Page:Kéraban the Inflexible Part 1 (Jules Verne).djvu/168

170 "Are we to lose our time on account of a wretched railway company?" he cried. "Why is the gate closed?"

"No doubt a train is due," said Van Mitten quietly.

"Why is a train due, then?" retorted Kéraban.

The postillion continued to call out, without achieving any result. No one appeared either in the hut or in the garden.

"May Allah choke him!" exclaimed Kéraban. "If he does not come, I will open the gate myself!"

"Calm yourself, uncle," said Ahmet, restraining him, for Kéraban was about to descend from the chaise.

"Calm myself?"

"Yes, here is the gatekeeper."

In fact, the man appeared at that moment and came very leisurely towards the chaise.

"Now then, are we to pass, or not?" exclaimed Kéraban.

"You can pass," replied the man, "the train from Poti will not come up for ten minutes."

"Open your gate, then, and do not delay us needlessly here: we are in a hurry."

"I am going to open it," replied the man.

So saying, he proceeded to open the gate at the opposite side first, and then the gate before which the chaise was waiting; but all deliberately, and with complete indifference to the demands of the travellers.

Kéraban was already boiling over with impatience.

Finally the way was clear, and the chaise began to cross the line.

At this moment, on the opposite side, appeared a party of travellers. A Turkish noble, mounted upon a splendid horse, and attended by four riders as an escort, prepared to cross the line.

This personage was evidently an important individual. He was about thirty-five years old; tall; and comported himself with that peculiar nobility of the Asiatic race. He was good-looking enough; his eyes only sparkled when he was moved by passion. His forehead was bronzed; his beard black, and flowing to his chest; white teeth, and lips which seemed unused to smiling. In fine it was the physiognomy of an imperious man, powerful by position