Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-05-09
CHAPTER XVIII.

AMOOD SIM , Dl2N Et1.
When early in the afternoon the two
armies effected juncture, the aspect of
the allies was such as might well have
made Abou Kuram pause ere joining them
in battle against so formidable an opponent
as Yumen Yusel. The rest had given our
men back their spirits The tolls of the
desert were forgotten, and every heart beat
eagerly for the chance of spoil and glory
that was at hand. Amood Sims troops,
on the contrary, though they made great
show of valor and enthusiasm at our ap-
proach, were as miserabiy draggled and
downcast as if they had just crept out Of
the mire after trampling by the enemy,
and all their shouting and brandishing Of
arms could not Lide the deathly fear that
was upon them. To put trust in the intre-
pidity of such deplorable losels was like re-
lying on the valor Of company of scare
crows.
| Amood Sim himself rode out to meetus,
gallantlv mounted on richly caparisoned
charger and attended by a suite in magnili-
cent draperies and blaze of variegated
colors. Nature had given him soldierly
figure, and being very gorgeously and i'm
posingly dressed he would, in looks at least,
leader but for the irresolution of the rest
less eye and general air OF dependency
that pomp appeared powerless TO lift.
The meeting of the two princes, however,
was extremely cordial both dismounting
and embracing in the presence OF the as
sembled host. But when the preliminary
ciyilities were over and Abou kuram
showed disposition TO come to business
Amood hesitated, made excuses and then
all at once became excited and hysterical
Launching into distracted tale Of the su-
pernatural, which any old wife in Scotland
would have been ashamed of, he declared
he had had the cleares5 ocular proof that
the man on the black horse was none other
than satan himself.
"As for Yumen Yusel," he cried, flour
ishing his sword, ''he is but child in warl
Were he here nov would shear off his
cowardly head as swift reaper takcth the
ripe barley. But can man prevail against
the devil?" And he cast doleful look at
!Abou Kuram as if to say, Its really use
less, you know, risking our lives"
!Perchance he is not satan himself, but
a kttledevil," ;" replied Abou Kuram, who,
while not without his touch of supersti-
tion. held Amood's fancies in contempt.
ri long to set eyes on him; if he be satan,
that may know his looks; if he be aught
else. that make his body o sheath for this
sword"
HIsmy brother mad?" asked Amood, with
deep concern.
"Yea, mad with q thirst for battle" an
svered Abou Kuram. "Will my brother
give orders to have his men made readyE
But Amood had still multitude of pre-
texts for delay. For one thing Abou hu-
ram and his gallant army must be feasted
ere fighting could be so much as thought
Of The march hither had been long and
anduous, and i'll befall him if it should ever
be said he had forgotten how to be hospit'
able to his friends.
Abou Kuram, however, was too familiar
with guile to be inYeigled. With manner
that was the pink of courtliness, yet hac
in It more than suggestion of imperious
ness and austerity, he declined festivities
saving that feasting would be swaeter after
victory, and that he would joyousiy e2J th'
carcasses of 100 sheep when Yumen Iuse
and his satanic lieutenant were crushed
He was aided and abetted in lis policy o
aggression by Ismael Numa', Amood' S sec
ond in command, brave and capable OIL
Ger had he been free from TIE tramme!s O
a pusillanimous superior Amood yielded
a reluctant consent, the kettledrums ant
.cymbals broke out in noisy rivalry, anC
Z the troops marched out to bivouac on th'
plain.
The chosen spot reached, Amood Sim de
.sired to have a vermilion tent with luXur
lore stata apnointments set I'D. insistinH 81