Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1901-09-05
A Story Of
the East...
BY
SYLVANUS
COBB. JR.
And how is ii with Selim 2"

|
selected to accompany you will not
betray you. Selim thinks of this rob.
Der chieftain as do; but he is bound
to his duty. and will perform it,"
Judah knew the characters and dis
positions of the two and he felt no I'M
easiness.
MY good Osmir," he said, with q
smile. concerning this Scourge Of
Damascus l feel much as you feel.
have long known that he was a noble
true-hearted man. But he is an enemy
OF our king, and we have promised tc
capture him. Just think, for a mo-
ment. what must be the result IL we
take him, and convey him In safety to
Damascus. Think what people will
say Of Osmir and Selim. Now the mer-
chants Of Damascus are in fear and
trembling on account Of this terrible
Scourge. and the king sits uneasily
upon his throne; but IL we arrest the
dreaded chieftain, and deliver him up
the merchants will rejoice. and the
king will be grateful. And upon whom
shall their thanks and their honors
fall?"
This speech pleased Osmir, and fired
him up to new zeal in the work he had
undertaken. Judah moved out from
the cover to observe II any one was ap-
preaching, and when he was satisfied
that he was still safe, he returned and
gave Osmir such instructions as he
deemed necessary. He was careful that
all should be understood, and that each
projected movement should be so ar
ranged that there could be no possible
clashing. He knew the wit and tenn
per Of his associates, and he had nc
fear that they would disappoint him
by any blunder or mistake.
"And now" said the Israelite, after
his directions had been given, ''if we
are at all favored by fortune We shall
most surely succeed. Thus far fortune
has been upon our side. Your position
near the person of Julian is most IA
vorable. Impart our arrangements
carefully to Selim. and await my fur
Their signal"
Osmir promised obedience, and the
two men separated. Judah going in
search Of his horse, while Osmir pro-
ceeded directly to the camp. where
having delivered message to the
chieftain. he sought Selim, and in a
little while the two were in secret con-
sultation.
Toward the middle of the forenoon
the robber train was In motion, and
when it came night they camped in an
open wood. between two hills, near to
the road which led from Caesarea Phil
ippi to Damascus; and here they were
to remain until the expected caravan
made its appearance.
sometimes Julian took his tent with
him when leading his band upon long
expeditions. but on the present occa-
sion he had left 1t behind, choosing
that the place OF his encampment
should be as little noticeable as pos
sible. After he had seen his sentinels
all posted, and given such directions
as he thought necessary. he sought a
place of rest beneath large tree,
where he soon sank into a dreamy
slumber. 1t must have been near mid
night when he was aroused by some
one moving near him, and on starting
up he was addressed by Osmir:
my master. have a strange mes
sage for you"
The chieftain arose to sitting pos
ture.
"Is this Osmir?"
"Yes."
From whom bring you a message?"
From one, my master, whom 7 had
little expected to see here. AS / walked
forth short time since, sentinel in
formed me that some one outside OF
the camp wished to speak with me. I
went to the spot designated, and there
found a young bond-maiden of Damas-
Gus. Her name was Abba"
"Albia!" cried Julian. starting to his
feet. why, such was the name of the
maiden who attended upon the prin-
cess Ulin."
AYE, my lord, she Is the same"
What? Do you mean that the bond
maiden of Ulin is at our camp?"
"She Is"
what Is her business?"
"She wishes to speak with Julian"
But her business-of what does she
wish to speak,"
"She did not tell me, my lord. She
would only say that she was the bond
maiden of Ulin, and she desired to see
you. knew her not; but she seemed
so gentle, and so timid, and used your
name so eloquently, that I could not
doubt her. think her story is true
I think she is what she represents her.
self to be-"
did she not tell you from whom she
Gamer"
mo, unless her announcement that
she was the bondmaiden Of the prin-
cess Ulin may be taken In answer to
the query"
by the Tyre Of Apollo. she must
have come from her Mistress" ex-
claimed the chieftain. warmly. "The
princess may be In trouble. She may
need stout arms to help her. Lead me
to this bondmaiden at once"
"She begged, my lord. that she might
not be exposed"
Lead on. I will see her."
The great road wound around
the foot Of the hill. and ere long the
guard had reached point so utterly
shut of from the camp that his loud
est cry could not have been heard by
the robber sentinels.
us the girl here?" asked Julian. as
his sable guide stopped and turned.
"She must be very near here. my
lord. left her upon this very spot.