Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-12-08
Anecdote of Two Arab Chiefs,

<AASCoObO Va W. AluU OulCk6s
There dwelt upon the great river Eu>
pirates, near the great city of Bassora,
two Arab tribes deadly hostile TO each
other. The enmiiy was SO proverbial and
well known, that when one man spoke Of
the enmity of another towards foe, be
would say, he hates him as an Anizee
hates a Montifee. Il fell out that the
pacha Of Bagdad being apprehensive Of
the invasion ofthe Kurds from Kurdistan,
sent out an order to the chief OF the
Anizees TO send him forthwith twenty
thousand men and the order was obey
ed. The pacha, not placing the same re-
lance upon the promptness of the Mon
tifee chief, resolved to lay plan to take
him by stratagem, and then demand Of
him the aid of his tribe. He succeeded
in obtaining the attendance OF the chief,
and he was brought into the presence of
the Turk. 81 have taken you prisoner,
said the pacba, "fearing that l might not
otherwise have obtained the assistance
Of your tribes against the Kurds. If
you now command that ten thousand of
your men shall come TO my assistance,
your chains shall be struck of, you may
return safe and uninjured to your tribe;
but it you do not comply, your head
shall roll at my feet" The chief looked
the pacha sternly in the face and replied
"Your knowledge of the Arab character
has led you into this error. Had you sent
10 me for ten thousand Of my tribe when
was free, know not what answer
should have returned; but as it is, my
reply cannot but be negative. IF You
order my head to roll at your feet, be it
so; there are many more in my tribe
equal to mine. Shed one drop Of my
blood, and every one will become its
avenger. The Arab may be treated with
when free, but when prisoner, nerer."
The naughty pacba looked upon him for
a moment with surprise then turning to
his soldiers he ordered them to sever his
head from his body. The chief stood
calm and collected, while the drawn sabre
cleaned aloit in the air. At this moment
the noise of a horse gallopins in the paved
court yard oftbe palace attracted the at
tention Of the pacha. At every bound
he struck the fire from the stones, and
seemed to be striving to outstrip the wind.
In moment the rider vaulted from bis
horse, and almost in the same breath
stood in the presence Of the pacha. 1t
was the chief of the Anizees. IL am
come" said he, "to strike off the chains
from my enemy. Had he been taken in
an open conflict l should not interpuse,
but as he has been taken by freachery,.
though mine enemy, yet will j be the
first to strike off his chains. There are
twenty thousand lances under my com
mand glancing yonder in your defense
but if you release not Immediately mine
enemy, everyone of them shall be direc-
ted against you as a foe." The Turk was
forced to yield, and the two cbiefs retired
together. The chief Of the Anzees con-
lucted his brother chief, though his dead
lest enemy, to his own tribe, and then
said; 1--WE are now again enemies -
We have only acted as Arabs should al.
Ways act TO each other; but you arc now
ale, and with your own tribe, and our
ncient hosliIities are renewed" With
bis they parted, and the chief of the
inlzees returned to the defense Of the.
acha.