The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-04-17

to themP For every Arab had hear,
the tame OF the mighty sorcerers VIII,
could make wagons run without horses
ships go without salts. messages Il,
along q wire through the air swiftel
than an arrow, little scraps of paper
serve as money, and other scraps O
paper, no bigger than true believer.
turban, show tho Whereabouts Of oil the
wells, rivers, hills and caravan tracks
over all area of thousands of miles
Evidently this unknown gentlemrn was
not man to be trifled with.
II am magicians" repeated the mys
terlous guest, before any one could
speak in reply, "and I have come tc
see if in the tribe of Ben-Asyr there be
another magician like myself, and tc
try my power against his
This challenge was followed by q
gloomy and general silence. But sud.
denly cunning twinkle showed itself
In the chiefs small, rat-like eye. Per.
haps this strange man was only boast
ing in order to frighten them. At any
rate, it might be worth while to see
what he was made of, and how much hc
could really do. So'the chief made q
very polite bow, and said:
ave are far from the tents of Cur
trlbe, md none of our great magicians
are with us; but let the wise man Of the
Franks show us his power, that we may
behold it, and honor him as he de-
serves.
THAT will I do. willingly" answered
the stranger, with readiness wh1ch
rather Disconnected the worthy chief.
''Look all of you upon this cpin"-and
he held out silver flanc-'which
L have marked with circle, as ye see.
Thinkest thou, y sheik Of the Ben-Asyr,
that thou canst hold it too firmly for
me- to take 1t away?"
"With the blessing of Heaven and OF
the Prophet, I can" replied the chief,
confidently.
''Let us try, then, said the stranger,
pressing the coin into the Arabs ex-
tended hand, which instantly closed
upon it as if meaning never to let it 20
again.
"Presto! passl' shouted the magician,
in high, shrill voice; and the chief,
opening his hand, found to Ills un-
feigned dismay that it was empty.
Amid the general sllence and bewild
erment, tho stranger pointed 10 q huge,
overripe dato thut lay rotting on the
ground at some distance, which one of
the Arabs instantly handed to him. One
stroke OF knife laid it open, and out
tumbled the marked coin. ....,
Thero was visible movement of
surprise among the Arabs. and even the
chief himself looked not little discom-
fitted,
"For warrior of the desert, thou art
easily conquered" said the Frenohman.
jeeringly; "but it is no wonder that i'll
fortune should come upon the tribe 81
Ben-Asyr, when their chief himseitb
follower of the Prophet, oarr,;;at for-
him the liquor which the p
bade." II o,,.o.
WHaI mean your c |
fiercely. $50 othor 90
thrusting his han1t 1to the I borr,aad ] svss "
let' he held 1fsGin,all f., flask of unmistaka.
''e - Of frank" roa red the sheik,
.,..ng all patience, "do you dare to try
your magical tricks upon a true believ-
er7 Take thati"
H. snatohed pistol from his girdle,
and aimed it full ut tho coniurer's face;
but it only flashed in the pan, and as he
dashed it furiously to the ground, his
opponent laughed disdain-
fully.
''Do you think, then, that I am to be
hurt by mortal weapons9 Try it again.
Il you will; or rather let me loed - ,'s-
tol for you, and you shall see whether l
am bullet-proof or no."
He drew a second pistol from the
girdle OF the sheik, who was too much
astounded to object; and loaded it be-
fore the eyes of the whole band, mark
ing the ball with his knife just before
dropping it into the barrel.
"Firel" cried he, putting the weapon
lnrU Jue sIleIn y uaIIu.
The chief fred, and for moment
the smoke hid everything. When 1t
cleared, the stranger, with hooking
smile on his face, was seen to let fall
the marked bullet from his mouth into
his hand, and hold it up for every one
to look at.
The dark faces of the Arabs turned
perfectly green with terror; but before
anybody had time to say word loud
shout was heard from behind, and UP
dashed threo mounted French officers
with score Of light horseman.
Instantly the Arabs took to their heels
with n howl OF dismay, never waiting to
soc whether the new comcrs were real
men, or phantoms called up by the ter
rible magician. The spot was deserted
in moment, and fa out On the plain
might be seen confused whlrl Of arms,
limha ond white montlea Hyin0 alono