Page:Harris Dickson--Old Reliable in Africa.djvu/327

, and a momentary triumph lighted his avaricious eyes. Then they darkened distrustfully and hardened into their now habitual scowl. Hope deferred had soured on the Dongalawi's soul. Every day his Black Effendi had promised, "I'm gwine to quit dis business an' give it to you. Tain't no sense in pilin' up money continual, an' pilin' it up." Every day Said had dreamed his elusive dream of riches, until he no longer believed. Then Said made a plan of his own, simple and effective, to be carried out with a certain broad-bladed Shilluk spear which he had secreted in the grass. Said would plunge that spear into the Black Effendi's back while he strolled by night, as was his custom, among the Shilluk huts. Oh, the hate that Said could put behind a spear thrust! Said would take from the Effendi's pockets that treasure in gold which jingled there, and taunted him to madness. These despised Ingleezi, with brains of sheep, would say that the Black Effendi was killed about a woman. So they had said when they found the Egyptian surgeon, slain at Hillet Debaa. Had not Said heard these same Ingleezi laugh as they warned the Black Effendi of trouble which would surely come, if he ceased not wandering where Shilluk women were? Other strangers had perished thus, and no man ever knew. Then Said, the true believer, would tread the paths of ease, and become