Page:Ballantyne--The Pirate City.djvu/257

Rh "Ay, and they hold other places besides. You and your party are of course doomed."

Hassan started to his feet.

"Nay—were doomed," said Omar, with a smile; "but what you have said just now alters the case. Give me your aid, and that of your party, and you shall have from me the post which Hamet has failed to give you. You know me to be a man of my word."

Whether Hassan was much comforted by the last remark is a point of uncertainty; but, feeling that he was now entirely in Omar's power, and knowing that although the soldiers whom he styled his "party" were not nearly numerous or influential enough to place him on the throne, he willingly fell in with Omar's views.

"When do you strike?" he asked.

"To-night," said Omar.

"So soon?"

The sooner the better. Come, we have time to go together to the casba. There thou wilt assemble thy chief men, and in my presence give them instructions."

"You do not trust me," said Hassan reproachfully.

"I have trusted you with my secret and my life," replied Omar, "it is but fitting that thou shouldst give me some sure guarantee of thy friendship—though I doubt it not."