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Chapter IV THE TRIP TO NADOR
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK, the rapping on the door was insistant. I rose from the bed and put on my dressing gown as I made my way to the door.
"Who is there?"
"It's the bellman sir, you wished to be awakened at 3:00 AM."
"Yes, thank you. And could you have them send up a breakfast cart. Coffee, biscuits and some fruit will do."
"Yes sir, I will take care of it."
I returned to the bed room and woke Mahomet. "It's time to wake up, we must get ready and leave for the caravan." The boy immediately rose and woke his younger brother. We all dressed quickly. Mahomet had to help Musal with his bag, as we took the final bags into the lounge, along with the kaftans which were placed on top of the bags at the door.
There was another knock at the door, which startled me, as I was unsure who it might be. As I made my way to the door I heard the bellman call out, "Breakfast"
I opened the door and he pushed the cart in, placing it next to the settee. As I handed him a coin, I inquired, "Would there be someone available to help take my bags to the caravans?"
"Yes sir, I will inform the consierge and he will have someone waiting for you."
I replied, "That would be very good. Ask him to have them ready in about a half hour. Thank you."
The bellman turned and left the room, as the two boys and I began to eat our meal.
As promised, there was a young man waiting at the lobby door with a cart. He loaded the bags into it and after I signed the bill for my rooms, we left the hotel headed for the north end of the city. When we reached the caravan, I gave the boy a coin for his time and trouble and Mahomet set about locating the man who was in charge of the caravan.
I stood with the bags and little Musal, as we waited for Mahomet to return. I had already counted out the money that I was to pay for the trip with, so that it would be ready to just hand over. I looked up and saw Mahomet returning with a rather large looking man. He was wearing the white linen trousers and gauze shirt that I was quickly becoming familiar with, and a flowing white kaftans. Atop his head was a crumpled looking dark red fez, and he had the largest handlebar mustache that I had ever seen on one man. We exchanged pleasentries, and I paid the man the money for the trip. Mahomet interpreted for me, and the boys and I picked up the bags and headed in the direction the fat man was leading us. As we approached a large camel with a brightly colored platforn mounted on it's back, he said something in Arabic to the man standing by, who immediately took the bags and placed them into the cab. I lifted little Musal into the cab and Mahomet waited until I got in and then he joined us as well. The curtains at the front of the cab were pulled apart so that we could see out.
With a start, the camel lifted off the ground, and we were rather unsereptiously jolted about in the box of the cab. Musal thought this was quite amusing as he laughed hysterically throughout the process. I heard a command from the front of the caravan, and we were off. As the sun was just beginning to rise, I breathed a sigh of releif, knowing that we were underway. I looked at my pocket watch and noted that it was just shy of 5:00. It would be another six hours before anyone would know that anything was amiss.
Once underway, we decided to try and get a little rest, before the sun got too high in the sky, which would make sleep nearly impossible. Musal and Mahomet both curled together against the pile of bags at the rear of the cab, and I lay back as best I could, resting my head against Mahomet's side.
I presume that it was the heat the woke us, as I looked again at my pocket watch. The time was nearly 8:00. I was suddenly very thirsty and was sure that the two boys were as well. The heat was beginning to get somewhat oppressive. I opened the side curtains on the cab in hope of catching a slight breeze. Mahomet had located a bota of water and had passed it to me. Pulling the plug from the end, I marveled at how the skin was able to keep the liquid inside cool, despite the heat. I took a good drink and handed the bota back to him. He then handed it to Musal and then he drank last. We rode along and I watched the scenery unfold before us. Mahomet and Musal both seemed to be overjoyed at the prospect of leaving Marrakech behind.
The caravan came to a stop shortly and I heard the camel leader saying something in Arabic, so I turned to Mahomet with an inquisitive look. "It is time for a break, to do.er.how you say? To make necessary."
"You mean a toileting break?"
"Yes Robert, a toileting break. That would be it."
We were again jostled about as the camel went down to his knees. I welcomed the break, as my bladder was full, and I was sure that the boys were as well. I looked around for a safe place when Musal took my hand and began pulling me in the direction of a large boulder about a hundred meters from the caravan. Mahomet had already began to move in that direction, so I followed the lad obediently. Once behind the boulder, out of sight of the rest of the caravan, we did what we came out to do, and headed back.
"ROBERT STOP!" came the excited words of Mahomet. I froze in my steps as he said something to Musal in Arabic. Musal stepped toward the caravan, slowly at first, then he changed to a dead run.
"What is the matter Mahomet?"
"It's a cobra, Robert. Do not move."
