
The station-master, the same sleepy one with dark spectacles and redfez, told them that he saw a boy about fourteen years old and aneight-year-old girl with an old negress, who rode towards the desert.He did not remember whether there were eight or nine camels altogether,but observed that one was heavily packed as if for a long journey, andthe two Bedouins also had big pack-saddles. He recollected also thatwhen he stared at the car
avan one of the camel drivers, a Sudanese,said to him that those were the children of the Englishmen who beforethat had gone to Wadi Rayan.
"Did those Englishmen return?" asked Pan Tarkowski.
"Yes. They returned yesterday with two slain wolves," answered thestation-master; "and I was astonished that they did not return with thechildren. But I did not ask the reason as that was not my affair."
Saying this he left to attend to his duties.
During this narrative Mr. Rawlinson's face became white as paper.Gazing at his friend with a wild look, he took off his hat, pressed hishand to his forehead, covered with perspiration, and staggered as if hewere about to fall.
"Be a man, Rawlinson!" exclaimed Pan Tarkowski. "Our children arekidnapped. It is necessary to