The Prince of India, Volume I

wing in upon the Syrian coast. A modern seafarer, looking from the deck of one of the Messagerie steamers now plying the same line of trade,

mast complainingly, unmindful of the simple tackle designed to keep it in control. A watchman crouched in the meagre shade of a fan-like structure overhanging the bow deck. The roofing and the floor, where exposed, were clean, even bright; in all other parts subject to the weather and the wash there was only the blackness of pitch. The steersman sat on a bench at the stern. Occasionally, from force of habit, he rested a hand upon the rudder-oar to be

a cargo. In her deepest undulations the water-line was not once submerged. The leather shields of the oar-ports were high and dry. Possibly she had passengers aboard. Ah, yes! Ther

inkle. His body was wrapped in a loose woollen gown of brownish-black. A hand, apparently all bone, rested upon the breast, clutching a fold of the gown. The feet twitched nervously in the loosened thongs of old-fashioned sandals. Glancing at the others of the group, it was plain this sleeper was master and they his slaves. Two of them were stretched on the bare boards at the lower end of the pallet, and they were white. The third

ittle above the middle. In emergency it might have been used as a weapon. Three bundles loosely wrapped had been cast against a timber of the ship; presumably they contained the plunder of the slaves reduced to the mi

th which its owner clung to it with his right hand. Even in sleep he held it of infinite consequence. It could not have contained

anger was of this period of the world he did not belong to it. Such were the magicians of the story-loving Al-Raschid. Or he was of the ty

of the ship in view, then at the steersman still dozing by the rudder; then he sat up, and brought the roll to his lap

utside the edge of the awning, and dropped into thought. And straightway it was settled that he was not a diplomatist or a statesman or a man of business of any kind. The reflection which occupied hi

a certificate that what we are beholding is charming out of the common lines; yet we are drawn to it irresistibly, and by a wish vague, foolish-so foolish we would hesitate long before putting it in words to be heard by our best lover-a wish that the monster would tell us all about itself. The feeling awakened

xpression, he folded it back into the cover, rebuckled the straps, and placed the parcel under the pillow. Evidently the business drawing him was proceeding as he would have had it. Next he woke the negro with a touch. The black in salute bent his body forward, and raised his hands palm out, the thumbs at the forehead. Attention singularly intense settled upon his countenance; he appeared to listen with his soul. It was time for speech, yet the master merely pointed to one of the

leasant and intelligent. In addressing him, the master made signs with hand and finger; and they appeared sufficient, for the servant walked away quickly as if on an errand. A short time, and he came back bringing a c

ent fo

as couched in

in the same tongue, though wit

be at Sidon. The lookout re

, then asked, "Resorting to the

midn

ll. List

ixing his big eyes upon the sai

ittle rivers empty into it, one on each side. Near the middle of the bend of the shore there is a we

ould have bec

uainted with this

uch a bay?" the p

heard

u find it

lieve

e city. Get out all the oars now. At the proper time I will tell you what further I

hed himself upon the pallet; and thenceforth there was no longer a question who was in control. It became the