is to be intercepted," he said. "If
Sakr-el-Bahr does not command, who shall, in Heaven's name?"

"Try me, O my father," cried Marzak.

Asad smiled with grim wistfulness. "Art weary of life, O my son, that
thou wouldst go to thy death and take the galeasse to destruction?"

"Thou art less than just, O my father," Marzak protested.

"Yet more than kind, O my son," replied Asad, and they went on in
silence thereafter, until they came to the mole.

The splendid galeasse was moored alongside, and all about her there was
great bustle of preparation for departure. Porters moved up and down the
gangway that connected her with the shore, carrying bales of provisions,
barrels of water, kegs of gunpowder, and other necessaries for the
voyage, and even as Asad and his followers reached the head of that
gangway, four negroes were staggering down it under the load of a huge
palmetto bale that was slung from staves yoked to their shoulders.

On the poop stood Sakr-el-Bahr with Othmani, Ali, Jasper-Reis, and some
other officers. Up and down the gangway paced Larocque and Vigitello,
two renegade boatswains, one French and the other Italian, who had
sailed with him on every voyage for the past two years. Larocque was
superintending the loading of the vessel, bawling his orders for the
bestowal of provisions here, of water yonder, and of powder about the
mainmast. Vigitello was making a final inspection of the slaves at the
oars.

As the palmetto pannier was brought aboard, Larocque shouted to
the negroes to set it down by the mainmast. But here Sakr-el-Bahr
interfered, bidding them, instead, to bring it up to the stern and place
it in the poop-house.

Asad had dismounted, and stood with Marzak at his side at the head of
the gangway when the youth finally begged his father himself to take
command of this expedition, allowing him to come as his lieutenant and
so learn the ways of the sea.

Asad looked at him curiously, but answered nothing. He went aboard,
Marzak and the others following him. It was at this moment that
Sakr-el-Bahr first became aware of the Basha's presence, and he came
instantly forward to do the honours of his galley. If there was a sudden
uneasiness in his heart his face was calm and his glance as arrogant and
steady as ever.

"May the peace of Allah overshadow thee and thy house, O mighty Asad,"
was his greeting. "We are on the point of casting off, and I shall sail
the more securely for thy blessing."