The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1894-03-23

I'LL
similarly tried say if their hearts have
never failed them. And let those VINO nave
never borne the stress Of misfortune be.
ware what fate has in store for them, and
rememb erthat they jest at scars who never
felt a wound"
l returned to bed by and by, falling
asleep at length on resolution to be up
next morning with the sun. As 1t turned
out, | was astir in advance OF my time.
Just as the first glimmer Of dawn fiickered
on the sea was startled by a noise of ropes
upon the ships sides, a scurrying OF feet
on the deck and tumult of contendlng
voices in shrill confusion all round. Quick
as thought tumbled out of bed, threw on
my clothes, stuck brace Of revolvers IN
my belt, grasped my sword and bounded
up the companionway. AT the head there
was an abrupt and uncomfortable stop
page, for no sooner did my foot touch deck
than score of cleaning scimiters were
circling about my throat, preventing the
slightest chance of defense
A throng of swarthy, fierce eyed, vocifer-
ating villains pressed and brandished their
weapons so truculently that could have
sworn to chilly sensation of steel in my
windpipe, though as yet no one had actu-
ally touched me. Divining that the rascals
were Arabs, demanded in the Arab
tongue, and in rather gasping accents, what
this sudden invasion and hostile display
meant. At this a familiar voice called out,
Enlarge thy turban, friend; great is the
bountifulness of fortune to her ft.vorites!"
There was a sardonic laugh from those
whose blades were closest about my neck.
Then one who seemed to be the leader,
pushing a little forward, said sternly:
"This ship is ours. If thou art in love with
thy life. surrender; if thou art tired Of it,
resist. Speak quickly"
The logic Of this laconic speech being
perfectly Irresistible, Immediately an
swered: "Since / value my life notwith-
standing the difficulty of preserving it. !
surrender. Will my friends lower their
swords, for, to say the truth, they cause me
an uneasy itching"
when thou hast given up thy weapons"
said the spokesman CURLY.
'They who do me the honor OF this visit
belong to a prave ana -rfffvafrusls peUpiy:--'f
rejoined, remembering Asian manners I
know their history, and the songs of their
poets, and the valor Of their deeds. am
stranger, alone and at your mercy. My
arms are my sole possession. ! pray you
let me keep them"
NAY, by Fatima's eyelash, arms In thy
hands are as poison in the adder's tongue"
cried Abram ben Alden, coming forward 80
that now caught sight Of him. There was
diabolical fire in his black eyes. and his
face bore an insolent leer of triumph. The
look of him put all my fear to fight, and
in its place kindled a sudden and savage
desire to be revenged.
"That man." said, pointing in scorn
and anger ut him and forgetting the fate
that was so imminent; shat man has be-
trayed me. He has brought you here to
plumber. Is it not SOP"
Perhaps it was the unexpected audacity
of my mien and question that made them
answer so promptly and frankly. but in
stantly a dozen of them called out, 1T is so."
II have taken this viper to my breast"
cried, land he has stung me. 1t is base
thing that stings the hand that helps it.
By your love of vengeance, charge you to
leave him to me. Let it be seen this day
how treachery and ingratitude can be re-
quilted. We two have eaten salt together.
took him in, giving him Of my BEST and
now he clamors for my life. 1t is his If he
can take it. You will grant the prayer Of
forsaken stranger that no hand but his
enemy's be raised against him. trust to
your honor to see justice between man and
man"
All this while the Arabs were swarming
upon deck and pushing and crushing and
craning to see me and catch my words.
Their looks encouraged me- 1.-THE ship is
yours" went on, still more boldly. Il
yield it without murmur; only let me put
my life against the life Of this son Of a
SWhy do we waste timer" demanded
Abram ben Alden savagely. LET his in.
fdel throat feel the edge Of q believers
sword Who IL he that he should handy
words with usi OF with his head, to the
sharks with Ills carcass, and let us to the
spoil!' .
,"Thy tongue Is too fast for thy wit,
Abram ben Aden," said the man whom
took to be leader. HE has yielded the
ship to us. He is ready to put his life upon
thy blade point II thou will grant him q
like privilege In return. A fair bargain, By
the memory Of Sikandar-el-R umi Many a
time hast thou boasted of thy skill with
the sword; thou lowest revenge as we'll "a
any man. Here Is thy opportunity to
show thou possessest one and canst take
the other. What think YET" addressing
his comrades. us 1t not as sayi"
ut Is as thou sayest," came quickly in
chorus from the twoscore eager men.
Judging it best to take prompt advantage
of this change Of sentiment in my favor, !
strobe forward, and before he could raise
finger to prevent me caught Abram ben
Alden firmly by the beard. ~
Last night we ate salt together" said.
ut was the VOW Of friendship. Today
spit in thy vile fsce It is the vow of eter-
nal enmity," and suiting the action to the
word spat full in his face. It is the great
est affront you can offer an Arab, or In
deed to any man Of the Moslem faith.
''Thou shalt rue itP' he shouted, stamp.
ing with rage, while he wiped his face.
by the holy prophet, thou shalt rue It'll
Mark me, son Of an inf1del dog, my sword