Значение Дальнего Востока в экономике России

Said sadly bent his head in thought. 

"But can I not go to the Caliph?" 
 
   he asked at last. 
 
   "Will he not incline his gracious ear to me, and advise me what to do ?" 

"Haroun is a wise man," said the fairy, "but, unfortunately, only a man. 
 
   He trusts his Lord Chamberlain thoroughly, for he has tried and proved his fidelity. 
 
   Messour, however, is greatly influenced by his friend Kalum Bey; 
   and this is not right, for he believes all the evil gossip he repeats. 
 
   The Caliph knows, no doubt, that you are a doubtful character. 
 
   He would not be just to you. 
 
   If you wish to deserve his sympathy and help, you must wait a little longer." 

"This is indeed bad news," said Said sadly. 
 
   "But grant me a favour, good fairy. 
 
   I was well trained in the use of arms, and my greatest delight is in the tournament. 
 
   Every week there is one held here in which the noblest youths take part. 
 
   Could you not help me to present myself as an unknown competitor ?" 

"Your request shall be granted," said the fairy. 
 
   "Every week you shall find here a fine horse, and knightly armour, and two pages. 
 
   A magic water, with which you must bathe your face each time, will alter your appearance. 
 
   And now good-bye, Said; 
   be patient and do not worry. 
 
   In six months your whistle will sound, and Zulima’s ear will hear it at once." 

The youth parted from his powerful friend with gratitude and respect; 
   he noted carefully the house and street and returned to the Bazaar, and got back to the shop just in time to be of the greatest service to his master, for a crowd of boys were dancing round him, and jeering and hooting at him, while older people stood by laughing. 
 
   Kalum Bey himself was standing at the door of his shop trembling with fright, in one hand he held a shawl, in the other a veil. 
 
   This extraordinary scene came about through Said’s absence from his post; 
   for Kalum had taken his place meantime, but the customers would not buy of him. 
 
   Two men passed through the Bazaar in search of presents for their wives. 
 
   They walked up and down several times, and at last walked away with a puzzled air. 
 
   Kalum Bey, who noticed this, thought he might get their custom, and cried out: 

"Here, my lords, here ! 
 
   Here are beautiful things ! 
 
   What is it you want ?" 

"My good man," said one of them, "your wares are good enough, but our wives are particular, and it is now a custom among the women to buy their veils only from the handsome young shop-assistant, Said. 
 
   We have been walking up and down for an hour, and cannot find him; 
   perhaps you can tell us where he is, so that we may go and buy what we want; 
   and we will visit your shop another day." 

"Heaven be praised !" 
 
   cried Kalum Bey. 
 
   "The great Prophet has guided your steps to the right door. 
 
   You wish to buy veils from the handsome young salesman ! 
 
   Well, this is his opportunity !" 

One of the two men laughed heartily at Kalum’s ugly face and figure and his assurance that he was the handsome youth; 
   the other, however, thought that Kalum was joking with them and would not buy. 
 
   Thereupon Kalum Bey was annoyed, and called his neighbours to witness to the fact that his shop was known as "the handsome salesman’s"; 
   but the neighbours, jealous of his recent successful trade, pretended not to know; 
   and the two men, furious with "the old liar," as they called him, began treating him roughly. 

Kalum defended himself more by shrieks and howlings than with his fists; 
   and by degrees a crowd surrounded his shop. 
 
   Half the town knew him as a greedy, grasping man, and all the bystanders grudged him the luck he had had. 
 
   But just as one of the two men had seized hold of Kalum’s beard, he in turn was seized by a stalwart arm and roughly thrown to the ground, losing in his fall his turban. 

The crowd, who had enjoyed Kalum’s dilemma, began to murmur; 
   and the companion of the man who was thrown down looked round, and wondered who had attacked his friend; 
   but when he saw a tall, strong youth with flashing eyes and bold bearing come to Kalum’s assistance, he did not feel inclined to parry blows with him. 
 
   Kalum, however, was overjoyed; 
   his rescue seemed a miracle, and he cried: 

"Now, my lords, what more do you want ? 
 
   This is Said, the handsome salesman !" 

The people laughed, for they knew Kalum had not always treated the youth well. 
 
   The two men looked rather ashamed, and went off together without buying shawls or veil. 

"Oh, you jewel of all assistants ! 
 
   you treasure of a youth !" 
 
   cried Kalum, as he led his servant into the shop. 
 
   "You did indeed arrive at the right moment. 
 
