The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-01-26

mesh anu piooa
ut is not proper that my lord should
thus add to bis weariness," interrupted
Abeu kuram. LET him withdraw to my
tent and have his feet washed by his serv-
ants slaves and food set before him and
take the rest of which he is SO much in
need. Koor Ali will himself tell his story u
and with an imperative manner that was
not to be resisted he led Mohammed ben FL
| dad Hassam to the retirement of the tent,
In minute he was back again.
Now" he said to Koor Ali, drawing
himself up with solderly sternness. I'VE
will hear what thou hast to say. Where
fore didst thou tarry SO long, and what It'd
ings hast thou brought"
| Koor All gave his story briefly and clear
4 ly. To begin with, he said, they did not
find Amood Sim at the place appointed.
| an excursion of the man on the black horse
and his marauders having driven him deeper
into the mountains. This change of situa-
| tion involved an arduous search of As
hours, and when at last Amood Sim was
found he was skulking among the rocks as
if he were a fox, with his army scattered hs
knew not whittier.
Ills heart was as the dust under his
feet" pursued Koor Ali, "and he rallied up
on the evil spirit on the black horse who
had come to destroy him. 1 asked him if
he intended to let Yumen Yusel harry his
| kingdom and carry away his horses, his
camels, his wives and his little ones, and he
answered, If 1t is the will of God.' Nay
replied, that is but the voice of a craven
fear. We are come hither to help thee with
great host, and are we to go back because
thou liest among the rocks afraid to come
forth and give the enemy battler Where
upon there were shame and confusion on
his countenance, and he arose and said that
of surety they would fight But how
shall prevail on my men, he asked, for
they think these are evil spirits leagued
against themp Gather them unto one
place, said 1 unto him, and he sent out
messengers and gathered them into one
place--a great hollow in the midst of the
mountains. Speak unto them,' l said.
Nay, it will be better if thou speak unto
them,' he answered, for they no longer
heed my words.
"Whereupon stood on a rock and spoke
to them and told them how my lord had
come to help them, and hearing this they
took heart and shouted with mighty voice
that they yearned for vengeance and were
ready to do battle with Yumen Yusel and
the man on the black horse. And |, think
ing it well to take them while the spirit
was strong upon them, bade them come
down to join my lord, whereat Amood Sim,
trembling greatly, said, Nay, it is better
for us to remain here until all things are
ready Thou art more afraid than thy
men, I said They are but common SOL
diers,' he answered The enemy seeketh
not their life, but mine. Peradventure IL
we go down with thee he will fall upon us
by the way and slay me- Whereupon |,
answering, said that forasmuch as no bat
tie could be fought among rocks and gorges
they must come down to the plain. If they
did not, then would my lord return to
Marabel, and Amood Sims possessions
would go from him and his posterity for
ever. And being again sore ashamed he
consented to come down and now lieth
yonder close by the foot of the mountain
awaiting my lords behest"
''Ihou hast done the part OF brave man,
Koor ALL said Abou Kuram, when the
recital was at an end. Il was wroth at the
delay, and now my anger is kinded against
Amood Sim. Thou hast done right well
in taking the cowardly dog by the ear and
dragging him to the foot of the mountain.
We have been surprised here, and a battle
is at hand. Get thou things ready, Koor
Ali. We will move to meet Amood Sim.
And now must go to Mohamined ben Eldad
Hassam. He lleth i'll at ease in my tent,
full of excuses for his brave master and
peradventurc for HIMSELF
: "Yes, it is likely" returned Koor All.
MY opinion is that he cometh to spy my
lords strength. He will return il thou let
him to report to Amood Sim, and if nv
lords army be not enough in their eyes
they will betake themselves to the rocks
again.
Two can play at every game, y said Abou
m gifTDitirantIU II.
tent
The warning which Koor Ali had given
was well timed, for sure enough, when Mo-
hammed ben Eldad llassam had washed and
eaten and rested and paid Abou Kuram the
regulation number of compliments, he pro-
posed that he should get an escort and pre-
cede the troops in order that Amood Sim
might be prepared TO receive their illustri-
GUS general in u fashion becoming his rank
But Abou kuram had not studied diplo-
macy for nothing.
MY lord troubleth himself too much -
he replied, with an insinuatng grace that
was wonderful to behold I'VE are soldiers
and will be satisfied with Il soldiers wei.
come. We are not come hither for feast
ing and ceremonies, but to destroy Yumen
Iusel and his evil ally ON the black horse,
of whom we have heard so much"
Mohammed ben Eldad turned his eyes to
heaven at this, mentally invoking its pro-
lection. "Fhinkest thou steel or lead will
avail upon himf" he asked. Ills hard to
kill satan.n
IF he come in our way, we can but try
our weapons upon him, answered Abou
kuram.
"Thou speakest like the valiant man
thou art" said the envoy sweetly Where
fore ! would again crave my lords per-
mission to return in advance of the troops
My royal master will be sore displeased if
he be denied the opportunity of preparing
for my lord's reception
1.-The good Amood Sim knoweth we are
coming" said Abou Kuram suavely, "aud
thou needst not fear for his princely be
neficence. We do not look for ceremonies
with the foe in sight. BESIDES, see the
troops are eyeu now ready to march. 1t
were folly for thee, therefore, to hurry
away"
After that Mohammed ben Eldad could
not further persist, but his disappointment
and ehagrin were evident to all lie and
his master were committed to tho chances
of another battle
ITO DE CoNTINUEp.l