“Have you not the commands of the holy prophet Roy and of the Council of the Order to obey me in all things?” asked Nefra presently.
“That is so, Lady, though why we should obey you I do not know.”
“Nor do I quite, Captain, seeing that you can climb pyramids and I cannot, and you are therefore greater than I. Still, there are the orders and you know what happens to those who break the commands of the Council. Now let us begin.”
The Sheik reasoned and prayed and almost wept, but all that happened was that Nefra exclaimed at last:
“If you are afraid to go up that pyramid, I will go by myself. Then, you know, I may fall.”
So the end of it was that the afflicted Sheik summoned his son, a lissom youth who could climb like a goat, bidding him bring with him a long rope made of twisted palm fibre, which rope he fastened round Nefra’s slender waist. But now there was more trouble, for Ru, who had been listening to all this talk amazed, asked him what he was doing binding his lady like a slave.
The Sheik explained, while Nefra nodded assent.
“But it cannot be,” said Ru. “My duty is to accompany this Noble One everywhere.”
“Then, friend Ru,” said Nefra, “accompany me up the pyramid.”
“Up the pyramid!” said Ru, puffing out his cheeks. “Look at me, I pray you, Mistress, and say whether I am a cat or a monkey that I can climb up a slope of smooth stone from earth to heaven. Ere we had gone the length of that rope I should fall and break my neck. Rather would I fight ten men single-handed than be so mad.”