The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1893-02-16

] ti9.tened upon the trigger. but just
as he was about to fire the fatal shot
he was startled by a piercing scream.
Hey. toyo." cried female voice at
his elbow, and the next moment ma
tive girl sprang forward and threw
herself at his feet. CHANGING down
ward, Osmani caught his breath. The
savage maiden's beauty fascinated
him. Her mute appeal to spare the
wounded natives life was answered.
for Osmani's hand dropped to his side.
He paid no heed to the groaning say
age. His eyes were riveted upon The
graceful maiden at his feet.
\ hurried footstep behind him caused
him to start and turn. The negro
khalifan ran forward.
Hey, Bwana. Greatly have we
feared for our masters safety: we
have searched in every place for you."
Pointing 70 the kneeling girl and the
wounded avage-whose fate had been
so strangely averted-OSmani waved
his hand, saving: Bind them. Bind
them both. See that the girl escapes
not. Bring her to me in my camp at
sunset"
Gradually the firing and the tumult
ceased. a cool, refreshing breeze dis
PEELED the heavy cloud OF mist and
smoke, revealing the victorious raid
ers staggering through the devastated
village leading and driving scores Of
miserable captiyes, who skunk along in
awed silence. and with bowed heads
and shlverinU limbs.
Then, in complete contrast to the
former scene. shone the early morn
ing sun in all its radiance. Its bright
beams glinted through the distant
trees, and fell upon the desoIated
scene, the narrow streets obstructed
BY the bodies of the slain, and upon
the smouldcring framework of many
a home. Little sunbirds. with re-
splendent plumage, lowered around
the trampled bushes, sWarms of flies
and bees filled the ar with continuous
buzzing, and large zephyr-winged but
flies scared and circled vulture-like
above the ruin.
BY noon the wretched captives were
herded together. and Osmani and his
heartiess minjOns commenced the re-
turn march to their forest CDcamp-
ment. The captives were driven in
single file, and occasionally some Ct
the elatcd raiders pranced down on
either side OF the line, executing
wild dance and singing snatches of
war songs, which echoed strangely
through the gloomy woods. Guns
were occasionally fired cut of pure
wantOnness, causing the terrified na-
tivcs to start and tremble. In loud,
harsh voices the Manyema raiders
clustered and Dragged Of their cruel
prowcss, and cursed their ill-lorlme
in permitting 50 many of the natives
to escape them during the attack.
The arrival in the eucamWment was
distinguished 10y triumphant shouts
and howls. The marauders were beside
themselves with delight, and the in
terval between their arrival and the
setting OF the sun was occupied by
drinking and feastin@. After securing
their caWiyes by means of grummets
and foFked sticks, the successful raid
ers gathered in groups around blazing
lo@-ircs. Huge gourds and cartaen-
ware Jars of fcrmentcG palm juice,
which constituted particularly weiL-
IL vi t'l I'NL blOl VI NilG l''tIN' w. = l'iD
duced, and by degrees Oamani's fol-
lowers relapsed into a state Of maudlin
drunkenness.
Just as the darkness settled upon
the forest, KhaIifan, the negro, APP
preached Osmani's tent, leading the
female captive by the wrist.
"Bwaua. In obedience to Your
words, | have brought this heather
girl"
"Ha, This IS the Girl who stayed my
hand when l would have shot Cues
tion her, khalfan."
The negro turned to her The girls
eyes weg9 downcast, but in answer to
khalifan's queries she mumbled a
brief reply.
1T is AIlah's mercy to let this
heather say that she begged her ia
theirs life"
"Oh, her father, was it? A power
full man, khalfan, who nearly killed
thy master"
Allah be praised for our masters
preservation, muttered the negro
fervently.
shes a comely creature. Inquire
her name"
After 4 few words with the girl,
Kha!ifau replied:
MASTER May it please you, her
names Tincla."
1t is well. Tell her that she enters
my haScm."
khalifan explained his masters
word. Tinela east one hopeless glance
around her, then in despair she threw
herself upon the ground and cried
piteously.
"A curse upon her cries. Make her
cease" roared O>maui, angriiy.
But khaiifan's endcavoro to pacify
the savage maiden were futile. Spring
inc to her feet. Tinela struggled Wild
y with the giant NEGRO. Her cries
and screams ut length attracted the
attention Of several Of Osmani's fol-
lowers to his tent. but still the girl
fought and struggled for freedom.
Osmani's brow lowered. and, turn
inc to one Of his satellites, he said
gruliiy, go bring her father"
In a few moments Tinela's father
bruised, battered, and blood-stained,
was dragged forward from the crowd
of natives.
Strengthening his head. and folding
his arms. the savage chleitaln cast
defiant look upon his prosecutors, but
when his glance fell upon lis daugu-
ter Tiueja he scowled ard showed his
teeth. There was a dignity of mein
about the wounded savage that at
tracted even the admiration OF his
heartless captors; among whom physi-
cal courage was esteemed the highest
virtue.
In response to Osmani's brief COM
mand two of the Manyema raiders
/ shouldercd and aimed their guns at
the chieftain's breast. The savage re-
manned unmoved; he merely shrug-
gcd his shoulders and glanced scorn-
fully at the guns.
Tinela's eyes distended with horror.
"hhalifan. tell the Girl to look well
upon her father! She chooses life or
death for him. Another sound or
struggle. and that frowning savage
4 vDpRar will in shot nDas Sbp consent