Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-01-29

| trllS Here are rivers OF the wine or ShlraZ,
and bread baked in the ovens of Amood.
! Heaven protect him in his adversityi"
| The company applauded and fell merrily
I to eating and drinking; the men squatted
on the ground beside their horses, the wom-
+ en- chastely vii hdrawn in their filters and
! attended by the obsequious Baruk.
( The meal WAS not over when Suleiman
/ and Ibrahim We're discussing our next
movement. Much was said in n low voice
| about pilgrims and caravans and the pecu-
| mary value of ladies such as we happened
! to possess, and, though l did not hear all,
/ yet 10y putting two and two together IN
! derstood that more robberies were in the
wind. In short, the pious of the Moslem
| world were then making the annual pill
/ grimage, and we were bent on relieving
! them of some of their superfuous wealth.
| The caravan on which we were anxious
! to bestow our attentions was the one that,
starting from Yumen, proceeds by the
| mountain, course to Taft. AS we knew al
most to n day the date at which it would
appear, we could post ourselves SATISFACTORY
| ly and await its coming with compoSure.
! The place of reception was in the heart of
the mountains in deep and ugly defile
| where two camels could scarcely walk
abreast and caravan could be harried with
| impunity. We rode hard, gained our posi-
| ton in good time, hid like foxes among the
| rocks and prayed that the hadiis would not
| tarry While waiting their arrival l had
| an experience that would be worth for
tune to a story teller.
The sun had set, and he night had closed
| in rather dark. / had been attending to
my mare and was returning to my com
panions, when Baruk, Siding up with an
ar of profound mystery, whispered that
the milan princess wished to have speech
| with me.
But beware how thou goest,'' he said.
! "A score of lances would be sheathed in
| thy body if thou vert caught talking to
| her in secret"
what does she want with me, Baruk?"
! 1 inquired softly,
/ she will tell thee Follow me-" he an
swered, gliding into the darkness
| The danger and the mystery were of
course an irresistible incentive. and turn
ed after him instantly. We foundthe In
dian crouching behind a big stone, having
| by some pretense managed to get away
from the other women. Saluting her qui-
| city, ! told her was at her service, but in
stead of answering me she turned to Baruk.
Good, good -Baruk," she said in the
sweetest of voices and in broken Arabic.
| Gracious Baruk, go back to the filters.
Say am prayngeto the night. 1t is a Gus
| tom with my people. 1t is rite, say a
|
thee. He" indicating me, will keep me
safe"
! Baruk looked little dubious, but he
I went.
Thou art stranger in this land" she
| said to me quickly when we were alone.
I'm India we see thy people, butthis is not
| India. Thy face made my heart leap in
| the palace Art one of the robbers? What
do people call them? Bedouins--yea, that
| is it, Art one of them?"
| \ man must not trust himself unreserv
eddy to the first mink he meets, so l an
} swCred warly. But her eager intelligence
| found all she wanted in my reply.
Sc, | take thy hand and kiss it-so,"
Selling my hand and putting it to her lips.
1T is sin in our religion. But l have
been taught. All. hat l have been taught.
l am a daughter of the holy prophet, but
| there is more than one road to heaven. Is
that not good truth?"
had to admit it was fairly good truth
and excellent Christian doctrine.
| Yes. yes, know" she went on quickly,
and her voice was thrilling with sup
| pressed emotion. Il have been taught
more than one road to heaven-that is
what thy people say. Now listen. Dost
know we are guilty of a great big sin? All,
the big knife would cut off thy head if eyes
discovered us. But thy people are brave.
| Art afraid?" she asked, coming so close
could hear the quick beating of her heart
| There was rustic behind and she turned,
holding her breath.
at is only Baruk," she said, much re-
lieved. Good Baruk, just a little space
longer. Tell them if they ask thee that
! am safe. Thou contest from far across the
sea-people call it England" she contin-
ued, turning back to me.
More and more puzzled, admitted she
| was right.
Il knew" she said, with an eagerness in
which pleasure and pain were mingled.
THY face proclaimeth thy country
know thy people. Yea, one is-but never
mind, that is too fast. Listenl Art thou
going to remain with the robbers, the Bed
ouns?"
Baruk came creeping back again, declar-
ing she would be missed and he slain.
Thou shalt go straight to paradise, Ba-
ruk," she replied soothingly. Just one
little space more" and he went away again.
Now art thou going to stay?"
Not if l can help it," blurted, almost
without knowing what l said.
THAT is good" she said with little
rocking motion of delight. There is not
time to tell everything now. If thou goest
take me with thee. Let them not keep me
to do their will. Pollution-that is it. Thou
wilt save me, and will love thee forever
Listen. was performing the pilgrimage,
| they captured the caravan and slew my
father. There was one-but there is no
, time to tell it. 1t was Amood Sim that
was wicked, and now know he has been
| punished because his palace is in ashes. A
battle perchance. Vert thou in it?"
l answered in the affirmative, getting
ever deeper involved in the mysteries sur
rounding this strange woman.
And didst thou see one there like thy
self? Hush, hushr'
Baruk came again, saying he would risk
his life for us no longer.
Good Baruk, thou wilt not dis" said
my companion. "One turn moreUone lit
tie turn. That is it. The night is cool. Thy
mind will be at ease"
Thou wilt have me speared like goat, 3"
| he demurred. Nevertheless he left us once
more.
| There is another caravan coming" pur-
sued my companion breathlessly. II heard
it from Baruk. Let us join it. Trust Ba-
ruk for his love of gold. l will trust thee
in honor of thy people" And she was
lost in the darkness like shadow.
/ returned to my place and presently got
a word with Baruk.
what is this strange thing that the In
dian princess sayeth9" asked, putting my
mouth close to his ear, for there was need
of dead secrecy.
NAY, l am not magician" he an
swered, with the oily evasiveness of the
oriental who is chary about committing
himself.
Let US have no pretense of ignorance"
| said, feigning anger What do they
mean?"
I MY lord frighteneth me-"
The voice of Suleiman was heard calling
for some one and in the same instant the
fires ieaped up, shedding fitful, lurid
light on the scene If we were caught con-
sulting, our lives would not be worth 10
minutes purchase.
Look here, Baruk," said, II am thy
friend What is the state of affairs? Tell
it clearly"