The Red Cloud chief., 1901-09-20

who are you that thus pursuas and
stops me?" demanded AL Abbas.
II am Julian, the Scourge of Da-
mascus!" replied the foremost Of tho
opposite party. =
At the sound OF that name the Arab
trembled, for he knew that no kings
officer had been more persistent in
driving petty robbers from the plains
OF Damascus than had Julian. But
presently he recovered himself, seem
ing to think that, were the mans as
sertion true. the opposing force was
not strong enough to be feared.
IF You be Julian" he cried, you
have come forth with a small retinue.
But what seek you?" d.
II have come to take from you those
UP to me. and | will trouble you no
more
And suppose that | should refuse
TO do any such thing?"
Then I should be forced to take
them from you. AS I address you. !
recognize who you are. IL am not
greatly mistaken, you are AL Abbas.
the ARABIA villain who lives by rob-
bling women and old men,"
Now, by the blood of Cush." ex-
claimed AL Abbas, drawing his sword
and urging his horse forward, "Ill
make you feel another thing the Arab
robber can do! What. no, my men.
Down with these rascals!'
In a moment the Arabs were ready
for action. and hurried forward to
strike with their leader.
AS soon as Shubal found his guard
gone, he called to Abba to come and
set him free.
Cut these cords" he cried. "and I
may be Of some help in this affair.
Mcrciful heaven. is not this the work
of n 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 clashing
steel had already broke upon the air.
With something like a 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 stern.
Osmir and Selim drew to the front as
the token OF battle was given. and
their cool, determined bearing. plainly
showed that they were foemen not to
be despised. AL Abbas rode directly
for the youthful chicftain. with his
sword ready for the stroke; but he
had mistaken his man, IL 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
as he fell.
Shubal was close at hand when AL
Abbas dropped. and quickly us pos
sible he possessed himself 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 struck down one
of them by a winding blow across the
bare neck, but he might have had
severe work with the other two had
not help arrived; for the rascals were
strong, and the death of their leader
had given them new impulse to con
quer. 1t was not the impulse of re-
venge. No. no The death of AL Alb
bas left more gold for those who sur
vived. But the unexpected arrival OF
the freed slave upon the scene gave II
new turn to the tide. One Of the Arabs
he struck down from behind. and the
other n alone proved no match for
the stalwart chieftain.
In the meantime HObaddan, with
Osmir and Selim. had disposed Of the
others. Two they had slain, and two
had taken to flight.
Ito be c%ontinued.)