Page:Harris Dickson--Old Reliable in Africa.djvu/331

 the upper deck of the barge. There he leaned limply against a post, with eyes fixed upon the far southern stretches of the Nile, while his lips moved. "I got to git Cunnel away from here. Ef dis boat goes down dat river widout me, I'll jes' nacherly curl up an' die. Cunnel's a heap mo' lonesomer dan what I is, an' taint gwine to take much to git him started."

Along the river's edge Zack saw a spattered creature toiling up the bank. It was Said, bending beneath his heavy morning catch. Fish possessed an irresistible attraction for Zack. He left the white men to their argument about Egyptian staples, and trudged morosely towards the catfish stand. From a distance nobody would have recognized the humble Said, who had come cringing and wheedling to Wadi Okar, for the Dongalawi now moved with a springy step and air of jubilation. The Black Effendi was really going to-morrow, and the riches of the catfish stand would all be his. It was befitting an independent merchant like Said to hold his head erect, and look with eyes of scorn upon meaner beings. Only one more day, and the piasters which now poured into the Black Effendi's pocket would fall like ripe dates into Said's own hands. At thought of which Said's eyes sparkled when he laid out his fish, and began preparing them for the pan. Yet, even then, Said felt a twinge of dread as Old Reliable approached