Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-06-03
By
Achmed Abdullah

Mascasenhas knocked at the gate. For
several dragging seconds there was no
answer. Again l imagined that harsh
laugh was splitting the air; again
imagined that an elusive shadow was
detaching itself from the houses across
the street, and l turned around with q
sharp exclamation of nervous rage.
But at the same moment the door
opened. Eurasian servant stood
framed between the posts, in his right
hand an ancient blunderbus Significant
ly poised. in his left hand an oil lamp.
The next moment the blunderbuss
ratified on the flags. The oil lamp
trembled perilously.
Master, young master" the servant
exclaimed with an age-trembling voice:
Welcome, in the name of Our Lady OF
Guadalupe"
He bent down and kissed Masca-
senhas' hand again and again with the
utmost fervor.
Mascasenhas kissed the old man on
both cheeks. Then he gave him few
hurried directions. The servant bowed
entrance hall.
1 looked about me. And I did not
like the look OF it. For it was more
in Gulf Arab than in European taste.
1t smacked altogether too much of
Asia to seem exactly safe as a place
of refuge. Mascasenhas read my
thoughts, for he turned to me with
smile.
cousins mother came from the gulf.
She was a Bedawi OF the Benu All
tribe. pure-bred Hiiazi And he him
self-Manuel. my cousin-he looks
more Arab than Portuguese. But he
is a good Christian, a good Portu-
guese-he will give us safety and
friendship"
moment later Mascasenhas' cousin
came into the room.
He kissed Mascasenhas on both cheeks
with loud EXPLANATIONS of delight, and
was then presented to me tremendously.
He had the manners of an old Portu-
suese Erandee who has never been be-
yond the Tagus. But Mascasenhas was
right. He looked like a thoroughbred
Hijazi Arab.
He made us welcome. and did as Mas
casenhaS babe him without questioning
or hesitating. He clapped his hands.
The old Eurasian servant appeared. re-
ceived his orders. and returned moment
later with steaming cups of coffee.
Drink, my friends" our host smiled.
'1t is good coffee, mixed with the juice
of the asclepias plant. 1t will make you
sleep. In an hour l shall call you"
We drank, and the narcotic qualities of
dreaE.less sleep. Our host called US an
hour later felt thoroughly rested.
The boat is ready he said. May you
find safety. May all the dear saints pro-
tect you" He led the way to the door.
There he turned Have you weaponsf
No? Watt"
lie fuSheQ OH ana returned a moment
later with a fine automatic and box Of
cartridges. which he pressed into my
hand. The weapons which he gave to
Mascasenhas were evidently Arab heir
looms which had come in his mothers
dover. for one was a long sword with
tapering blade and wooden handle: while
the other was double barreled gun.
We left the house and stepped into tho
dark streets. and our host came with US
as far as the anchorage.
There he babe US farewell He shook
hands with me and kissed his cousin
with loud Explanations, quickly and
apologetically stified as l warned him.
We were off; off toward the mainlandS
off toward the unknown.
Our oars dipped gently into the narrow
channel which separates Macao from thu
mainland The sun crept slowly from the
horizon, and the first rays struck tho
submits of the distant hills with an ala
most transparent haze.
We landed and struck rapidly overland
leaving villages and rice paddles to the
left. Mascasenhas led the way.
The country was deserted. For hours
we travelled over fat. thinly dotted
with desert vegetation, and, hating early
In the morning. slept till the late AFFAIR."
noon. taking turns In Watching g
Then we were OF again.
Late at night entering long. depte1eQ
CONTINUED on Fifth Page)