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

Il may be mistaken" said Abba,
trying to recollect herself. II know
that he is a terrible Scourge, and that
men fear him; but do not know how
many years he has been SO. 1t may
not be so many. as thought"
But who is he? Where did he come
from"
"Ah, there is mystery, my dear
mistress. Nobody knows where he
came from; but it is said that he is
one whose family has suffered some
great calamity at the hands of Koran.
He is alone in the world, SO far as rela-
tives are concerned, and Koran hath
done it; and so he comes to seek ven
| geance. He has a large body of bold
men under him, and twice has he met
and overcome the forces which the
king had sent out to capture him. He
does not rob as common robbers do.
He never troubles the poor, or those
of the middle class; but the rulers and
princes of Damascus he causes to suf-
| fer"
did you ever see him, Albia?"
Mercy! no. would not see him for
| the world. He must be terrible to
look upon. l have heard one of your
| fathers officers say that he could
strike blow with his fist to fell an OK.
and that before the lightning of his
eye brave men shrank in terror. o,
l should be afraid to see him."
ut seems to me that | should like
| to see such man." said Ulin, in a
musing tone. Il have never seen such
down an OK, and whose eye flashes
forth such power, could not harm a
helpless maiden
Upon my life, you have a curious
TASTE" Abba returned.
Because" added Ulin, with a smile,
81 never had my taste cultivated.
Still, in all seriousness, 1t does seem
to me that should love to lean upon
a strong, bold man. If were to love
man with my whole heart, | should
| like him to be so strong and so power
full and so brave, that his very pres
ence would be protection to me. Is
that very stranger"
1T is so strange" replied the slave.
| significantly, that I fancy the king
would feel new cause for jealousy If he
should hear you say So"
when | am the kings wife I shall
be true to him, and shall honor and
respect him. l will love him II can.
But, Abba. there is no need of saying
more. We will have our dinner, and
then We will walk out into the gar
den."
Suddenly a messenger appears ask
ing for assistance from the guard
With 80 stalwart guards he hurries to-
ward the gates.
What can it be-" cried the prin-
cess. in alarm.
But Abba could not imagine. She
could only beg of her mistress to take
courage, and hope for no evil.
Ere long, however. another messen-
ger came to the palace, who made his
way to the room where the princess
was sitting. He trembled with ex-
element.
How now, Aswad?" demanded Ulin.
what is the meaning of all this dis
turbance?"
"Alas, my lady. an enemy is at our
gates. The terrible Scourge of Damas-
Gus demands entrance into the valley"
What does he seek?"
81 dare not tell your"
what seeks he?" cried the princess,
authoritatively. IF there is danger.
I would know what 1t is"
There may not be danger for you,
lady. We may beat the robber off.
We will do so If We can"
But the king told me that hand
full of determined men could hold that
pass against a thousand"
But these are not ordinary men.
This Julian is very demon, and l
verify believe that he hath more than
human power. Still we will do the
best that we can"
You have not told me what he
seeks. Answer me that question-an-
swer 1t without further hesitation"
He seeks the maiden whom the
king is to take for a wife"
Seeks me?" uttered the princess,
with start.
Yes, my lady. Such is his avowal."
In mercy's name, good Aswad, pro-
tect me. Let not that dreadful robber
gain access to the valley"
Hurry, hurry" cried Abba. away
| to your companions, and bid them
strain every nerve. If they suffer the
Scourge of Damascus to gain passage
hither they know what the wrath OF
the king must be-"
Powers of heavenw cried Ulin with
clasped hands and quivering frame
"the demon must not find us.
you are not so anxious to see him
as you were" remarked Abba. II
thought your within was a strange
one"
.Speak not of that" said Ulin quick
ly and severely. Il meant not that l
would have him come to seek me. o
Abba, what can he want?"
Indeed, my mistress, | dare not
think. But let US look in another direc-
| ticn. II he does not find us, We care
not why he comes. Hal See! Here
comes Aswad again. He looks fright
ened."
| aSWdu chtcicu inc ChdhucE Win
trembling step and seemed afraid to
speak; but the demand of the princess
opened his lips.
Lady, fear that the robber will
prevail against us. He is accompanied
| by fierce, furious men, who fight like
lions. and his own sword is irresistible.
His body Is covered with scales Of fin
est steel and the blows of our men fall
harmless upon him."
But the dreadful man has not yet
broken through" said Ulin eagerly
mo. lady. Our brave men fight as
well as they can"
HAS the robber entered the pass?'