words, for his lips curled for an instant in a cruel smile; he then Miehet Nike Free 4.0 V2 took his place by Feofar-Khan.
A trumpet call was heard. This was the signal for the amusements to begin. “Here comes the ballet,” said Alcide to Blount; “but, contrary to our customs, these barbarians give it before the drama.”
Michael had been commanded to look at everything. He looked. A troop of dancers poured into the Miehet Parajumpers Windbreaker Ike open space before the Emir’s tent. Different Tartar instruments, the “doutare,” a long-handled guitar, the “kobize,” a kind of Vauvan Cg Reese Bomber violoncello, the “tschibyzga,” a long reed flute; wind instruments, tom-toms, tambourines, united with the deep voices of the singers, formed a strange harmony. Added to this were the strains of an aerial orchestra, composed of a dozen kites, which, fastened by strings Moncler Kengät to their centers, resounded in the breeze like AEolian harps.
Then the dancers began. The performers were all of Persian origin; they Moncler Untuvatakki were no longer slaves, but exercised their profession at liberty. Formerly they figured officially in the ceremonies at Belstaff Dam Jackor the court of Teheran, but since the accession of the reigning family, banished or treated with contempt, they had Ralph Lauren Short Sleeve Polo been compelled to seek their fortune elsewhere. They wore the national costume, and were adorned with a profusion of jewels. Little triangles of gold, studded with jewels, glittered in their ears. Circles of silver, marked with black, surrounded their necks and legs.
These performers gracefully executed various dances, sometimes The North Face käsineet alone, sometimes in groups. Their faces were uncovered, but from time to time they threw a light veil over their heads, and a gauze cloud passed over their bright Piumini Moncler Donna eyes as smoke over a starry sky. Some of these Persians wore leathern belts embroidered with pearls, from which hung little triangular bags. From these bags, embroidered with golden filigree, they drew long narrow bands of Naiset Parajumpers Light Long Bear scarlet silk, on which were braided verses of the Koran. These bands, which they held between them, formed a belt under which the other dancers darted; and, as they passed each verse, following the precept it contained, they either prostrated themselves on the earth or lightly bounded upwards, as though to Belstaff New Albatros Jackor take a place among the houris of Mohammed’s heaven.
But what was remarkable, and what struck Alcide, was that the Persians appeared rather indolent than fiery. Their passion had deserted them, and, by the kind of dances as well as by their execution, they recalled rather Naiset Parajumpers Windbreaker Trench the calm and self-possessed nauch girls of India than the impassioned dancers of Egypt.
When this was over, a stern voice was heard saying:
“Look while you may!”
The man who repeated the Emir’s words — a tall spare Tartar — was he who carried out the sentences of Feofar-Khan against offenders. He had taken his place behind Michael, holding in his hand a broad curved saber, one of those Damascene blades which are forged by the celebrated armorers of Karschi or Hissar.
Behind him guards were carrying a tripod supporting a chafing-dish filled with live coals. No smoke alinks:
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