The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-07-20

turned his own horses head toward
Tetuan, the nearest town. A
| Lindora was at this time, of course, in
the Black Castle, imprisoned in a lonely
tower. The old man, too old to be soid
as slave, would have been promptly
dispatched, ifthe cries of Lindora for her
father had not suggested that his life and
presence were essential to the preserva-
ton of her beauty. The dark envoy was
most instrument in the securing OF his
safety, but AL Zagal having seen the NAL
den, who had been seized for his ENJOYS
satisfaction, was desirous, of course, as
the dullest legend reader would perceive,
to add her to the roll of his wives.
When Cedi Mohammed lbn Amar
knowing nothing of all this, reached
\ Tetuan, he went to the house of AL HadJ
Halek Ion Abdallah, famous marabout,
and said, "Salaam on Aleckomm! Know,
| 0 holy man, that / am come to thee for
news, the odor of which would be sweet
unto nv nostrils." The wise man, hav-
ing heard his question, was able, tortu-
nately to return an answer. AND the
youth said. "I will depart this hour
again TO Fez, and throw myself at the
| feet of the Prince of believers to ask ven-
geance; and it shall come to pass that he
shall grant me power to lead his war
riors against AL Zagal, destroy his castle,
and deliver Lindora from its walls; Tor
the maiden loves me STILL" he added,
looking at the hilt Of his danger, in which
a large opal glittered cheerlully' Ia
beeb, farewell ?"
| Lindora was at that time in her lonely
tower, shrieking with but little intermls-
sion AL Zagal appeared on the battle
ments, and leaning over, shouted to one
of his followers "Asharky, place thy.
self at the head of a score OF lances, and
ride the country through till thou tindest
a Tabeeb for the daughter Of AL Hassan
is possessed" The Tabeeb who was
brought declared the maiden to be in the
delirum of fever; so thereafter AL Zagal,
who by no means desired that she should
die, f. frequently placed the battlements In
moody way, invoking on her case the
blessings Of the Prophet.
One day he was awakened from such
reverie by the sound of distant tom
toms and cymbols, and looking he saw
the royal banner coming down the road
from Fez. Bright arms of warriors gilt
tered about it, and dark crowd of coun-
try people, that had joined with the
great army of the Sultan, were shouting
his name; they were his debtors from the
surrounding country, now resolved to
take this advantageous opportunity OF
paying him the little things they owed.
When the multitude had halted near the
castle walls, a single horseman spurred
out of the main body--a herald he was
Summoning Muley ben Abel. alias AL
Zagal, to surround his castle and give up
the prisoners therein, particularly Lin
dora and her father, otherwise the Lord
Cedi MoEammed Ibn Amar, Caliph of
the Sultan's name to lay seige to its walls.
A valorous discussion followed, which
was closed by a follower of AL Zagal, who,
with a stone from sling, struck the her.
aid on the forehead, and unhorsed him,
Then the siege commenced.
The siege was tedious, for the castle |
walls were thick, but as the black band |
was not accustomed to live peaceably on
short provisions, it turned very blue |
when the wine failed, and become finally |
seditious Nevertheless the siege was
tedious, and Cedi Mohammed Ibn Amar
began 10 fear the approach of the rainy
season and the departure of his peasant |
allies, when one day he saw, in strong
relief against the morning sky, Lindora |
and her father led out chained upon the |
battlements of the Black Castle. AL Za- |
gal had an offer of accommodation to |
suggest. If the siege were raised he |
would give up his captives for ransom |
of thousand NETS. kal. Ifnot, he would |
cut off their heads next morning. and |
throw them down into the camp.
This threw Cedi Mohammed Ibn Amar
into great perplexity, for his honor as a |
soldier and his desire as a lover were
played off unpleasantly against each |
other. While he still pondered in his |
tent the tent curtain was drawn aside |
and the dark envoy entered. Cedl Mo-
hammed Ibn Amar knew the envoy well, |
although he did not know him as the |
first cause of Lindoras misery; he knew |
him only as a doughty fighting man |
throughout the siege. What did the
dark envoy want2 "Son of Amir" he |
said, grant but free pass to myselfand |
a few companions, and the castle shall be |
delivered up tonight into your hands.
AlZlgal has wronged me, and the sons
of Allah are not able to forgive"
"Can believe this?" ..
Gear not, Cedi; will remain in this
till my words has been fulfilled. Tc-
night Al Zagal, having lulled and de-
ceived thee by this mornings offer, will |
make sally with his whole band, and |
attempt to cut away 10 safety for himself |
a I'd for his captives through your unsus-
picious ranks. He hopes to get beyond |
the noun aims into Rif. His men will |
be divided into two bands, one headed |
by myself, the other by my brother,
who will join against him at a given sig
nal" . ........-
Fight thine own battles with AL Za
GAL" said Cedi Mohammed Ibn Amar;
II will have no traitor for ally" The |
youth, nevertheless, profted by the dark |
envoy's useful information, and dissem-
mated it industriously throughout 'his
camp. In the night, the castle gates |
having been thrown open, band of |
horsemen passed the drawbridge stealth
lily with mufled hoofs, formed into rank,
and placed their captives in the center,
intending to burst in their old way with
a sudden cry cry upon the sleeping en-
emy. .l
"By the beard of my father" said Al |
Z4gal, 1--WE will yet teach the shepherds
what it is to have lion at bay" He bad
not long spoken before the lances of his
own troops also turned against him.
Seeing that he was betrayed, he closed
with those men who were faithful to him
round the captives, and endeavored to
regain the castle; but the enemy possess
ed the path. There was terrible fight,
and Cedi Mohammed riding high among
the torches, friends fought against friends,
emirs, splendidly caprisoned on Arab
steeds, engaged with half-clad members
Of the black band, on wiry mountain po-
nies. al zagal, through the tumuit and
the torch-light fighting desperately, sue
ceeded with few followers in forcing