   The man lay on the ground as if he would never rise again, and I — I should have had no need of a barber any more to comb and trim my beard if you had been two minutes later. 
 
   How can I reward you ?" 

Said had simply followed the impulse of the moment; 
   his heart was always easily moved to pity, but he realised that be had rendered a valuable service to the ugly little man. 
 
   A few dozen hairs the less in his beard would, Said reflected, have kept Kalum quiet and humble for a day or two; 
   but he was anxious to gain a good word of the merchant, and said the reward he would like best would be permission for an afternoon and evening holiday once a week, so that he could do as he liked. 
 
   This Kalum agreed to, for he knew Said, having neither money nor clothes, was not likely to run away. 
 
   So Said got what he wished. 

On the next Wednesday, the day of the weekly tournament, he went to the street where the fairy lived, knocked at the door of her house, and it was immediately opened. 
 
   The servant seemed prepared for his arrival, for, without asking his business, he led Said up some steps into a beautiful room, and gave him the magic water. 
 
   He bathed his face with it, and on looking in a mirror which hung on the wall could hardly recognise himself, for he was quite sunburnt, had a well-trimmed black beard, and looked at least ten years older than he really was. 

Then he was taken to another room, where he found such beautiful clothes as Haroun himself might wear when he rode in full state at the head of his army. 
 
   Besides a turban of finest muslin with a diamond aigrette and feathers, a coat of cloth of gold worked with silver flowers, Said found a shirt of silver chainwork which was so fine and close and strong that no blow of lance or sword could penetrate it. 
 
   A Damascene blade in a rich sheath, with a hilt set with priceless jewels, completed his costume. 

As he was leaving the room, a servant brought him a silk handkerchief, and said that the mistress of the house had sent this, and if he wiped his face with it the beard and the brown staining would disappear. 

In the courtyard stood three beautiful horses: 
   the best Said mounted, the others were for his pages, and then he rode happily enough to the grounds where the tournament was held. 
 
   The magnificence of his clothes and the splendour of his weapons drew all eyes to him; 
   and a cheer hailed him as he rode into the ring. 
 
   There was a brilliant gathering of the bravest and noblest young men; 
   even the Caliph’s brothers competed and took their chances of falls and blows. 

When Said rode in, and as no one seemed to know him, the son of the Grand Vizier, with some of his friends, rode up, asked his name and to what place he belonged, and invited him to take part in the day’s proceedings. 

Said said his name was Almansor, and he came from Cairo; 
   that he was travelling about, and having heard much of the bravery and skill in arms of the young nobles of Bagdad, thought he would like to see it for himself. 

The young men were charmed with Said-Almansor’s speech and manners, and gave him a lance, telling him to choose his side; 
   for the whole gathering was divided into two parties thus to fight the one against the other. 

But if Said’s dress had already attracted attention, still more did his courage and skill. 
 
   His horse was quicker than a bird, and his sword flashed hither and thither. 
 
   He threw his lance as easily, as surely as if it were a dart. 
 
   He defeated even the doughtiest of his opponents, and at the end of the engagement was so heartily declared the victor, that one of the Caliph’s brothers, as well as the Grand Vizier’s son, who had fought on Said’s side, begged him to fight with them. 
 
   Ali, the Caliph’s brother, was defeated, but the combat with the Grand Vizier’s son was so long and so equal, that it was decided to finish it another day. 

The day after the tournament every one was talking about the handsome stranger; 
   all who had seen him were fascinated by his noble bearing, and Said heard people in Kalum Bey’s shop talking about him, and regretting that no one knew where he came from or where he lived. 

On his next holiday he found in the fairy’s house a still more handsome suit, and still more splendid weapons. 
 
   All Bagdad had assembled, even the Caliph sat in his balcony and watched the encounter; 
   he too, noticed the prowess of Said-Almansor, and sent him a large gold medal and a chain to put round his neck as a sign of his appreciation. 

It was a matter of course that this second triumph for Said should attract the attention of all the young men in Bagdad. 

"Shall a stranger come here," said they, "and rob us of our military renown ? 
 
   Let him go somewhere else. 
 
   We cannot put up with this sort of thing." 

So they agreed that at the next tournament five or six of them would attack him. 

Said’s sharp eyes soon observed these mutterings; 
   he saw that the young men glanced bitterly at him; 
   he felt that besides the Caliph’s brother and the Grand Vizier’s son there was no one very friendly towards him, and even these were rather inclined to ask inquisitive questions as to where they could call on him, what he did, and why he was staying in Bagdad. 

