The morning times., 1896-06-14

It was high DooD ON the Slopes of
Mount Amorab, when an emissary from
the king roughly bade Beppo rise. The
boy stumbled to his feet. saying over and
over again a quaint old Tuscan prayer
which his mother had taught i'm in the
hill farm over Fiesula. As he passed
through the ranks, the black warriors
grnDed with evil glee, and not a few
Knocked and jeered in broken Italian
But Beppo merely repeated his little
prayer, and bent bis aching eyes to the
ground. If only Rodrigo-bis beloved
Rodrigo-were with him, death would
not seem SO hard. Then the thought
came TO him that he was dying for
Italy-dying TO save hundreds of Door
Tuscans and Piedmontese from cruel deaths,
and glow cf pride passed through his
being AT least he thought, ..ru die
like a soldier
The voice was that of Rodrigo, the Mar
moset; and Beppo, with Il great start
raised his eyes to seek the mon keys
whereabouts. The scene that he beheld
will remain craven upon his memory until
his last day.
His guide had led him beyond the Abys-
sinian camp, and up into the Amorah
to the eastward he could descry the Italian
advance guard, already apparently in
the hustle OF departure On the plateau
with group OF bearded warriors and
dusky ladies, Were the Negus Menelik ana
his queen-the latter holding Rodrigo in
her arms.
They have come to see my die" thought
Beppo; and rejecting the vociferous ad-
vances OF Rodrigo, he once more cast
down his eyes.
But the queen. in her clear. command
ing voice, cried: Look not to earth Beppo
the small soldier. Are you prepared TO meet
your doom?"
Beppo with mighty effort looked her
straight in the face and hoarsely answered.
II am prepared"
"You are ready for torture and death,
on condition that we proclaim a truce
with your friends yondcr?''
II am ready"
There was silence for brief space,
and then the queen, urging forward her
horse toward where Beppo stood, cast
both arms around his neck, while Rodrigo,
chattering ike seven monkeys sought "A
new asylum in his masters breast.
My lad said the queen, "you are q
hero, martyr like those of our Christian
faith. Know, then, that King
Menelik does not butcher children He
bids me tell you you are free.''
But the Italian army faltered Beppo.
I'VE shall keep Our word to you
In half an hour you shall be sent across
the hills with a flag of truce. We will
proclaim an armistice, and give your sol
diers time 10 find their way out OF the hills
Ny lord the king, have l not spoken
truly?'
The king nodded, and those who stood
around fastened to grasp Beppo's hand
or embrace him, for the quality of courage
is one that appeals to all the world, civil
lied and barbaric alike.
Within the half hour, loaded with quaint
presents and carrying his cherished Mar
moset. Beppo set out over the hills, side
by side, with his old friend, the giant
Abyssinian. The latter carried flag OF
truce.
Wild was the cheering when the missiu>
drummer and King Menelik's emissary
overlook the Italian troops and their mis-
sion was made known. Beppo was a
hero among the heroes, and even Rodrigo,
the Marnoset. was distinctly mentioned
in the generals dispatches.
They will decorate you, Beppo, when
you get back TO Rome" exclaimed a
soldier. 4
If they do answered the drummer
boy. they ought to decorate Rodrigo,
too"