In a fright, I stood perfectly still as I looked in the direction that Mahomet was looking. There, about a meter in front of me was the biggest snake I had ever seen. Mahomet behind me, was slowly moving to my left. The snake must have caught the movement as it turned to face in that direction. I was at a loss for what to do, but I knew that if Mahomet continued to move, the snake would surely strike him. Just then, I heard noises coming from the direction of the caravan. A rider on horseback appeared and leaned forward, swinging his saber as he rode past the snake. It all happened so quickly, that I didn't realize the man had actually hit him, until I saw the snake's body fall to the ground.
The horseman dismounted and came over to us. "Are you alright sir?"
Shaken, and still a bit dazed, I mumbled dryly, "Yes, I think so." then it dawned on me that the man had spoken to me in English. As I regained my composure, I turned to Mahomet to see if he was hurt. The boy seemed fine so I looked back at the horseman and asked, "are you English?"
"Oh yes sir, I am a lancer in Her Majesties 4th African regiment. Corporal Winston Fugate at your service sir!"
"Well, corporal, it was most fortuitus, you coming on the scene when you did. Thank you!"
"No need to thank me sir, when the little lad came running over to the caravan in a panic, I figured someone must be in trouble, so I just did me duty and came to check it out. You see sir, there is always a military unit traveling with these caravans, just in case of trouble, and since this particular caravan has several English citizens on it, it falls to the crown to provide protection." "And just how many of you are there?"
"There'll be 36 of us all told, sir. Under command of Left-tenant Hopkins. But enough chit chat, we'd best be getting back to the caravan, they'll be wanting to get moving again."
He walked his horse as we all walked back to the caravan together. Musal was standing beside our camel, and his face broke out in a huge smile when he saw us coming. He ran to greet us and wrapped himself around Mahomet's waist, then turning him loose, he attacked me in the same manner. I was a bit surprised by this, but lowered my arms to embrace him as well. The corporal mounted his horse and turned to go.
"Excuse me, corporal Fugate." He stopped and turned his horse toward me. "Would it be possible for me to speak with your Left-tenant later, perhaps when we've stopped to set camp?"
"I'll see what I can do sir.. I don't even know your name sir."
"Robert, Robert Light of London."
"I'll see what I can arrange for you Robert." and with that, he turned his horse and headed back to the front of the caravan.
We quickly got back into our cab and the driver jolted the camel upright. Once again, we were bounding forward on our way toward Nador.
We traveled for what seemed like hours, and the heat was beginning to get extremely oppressive when the caravan came to a halt again. As the driver gave his command, the camel again lowered to his knees and we got out of the cab. I looked at my watch which read 3:00, we were now some 10 hours out of Marrakech and I was suddenly very hungry. Various Arabic men were scurrying about doing this and that, unpacking camels loaded with various supplies, and just being very busy. Our driver took our bags from the cab and indicated for us to follow him. He led us to a large tent, which had been set up, and placed the bags inside the door on a rug which had been placed inside. He then returned to the camel and led him to the back of the tent and staked him out for the night, removing the cab and placing it on the ground.
After the events earlier in the day, I had resolved that I would not venture far from the tent. Mahomet and Musal entered the tent and began to busy themselves getting things ready for the night. Mahomet came out with a canvas bucket and headed for the stream to get some water. Upon his return, he looked at me and said, "come inside Robert, you must refresh yourself." I followed him into the tent and he poured a portion of the water into a basin which stood on a metal tripod. I realized that he wanted me to bathe, as it were, to help me to cool down from the heat. As I removed the kaftans, and then my shirt, Mahomet took a flannel and dipped it into the water, and then began to wash my upper torso. Musal stood by holding a large towel to dry me with. I smiled as I realized that the towel and flannel were from the hotel. I thought to myself, I have stolen the boy Musal, and he and his brother have stolen towels. I laughed inwardly at this thought.
I wondered to myself, what must be going on at the Regent Hotel back in Marrakech. Surely they would dispatch someone to retrieve him from my hotel after he failed to return. Perhaps the concierge at the hotel had told them that I had already left, with two boys in tow, and they had now dispatched someone to catch the caravan to take him back. I was unsure what they would do, but I was sure that they would take some sort of action. After all, a boy so young would surely be considered a valuable commodity. I hoped that Thomas hadn't gotten into any trouble because of me using his name as a reference. I suppose that the only thing I was truly sure of was the fact that the presence of English soldiers on the caravan made me feel a little more secure.
We lay down on the rugs set out for sleeping, and dozed away the afternoon. I woke to the sound of Musal whimpering in his sleep. I got up from my rug and moved over, kneeling beside him, as I brushed the hair from his sweat laden face, I whispered softly, "quiet little Musal, it will all be better soon."
Mahomet touched my shoulder as he leaned down next to my ear. "He is dreaming of the bad things they have done to him." he leaned over the boy and gently turned him on his side, lifting his shirt. I looked in horror at the stripes and bruises cut into the small boy's back, as I drew my breath in sharply. "They beat him if he does not do as they say, and sometimes, they beat him just for their own pleasure."
