Graceful and slender she stood before the burly Mohammed, but his ardor was not cooled by the presence of so many witnesses.  With a thud he dropped to his knees, wabbling for a moment in the successful effort to maintain a poetic equilibrium.  Then he began pouring forth volumes of shattered French, English and Arabic sentiment, accompanied by facial contortions so intense that they were little less than gruesome.

“Oh, joy of the sun supreme, jewel of the only eye, hearken to the entreaty of Mohammed.”  It was more as if he were commanding his troops in battle than pleading for the tender compassion of a lady love.  “I am come for you, queen of the sea and earth and sky.  My boats are here, my camels there, and Mohammed promises you a palace in the sun-lit hills if you will but let him bask forever in the glory of your smile.”  All this was uttered in a mixture of tongues so atrocious that “Subway” Smith afterward described it as a salad.  The retinue bowed impressively and two or three graceless Americans applauded as vigorously as if they were approving the actions of a well-drilled comic opera chorus.  Sailors were hanging in the rigging, on the davits and over the deck house roof.

“Smile for the gentleman, Peggy,” commanded Brewster delightedly.  “He wants to take a short bask.”

“You are very rude, Mr. Brewster,” said Peggy, turning upon him coldly.  Then to the waiting, expectant sheik:  “What is the meaning of this eloquence?”

Mohammed looked bewildered for a moment and then turned to the interpreter, who cleared up the mystery surrounding her English.  For the next three or four minutes the air was filled with the “Jewels of Africa,” “Star,” “Sunlight,” “Queen,” “Heavenly Joy,” “Pearl of the Desert,” and other things in bad English, worse French, and perfect Arabic.  He was making promises that could not be redeemed if he lived a thousand years.  In conclusion the gallant sheik drew a long breath, screwed his face into a simpering grin and played his trump card in unmistakable English.  It sounded pathetically like “You’re a peach.”

An indecorous roar went up from the white spectators and a jacky in the rigging, suddenly thinking of home, piped up with a bar or two from “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Having accomplished what he considered to be his part of the ceremony the sheik arose and started toward his launch, coolly motioning for her to follow.  So far as he was concerned the matter was closed.  But Peggy, her heart thumping like a trip-hammer, her eyes full of excitement, implored him to stop for a moment.

“I appreciate this great honor, but I have a request to make,” she said clearly.  Mohammed paused irresolutely and in some irritation.

“Here’s where the heathen gets it among the beads,” whispered Monty to Mrs. Dan, and he called out:  “Captain Perry, detail half a dozen men to pick up the beads that are about to slip from his majesty’s neck.”