by Mika Waltari
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.”
I made no answer, but with burning cheeks drank more wine; for the words came strangely from such an old ragbag as he was.
He then asked, “If, besides adulterating drugs and pursuing useless studies at the mosque school, you had the chance to serve the world’s mightiest ruler, what would you say?”
I answered bitterly, “I served him long enough, and ingratitude was my o
nly wage. I’ve had more than enough of the Emperor; he even wanted to send me across the western ocean, to conquer new kingdoms for him, under the command of a one-time swineherd.”
Abu el-Kasim said eagerly, “You speak of things new to me. But it was not the Emperor of the unbelievers that I meant-the ruler of the German and Spanish dominions-but the great Sultan Suleiman, who justly and liberally rewards his servants.”
“Blessed be his name,” added Sinan the Jew. “The Sultan has captured the Christian strongholds of Belgrade and Rhodes; he has conquered Hungary and, according to prediction, he is to subdue all the Christian peoples. As High Porte he is the refuge of all kings. He makes the rich poor and the poor rich and lays no undue burdens on any, so that within his dominions the nations live without fear and in brotherly concord.”
“These are dreams born of wine,” I said. “You speak of a realm that may perhaps exist in heaven, but never on earth.”
But Abu el-Kasim warmly concurred in what Sinan said.
“This is no drunken dream. In Sultan Suleiman’s empire justice is incorruptible; judges pronounce sentence according to the law, without respect of persons. Nor are any forced to renounce their faith, for Christians and Jews enjoy equal rights; so that for example the Greek Patriarch holds the rank of vizier and is a member of the Divan, or council. Thus it is that the oppressed and persecuted of all lands take refuge with the High Porte, and there find protection. Blessed be Sultan Suleiman, the people’s sun, the Lord of both halves of the world!”
“Hosannah!” cried Sinan the Jew with tears in his eyes, forgetful of his turban.
I concluded that they must both be very drunk, for I could not believe more than half they said. But Sinan unfolded a great map and pointed to the coasts of Spain, Italy, and Greece, and opposite to them the coast of Africa. He showed me where the island of Jerba lay, and the sultanate of Tunisia, the town of Algiers, and the island of Zerjeli, where Khaireddin was mustering his fleet.
Then he said, “The Hafsids have ruled these coasts for three hundred years-too long a time. Sultan Muhammed of the Hafsid dynasty is a lecherous old man who governs Tunis and is an ally of the Christian Emperor. His family were also lords of Algiers until the great Khaireddin and his brother drove them out and placed themselves under the protection of the Porte. But the faithless Hafsids sought help from the Emperor and both Khaireddin’s brothers fell in battle against the Spaniards and Berbers, so that once more Algiers came under Hafsid sway. In recognition of their help, the Spaniards built a strong fortress at the mouth of the harbor, which is a great stumbling block to us in our naval warfare against the Christians. In this way the bloodthirsty Hafsids have set themselves up against the Sultan and now omit his name from their intercessory prayers in the mosques on Fridays. But by forming an alliance with unbelievers and allowing the Spaniards to dig themselves in at the harbor mouth, Selim ben-Hafs has squandered the period of grace allowed him.”
“But,” said I, “in Christian lands the story went that the King of France had formed an alliance with the Sultan against the Emperor. How can the great Sultan accept an unbeliever as his ally, if such alliances are to be condemned?”
They looked askance at one another, and Sinan answered, “We know nothing of that, but Sultan Suleiman can of course help the King of France, if the King humbly requests it. For the object there is to weaken the power of the Emperor, whereas the ruler of Algiers and Tunis seeks the aid of unbelievers against Khaireddin and the Sultan, which is a different thing altogether.”
“Maybe,” I said. “But surely you don’t expect me to set off with my two empty hands to win back Algiers for the Sultan, whom I’ve never even seen?”
They burst out laughing and slapped one another delightedly on the shoulder. Their faces were aglow with wine and they cried together, “This is a most excellent haim, and his hawk’s eyes discern hidden things. That is indeed what we expect of you. With empty hands you shall win back Algiers and proclaim the great admiral Khaireddin as its governor, so that he may drive out the Spaniards and obtain peace for those unhappy coasts. After that the malevolent Spaniards can no longer obstruct our naval enterprises.”
“Then, if as you say I am a hakjm, a physician, I forbid you to drink any more wine, for already your wits are clouded. Is not Algiers a great and mighty city, surrounded by impregnable walls?”
“It is indeed,” they cried in chorus. “It is a shining city on the shores of this blue sea, a flashing jewel which our commander Khaireddin desires to set beside the crescent on Sultan Suleiman’s turban, so to deserve his favor. And the whole of this city is guarded by the island fortress of the Spaniards, which blocks the entrance to the harbor and obstructs sea traffic.”
