elizabethpeters.thegoldenone-第48章

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　Fortunately　my　conscience　was　perfectly　clear。
　It　was　to　be　our　last　peaceful　hour　for　several　days。　From　Romani　on；　the　road　surface　worsened；　and　we　encountered　a　great　deal　of　traffic。　Heavy　lorries　lumbered　past；　loaded　with　supplies；　troops　of　soldiers　plodded　through　the　sand。　They　gave　us　curious　glances；　but　no　one　ventured　to　address　us。　The　magnificent　presence　of　Emerson；　his　nose　jutting　out　from　the　spreading　blackness　of　his　beard；　was　imposing　enough　to　win　respect；　and　the　presence　of　two　veiled　females　forbade　interference。　The　men　had　been　warned　to　leave　Moslem　women　strictly　alone。　Squeezed　unfortably　in　our　nest　of　baggage；　Nefret　and　I　looked　enviously　at　the　troops　of　cavalry　that　occasionally　contested　our　right　of　way。　Most　of　them　were　Australians　or　New　Zealanders；　and　a　splendid…looking　lot　of　men　they　were。
　It　was　after　we　passed　el…Arish；　the　farthest　advance　of　the　railroad；　that　the　real　trouble　began。　Men　were　working　on　the　tracks　and　our　unusual　group　had　begun　to　attract　undesirable　attention。　Emerson；　who　thinks　he　knows　everything　…　and　usually　does　…　declared　he　knew　of　another　path　that　would　lead　us　through　the　Wadi　el…Arish　and　into　Palestine　from　the　southwest。
　There　had　been　fighting　at　Maghdaba；　some　twenty　miles　west　of　el…Arish；　and　the　ground　was　strewn　with　the　debris　of　battle；　including　the　pathetic　remains　of　horses　and　camels。　After　the　second　tire　blew　I　began　to　worry　about　supplies。　We　were　down　to　our　last　three　cans　of　petrol；　and　the　water　was　running　low。　The　bed　of　the　wadi　was　rough　but　not　impassable；　Selim　kept　turning　and　swerving；　trying；　as　I　supposed；　to　avoid　the　worst　bumps。　He　could　not　avoid　all　of　them；　holding　Nefret　in　a　firm　embrace；　I　began　to　wonder　how　the　devil　we　were　to　get　out　of　the　cursed　canyon。　It　was　one　of　the　longest　wadis　in　the　region；　stretching　all　the　way　down　into　the　desert。　Suddenly　there　was　a　shout　from　Emerson。
　〃There！〃　he　cried；　pointing。　〃Left；　Selim。〃
　I　took　one　appalled　look　at　the　slope；　littered　with　boulders；　and　shrieked；　〃Stop！〃
　Selim　did；　of　course。　When　faced　with　conflicting　orders　from　Emerson　and　me；　he　knew　whose　mand　to　obey。　Emerson　turned　and　shot　me　an　outraged　glare。　〃What's　the　matter　with　you；　Peabody？　There　is　no　easier　way　out　of　the　wadi　for　another　five　miles；　and　…〃
　〃Easier？　Well；　Emerson；　I　will　take　your　word　for　it；　but　I　am　not　going　to　be　bounced　up　that　incline。　Nefret　and　I　will　ascend　on　foot。　Get　out　of　those　clothes；　Nefret。〃
　I　began　stripping　off　my　own　garments　as　I　spoke。　Flushed　with　heat　but　perfectly　posed；　Nefret　said　meekly；　〃Yes；　Mother；〃　and　followed　my　example。
　The　men　raised　all　sorts　of　objections。　Emerson　declared；　〃You　can't　climb　in　those　clothes！〃　and　Selim；　deeply　offended；　assured　us　that　he　was　perfectly　capable　of　getting　the　confounded　motorcar　up　the　slope　without　difficulty。　Naturally　I　ignored　these　plaints。　After　fumbling　about；　I　located　one　of　the　bundles　I　had　brought　and　took　out　two　pairs　of　boots。
　〃What　the　devil；〃　Emerson　began。
　〃I　believe　in　being　prepared　for　all　possible　contingencies；〃　I　replied。　〃And　as　you　see；　it　is　as　well　I　was！　Hoist　up　your　trousers；　Nefret；　and　tuck　the　ends　into　your　boots。　Now　then；　I　think　we　can　manage；　are　you　ready；　my　dear？〃
　Nefret　grinned。　〃As　Ramses　has　often　said；　you　never　cease　to　amaze　me；　Mother。　Yes；　I'm　ready。〃
　It　was　not　a　difficult　climb　…　there　was　even　a　path　of　sorts；　winding　back　and　forth　across　the　slope。　We　were　able　to　remain　upright　most　of　the　time；　without　having　to　resort　to　four…limbed　progress。　When　we　reached　the　top　we　saw　before　us　a　baked；　barren　landscape　that　shimmered　with　sunlight；　but　the　hot　air　dried　the　perspiration　that　had　coated　our　bodies；　and　it　was　wonderful　to　be　out　of　those　layers　of　clothing。
