The Four Feathers · Chapter
X: The Wells of Obak explained
Harry Feversham, disguised as an Arab, waits at the wells of Obak for a message from his contact in Berber.
What happens
Harry Feversham, disguised as an Arab, waits at the wells of Obak for a message from his contact in Berber. He receives a note via a donkey's wound, indicating that his contact Yusef is missing and the town has changed. Feversham must extend his dangerous mission in Berber, where he struggles with fear and the weight of his task, but resolves to continue for honor and Ethne.
Themes in this chapter
Cowardice and Redemption
Feversham confronts his fear and self-doubt, questioning his courage but ultimately pushing forward in an attempt to redeem himself.
Isolation and Loneliness
The desolate setting of the wells and Feversham's solitary mission highlight his isolation, both physically and emotionally.
Love and Sacrifice
Feversham's thoughts of Ethne and his willingness to risk his life for her sake underscore the theme of love driving sacrifice.
Characters to notice
- Harry Feversham
Disguised as an Arab, he waits at Obak and then ventures into Berber, battling fear and despair but driven by a sense of honor and love for Ethne.
- Abou Fatma
A loyal ally who receives the message from the donkey and passes it to Feversham, showing his continued support.
- Moussa Fedil
Mentioned as the Bisharin who arranged the delivery of the donkey and message to Abou Fatma.
- Ethne Eustace
Feversham's thoughts of her and his promise to her motivate him to continue his dangerous mission.
Key passages
“Fear had him in its grip on that morning three days after he had left Abou Fatma at the wells, when coming over a slope he first saw the sand stretched like a lagoon up to the dark brown walls of the town, and the overshadowing foliage of the big date palms rising on the Nile bank beyond.”
Three days after leaving Abou Fatma at the wells, Feversham was gripped by fear as he first saw the town of Berber from a slope, with its dark walls and the palm trees by the Nile.
Feversham's fear intensifies as he approaches the dangerous town.
“He was still the craven who had sent in his papers.”
He realized he was still the coward who had resigned his commission.
Feversham's self-doubt and fear of being unchanged.
“If he could do this thing, and the still harder thing which now he knew to lie beyond, he might perhaps some day see that face cleared of its trouble.”
If he could accomplish this task and the even harder one ahead, he might one day see Ethne's face free of worry.
Feversham's motivation is to redeem himself in Ethne's eyes.