The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-02


mesnwhile9' / cried.
"As YOU will" she said, and then
continued: "Should you succeed in
reaching your friends. bring them
hithcr. ii possible. for they will be
safer here if the pillage of houses be-
gins. The Moslems will respect my
husbands memory, and leave me un-
molested."
thanked her most earnestly. and
then hastily proceeded to array myseh
in the course garb of Druse trader
which she brought me. Having ar
ranged my head dress, presented my
self before' her for inspection.
"Good!" she exclaimed, "all save
vour color. That,is too light and must
bc seen to-"
She hastencd tofetch some kind OF
6ark pigment with which she smeared
my face and hands, thoroughly rubbing
il into the skin.
"There!" she cried, standing off and
surveying me, al defy your best friend
TO recognize you"
"But it is not my friends that would
deceive"
"Your dearest enemies, then. And
row. since doubtless it has slipped your
mind. so long is it since you have used
vour name. 1 will remind you that you
are called Abdul -Hamir, and thatyou
hail from Dekir in the Iauran."
'I am glad to have my identity so
well established" / said, moving as
though would be gone.
"Stay yet moment!" she exclaimed,
OBTAINING me-
Leaving me hurriedly, she presently
returned with pair Of excellent pistols
| and n scimftar.
"These," she said. will complete your
outfit" and then she pressed me to take
some refreshments.
/ disposed of the weapons, but as
sured her that eating was quite out OF
the question, so she accompanied me TO
| The Ianeway entrance where she again
bade me bring my friends to the shelter
of her roof. Then she cut short my
expressions of gratitude by closing the
door.
Behind Lebanon, the sun was fast
| declining, red and round, and though
I there was no one in sight the uproar
had increased during my brief tarry
in the house of the good Nine. Evander.
In thalf an hour, or three-quarters at the
utmost, darkness would descend upon
the city, and -pandemonium! 1t
was more than likely that the torch
would add to the horrors of the gun and
sword.
There were two routes by which j
could reach the home of my betrothed,
end hesitated in regard to which one
! should pursue. Finally / decided to
take the most circuitous, as in that di-
rection there seemed to be less tumult.
Accordingly, emerged from the lane
into the street on which the other
entrance to the Evander house opened.
Striking out at a brisk pace, l passed
several narrow cross-thoroughfares
where caught sighto of hurrying forms.
Presently. met band of five murder
ous-looking wretches, one of whom ac-
costed me.
"Come with us!"" he said. "There is
good game all about here"
''Nay," / answered, 81 may not, for
have an account of my own to settle"
"May Allah speed you!" the villain
exclaimed, and the five bastened in pur~
suit of roor straggler whom they at
that moment espied.
4 After this test, felt assured of my
disguise, and hurried onward with
. boldcr air. knew that at any moment
] might be forced to view, if not TO par
ticpate in, some awful scene, and
,erved myself for the trial. / had not
long to wait, for soon, out from a cul-
de-sac, where they had been at their
1iendsh work, a crowd of Druses and
dervishes and the scum of the city
rushed, and / was swept forward by 1t.
/ saw that il was quite useless to en-
dcavor to extricate myself from the
press. so suffered myself to be borne
along without resistance.
death to the Christian dogs! Death
10 them in Allah's name!" was the raj
lying cry.
Ere long. in the highway just ahead
three or four Christians were discovered
defending themselves against half a
dozen Moslems. When my companions
saw this unequal combat, a frenzied
shout went up. There was mad rusl
in which was compelled TO join with
the rest. and down upon the earth the
poor unfortunatcs were dashed, to be
hacked and hewn out Of all human
semblance. In the exultation which
followed, I was able to extricate myseli
from the assassins, and TO continue OF
my course.
Twas now nearing the quarter where
the home of Glnuce was situated, and
thinking TO reach the house by little
frequented street. I turned into mar
row way which took me in the rear o
the Greek church. ] hsd trayersed per
haps half the remaining distance. whei
became aware of swiftly-approachint
footsteps. though on account OF shar,
angle just ahead could not tell wh'
the runners were. Where chanced Il
be the walls were bare and smooth an'
high. There was not even a doorwa,