The Red Cloud chief., 1901-07-05

think. But let us look in another diree-
ton. II he does not find us, We carsI
not why he comes. Ha! See! Here
comes Aswad agaiu. He looks fright
ened."
Aswad enterea the chamber with
trembling step and seemed afraid to
speak; but the demand Of the princess
opened his lips.
Lady. I fear that the robber will
prevail against us. He Is accompanied
by fierce, furious men, who fight like
lions, and his W sword Is Irresistible.
His body is covered with scales Of An
est steel and the blows of our men fall
harmless upon hjn,."
but the dreadful man has not vet I
broken through" said Ulin eagerly.
mo. lady. Our brave men fight as
well as they can"
HAS the robber entered the pass?"
mot far"
Then you may hold him at bay yet.
o, Aswad, II you would be blessed for
evermore let not the Scourge gain the
vaIley!'
I'VE will do our best, lady; but yeu
must be prepared for the worst. II we
are finally overcome you must hide
yourself"
Where? Where can we hide ?"ask-
ed Abba.
In the palace or somewhere in the 4
gardens; or upon the mountains"
There Is no hiding place which a
keen y would not detect. l have
looked In every direction. So, Aswad,
save as by your stout arms"
II fear h demons will prevail"
said Ulin, in a one of breathless sus-
pense.
Il dare not hope otherwise" return
ed Abba.
III they do come. we must find
some place in which to hide"
Alas, my dear mistress, there Is no
such place. II We go up among the
rocks, we not only run the risk of be- 4
ing easily found. but we run the '
greater risk Of starving"
Il would rather starve han fall into
the dread Julian's hands," said Ulin.
1T would be a terrible death to
starve upon those bleak rocks!" re-
turned Abba, with a shudder. But
will share your fate, my mistress, let
1t be what 1t may"
And would not death by starvation
be preferable to the fate which must
meet us IL that monster captures us?
o, Abba, I cannot think Of it,"
Before the slave could reply they
saw Aswad again coming toward them;
but he did not enter the palace. He
struck of into a path that led to the Y
westward, and fed with all his might.
Directly afterwards a score Of the
guards came rushing from the pass,
and when they had gained the open
space, they threw down their swords
and sank upon their knees.
What means that" cried Ulin.
Are they killed."
NO." answered Abba. "They are
overcome, and have surrendered. See!
there come the victors!"
Let us fleet" exclaimed the prin-
cess, starting to her feet. 20, We must
find some place of refuge!"
Abba was more thoughtful. She !.
saw very plainly that fight would be :
useless.
my dear Mistress" she said, taking
Ulin's hand. we must hope for the
best. II we leave the palace, we shall
be overtaken at once; for the way to
the mountains lies only through the
park Of fountains. If we flee to the
garden in the rear, we shall be surely
found, and 1t may be worse for us in
the end. II this dreadful Julian has
the least spark of humanity in his
bosom, he will respect you more in
your own chamber than he would IL he
found you hiding in the garden"
Spirits Of mercy defend u.s." ejacu-
lated the princess, clasping her hands /,
upon her bosom, and sinking back in
her seat. 20, Abba, Abba, the pres
ence Of the king would now be a bles-
sing!'
The faithful slave crept close to her
mistress. and tried to speak words Of
comfort; but her own fears were too
deep and intense to permit comfort
ing power to her words. She could
not be calm in view OF the coming of
that dreadful man, at the sound Of
whose name even the monarchs trem-
bled.
Ito be continued.)