Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1890-05-13
ONE GENT

the soldiers at the frontier post looked AZ
them and drew his hand across his throat
and the others nodded. But il was too
late 70 back out then.
That night they camped in an old cara
vansary. theNwery look Of which showed
how little that road had been travelled
of late; and the next morning they
reached the famous village, which
seemed well worthy Of It's reputation.
just at that point the road went down
into deep, narrow, gloomy gorge, shut
In by huge, black rocks, among which
the houses of the village peered out here
and there. being half hidden by clumps
of thickct, as If they were lying in am
bush as well as their masters.
The sight of a traveller coming out so
boldly brought the Persians out at once.
In considerable astonishment but they
were still more surprised when the pro-
fessor coolly turned into the bride path
that led up the hillside, and riding
straight in among them, called out, as IL
the whole place belonged to him;
where is your chiefG Let him come
before me, that may see him
The whole band looked quite dumb
founded, as well they might Some be-
gan to laugh, while others laid their
hands on their daggers; and the only
thing that saved him was their thinking
that he must be mad, for they never
touch a madman. But before any one
could say q word, out came the worthy
chief hiInself--a villainous old gray
beard, with one eye, and with face 50
scarred that 1t looked just like a railway
map.
Are you the chief OF these sons Of
Shaitaun SATAN asked Herr Wunder,
stern1y.
Il am, answered the brigand, Look
ing quite as much puzzled as his~men.
@You are thevillains, then, exclaimed
the professor, who murder all helpless
travellers, and trust in your strength
and weapons to bear you harmless. But
what are your weapons to mine2 You
elay your enemies with powder and
bullet; slay mine with the breath Of
my mouth. See here I"
He unslung his air.gun, aimed at
vulture on the nearest rock, and brought
IL down.
When they saw the bird fall dead
without either SMOKE 1ash or report.
:he rascals shook in their shoes. They
could handle an ordinary gun with any
man but this was something new.
-Do ye still doubt my powerf" said
Wunder. well, then, Let one Of you
load this pistol, and FIRE straight OF me
then shall ye know Of what avail are
weapons against me / {"
The old chief accepted the challenge.
and having loaded the pistol, aimed right
at Wunders head, evidently expecting
him to finch.
Fire cried the professor without tho
least hesitation; but the pistol only
snapped, without going of. The chief
tried another cap. and then q third till
at last he fairly threw IL down and skunk
back among his men. The fact was that
the pistol had secret spring, which
threw back the charge into the stock
just as the trigger was pulled-the same
trick with which Robert Houdin scared
the Arabs in Algeria.
Then Wunder stepped forward, and
unsetting the counteracting spring, fired
the pistol with perfect ease. The rascals
turned fairly blue with terror, and q
muttering ran through the crowd, In
which Herr Wunder's quick ear caught
the word @pest.
@You have guessed II, shouted no,
facing round upon them, as II he could
blow them all away with q breath. u
am the bringer Of the pest, which Heaven
sends upon you for your misdeeds. Be
bold In this flask hold the cholera
spirit imprisoned, and the moment that
cork Is drawn, ye die, every man Of
you'll"
In an instant the whole gang were
groveling in the dust at his feet, bowling
end roaring for mercy, and making such
faces that the professor himself could
scarcely help laughing at them. They
would forswear brigandage forever; they
would do anything he liked, II dc would
only have pity on them, and not open
that dreadful flask. Il must have beeaa
rich scene, those great hulking rufians
down on their knees IN the dirt, and that
little bit Of q fellow standing over them
as majecticallY as Julius Caesar / only
wish I'd been there to see It. -
$50 be It, said he, ,.at Last, putting the
Aask back in his pocket For this once l
spare you, but beware how you offend
hgaini"
-
The next day Professor Wunder rode
back across the frontier, escorted part Of
the way by round dozen Of the brig
ands, and with his saddle-bags crammed
with valuabIes Of every kind. The story
reached Tifis before him, and when he
arrived, we feted him as II he had been
the viceroy himself which, I'm sure,
was no more than he deserved. David
Kek.