CHAPTER XXIII
AN OFFER OF MARRIAGE
The summer is scarcely a good time to visit Egypt, but Monty and hisguests had a desire to see even a little of the northern coast ofAfrica. It was decided, therefore, that after Athens, the "Flitter"should go south. The yacht had met them at Naples after the automobileprocession,--a kind of triumphal progress,--was disbanded in Florence,and they had taken a hurried survey of Rome. By the middle of July theparty was leaving the heat of Egypt and finding it not half bad. NewYork was not more than a month away as Brewster reckoned time anddistance, and there was still too much money in the treasury. AsSeptember drew nearer he got into the habit of frequently forgettingSwearengen Jones until it was too late to retrace his steps. He wascoming to the "death struggle," as he termed it, and there wassomething rather terrorizing in the fear that "the million might diehard." And so these last days and nights were glorious ones, if onecould have looked at them with unbiased, untroubled eyes. But everymember of his party was praying for the day when the "Flitter" would bewell into the broad Atlantic and the worst over. At Alexandria Brewsterhad letters to some Englishmen, and in the few entertainments that hegave succeeded once again in fairly outdoing Aladdin.
A sheik from the interior was a guest at one of Monty's entertainments.He was a burly, hot-blooded fellow, with a densely-populated harem, andhe had been invited more as a curiosity than as one to be honored. Ashe came aboard the "Flitter," Monty believed the invitation was morethan justified. Mohammed was superb, and the women of the party made somuch of him that it was small wonder that his head was turned. He felldesperately in love with Peggy Gray on sight, and with all thecomposure of a potentate who had never been crossed he sent forBrewster the next day and told him to "send her around" and he wouldmarry her. Monty's blood boiled furiously for a minute or two, but hewas quick to see the wisdom of treating the proposition diplomatically.He tried to make it plain to the sheik that Miss Gray could not acceptthe honor he wished to confer upon her, but it was not Mohammed'scustom to be denied anything he asked for--especially anythingfeminine. He complacently announced that he would come aboard thatafternoon and talk it over with Peggy.
Brewster looked the swarthy gentleman over with unconcealed disgust inhis eyes. The mere thought of this ugly brute so much as touching thehand of little Peggy Gray filled him with horror, and yet there wassomething laughable in the situation. He could not hide the smile thatcame with the mind picture of Peggy listening to the avowal of thesheik. The Arab misinterpreted this exhibition of mirth. To him thegrin indicated friendship and encouragement. He wanted to give Brewstera ring as a pledge of affection, but the American declined theoffering, and also refused to carry a bag of jewels to Peggy.
"I'll let the old boy come aboard just to see Peggy look a hole throughhim," he resolved. "No matter how obnoxious it may be, it isn't everygirl who can say an oriental potentate has asked her to marry him. Ifthis camel-herder gets disagreeable we may tumble him into the sea fora change."
With the best grace possible he invited the sheik to come aboard andconsult Miss Gray in person. Mohammed was a good bit puzzled over theintimation that it would be necessary for him to plead for anything hehad expressed a desire to possess. Brewster confided the news to "Rip"Van Winkle and "Subway" Smith, who had gone ashore with him, and thetrio agreed that it would be good sport to let the royal proposal comeas a surprise to Peggy. Van Winkle returned to the yacht at once, buthis companions stayed ashore to do some shopping. When they approachedthe "Flitter" later on they observed an unusual commotion on deck.
Mohammed had not tarried long after their departure. He gathered histrain together, selected a few costly presents that had been returnedfrom the harem and advanced on the boat without delay. The captain ofthe "Flitter" stared long and hard at the gaily bedecked launches andthen called to his first officer. Together they watched the ceremoniousapproach. A couple of brown-faced heralds came aboard first andannounced the approach of the mighty chief. Captain Perry went forwardto greet the sheik as he came over the side of the ship, but he wasbrushed aside by the advance guards. Half a hundred swarthy fellowscrowded aboard and then came the sheik, the personification of pomp andpride.
