Page:Oriental Encounters (IA orientalencounte00pick).pdf/43

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THE RHINOCEROS WHIP
33

poor, ill-used one. We will take the whip from him.’

At that Rashîd’s grief ceased as if by magic. He took the sergeant’s hand and fondled it, as they went off together. I followed with the crowd as far as to the cabman’s door, a filthy entry in a narrow lane, where, wishing to avoid discovery, I broke away and walked back quickly to the khan.

I had been there in my private alcove some few minutes, when Rashîd arrived with a triumphant air, holding on high the famous whip. The sergeant came across the court with him. A score of soldiers waited in the gateway as I could see by the light of the great lantern hanging from the arch.

‘Praise be to Allah, I have found it!’ cried Rashîd.

‘Praise be to Allah, we have been enabled to do a little service for your Highness,’ cried the sergeant. Therewith he pounced upon my hand and kissed it. I made them both sit down and called for coffee. Between the two of them, I heard the story. The sergeant praised Rashîd’s intelligence in going out and crying in a public place

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