CHAPTER II--IN PERSIA
When they reached the pier they found themselves confronted by severalTurkish officers, who immediately began questioning them. Theirpassports were scrutinized doubtfully; and it began to appear that therewould be a long delay, during which all their luggage would beoverhauled and examined piece by piece.
Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick's ear, anddirectly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of theofficers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change,for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened andthat there need not be the slightest delay. They were at liberty toleave the custom house at once and take their belongings with them.
Barely had they passed from the custom house when they suddenly foundthemselves surrounded, as it seemed, by people from all the tribes ofthe earth. This throng was made up of street venders who were peddlingall sorts of goods, sugared figs, sandals, grapes, bread, clothes, andall of them shouting in a babel of tongues that was deafening andbewildering.
"Whoop!" cried Brad. "Talk about an Indian pow-wow! This beats it amile! You hear me gurgle!"
When these peddlers would have charged on the Americans Mustapha warnedthem off and held them at bay, shooting violent remarks at them in adozen different languages. With his aid they succeeded in passingthrough the thick of the throng without suffering physical violence.
"Well, I certain thought I was due to lose my scalp that go!" laughedthe Texan. "Pard, you sure did a right good thing when you engaged thisgent to pilot us. He knows his biz a plenty."
"Richard," said the professor, "I must compliment you on your acumen anddiscernment. It has aroused within my innermost depths unspeakableemotions of profound admiration which I am incompetent to adequatelyexpress----"
"Hold on, professor!" cried Dick. "Leave that kind of gas to the ladyfrom Boston, and talk in your usual sensible manner. Up to the presentoccasion you have been running things, but your encounter with MajorFitts left you in such a condition that I saw something had to be done,and so I tried my hand."
"With flattering success, my boy--with flattering success. Why, young asyou are, I believe you could get along anywhere--in any country orclime."
"Thanks, professor. We'll let it go at that."
"What is that chap with the can and wooden mugs selling?" questionedBrad.
"That is a water seller," exclaimed Zenas.
"Water? Wow! Is water so dear on this range that they can peddle it?"
"Water is the beverage of the Turk. He never touches intoxicants.Unspeakable he may be, but he has that virtue."
"That may be true," said Dick; "but he doesn't keep his streets clean."
In truth they had emerged into a labyrinth of dark, narrow, and filthystreets, all the charm of the place having disappeared as soon as theywere fairly on land. The mosques and towers had vanished, and theirsurroundings were decidedly repellent. Everywhere was mud, and garbage,and dogs. Of the latter there seemed to be hundreds upon hundreds ofevery breed and description.
"They are the street cleaners," explained the professor. "Here no oneharms a dog, for if it were not for them the city would become toofilthy for human beings to inhabit."
"Well, I certain am not as much stuck on Constantinople as I was,"growled Brad.
"I must remind you," said Zenas, "that there is really no such place asConstantinople. The European quarters of the city is called Pera, whilethe Moslem quarter is Stamboul."
"Perhaps Brad isn't stuck on it," said Dick; "but I am. If this mud getsworse I shall be stuck on it to such an extent that I can't perambulate.Look here, Mustapha, have we got to foot it all the way to our hotel?"
"No, effendi; we tak' tram car, we tak' horse--you choose."
Even as he spoke they came to a street corner where several saddledhorses were waiting, after the manner of cabs in an American city.
"Me to the broncho!" cried Brad.
"There is the tram car," said Dick, with a motion.
The car was seen a short distance away, and the professor favoredchoosing that method of conveyance. Mustapha, however, for all that hehad invited them make their choice, argued against it, explaining thathalf the car was reserved for ladies and that the other half was alwayscrowded to suffocation.
Therefore they decided on the horses. Soon they were mounted and ontheir way up the long hill to Pera.
Although much of its beauty had vanished, the strange sights and soundsof the city keenly interested the American lads. They beheld people ofmany nationalities, yellow-coated Jews, with corkscrew curls, Bohemians,Nubians, Chinamen, Englishmen--all hastening on their various ways.
Pera proved to be a city quite modern in appearance, made up mostly ofmonotonous four-storied houses, new hotels, and shops filled withmachine-made Oriental goods. The houses were flat-roofed and nearly allof them had balconies with cast-iron railings.
At last they arrived at their hotel, where they settled with Mustapha,who settled in turn with the owner of the horses.
"When I come next?" asked Mustapha. "You need interpriter dat spiklanquages well. I tak' you all ofer efrywheres. You haf much troublesyou try go 'thout good dragoman."
By this time the professor had fully recovered, and he made arrangementswith the dragoman, who then took his departure.
In the hotel they were turned over to a huge tattooed Nubian, hismidnight blackness made more pronounced by the snow-white garments hewore. The Nubian conducted them to their rooms in the upper story, wheretheir luggage was presently brought. Finding the rooms fairlysatisfactory, with windows overlooking Pera, the Golden Horn, and givingthem a view of the Turkish city beyond, they prepared to settle down andbe satisfied.
First Dick took a long survey of the scene that could be beheld from themost advantageous window. From that point he could look away onto Galataand Stamboul, and again he was enchanted by the spectacle. The sun wasshining on the palaces, mosques, and tall minarets, it was lighting theripples of the Golden Horn, and over all was the superbly blue sky whichdefies the skill of the greatest artist.
Dick heaved a deep sigh.
"Strange that it all should seem so beautiful from a distance and thatthe beauty should so quickly vanish on close inspection," he said. "Inthis case it is indeed true that 'familiarity breeds contempt.'"
"That sure is right," agreed Buckhart. "All the same, we'll proceed toget familiar with it, I reckon."
They next indulged in the luxury of a bath, taking turns, and all feltdecidedly refreshed.
A call brought the Nubian, and they were informed that they could beserved with anything they wished in their rooms, if they were willing topay the extra charge.
After considerable discussion, they ordered a meal. There was sufficientdelay to whet their appetites, and then the Nubian and an assistantreappeared, a table was spread, and they sat down to eat.
"A fried boot leg would taste good to me now," declared the Texan. "Thatbeing the case, I reckon I'll manage to get along on the fodder theysupply here."
But everything proved more than satisfactory. There was enough, and itwas good.
During the meal the giant black man stood ready to wait on them. Whennot serving them, he folded his tattooed arms across his massive chestand regarded them steadily with his eyes. When they had finished theassistant reappeared, and the table and dishes were removed.
"I sure would hate to have that gent place his paws on me in violence,"observed Buckhart. "I opine he's some powerful."
"He looks like a Hercules," said Dick.
"He made me extremely nervous," confessed the professor. "I think I'llinform the proprietor that we would much prefer having some one elseattend us while we are here."
"Don't!" exclaimed Merriwell. "I rather fancy the Nubian."
They lounged about for a time after eating, but finally the professormade an excuse to leave the boys, saying he would return soon.
"Pard," chuckled Buckhart, when Zenas was gone, "the old boy did get aplen
ty smashed on the woman from Boston."
"I'm glad we got him away from her--and from Major Fitts."
"And I'm glad we won't be bothered any more by that sneaking Turk, AzizAchmet, who seemed spying on us. Wonder what Aziz took us for. I believehe was some sort of Turkish confidence man. He was a heap eager to actas Major Fitts' second in a duel."
"Think of Zenas Gunn in a duel!" exclaimed Dick, and they laughedheartily.
After a while Merriwell became worried over the professor's protractedabsence. Going to the door, he stepped outside.
He stepped into full view of two men, who were whispering in the shadowsof a draped alcove.
One was the giant Nubian.
The other was Aziz Achmet, the mysterious Turk!