"Where is she?" he asked in his native tongue. The passengers were bythis time aware of the visitation, and began to straggle on deck,filled with curiosity. "What the devil do you mean by coming aboard inthis manner?" demanded the now irate Captain Perry, shoving a couple ofretainers out of his path and facing the beaming suitor. An interpretertook a hand at this juncture and the doughty captain finally was madeto understand the object of the visit. He laughed in the sheik's faceand told the mate to call up a few jackies to drive the "dagoes" off."Rip" Van Winkle interfered and peace was restored. The cruise hadchanged "Rip" into a happier and far more radiant creature, so it wasonly natural that he should have shared the secret with Mary Valentine.He had told the story of the sheik's demand to her as soon as he cameaboard, and she had divulged it to Peggy the instant "Rip" was out ofsight.
Brewster found the sheik sitting in state on the upper deck impatientlyawaiting the appearance of his charmer. He did not know her name, buthe had tranquilly commanded "Rip" to produce all of the women on boardso that he might select Peggy from among them. Van Winkle and Bragdon,who now was in the secret, were preparing to march the ladies past theruler when Monty came up.
"Has he seen Peggy?" he asked of Van Winkle.
"Not yet. She is dressing for the occasion."
"Well, wait and see what happens to him when she gets over the firstshock," laughed Monty.
Just then the sheik discovered Peggy, who, pretty as a picture, drewnear the strange group. To her amazement two slaves rushed forward andobstructed her passage long enough to beat their heads on the deck afew times, after which they arose and tendered two magnificentnecklaces. She was prepared for the proposal, but this actiondisconcerted her; she gasped and looked about in perplexity. Herfriends were smiling broadly and the sheik had placed his hands overhis palpitating heart.
"Lothario has a pain," whispered "Rip" Van Winkle sympathetically, andBrewster laughed. Peggy did not hesitate an instant after hearing thelaugh. She walked straight toward the sheik. Her cheeks were pink andher eyes were flashing dangerously. The persistent brown slavesfollowed with the jewels, but she ignored them completely. Brave as sheintended to be, she could not repress the shudder of repulsion thatwent over her as she looked full upon this eager Arab.
Graceful and slender she stood before the burly Mohammed, but his ardorwas not cooled by the presence of so many witnesses. With a thud hedropped to his knees, wabbling for a moment in the successful effort tomaintain a poetic equilibrium. Then he began pouring forth volumes ofshattered French, English and Arabic sentiment, accompanied by facialcontortions so intense that they were little less than gruesome.
"Oh, joy of the sun supreme, jewel of the only eye, hearken to theentreaty of Mohammed." It was more as if he were commanding his troopsin battle than pleading for the tender compassion of a lady love. "I amcome for you, queen of the sea and earth and sky. My boats are here, mycamels there, and Mohammed promises you a palace in the sun-lit hillsif you will but let him bask forever in the glory of your smile." Allthis was uttered in a mixture of tongues so atrocious that "Subway"Smith afterward described it as a salad. The retinue bowed impressivelyand two or three graceless Americans applauded as vigorously as if theywere approving the actions of a well-drilled comic opera chorus.Sailors were hanging in the rigging, on the davits and over the deckhouse roof.
"Smile for the gentleman, Peggy," commanded Brewster delightedly. "Hewants to take a short bask."
"You are very rude, Mr. Brewster," said Peggy, turning upon him coldly.Then to the waiting, expectant sheik: "What is the meaning of thiseloquence?"
Mohammed looked bewildered for a moment and then turned to theinterpreter, who cleared up the mystery surrounding her English. Forthe next three or four minutes the air was filled with the "Jewels ofAfrica," "Star,"
"Sunlight," "Queen," "Heavenly Joy," "Pearl of theDesert," and other things in bad English, worse French, and perfectArabic. He was making promises that could not be redeemed if he lived athousand years. In conclusion the gallant sheik drew a long breath,screwed his face into a simpering grin and played his trump card inunmistakable English. It sounded pathetically like "You're a peach."
An indecorous roar went up from the white spectators and a jacky in therigging, suddenly thinking of home, piped up with a bar or two from"The Star Spangled Banner."
Having accomplished what he considered to be his part of the ceremonythe sheik arose and started toward his launch, coolly motioning for herto follow. So far as he was concerned the matter was closed. But Peggy,her heart thumping like a trip-hammer, her eyes full of excitement,implored him to stop for a moment.
"I appreciate this great honor, but I have a request to make," she saidclearly. Mohammed paused irresolutely and in some irritation.
"Here's where the heathen gets it among the beads," whispered Monty toMrs. Dan, and he called out: "Captain Perry, detail half a dozen men topick up the beads that are about to slip from his majesty's neck."