Daily camera. [volume] (Boulder, Colo.) 1891-1928, 1901-02-18
" a powerful voice broke through the

Hold your hands, brothers! per-
chance this may be the man whom the
commander of the faithful babe us
spare!"
The Arabs made way for the new
conner (who was no other than the cap
tain of the caliph's guard), and he
looked keenly at the hard-pressed man
for the signs by which the famous
satrap was 10 be distinguished. But he
looked in vain. The strangers cloak
was gone, and his helmet SO battered
and stained that the keenest eye could
not have told the color of its metal.
"Persian!" cried the captain, at
length, "art thou Harmosan, the satrap
of Yezd? If so, our swords have no
edge against thee, if thou wilt but yield
to the caliphs mercy"
But the Persian answered only with
ablow, which, had ii hit its mark, would
have ended the captains wars once for
all. A gigantic Yemenee rushed for
ward only TO fall dead beneath another
of those irresistible strokes; but now
the Persian's sword snapped close to
the hilt, and he was left defenseless.
Eve have him now" shouted the cap
tain. "SeiZe him and bind him fast!"
Despite the strangers tremendous
struggles, he was overpowered by num-
bers, and securely bound. But to all
the taunts of his captors he deigned not
word Of reply, and maintained the
same stern silence, even when he was
dragged into the presence of the caliph
himself
AS he listened to the recital of his
prisoners exploits, Omar eyed him with
look of grim approval; and the cap
tive, in his turn, surveyed with equal
admiration this prince of the desert,
who, master as he was, of nine powerful
kingdoms. was sitting cross-legged up
on the bare ground, in rough cloak of
camel's hair, and supping on handful
OF dates and parched corn.
"Knowest thou" said Omar, at
length, with a stern look, what fate
awaits him who hath shed the blood of
the faithful?"
II have fought for my country" an
swered the prisoner. Il am in thy pow
er, and ask no mercy. Let the fate that
awaits me be what it may, it is all one
TO me-"
Omar's eyes sparkled; for brave as
lion himself, he loved nothing better
than a brave man, whether friend or
foe.
"Methinks there is but one man in
Persianhost who could speak 10 me so,
cried he. Art thou Harmosan, the
satrap of Yezd?"
Il am" replied the Persian. drawing
himself up proudly. Il would not tell
my name in the battle. lest it should
hidden thy men spare me; but ii mat
tiers little who knows il now. am Har
mosan, the soldier of Persia. and thine
enemy
Even the fierce Arabs around him
smiled approvingly at the fearless
words. and more than one voice was
heard to mutter:
This is bold fellow. and worthy TO
be one of the faithful! Pity that he
must die"
Persian" said Omar, II may not give
thee thy life; hut to show how the
prophets followers honor courage, any
other request thou canst make is
granted before it is u,'ered."
Give me a cup of water them" an
swered Uarmosan; 'for since this days
~
quenched."
Omar nodded, and a black slave
brought forward large silver cup,
filled to the brim with clear, sparkling
water; but, instead Of drinking the
prisoner held it doubtfully in his hand.
What now, friend?" cried the calipb,
impatiently. If thou fearest treach
cry, be easy; for pledee thee my word
that none shall harm thee till thou hast
drank that water.
Quick as lightning, Hermosan dashed
the cup to the ground ard said. with
hooking smile:
IBID thy men, then, gather up that
water from the sand; for by thine own
pledge i am safe till l drink it,"
There was a moment Of amazed 81
lence, and then the outwitted Arabs
rushed at him with a savage yell; but
high above the uproar was heard the
commanding voice of Omar:
"A caliph's word is sacred, my chill
dren. Bring the brave Persian another
cup of water, and as l once bade him
drink and die, so now l bid him drink
and ve."-Golden Days.
NroeLed l'nfil the Lat.