"
Now, Dick knew that Abdur Kad'r was speaking of Richard the First and
Saladin, and it did seem a strange thing that the founder of his race
should be named at that moment. He laughed constrainedly.
"You have guessed truly, my friend," he said. "I am indeed a descendant
of that famous fighter. Alas, the days have long passed since men met
in fair contest with lance and sword. If I were fool enough to seek
distinction today in the battle-field I might be slain by any monkey of
a man who could aim a rifle."
"We die as God wills," was the Arab's pious rejoinder, "yet I have been
in more than one fight in which a Frank of your size could have won a
name for himself. But I am growing old. My hot days are ended, and you
giaours are erecting boundary pillars on the desert. The free people
are dying. We are scattered and divided. Soon there will not be a
genuine Arab left. May the wrath of Allah fall on all unbelievers!"
Then did Royson laugh again, with a heartiness that drove that passion
of retrospect from Abdur Kad'r's dark features.
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