Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-10-17
The Arab Talisman.

At the time that the northern part OF
Africa was yet partly under the domin-
ion of the free rovers Of the desert, and
when France had planted the trl-color
on the arid sands, solitary horseman
might have been seen slowly riding
across the desert. He had started from
Algiers and was now on his way to
Oran. He was mounted on superb
horse, a pure Arabian, swift as the wind,
and able to endure the perils of desert
journey. The rider was young
Frenchman, named Pierre Lafarge, an
attdche of the French embassy at AL
giers. He was bound with dispatches
from the Consul to the branch embassy
at Oran.
AS he rode along, his thoughts doubt
less far off in his own sunny land, he
was aroused from his reverie by the
neighing of his horse. Looking up, he
could see nothing near at hand, but on
gazing ahead, and little to the left of
his direct route, he beheld some pros
trate objects on the sand. Quickly turn
ing his horses head in the direction, he
soon arrived at the place. Quickly
dismounting, he beheld sight that
brought into play all the humanity of
his nature. He beheld horse lying
PROSTATE on the sands, and little
further on, an Arab youth, apparently
about fifteen years old.
Approaching the lad, he found him
insensible. Taking from his pocket
canteen containing water, he applied it
to the lips Of the PROSTATE youth. He
was soon rewarded by seeing the eyes
slowly open. With wondering gaze
they surveyed the Frenchman, then,
with weak, sickly smile upon his face,
he sank back to his old position.
The Frenchman again applied water
to his lips, and soon as the eyes were
again opened, and he saw that life still
existed, he forced him to swallow some
brandy. This soon completely revived
him. He then undertook an examina-
ton Of his injuries, and soon found that
broken leg, much swollen by long
exposure to the rays of the sun, and a
weak frame, from want of nourishment,
were all the ailments. The horse was
dead.
From what he could learn from the
boy, the Frenchman found that his
father was named Sid ell Mahli-Eddin,
and was the chief of tribe of Arabs
who were encamped about ten miles
to the southwark, and that he was the
second son. his name being Sidi ell
Hadji, which in English, meant "The
Pilgrim" He had been taking his
customary exercise of riding over the
desert, when his horse had caught his
fore-foot in sand-hole, sending the
youth over his head. The blow caused
Inconsistencies, and he had lain in
this position, exposed to the direct
rays OF the tropical sun, the whole day.
Pierre lifted the lad gently to his
horse, being careful not to hurt the
broken and already much. infamed
limb. Ills progress was necessarily
slow, but in about two hours he arrived
at the Arab camp, where he was received
with marked demonstrations of joy, for
the youth was a favorite with the whole
tribe. The lads father was profuse in
his thanks to Pierre for the salvation
of his sons life, and right royally was
he entertained by him during his so.
lourn with the tribe. His errand not
being pressing he spent week with
them, enjoying their sports. When the
time came for him to leave, many we're
the tears shed by the youth, for in that
short space OF time he had learned to
love his preserver. Before he went, the
father presented him with fine steed
and brooch of peculiar workmanship.
The design was skull made of ivory.
with golden scimiter set with dia-
monds, passing directly through it. He
gave this with request that if ever in
trouble, Pierre was to send the brooch
10 linn, and he would do all in his
power to aid him in his extremity.
Pierre thanked him and placed the
brooch in his bosom. When he at
length started on his journey, the old
man sent ten men as body guard az
lar as the gates Of Oran. The young
man remembered the event for MANY
days after his return to Algiers. and
even after his return to France.
When the Arabs in the north of AT.
RIGA, years after, became Troublesome
the government Of France sent an ex.
petition against them. Algiers was
captured, and the whole of the province
was soon under French rule. Pierre
Lafargee had joined the army in the
mean time, and, as lieutenant Of com
pany OF horse, had taken part in the
campaign. He still wore the Arabs
GIT but merely from force of habit.
The busy events Of his life had LONG
driven the circumstance of its presenta,
ton from his memory.
Peace between tine French and the
Arabs continued for about two wears
when fresh revolution broke out. nm.
der the leadership of man # isunt.
less courage, matchless intfep idity and