The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1847-03-12
plunged into some chasm, which carried
them into the bow els of the earth.

\
them into the bowels Of the earth.
"Aroun, my son." said the old man,
"move not, breath not at your peril. This
is an ambuscade, prepared no doubt for
the French, by the tribes of the Sahel,
who are our deadliest foes; and il they
could but suspect that the Cad ofSuk- ell
Erba was so near them, my race would
soon be run. ALA grant that may not
have to regret the curiosity which induced
me to undertake this journey to Algers!"
and he murmered. "ali ask is, that may
be allowed TO bring back safe to his tribe
the son who will bear my name, or else"
and he grasped his yatagan, that | may
not die without being avenged. God Is
mercful"
"Fa,her, do you not hear something at
distances" earnestly whispered Aroun.
"Nothing!" replied the Caid, after lis.
tening with attention.
eyes, below there, towards the north;
but now ii has ceased. Yet, ,hark!-there
it is again! Do you not hear it now,
father?"
And scarcely had Aroun ceased to speak
when the head of a column of cavalry was
seen to emerge from behind hillock, at
distance Of about half league in the
direction in winch he pointed. They filed
silently along the base Of the rising ground, :,
( nd fa rpo IF hoir
showed that they were European soldiers
The column, which consisted Of two
sqnadrons of Spahis, detached as arecun-
noitering party in advance of the French
army, which was encamped for the night
at some distance, marching towards the
Marabont; and 10 n short, time the Caid
and his son could hear, al a few PAGES dis
lance, clear voice, giving the word cf
command to halt, and put themselves in
battle array.
The officers gathered around their COM
/ lnander.
"Comrades," said the latter, eve shall
not pass this Marabout; we are farther
=
prudence would advise; the whole p ain is
in motion; every bush and every hollow
may conceal an enemy and as this is such
broken ground, it would be well to ex-
plore it before We venture to iepose.-
Send for The Arab guide, ho brought us
hilher.'
6. la, ,lot .tn, e l.an l.1t
several voices. But llie guide was not TO
be found. Some men were ordered from
the ranks TO reconnoitre, but, at that mo-
ment, ball came whstling from the ra
vine, and struck a sergent Of the Sp dis
dead. Then i6ud and fierce yell follow.
ed the messenger of death, and the Arab
host appeared, as ifby enchantment, face
with the Spahis, who received a shower
Of balls before tLey were able to return
single shot
The surprise was terrible, but brief lie
unmFe cts sounded to the charge, and the
French dashed forward with the impetuos,
ity Of pen,up torrent that burst lis bar
rier. The firing WIS succeeded by the
cllshing Of sword blades; and the combat
was carried on, man to man, vii hnre-
lenling carnage. Notwithstanding the
bravery Of the French, however, numbers
were prevailing on the side of the enemy,
until party Of the former who had gone
round the Marabont, attacked the Arabs
~ |.
latter, believeipg themselves assaied by
a fresh force, Aed in disorder.
And now scene occurs, which brings |
us back TO the Caid Of Suk- ell Arba, and |
his son. A random shot has wounded |
Aroun, and young French soldier, who
has been placed as a sentinel near the
Marabout, quits his post to aid the father
in s,sunching the wound Of the YOUTH
a Moorish officer in the French service,
harshly reprimands The soldier for eg lect.
ing his post, and not killing the Ar4b
whom be sees near him. The latter acI
he is about to execute himself, when be
is prevented by the young Spahi, whom he
aCCUs es Ot tTedsOD COW stiIklUg
him at The same time with his sword; but
The ire of the Frenchman is reused into
fury, and his sabre descending quickly
upon the head Of the officer, hurls him
rom his horse. Some Of the Spahis who
y il itnessed the encounter from distance
ire supplied: but before they can seize
he offender, the enemy rally and return
10 The charge; and in the midst Of the con-
aston which ensues, Sanpierre-for such
= as the young soldiers name-put spurs
. his horse, an / galIops iercely towards
lie mountains.
CHAPTER III. ,
An interval of two years has elapsed r
ince the events which have been men.
toned 10 the last chapter, and we have