Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1855-03-07
Chcpter XAE.-Ehe Turk

Chapter XNI.-Tbe Turk
| ITwas noon day in Aderbijan as a grour
of shepherds were leisurely vending their
way homewards. Apart from them, with
his head bent in thought. was one of far
diferen' mould, who appeared to be the
| subject of their conversation, for ever and
anon they would pause and glauce back
upon him.
The stranger. although he was clad in
the humble guise of shepherd. seemed
to be one of higher grade His finely
moulded form. and open, intelligent feat
ures, which were of a manly beauty. seem
ed i'll suited fer the coarse shepherds
garb while the fire which flashed from
his dark piercing eyes bespoke the bold.
fearless spirit that knows no superior
Fair reader the stranger was none other
than the Turk-Nadir Hooli
Possessed of a bold. commanding char
acter, and a strong intellect, be won the
affections, not only of his own tribe, but
of all the noma6ic tribes And the DOW
er which be had thus acquired caused
even Persia's monarch to trenble upon
his throne, for in him he saw rival not
easily to be vanquished
Hooli noticed not the earnest glances of
the shepherds, for he was lost in thought.
and be seemed unconscious even of their
presence At length their loud voices
startled him from the reyerie into which
he had fallen, and turning into narrow
gorge he disappeared down the mountain
path.
Nestled at the foot of lofty mountain
he Ian of = Al
encampment of the Afshars 1t looked
indeed picturesque, as the rich effulgence
of the departing rays of the proud king
of day rested on the plain, and the far off
SUBMITS of the mountains changing the
deep emerald shades of the woods to a
golden hue Within tent, which was far
larger than the rest. were two females
The elder of tie two stood near the en-
trance of the tent gazing anxiously to-
wards the mountain road, as if watching
for some one she expected to see.
She was tall, yet finely formed, with
features that still bore traces of former
beauty, while her countenance wore
bland and pleasant expression. Her com
panion was none other than Zelia, the
astrologer's daughter, who had been res
cued from Ashraff's power by the corsair
chief
Esther, what think you dctains Nadir
SO long? | think something might have
befallen him > said the young maiden.
laying her hand gently upon the young
woman's arm, and gazing earnestly up
into the woman's face.
Nay. Zelia, fear not, he will return
unharmed; > replied the woman, glancing
fondly on the fair gill, while her eyes
sparkled with a strange light
Yet. Esther. the day god is even now
sinking to rest behind the mountains, and
y Nadir has not returned
True, child ye. did he not say when
he left US this morning, that he should not
return until night?'
All yes, he did yet it is strange
what calls him thus to the mountains
Think you it is. Zelia p
'Ay, Esther, do; and he seems sad
of late
1t is because he feels thus, child
These are perilous times, and tie Afshar
is not safe even within his own tent
Esther q
There is Zelia yet you need lot fear,
tor Nauir VIII protect thee.
He will, dear Esther, ard thee too ;
returned the fair girl, throwing her arms
around the woman's neck, and glancing
affectionately into her face
The woman made no reply, bnt her
bosom heaved with some strong inward
emotion, and tear moistened in her eyes,
as she met the earnest glance of the fair
girl
Yet. Esther, why this silence q kindly
asked the maiden, as she noticed the shade
Of sadness that passed over her compan-
;on's face. Have / offended you, or
caused the memory of the past to make
YOU feel thus sad p
NAY, Zelia, nay, you have not
Then why this silence, dear one p
Some object on the mountain attracted
nv attention at that moment, dear child !;
replied the woman with smile, yet it il
agreed with the deep emotion Of bel
mind
Yet you was not looking in that direc
ton. Esther; added the maiden, while /;
shade of doubt rested on her fair features
The woman was lost for moment 70
reply: but at that instant her gaze rest
ed on an object on the mountain road
Zelia, know you that form on the noun
tain path q she uttered, graspipg th
young girl by the arm and pointing j
the direction of the mountain road.
Where, Esther?' exclaimed the maid
en- in eager haste.
BY that tall cliff"
sAh, yes, it is Nadir; yet who, thin
you, be brings with him ?;
why. Zelia2'
, See you not that short heavy built ma
who rides at his side p
Nav, I do not-ah, yes, I do noT
rchild'
And know you who be is p
= sAv. it is Hafeez.
sChief Of the Afshars.'
I The same, Zelia.'
e sStrange that be and Hafeez should
o so much together of late.