The Portland daily press., 1898-01-25
PART ".
(Chapter -

PARI IV.
(Chapter -
# was night on the plains outside Fez.
An Eastern town is dark when the day
is done. Only pale streak of light In
the sky hung over the city. 1t Went out
as the night advanced.
Omar's five hundred had been three
days within the walls. The Nahdi's five
thousand had arrived under cover OF the
darkness and their women and children
lay in the tents that had been pitched
behind. At midnight the army gathered
roiselessly about the Mahdi's tent and
repeated the Fatihah, the first prayer of
the Koran. 'El 'hamdu IIllah, Rabb Ell
aalameen, er-Rahman, er-Raheem, Malek
The Mahdi rose and said: Snow to
your tents, my people, lie there until the
hour before daybreak- Then at the voice
of the Mooddin rise, form into line and
march. each company at the call. OF It's
Kaid. No noise, no singing, no talking,
no laughter, not sound. Let everything
he done in silence. We are now within
gunshot of the city and have to take 1T
hy surprise. Remember, brothers, we
are going home.
There were murmers of joy among the
people. a,.r -, ao +haso
arms forever. So God give us a safe re-
..Ameen, Ameenl'' muttered the SOL
diers. Then they trooped off 30 the tents:
The Mahdi was left in the company OF
his first followers.
rsAsadr' he said, "you are to watch
the. eastern gate. ~
~ Right. nv lord" said Asad, and he
vent out on that errand.
g Larby you are to watch the gate to
Right. sidi,' said Larby. and he fol-
ifse y Roobker. said the Mahdi, "get a
Gordon round the city; we don't know
fine cate from which Omar may signal,
at shall be done, Mohammed, said
HI,et there be scouts rom every gate to
the camp, and if q str anger CROSSES the
line take him prisoner; we can run no
risks"
II shall not sleep tonight; bring me
word, whatever happens.
1.-The night is dark. No moon, no
stars heaven; fights for us. lt covers
the sky with pail that our tents may
not be seen from the city walls; mus IN
the darkness does GODS race shlne upon
us still"
.'All is well-thus far" said Booker
HAlI will be well,' said the Mahdi -
know it'll feel it! lou have no mis-
.givlngs?''
Nlisgivings ars not for me. l go to my
nost God bless your morning, Mahdi, -
be went off with a shrug OF the shoul-
ders.
fhea.Mahdi.
= Fati1na was near, and little Hosein was
lying asleep on an upturned saddle.
aJ,5J h0
.sTake the little one into the tent. All
The brave little warrior. He was to have
fought with demonsstill daybreak. But
see, he is overcome already. The gentle
sleep has conquered him."
He-lifted Hosein in his arms and kissed
him, then passed him to his mother. -.
- Have you no misglv1ngs, protner!
said Fatima. .,.
"None, ".said the Mahdi. "God willing
and all men faithful we shall enter Fee
wi b the dawn" @as.
God give thee peace" said Eatlma,
going towards their tent.
fsAnd thoup' said the Mahdi and
Fatima and the child went in.
Rachel was at the tent mouth. The1o
YOU do not fear treachery2" she said
HWhy should Ip'' said the Mahdi.
f'TrescheTy is like thieving-ft must first
be someone's hope to gain by IT,"
"And is there no one to gain by the
fall of the MahdiS" said Rachel.
The Mahdi stretched out his arm.
ssLookl'' he said. "Five thousand men
lie in the tents around US, and as many
women and ch ldren in the tents behind.
They are waiting to return to their
homes in yonder city. Trea cherry would
injure me; but it would hurt the traitor
more"
ttYou are right, Mohammed, it would
bnrt tho traitor more" said Rachel
Then, falteringly, "Stil, who knows,
there may be some one
"None, my beloved" said the Mahd1.
"They were true to me through hunger
and thirst and defeat. And will they
betray me now2 Not one in all that Gten
thousand has soul SO mean"
Rachel answered in breaking voice.
Nevertheless, some man-some woman,
maybe.
"No woman will betray me" said the
Mahdi.
"Yet women are treaoherous from pas
sion as we'll as greed, said Rachel.
The Mahdi EN- praced her. Rachel, he
said "there is only one woman IN the
world whose passion touches me, and sbe
is nesting in my arms.
Rachel trembled yet more linen you
trust me Mohamm, d."
"With all my heart, beloved. ="
"And love me?'
"With all my soul. ="
Rachel began TO weep. 81 can bear nc
more, Mohammed!'' she said.
FWhat? Crying again?" said the