The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1893-04-07
A WILD RIDE.

tho market place Of Mirouan, sitting erect
in his saddle, with lance at restf AS soon
as he came in sight. the date merchants
pointed him out to one another and spoke
together III low tones.
1t is the invincible El-Alalek, chieftain
Of fierce mountain tribe, who venerate
him as saint.
Since he lost his eldest son, two years
ago, El-Malek speaks but little and never
smiles His beard has become almost
white, but his arm has lost nothing Of its
power; he handles his deadly lance as If it
were a reed, and when he urges his faith
full horse Yussuf across the desert, terror
follows as his shadow. Yussuf, like all
the horses of the south, has strong
back, slender legs, and large hoofs; like
the five favorte mares of the prophet, he
is descended from Solomon's famous sta
bles; his coat is snow white, and his long,
flowing tail is soft as silk. Yussuf under
stands and obeys his masters lightest
wish.
Erect in his saddle, El-Malek follows
with a keen glance among the motley
crowd man in gold embroidered bur
moose, who has just come to Mirouan. The
tradesmen also point at this man with
their finger, but with scornful air, as
though indicating one stricken with the
plague.
This man is Hassan Bey, the insolent
chief of the Ouled-Nayls, who, jealous of
his brother Ahmed, killed him with arrows
shot from afar; he boasts of this deed and
laughs when he sees the crowd move away
from him.
He had built upon the D'jelefa plateau,
in the center of his tented village, a stone
house which was also fortress. For
many years he had passed his nights watch
ing the Arab girls dance to the sounds of
derboukas, but one evening, passing near
fountain, he had stopped to look at the
young girls filling their copper urns. And
now he has come to Mirouan to buy bridal
ornaments, for Hassan Bey, chief of the
Ouled-Nayls, is to marry the beautiful
Zuleika.
Zuleika is only a weaver's daughter, but
she is very beautiful. The poor child wept,
but she wept in vain, for the weaver is a
miser, and tie chief Of the Ouled-Nayls is
not the man to allow himself to be thwart-
ed in his wishes. She must marry Hassan
Bey, the fratricide.
Who could prevent it, since God per-
mits it?
Ell. Malek had heard this story only an
hour before he reached Mirouan, and he
had said to himself, "God will not permit
it. for will prevent it."
Zuleika had placed her urn upon the
| ledge of the fountain, but had not thought
Of filling it. Her companions, one after
the other, had gone away, but she still re-
manned. 1t was the last time that she
would come to the fountain, for tomorrow
Hassan Bey would carry her away to his
battlemented house, which was somber as
| q tomb.
She lifted up her little bronzed hands to
heaven imploring that death might be
sent to her. But from the leaden sky no
consolation came Instead Hassan Bey APP
peared, riding upon his flame colored horse
and escorted by his warriors. He knew
that she was at the fountain, and wished
to see her there where he had met her for
the first time. She was compelled to hear
his lying words and submit to his impure
regard. The young girl turned her eyes
away, and as she began to fill her urn her
tears mingled with the water.
"ZuleikaW
Who calls? Certainly Hassan Bey ca1-
not have disguised his voice with such a
grave and manly tone. Who is this man
with the white beard, sitting erect in his
saddle, lance in hand, looking at her SO
compassionately?
"Zuleikar' he called once more, pointing
to Hassan Bey, who was approaching
She looked up and suddenly her eyes
flashed with new light, for she felt that
this man had been sent by God.
"Save mel" she cried; "save mel"
El-Malek held out his hand and aided
the young girl to mount before him.
Gently holding her frail form he muir
INJURED, DO not be afraid" Then, as
though calling upon brother, El-Malek
said, "Yussufp' The noble animal neighed
and started of like the wind.
After Yussuf rushed Hassan Bey, with
furious clamor. followed by his warriors.
Some OF them made as II to draw their
bows. Mop cried Hassan Bey, do not
shoot. ! want them both alivep'
Urged on by gentle caresses, Yussuf flew
faster and yet more fast. With loud yells
Hassan Bey spurred his horse on, riding
ahead of his escort. "They shall not es-
cape meI' he cries, trembling with rage
and anxiety.
Courage, Yussuf," murmurs El-Malek.
you are called the wind of the desert.
Show that you deserve your name, my
beauty"
The day advances, the sky seems to be
on fire, but Yussuf does not falter. Suffo-
Gated at first by this furious flight, Zuleika
now began to breathe more freely. So
much ground already gained in the direc-
ton of El-Malek's mountain tribe meant
possible deliverance. The child added her
gentle exhortations to El-Malek's encour-
agements Hassan Bey's cries seemed to
grow more faint. Had he given up the
chase?
But whence come these clamors that
seem to start from the heights above themi
Have his followers climbed the rocks and
found shorter wayf
1t is not the chiefs escort that utters
these cries. They come from a cabin high
up in the mountain; the occupants are
watching the exciting chase. Will Ell
Mnlek find allies among these people, OF
will he find new enemiesf His tribe Is no
far away; IL he is recognized the fugitive
are saved. Arms are raised; they ar
callel.
No, the bows send forth their arrowsi
Yussuf utters a painful neigh and FL
Malek responds with cry of anguish. Al
arrow has struck his horses flank and an
other has MERGED the riders shoulder.