The Wanderer (7 page)

By this time Sinan was tearing his beard, and now he cried out, “No, no—perish the thought! It would be waste of time, as not even scholars are agreed on those values. In any case there was no mention of gold in the sura.”

“It is unbecoming in you to struggle against the will of Allah. Were I a more learned man I could point out plenty of characters signifying gold; but it is enough for me that the Koran is more precious than gold and that each letter contains ten benedictions. Therefore let us dispute no longer. I will be content with seventy-seven gold ducats.”

The end of it was that Sinan the Jew counted out the ducats, sent Giulia to the harem, and ordered Andy and me out of his sight. We returned to the outer court, where huge dishes of mutton and rice cooked in fat had been brought out for Torgut’s men. These had squatted down in order of rank round the dishes, and were picking morsels of meat from them, and pressing the rice into neat balls which they put in their mouths. But the slaves and prisoners had gathered behind them, and with famished looks followed every mouthful as it disappeared. The sight depressed me very much, but as we drew near Mussuf at once made room for us beside him, and offered Andy a fine piece of meat, dripping with fat. I urged Andy to accept this as a peace offering.

The food in the dish now began to dwindle rapidly, and I had difficulty in keeping up. The others, seeing Andy’s prowess, looked askance at us and called on Allah, and when the dish was empty one of the renegades remarked, “He’s no true Moslem. See what manners—to sit on his bottom and stuff his mouth with both hands!”

Andy was offended by these words, but I said to the speaker, “We have but now found the right road, and stumble along it like blind men, having no one to lead us. Explain to us the points of good behavior.”

Sinan the Jew must after all have been well disposed toward us; I cannot otherwise account for the fact that the wrinkled eunuch appeared in the courtyard in response to Andy’s roars for more to eat, and ordered the servants to refill our dishes. I bade Andy hold his tongue while the Moslems taught us proper table manners and good behavior. Delightedly and all talking at once they began their instruction. We must always wash our hands before eating, they said, and bless the food in the name of Allah. We must sit cross legged before the dish, on the left haunch, using only three fingers of the right hand to take food. No knife was to be used, as all was cut beforehand into pieces of suitable size, and no more was to be put in the mouth than it would comfortably hold. The rice was to be kneaded together in small lumps, and not shoveled into the mouth like porridge. A well- bred man did not stare at his companions but looked straight before him and was content with what he had. Finally they recited a phrase or two from the Koran and said, “Ye who believe, eat the good things which God hath given you, and offer your thanks to Him.”

When the food was nearly all gone, they pointed out that no believer quite finished what was on the dish, but charitably left some to be distributed among the poor. Now also they left many good pieces of meat and some rice, and handed it to the slaves and prisoners, who fought savagely over it, for although they were Christians they displayed little of the Christian spirit.

The Moslems’ explanation gave me much to think about. They went on to tell me of the fast of Ramadan and of the pilgrimage to Mecca that every believer ought to make at least once in his life. But if prevented by poverty or some other cause his omission was not accounted to him for sin. I asked them their views on wine drinking, at which they all sighed deeply and answered, “It is written: ‘Ye who believe: wine, games of chance, worshiping of stones, and dicing are abominations of the devil. Shun them, that ye may be blessed.’“

But others among them said, “It is also written: ‘Wine drinking is a great sin, albeit man may have some good of it. But the sin is greater than the good.’“

The eunuch, who had stood behind us listening, could contain himself no longer. “There’s much to be said for wine, and many poets—especially the Persians—have celebrated its best qualities. Persian is the language of poets, as Arabic is the Prophet’s, whereas Turkish is spoken only by the dogs of the big cities. And in praising wine the poets have used it as a symbol of the true faith. Yet even apart from its symbolic aspect, wine is beneficial to health. It stimulates the kidneys, strengthens the bowels, eases care, and renders a man magnanimous and noble. Truly, had not Allah in his inscrutable wisdom forbidden the faithful to drink it, it would have no equal on earth.”

Hearing this song of praise Andy regarded the eunuch with displeasure, and said, “Gelding! Are you trying to annoy me? I have taken the turban with the sole purpose of avoiding the curse of wine. Wine runs away with good sense and good money, infects a man with diseases, and causes him to see creatures that are not there. Allah preserve me from allowing the filth to pass my lips.”

