Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-07-12

Ihe oIu veteran was very mucn surprised at
! the recital of what had taken place but he
! bade Araxa be of comfort still admitted
! that 1t was a base return for his services, but
| thought he had a consolation in the know-
edge that Zaphyra loved him; circum-
stance that should palliate the fathers
| harshness.
Araxa assured him that Zaphyra's love
more than compensated him for every ILL.,
He saw with joy her expressive eye, and
| heard with rapture her benignant voice. No
little word that dropped from her lips but
was indelibly marked upon his heart. Still
it was hard alternate to betray his country
or give up the girl he loved, and that very
| love inspired him with scheme to obtain
! her, and honor would not blush to own the
| means.
He told Assad vaguely of this scheme, and
| said he still remembered well the secret path
| which led to the retreat of his dear country
men, and often unknown to any Persian)
had he already visited their abode. They
! loved him, they would espouse his cause,
anl help to gain Zaphyra.
''When | am gone hence he added, in
conclusion, tell Ismail | repent; bid him
despatch chosen band to the :our rocks
north Of the citadel, where the aged palm
tree stands by lonely cavern there | will
meet and conduct them to the mine. -
Assad, whose trust in the youth he had
reared was unbounded, promised to obey,
and Araxa mounted his swiftest steed and
spurred swiftly away.
! He passed the Persian boundary, galloped
among the hills, penetrated in the secret
way, and appeared among his countrymen
! in the vast cavern which contained the pre-
! cious rubies. They hailed him with shouts
| Of joy, for he was their prince-their rajah
| les Araxa was the son of that slaughtered
rajah, beside whose dead body he had been
found on the battle field. a cousin, an am
bilious chieftain named Hyder, to whom he
had delegated his authority, ruled his peo
| pie in his absence. Gladly would Hyder
have had him remain forever absent, for he
eneviously coveted the rank he held in trust
But Araxa was too firmly seated in the
peoples heart for him to attempt to thrust
MN iOitH. way LOiSi iS uuLSI lOl dI-
tempt it.
Araxa quickly made known the object OF
his journey to The mine He directed the
tribe to collect such fragments as promised
a most glittering harvest, convey them to
the palm tree cavern, and deposit them
deep in the earth There would be lead
Ismails officers, who, by this stratagem,
would think the mine was found Having
given them his instructions, he promised
speedily O revisit, with his bride,
Araxa took his departure and returned to
A~sad's dwelling.
All chanced as he hoped. ISmail de-
ceived by the glittering specimens found by
his officers in the palm tree cavern, readily
gave his sanction for the nuptials of Araxa
and Zaphyra. The great hall Of the fort
ress was decorated for the purpose, and all
the dignitarIes of the province assembled to
grace the nuptials. Zaphyra, believing
that her lover had betrayed his country,
would have hesitated to ratify her vows, but
a whispered assurance from Araxa dispelled
her scrupes. She trusted in his honor, and
awaited patiently the explanation.
Scarcely had the priest pronounced the
nupial benediction than man rushed fran
tcaly into the hall, exclainiing vehe
men,ly:
Where, where is the governor? Sus-
pend the marriage -
Astonshment seized upon all present at
these words. Islnail was enraged at the
interruption.
What bold presumptuous slave dare thus
intrude upon our hallowed rights p he
cried.
Mighty Ismall, " answered the intruder
who was none other than Iaphyra's reject
ed suitor Nasrod, As | overlooked our
Persians working at the spot supposed TO
be the mine, and vainy trying to discover
a treasure too soon exhausted, Hiudoo of
Araxa' tribe rode swiftly toward Us, and
scoffing at our useless labors. Fools, said
he, why search for mines in heaps of bar
rem sands If you would your masters
honor save, deliver this letter before
Araxa's marriage with Zaphyra This
said, he placed the letter in my hands, put
spurs to his horse, and fled across the
dessert"
Araxa and Zaphyra were strongly agita
ted by these words, knowing how much
truth there was in the disclosure; but Is
mail was incredulous.
''Nasrod, he answered, well l know
your love for Zaphyra. and jealousy has
brought you here in an attempt to destroy
| Araxa happiness.
Read, sis, and be convinced replied
Nasrod and with triumphant smile he
placed the letter in his hand.
Ismail hastily opened it and read these
words penn-d by the ambitious and design
ing Hyder, who thus thought to destroy
his rajah, and usurp his throne:
'IsrIail, Araxa has deceived you No
mine has been discovered. 1t is deep laid
scheme to rob you of your daughter, who
once espoused, will leave her father PROV
ince, to reign with Araxa over the Hindoos
of the ruby mine.
This letter was signed "a Friendly Hin
doc - Isnail could scarcely credit the evi-