The Red Cloud chief., 1901-07-26
A Story Of
the East...
sxLysxsys
COBB. JR.

mistrust your object"
II understand you, sire; and I will
be guarded. Shall 1t be az | have
said?"
Yes. only bear In mind that the
thing must be accomplished IL ac-
c~ompllshment is possible"
II understand you, sire; and be as
sured that my wits shall be stretched
TO their utmost"
ABDUL Cassem,' said the king, after
judah had gone. what do you think?"
II think the fellow will study up
some grand plot between now and
morning. At all events. sire. | do not
believe you can find a better ma for
our purpose"
At An early hour the king retired.
and all night long his sleep was trou-
bled with very unpleasant dreams. He
dreamed two or three times that the
Scourge OF Damascus had robbed him
of his beautiful bride, and once he
dreamed that his throne had passed
from him. In the morning he vas
more anxious for the apprehension OF
the robber than before, and impa-
tiently did he await the coming of the
~Israelite.
At the appointed hour judah made
his appearance and announced that he
would undertake the task of delivering
up the terrible Scourge.
IF I succeed" he said. you will
hear from M as soon as success
crowns my efforts. II I fail, you will
perhaps never hear from me again"
And when will you set FORTH" ask
ed the king. almost beside himself with
hopeful anticipation.
AT once, sire. This very day, IL I
can get ready"
do you want help"
II would select two OF your most
trusty guards"
Take rs many as you want"
Two will be enough, sire"
viii you take them from those who
have been on duty here?"
"No, sire. That would not be safe.
The robbers might recognize them. l
Damascus yesterday"
"As o will, Judah. Select the men
you want. and they shall accompany
you"
The Israelite promised that he would
have all his arrangements made be-
fore the king was ready to depart, and
with this assurance he went away.
BY the middle Of the forenoon the
king was ready to set forth on his re-
turn to Damascus. Ulin and Abba
were placed within a comfortable box
upon the back of a stout camel, and
around them were posted a hundred
armed men. The remainder Of the
retinue was arranged under the direc-
ton of About Cassem, the kings prime
minister, and only the order was
needed to set the whole in motion
At this point the king withdrew to the
palace, where he found Judah ready tC
set forth on his dangerous mission
and with him were two guards. Osmll
and Selim. two resOlute, intelligent
fellows, who seemed to love the excite.
ment of the work upon which the,
were about to enter. The king wal
pleased with the choice Judah hat
made.
, Il might not have hit upon them,
he said; but I know they will serv,
you. And now, what more can l do?'
, Nothing" replied Judah. 81 hav,
| all that I can use, and am ready To-
. the work. II / succeed, you will heai
: from me in good time: and II you new
, or heal from me, you may at least b,
! assured that 1 failed from no lack O
will to serve YOU"
I With a few words Of encouragement
: the king left his servant to pursue hi
own course, and proceeded to join hi
4 army. which was soon In notion: an,
before the close of another day h
= arrived at Damascus. where Ulin wa
cnce more suffered to find shelter be
!, meath the root OF her father. Touching
her marriage, 1t was understood tina
the ceremony should be performed a
: soon as the period Of mourning ha,
passed, which would be in two weeks
/ and until then she was to remain Il
close retirement. Koran asked tina
Q she might not be suffered to go out
for he feared to have her see too niue
of the outer world before he had Sc
Q cured her hand.
Q We must now return to the Palace @
o the Valley, where we left those VIII
3 were to go In search OF the robbie
ch~ieftain. AS loon as the king ha
i gone. Judah repeated the instruction
u he had already given to the guards
They were not to accompany him; bu
l. they were to come after him, In u mar
ner agreed upon. and were to conduC
themselves towards him In all respect
as though they had never before see
!, him.
n Towards the latter part OF the after
N noon Judah stripped himself bare I
J. the skin. and caused one OF the msn I
~ beat him with q leathern thong unit
long livid ridges were raised upon h
= shoulders and back. After this he r.
~