Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-07-13

UsTANE SINGS.

When the kissing operation was finished
by the way, none OF the young ladies
offered to pet me in this fashion, though
saw one lowering round Job, to that
respectable individuals evident alarm
the old man Billali advanced, and gra
ciously waved US into the cave, whittier we
went, followed by Miss Ustane, who did
not seem inclined to take the hints gave
her that we liked privacy
Before we had gone five PAGES it struck
me that the cave that we were entering was
none Of natures handiwork, but. on the
contrary, had been followed by the hand
of man. SO far as we could Judge, it ap-
peared TO be about one hundred feet in
length by fifty wide, and very lofty, re
sembling a cathedral aisle more than any.
thing else, From this main aisle opened
passages at a distance of every twelve or
fifteen feet, leading, supposed, TO smaller
chambers About fifty feet from the en-
trance of the cave, Just where the light
began to get dim, fire was burning, and
threw huge shadows upon the gloomy
walls around Here Billali halted, and
asked us to be seated, saying that they
would bring US food, and accordingly we
squatted ourselves down upon rugs Of
skins which were spread for us, and wait.
ed. Presently the food, consisting of
goats flesh boiled, fresh milk in an earth
enware pot, and boiled cobs of Indian
corn. was brought by young girls. We
were almost starving, and do not think
that ever in my life before eat with such
satisfaction. Indeed, before we had fin
ished, we literally eat up everything that
was set before US.
When we had done our saturnine host,
Billali, who had been watching US in
perfect silence, rose and addressed us
He said it was wonderful thing that had
happened. No man had ever known or
heard Of white strangers arriving in the
country of the People of the Rocks.
Sometimes, very rarely, black men had
come here, and from them they had heard
of the exstance Of men much winter than
who sailed on the sea in ships.
but for the arrival of such there was no
precedent. We had, however, been seen
dragging the boat up the canal, and he
told us frankly that he had at once given
orders for our destruction seeing that it
was unlawful for any stranger to enter
here, when a message had come from She.
who must-be- obeyed, saying that our
lives were to be spared, and that we were
to be brought hither.
Pardon me, my father, interrupted
at this point; but if, as l understand,
She-who must;be.obeyed lives yet further
of, how could she haye known of our APP
proach?"
Billali turned and seeing that we were
ilone-for the young lady, Ustane, had
when he began to speak-said,
With little curious laugh:
"Are there none in your land who can
zee without eyes and hear without ears?
Ask no questions; She.knew."
shrugged my shoulders at this, and he
proceeded to say that no further instruc.
ions had been received on the subject of
'ur disposal, aud this being so, he was
about TO start to interview She-who-must.
De obeyed, generally spoken of, for the
AXE of brevity, as "Hiya," OF She simply.
who he gave US TO understand was the
Queen of the Amahagger, and learn her
wishes.
asked him how long he proposed to be
way, and he said that by travelling hard