The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1895-11-16

had ordered mo to be placed on ono of his
camols, between two sacks of wheat.
He then told mo that no was tho aga
Oh tho Chcragas, allies of tho ST Saln and
all tho tribes not submitted to our rule.
thanked him warmly, gave him my name
and asked him IL 1 was his prisoner.
Why should you be2 Your nation Is
not ut war with mine You arc NV guest.
one whom God has sent me. Fear nothing
and get well. Hero, drink this And this
tai, handsome Arab handed mo n o1,p of
delicious coffee that renewed my strength
anu raised my spirits Ho said that az
eoon rs should be ablo to stand tho lew
hours rido required to reach Mascara he
would see that l had necessary escort. He
gave orders to two toll negroes to aid me
with my toilet, and those two giant Wallets
proceeded to dress mo in n fine garment Of
white wool, In which 1 must have looked
liko priest of tho middle ages.
Gel Tahar ben Moussa showed mo his
Village of tents and NIL of his riches, from
his working camels to his racing camcls,
whittier than snow and swiftcr than the
wind; his horses, his provision tents filed
with wheat, barley, oats, hashcd meat
mixed with cracked wheat, which tho
Arabs mako into balls, and pots filled with
dates that look like prcsorvcs-in fact, all
that constitutes the fortune of an Arab,
master of large tont. Ho seemed much
pleased by my admiration for his thor.
oughbrcds and my compliments ON the
beauty of his son, n boy of 10 years. But
no took particular pains not to go near q
certain tent, kept Theoretically closed, but
from which wo could hear laughter and
CALCULATIONS.
81 was we'll enough acquainted with
Arabian customs to know that must not
inquire about tho women nor speak of my
fair apparition. | was, however, quito
hopeful of seeing her again, for 1 counted
on feminine curiosity
"At tho dawn of tho next day FL Tahar
camo to excuse himself for leaving mo
alone part of tho day, rs some expedition
called him five or six leagues to tho south
My aches and pains not having entirely
subsidized, and my great weakness still pro-
venting mo from accompanying tho aga,
could only witness his departure, follow
cd by all of his horscmcn, but with more
joy than sorrow, must own.
"Tho houri was continually in my mind,
and wished to SEQ her. provided about
the ncighborhood of tho mysterious tent
made an effort ut least, for twice one of
those giant Wallets, with mcnacing gcs-
lures invited mo to direct my promenade
In another direction. Was seen from the
tent? Was my disappointment noticod?
Annoyed and fcverish, lay down to take
nap, rs is tho custom in tho village,
when the beautiful Arab girl entered.
'Sho brought mo n pitcher filled with a
refreshing liquid that claimed my fever
and quictcd my nerves. We could scarcely
understand each other, as knew so iittlo
Arabic, but there nro looks and gestures
moro eloquent than words.
'Our conversation was scarcely COM
mcnced. She had told me her name and
that she was the third wife of tho aga
when great stamping of horses fcct was
heard, and tho barking of dogs filled us
with terror. FL Talar had returned! How
could sho leave my tent without being
scent The vito of the aga in tho tent of
man, Christian, and with her face un-
yelled! Sho wrung her hands in despair
The cursed curtain, which served as door,
moved, liftcd-sho had just time to throw
herself bohind u wooden box, thinking
herself concealed; but, alas ono of Ter lit
Ito baro feet protrudcd from behind tho
box.
Tho aga entered, sat down, inquired
about my health, spoke of tho hunt l
seemed to be listening to his recital, but I
could understand nothing. l replied at
hazard. was suffering torIncnts. 1 could
SEQ nothing but tho little whito foot, al.
eAiphSi Nitt ilpb lOOh Ut IL.
"Whilo speaking, Eel Tahar turned
slightly. Ho could sec it! l sat breath
less. 1t seemed to mo that the black eyes
Of the aga-tho only features of his face
that could sec, for he had kept the black
veil over his face, us do all the Tuarcgs
when away from homo-glittcrcd mo-
mont as they fixed themselves upon tho
white spot, but l was mistaken, rs he con-
tinucd his recital quietly
AS no arose to go ho said somewhat
solcmnly, You arc guest whom God has
sent mol 10 not forget it,
81 stood at the entrance of my tent as
no moved away with slow and measured
gait. The girl was Obliged to wait until
night before she could leave without being
seen.
can hour after this sceno there was O
great commotion in tho village. A troop
of cavalry had arrived. 1t was you, COM
radcs, in search of my body, tho sergeant
major and my mon having carried to you
the news of my certain death. You re-
mombcr my reluctance to leave my tent
and the manifest embarrassment in seeing
you enter.''
ooh, yes! You didn't seem to bo very
happy over the effort wo had made in
searching you out, and tho aga himself
was Obliged to place you in tho saddle after
tho feast no offered u.s.
Lieutenant Cursols orderly entered tho
room just thc. Lieutenant, he COM
mcnced.
'What do you wish?" asked Henri.
There is n man outside who insists up
on speaking to you, sir A Tuarcg. Ho
wears his veil"
"A Tuarcg! Tell him to come in"
he will not dismount from his camel -
Incn LET him 90 m thn flnvil
lie says no comes from yondcr." And