Chapter 37

Toloni, the King, might be sending him on a fool’s errand, but he had to take that chance. As it happened, the Akasava overlord had spoken the truth for a certain purpose. * * * * * El Mahmud, a notorious trader, found his way into Sanders’ territory one spring-time when the rivers were flooded and when certain streams were navigable which had never before known canoe, much less El Mahmud’s gay felucca. He brought with him rich bales of merchandise, secret bottles of gin, tobacco, hemp, and his …