The Portland daily press., 1898-01-25
GALL RIGHTS REsERvED.l


woman who torments herself with these
foolish fears was the angel who stood by
me in the storml'
Every word was Goals of fire TO hor.
'Mohammed, l have something to tell
you," she faltered
But the Mahdi was looking towards the
walls "Stay; what light is this?" he said.
"One of the scouts returning?" Then he
called "PeaceH'
A voice outside answered, "Peace!"
"Out with the light, man. outi" cried
the Mahdi.
"The precaution is needless; L bring
bad news,'' said the man, coming up.
| "Boobkeri" cried the Mahdi, in sur
prise.
seToo late," thought Rachel,
HOmar and Otba are prisoners in the
| Kasbah, and the five hundred are in
chains,'- said Boobker,
"WhoEdares to say so?'' cried the Mahdi
with passion; "tell him it is a lie.
! "It is true Mohammed," said Booker
"you are betrayed"
aBetrayed2 No, no; 1 tell you no, !"
said the Mahdt.
"I tell you yes, Mohammed. Your
cause is lost"
There was sound of voices approach
ing: ,,
"What noise is that?' said the Mahdi.
"They are bringing up the messenger OF
thessbetrayer,' said Boobker.
'iThen it must be true," the Mahdi
muttered.
"He WAS riding your own horse, Mo-
hammed, - said Booker; "the one you
missed at Tadla. We captured him as he
was coming out of the city by the western
gate.
"Who is it?''
"Your wife's black servant"
| "Mubarakp' "
"Mubarak!''
The terrified black boy was brought up
| to the Mahdi's tent in the hands OF Asad
and Larby. Soldiers were behind, shout
ing, "Kill him!''
| the boy.
ssI'li tell no more,' said the negro.
sThe name of the man who sent your"
said Asad, with uplifted hand.
"Neyer," said Mubarak.
ssTorment will make his tongue wag.
| The thongs-where are they!" said Asad.
The negro began to scream. NO, no.
not that. Don't torture me, he cried.
| Then seeing the Mahdi, he broke away
from Asad and Larby and flung himself
at the leaders, feet, kissed his feet and
the skirt of his kaftan and cried, Mercy,
my lord, mercyl l take refuge with God
and with you. Save Lme and will tell
ALL Send these men away and will tell
you everything. My lord my lord Save
| 0S'SS-t
The soldiers were unmoved. They
shouted for vengeance.
"Silenoe cried the Mahdi. He
motioned sthe people away. The men
went off slowly, all save. Booker. Rachel
| was still standing in the half darkness at
the door of the. tent.
my boy,'' said the Mahdt. fgently,
'you have come out of Fez?"
tsYes, my lord. yes,' said Mubarak.
| tYou saw Omar arrested, and Otba
sent to prison, and the five hundred
soldiers put into chainsP"
Eyes, yes, will tell my lord every
thing"
"Yes. yes; a letter-a letter to the
Basha.'
s1From some one in Tadla?''
eyes; 1 will tell my lord everything
from some onesin Tadla.
"What treacherous man was 1t, my
bo,ysn , .,, - 81 NV lord Won 500
am telling my. lord everything"
| "Was it woman?" asked the Mahdi,
with astonishment
'tYes, master, woman. keep moth
| HWhat woman, then?" said the Mahdi
Rachel was swaying the canvas of the
tent in her agit-- zion. When the black
boy raised his head to reply he saw her
for the first time.
/ sNo, no; 1 cannot tell you that" he
said.
The Mahdi had seen the direction of the
boys gaze. "Speak, boy" he said, in
an altered tone. 'eYou shall be safe. I
will protect you. What woman was it?"
4 The black boy struggled with himself
| and then cried Master, dare not.
The Mahdi took the boy by the shoul-
der. ''There is a traitor in my camp, p"
| he said sternly; II must know who it is.
What. woman, boy; what woman?"
ssDo not ask me, master, cried the
'HWhat womanP" repeated the Mahdi
l"tell me, I command you."
"No, ''said the boy; 81 will never tell
you"
The Mahdi paused; then with his face
half turned to where Rachel stood, he
said: II must give you back to the
soldiers"
"Oh, you won't do that, my iord!" the
boy pleaded. ;,
repeated the Mahdi. His eyes wandered
he seemed to be waiting for an answer
| elsewhere.
''My lord, my master, my Sultan, you
won't do that; they will torture me. The
thongs-think of it. My lord will not
give me back to the soldiersl No, no,
ny lord, my Sultan
The boy in his turn kissed the Mahdi's s
feet. "Asad! Larby." cried the Mahdi.
Asad and Larby were at his side In a
moment. The boy clutched at the Mahdi's 6
hand. "Meroyl mercy!" he cried.
f"See, my lord shall kill me-" He tore
open the breast of his Jellab. "Kill me,
my lord. kill mep'
Rachel came between. "Mohammed,
she said, ''let the boy go. l can tell you
the rest.
The Mahdi loosened the boys grasp.
"At last Rachel!" he thought. '"Then
it is true. o, God be gracious to my
father! Let me Lthink. Let me
think"
After moment he said, "soldiers. let
the boy go free"
The negro kissed the hand of the Mahdi