The Holly chieftain., 1900-09-14
CHAPTER vII.-(Continued.) }

MAR L EN- tll--lSOnttuueu.J
You are spy" said the Khalifa.
looking from under bent brows at Gle
land. as the dervishes paused, "and
spies have but one fate with mel" He
turned to the two dervishes. Take
him out and hang him behind the Ia
reba."
Surely you will at least allow me
TO say word in my own defense?"
exclaimed Cleland. Life Is dear to all,
and though Paul Cleland was ready
to die in just warfare. as all brave.
loyal British subjects are, yet this con-
demnation to the most ignominious
and ignoble of deaths. wholly unde-
served as it was, sent chill OF horror
through him II am no spy. and 1t is
my misfortune that l am here to-
night If you will allow me to explain
how came to be so shall be under
debt of gratitude to your Excellency.
The Khalifa again waved his hand.
. Then, as well as he could on account
of his imperfect knowledge OF the lam
guage, Cleland briefly related what
had passed since he lost himself in the
jungle, only keeping back, of course.
all mention OF Rayburn's treachery.
The Khalifa listened in silence
When Cieland had finished he turned
to the dervishes and said something
in low voice; then turning again to
Cleland, he bowed.
They will take you where you can
rest tonight, and bring you something
. to eat and drink. In the morning we
shall talk again of this
Cleland would have thanked him;
but. with one wave OF his hand. the
Khalifa peremptorily stopped him.
He had again to follow his fierce
looking guides. They led him into a
small hut, whose sole furniture con-
sisted of mat on the floor and a
goats skin; then, disappearing. re-
turned with some dried apricots and
dates and little water These they
4. left on the floor, and then. without
> another word, withdrew. Cleland
tried to swallow the water: but his
mouth was so parched with the heat
and dust that it was some time before
:, he could do SO.
He got NO sleep that night The
hut was dirty, dark, and hot as an
oven; 1t was. moreover, swarming with
flies.
., He felt faint with exhaustion and
feverish with heat. He hardly dared
think OF what fate might lie before
him; but he was able to commit him
self to the God in whom he trusted
with all his heart, and that brought
peace and comfort to his mind.
He was summoned early the next
morning to the Khalifa, who lay in
the same position on his mat, as II he
!, had never moved from it.
You may not be a spy" he said,
"bLt you are an infdel. Ours is the
only true religion. Great is God, and
Mohammed is His prophet! Behold
what great things we have already ac-
= complished through Him. Renounce
Of US, and l promise you your life
shall be spared"
mot for anything that you can give
me shall renouce my faith" an
swered Cleland quietly, but without
hesitation. II shall choose death
seven the most ignominious Of deaths
rather! You must choose another
price. EXcellency."
sN.'Nons other, by the beard Of the
prophet" exclaimed the Khalifa, his
deep tones vibrating with wrath. "On
no other condition shall your worth
less lie be spared but that. II you
refuse. by the great name. you shall
hang on the nearest tree!"
Cleland bowed gravely.
IF II must be, 1t must be, Khalifa.
can die. even a criminals death, like
man. hope; but cannot renounce
my faith like traitor!"
= Take him away!" cried the Khali-
IA, wrathfully.
The two dervishes came forward and
led him away, to what fate Cleland
could not tell.