As Mahomet released the shirt and allowed his brother to roll back onto his back, I looked into his eyes. I saw his tears, and felt his pain, as I reached to him and drew him into me. I held him tightly, as though if I turned him loose he would be gone. Our lips met, and we exchanged a warm, loving kiss. When we released, he looked at me and said, "We owe you our lives Robert, this is a debt we can never repay." "Mahomet, my dear Mahomet, you owe me nothing. I did what I had to do, and I will continue to do so, because I..."
He put his finger to my mouth to stop me.
"Robert, if you want anything, you must ask, no matter what it is. If you want to take pleasure with me, or with Musal, it will be done without question, because we owe you so much for what you have done for us."
"I could never do that with Musal, he has been hurt enough by those evil men. As for you, I don't want to have pleasure with you because feel obligated. If we have pleasure with each other, it is to be because you want to, I don't want you to do anything that you don't want to do, ever again."
We kissed again and hugged each other tightly as the boy began to sob in my arms. We were interrupted by the bell clanging to signal that the evening meal was ready. We broke our embrace and Mahomet woke little Musal. The two boys rose and left the tent, returning shortly with platters of food and a bota of water.
We sat in the light of the lamps, suspended from the ceiling of the tent, and ate our meal. As we finished eating, Mahomet was gathering the platters to return them to the commissar. He was exiting the tent, when a voice from outside asked if his master was available. Mahomet opened the door of the tent and showed the young Brittish officer in and excusing himself, left the tent.
"I'm Left-tenant Hopkins, sir. My corporal indicated that you had need to speak with me. How might I be of service?"
"Robert Light, Left-tenant, please come in and have a seat. I am curious about a few things sir. I am here on holiday from London, my father is Lord John Light, formerly of the Queens own, and we discussed the problem of slavery before my departure from home. What is the Army's stand on such things?"
"Well sir, my orders are simple, we are to take whatever means necessary to stop the slave trade, wherever we happen across it, and to insure, as much as possible, that the slaves are returned to their homes. Bloody nasty business that, most of the traders would rather die than give up their slaves, especially the young boys `cause that's where the big money is. They sell them as sex slaves, what with the laws against fraternization with the young women, it's a very lucrative business. We usually only get to set one or two free in a month or so, and they usually end up becoming rent boys, as they don't have any idea where their families are. Most of them are taken so young."
He glanced over at Musal, then turned back to me.
"I would hope that a nobleman of your class wouldn't be having a sex slave of his own, and implying that the Army might be willing to turn it's head." he scowled his face.
"Absolutely not Left-tenant. Please allow me to explain why I've asked you here."
I proceeded to explain the situation to him, leaving out the details of the relationship between Mahomet and myself, and informed him that I was sure that I had broken some law by taking Musal on the trip with us to Nador.. I also informed him, that I had no intentions of sending Mahomet back to Marrakech.
He sat in total silence for a bit as he absorbed all that I had told him.
"Master Light, Robert, if I may, I am not sure how to handle this. It would appear that you have done the Army's job for us. While I'm apprehensive of your methods, I'm also impressed by your boldness. Do you understand the risk that you have taken, by bringing the younger boy along with you?"
I nodded my head, not totally sure that I did understand. It was impulsive, and I am sure risky, but I just had to act, and the consequences be damned.
"Well, I'm sure that there will be no trouble over the next four days, but I can't gurantee what will happen once we get to Nador. The boy's owner may have someone waiting for you there, to cut your throat and take the lad back with him. When we get there, I will approach the Officer of the Garrison and see what he thinks should be done at that point. However, in the meantime, I am going to have them move you farther up in the caravan. An Englishman shouldn't be traveling at the back of a caravan anyway, but at least that way, my men can keep an eye out for any unexpected visitors."
We stood and moved toward the door of the tent.
"Tomorrow morning, we shall be entering the pass at Beni Mellal, if anything is to happen before we reach Nador, that would be the likely place. The pass is narrow but the walls of the pass are not high. I'll have my men on the alert."
"By the by, would you happen to have a medical officer with your unit? The younger boy has some injuries on his back from a whipping at the hands of his owners."
"I'll send him right away. Have you received your commission as yet sir?"
"No, I shant receive it until I've finished at university, but I am looking forward to it. I should like to one day serve in the Queen's own, as my father did."
"Well, when you do, I'm sure that you'll make as fine an officer as ever served. "
We shook hands and he left the tent. Mahomet entered the tent a moment later and threw himself into my arms. I asked, "how much did you hear?"
"Mahomet heard all. Robert does not intend to send Mahomet back? What shall become of me, and Musal when you leave Nador?"
"We shall discuss that when we get to Nador. I am not sure what to do, but my father shall have some ideas I'm sure."
We sat and talked while we waited for the doctor to come have a look at Musal's back. When he arrived, he applied some ointment and left some of it for me to apply the next morning.
