The Red Cloud chief., 1901-09-13
XIV.

$500 ss'Nf
ing across the spring and striking the
slave In the face But Shubal was not
to be overcome so easily by one man.
The whistle had alarmed him, and
when he saw the fellow leap. he was
not wholly un~prepared. The blow In
the face blinded him for a moment. nut
as o as his eyes served him, ne
caught his assailant by the throat and
hurled him to the ground.
What sort OF a man are your" the
slave cried, as he held the rascal
down.
II am a juggler." replied the Arab,
holding fast upon Shubal's tunic.
LET go my clothing. or III Kill YOU
The slave might have carried out
his threat, but before he could make
any decided movement to that end he
found himself surrounded by a body
OF armed men. Quick as thought he
leaped TO his feet. leaving a piece OF
his tunic behind him. and made a
movement toward his horse; but he
was too late to reach the saddle. Haif
a dozen strong hands were laid upon
| him, while as many more were bnsy
| with the horses of the females. Inc
princess cried aloud for help. and
would have leaped from her saddle had
| she not been held back.
Fair lady" spoke a rough voice, in
a harsh, strange dialect, you must
| keep still, and give us as little trouble
| as POSSIBLE
But you will not harm me, good
sirs."
"You have no occasion for fear,
lady. But tell me-who are your
81 am the daughter OF About Cassem.
| the prime minister OF Damascus"
Could Abba have moved quickly
enough, she would have prevented her
mistress from answering this ques-
ton, but the story had been told.
Ulin innocently thought that the
name OF her father would strike the
marauders with awe. and that they
would fear to modest her further, but
in this she was somewhat mistaken,
as subsequent vents proved.
by my life, comrades" cried he,
who seemed to be the leader OF the
party. I'VE have found a rich prize.
Hold still, noble lady. We will not
harm you. Let us look to this ul-
ruly slave OF yours, and then You shall
be properly cared for. You might have
fallen into worse hands than ours"
When Ulin had collected her senses,
80 that she could observe and compre-
bend things about her. she looked to
see her real situation. She counted
eight Of the Arabs, and she had nc
doubt that they were robbers. -Four
of them were securing the slave, while
the other four were watching the
horses. Shubal was very soon pin
toned, and restored to his feet, after
which she and Abba were lifted from
their saddles.
Don't be alarmed said the leader
as the princess cried out for mercy
"You shall be restored to your horses
very soon. We have horses close a
hand, and when they are brought, yoI
shall be on your way again.
"You will set Shubal free?"
!. "He shall be free soon enough. Res
easy a few moments. lady. One o
nv men has gone after our animals
We left them upon the othe: side o
the wood"
But why have you taken us from
or horses?" asked our heroine
. "You will see that anon. fair lady
. Adhere comes my man. Now. m!
fair damsels, you shall understand tn
whole matter. These horses OF yours
are not such ones as l would have yo'
ride. I have some here much better.
. What does he mean?," asked Ulin
speaking in a low tone to her bond
maiden.
; wait" replied Abba, trying to con
Z ceal her real suspicious. They may In
form u.s."
! Before Ulin could ask another Ques
ton the Arab leader came forward
with two horses, upon which he direct
ed his companion to fix the ladies' sad
dies; and when this had been done h
turned to the princess. and informed
! her that she might take her seat again
She would have opposed the move
ment, but a strong hand was laid upo;
! her. and, almost before she knew Il
Q she was once more upon her saddle
. "You will excuse me-" the fellow
= said, "but as this horse will not carr,
you quite so easily as your own, l viii
secure you In your place"
o AS he spoke he passed a strong cor
r about Ulin's body. and fastened II I
: the girth upon either side, The sam
C thing was done for Abba. and the
: attention was directed to Shubal, VIII
G wa seated upon another strang
n horse, and likewise bound in his place
what can they mean?" asked th
princess gaining another opportunit
to speak to her attendant.
q 81 dare not guess" said Abba.
"Do not speak in that way" urge
Ulin. "Tell me what you think
command YOU"