Oriental Encounters: Palestine and Syria, 1894-6 — John Shaqi
Oriental Encounters: Palestine and Syria, 1894-6Pickthall, Marmaduke William
History
Oriental Encounters: Palestine and Syria, 1894-6
Pickthall, Marmaduke William
Palestine -- Description and travel; Syria -- Description and travel
Without much trouble we found out the judge's house. A servant told us
that his Honour had already started for the court. We took a carriage
and pursued his Honour. At the court we made inquiry of the crowd of
witnesses--false witnesses for hire--who thronged the entrance. The
judge, we heard, had not yet taken his seat. We should be sure to find
his Honour in the coffee-shop across the road. One of the false
witnesses conducted us to the said coffee-shop and pointed out our
man. Together with his clerk and certain advocates, one of whom read
aloud the morning news, the judge sat underneath a vine arbour in
pleasant shade. He smiled. His hands were clasped upon a fair round
belly.
Suleyman, his dust-cloak billowing, strolled forward coolly, and
presented me as 'one of the chief people of the Franks.' The company
arose and made us welcome, placing stools for our convenience.
'His Highness comes to thee for justice, O most righteous judge. He
has been wronged,' observed Suleyman, dispassionately.
The judge looked much concerned. 'What is the case?' he asked.
'Our cook is snatched from us,' was the reply, 'and to-night we have
invited friends to dinner.'
'Is he a good cook?' asked the judge, with feeling.
'If your Excellency will restore him to us, and then join us at the
meal----'
'How can I be of service in this matter?'
I motioned to Suleyman to tell the story, which he did so well that
all the company were soon in fits of laughter.
The judge looked through the cause list till he found the case,
putting a mark against it on the paper.
'How can we dine to-night without a cook?' I sighed, despairingly.
'Fear nothing,' said the judge. 'He shall be with you in an hour.
Come, O my friends, we must to business! It grows late.'
The judge took leave of me with much politeness.
'Now,' said Suleyman, when they were gone, 'let us go into the court
and watch the course of justice.'
We crossed the narrow street to an imposing portal. Suleyman whispered
to a soldier there on guard, who smiled and bade us enter, with a
gracious gesture.
The hall inside was crowded. Only after much exertion could we see the
dais. There sat the judge, and there stood our lamented cook, the
picture of dejection. A soldier at his side displayed the wooden
ladle. The Christian dandies whom he had assaulted were giving their
account of the adventure volubly, until his Honour, with a heavy
frown, bade them be silent. Then they cowered.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account