The Portland daily press., 1898-01-28

was sent out for the Berbers, but he has
opened the gates to us. -
"Forward alll'' cried Omar in voice
of thunder
The army of the Mahdi moved towards
the walls of FeZ
Chapter V.
1t was dawn in the courtyard of the
Kasbah. Gilman had returned in great
excitement.
"Tbat's all right" he told himself.
"Iet ME think, let me think. Have I
done everything? Been to the camp of
the Mahdi when [ was sent to the Kaid of
Thingamy-good. Saw my sweet little
Asma-good. Kissed her-very good.
Told her to watch for the light-just So.
Fixed it myself on top of the Bah loot
right. Got old Sweet tooth, the porter,
to open the gate-right once more
sent him to remove the letters of the pris-
oners as fast as the key will open them
just SO. right, good again. HulIoa
hullon hulloar'
A little man came running through the
courtyard. 1t was JelIalli, the poet, and
he was radiant.
"WhatP Out of bed already?'' said
Gilman.
"Out of bed?" said JellalIii, scorn-
fully. "Should think SO. little brother.
Wouldn' miss it for worIds''
Wouldn't miss what?' said Othman.
''The sight of the Mahdi when he's
brought in as a prisoner" said Jellalli.
tWhat did he say long Notwithstanding a
radiant air" People of Fez,' he said
a king sent down from heaven-you SHALL
by Allahl' Hal Ha! Ha! That was
how he was to enter Fee when he came
back to it. Hal Ha! Ha!'' and the
poet laughed immoderately.
"Then to think how he will come
baok,'' said Jellalli, rubbing his hands.
q Barefooted, half naked, riding a bony
him, So shall it be done to everyone who
is the brother of an ASST Hal Ha!
Ha!'
Jellali could not restrain his laughter
Gilman Joined him. "Ha! Hal Ha /!
Funny isn't it?'' cried Gilman.
"Fuany?' said JellaIli. II believe it
will be the death of me- /"
81 believe it will, - said Gilman.
"a pettiooat hung round his neck,
said Jellalli, indicating hanging by a
facetious gesture, "just to show that
hs tied himself to a woman's apron
strings and got his head entangled in
them Hal Ha. Ha! He'll be a sight
for the saints. "
''He will, he will said Gilman.
LII WOu1tt DC p1uy w oOAAtA ALL w
prison. said Jellalli, still bursting with
laughter; she should be kept in the
Sultan's museum as standing cure for
the spleen. I'll go there myself"
"You shall, you SHALL, saidsOthman.
20, I've arranged it all, (" said Jellalli,
expansively; when he comes In on his
donkey III ride out on my horse. His
Jellalii stopped suddenly. There were
sounds of music and cheering at the city
gates.
uneasily.
Otba came behind him at the moment,
slapped him on the back and answered,
''The Mahdi on his donkey, of course"
'What do you say?" said the. poet. from
the depth of his throat.
The music and cheering increased.
Gilman began to mimic Jellalli. "Oh,
he'll be sight for the saints. Come, let's
go out to meet him.
"Who? I?" said the poet, growing pale.
Eyes, you," said Gilman. "His envy
will explode with spite. :"
sit would be my greatest pleasure in
life, but--but-" stammered Jellalli.
Otba laid hold of him. ''Then come on,
little fire-eater,'' he said.
Othman dragged him along and cried
"He'll be standing cure for the spleen
come along"
'sIt would be my greatest pleasure in
life, repeater Jellalli, but-but-
Gilman began to beat him. You
won't come? Then take that and that
and that-for liar and a cheat
''And that too,'' said Otba, ''you slave
Of sin, i" tearing off his fez and leaving
bare poll. "And mind you don't catch
cold. il
land that cried Gilman, tossing the
poets jellab over his head, "just for o
petticoat round your poll
Jellalli fed away, ridiculous nguTe
3 Some minutes afterwards Jonas Maliki,
the Jew, came knocking at the door OF
the Bashas apartment. "Bashal My
lord Bashai Easha p he cried in q voice
of fear
"Who's THEREOF said the Basha, half
opening the door.
"It's H. said Jonas, ''our men have
betrayed us. The Mahdi has entered the
city. The people in the streets are 1ocking
to him like sheep. It's The Mahdi, here
THE Mahdi' there-fThe Mahdi' every
where The prisoners are at liberty. Our
guard have laid down their arms. We
can't hold cut an hour. Quick-we
must fly
The Basha hesitated "Let me fetch
my money first, > ne said;
''No time for that. 9ou'u re lost,
said the Jew.
Come then-this way-down the
Sewers said the Basna, drawing his
hood over his head.
The sunrise was gliding the minarets of
the mosques as the Mahdi returned to
Fee. Women with uncovered faces crowd
ed the house-tops. Men and boys
thronged the streets. A line of girls
playing tambourines met the Mahdi near
to the gate and went before him as he
walked. There were shouting and cheer
ing, and the "Coo-o-oo" that is the
hurrah of the East. Tho Bashn had gore.
Fee, the last stronghold had fallen. The
old order was at an end.
AS the Mahdi passed through the streets
the people knelt to him. He touched the
heads of some as a sign of forgiveness,
and waved his hand TO othera as an an
swer to their salutations. His triumph
was their triumph, the triumph of the
people, the triumph Of woman, the
triumph of the West over the East It
was also the conquest of Morocco for the
Moors.
Soldiers went backwards before him,
waving long staffs, and crying, Groom
for my lord; room, room p Booker
walked behind. Fatima and Asma
walked behind Booker.
"Are oil safe?" said the Mahdi.
"All," said Boobker.
"And Rachel?"
''She is coming.