The Holly chieftain., 1901-11-15

mounesd. and seemed to be IN hot pur.
suit. s
There IL something more than &C.
cidsnt In this" said Al Abbas. The
fellow is with them who followed W
before"
Two of those men are white" re-
marked the robber who had ridden
up from the rear. What can they
want Of us!" ~
sNever mind" returned the chief,
"If they want us. let them catch VI.
And II. beyond. that. they want more,
lot them make their wants known"
Thus speaking. the Arab leader re-
sumed his placS. and urged his horses
forward with Increasing speed. Ever
and anon he cast his eyes behind him,
and II was ere long evident that the
stransers were rapidly gaining upon
him.
I'VE may as well stop now As at any
time" raid Al Abbas, addressing the
man who rode BY his side. 'T will
halt ana ascertain Whit these fellows
wHnt. It is abont time our ho,es
ASo utoeLnlnG spell
At simple order from their chief,
the Arsbs wheeled their horses in
circle, bringing up N line facing thsiy,
pursuers. with their prisoners in the
rear.
Who are you that thus pursues and
stops met" demanded Al Abbas. ts
i am Julian. the Scourge of Da-
mascus!" replied the foremost Of he
opposite party.
| At the sound OF that name the Arab
trembled, for he knew that no kings
ohicer had been more persistent In
driving petty robbefs from the plains
of Damascus than had Julian. But
presently he recovered himself, seem
Ing to think that, wsre the mans as
sertion true. the opposing force. was
not strong enough to be feared.
III you be Julian" he cried, .you
have come forth with small retinue
But what seek yous" e
Il have come to take from you those
prisoners that you hold. Deliver them
up to me. and will trouble you m
more"
And suppose that I should refdse
to do any such thing!"
Then should be forced to take
them from you. A. I address you, I
recognize who you are. II I am not
greatly mistaken, ron are AL Abbas.
the Arab-a villain who lives by rob-
bing women and old men"
Nov, by the blood of Cush!" sx.
claimed AL Abbas. drawing his sword
and urging his horse forward, 'T'll
make you feel another thing the Arab
srobber can do! What, no, my men!
Down with these rascals!"
In moment the Arabs were ready
FLOR action. and hurried forward tx
strike with their leader.
As coon a. Shubal found his guard
gone. he called to Abba to come ard
set him free.
"Cut these Cords" he cried. "and 1
may be of some help In this affair.
Merciful heaven. is not this the work
Of good spirit"
The bondmaiden was not long In
setting him free from his saddle, and
as soon as he was clear he sprang for
ward to where the ring of clashins
steel had already broke upon the air.
With something like smile Of dis
dain upon his handsome features did
Julian behold the approach Of the
Arabs. while Hobaddan. who sat close
by his side, looked grim and Stari.
Osmir and Selim drew to the front u
the token Of battle war given, and
their cool. determined bearing, plainly
showed that they were foemen not to
be despised. AL Abbas rode directly
for the youthful chieftain, with his
sword ready for the stroke; but be
had mistaken his man, II he thought
to touch, any vulnerable point. Julian
knocked his weapon up. and quickly
drove him from. his horse; and then,
seeking to make quick work Of it, and
feeling no great sympathy for woman
stealers. he simply rode the Arab
leader down. cleaving open his head
a. he fell.
Shubal was close at hand when Al
Abbas dropped. and quickly q DOS
sible he possessed hinself OF the
fallen mans sword, and was Just In
season to Join in the conflict as three
Of the Arabs had attacked Julian.
The young chieftain strnck down on,
Of them by. . winding blow across thu
bare neck. but he might have had
severe work with the other two had
mt hnlV, nv.rlvAN. eor kh~1~n~~.s.