Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-06-06

| Yea, eat and drink III honor OI our victories.
There is sweet SAVIOR already in my nos
trils. Here are rivers of the wine of Shiraz,
! and bread baked in the ovens of Amood
| Hea en- protect him in his adversityp
The company applauded and fell merrily
to eating and drinking; the men squatted
on the ground beside their horses, the wom
| en- chastely withdrawn in their litters and
attended by the obsequious Baruk.
The meal was not over when Suleiman
and Ibrahim were discussing our next
movement. Much was said in low voice
about pilgrims and caravans and the pecu.
MARY value of ladies such as we happened
to possess, and, though did not hear all,
yet by putting two and two together M
derstood that more robberies were in the
wind. In short, the pious Of the Moslem
world were then making the annual pill
grimage, and we were bent on relieving
them of some of their superfluous wealth.
The caravan on which we were anxious
to bestow our attentions was the one that,
starting from Yumen, proceeds by the
mountain course to Taft. AS we knew al
most to day the date at which it would
appear, we could post ourselves SATISFACTORY
ly and await its coming with composure.
The place of reception was in the heart of
the mountains in deep and ugly dellle
where two camels could scarcely walk
abreast and caravan could be harried with
impunity We rode hard, gained our posi-
ton in good time, hid like foxes among the
rocks and prayed that the hadjis would not
tarry While waiting their arrival l had
an experience that would be worth for
tune to a story eller.
The sun had set, and the night had closed
In rather dark. | had been attending to
my mare and was returning to my com
panions, when Baruk, siding up with an
air of profound mystery, whispered that
the Indian princess wished to have speech
with me.
"But beware how thou goest," he said.
"a score of lances would be sheathed in
thy body if thou vert caught talking to
her in secret"
"What does she want with me, Baruk?"
inquired softly.
"She will tell thee. Follow me-" he an
swered, gliding into the darkness
The danger and the mystery were OF
course an irresistible incentive. and / turn
ed after him instantly. We found the In
dian crouching behind a big stone, having
by some pretense managed to get away
from the other women. Saluting her qui-
etly, told her was at her service, but in
stead of answering me she turned to Baruk.
Good, good Baruk," she said in the
sweetest of voices and in broken Arabic.
"Gracious Baruk, 70 back to the littcrs.
Say am praying to the night. 1t is n Gus
tom with my people. 1t is q rite, say a
rite, my Baruk. Fear not, will return to
thee. Ie," indicating me, will keep me
safe"
Baruk looked little dubious but he
went.
''Thou art n stranger in this land" she
said to me quickly when we were alone
"In India we see thy people, but this is not
India. Thy face made my heart leap in
the palace Art one Of the robbcrsP What
do people call them? Bedouins-yea, that
is it. Art one of thcmI"
A man must not trust himself unrcscrv
edly to the first mink he meets SO Gn
swcrcd warily. But her eager intelligence
| found all she wanted in my reply.
Sec take thy hand aDd kiss it-so,"
seizing my hand and putting il to her lips
ut is sin in our religion. But ] have
been taught. Alb, hal have been taught.
| ain daughter of the holy prophet, but
| there is more than one road to heaven. Is
that not good lruth"
had to admit it was fairly good truth
and excellent Christian doctrine.
YES, yes, know" she went on quickly,
and her voice was thrilling with sup.
pressed emotion. 81 have been taught
more than one road to heaven-thut Is
what thy people say. Now listen. Dost
know weare guilty OF Il great big sin? All,
| the big knife would cut of thy head if eyes
| discovered rs But thy people nre brave.
| Art afraid?" she asked, coming so close
could hear the quick beating of her heart
There was rustic behind and she turned.
holding her breath.
ut is only Baruk," she said, much re.
Iieved. Coed Baruk. just little space