Chapter Thirty Five.
Frank’s Venture.
As Ibrahim had said, the task was easy, for the next morning, before the Hakim had commenced with his sick and wounded, one of the Soudanese harness-makers was at the palace gate with his men and a great white donkey heavily laden with admirable specimens of leather work, barbaric in style, but for the most part such as would have delighted anyone of artistic taste.
The various objects were brought in and spread before the Hakim; but Frank was disappointed, for there was no such bridle as he had designed in his mind’s eye—nothing so costly; and not one head-stall that was ornamented with gold. But in the end one was bought profusely decorated with heavy buckles and bosses of silver; the steel bit, too, had cheek pieces of the more precious metal, while to hang from beneath the neck of the steed that was to wear it, there was a large glistening ball of silver, from which streamed a great tuft of scarlet horsehair.
The maker asked many piastres for his work, but it was well worth the price, and his face shone with pleasure as Ibrahim stood solemnly, bag in hand, to count them out; and then the black cleared away his stock-in-trade and went off rejoicing.
“So far so good, Frank, my boy,” said the professor; “but how do you mean to get the present delivered?”
“By sheer daring,” said Frank quietly, “and this very day if the young Emir will only let me be at rest.”
“And how then?” asked the Hakim anxiously.
“The simplest way possible. I shall order through the guard the horse I ride to be brought round, and Ibrahim will saddle one of his camels to bear the bridle. Then I shall ride straight to the chief’s place, Ibrahim will interpret my signs, and I shall give the present myself. After that I shall ask to be allowed to harness the Emir’s favourite horse with my present. He is sure to consent, and it will go hard if I do not contrive to slip something into poor Harry’s hand or a few words into his ear.”
“Yes,” said the doctor, with energy; “and the simplicity of the business ought to ensure its success.”