Page:Harris Dickson--Old Reliable in Africa.djvu/232

 hoisted him, "Right about! Git a double quick on ye. The boat's been a-waitin' an' blowin' fer ye these two good hours."

"Lemme git my hat an' wash my face" Zack was feeling around desperately for his helmet, which had rolled upon the sands.

"Grab the helmet—never moind the lather; that'll wipe off. Way there! Git out o' my way!" The rabble parted and left O'Flynn a clear passage.

"Hol' on, mister, hol' on" Zack begged.

"Come along, ye bloomin' naygur. Sirdar's got his back up. He says, 'Fetch him, O'Flynn,' an' begad I will."

"Yas, suh, white folks, yas, suh."

Ben Idris stood dazed at the suddenness with which his customer was dragged away. A servant still held the bundle which was to bring so much gold. Then the keeper of bazaars fell into a wailing. Achmet and Hamuda combined to throttle Said, but the nimble Dongalawi had departed thence, his fluttering jibba being half way to the boat. A trail of the disappointed ones began to follow—Mohammed, the unpaid lemonade man, the barber, Achmet, Hamuda, and the rabble, all followed, yet at a discreet space behind, for dread of the wrathful sergeant. It was a long half mile beneath the scorching