　Nefret　peered　down　into　the　wadi。　〃Selim　has　backed　the　car　up；〃　she　said。　〃They　see　us　…　the　Professor　is　waving　us　to　get　out　of　the　way　…　they're　ing　。　。　。　Oh　dear。　I　don't　think　I　can　watch。〃
　It　was　impossible　not　to；　though。　Amid　crashes　and　thumps　and　the　groans　of　various　bits　of　the　machinery；　the　vehicle　thundered　up　the　slope。　Even　louder　than　the　other　noises　were　the　enthusiastic　whoops　of　Emerson；　bouncing　up　and　down　and　grinning　from　ear　to　ear。　When　Selim　stopped；　on　a　fairly　level　stretch　of　ground；　Nefret　and　I　ran　toward　the　car。
　〃There；　you　see？〃　Emerson　demanded。　〃I　told　you　it　would　be　all　right。〃
　〃One　of　the　tires　is　flat；〃　I　remarked。
　Emerson　waved　this　aside。　〃We'll　have　it　mended　in　a　jiffy。〃
　Selim　managed　to　mend　the　tire；　despite　Emerson's　attempts　at　advice　and　assistance。　We　passed　round　the　water　bottle；　resumed　our　costumes；　and　started　again。
　I　will　draw　a　veil　over　the　succeeding　hours。　I　lost　count　of　the　number　of　times　we　got　stuck　in　a　sand　dune。　On　several　occasions　Selim　was　able　to　back　up　and　go　at　it　again；　at　other　times　he　had　to　lay　the　planks　down　and　Emerson　had　to　push　from　behind。　He　had　removed　all　his　extraneous　garments；　and　shouted　encouragement　to　Selim　as　the　wheels　spun　and　sent　sand　spraying　over　him。　His　head　was　bare；　his　fine　linen　shirt　was　torn　and　smeared　with　oil；　in　short；　he　was　having　a　wonderful　time。
　As　the　sun　sank　westward；　it　became　apparent　that　we　were　not　going　to　make　it　back　to　the　coastal　road　that　day。　Bathed　in　perspiration；　muffled　in　fabric；　I　was　considering　methods　of　murdering　Emerson；　and　perhaps　Selim　as　well；　when　I　saw　ahead　a　few　spindly　palm　trees。
　〃There　it　is；〃　Emerson　said　happily。　〃I　thought　I　remembered　the　location。〃
　〃You　thought？〃　I　repeated。
　It　was　not　much　of　an　oasis；　but　there　was　water；　brackish　and　muddy；　but　enough　to　allow　us　to　sponge　our　faces　and　limbs。　〃Your　little　shortcut　has　only　cost　a　day；〃　I　remarked；　as　we　sat　round　the　small　fire。　〃So　far。〃
　〃We'll　be　back　on　the　main　road　tomorrow；〃　Emerson　said。　〃And　in　Khan　Yunus　by　nightfall。〃
　〃So　you　say。〃　I　looked　at　Nefret；　who　was　sitting　cross…legged　on　the　ground　eating　sardines　out　of　a　tin。　〃I　will　have　to　dye　your　skin　again；　Nefret。　What　with　sand　and　perspiration；　most　of　it　is　gone。　And　you；　Emerson　…〃
　〃What's　wrong　with　my　appearance？〃　Emerson　demanded；　running　his　hand　through　his　beard　and　sprinkling　his　sardines　with　sand。
　〃Shall　I　have　a　disguise；　Sitt　Hakim？〃　Selim　asked　hopefully。
　〃You　might　shave　your　beard；〃　I　said。
　Selim　went　pale　and　clutched　at　his　treasured　beard。　I　repented　my　cruelty　almost　at　once。　〃I　was　joking；　Selim。　You　are　not　known　in　this　region；　I　do　not　believe　a　disguise　is　necessary。〃
　　
　One　can　easily　prehend　how　the　Israelites　felt　when；　after　toiling　through　the　arid　wilderness；　they　beheld　before　them　the　green　pastures　and　fertile　fields　of　the　Promised　Land。　（I　did　not　mention　this　charming　idea　to　Emerson；　since　he　does　not　believe　in　the　Exodus　and　would　have　given　me　a　long　boring　lecture　about　it。）
　All　was　fresh　and　emerald　green；　with　the　brilliant　scarlet　spots　of　poppies　dotting　the　landscape。　Winter　was　passing　and　summer　was　yet　to　e；　the　air　was　fresh　and　cool；　the　sky　a　cerulean　cloudless　vault；　wildflowers　grew　in　profusion：　anemones　and　lilies；　wild　purple　iris　and　sweet　peas　of　all　shades；　from　golden　yellow　to　rosy　mauve。
　Yet　the　signs　of　war　were　everywhere。　Every　now　and　again　an　aircraft　would　drone　overhead；　and　sometimes　its　passage　was　followed　by　an　explosion　and　a　cloud　of　dust。　None　of　the　bombs　came　close　to　us；　but　I　was　glad　of　the　veil　that　covered　my　face。　Since　that　air　raid　in　London　I　had　a　tendency　to　flinch　at　explosions。
