The Wichita daily eagle., 1903-04-19


they had entered. For four days the cara
van was held up by the banks of Hachef
in this land where bridges are unknown
Then the river subsidized, and they pushed
on.
In the twilight of an evening camp an
old man stepped a little apart from the
crowd and began a harrangue. He point
ed a lean, trembling finger at the TWO
white men in the caravan His harrangue
grew furious. His dirty white beard, his
ragged jelab, his wild eyes, marked him
for one of those religious maniacs who in
Morocco pass for holy men
The face of the Interpreter grew shades
whittier as he listened 10 the speech Of the
old man.
The old devil is advising them to nur-
der US" he said 10 the C0mmissioneT- He
says II is a good opportunity 70 make an
example OF Christians who try 10 make
their way unto Morocco"
Mutterings and black giances were COM
ing from the Moors. inspired by the old
mans vehement talking The men OF
the caravan made force pitifully small
against the crowd around the camp Few
OF them there were who did not carry a
rife or shotgun.
Mr.. Langerman screwed his brow down
hard on the monocle that he wears as
habitually as his collar.
''Abrines" he said, I'm going to make
a speech. You stand by and give it TO
EN- in Arabic"
Stridiug toward the old man Langermau
began talking in tones so thunderous that
the Mahometan became silent.
The very thing that is making you dis
quieted and sore at heart is that which
I have come 10 take away from your
land" he cried. And yet you would nnur-
der mel"
He drew from one Of his pockets bun
die of papers.
These" he said, are orders by which
every Christian is told by his Govern
ment that he must leave Fez, leave the
Moors, cease his interference in their
affairs. That is my mission
The stroke won. The old man came over
and snifhngIy examined the papers. He
saw one or two big red seals on them.
They were convincing Silently the hill
men went back TO their thatched huts
above the valley.
The noon sun was blazing when the
weary caravan reached its journeys end,
haIting before the Great Burnt Gate"
with its frightful decoration OF human
heads. Admfttance to the capital was
refused by the guards. II took an hours
pariey before the Basha Of the province
OF FeZ was sent for. To him Mr. LANCER
man presented his credentials
Commissioner Langerman's mission was
a success in every particular He left Fez
on Jan ., bearing with him an official
writing in Arabic signed by the Sultan
Of Morocco. It was a paper granting him
the privilege OF returning with one or two
steamships and removing from Morocco
he desired for the purpose Of
representing the country Of the
ancient conquerors of Southern Europe at
the St Louis Exposition Moreover the
Sultan in this paper held himself liable
TO furnish sl00, O10 reward toward the ex-
penses that would be incurred Mr. Alb
rines and the Commissioner rode maEai-
hcent Arab horses. the gift of the mon
arch. 4 second official paper was put
into the hands Of the American as he and
his caravan began their return journey.
When Mr.. Abrines sent his eyes over the
Arabic writing he smiled in deep salts
faction.
1t is an order" he said. from the Sui
tan to every Basha in the provinces
through which we pass 1t orders them
to give Us safe conduct. Failure to do
it will cost them their heads
Nor had the missionaries been forgotten
when preparations for the departure were
made They had their place in the pro-
tected caravan as we'll The Basha him
self and his soldiers accompanied them to
the border Of the province Of Fez. Word
had evidently been sent ahead. for at the
Zemour province line a squadron OF two
hundred soldiers was in waiting So the
journey proceeded in perfect safety.
Shots rang out in the road ahead as the
caravan ascended the summit OF plateau
after fording the Hachef River, home
ward bound. A scouting party of SOL
diery galloped ahead. They returned
smiling.
1t is a wedding They are doing the
marriage dance in front OF the bridal
procession" one OF the soldiers reported.
Then the bridal procession came into
view
Moorish courtesy demands the right Of
way for a bridal procession. Commission
er Langerman's caravan and escort drew
up on the side Of the narrow road As
the bridal donkey and the pink-and- white
curtained howdah came abreast Of them
there was q sudden 7uttering Of the cur
tains-
Jim Oh. Jim I'm so gladt'
For an instant the young Americans
eyes. stared blankly.
Jim, Jimmy, Il is To
The smiling beautiful face Of his young
wife appeared between the parted cur
tains.
Langerman said not a word then He
drove his spurs into his horses ribs and
pulled the animal up prancing beside the
oedizened mule Then his head and broad
shoulders disappeared within the curtains.
II was glowing. happy face that reap
peared
My wife's in there Abrines." he said.
and he said it very proudly She thought
they beheading ne or torturing ne some
where along these roads. ard she couldn't
bear il
Gertrude" he said. parting the cur
tains OF the howdah. you're i brick
Mrs Lanzermsn smiled weakly
Commissioner Jangermsn and his wife
have left Morocco for Paris. and will soon
arrive in New York. where they viii make
their home at the valdorf-Astoria.
IRISH LAND BILL.