CHAPTER XVIII.
DOCTOR AND PATIENT.
The bright wits of Miss Marlowe were active. Mustad took the leadalong the path, she following next, while Almos, the leader of theGhoojurs, and his three companions, brought up the rear. Like most ofthe trails through the Asiatic jungles, this was inclosed on each sideby a growth of trees, undergrowth and matted vegetation of such densitythat it was next to impossible for any one to pick his way forward orbackward except by keeping within the path itself. To step aside intothe jungle would immediately involve one in so inextricable a tanglethat he could move only with the greatest difficulty.
An attempt to escape, therefore, by darting to one side was not to bethought of, and she knew that her only hope lay with her absentfriends. She was confident that they would speedily return, and,finding her gone, start in immediate pursuit. A collision between themand the Ghoojurs was imminent.
The latter acted as if their only interest lay in their prisoner. Sofar as she could judge no attention was paid to the rear, whence thedanger of attack threatened. The place of Mustad, at the head,confirmed her suspicion that he had been playing the part of guide forthe rest from the first.
She did not doubt that her home and its contents had been burned by thewretches, but under the circumstances the matter gave her littleconcern. She was inclined to believe that her captors meant to conducther into the town of Akwar, nearby, and with her knowledge of thefanatical hatred of the population against all Christians she stillhoped to find some friends there who would protect her from harm. Andthus it was that she was not in the state of collapse or despair thatmight be supposed.
Suddenly a pistol was fired from some point at the rear beyond hercaptors, and out of sight. All the men instantly stopped, graspedtheir arms and looked back, the young woman doing the same. Herthought was: "That was father or Jack, but he did not hit any one;therefore, it wasn't Jack."
While the six were looking expectantly to the rear Dr. Marlowe, hisface flushed, and his whole appearance, showing his intense excitement,came into sight. He was panting from his severe exertion, and raisedhis hand as a signal for the Ghoojurs to wait for him. It is probablethat he would have received a shot, but for an interruption that was asunexpected as it was remarkable. Almos, the leader of the Ghoojurs,emitted a yell that could have been heard a half-mile away, and leapedseveral feet in the air, while his companions with exclamations ofterror hastily recoiled from him.
"Great Allah! He has been bitten!" exclaimed the horrified Mustad,almost knocking the young woman off her feet in his rush towards hismaster; but one of the others had perceived the monstrous cobra, and,clubbing his gun, he beat the life out of it with one blow, before itcould glide away into the jungle. It looked as if this part of thecountry was specially pestered by the dreadful reptiles.
Almos knew he was doomed. All hope had vanished, and, dropping to theground, he bared his bronzed ankle, looked at the tiny points where thehorrible poison had been injected into his system, and then, like thefatalist be was, he calmly folded his arms and waited for the lastmoment that was rushing upon him. He was a faithful follower of theProphet and knew how to meet the inevitable that awaits us all. Hiscompanions, awed and silent, stood around, unable to say or do anythingthat could give him comfort. Miss Marlowe, after walking part way tothe group, paused and looked at them and at her father, who washurrying to the spot. She wondered that Almos had permitted thekilling of the cobra, since the snake is looked upon as sacred inIndia, and few natives can be induced to injure one. The Ghoojursprobably slew it in the flurry of the moment.
Dr. Marlowe had heard the cry and noted the excitement, but did notsuspect the cause until he drew near the spot. Then Mustad, familiarwith the skill of the medical man, beckoned to him and said:
"Make haste, great sahib, Almos has been bitten by a snake; no one cansave him but you."
The stricken chief, from his seat on the ground, looked up in the faceof the white man, of whose wonderful skill he had received proof in hisown self. The countenance of the Ghoojur was of ashen hue, and theyearning expression of his eyes told of the hope that had been kindledwithin his breast.
Now that the physician had dropped into what may be called hisprofessional character, he was himself again. He set down the cabacontaining his instruments, and medicaments, adjusted his glasses, andstooping over, intently studied the wound made by the cobra. Then hedrew out his watch, as if he were timing the pulse beats of a patient.
"It is one minute and a half since you were bitten," he said, stillholding the timepiece in his hand, but looking into the face of Almos;"in three more minutes and a half no power but Allah can save you."
Catching the full meaning of these words, the Ghoojur leader quiveredwith suddenly renewed hope.
"Can you save me?" he asked in Hindustani.
"I have in there," replied the physician, tapping his caba with hislong forefinger, "that which will render the bite of the snake asharmless as the peck of a bird that flies in the air, but barely threeminutes remain in which to apply it."
"Then I beseech you, do not wait," said the eager Almos, shoving hisfoot towards the doctor; "great is the English doctor; be quick; why doyou tarry?"
"Before I heal you," replied Dr. Marlowe, with maddening deliberation,"I must be paid my fee; I have attended you before and refused toaccept what you offered, but now I demand payment before applying theremedy."
"You shall have it; name it, I beg you; all that I have shall be yoursif you will save me, but haste, O great physician, haste!"
"It is strong, and will do its work well, if it be given the chance."
He next drew out a lancet, with its edge like a razor's. Almosbreathlessly watched him, but when he expected the doctor to beginwork, he leaned back and said:
"Why should I bring you back from death, when you are seeking the livesof my daughter and myself? The best thing I can do is to let you die,as you will do in two minutes and a half more," he added, looking againat his watch; "the venom of the cobra works fast and it will soonstrike your heart."
"You promised to save me if I would pay you in advance.
"So I will."
"Name your fee; be quick with it!"
"It is that you and the rest of the Ghoojurs shall leave me and minealone; that you shall depart at once; that you shall not attempt tofollow, nor harm us in any way. Without that pledge on your part, Ishall let you die like the dog that you are. What is your answer?"
"I promise; I promise!" exclaimed Almos, almost beside himself withexcitement and renewed hope. "I will guide you through the jungle to asafe point, and will watch over you till all danger is gone."
"You have given me your promise, but you may break it; swear by themantle of the Prophet, or I shall let you die."
"I swear by the mantle of the Prophet!" the Ghoojur chieftain fairlyshrieked, "that I will do as I have promised! Quick, quick, or it willbe too late!"
"You have made the most sacred vow that a Mussulman can make; I willtest it by saving your life."