I tore the turban from my head and cried aloud, “What curse is on me, that I must ever fall among maniacs who either cheat me or demand the impossible from me?”
But Abu el-Kasim spoke soothingly, saying, “You are here offered the opportunity for great deeds which will bring you honor. The Hafsid rule has been marked by so many crimes, fratricides, and feuds, and such licentiousness, that its overthrow will be an act pleasing to God. Baba Aroush fell in the attempt, as also his brothers Elias and Ishak, so that now only the youngest brother Khisr, called Khaireddin, remains alive.”
“You’ve set too many names whirling in my head at once,” I told them. “Nor do I see how you, a trafficker in cheap perfumes, can talk of this admiral as if he were your brother.”
Sinan interposed here, to say, “The wise man hides his treasure. Never judge a man by his clothes or his seeming poverty. Even I, poor wretch, am a Jew by birth, so that I was compelled to turn Christian before I was allowed to take the turban and acknowledge the Prophet, blessed be his name.” Mastering his tears he went on, “We, who drag our bare living from the sea, are feeble enough taken singly. Storm clouds are piling up, especially in the west, and we must unite our strength and lay the foundations of solid sea power, with the support of the Sultan, so that he recognizes Khaireddin as beylerbey in Algiers and sends him a kaftan of honor and a horsetail switch. That is the simple core of the matter. We must first get Algiers into our hands, then build an arsenal and a base for operations at sea.”
Thus it was that Sinan the Jew disclosed to me the pirates’ secret plans. There was no fault to be found with them; indeed I was bound to admit to myself that the time was ripe for their realization, now that the Emperor was waging bitter war against the French King, the Pope, and Venice. Moreover the Emperor had split his forces by frivolously sending good ships to the new countries beyond the western ocean. For my own part I cherished no very friendly feelings toward His Imperial Majesty, although I had taken part in the sack of Rome on his behalf. But neither had I any wish to lose my head for Khaireddin. I said therefore, “Muster your fleet, attack Algiers like brave men, and win it for the Sultan! The time is favorable, and I make no doubt that the Sultan will have the greatest pleasure in sending you kaftans of honor, and no doubt horses’ tails as well.”
Both talking at once, they said, “No, no, that will never do. The inhabitants must overthrow their own ruler and summon Khaireddin to be their governor. Our forces are too weak to take the place by storm, especially with the hostile Berber tribes at our heels. We know; we have tried.”
Abu el-Kasim said, “You shall come with me to Algiers, where you will gain a reputation as a physician. You shall also study at the mosque school and be circumcised, that you may gain the confidence of your teachers. Your brother shall earn his living as a wrestler in the market place near the mosque. If he’s as strong as we hope and believe, his fame will soon reach the ears of Selim ben-Hafs and he will be called to display his art before that bloodthirsty Sultan. Lastly the girl whose eyes resemble jewels of different colors shall gaze into sand, drawing lines in it with her finger, and make many useful and apposite predictions.”
I could not believe my ears and said, “Do you really mean that you won’t separate me from my brother, that you�
�re taking Giulia as well, and that I needn’t be parted from my dog?”
Sinan the Jew nodded, and mellowed by good wine he said, “Such was the guidance I received from the holy book. If we succeed, further tasks may await you, beside which this will appear a mere test of your loyalty.”
I gave a jeering laugh.
“Those last words of yours in no way increase my interest in your schemes, for were I successful I should only be burdened with ever more difficult tasks until I sank beneath the load. And what can you know of my loyalty? What should hinder me from going straight to
Selim ben-Hafs as soon as we reach Algiers, and betraying your plans to him?”
Sinan’s one eye was stony as he said, “Slave, you might win brief happiness by so doing, but it would be followed by a misery far greater; for sooner or later Khaireddin’s hand would reach you, and he would have you flayed alive and roasted on a spit.”
But Abu el-Kasim raised his hand and said with a smile, “Don’t excite yourself, Sinan; it is my business to weigh the hearts of men, and I tell you that Michael Hakim will not betray you. How I know this I cannot tell you. I believe not even Michael himself knows it.”
His trust went to my heart, for I thought of my former life and knew that neither he nor anyone else had any very good grounds for faith in me, although my intentions had always been sincere.
“I’m but a slave,” I said. “I’m not free to act of my own will. But if Abu el-Kasim trusts me, I will try to be worthy of his trust. Answer me one more question-can a slave own slaves?”
My question surprised them very much, but Sinan the Jew at once replied, “Of course a slave may own slaves once he has attained an honorable position. But such slaves still belong to his master.”
This greatly cheered me, and I said, “Then I submit to the will of Allah, and if my loyalty should result in death, the matter is predestined and I can do nothing to prevent it. Show yourself noble and open handed, my lord Sinan, and promise me your slave Giulia if I should succeed in my task, which I very gravely doubt.”