It was a strange thing that one of the young men who gave Said the blackest looks was no other than the man whom he had thrown down the day of the Kalum Bey affair; 
   the one who had seized the merchant by the beard. 
 
   Said had defeated him twice in fair fight, but that was no reason why ill-feeling should be displayed, and our hero feared lest by some accident of voice or feature his identity with the salesman at Kalum Bey’s shop had been discovered, and might tell against him here. 

The unfair attack to which Said was exposed was not only from jealousy at his bravery and skill, but also on account of the favour shown to him by the Caliph’s brother and the Grand Vizier’s son. 
 
   When these two young nobles saw that the fight was as six to one, and that the struggle was a desperate one, they sprang into the melee, scattered the gang, and forbade the young men who had acted so dishonourably ever to present themselves at the tournament again. 

For more than four weeks Said had surprised Bagdad by his deeds of prowess, and as he was going home one evening after the contests, he heard some voices which seemed familiar. 
 
   In front of him were slowly walking four men, who were speaking in the dialect of the desert tribe over which the Chief Selim ruled. 
 
   As Said, treading lightly, came up with them, he caught some words which told him plainly that they were planning some mischief. 
 
   His first idea was to leave them to their own devices, but then he remembered that he might be able to defeat their evil plot, so he listened carefully to all they were saying. 

"The doorkeeper distinctly said the street to the right of the Bazaar," said one. 
 
   "He will be passing through it to-night with his Grand Vizier." 

"Good," said another. 
 
   "I don’t care a fig for the Grand Vizier; 
   he is old and weak, and no hero; 
   but the Caliph is a grand swordsman, and I am afraid of him !" 

"You stupid !" 
 
   said the third. 
 
   "It is well known that he is only accompanied by one person. 
 
   So to-night we will seize him, but no harm must happen to him." 

"The best way," said the first speaker, "were to throw a noose over his head; 
   we must not kill him, for a large ransom will be paid for him, and this is all we are sure to get." 

"Then until eleven o’clock," said they all, and separated, one going here, another there. 

Said was decidedly alarmed at this plot. 
 
   He thought at first of going to the Palace and warning the Caliph, and asking for help to take the conspirators. 
 
   But as he walked along he remembered the fairy’s words, "that the Sultan was unfavourably disposed towards him," and thought that the Chamberlain might treat his warning as a joke, or else accuse him of trying to gain the Sultan’s favour; 
   so he paused, and decided that it would be best to rely on his good sword, and himself rescue the Sultan from the men of the robber tribe. 

So instead of going back to Kalum Bey’s he sat on the steps of the Mosque and waited till night fell; 
   then he went to the Bazaar through the street the robbers had named, and hid himself behind the corner of a house. 

He had waited there for about a quarter of an hour when he heard some steps; 
   and he thought at first it might be the Caliph and his Grand Vizier; 
   but one of the men clapped his hands, and immediately two others hurried out, though very quietly, from their hiding-places. 
 
   They whispered together for a little while and then separated. 
 
   Two stood not far from him, the other walked up and down. 
 
   The night was very dark, and Said had to listen very carefully. 

After a while footsteps were heard again in the Bazaar. 
 
   One of the robbers, near to where Said hid, had also heard them, and gave a signal. 
 
   In a moment the three other men attacked the wayfarers, who fought valiantly, and the sound of the sword-blows was rapid and distinct. 

Said now drew his blade, and threw himself into the thick of the fray, crying: 

"Down with the enemies of Haroun al Raschid !" 
 
   He cut one robber down, then sprang on two more who had just bound a man and were feeling for his weapon. 
 
   The brave youth hit one of these robbers a blow on the arm and cut off his hand. 
 
   With a dreadful cry he fell. 
 
   Now the fourth, who had been fighting too, turned on Said, who was still engaged with the third. 
 
   But the man who had been bound had now freed himself, and with his dagger would have stabbed the robber, only that the latter ran away. 

Said was not long in ignorance as to whom he had saved. 
 
   The taller of the two men came up to him and said: 

"The sudden attack on my life and liberty is as difficult to understand as your share in my deliverance; 
   did you know of these men’s intentions ?" 

"Defender of the Faithful," answered Said ;— " for I feel sure you are he — I was walking the street called El Malek to-night, behind these men, and overheard their evil plot against you and your companion. 
 
   It was too late to warn you, so I decided to remain on the spot and to help you if necessary." 

"I thank you," said Haroun; 
   "but let us leave this horrible place. 
 
   Take this ring, and come to me at the Palace to-morrow morning." 

