our of our task."

"Ameen to that, my lord," said Sakr-el-Bahr devoutly. "I almost
feared...."

"No more!" the Basha interrupted him. "Thou wert never a man to fear
anything, which is why I have loved thee as a son."

But it suited Marzak not at all that the matter should be thus
dismissed, that it should conclude upon a note of weakening from his
father, upon what indeed amounted to a speech of reconciliation. Before
Sakr-el-Bahr could make answer he had cut in to set him a question laden
with wicked intent.

"How will thy bride beguile the season of thine absence, O
Sakr-el-Bahr?"

"I have lived too little with women to be able to give thee an answer,"
said the corsair.

Marzak winced before a reply that seemed to reflect upon himself. But he
returned to the attack.

"I compassionate thee that art the slave of duty, driven so soon to
abandon the delight of her soft arms. Where hast thou bestowed her, O
captain?"

"Where should a Muslim bestow his wife but according to the biddings of
the Prophet--in the house?"

Marzak sneered. "Verily, I marvel at thy fortitude in quitting her so
soon!"

But Asad caught the sneer, and stared at his son. "What cause is there
to marvel in that a true Muslim should sacrifice his inclinations to
the service of the Faith?" His tone was a rebuke; but it left Marzak
undismayed. The youth sprawled gracefully upon his cushions, one leg
tucked under him.

"Place no excess of faith in appearances, O my father!" he said.

"No more!" growled the Basha. "Peace to thy tongue, Marzak, and may
Allah the All-knowing smile upon our expedition, lending strength to
our arms to smite the infidel to whom the fragrance of the garden is
forbidden."

To this again Sakr-el-Bahr replied "Ameen," but an uneasiness abode in
his heart summoned thither by the questions Marzak had set him. Were
they idle words calculated to do no more than plague him, and to keep
fresh in Asad's mind the memory of Rosamund, or were they based upon
some actual knowledge?

His fears were to be quickened soon on that same score. He was leaning
that afternoon upon the rail, idly observing the doling out of the
rations to the slaves, when Marzak came to join him.

For some moments he stood silently beside Sakr-el-Bahr watching
Vigitello and his men as they passed from bench to bench serving out
biscuits and dried dates to the rowers--but sparingly, for oars move
sluggishly when stomachs are too well nourished--and g