But the eunuch squatted down beside me and said, “Your questions are sincere, and you show willingness to learn first what is forbidden. But Allah is not minded to enslave his faithful or make life hard for them. Repeat the prescribed prayers, and give what alms you can afford; for the rest put your trust in Allah the ever compassionate. You may spend your life studying the Koran and the interpretations of scholars, and be no wiser at the end of it.”

I listened to what he said, understanding that there was something he wished to tell me. But Andy broke in, “If this is true, I confess that the teaching of the Prophet, blessed be his name, is as it were a flowing cloak that nowhere chafes the wearer. Yet I cannot believe what you say, for all the priests, monks, and teachers I’ve met or heard of have always been the first to forbid pleasant things, such as the lusts of eye and flesh; they insist that the way to heaven is narrow and stony, while all broad, smooth roads lead straight to hell.”

Mardshan the eunuch smiled all over his wrinkled face and said, “Though much is pleasing to God—more than I can remember—yet all is not necessary. There is a tradition that the Prophet, blessed be his name, once said, ‘If, upon the last day, there comes before Allah a soul to whom can be credited not a single good action, and he is judged worthy of the fires of hell, this soul may appeal and say,
Lord, you have called yourself merciful and compassionate; how then can you punish me with hell fire?
Then shall Allah in all his glory say,
Truly I have called myself merciful and compassionate; lead therefore this servant of mine to Paradise, for my mercy’s sake; for I am the most merciful of all who show mercy’. “
 

Andy was greatly astonished at this, and said, “Allah’s teaching is plainly a good and merciful teaching, and if I had not seen salted heads stuffed into a sack in his name I should even be misled into believing it to be the best of all religions. But a doctrine which commands a man to slay innocent people because of their beliefs is anything but merciful; for who can be converted by having his head struck off?”

But I wondered why this Mardshan was so eager to make his faith acceptable to us, and I said to him, “That was a pious and beautiful story. But what is in your mind? What is it you want of us?”

He raised his hand as if in wonder and exclaimed, “I ? I am only a poor eunuch. But the task has been laid upon me to teach you Arabic, if you’re quick at learning. Your brother shall be trained as a
guresh
if the Negro Mussuf consents to teach him, for at the moment my master has no other employment for him.”

Sinan the Jew and Captain Torgut now appeared at the doors of the palace, and the noise in the courtyard died away. Sinan spoke with the pirates and caused garments of honor and also small sums of money to be distributed among them. Thus the day ended. Mardshan the eunuch led us to remoter parts of the building, and showed us very pleasant quarters in the barracks where Sinan’s slaves and bodyguard were housed.

Mardshan taught me Arabic, and showed me how to read and write its strange characters. The Koran was my lesson book. As Mussuf had gone to sea again with Captain Torgut, Sinan the Jew found another wrestling instructor for Andy. My dog was given back to me, and I hardly know which of us was happiest. So I found nothing to complain of in my bondage. And yet as the days passed the oppressive sensation grew within me that I was being watched and that my smallest action was recorded, so that I began to speculate upon the fate in store for me. Sinan the Jew was not one to show favor to anyone without good reason.

One day when I was scrubbing the bathroom floor Giulia approached me, unseen by anyone, and said, “The slave does slave’s work!”

I was so glad to see her that I ignored her words and exclaimed, “Giulia! Are you well, and well treated? Can I do anything for you?”

She said, “Scrub your floor and keep your eyes lowered in my presence, for I’m a lady of distinction, and have no need to work or do more than eat rose leaves in honey, and good kukurrush, so that I am as you see noticeably plumper than before.”

I was seized by terrible jealousy, and asked, “Has Sinan the Jew found delight in you, then? And doesn’t time thus idly spent hang heavy on your hands? Idleness is the mother of vice, and I would not see you sink into vice, Giulia.”

Giulia drew aside her veil a little absently, stroked my cheek, and said, “I’ve every reason to think that my lord has found delight in me, for he often summons me to gaze into a copper dish filled with sand, in which I draw lines with my finger.”

“Allah!” I cried, even more surprised at Sinan’s behavior. “Why does he want you to draw lines in the sand?”

