Yussuf the Guide Part 16

"Why, Yussuf, I am beginning to think you are a treasure!" exclaimed Mr Burne.

Yussuf bowed, but he did not look pleased, for he had not warmed towards the old lawyer in the slightest degree. He had been met with distrust, and he was reserved towards him who showed his doubt so openly.

"I thought it was but just, effendis, to warn you, and I thought it better to say so now, while the young effendi is asleep, for fear he might be alarmed."

"I am not asleep," said Lawrence turning his head. "I have not been to sleep."

"Then you have heard all that was said," exclaimed the professor.

"Every word, Mr Preston. I could not help hearing," said Lawrence, sitting up with his face flushed and eyes brightened. "I did not know till just now that I was not expected to hear."

"Humph, and do you feel alarmed?" said the old lawyer.

"I don't think I do, sir," replied the lad calmly. "Perhaps I should if--if there should be a fight."

"I do not think there will be," said the professor quietly. "Yussuf here has warned us, and forewarned is forearmed."

"Even if we have no pistols, eh?" said Mr Burne laughing, but rather acidly. "Humph, here comes the skipper."

The Greek came aft smiling and unlashed the tiller, altering their course a little, so that as the evening breeze freshened they seemed literally to skim along the surface of the sea.

CHAPTER TEN.

A NIGHT OF HORRORS.

The night came, with the stars seeming to blaze in the clear atmosphere.

The skipper had given up the helm to one of his men, and joined the others forward to lie down among the baskets and sleep, as it seemed, while aft, at the professor's request, Mr Burne and Lawrence lay down to sleep, leaving the others to watch.

The night grew darker, and the water beat and rippled beneath the bows, all else being wonderfully still as the boat glided on.

Yussuf lit his water-pipe, and the professor a cigar, to begin conversing in a low tone, but always watchful of the slightest movement of the men.

A couple of hours had glided away, and then, after being apparently fast asleep, the skipper rose and came aft to speak eagerly to Yussuf, who heard him out, and then turned to the professor.

"The captain says that there is no danger of wreck or storm; that he and his men will watch over you as if you were given over to their safe keeping, and all will be well."

"Tell the captain that I prefer to sit up and watch the sea and sky,"

replied the professor. "When I am tired I will lie down."

The skipper nodded and smiled, and went forward again, while, after some minutes' silence, the professor said softly:

"You are quite right to be doubtful, Yussuf, I mistrust that man."

"Yes," replied Yussuf in the same tone, "the Greek dog will bite the hand which fed him if he has a chance, but that chance, effendi, he must not have."

The hours glided on, and some time, perhaps soon after midnight, the skipper rose again from where he had lain apparently asleep, but really watching the speakers attentively, and coming aft this time with one of his men, the sailor at the helm was changed, and the other went forward to throw himself down as if to sleep.

"Will not the effendi lie down and take his rest now?" said the skipper to Yussuf. "The day will not be very long before it comes, and then it is no longer time to sleep."

Yussuf quietly repeated the man's words to the professor, who replied coldly:

"Tell the Greek captain that he is paid to convey us to our journey's end, and that it is not for him to presume to interfere as to the way in which we pa.s.s our time. Tell him we know the night from the day."

Yussuf interpreted the words, and the Greek smiled and replied in the most humble manner that perhaps the English excellency did not know how bad it was for strangers to expose themselves to the night air. That he was anxious about them, and wished them to go into the little cabin to be safe.

"Tell him to mind his own business," said the professor shortly, and this being interpreted the man slunk forward, and the professor said softly:

"There is no doubt about it, Yussuf; the man is a scoundrel and has bad intentions."

"He is a pig," said the Muslim in a low voice full of contempt; "but he and his men will be afraid to show their teeth to your excellencies if we are watchful and take care."

Towards morning the man came aft again, but he did not speak, and just at sunrise Lawrence awoke to come hurriedly out of the cabin where Mr Burne was still sleeping.

"I thought you would have called us," he said; "I thought we were to watch."

"So you are," said the professor smiling. "How have you slept?"

"Oh, deliciously--all the night. I never do at home, but lie awake for hours."

"Even in a comfortable bed!"

"Even in a comfortable bed," replied Lawrence. "But you must be very tired. I'll call Mr Burne now."

"No, let him lie. He is a bit of an invalid too. Suppose you go and have a sleep now, Yussuf; my friend here and I will watch."

The Turk smiled.

"Your servant once went without sleep for six nights in a time of danger. He slept a little upon his horse sometimes. One night without sleep! What is it? A nothing. No, your excellency must not ask me to sleep now. A short time and we shall be ash.o.r.e, and away from these Greek dogs, who think we are without arms; then thy servant will lie down and sleep for hours. Last night, to-night I shall not sleep."

The bright morning, the glancing sea, and the soft breeze seemed to take away all the fancies and suspicions of the night. The sh.o.r.e was in sight--the mainland or one of the beautiful Grecian isles, and to make matters more pleasant still Mr Burne was in the most amiable of tempers.

"I must have been out of order when we were crossing the Channel," he said smiling. "I thought it was sea-sickness, but it could not have been, for I am as well as can be out here in this little boat."

The professor was almost annoyed with himself for his suspicions about the Greek and his men, for an easier, happier-looking set it would have been impossible to find. They smiled and showed their teeth, as they lounged in the front of the boat or took their turn at the helm, and then picked out some sunny spot where the tall sails cast no shade and slept hour after hour. When they were not smiling or sleeping, they were eating melon, bread, grapes or olives, or watching like dogs to see if any food was going to be given them by the travellers.

The sail was glorious, and at first great way was made, but in the course of the afternoon the wind dropped, and the little vessel hardly moved through the water.

"This is vexatious," the professor said. "I am anxious to get to our journey's end."

"Don't say that," said Lawrence, almost reproachfully; "one seems to be so happy, and everything is so delightful out here in the suns.h.i.+ne. I should like to go sailing on like this for ever."

"If we had some cus.h.i.+ons," put in Mr Burne, who had overheard his remark. "Well, it doesn't matter to a few days, one way or the other, Preston," he continued; "we are very comfortable considering, my back's better, and this is easy travelling, so never mind about Yussuf's suspicions. All nonsense."

That day glided away, the brilliant night came, and with it the nervous feeling of all being not as it should be.

Nothing more had been said to Mr Burne till quite evening, but then the professor felt it to be his duty to speak of the suspicion, and did so; but the old lawyer laughed.