The Portland daily press., 1898-01-17
Chapter III Continued.

The shaft told; the murmers Of assent
had become murmurs of anger.
sMy people, said the Mahdi, in tones
of appeal, ''do not hear them. There is
nothing laid upon me but to deliver a
plain message. I come to recall the Is
lam of Mohammed. If that pluoks down
the great they are grinding your faces; ii
it lifts up the poor, they are your brethren
if it liberates women, they are your Sis
ters Hear me l swear to you by the
breath of dawn, by the stars that hide. by
the darkening night, that a day is coming
when this land shall be rent asunder,
when Barbary shall quake
He did not finish. His speech hao
created great diversion. Boobker ana
the two merchants from Tadla returned
to the marke5-place. They tried in vain
to pacify the people. Hands were lifted
against the Mahdi and there were cries
of Down with himP' "Stone him r.
''Away with him -
The door of the big house opened again
and woman appeared ON the balcony.
In another moment she had run down
the steps and was crushing her way
through the crowd to the Mahdi's side,
lifting her hand in front of her crying
sStop! stopr' 1t was Rachel, the
Jewess. The people made way for her
and fell back. There was moment OF
silence.
Are you men?" she cried. SIS this
Fez! Is there no chivalry in Barbary
One defenceless man among so many
Shame on youl' Then to the Mahdi.
"Come with mel Take refuge in my
house,
The Mahdi took the hand that was held
out to him, "Gentle lady" he said, "we
are in the hand of God. and He has sent
His angel to protect His servant
The lady led the Mahdi to the steps.
No one attempted to prevent. No one
spoke. Going through the crowd they
passed young Omar. and Rachel whispered
'fCome to me tonight"
sTo-night,' said Omar. with bow.
sRemembe ber F' said Rachel.
In moment the Mahdi and the Jewess
were gone into the house. Booker and
the two merchants from Tadla followed
them The darkness was gathering, and
the crowd dispersed,
Chapter w.
A few minuts later only Omar, Jonas,
and Otba were left in the open square.
s'What does this mean? Does she love
the snan still2' said Jonas.
"Don't ask me-" said Omar.
"Omar,' said Jonas, in an undertone,
''this man must die, and you must xiii
him."
''God Forbid" exclaimed Omar.
You alone have entrance to the house.
ii heard you," said Jonas
"But what has he done?' said Omar.
rDone?" said Jonas. Nothing that
6he Basha can lay hold of, and therefore
we must work his will without him. Let
this madmango on for year, and there
will not be Basha left in Barbary."
Even so, what Of that?" said Omar.
Otba laughed bitterly. care you afraid
of a blood feud - he said. "Well, let the
saints decide. Well draw lots. Here"
He took off his satohel, his money bag,
and handed it to the Jew. I'm mark
one moozoonah,' he said. He took cop
per coin out of the bag, marked it with
the point OF his knife and cast it back.
''It is done. Now draw" With that
heFdipped his hand into the bag.
"And l." said Jonas, and dipped his
hand also. "Your turn, Omar.
But Omar Shesitated. "What has the
man done to me2 Nothing he faltered.
"Omar, what do the Christians say, the
fire Is soon rekindled when the hearth is
hot. -
Saying this he laughed knowingly and
pointed to where Rachel and the Mahdi
had gone into the house together. Ihe
stab went home.
"Comer' said Omar and he dipped into
The bag.
Jonas and Otba glanced at their coins
and smiled, but Omar without looking
offered his coin to Jonas. They started
at the sight of it.
81 knew it, said Omar, solemnly.
''The deed is.written on my forehead. I
must have come TO it. -
The moon had risen by this time, and
Gilman, with light heart and light
step. was coming to his assignation with
Asma, when he saw three men under the
walls Of Rachel's house and.stepped- back.
$50 to him at midnight" said Jonas.
''1he merchants from Tadla are with
him now. When they are gone let it be
done. At the sound of the Mooddin's S
voice strike home. We will be near and
others with u.s. When he is down you
will throw the door open to US, and we
will enter at your watchword. Then each
will fling weapon into his body. That
will be for your safety. SO that If blood
feud should come Of this nights work, it
will be the family of one against the
families Of all. -
Omar was in a stupor. "And the
Watchword?'' he Gsked.
"Aliah-u- -Ksbari God Is greas!' said
Jonas
Omar was moving towards the steps of
the house. SAT tho voice of the Mooddin,
you sayi"
Sat the voice of the Mooddin," said
God is great ~