"That should take care of him, but I'm surprised that there are no broken ribs with a beating like that lad has had. I'll drop around to check on him from time to time."
He left the tent and I suggested that we all get ready for bed. As I lay on my sleeping rug, Musal and Mahomet moved their rugs over to either side of mine. As the two boys snuggled close to me, we all drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, we had some fruit and coffee for breakfast and were again off with the dawn.
Within two hours, we were passing a small village, which I presumed to be Beni Mellal. As we passed the village, the soldiers seemed to become more active, riding the line of the caravan more frequently. Corporal Fugate managed to stay fairly close to our cab throughout most of the morning.
The Left-tenant was right about the pass. The road, as it was, was seemingly narrow, but the walls of the pass were not very high and rigid. It seemed that we could see, somewhat clearly, in all directions, with only a few high hills as we approached the higher elevations.
As we arrived at the top of the pass, the caravan came to a stop. We all exited our cabs, and several of the travelers in the caravan stretched and did their necessaries, as the drivers began watering the camels in the spring. Mahomet, Musal, and I all went to take care of the proprieties, and then wandered over to the spring for a refreshing drink. As we neared the spring, Musal suddenly got very frightened, and began to cling tightly to me. Stopping, I turned to the boy, kneeling so that we were face to face.
"Musal, what is wrong?"
"The man by the spring, he is from hotel. He beat Musal!"
"Does he work for the hotel? He looks European."
"No, he hire Musal for pleasure. When Musal did not do exact what he want, he beat me."
"Well, he won't beat you again. I promise you that! But I think it best that we return to oour cab. I'll keep an eye on him, don't you worry."
We returned to our cab and got in. The bota was laid on the floor of the cab and appeard to be wet. I picked it up and handed it to Musal to drink, and he then handed it to Mahomet. After both boys had drank, I too took a cool drink of the fresh water. It tasted cool and sweet. The driver jerked the camel back to his feet and we were again underway.
That evening in camp, some of the drivers were playing music off from the main camp. The music had an almost eerie lull to it, which seemed to put most everyone in a pleasant mood. The boys and I ate our dinner, and enjoyed the sound as we relaxed in our tent. The doctor made a visit to check on Musal's wounds, and bid us a goodnight as he left.
Young Musal went to sleep rather quickly, after the doctor's visit, and Mahomet and I lay talking. After the previous night, we had already arranged our sleeping rugs together, and Musal was sleeping less than two feet from where I lay.
Mahomet trimmed all of the lamps but one, and returned to his rug. He looked over at me and leaned in, kissing me softly on the lips.
"Should we do this with Musal so close, we might waken him?"
"Musal will sleep soundly. Mahomet must have.pleasure. And Robert needs relief as well."
The boy began undressing me as I lay there. In the dim light, I watched as he undressed himself, the soft glow reflecting off his olive skin. The sensuality of his movement was intoxicating as he straddled my body and leaned down to kiss me again, more passionately this time.
As he began to kiss his way down my chest, and then my abdomen, I could feel the tension rising in my loins.
The exotic strains of the drivers' music, combined with the heat of our bodies connecting, gave me an intoxicated feeling as the boy skillfully imbedded my penis into himself, and began to ride with abandon. I was sure that the whole camp could hear our pleasurable moaning, but at that point, I didn't care.
I rolled Mahomet gently onto his back, keeping myself fully imbedded in him, and rose to my knees, leaning forward to kiss him as I thrust into him with all my being. Wrapping my arms around his waist, I lifted him slightly from the rug, and thrust more wildly than I thought was possible. As we neared our climax, we both became more audible. When my loins exploded into him, he lost all control and exploded his semen violently between us as I collapsed onto him.
We lay there, in a state of delerium, as we both slowly returned to a more normal breathing rhythm.
"Robert, this was the most beautiful! Mahomet is very happy to be with Robert."
"Mahomet has made me very happy as well."
I got up and went to the basin, wet the flannel, and brought it back to clean Mahomet, then the boy took it and rinsed it clean, returning to clean me off as well. We lay there, quietly, as I cuddled the boy close to me, and we both fell into a deep restful sleep.
The next day began as usual, and remained uneventful until we made our first relief stop. Mahomet had taken the bota to fill it with fresh water. Musal and I were sitting in the shade of a fig tree awaiting his return. Suddenly, the large scary man form the watering hole of the previous day was standing before me.
As he spoke, his English was crude and broken, and his accent seemed Germanic. "Boy is good in bed, yes?
"What? No, please go away!"
Musal was visibly becoming upset.
"You have no business here."
"I see, you want to keep boy all to yourself. But you have two boy, you can surely share with Klaus, yes?"
"No, I told you, you have no business here."
