Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-05-30


unwrung dishcloths our drooping horses
in 6. lather. Nightfull found IS still crawl
ING on, silent, weary and in much pain.
Tabal was the worse Of the two. Yet the
stoical fellow never complained, nor ever
forgot to comfort me when in my torments
Ipanted and groaned.
With darkness it became cooler, and to
our joy there sprang up adelicious breeze
that put new life into us. We were still
wading in sandy seas, but we were now able
to mend our pace 4 little, and indeed there
was urgent need OF speed, for in our condi-
tion another day like the last would clean
finish us. By and by our horses began to
tread more lightly and firmly, 4 little later
they were stumbling over stones and NIB
bling at scrubby bushes, and we knew the
watercourses were not far off. 1t was mid
night. however, ;,e we had climbed far
enorgh to feel safe lcc the night, or perhaps
the letter WY TO put il is thatat midnight
sworc would go ro>faFther if the halt
cost re my life. Tabal said he thought we
might rest. So, unsaCdIing and tying tie
horses forefeet to prevent them from wan
dering, we had another drink and threw
ourselves or the ground to sleep.
We woke with the level sun beating in
our faces, greatly refreshed though stiff and
sore in the regions of our wounds. Our
first act was to scramble to the top Of an
adjacent crag and reconnoiter the situa-
tion. we looked cautiously round among
the rocks, then out on the plain rs far as
eye could see, but nothing living was visi-
bic save nocks OF ravenous birds going to
and fro between the mountains and the
- pIJ-ns
cure, we descended, watered ourselves and
our horses at bubbling spring and break
tasted on half dozen dates apiece. Then
we saw to our wounds, and the surgical
operation done, we lay in the shade of a
rock to think and for the hundredth time
discuss our adventures and prospects.
asked Tabal what he thought would be
the result of the battle we had fought and
lost.
"The ravaging of the whole country by
Yumen Yusel and the man on the black
horse" he answered promptly. "Amood
Sim hath fattened and grown large on his
neighbors, and Abou kuram hath had i'm
mense tribute for rendering aid. Three
times have they leveled the palace of Yu-
men Yusel and enriched themselves with
great plunder. Now methnks it is Iumen
Yusel's time to win"
.'That means that the enemy will con-
verge on Amood Sims capital" l said.
.sYes," said Tabal; ''wouldst thou have
them victorious without reaping the fruits
of victory?'
A brilliant idea flashed upon me. LET
us 90 to -Amood's capital Also ! said. 81
would fain meet the man on the black horse
again"
''And be cioven in two for thy palms." re-
turned Tabal quickly.
"Thou sAouldst see us embrace like
brothers"
Tabal glanced at me with the old EXPIRES
sion of incredulity and jumped to his feet,
saving We must saddle up and get to the
green valleys anG rushing streams that
were ahead. was in his hands and could
not dissent.
We had travelled slowly for perhaps two
hears round the shoulders of bluffs and
about crags and rocks and on the brink OF
dizzy precipices and over rubbly hills, when
all at once we came upon a spot OF such Yer.
durous beSuty it might have been the Yer.
liable garden of Eden. 1t lay in deep de
preston walled about by cliffs save at one
corner, where there was Il narrow gatelike
opening. As soon as we sighted it Tabal,
who suspected it might be inhabited, whis-
pered me to remain quiet and slipping
from his horse went stealthily forward and
peered over the breastwork of rock in front
of us. Returning with gestures for silence
he took charge of the horses and went
softly to spy. Climbing the parapet |
looked cautiously down the other side, and
there to my amazement was Ahmed, the
son of Koor Ali, sleeping like a cherub.
Motioning to Tabal to remain still ran
quickly to the entrance went in, and then
crept along the base of the rock, intending
to give Ahmed a fine surprise. Reaching
him on tiptoe tickled him under the chin
with my finger. He sprang up as if had
pierced him with spear, q moving spec'G-
Gle of ferocity and fear, and drew his dag
ger, which was his sole weapon.
"Put up thy dagger, Ahmedn' said. ~
am surely thy friend"
'HThou art no friend" he returned saw
agely. "a man does not spit on his friend.
Thou hast cast the rinsings OF thy foul
mouth into my face disgrace, for which
thy blood will atone. will fight thee
where thou standest, dagger to dagger, but
Twill not let thee call thyseSrmy friend"
With that he wrapped his torn mantle
about his left arm as sort Of shield, and
put himself in posture of defense.
'Let it be quick" be hissed. Stand not
dallying as thou vert afraid of thy fair
skin"
"What thou sayest is impossible" an
swered, drawing myself NJ just enough to
show I was not held back by fear. 1T
l. -, ,,o- 20 GrrI,+ +bon Tho,
art in the midst of grievous misfortune"
sThou art right" be said. But will
bear my grief as becometh man and de-
sire not any sympathy at thy hand. was
eager to meet thee alone, and, 10! here thou
art, and we will fight"
"We will not fight" returned. Thou
art famished with hunger and weak from
fatigue and would be at a sore disadvan-
tage will give thee a share of my food;
It is not much, but it will strengthen thee,
and when thou hast eaten thou shalt rest
undisturbed If after that thou be of q
mind to fight, l may crafty thee. Mean,
time put up thy dagger"
He kept his blazing eyes on me for the
space of perhaps half 4 minute, then sui
lenly thrusting the dagger into his girdle
he threw himself on the ground without a
word.
Tabal came down with the horses and the
dates, and Ahmed was invited to eat. He
accepted the invitation with an i'll grace
and lowering glance at me. But he was
in my power, and would not let his petu-
lence or ingratitude irritate me.
''If thou wilt sleep now" said when he
had finished our dates, II promise thee no
harm shall come to thee"
81 am in need of no more rest" he an
swered grufIly.
Concerning this quarrel, then" 1 said,
(which Jcu choose to make between
us'-
SIT was thou put disgrace on me-" he
growled
SIT was not intended as such, Ahmed"
sal. II did but jest in putting water on
thee"
'.Nay; by my faith, it was no jest" he re.
turned sharply.
sit was done in ignorance of the Gus
n 7 Int, l,,,y,, l,1,