“How should I know?” returned Giulia frankly. “I believe he is in his second childhood, and likes to have an excuse to send for me and admire my beauty. For I am indeed fair as the moon and my eyes are like jewels of different colors.”

There was a roar of laughter from behind me, and Sinan the Jew, drawing aside a curtain, stepped forward unable any longer to contain his mirth. Mardshan the eunuch followed close at his heels, distractedly wringing his hands, and I thought my last hour had come, for I had presumed to speak to Giulia, and she had uncovered her face before me, which among Mussulmans is a great sin.

Panic stricken though I was, I yet sought to save Giulia and raising my scrubbing brush I said, “Lord, punish me, for she is innocent and I addressed her first. But we have uttered nothing but praise of your gendeness and wisdom.”

Sinan laughed still more and answered, “I heard how warmly you praised me. Rise up out of the dirt, Michael, and fear nothing. You’re a physician, as you assured me, and before such men a woman may unveil without sin. But come, it is time I talked to you seriously. I want to present you to your future master, to whom you owe obedience.”

He went, and my heart turned to ice. But Mardshan said, “Sinan has given you away and you must follow Abu el-Kasim, your new master. He is a drug merchant of ill repute from the town of Algiers, the curse of Allah be upon him.”

My heart was in my mouth and I was a prey to great anguish, but Mardshan ordered me to hasten, and as I had no choice I hurried after Sinan the Jew.

With lowered eyes I entered the room; Sinan spoke to me kindly, bidding me be seated on a cushion and look about me fearlessly. On obeying I was surprised to behold a small, apelike man wearing a ragged cloak. He looked a very shady character and as I submitted to his keen gaze I felt I need expect no good from him. I turned beseechingly to Sinan, who said smiling, “Behold your new master, Abu el- Kasim. He is a poor man and makes a bare living by diluting rose water, and selling imitation ambergris and inferior eye black. He has promised to send you every day to the madrasseh of the mosque in Algiers, where you may hear the best teachers and so most rapidly learn Arabic and acquire knowledge of the pillars of the faith—of law, tradition, and the true path.”

I dared not utter a word of protest, and bowed my head submissively. Abu el-Kasim stared at me and said, “I’m told you’re a physician and familiar with Christian remedies. Now, I have undergone an arduous journey and am sick at the stomach. Can you cure me?”

He leered unpleasantly and I found him so repellent that I had no wish to examine him. But my duty compelled me, and I said, “Show me your tongue. Have your bowels moved today? Let me feel your pulse. When I have also felt your stomach I will tell you what medicine you need.”

Abu el-Kasim held his belly and moaned.

“I see that you know your business according to Frankish practice. But the best remedy for these pains of mine would be a good wine. Were it prescribed by a physician I could drink it without sin.”

I wondered at first whether he were testing me. But now Sinan the Jew also rubbed his belly and with loud lamentation said, “Oh, accursed! Abu el-Kasim, you have brought an infectious sickness into my house, and I too am afflicted. Hell is loose within me, and only the good remedy you speak of can bring relief. By the boundless favor of Allah I happen to possess a sealed jar of wine, given me by a sea captain who knew no better; I could not have declined the gift without offense. We trust you, Michael. Break the seal, smell and taste the wine, and tell us whether it will be of benefit. If so we may drink it without sin.”

The sanctimonious old frauds sat and looked at me as if I had been their master instead of their slave, and I had no choice but to break the seal and pour the wine into three finely ornamented cups which Sinan readily handed me.

“Taste the medicine,” he said, “and tell us whether it is suited to our disorder.”

But it was not the quality of the wine he doubted; he wanted first to assure himself that it had not been poisoned, and then to incriminate me,_ so that I could not afterward inform against him. However, I needed no second bidding. I tasted the dark, sweet, fragrant wine with relish and said quickly, “Drink in the name of Allah, for this is a good wine and will certainly cure all ills of mind and body.”

When we had drunk, and refilled our cups and drunk again, Abu el-Kasim said to me, “I am told that you’re familiar with Christian methods of warfare, that you know the qualities of the Christian leaders, that you have yourself served in the wars, that you speak many Christian languages and have in general deeper knowledge of all these matters than one could expect in a man of your age. Even Mardshan the eunuch has often wondered at it.”