Page:Harris Dickson--Old Reliable in Africa.djvu/314

 Nile. The Shilluks gasped, and the smile that warmed Said's vitals showed not upon his lips.

Said worked feverishly through the days, and watched sleeplessly through the nights; whetting his knife so that in due time he might cut open the trunk. Brooding in the starlight, his ideas expanded. He commissioned Odok to spy upon the Black Effendi, while Said himself journeyed by night to nearby villages, creeping back at dawn. Impatient Shilluks were already beginning to assemble, leading many milch cows and goats, and camped beneath the mimosa tree. Stress of anticipation caused the Dongalawi to grow thinner. His eyes glittered. His long, claw-like fingers twitched more nervously. Within four nights the Moon of Muharrem would arise; Said must set out at once for the main village of the Shilluks, where he would cajole many a customer, as all had seen the jewel of their king.

When Zack arose next morning, Said's cadaverous face attracted his attention:

"Side, you got a fever. Come 'long wid me, an' git some medicine." Said begged off from the white man's physic, and implored three days' leave of absence instead, to visit his uncle. "Huh!" said Zack. "I never knowed you had kinfolks way up here."

To carry out his apparent purpose, and in view