He signed to the Grand Vizier to follow him, after having set the ring on Said’s finger. 
 
   The old man, however, hastily pressed a purse of gold into Said’s hand, and whispered: 

"Take it, noble youth; 
   I cannot reward you better." 
 
   Then he hurried after the Caliph. 

Said felt half drunk with joy as he hastened home. 
 
   But Kalum Bey was very angry at his being out so late, and had begun to think he had lost his valuable apprentice, and he began to scold and curse and swear like a madman. 
 
   But Said, who had satisfied himself on looking inside his purse that it was full of gold pieces, felt the moment had come when he could return to his father’s house, did not defend himself, only told Kalum Bey that he would not remain another hour in his service. 
 
   At first the little merchant was too surprised to speak, then he laughed spitefully, and said: 

"You stupid idiot ! 
 
   You beggarly rascal ! 
 
   How can you go away ? 
 
   Where will you get food or a night’s lodging ?" 

"That does not concern you, Kalum Bey," answered Said. 
 
   "Be certain of this, you shall not see me again !" 

He went out of the house, and Kalum Bey was speechless with astonishment. 
 
   The next morning, however, when he had thought the matter well over, he sent his porters out to see what they could hear about Said. 
 
   After some time one of them came back, saying he had seen Said come out of the Mosque and join a caravan. 
 
   He seemed altered; 
   was wearing a splendid coat and turban, and was armed with a dagger and crossbow. 

When Kalum Bey heard this he raged and stormed and cried: 

"He has stolen both money and clothes from me. 
 
   Oh, I am indeed an unlucky man !" 

Then he sent a messenger to the police, and as they knew he was a relation of Messour, the Court Chamberlain, he easily enough got a warrant for Said’s arrest. 

Said was sitting waiting for the caravan to start, and was chatting with a merchant who was going to Bassora, when suddenly, notwithstanding his protests, some men seized him, and bound his hands behind his back. 
 
   He asked them by what right they arrested him; 
   and they replied, they held a warrant from the police and Kalum Bey. 
 
   Then the little merchant appeared on the scenes, and accused and abused Said, searched in his pockets, and, to the bystanders’ surprise, triumphantly drew out a purse full of gold. 

"Look ! 
 
   He stole this from me, the young villain," cried he. 
 
   "So young, so handsome, and yet so base ! 
 
   Justice, justice is all I ask — except the bastinade !" 

So they dragged him along, and a whole crowd of men of all sorts followed, crying: 

"Look at the handsome young salesman of the Bazaar; 
   he has robbed his master and would have run away. 
 
   He has stolen two hundred gold pieces !" 

The superintendent of the police received Said with severe looks. 
 
   Said would have spoken, but the officials bade him be silent, and only attended to the little merchant. 
 
   He asked Kalum Bey if the purse belonged to him, and Kalum Bey swore it did; 
   but that a far greater loss to him were the services of his assistant, which were worth a thousand gold pieces. 
 
   Then the judge said: 
   "According to a law, made long ago by our great Caliph, every thief who stole more than one hundred gold pieces must be punished by perpetual banishment to a desert island. 
 
   This thief is taken at the right moment, for he makes the twentieth, and completes a gang which will be shipped to-morrow morning." 

Said was bewildered. 
 
   He implored the judge to allow him to speak to the Caliph; 
   but he found no mercy. 
 
   Kalum Bey, who began to regret his folly, interceded for him, but the judge said: 
   "You have your money, so be contented; 
   go home and be quiet, or I will fine you ten gold pieces for each accusation." 
 
   Kalum silently disappeared; 
   and the judge signed to the guards to take the unlucky Said away. 

He was thrown into a dark damp cell, where nineteen other miserable wretches lay about on the straw and related with some rough wit their experiences. 
 
   The prospect of his fate seemed so awful, and the possibility of being compelled to spend his days on a desert island so terrible, that he fervently hoped something might happen to release him from this terrible position. 
 
   But he hoped in vain; 
   nor was his fate on the convict ship a pleasant one. 
 
   In the hold, where no one could stand upright, the twenty prisoners were confined, and had to make themselves as comfortable as they could. 

The anchor was weighed, and Said wept bitter tears when the vessel set sail. 
 
   Only once a day did they get a frugal meal of bread and fruit, washed down with a drink of water; 
   and it was so dark in the hold that when the gaolers brought food they had to bring a lamp while the convicts ate it. 
 
   Almost every day one of the prisoners died through the foul air of the place; 
   and it was only Said’s youth and good constitution which kept him alive.