I found that these Turks were fast making me as sly and reserved as themselves.
CHAPTER LV.
RESUME MY COMMAND.
Assisted by our new friend, we reached the house and bazaar of the Kadi Sohail Ebn Amru, who, on our uniforms, and hearing that we required two horses for the Sultan's service, after wonderfully little delay, ordered that they should be procured, i.e., taken, or forcibly pressed, from the first or nearest persons who were not included in the circle of his acquaintance. While the nags were being brought, the seller of pipe-sticks bustled about, and set before us a repast of mutton-ham, cheese, white bread, and Kirkissa wine, and we seated ourselves on some of those soft carpets of Irann, which are the pride of the Stambouli housewives.
The Kadi was not present, being closeted in an inner apartment with a stranger, a brother Hadjee, whom he appeared to treat with great reverence. Ere long he came out, and invited us to enter and 'partake of coffee with his friend, who had travelled a long way on foot and was weary.'
'A friend?' said I, hesitating.
'Yes, Aga.'
'A soldier?'
'No—a Moolah.'
'But a Moolah may not like us.'