Page:Harris Dickson--Old Reliable in Africa.djvu/116

 "Aiwah! very good, Effendi; yes, birrymeed; birrymeed very much high, big climb up. Tomb of great King"—Mahomet paused at a sign from Lyttleton Bey, who again explained, "The Arabs have no letter 'P' in their language, and they can not pronounce it. They say 'byramid.

"Aiwah! Aiwah!—yes, yes, birrymeed; birrymeed," Mahomet smiled his satisfaction; "I show you dembles"

"Peace, Mahomet," Lyttleton silenced the Berberine.

"Thy will, Effendi." Mahomet bowed and listened with all deference. Then Lyttleton announced the contract in English for the American's benefit: "Colonel Spottiswoode engages you for his servant. Your wages will be seventy-five piasters the month, and all expense."

"What the Effendi says, so it must be. Ikattar Allah kherak."

"We depart this night for Cairo," Lyttleton further informed Mahomet; "then travel to the Sudan, south of Khartum in the country of the sun; a far journey. Go now, Mahomet, and make you ready."

Mahomet's eyes glistened. This meant long service at good pay. His master must purchase much food and many necessaries along the route; Mahomet, being thrifty, would profit greatly in these traffickings. He lost those letters again in