His anger was beginning to take hold of him as he moved toward Musal. I immediately jumped to my feet and stood firmly between the man and the boy.
"You will please leave, and leave the boy alone as well!"
"Klaus just need some recreation, surely you have had your fun with the boy too."
At that moment, the Corporal rode up on his horse. Bringing the horse to a halt and jumping from it's back, he asked, "Is there a problem gentlemen?"
Klaus immediately took on a whole new demeanor with the arrival of the officer.
"Corporal, this gentleman is the man who caused Musals' injuries. "
The Corporal turned to Musal, "Is that so son?"
Musal whispered, "Y..yes.he beat Musal as he took his pleasures!"
The Corporal grabbed hold of Klaus and held him tightly. Two more soldiers rode up and inquired of the Corporal should he need any assistance.
"Yes, I am placing this man under arrest. If he tries to escape, shoot him!"
The two soldiers dismounted their horses and took custody of the man, leading him toward the front of the caravan.
The remainder of our trip was uneventful, as our caravan followed along the Moulouyo River. The doctor made a final visit to check on Musals' back and remarked that they were healing nicely. Toward the end of the fourth day, we were met by soldiers from the Garrison at Nador, who accompanied the caravan the remaining few kilometers.
Upon our arrival in Nador, Mahomet, Musal, and I were taken by cart, straightway, into the Garrison headquarters.
Corporal Fugate led us to a large building and knocked on the door. A young officer opened the door and motioned for us to enter. As he motioned toward some chairs along the wall he said, "have a seat please, the Major will be with you momentarily."
We sat down as the Corporal excused himself and left the building.
An inner door opened and a slightly graying officer stepped out. He looked in our direction and walked over, extending his hand. "Robert Light? I've heard a great deal about you, please, come into my office."
We followed the Major into his office and he told his orderly to close the door on his way out.
"Please, sit down. I am Major Reed. Left-tenant Hopkins has told me about your situation, but I have also received a cable from London, from General Halloway of the Queens' Royal Brigade. It would appear that you have very high connections sir. My men have spent the past four days scouring the coast looking for the parents of the two boys in your company, at the request of General Halloway. I am not sure how he was made aware of your situation, but I was given specific orders that every effort should be made to locate them, and to have my troops meet and escort your caravan, giving you the protection of the crown."
"I had a friend in Marrakech send a cable to my father, explaining what I had done, and requesting assistance from his end. Apparently, he did what he thought proper, given the situation."
"Well, sir, it doesn't get much higher than General Halloway, so I would expect that your father is a very powerful man in London. You and your companions will be quartered here, at the Garrison. It is probably the safest place in Nador, and we can insure your safety until your boat leaves for Cairo in two days. As for the man taken prisoner on the caravan, he will be dealt with as harshly as regulations will allow."
"But what of Mahomet and Musal? I must be sure that they are to be safe when I'm gone."
"We're taking care of them too. I have several people who have been brought in from coastal villages to see if any of them are the boys parents, or may know of them. They'll be meeting them in the morning. Now, I'm sure that you and the boys would like to have a chance to freshen up after your long trip. You can have use of the latrines and bath house without being disturbed, as most of the men are out on patrols at this time of day. The Corporal will show you to your quarters, and help you get settled in, and he'll show you where everything is. Mess .er dinner, will be served at 7:00, and of course, you'll dine in the officers mess."
"Thank you Major, you've been most kind. And I'm sure that the boys will look forward to meeting the people you have brought in, in hope of finding their family."
We stood and shook hands. The young corporal was waiting outside with Mahomet and Musal and escorted us to our quarters. Along the way he pointed out the officers mess, the latrines and the bath house, none of which where too distant from our quarters. Our bags had already been taken into the large room that was to be our home for the next two days, and a young private had been assigned to see to our comfort and needs as well. He had already set to the task of putting our clothes away in the drawers and wardrobe in the large room. The room was simply decorated, with blinds at the windows, a large woven rug at the center and a large bed and one smaller one. There was a large wardrobe and two smaller chests of drawers, a wooden bench and two wooden chairs. On one wall hung a portrait of the Queen and Prince Albert, and the other walls were bare. There was a large oil lamp hanging in the center of the room, and a small lamp on a table beside the larger bed.
The private, his name was Davis, was not much older than myself, if as old. He had the beginning of a light mustache, barely visible over his lip. His hair was almost the color of straw, and he had blue green eyes. He stood only about five and six and didn't look much like he should be soldiering, but rather playing games with his mates at home. His uniform was clean and crisp, which indicated to me that he didn't get out of the Garrison much at all.
As he finished putting things away, he turned and said "I'll bring some libations for the three of you." With that, he turned and left the room.
Musal and Mahomet both turned to me and grabbed me, hugging tightly. Musal clung tightly around my waist, while Mahomet, held me around my chest. We had made it to Nador, with only minor trepidation, and the boys realized that they were at last free. Free from being forced to do things with total strangers, often abusive, who just wanted to use them for their own pleasures.
