The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1893-02-21
and whistled through the air in all

towards him, brandishing a huge
sickle-shaped knife. Osmani raised
his revolver and fred. The savage
groaned and fell heavily to the ground.
But Osmanis aim had proved untrue,
for the savage, recovering from the
shock, endeavored to rise. The Arab
stepped forward. "A curse upon you'll
Die, you black fendF' The revolver
was leveled at the natives head, Os-
mani's finger frightened upon the trig-
ger, but just as he was about to fire
| the fatal shot he was startled by
piercing scream. "Heyl Hoyol'' cried
a female voice at his elbow, and the
next moment native girl sprang for
ward and threw herself at his feet.
CHANGING downward 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
| grooming savage. His eyes we're riv-
eted upon the graceful maiden at his
feet
A hurried footstep behind him caused
him to start and turn. The negro Khal-
ifan ran forward.
Hey, Bwana Greatly have we
feared for our masters safety; we have
searched in every place for you"
Pointing to the kneeling girl and
the wounded savage-whose fate had
been so strangely averted-Osmani
waved his hand, saying: Bind them
Bind them bothI See that the girl es-
capes 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 raiders
staggering through the devastated
village leading and driving scores of
miserable captIves, who skunk along in
awed silence, with bowed heads and
shivering limbs
| Then, in complete contrast to the
former scene, shone the early morning
sun in all its radiance. Its bright
beams glinted through the distant
trees, and fell upon the desolated
scene, the narrow streets INSTRUCTED
by the bodies of the slain, and upon the
smoldering framework of many q
home. Little sunbirds, with resplen-
dent plumage, lowered around the
trampled bushes, swarms of flies and
bees filed the air with continuous
buzzing, and large zephyr-winged but
terhies scared and circled, vulture-like,
above the ruin.
BY noon the wretched captives were
herded together, and Osmani and his
| heartless minions commenced the re-
turn march to their forest encampment.
The captiyes were driven in single file,
and occasionally some of the elated
raiders pranced down on either side of
the line, executing a wild dance and
singing snatches of war songs, which
echoed strangely through the gloomy
woods. Guns were occasionally fred
| out of pure wantonness, causing the
| terrified natives to start and tremble.
In loud, harsh voices the Manyerna
raiders clustered and Dragged of their
cruel prowess, and cursed their ill-for-
tune in permitting so many Of the
natives to escape them during the at
| tack
The arrival in the encampment was
| distinguished by triumphant shouts
and bowls. The marauders were be-
side themselves with delight, and the
| interval between their arrival and the
setting of the sun was occupied by
drinking and feasting. After securing
their captives by means of grummets
and forked sticks, the successful raid
ers gathered together in groups
around blazing log fires Huge gourds
and earthenware lars of fermented
| 1T u. fo1
ticularly well-favored portion of the
spoils, were produced and by degrees
Osmani's followers relapsed into state
of maudlin drunkenness.
just as darkness settled upon the
forest, Khalifan, the negro, approached
| Osmani's tent, leading his female cap
tive by the wrist.
.Bwanal In obedience to your words,
have brought this heather girl"
HAL This is the girl who stayed my
hand when would have shot Ques-
ton her, Khalifanl"
The negro turned to her. The girls
eyes were downcast but in answer to
Khalifan's queries she mumbled brief
reply.
1T is Allah's mercy to let this heath
en- say that she begged her fathers
! life
| 'Oh, her father, was it? A power
full man, Khalifan, who nearly killed
thy master"
"Allah be praised for our masters
preservation, muttered the negro fer
vently.
''she's comedy creature Inquire
her name"
After few words with the girl, Kha-
lifan replied:
..Masterl May it please you, her
names Tinela''
sit is we'll Tell her that she enters
my harem."
Khalifan explained his masters
word. Tinela cast one hopeless glance
around her, then in despair she threw
herself upon the gr ound and cried pite-
ously
"a curse upon her criesl Make her
ceaser' roared Osmani, angrily.
But Khalifan's endeavors to pacify
the savage maiden were futile. Spring
ing to her feet, Tinela struggled wildly
with the giant negro. Her cries and
screams at length attracted the atten
ton of several of Osmani's followers
to his tent, but still the girl fought
and struggled for freedom.
Osmani's brow lowered. and, turning
to one of his satellites, he said, grufdy:
"Gol bring her father"
In few moments Tinela's father,
bruised, battered and blood-stained,
was dragged forward from the crowd
of captives.
Strengthening his head, and folding
his arms, the savage chieftain cast a
defiant look upon his prosecutors, but
when his glance fell upon his daughter
Tinela he scowled and ground his
teeth. There was a dignity Of mien
about the wounded savage that attrac-
ted even the admiration of his heart
less captors, among whom physical
courage was esteemed the highest vir-
tue.
In response to Osmani's brief COM
mand two of the Manyema raiders
shouldered and aimed their guns at the
chieftain's breast The savage remained
unmoved; he merely shrugged his
shoulders and glanced scornfully at the
guns.
Tinela's eyes distended with terror
"Khalifan, tell the girl to look
we'll upon her fatheri She chooses life
or death for him. Another sound or
struggle, and that frowning savage
yonder will be shot. Does she consent
to behave with peace?"
After the negro had interpreted os-
mani's speech the unhappy girl stified a
sob, then turned and cast a flashing
glance upon the Arab chief, and bowed
her head in sullen submission.