The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1880-01-07

Va L. 'HI "'~
always larger, I felt not the slight
est hesitation to extend my roam
ing expeditions q little further in
the interior of such tribes as were
on the frlendliest footing with my
hosts. It is true the latter often
warned me to be cautious but as
l wore nothing on me besides my
wretched dervish garb, and my
meagre purse containing about 20
krans (sixteen shillings,) l thought
it superfuous to listen to prudent
advice as to my safety, and pur-
sued my route for days together
without taking the trouble to re-
turn every evening to my quar-
ters.
One day, after having wandered
! about from one group of tents to
another, | felt, towards the even
ing, quite exhausted. l espied
from afar one solitary tent, to
which l turned my weary steps.
An isolated tent in the desert is
never recommended ; but | had
nothing to choose, and soon de-
cided to ask hospitality Of its In
habitant for that night. l enter
ed with the usual dcrvish chants
and with a loud "Selam Alekum"
("Peace on you.") A tall, Wild
looking Turkoman received me at
the door. He told rae to sit down.
We exchanged the customary sa-
lutations, and soon found ourselves
in deep conversation on religion,
horse-breeding, and forays,. their
favorite topics.
When the sun was nearly set
on the vast and wild desert land
scape, l saw my host was growing
more and moro restless and un-
quiet. He sat down and rose
again, went out and came back,
without speaking to me a single
word. I felt q little uncomforta-
Bile. Suddenly be approached me,
and with q rather bashful air ask
ed me if would not lend him
some krans (money,) as he intend
ed to treat me with a dish of rice
meal "a special meal for guests,)
add was highly puzzled from his
not possessing q single farthing to
buy rice. TO lend money, l
thought, is certainly better than
to be robbed Of it. l opened my
purse and gave him five krans,
which he hastily took and hurrle d
away to make the necessary pur-
chase at tent which he said was
distant about a quarter of an
hour.
When he returned his face was
beaming with joy and I really
compassioned the poor but honest
man who was so anxious to honor
bis guest.
The supper was soon ready. A
huge plate, enough to satisfy half
g dozen empty stomachss was put
before me. He and his wife, whom
l ought already to have mention
ed, sat opposite. 1t was only at
ter my long insisting that l could
induce them to share the meal
with me. At fength they too be-
gan to eat. We became more and
more friendly. AS we could not
finish all our rice at once, the hos
pitable woman asked me to stay q
day longer with them, and to have
! q second dinner the following
evening. My refusal Of that kind
offer will be easily understood.
The next morning rose early
bade farewell to my host, who ap-
peared to be extremely touched ;
and after l gave him and his
horse Gas is the custom) a bless,
ing, | left for my return to 60
mashtepe-
I had not been distant more
than half an hours walk from the
tent when I suddenly beard a loud
shouting behind me, which sum
moned mo to stop in the most
threatening terms. Seeing u well
armed horseman in pursuit, l stop
ped immediately. My persocutol
apprehende'd at a slow pace, anc
you may fancy my astonishmen'
when recognized in his person
my host of the past evening that
very Turkoman | blessed an hour
! before!
Stop, badji," cried my friend
with a deep voice and downcaS'
eyes. ":Give me your purse, an'
all you have on you, or /"
Ny establishment had no limits