　We　did　not　want　to　spend　another　night　on　the　road；　so　we　started　early　and　went　on　with　scarcely　a　pause　until　late　afternoon。　As　the　sun　blazoned　the　western　sky　with　flaming　color　we　came　to　the　outskirts　of　Khan　Yunus。　An　old　city　of　the　Philistines；　like　Gaza；　it　was　a　garden　spot　indeed；　with　flowers　everywhere　and　fig　and　orange　trees　heavy　with　fruit。　Selim　propelled　the　motorcar　skillfully　through　the　narrow　streets；　and　I　realized　that　our　arrival　would　not　go　unnoticed　by　the　military。　Since　the　enemy　had　withdrawn　without　a　battle；　the　town　had　been　spared　destruction；　and　our　brave　fellows　were　enjoying　the　amenities　of　the　suk　and　the　picturesque　winding　lanes。　In　the　center　of　the　main　square；　a　group　of　field　engineers　was　at　work　improving　the　old　well。　According　to　Emerson；　Mahmud's　house　was　on　one　side　of　this　square。
　Unlike　the　city　mansions　with　which　I　was　acquainted；　this　one　did　not　face　directly　onto　the　street。　Instead　we　saw　a　high；　featureless　wall　of　stone　covered　with　crumbling　plaster　and　a　double…leaved　door　wide　enough　to　be　called　a　gate。　Heavy　and　banded　with　iron；　it　stood　ajar；　and　from　the　litter　that　had　blown　up　against　it　I　had　the　impression　it　had　not　been　closed　for　quite　a　while。
　Selim　got　out　and　shoved　at　it。　Emerson　maintained　his　stately　persona；　looking　neither　to　right　nor　left。　I　leaned　forward　and　spoke　softly。　〃It　is　an　unusual　arrangement；　Emerson。　More　like　a　khan　or　caravansary。　And　the　gate　is　wide　enough　for　…〃
　〃Camels；〃　said　Emerson；　sotto　voce　and　without　turning　his　head。　〃Some　of　the　old　villain's　caravans　carry　merchandise　that　cannot　be　unloaded　in　the　open　street。　Be　quiet；　Peabody；　you　have　not　been　given　permission　to　speak。〃
　After　shoving　with　all　his　strength；　Selim　got　the　rusted　hinges　to　move。　When　the　gates　creaked　open　we　saw　an　unpaved　courtyard　and　a　group　of　men；　women；　naked　babies；　chickens；　goats；　and　a　sheep　gathered　in　the　courtyard。　All；　except　for　the　chickens；　stared　in　stupefaction。　Obviously　we　had　not　been　expected。
　They　were　members　of　a　family　that　had　been　charged　by　Mahmud　to　look　after　the　place；　they　had　taken　advantage　of　his　absence　to　move　in　and　make　themselves　at　home。　Our　appearance　threw　them　into　a　total　panic。　Emerson's　curses　soon　sorted　them　out；　and　they　scattered　in　all　directions　to　carry　out　his　orders。　Once　the　babies；　goats；　and　sheep　had　been　removed；　Selim　drove　the　car　into　the　courtyard　and　closed　the　gates。　I　did　not　doubt　the　military　authorities　would　soon　be　informed　of　our　arrival；　and　could　only　hope　that　Emerson's　forged　papers　would　convince　them　of　our　bona　fides。　There　was　no　use　worrying　about　it。　We　would　deal　with　unexpected　setbacks　in　our　usual　efficient　fashion。
　Straight　ahead；　forming　one　side　of　the　courtyard；　was　the　house　itself。　The　living　quarters　were　on　the　first　floor；　with　storage　and　work　areas　underneath。　The　barred　and　closely　screened　windows　on　one　side　of　the　facade　must　be　those　of　the　haremlik；　on　the　other　side；　stone　steps　led　up　to　the　carved　arches　of　the　mak'ad；　a　reception　room　that　was　open　to　the　court　so　that　the　owner　of　the　house　could　see　approaching　visitors　…　male　visitors。　The　mak'ad　was　not　used　by　the　women　of　the　household。
　Obeying　a　brusque　gesture　from　Emerson；　who　was　reveling　in　his　role；　Nefret　and　I　gathered　up　our　voluminous　skirts　and　went　through　a　side　door　and　up　a　flight　of　narrow　stairs　to　the　haremlik。
　We　were　followed　by　several　women；　squawking　like　the　chickens　as　they　made　excuses　and　offered　assistance。　I　could　see　I　had　a　long　job　ahead　of　me　getting　the　place　in　proper　order。　The　basic　plan　was　fortable　if　somewhat　old…fashioned；　with　a　bath　chamb