The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-08-31

ing some Of the pegs. he had craEled into
the tent after greaEing his naked body
to evade grasp. Our little soldier gave his
turban a twist, girded on his sword and
rode off TO the village. OF course, they
knew nothing. Allah would bear witness
to their innecencel Now. in this coun-
try Of primitive instincts and habits.
where force alone is law, there is an
ancient and rough form of justice which
makes the community responsible for the
roisdeeds OF the individual. For the bet
ter protection OF others who might have
occasion to trust to the hospitality OF
this tribe. We resolved 10 carry hostages
TO the Basha. or Governor. of Alcszar.
The soldier called for volunteers. and
we sailed forth. The Villagers. seeing
half dozen men, with soldier in their
midst. and advancing towards them
we're not slow to suspect our purpose
Most Of the men took to their heels.
but our young men were feet OF foot,
and two prisoners were quickly secured
A third, disdaining fight. allowed him
self TO be taken without protest lie
was an elderly man. on whose gray hairs
we should have had pity had II not been
he who refused the guard. The captiVes
were brought into the camp. followed by
a crowd OF women and children, who
raised loud laments They submitted with
out a murmur TO have their hands bound,
and, squatting on the ground, accepted
their fate with Oriental ealmness- Firea
by the success of the raid, our little
soldier. resolved on another attack.
@Yallahr' he shouted. and forward strag-
gled the raiders. BY this time the VII
lage was alarmed Horsemen dashed
hither and thither. collecting cattle and
sheep, and driving them TO the back Of
the hamlet. Arraying themselves in
front. the people shouted defiance and, LED
by three mounted men with drawn
swords. moved steadily down upon US
At this unexpected display Of resistance,
the courage of our soldier vanished Hand
ing his sword-our sole weapon-te an
active young Moor, he ordered retreat
and we discreetly fell back on the camp.
Satisfied that we had no designs on their
cattle the villagers adopted a more con-
ciliatory attitude. While the men looked
on from afar women with babies slung
from their back drew near with plead
ing voice and gesture. But we hardened
our hearts and were not to be moved
even by the caressess lavished upon our
horses. The supphants went back TO the
village. and returned presently with a
peace offeTing-bowls of milk and eggs
and a fine fat sheep. which they tied in
front of the tent. AS these gifts failed
TO soften our hearts, the men Of the
village brought us another prisoner, and
seating themselves in circle near the
camp awaited the outcome of this ex-
traordinary generosity at the expense OF
their unhappy tribesmen. On what prin-
ciple they chose the scape goat, cannot
say. He may be the pe'er-do-weei OF the
community. OF he may have few friends
At any rate, none paid him any attention
save a woman who wept upon his breast
Meanwhile We had dispatched mes
senger for the Sheik of the village. He
was at the soko or market three or four
miles away and one of the prisoners
volunteered TO act as guide, leaving in
pledge his brother, who was already q
captive. In two or three hours the sheik
arrived-a dignified old man, riding ON q
donkey. To him We made known our
erivance. offering to release the prisoners
and saying nothing about the robbery II
the portmanteau was returned. He prom
ised to do his best, and we at once pre-
pared 10 resume our journey. Women
brought gelabs and heavier clothing. and
with many lamentations placed them on
the shoulders of the martyrs. who stood
impassive as though carved out of stone.
The leave-taking must have been a most
distressing spectacle TO any one who had
no experience of the people. Casting them
selves on the ground. some of the wo-
men scattered handfuls OF wet earth over
head and breast. Others made pretense
of tearing their faces, but were careful
to keep their nails at safe distance. Some
of the younger and better-favored hune
round the necks OF the prisoners. whiie
| from every side rose the sound Of weeping
and lament The men looked on in silence
| from the shelter OF the village as womer
and children followed in wailing process
sion to the end OF the pass. Only one
woman accompanied US, and she-aftel
after the manner of women-was the wife
of the ne er-do-weel who had been hauled
over by the community.
! Our path lay through a scattered ham
| let, the Sheik of which greeted US with
grave courtesy. Walking by the side ol
/ our horses. he cast pitying glanees on tht
/ captives and. pointing to the sun. uttered
/ the name of Allah. To these appeals ",
/ turned a deaf ear. and went on our way
! Presently we came TO a tract Of denss
4 bunch through which We had to marcf
/ in single file. One of the prisoners-hs
whose brother had guided our messenger
/ to the sheik and had not returned-ss| y
/ his opportunity and made q dash fol
| liberty The bush swallowed him, and
We sought in vain. At the next hanle
we camped, and handed over cur TIVE
remaining prisoners to the sheik, whC
was leath to accept the responsibility
and pleaded that he had no locks for th'
! chains To our surprise, the oaptiyei
/ were forthcoming next morning when w
set out for Aleazar. the first stage of oui
/ journey y.-London Standard.
LOOK PLEASANT, PLEASE.
Photographic {. c. Harlan. OF Eaton
| O., can do so now. though fer years n
couldn't, because he suffered untold ago
ny from the worst form OF indigestion