The National tribune., 1897-05-06


be 10 weeks before they are able. We must
simply do what we can for them and wait. y
Wait, while Ida is being dragged farther
from me every instant" groaned Basil
The Turkish dogs have taken her-but
whitherf To Khania, to Gambia or to Re
timo? shall go mad if stay idly here,
but If go one way in pursuit I shall be
devoured by misgivings that should have
gone the other"
1t seems to me-" said Nikolas, "that
| there is naught to be done but wait, at least,
q little while; possibly till morning light.
l have sent men out to all the houses round
about to see if any news can be gained.
Until they come back see nothing to be
done but wait"
And as if that concluded the matter, he
reseated himself by little fire which he
had built and resumed his examination of
the dead kavass's arms.
He is right" said Andreas Strandia
shut thou canst well employ the time by
helping me restore life to these two men,
both of whom have strong claims upon
thee"
Thus admonished, Basil devoted himself
to Markus Kalimakis, while Strandia
labored over Papa Demetrios. s Life seemed
returning, but with slowness that was
maddening to the impatient young chieftain.
At length Kallimakis's staring eyes closed,
and he gave low groan. Then his eyes
opened again, he raised his head little, and
gave confused look around.
1t is Basil Kanaris,D said the young man
in agitated tones. "Dost thou not know
me? Who has taken Ida away, and
wlIither?"
Kallimakis closed his eyes again, as if
making an effort to concentrate his powers,
and gasped feebly and brokenly:
Aga -Ibrahim-Mustafa Pasha-
Stamboul-the Padishah."
Then he tainted away, and seemed actu-
ally dead.
Aga Yusef-Ibrahim- Pasha-
Stamboul-the Padisha," repeated Basil ex-
citedly to the group which gathered about
him. That Is most puzzling. Mustafa
Pasha lives at Megalo- Kastron (Candia);
Aga Yusef is Kaimaikam Uieutenant-Gov-
ernor) at Retimo; Ibrahim is much of the
time at Khania''-
Mustafa Pasha would send Ida to the
Yildez Kiosk, at Stamboul, as a present to
the Padishah. have heard some whisper
of that BEFORE" said Andreas Strandia.
Ay; but whittier have they now taken
her-to Megalo- Kastron, Retimo, or Kha-
nia?" repeated Basil in detection. "It is a
weeks journey from Khania to Mega1o-
Kastron, with Retimo lying midway be-
tween them. Which way"-
Husb," said Nicholas, in whisper.
Someone cometh. 1t is the light, quick
step of a Sphakiot. He bringeth news.
I'll 60 learn it,"
In few minutes he returned.
1t is Matteas, who hath been to a house
I><x, l. Il L
had come up from the low country. He
saw on the road to Khania herd, in which
he recognized some of Markus Kallimakis's
cattle. With it were kavasses, Cretan men
and women. He watched from hill until
they went into camp in the ruins by the
Lissa, On the plains of Akrokorona."
They went into camp at nightfall by the
Lissa," echoed Basil. "We can reach them
by daybreak."
Naught more needed to be said. All were
waiting for this decision of their leader.
They seized their arms and started with one
accord, leaving Andreas Strandia and another
elderly man to wait upon Kallimakis and
the priest.
Now was seen the wonderful Sphakiot
march, famous in all ages The tall, 1.-THE
forms seemed to have in them the tireless
elasticity of the ibex and the antelope. 1t
was not the heavy plodding Of the Turks,
and the still heavier of the men of Western
Europe, but light, long, springy steps, with
the ball of the foot coming first to the ground,
and rising again almost before the heel came
down. They sprang over gullies and rocks,
and avoided stones without an effort. Their
closely fitting, high boots of soft, pIiable
leather, with thin, tough soles, were ad-
mirably fitted for this. They were a pro-
lection without being an incumbrance. The
long hours the Sphakiots had already been
on the road seemed to count as nothing
Every man appeared as fresh as when they
started.
Before daybreak they had reached the
outer edge of the ruins in which Ibrahim
had made his camp, and lain down in the
thickets of myrtles and rose-laurels to await
Basil's signal.
Like the faithful Mussulman that he was,
Ibrahim had risen before daylight to make
his ablutions, and pray with his eyes turned
toward Mecca. He had come to the edge of
brook, on the further side of which lay
Basil and Nikolas at the feet of large olive
trees. BasiPs heart leaped as he recognized
the bulky, stalwart form, but he bethought
himself to lay restraining hand on Niko-
las.
"Nay," he whispered. "Leave him for
me. l claim him. Find another for thy
self"
While Basil watched, Ibrahim carefully
purified himself, and then clasping his hands
across his stomach he opened them like a
book, and turning his look eastward he
droned slowly:
Alteration and prayers belong only to
Allah. Salvation and peace be to thee, o
Prophet The Mercy, the Blessings, and the
Peace of Allah be upon me and all servants
of Allah. declare that there is but one
God, and that he has no companion or equal,
and that Mahomet is his true Prophet"
He bowed his head thrice, and taking
hold of his beard, he turned his head to the
right to salute his White Angel, which every
Mahometan believes constantly stands on
that side of him. "May the salvation and
mercy of Allah be upon thee," he said with
a bow, and turning his head repeated the
same to his Black Angel on the left.
Day was breaking. Basil whistled. The
Sphakiots rose as one man and rushed with
yells upon the astonished kavasses.
"Dog of Moslem," shouted Basil, SPRING
ing upright, and leveling his gun upon Ibra-
him. "Stealer Of women, murderer of
priests and old men, thine hour has come.
am Basil Kanaris."
Though taken by surprise, Ibrahim's
courage was firm. "Swine-eater! Pig of
an unbeliever! he replied with the utmost
contempt. II know thee we'll Thou art