[The Ancient Allan by H. Rider Haggard]@TWC D-Link bookThe Ancient Allan CHAPTER VI 10/24
That is why I laugh and sing and dance and clap my hands, O most noble Eunuch, I who shall become the follower and servant of the glorious King of all the earth, and perhaps your friend, too, O Eunuch of eunuchs, whose sacred person my brutal master dared to kick." "I understand," said Houman smiling, though with a twisted face, "and will make report of all you say to the King, and ask him to grant that you shall sometimes prick this Egyptian in the eye.
Now go spit in his face and tell him what you think of him." So Bes waded into the water which was quite shallow here, and spat into my face, or pretended to, while amid a torrent of vile language, he interpolated certain words in the Libyan tongue, which meant, "O my most beloved father, mother, and other relatives, have no fear. Though things look very black, remember the vision of the holy Tanofir, who doubtless allows these things to happen to you to try your faith by direct order of the gods.
Be sure that I will not leave you to perish, or if there should be no escape, that I will find a way to put you out of your misery and to avenge you.
Yes, yes, I will yet see that accursed swine, Houman, take your place in this boat.
Now I go to the Court to which it seems that this gold chain gives me a right of entry, or so the eunuch says, but soon I will be back again." Then followed another stream or most horrible abuse and more spitting, after which he waded back to land and embraced Houman, calling him his best friend. They went, leaving me alone in the boat save for the guard upon the quay who, now that darkness had come, soon grew silent.
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