We held each other and cried as the realizations fully sunk in. Mahomet looked into my eyes, tears flowing from both of us, as he leaned in and whispered in my ear, "Robert, take Mahomet with you, as your servant."
Mahomet, why, what about your family? I know that they are among those who have been brought in for you to meet in the morning. Surely you will want to stay with them?"
"Mahomet no longer knows his family, except for Musal. And I er.I have grown to love you, and want to remain with you. Please do not send Mahomet away?"
The boy was sobbing hard and I felt my heart sink at his words.
"I think that we need to get cleaned up and refreshed from our trip. We will go and make use of the bath house, and then we will sit and discuss things before dinner."
We all broke our embrace and began gathering the things we would need. As we were exiting the room, the Private returned with a pitcher of lemonade and several large glasses. We informed him of where we were headed and took our leave.
We entered the bath house and found that there were a large number of stall like structures along the walls. There was a tube of metal sticking out over the center of each stall with a large wooden cask directly above it. The tube had a handle, of sorts, attached to it with a chain that hung down about four feet, just enough for a grown man to reach. I presumed that this was the spigot to release the water to bathe with. However, I was unsure how young Musal would facilitate things. I turned to Mahomet and nodded my head toward the younger, smaller boy. "You may have to give your brother some help with this."
Mahomet looked at the apparatus, and gave me a confused look. I removed my clothing and stepped under the spiggot and pulled the chain. The water fell over my body and wet me thoroughly. It was warm enough not to be unpleasant. I took the flannel and began lathing soap over my body. Mahomet must have gotten the idea, as he undressed and had Musal follow his lead. The two boys stood under one spiggot, and Mahomet pulled the chain. Musal squealed with delight as the water covered him. His reaction caused me to laugh out loud. As I glanced at the small boy, I couldn't help but wonder why a grown adult would consider him a sex object. We finished our bathing and dried and dressed. Upon returning to our quarters, Mahomet poured each of us a glass of the lemonade. We sat on the chairs and sipped on the liquid, as I looked at Mahomet. His face was still a bit uneasy, so I thought that now would be as good a time as any to have a talk about what tomorrow would hold in store.
I moved my chair in front of the two boys, so that I could see them both at the same time. Not sure what I was going to say, I cleared my throat and took another sip from my glass.
"Mahomet, Musal, the soldiers have brought some people to the fort to talk to you. They, er, we hope that your parents are among them. If they are, you will be going home with them. Perhaps, however, they may not be, in which case, hopefully some of them may know your parents. If that is the case, the soldiers will take you to them."
I could see the tears starting to form in Mahomet's eyes.
"If, however, your parents are not among them, and none of them know anything about them, we have a whole new situation. In either case, I am not going on to Cairo until I know what is to happen with the two of you."
"But why cannot Mahomet go with you to Cairo?"
"Mahomet, my friend, Jack, is waiting for me in Cairo. I don't think he would understand my having a young servant accompanying me, especially considering that we will be sharing rooms while there."
"But Mahomet can serve both of you, and would not be any trouble."
"Yes, but if your parents are here, or someone knows where they are, you should really try to get home to them. Surely you miss your mother and father?"
"Mahomet no longer knows his mother and father. But I will do as Robert says."
The boy looked totally dejected, but at this point, I was unsure of what else I could say to make him feel better. I looked at my watch and saw that it was nearly time for dinner. I told the boys that we should be going and we all got up to leave for the Officer's Mess.
The boys sat silently through the meal, unaccustomed to sitting at the same table as westerners. Musal ate heartily, while Mahomet simply toyed with his food. I was unsure if he was distracted, or still upset over my decision earlier.
Upon our return to our quarters, I suggested that Mahomet and Musal share the large bed and that I would take the smaller one. I pulled the shutters on the window, and began to ready myself for sleep.
Mahomet was talking to his brother in Arabic and the boy smiled and came over to the small bed and took my hand. He led me over to the larger bed and motioned for me to get onto it. As I sat on the side of the bed in my nightgown, he leaned up to me. As he was considerably shorter than I, I leaned over so that our faces were near to one another. He leaned closer to me and kissed me on the cheek. He whispered, "If it is to be perhaps, our last night together, you must spend it with Mahomet."
The boy then turned and ran to the small bed and doused the lamp, then climbed up onto the bed. I could hear the bedclothes rustle as he got himself comfortable. I sat silently on the side of the bed. I was unsure if this was the proper thing to do, but I knew that I wanted to be Mahomet, especially if this might be our last night together.
