human
You! _mon cher_ Cecil? cried the Captain gaily, extending his hand as I advanced.
gpt
What brings you here?
human
Cannot you guess?
gpt
You told me months ago at Tuggurt that you were journeying here to fulfil some strange promise you had made to a woman. You little expected to find us here before you--eh?
human
When I was your guest on my way south, I could not tell you the object of my journey, as I had promised to keep it secret.
gpt
Well, the woman must have been particularly fascinating to have induced you to undertake such a risky journey, especially with Hadj Absalam's band scouring the Desert.
human
You will admit, I think, that she was fascinating, I said as quietly as I could.
gpt
Her name was Zoraida.
human
The same. She has promised to become my wife. Take me to her. Let me speak with her,
gpt
Alas! _mon ami_! I regret I cannot,
human
She surely is not dead?
gpt
No--not dead. She is a prisoner, and, with Hadj Absalam and a man called Labakan, is on her way, under a strong escort, to Algiers.
human
To Algiers?
gpt
It is unfortunate that she of all women should have fascinated you, observed General Seignouret, who had been standing by,
human
She is innocent. She hated the life; those scenes of bloodshed and horrible barbarities appalled and nauseated her, I cried in passionate protest.
gpt
Her strange position had been thrust upon her by sheer ill-fortune. Tell me, for what crimes will she be tried?
human
For outlawry and murder, the General answered abruptly.
gpt
And the punishment?
human
Why think more of her? he suggested, casting away the end of his cigarette.
gpt
It is useless to still contemplate marriage, for her freedom is impossible when the punishment for either offence is the guillotine.
human
The guillotine? I cried, in mad despair.
gpt
And your men are dragging her onward--onward across the Desert to a cruel, ignominious, and brutal end?
human
Think of the massacre of Deschanel and his brave Spahis, of the many raids whereby unarmed caravans have been looted, and their owners butchered; think of the hundreds of our men who have been ruthlessly murdered or horribly tortured by the fiendish band under the leadership of this pretty savage! It was her presence, her voice, that urged on the Ennitra to the frightful massacre and awful barbarities after this city had fallen into their hands; and again she commanded her people in their desperate defence of the city when we endeavoured to take the place by surprise.
gpt
But I tell you the leadership was forced upon her against her will by those ferocious brutes! I said warmly.
human
Ah! you do not know her as well as I.
gpt
We know her quite sufficiently to be aware that her crimes have cost many of our unfortunate comrades their lives, and that the death sentence is the only one that can be passed upon her. The Government are determined the punishment in her case shall be exemplary,
human
Come, old fellow, Cannier whispered, taking me kindly by the arm and leading me forth into the once-beautiful harem-garden.
gpt
Forget this woman. For her it must certainly be either the _lunette_ or _La Nouvelle_. No effort of yours can ever give her freedom. Besides, think of her past; is she, after all, worth troubling about?
human
Worth troubling about? Yes, I answered promptly, turning upon him angrily.
gpt
Why should you judge her thus? You only know her by the idle and exaggerated gossip of the camp; yet you believe her to be a bloodthirsty harridan, delighting in scenes of massacre and pillage, a woman who regarded every caravan, every Zouave, and every Chasseur as her lawful and natural prey!
human
No, not a harridan by any means! he exclaimed.
gpt
I admit her beauty and grace is unsurpassed. She is by far the most lovely woman I have ever seen--and I have seen a few beauties in my time at Royat, Etretat, Biarritz, and Trouville.
human
I am not discussing her countenance, _mon ami_ I continued, with perhaps undue warmth.
gpt
I am asking why you condemn her. Tell me, have the authorities any direct evidence that she has ever been guilty of murder?
human
Well--no, he answered.
gpt
As far as I am aware, there is no specific case upon which they rely.
human
Then they intend to transport her to New Caledonia for life, or perhaps even drag her to the guillotine, merely to deter other tribes from defying French rule!
gpt
he answered quickly.
human
You are fascinated by her, and, of course, will believe no ill. In your eyes she is simply a paragon of virtue. Therefore, the fewer words we exchange upon the painful topic the better.
gpt
You have declared my inability to save her, I exclaimed with anger, indignant at his prejudice against her and at the thought of her, a prisoner, roughly handled by the uncouth Chasseurs, who even at that moment were hurrying her with all speed over the Desert towards Algiers.
human
You predict that all my efforts will be in vain; nevertheless, I shall follow, and do my best.
gpt
If you attempt to rescue her from the custody of the escort, you will without doubt get a bullet in your head.
human
I need no warnings,
gpt
I must send an urgent dispatch to headquarters at Algiers. Whom do you recommend to carry it?
human
I am starting at once for Algiers, I said; then, turning to Carmier, I urged,
gpt
Send Octave Uzanne, the Spahi. He is my friend.
human
Uzanne?--Uzanne? repeated the Captain reflectively.
gpt
Ah! I remember, I have heard of him. He was a survivor of Deschanel's detachment, and a valiant fellow. Yes, he shall bear the message.
human
In an hour it will be ready,