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Another word I didn’t know. “Reis?”
“Captain,” he explained. His voice reminded me of the softest rustle against the ground, leaves brushed against stone. “I am part of the crew of theElephantine.”
At this my jaw dropped. “Truly?”
He nodded, the moonlight making his dark eyes shine. “Come, I’ll take you.”
I hesitated; the boy seemed sincere, but I had to make sure. “What’s your name?”
“Kareem. Will you come?”
I had no better option, but still I stayed put. My bags weighed me down, digging into my flesh. “What is the name of the man you work for? The owner of the boat?”
“Ricardo Marqués,” Kareem said promptly.
Any unease vanished at the sound of my uncle’s name. Kareem spoke the truth, and perhaps he might be able to assist me with the next step in my plan. “Tío Ricardo doesn’t know that I’ll be joining him. It’s a surprise visit. My uncle would expect to see me in a dress. I’d like to change my clothes into ones that are similar to yours in order to pull off my plan. Will you help me buy some?”
Kareem eyed me, his lips pressed into a line of skepticism.
“I’ll pay you for your help.” I dug into my purse and pulled out a handful of piastres. Kareem’s gaze dropped to the money and before I could blink, he’d snatched it from my hand. They winked in the starlight for onlya second before disappearing into the sleeve of his tunic. If I hadn’t been watching carefully, I would have sworn they had disappeared into thin air.
“Huh,” I said. “Will you teach me how to do that?”
The boy dimpled and then lifted his chin in the direction of a small market in front of the docks. Various items were for sale, including a shop dedicated to spices that warmed my blood as we walked past. Spices I’d never heard of: cardamom and turmeric, cumin and curry. Kareem helped me purchase a long tunic, called agalabeya,which partially hid my leather boots. I pointed to his tarboosh, and Kareem managed to find one identical to his.
I dressed behind a woven blanket Kareem held up for me, next to an old building with a crumbling roof, and together we walked to the eastern bank where theElephantinewas moored. My traveling dress barely fit in the canvas bag, and I marveled at the bulk of it compared to the light tunic currently gracing my frame. I’d gotten rid of the corset but kept my shift and stockings.
The freedom of movement wasextraordinary.
Kareem stayed close to me as we boarded theElephantine.It resembled a flat barge, and while it looked sturdy, my stomach clenched regardless. Another boat, another trip over water. I hoped I wouldn’t get sick like last time when I hadn’t been able to leave my cabin for days. It was the worst I’d ever felt in my life. The rest of the crew rushed around, carrying large baskets filled with food and linens and tools. I kept my face turned downward, my long hair tied in a knot hidden within the fez. By now, the moon hung high overhead, the stars shining brilliantly onto the dark water of the Nile. It stretched on either end for miles, making me feel as tiny as a grain of sand.
“Would you like a tour?” Kareem asked.
I looked around nervously, sure to find my uncle giving orders in his booming voice.
“He isn’t here yet. But he will be soon.”
“All right,” I agreed. “A very quick tour. Is there a place I can put my things?”
He nodded. “You can take the sixth bedroom. We’ve been using it for storage.”
I followed as he showed me around the boat. I’d never been on anything like it before. Long and narrow, with a flat bottom and two masts at the bow and stern. The cabins were situated below deck, the roof forming the upper. Every room had a small window and narrow beds, a fixed washing stand, and a row of hooks to hang up clothing. Additionally, there were two drawers underneath the bed for more storage. Kareem told me which room would serve as mine and I hid my belongings as best I could.
Once we passed the row of cabins, Kareem led me away to show me a grand saloon that measured roughly twenty feet in length, the walls curving at the end. White paneling gave it a classic look, contrasting with the dark velvet curtains hanging on either side of four large windows. A skylight provided additional lighting, and hanging in every available space were wooden shelves holding up dozens of books, hats, and… guns.
I raised my brows, confusion flaring. My parents had detested weaponry of any kind and it struck me as odd that they would have permitted them on board.
Kareem pulled at my sleeve and bid me to follow where a charcoal oven in between the prow and bigger mast allotted for the kitchen area. Pots and pans hung on iron hooks above baskets of culinary supplies. I didn’t have time to see what was stored within as Kareem moved quickly, pointing out the rest of the crew: the reis, pilot, cook, the steersmen and oarsmen, and a handful of waiters. Kareem himself was an assistant to the head cook.
Taken all together, theElephantineresembled a medium-sized house with a staff of twelve, with plenty of space to spread out.
“Where do the crew sleep?”
“On mats on the upper deck,” Kareem said, leading me there. A roof hung above it, and my uncle had furnished the area with a large rug and some chairs. It looked like an idyllic living room, out in the open, the cool breeze touching every piece of furniture with a loving hand. Already, some of the crew were unrolling mats, preparing to wait for my uncle. Everything seemed to be in order. I made myself comfortable on the ground next to several others and listened for the sound of my uncle’sarrival. I passed the time by looking outward at the picturesque scene, a hundred boats floating quietly on the grand river, ready for the next adventure.
And then at last, my uncle came, Mr. Hayes in tow, occasionally sipping from his flask as if he were at a dinner party. He looked over the crew with an experienced eye. He’d replaced his dinner jacket and neat shoes with his customary wrinkled shirt, khakis, and scuffed boots that laced up mid-calf. The two men carried their own trunks and bags up the gangplank, where they were immediately greeted by the reis, a man named Hassan. They disappeared down the narrow steps into the long corridor opening to the row of cabins on either side, their voices drifting along with them.
I looked at Kareem and grinned.