In the silence I could hear my own heartbeat as it echoed in my ears. The bed began to move as Mahomet crossed from the side he sat on to sit behind me. It was almost like our first time, again, as he lifted my gown up over my body. We were both trembling as he fumbled with my garment. As his hands touched my shoulders, I thought my heart would leap out from my chest. When his lips caressed my neck, I knew that I had no resolve left. I was his! There was nothing I could do about it. He could do anything to me, and I would not, could not, object. As his hands moved down my sides, I could feel the heat radiating from him to me. I lay back into his embrace and surrendered myself to his ministrations. I turned my face to the side and our lips met, opening to one another, as our tongues sought and found their destinations. They entwined with one another like two snakes in their mating ritual. The kiss was long, passionate, and totally breathtaking.
As we broke the kiss, Mahomet lay me back onto the bed. He kissed my nose, my forehead, my eyes, my chin. I was lost in his passion, and, being driven to new heights of sensuality. His soft, sensual, lips caressed my nipples, as he scraped them lightly with his teeth, bringing each of them, in turn, to an almost painful hardness. The sensations were nerve racking, yet delightful.
As he worked his way lower, it seemed, he deliberately avoided my groin completely. He nibbled and kissed his way down the inside of my right leg, lavishing his attentions on my feet and toes as he reached them, then nibbling and kissing his way back up the inside of my left leg. As he got back up to my groin, he raised my legs into the air, bringing them nearly into my chest. Lowering his head between my legs, he began to nibble and kiss on my bum cheeks. Within minutes, he was darting his tongue into the crevace there between the cheeks, and seemed to be sucking my arse hole into his mouth. He worked skillfully, kissing, sucking, then sticking his tongue into the small tightness of the pucker. I was thrashing about on the bed from the sensations that were coursing through my every fiber.
I could feel the sweat pouring from my body, soaking the bedclothes, making me realize that he must be sweating profusely as well.
As he raised himself to a kneeling position, he didn't ask what to do next, he didn't have to. The look that he saw on my face must have reassured him that what he wanted was the same as what I wanted. He spat into his hand and massaged the spittal onto his uncut member, then spat again, working it into my arse hole.
I felt the tip touch me, and felt as he pulled the foreskin back behind the head. As he entered me, the pain that I expected was not there. Only pleasure as he pushed slowly forward, filling me with his member.
His movements were deliberate and sensual as he began to set up a rhythm. I could feel the muscles in his thighs as he came into me fully, only to back away again. I wanted him inside me, not just his member, but the whole of him. I wanted to absorb him into my body so that he could never leave me. To become a permanent part of me. We remained coupled like that for what seemed hours. There was no urgency, only sensuality. When he spent himself inside me, I told him not to take it out, but to let it stay inside. He lay over on his side as I turned with him so that we could remain coupled. He took his hand and manipulated my own member until I climaxed.
We slept, with him still inside me, and when I woke in the morning I smiled with the knowledge that he continued to be inside, a part of me, if only for that one night.
As I got up from the bed, I moved to the wash stand and cleaned myself with water from the pitcher and the flannel that was hung there. Hearing movement, I turned to see Mahomet opening his eyes, smiling.
Mahomet cleaned himself, and we dressed. He woke Musal, and we waited as he dressed and then we went to the Mess for some breakfast.
Following breakfast, the young private came to escort us to a large hall where we were to interview the local people who had been brought in.
By noon, we still had not found anyone who even knew the parents of the boys. Back in our quarters, Mahomet was very quiet, not even talking to his younger brother. I decided that I would take the younger boy for a walk and give Mahomet some space, and some time to himself.
We walked around the Garrison, and Musal seemed entranced by the great size of the cannon located around the fortification. The soldiers seemed very accommodating to the boys seemingly endless questions.
When it came time to fire the salute he stood, hands over his ears, watching as the soldiers tamped the powder and dropped the punk to the latch, touching off the powder. The gun fired with a great roar and the boy laughed harder than I had ever seen anyone laugh before. I was captivated by his contagious exuberance as even the soldiers laughed to see the boy so excited.
It was time for tea, so I took the boy by the hand as we walked the short distance back to our quarters.
We had almost arrived at our room, when there was a flurry of activity at the gate. I made out the words "robbed" as I turned my total attention in the direction of the gate. Suddenly, a great hulk of a man came bursting through the soldiers, running, straight toward Musal and myself. As I saw the flash of metal, I realized that he was the man who brought Musal to my room at the hotel. Jumping quickly, I grabbed the boy and rolled with him held fast in my arms as I heard a single shot ring out. The big man fell to the ground and his blade stuck into the ground, dangerously close to my most private parts. The soldiers gathered quickly around us as Mahomet appeared at the door of our quarters. He was on us so quickly that I hadn't time to think. The young private was helping me to my feet as Mahomet held his brother, lifting him to his chest. My heart sank, as I noticed that the boy was limp and his face paled. The Garrison doctor came to us and began to examine me. "Look to the boy, I'm fine, just shaken a bit."
