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


food; wine flowed like water in the rainy
season, and the coffee and tobacco We're the
best on earth.
Suleiman, rising presently, went to see
that the ladies were being properly attend
ed and came back praising the wondrous
docility of the Indian princess. smoked,
looking up at the brightness of Orion, and
said nothing But in my heart was the
ouivering exultation of the scbemer who
has important business on hand and knows
that failure is death.
NV next move was to enlighten Tabal. 1t
was done in few words, for now that the
heavens were bright the chance of private
talk was small. But Tabal quickly under
stood all and fervently swore VOW OF
fealty. To Tabal's mind there was but one
serious difficulty in our project of escape.
1--WE 20 with the caravan to Mecca" he
said.
"Assuredly; it will do us all good"
"But thou art not Of our religion. Think
what that meanetn."
81 am better Mohammedan than thy.
self, good Tabal. There will not be in the
great mosque more devout hadli than
him whom thou callest Christian. Are we
not brothers? Did not thy father put the
light of the Koran into my soul? Dost
thou think / am careless about getting to
heaven? Tabal, will do the pilgrimage as
follower of the prophet"
Tabal was convinced, and we parted to
ignore each other very studiously for the
rest of the night.
Near the dawn, when the world was
black and men were heavy, Baruk returned
to me. He had got over his wavering and
was ready for the most desperate exploit.
1--WE will put Oh the green turban 1.-THE
badge or sign of such as have performed
the pilgrimage to Mecca] together, Baruk," <"
I said ioyfully, after listening to his prom
Use of help. Nov, tell me the name Oh
our princess"
"They call her Rance"
"a pretty name," 1 remarked. Let us
make her happy" Therefore as briefly
and minutely as was possible with words
gave himself instructions both for Rance
and for himself. Fortunately the simple
ity of the plan of attack enabled us to
make our arrangements with confidence
and tolerable accuracy.
With the first blink of light we were on
the lookout for the caravan, but the day
had worn we'll into the afternoon before
our scouts brought word it was at the
mouth of the delile. At the intelligence
that it was coming we settled down in ollT
hiding place as still us dead men, the horses
being kept some distance behind lest they
should neigh and betray US. Tabal and
had many unsuspected thoughts, but as it
would be uuwise to express them and 1t
was impossible to communicate with
either Rance or Baruk we could only wait
in silent eagerncss and faith.
The pilgrims sent forward a party of hall
a dozen horsemen, and we were ordered
further back. Suleiman himself, with one
companion TO act as messenger, remained
to observe, their place of vantage being
the hollow top of great rock which pro-
iected. causing a curve in the path below.
Living there fiat they had an almost unin.
terruptcd view of the pass, and by deft
clamb bering the messenger could reach our
ambush without fear Of detection.
To keep us keen and in touch with what
was going Oh Suleiman sent frequently ttJ
tell us of the movements Of the horse1nen.
We learned that, passing right beneath bis
hiding place, they rode to the head Of the
gorge, looked dutifully about among the
rocks, and discovering nothing returned
light heartedly 10 report the way clear.
'rhen the culnvni, wishing ne doubt to get
to open ground again rs speedily az might
be. swung it's huge length into the defile
and came trailing on like an endless ser.
pent. Suleiman, watching it closely, sent
back word TO look to our horses and arms,
us the prospect was glorious beyond his cx.
pectatiun.