The Holly chieftain., 1901-11-22

much. freely accept your escort"
Noble lady, l not only know his
place OF abode. but my own course lies
directly that way. II we start at once
and meet with no further obstacle
We may reach 1t by the rising Of an
other sun"
The sooner we start the better
said Ulin; "and can ride 4 long time
without resting"
We will ride as fast and as far as
our horses are willing" added Julian,
as he truned to prepare for the move
In few minutes they were mount
ed, Ulin and Abba once more taking
the horses that had brought them
from Damascus: and when all war
ready, the chieftain and his lieutenant
led on, leaving Shubal to ride with
the females. while Osmir and Selim
brought up the rear.
A few hours past noon they stopped
in pleasant grove. where pure fresh
water bubbled forth from basin Of
white sand. and here they made din
ner OF bread and fruit while the horses
rested. Julian spoke with the princess
and asked her how she bore the fatigue
OF the journey; but his manner was
Tree from any shade of familiarity.
She In turn asked concerning his
wound, and expressed the hope that 1t
might not prove serious. When he
had gone, Abba remarked:
The more l see OF that man, the
more do | love and honor him. He
is no common man, my lady"
shall always remember him with
gratitude" returned Ulin, gazing down
as she spoke.
And l." added the. bondmaiden,
earnestly. should like to remain with
him. and serve him always"
You are generous, Abba"
Because am but poor slave, and
can only pay such debts with grateful
service"
mo. no, Albia-a slave NO more.
When We left my fathers house you
stepped forth free. You are my COM
panion-not my slave.
The girl caught the hand of her mis-
tress, and bathed it with tears.
"Free!" she murmured. "Aye-free
to serve you now and evermore! stili.
dear lady, there is holy satisfaction
In feeling that the servile badge Ii
stricken on. Your poor slave loved
you truly. and you may be assured
that she will love you none the less
now that she is slave no more"
Shortly after this, and while yet AL
bia was drying her eyes, Julian called
up the horses, and made ready for an
other start.
Late In the evening they reached the
bank Of the Pharphar, and once more
stopped to rest. The cave of the her
init was only a few leagues distant,
and could be easily reached by mid
night. For himself the chieftain did
not care. He wished the princess to
act her own pleasure.
The cave of Ben Hadad was in
deep valley, where the river wound
between two long, high hliis; and
thick woods shut 1t out from the heat
of the MONDAY sun and from the gaze
of the stranger. A good path led to
II from the plain. though a person
needed acquaintance with the way in
order safely to follow 1t. Julian was
surely used to the path, for he thread
ed its various windings without any
hesitation, and at length drew up be-
fore a bold face Of rock, beneath an
overhanging shelf ON which was the
entrance to Ben Hadad's cave. It was
too dark now to see all this plainly.
but those who had been there before
knew very we'll where they were. A
loud call from Hobaddan soon brought
a lighted torch from the cave. borne
by black slave.
What ho. Ortok; where IL your
mcster!" demanded the lieutenant
"Ho, holt iB Hobaddan."
Yes. you grinning rascal, II Il l.;
and 1t II also Julian; and, further
more, others are with us Where is
Ben Hadad
He il In his bed, sir, sound asleep"
And where Is my-whsre is Exa-
bel?"
"She Is also asleep, sir"
"Then call them at once. But hold
lead US into the cave first."
The negro came out with his torch
and while Hobaddan stopped a few
moments with the slaves to look after
the horses, Julian led Ulin and Abba
into the cave. 1t was a broad. hfgh
in the solid rock, and the
light Of the torch revealed the fact
that there mist he Ofhnr rhornI.r. -