The doctor looked at the boy and smiled. Looking at me he said, "The lad's just a bit winded and unconscious, but he's alive. He'll be a bit sore though from the bruises."
"Thank God!" I turned to Mahomet and we hugged with him still holding onto his brother.
The doctor looked down at the big man, "Can't say the same for him, however, the shot went straight through his black heart! It`s lucky for you that you moved when you did, or the ball might have hit you instead of where it hit." I followed the direction of his gaze. The ball from the musket went all the way through the man and lodged in the mud wall of the building, directly behind where I had been standing only moments before.
After the excitement settled, we went into our quarters. We had completely forgotten about our afternoon tea. I thought to myself, Jack will never believe all that's happened in the past fortnight. And I don't think I can tell father about it either, at least not while mother is in earshot. I chuckled as I made my journal entry for the day.
The next morning, we went back to the task of interviewing the remaining local people. As we talked to the last couple, we still had not found anyone who even knew Mahomet's family. It was as though they didn't exist. My boat for Cairo would be leaving in a few hours and I still had not assured the future of the boys.
I sent Mahomet and Musal to the room, and told them that I would return shortly. I had no idea what I was going to say when I returned, nor what I was going to do now.
I found myself at the door of the Major's office. Entering the outer office, I asked the corporal, "May I see the Major?"
"I'll see if he can see you sir."
He walked to the door and knocked. Opening the door, he informed the Major that I was there to speak with him. As he turned from the door, he motioned for me to enter.
"Thank you for seeing me Major." "Please, Robert, have a seat. How can I be of service sir?"
"We have interviewed everyone that was brought to the Garrison, and we still haven't found any one who even knows the boys family. Frankly, Major, I am at a loss. I am supposed to leave for Cairo this afternoon, but I can't just leave the boys here. I gave my word that I would not desert them."
"Young Robert, have you considered the obvious solution?"
"Sir?"
"Well, it would seem to me that you have three choices. First of all, you can just leave them to their own devices. Of course, knowing a bit about you, that would not be an option for you. Secondly, you can put them on a ship bound for London, I can have a patrol escort them to Casablanca and put them on the next steamer. I would be more than happy to cable your father to let him know that they are on their way."
"And the third option?"
"The third option, would be to take them with you, on the remainder of your travels. I can give you a letter of entitlement, which would empower you as their guardian. No one will ever question it, for all intent, they are orphaned, and you, being a citizen of the empire, are permitted to assume the position. I will take care of the local authorities, not that that would be a problem, as they would see it, it would just be two more rent boys occupying the streets of Nador, and they would much rather not have that problem."
I sat there quietly mulling over the options presented. The Major was correct in thinking that there was no way I would just let the boys fend for themselves. I wasn't sure that the second idea was very good either. There would be no one to see for their safety once they were onboard a ship bound for England.
"How soon could you have the papers drawn up?"
The Major smiled. He called his orderly from the other room. As the corporal opened the door, he said, "Bring me the documents for Mr. Light."
The young man left the room and came back shortly with the documents in hand.
"I had already considered the possibility of the boys not finding their parents. I had these drawn up, almost before you arrived at the Garrison."
I smiled as he rolled the parchment and lit a sealing candle. Dripping the wax onto the documents, he applied his ring signant, allowing it to cool. He then reached into the drawer of his great desk and pulled out a pouch. "Compliments of the crown, this should cover any additional expenses that you might incur as a result of having the boys with you. Their tickets for the boat are waiting at the dock with yours, and I have already contacted your hotel in Cairo and informed them that you should need a much larger suite. As for your other accommodations after Cairo, your father is taking care of that."
"What, why, but how, how did you know that I would agree, I mean, bloody hell, did you have all this planned from the start?
"Well, Robert, your father suggested, in his cable, that this might be the outcome, should the parent search fail, and as it turns out, he was right. I shouldn't think to harshly of the whole situation if I were you, after all, how many young men your age have two sons, one near their own age and one near half. Now sir, I think you have a boat to catch if you plan to meet your friend in Cairo day after tomorrow."
I was nearly laughing as I left his office. I hurried back to our quarters and told Mahomet and Musal that they were going to Cairo, and then to other wonderous places, and they were going with me.I waved the parchment like a madman, laughing hysterically as I told them, "You too are now my sons. I've just adopted and taken custody of you both. Now what do you think of that?"
The two boys began dancing around and hugging each other and then me. "We must hurry, my boys, we have a boat to catch!"
We hurridly packed our things, and looking around to be sure that we hadn't forgotten anything, we left the room, to be met in the courtyard by a small patrol which was to escort us to the boat. They took our bags and put them into a wagon, then one of the soldiers lifted young Musal onto the wagon as Mahomet and I climbed up.
We were soon on the boat, and settled into our stateroom, awaiting our departure for Cairo.