The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-26

nevertheless, TO every rule there is an ex-
ceDtion and IN every tribe OF the Touaress
from those of the TidikeIt 20 those of the
Adrar. are 10 be found men who are not
thieves or evii-doers, even though they NAV
b. marauders.
Those acquainted with the progress of re-
cent events in Algeria will remember thar
when our brothers, the Kabyles. rose against
o. new masters. the French. and commit
ted the terrible massacre at Al-Setit. news
was promptly circulated over every one of
the vast Saharan plains that the forces of
Al-Islam had at last risen against the in
hdels- Eager for the fray most of the desert
tribes, among them the Touaregs of the
Benin Sissin. Haratln and Kel-Owi. or pen
pie OF the Light" united against the
RoUmis. Hence. we of the Affair pressed
northward in force in order to unite with the
warlike Beni-Mzab in a formidable attack
upon the French posts at Gardaia and
Nargla, south OF the great Atlas range AS
sembiing at the FL Gettata osis we left our
women. old men and children encamped.
crossed the high sun-baked lands of the
Tademayt then, passing up the rocky water
less valley Of the Miya, traversed the region
of bare red sandhils known as the Erg. and
leaving Wargia fifty miles to the east, set
our cameFs heads towards MetliH, hating
one Gay march or that town.
In ordinary circumstances we should
never have dared to approach SO near the
sphere Of French influence. especially as
this was the region of the Beni-Mzabs who
zealously guarded any encroachment upon
their territory. But war had .heen declared
against the infidel, and the Shorfa (faith-
fuD were uniting beneath the green banner
of Al-Islam- At high noon we halted and
rd-
colonel with large escort of his scarlet
burnoused Saphais. The officer, who had
ridden from Metilili TO intercept us, was
received courteously by Tamahu, our
sheikh. He demanded the payment of taxes.
but the proud old man whom 1 have since
succeeded answered. Tell that lord of
yours. that if he wants our taxes he can
come for them himself, and we Will make
sure he gets them, in silver coins. too, for
We viii roll each franc into bullet and de-
liver it to him ourselves" The colonel de-
clared that the taxes must be paid, but our
sheikh courteously requested the infidel and
his hOrsemen to return to the town.
Then you intend fighting?" the colonel
asked, at last.
We do" answered Tamahu. TELL thy
lord that The Breath of the Wind decline
to make submission to the French
You intend attacking Metlili?" the Off
Ger inquired, thoughftully, twirlng his
pointed mustache.
Our sheikh nodded, his keen eyes watch
ing the face of the infidel. The latter's
countenance grew grave, whereat we, stand
ing around leaning on our spears, laughed
in derision.
Thou art of the great army of the
infdels." Tamahu said. yet thy face
palest when we speak Of conflict
The officer started, and Init his gray
brows.
II fear not thine host OF yelled men,
fierce and relentless though We be. True.
] am a soldier, but one thing alone 1
dread"
Thou fearest to lose thy life,' observed
cur sheikh. knowing that the garrison at
that little desert town was but small and
weak.
For myself 1 care nothing the colonel
answered. 1T is the fate of my daughter
that 1 fear
Thy daughterl Why. is she here. in the
desert. so far from Algiers?'
Not having seen me for four years, she
Travelled from Paris moon ago to visit me.
Both my captain and my lieutenant have
died of fever, and We two are now the only
Europeans in Metlli- The rising of thy
tribesmen hath occurred so Unexpectedly, or
j would have sent her under escort back TO
the coast"
lis thy daughter child?" asked Tamahu.
She is nineteen answered the officer.
whose name he informed US was Col. Bon
nemain. We at once knew him by repute
Us a distinguished traveller and soldier.
Thou knOwest what is said of the word
of Touareg," the sheikh said, regarding
him keenly.
The colonel nodded.
'Canst thou trust these my tribesmen
with the escort of thy daughter?" Tamahu
asked. IF thou wilt, no harm shall befall
her We have agreed with the Mzabs TO
attack and pillage thy town, because thou.
with thine horsemen, hast established post
therein; therefore, it must be done. But the
Affairs wage not war upon women, and ere
we commence the attack thy daughter shall
find safe asylum within our camp
For a moment the colonel hesitated. look
Ing intently into the dark. bright eyes of
our aged headman But. seeing honesty and
truth mirrored in his face, the infidel held
out his hand, and In silence more eloquent
than words gripped that OF his enemy AT
last his tongues strings became loosened.
''Henceforth, although i an officer OF
the French, and compelled to fight against
thee, l am nevertheless thy friend, and
some day will prove my friendship. Gabrielle
shall be within thy camp at dawn.
THE Azjares will give her the welcome
o. friends answered our sheikh.
With brief expression of heartfelt thanks,
Colonel Bonnemain vaulted lightly into his
saddle. and. wishing US peace" spurred
away to where his troop of expeetant Spahis
awaited him.
May Allah guard thee and thine" an
swered Tamahu in response TO the inhdel 5
salutation and moment later our enemies
were riding hard away toward the far-on
horizon.
The long breathless afternoon went slowly
by We had not eneamped. because we
knew not when our allies, the Beni-Mzaps'
might approach, and rapidity OF movement
was of urgent necessity, inasmuch as
formidable French column was on the
march Sped by long travel the majority
OF US stretched ourselves on the hot sands
and slept leaving half dozen to act as
sentinels and prevent surprise; but at the
maghrib hour all were awakened by the
clear voice OF our aged marabout reciting
the fatihat. Every man, without excep-