"Go ahead now," whispered Canaris, "and luck be with you. That big fellow is the head man."
For a moment Guy could find no voice, and failure stared him in the face.
The horrified expression on the Greek's countenance broke the spell, and raising his voice he said clearly and distinctly:
"Tell your master we are Portuguese who have come from Zaila at the bidding of Makar Makalo, the ruler."
The Arab communicated this piece of news in a loud tone that drew a murmur of surprise from the people, but brought no response from the chief, who merely stared impudently.
"The English have made an attack on Zaila by land and sea," Guy went on in a louder voice. "The town is at their mercy. They have promised Makar to withdraw on condition that the British governor of the town and his friend, who were taken and sold into slavery, be delivered up to them safely. Therefore Makar Makalo has sent us to demand of you the two Englishmen, a supply of food for the journey, and an escort back to Zaila. For this he agrees to reward you well. We came as far as yonder mountain with a caravan bound for Harar, and as there is great need of haste we would start on our return at once."
This long speech the Arab likewise proclaimed aloud, and with the utmost anxiety Guy and Canaris watched its effect on the people.
They heard it in ominous silence, and the chief spoke a few words to his interpreter, who instantly turned to Guy and announced, in very imperfect English, that nothing could be done until Oko Sam was released from his captivity. He told briefly of the attack on the village, of their plan of surprising the Abyssinians at daybreak, and concluded by inviting them to dismount and await the result of the fight.
It was evident at least that nothing was suspected. So far they had played their part to perfection. But here was an unexpected hindrance.
The leader refused to act without the sanction of Oko Sam, and a delay would be fatal.
"Insist on it," whispered Canaris hurriedly; "it is our only chance."
"Tell your master we cannot wait," replied Guy, in well feigned anger.
"Every moment is precious, and we must hasten back to Makar Makalo. Give us the Englishmen at once or we will go away without them and tell Makar Makalo how you have treated his messengers."
This bold declaration had its effect.
The chief withdrew to a little distance and held a long conference with half a dozen of his companions.
Guy and Canaris remained calm and motionless on their camels, haughtily scanning the sea of threatening black faces that hemmed them in on all sides.
Their only ground for hope rested in the fear which Makar Makalo, by his summary dealings with these tribes, had inspired in them.
The single motive which in all probability hindered the head man from acceding at once to their demands was the dread of Oko Sam's displeasure in case that despotic monarch were rescued in the morning.
The eager confab was still going on as strenuously as ever when a tumult arose from the outskirts of the throng, and presently, amid hoarse cheering and applause, a man broke through the parted ranks of the people and limped feebly into the open space.
It was Oko Sam!
CHAPTER XX.
BY A HAIR'S BREADTH.
A nervous shiver passed through Guy as he recognized the repulsive face of his old enemy, and instinctively he pulled his burnouse closer around his head. Oko Sam darted a curious glance at the two motionless figures on the camels and then advanced to meet the head man, who broke off the conference and greeted his newly arrived chief in a most servile manner.
"Don't despair," whispered Guy; "those infernal Abyssinians have become drunk and allowed their captive to slip away just at this critical time, but all may go well yet."
It took but a short time to make Oko Sam acquainted with the facts of the case. He strode up to the camels, and gazed long and haughtily at the two strangers. Then, apparently satisfied with his scrutiny, he addressed a few words to the weazened Arab, and, turning to his people, jabbered away volubly for two or three minutes. When he ceased, half a dozen men started off in different directions, and the interpreter proceeded to communicate the decision to Guy, who, in spite of his calm exterior, was greatly agitated.
"Oko Sam say yes," began the Arab. "He friend of Makar Makalo; he no want Makar lose Zaila; he give plenty food for journey; he give six, ten, twenty men go long, so bring back much gift from Makar. You say Makar give much, hey?"
"Yes," replied Guy, repressing with difficulty his extreme joy, "Makar will give big rewards to Oko Sam."
The Arab turned aside with a grunt of satisfaction as half a dozen natives came up, bearing leathern sacks of provisions, which were handed up, one at a time, to Guy and Canaris, and slung across the necks of their camels.
This proceeding was barely over, when, to Guy's amazement and disgust, a band of Gallas, fully armed, and bearing each a supply of food strapped on their backs, advanced into the open space.
This was Oko Sam's promised escort! Instead of two men there were twenty.
"These good fellows here go long," said the Arab. "They no have camels; they go on foot one day's journey, then reach other tribe, where find plenty camel."
This statement relieved Guy considerably. It would not be so difficult, after all, to get rid of the troublesome escort if they were on foot.
And now came the crisis. At a signal from Oko Sam the guards about the hut flung open the entrance, and in a moment two emaciated, half starved figures were led forth, whom it was actually difficult to recognize as the pompous Sir Arthur Ashby and brave Colonel Carrington.
They still wore their uniforms, but the cloth hung in folds about their shrunken limbs, and their faces were pitifully thin and distressed.
Guy's heart beat fast with indignation as he gazed on this melancholy sight, and then he purposely half turned his face away, lest the prisoners should recognize him and unconsciously cause the failure of the whole plan.
The people drew back as the little group reached the camels. The two Englishmen were lifted up behind the supposed Portuguese--Sir Arthur with Canaris, the colonel beside Chutney--and so weak and helpless were they that it was necessary to partially strap them in their places.
All was now ready. Guy and Canaris were prepared to start, the prisoners were in their possession, and the armed escort were exchanging farewells with their comrades.
At this supreme moment, when the fullest success seemed assured, a startling diversion occurred.
A big Arab, a new arrival evidently, pushed his way forward, and as his glance fell on the Greek he started with surprise, and exclaimed aloud, "Canaris!"
With wonderful self possession the Greek looked at him in mute ignorance; but the Arab, who had probably but just come from Harar, pressed forward, and, joining Oko Sam a few paces away, began to talk excitedly in a low voice.
"We are lost. Chutney," whispered Canaris in tones of despair.
At the mention of this name. Guy felt the colonel's arms clasp his waist in a convulsive thrill.
"Not a sound, Colonel Carrington," he muttered under his breath, "as you value your freedom."
The tightened grasp instantly relaxed, and Guy turned his head slightly to obtain a clearer view of Oko Sam.
This action hastened the climax, for his burnous caught on the button of Colonel Carrington's coat and fell to the ground. A glaring torch passing at the moment completed the catastrophe, and the keen eyed Galla chief uttered a howl of rage and amazement as he recognized his old enemy of the market place at Berbera.
Never did Captain Chutney's quick wits do him a better service than at that moment.
In one glance he took in the whole situation, the astounded chief and his counselors, the swarthy mass of savages ready for instant action, the armed escort that stood between him and the edge of the encampment.
More speedily than words can tell it, his determination was reached.
With a warning cry to Canaris, a hasty injunction to Colonel Carrington to hold fast, he snatched a short dagger from his waist and plunged it an inch or more into the flank of the Greek's camel, and then into that of his own animal.