Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-04-25

Never liar yet but was as true as the
prophet. Thine own ears shall hear the
corroboration of thy words"
Whereupon he called the witnesses. They
appeared in appalling numbers, with ap
| palling testimony, delivered with the glib
| ness and assurance of actors who had we'll
conned their parts Ihad anticipated much.
The reality was beyond my widest concep-
tion; beyond anything indeed that the slug
cish western imagination could conceive.
Speechless with amazement and horror,
heard the damning evidence heaped up that
vouldshave convicted with jury sworn 20
acuuit. At times was almost moved to
indignation at my own villainy, for I had
difficulty in remembering that l was the
scoundrel depicted, so atrocious above all
belief were the crimes I had committed.
Never did odious rogue swing from gibbet
or yardarm or dangle from castle wall with
half the felonies on his head that I bore.
was the emissary of hostile power
scheming to conquer and enslave. / had
been caught spying by honorable and re-
spectable men, whose word was as far above
! suspicion as Caesars wife. I had sought
entrance to the castle in order to assassi-
nate the prince, my judge, and so clear the
way to the throne for a foreign usurper.
Failing in that, had tried to bribe others
to do tie foul deed, and the actual money
had given was exhibited by the recipients.
These and other enormities far above any
ordinary capacity for crime were triuni-
phantly brought home to me. There could
not be the shadow Of q do.bt that was q
rare monster of wickedness, disgrace to
the species.
The clown appeared against me with
enough of incrimatory evidence to hang 10
honest men, and the impertinent youth on
whom had drawn backed him up with a
readiness and resource that must have
admired had he not chanced to be swearing
away my life. After them trooped the ma
jor part of the population, each with
darker tale and clearer proof of guilt and
depravity than the other. 1t was wonder
full how one man could have sinned SO
much; how one head could have devised SO
much wickedness. Long before my ac-
cusers were finished was loaded with a
mass of iniquity and infamy sufficient TO
drag a score of saints to the uttermost
deeps of perdition.
Nv Judge had an easy task. He had to
determine no question of guilt or innocence;
no delicate balancing of points was de-
manded of him; he had simply to decide
what should be done to an infamous wretch
who should be defrauded of his deserts by
hanging, beheading, drawing and quarter
ing.
Abou Kuram did not move muscle dur
ing the fearful recital. Sitting with clinch-
ed lips and dropping lids, hescarcely seemed
to hear. But when the pitch was exhaust
ed and I could not possibly be made blacker
he turned on me the face of victory.
art thou satisfied with the testimony"
he asked grimly. 'Thou seemest a man of
much integrity. Of very truth, thou art
pretty fellow"
my lord" blurted, with gulp, for in
spite of my early bravado the sweat of ter
ror was new breaking upon me, My lord,
they are liars every one"
"And thou alone speakest truth Yea,
that is likely. Thou hast been at the
pains to learn our tongue and hast faced
perils in coming hither and put on our
clothes and spied and plotted out Of pure
friendliness of heart. Thy secret plannings
and bribings are all for our welfare. Thou
yearnest to do good by stealth"
For the first time he laughed, and it was
a laugh to curdle the blood. When the
Judge cackles in irony and derision, the
prisoner may we'll quake.
Quickly recovering his austerity of man.
ner, he looked me over with eyes that pen
etrated to the core Of my being.
DOUBTLESS some one is present to testify
tothat goodness thou displayest so strange
| ly," he said
In my bewilderment had forgotten Said
Achmet, but now I turned anxiously to
seek his friendly face A chill went to my
heart as searched the crowd in vain. He
had not come; he would be too late. But
Just as was about to break out into an in
coherent protestation Of innocence in de-
spair of favorable word there was move
ment among the people, and Said Achmet
entered between his guards. Advancing
with respectful bearing to the front, he
made low obesance and stood with bent
head and body to hear the governors pleas
ure.
II thought" remarked Abou Kuram
very slowly, that Said Achmet was of
those we could call friends"
'"There iiveth not man this day who
could wish my lord better" returned Said
Achmet in a low but fervent voice.
"Yet thou givest refuge to spies and enc
mics of the state"
Heaven forbid thy servant should do
such a thing"
"But thou hast done it,"
Said Achmet's eyes nearly leaped from
his head.
MY lord but jesteth," he said after a
pause during which he scarcely breathed.
"Nay, there is no jest in it," answered
Abou Kuram. Look on this fellow and
tell me what thou knowest of him."
Said Achmet briefly related the circum-
stances of our meeting and his reasons for
taking me in and giving me clothes
Thou art a man of honor, Said Achmet,"
observed the governor 'but thy pity hath
blinded thee Dost thou know aught else
of him?"
Said Achmet in few sentences repeated
the tale Of misfortune had told him, Abou
Kuram listening with evident irritation
and contempt.
II doubt not he had trouble in getting
hither," said the governor, land the reason
for his coming may be judged by his readi,
ness to endure dangers and hardships.
Thinkest thou it was for sport he encoun-
tered those perils by sea and land? In spite
of thy years and thy wanderings, thou
art but babe, Said Achmet. A feign-
ing tongue imposeth on thee, and thou
art moved by the woe of the deceitful.
Hast thou never yet learned that words
are easy as the wind and often as false'
This fellow hath come to spy, and the wages
of the spy are death. Thou mayst go in
freedom, Said Achmet. but another time
see thou let not thy compassion make
fool of thy judgment Methinks it is time
thou vert learning to discern between
friend and foe"
Said Achmet, again bowling profoundly,
retired without word. AS he went out
our eyes met for moment, and the look
he gave me was full of sorrow and pity. 1t
was but glance, yet it expressed more elo-
quently than would be possible in words
the conviction that was lost and his grief
at being unable to save me. or even so much
as help.
"Is there any one else to sneak in his ia.