The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-04-04

stress and havoc of battle they were now
doing in solitariness and darkness. With
their music in my ears, could dare any
thing.
All at onco the door opened, and reflec-
tion of far away sunshine dribbled feebly
in. A band of grisly warriors stood with
out, grasping their weapons and bearing
countenances of distrust and apprehension.
Come forth" said one, stepping a little
in advance of his fellows. THE great Abou
Kuram waiteth 10 hear the charges against
thee"
For half second held my breath, un-
certain whether or not to put up my pipes.
Then with a fierce gathering of spirit
blew again, harder than ever. and swept
forth, my chanter bumming so bravely that
the Arabs fell back with their fingers hard
in their ears. Perhaps il was out of char
ity, or it may have been from fear to med
die with thing so unearthly, but the
guards suffered me TO have my own way,
aud /, determined to make good appear
ance, put my whole soul into the playing.
We passed along devious passages of
treacherous suggestion, then through an
open circular court, whence we had a
glimpse of enormous walls. stoutly has
ers fianking arched gateways; then into
another large court surrounded by balco-
nies. All the while blew with unabated
defiance and independence, much to the
amazement of the assembled people, and
to the evident terror of not few who
clearly regarded the skirling of the pipes
as the screeching of evil spirits My tune
on entering was the Highland I.addie,"
4 II. IL. n
with my bandaged head, my pulled cheeks
and trailing garments. / had vague feel.
ing of being second Macpherson march
ing VIGOROUSLY to death to my own quick
step, and dare say the bit of bravado sus.
tanned me.
Though it was yet little past the dawn.
the court was densely thronged with citi-
zens aud soldiers, for the Arabs are abroad
with the sun. On raised seat facing the
entrance sat the governor. Benches Of
stone and beaten earth that ran round the
sides were occupied by courtiers, castle of
flcials and the more prominent citizens,
while the common people and the soldiery,
some with bristling arms and some with
out, elbowed each other to find standing
room as best they could.
Marching with my proudest step into the
center, abruptly ceased playing and sa
luted my Judge. He did not return my sa-
lutte, but sitting motionless as a statue
watched me with sharpeyes and contracted
brows.
For an Arab he was unconmonly hand
some. In the prime of life, hs was tall,
broad chested. clean featured and bore him
self with the imperial mien of the Caesars.
His hair was jet black; his eyes, also black,
were as keen as the falcons and more de-
termined, and his countenance in general
expressed haughtiness and infexible reso-
luton. just then IL was insuspiciously
severe.
He was arraycd with regal splendor. Over
a cleaning white shirt he wore cashmere
robe richly embroidered by the, artists Of
Delhi, and above that again small deli
sately worked cloak of camels hair. n dis
tinction reserved for sheiks and princes
alone His tassclsd turban was OF the fin
est red and yellow silk Rorgeously brocaded,
and was fastened by fllet Of camel's hair
inwoven with gold aud silver and blazing
with precious stones. His leather girdle,
worked with gold and set with brilliants,
supported n gold hilted sword and a steel
and ivory handled dagger. flashing with
Jewels and embossed and inlaid with the
precious metal Ills feet were In crimson
slippers, ON which were bound elagerstely
DECORATED sapdalS .y--~-s -