Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1901-08-29
A Story Of
the EaSt...
By
SYLVANUS
COBB. JR.


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 was
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 me as soon as success
crowns my efforts. If 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, II
can get ready"
do you want help?"
II would select two of your most
trusty guards"
Take as many as you want"
Two viii be enough, sire"
"Will you take them from those who
have been on duty here?"
mo, sire. That would not be safe.
The robbers might recognize them. l
will have two who came with us from
Damascus yesterday"
las you 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 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 to
set forth on his dangerous mission.
and with him were two guards, Osmir
and Selim, two resolute, intelligent
fellows, who seemed to love the excite
ment Of the work upon which they
al 70 ThA Efn1
pleased with the choice Judah had
made.
Il might not have hit upon them"
he said; but | know they will serve
you. And now, what more can | do?"
Nothing" replied Judah. Il have
all that | can use, a:sl am ready for
the work. If | succeed. you will hear
from me in good time: and If you new
er hear from me, you may at least be
assured that I failed from no lack of
will to serve you
With few words Of encouragement
the king left his servant to pursue his
own course, and proceeded to join his
army, which was soon in motion; and
before the close of another day he
arrived at Damascus, where Ulin was
once more suffered to find shelter be-
meath the roof of her father. Touching
her marriage, it was understood that
the ceremony should be performed as
soon as the period of mourning had
passed, which would be in two weeks;
and until then she was to remain in
close retirement. Koran asked that
she might not be suffered to go out.
for he feared to have her see too much
of the outer world before he had Sc
cured her hand.
We must now return to the Palace of
the Valley, where we left those who
were to go in search of the robber
chieftain. AS soon as the king had
gone. judah repeated the instructions
he had already given to the guards.
They were not to accompany him; but
they were to come after him, in a man
ner agreed upon, and were to conduct
themselves towards him in all respects
as though they had never before seen
him.
Towards the latter part of the after
noon Judah stripped himself bare to
the skin, and caused one of the men to
beat him with leathern thong until
long livid ridges were raised upon his
shoulders and back. After this he re-
sumed his clothing, and as soon as the
shades of evening began to fall, he
mounted feet horse. and rode away
to the northward towards the plains Of
Abilene. He knew that Julian had
taken that course, and he hoped to
overtake him before many hours. I'm
til midnight he sped on quite rapidly;
but after that he moved more cautious
ly, peering and listening, upon the
right hand and upon the left, as he ad-
vanced. So he rode until day had
dawned. without seeing or hearing
anything worthy of note. But he was
coming upon something very soon.
Just as the sky began to glow with the
rich. red glare of the rising sun, he
came to a point where narrow pass
between two steep hills opened into a
pleasant vale. and Just here his horse
was stopped by stout man who ad-
vanced, spear in hand, from some trees
by the wayside.
Hold" said the sentinel. who
are you?"
"a wayfarer as you may see," re-
piled Judah.
WHITTIER are you trayeling?"
ITO the north"
"Of what are you in pursuit."
Just at this present moment am in
most urgent pursuit of something to
eat"
"Have you money in your purse2" :
| "Ennuph for nraSant use