Page:Harris Dickson--Old Reliable in Africa.djvu/210

 I told him to send fifty of his best feathers to you, with the lowest price marked on each. I will buy on your judgment."

"It is very good, very good; I choose him for you. We look maybe at some feather to-day, and send man away; he come back to-morrow and"

"No to-morrow about it; got to buy 'em right off."

"Much days it takes to buy feathers," the German answered stolidly. "When he come we smoke cigarette; to-morrow we drink some coffee; by and by we begin talk of feather."

"None of that. I can buy a railroad in Grand Rapids and lay it down in Arizona while you fellows are haggling over a dime's worth of feathers. I'm going. Tell him he didn't come in time, and I couldn't wait."

In a panic Said glanced at Mahomet, then suggested, "At the bazaar is Sheikh Ibrahim; bimeby he come with blumes."

The Colonel turned abruptly and Said abased himself to the earth. "Ibrahim is servant from Osman ben Issa—bery good blume."

"Oh, you know where he is? Go get him—quick."

"Better not so," the steward objected, "Ibrahim will think you want much to buy; he will then make high price."