Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-27

But he was not to miss it for long. Just as he
was about to knock out his pipe and go to bed
the native came pattering up the slope on ex-
citedly rapid feet, and squatted as usual on the
ground beside the Americans lounging chair.
In Najbs manner there was a scarce-repreSsed
jubiIant thrill. His beady eyes shone wildly.
"Well?" queried Kirby in no especial excite
ment. Give been here all evening, while you've
stayed below there trying to increase those
fellaheens' stock of ignorance What's the
idea?"
"Oh, prythee you do not let my awayness
beget your goat, howadji!" pleaded Najib, ever
sensitive to any hint of reproof from his mas
ter. ct am the bearer of grand tidings. If
had not Of been where have been this evening
and doing what have done-there would not
be any tidings at ALL
go ahead" adjured Kirby, humoring the
wistful eagerness of the man. Whats the news
you have for me?"
ITO speak with briefness, howadji," he pro-
claimed grandiloquently. I'VE have all stroked
ourselfs!"
For the love of Heaven" exclaimed Kirby in
sudden loss of patience. What are you driving
at? What do you mean about 'stroking your
selves? Say it in Arabic. Then perhaps can
find what you mean"
1T is not to be said in the Arabic howadu"
returned Najib, wincing at this slur on his Eng
lish. For there is not such thing in the
Arabic as to make strike We make strike. This
say 1t we stroke ourselves. II II is the wrong
way for saying it"
Striker" repeated Kirby, perplexed. What
do you mean? Are you still thinking about what
told you today? If you are going
ct have bethought of it, howadji ever since"
was the reply "And it is because of my much
bethoughting that found my splenderous plan.
That is my tidings I bethought it all out with
tremense clearness and wiseness. Then told
those others down yonder. At first they were
of stupidity. But at last made them UNDER
stand And they rejoiced of it. So it is all set
tied most sweetly. You may not fear that they
will not stand by it, AS soon as that was made
sure came to you to tell"
"Najib!" groaned Kirby, his head awhirl.
Twill you stop chewing chunks of indgestible
language and tell me what you are jabbering
about? What was it you thought over? And
what is all settled? What will"
THE strike, of an assuredly," explained Najib.
as if in pity of his chiefs denseness. Tonight
we make strike. All of us. That is one tiding.
And you, too, make strike with us. That is the
other tiding. Tomorrow we all sleep late. No
work is to be made. And so it shall be on each
dear and nice and happy day until Cabell Eff
fendi-be his sons SS hundred and wives
true!-shall pay us the money we ask and make
short our hours of toll. Then"
Kirby sought to speak. But his breath was
gone. He only gobbed. Taking the wordless
sound for a token of high approval, Najb has
tened on more glibly, with his program.
ION the tomorrow morning, howadji," he said,
"We enseech that you will write sorrowsome
letter to Cabell Efendi in the Broad Street of
New York and say to him that all of us have
made strike and that we shall work no more un-
til we have from his hands writing that our
payment shall be two mejidie for every mejidie
we have been capturing from his company.
Also and likewise that we shall work but half
time. And that you, howadj are to receive
even we save only that your wage is to be
enswollen to three times over than what it IS
now. Furthermore howadji, tell him, prythee
you, that We"
A veritable yell from Kirby broke in on the
SNUG instructions. The American had recov-