The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-12

of the tale / gave little heed, but when
he told me he sought the life of the
Sultan l was more than ready TO listen
for that idea had long been in my own
mind.
1T seems that the ruler, having taken
n violent fancy TO the GitanO's daughter,
had seized her and made her one of his
wives. A Moor would have looked on
this a. an honor, but the Gitano consid-
cred the Moors no better than dogs. He
thought only OF aveuging the outrage.
Fer many months he had watched
about the town, always with long
knife beneath his cloak. waiting until
some time when the Sultan rode forth in
state and he could come near enough to
kill him.
II was ready to help the old man car
~ out his scheme and we arranged be-
tween US, first to rescue the woman and
then to make the Sultan pay for his
misdeeds.
My familiarity with the palace ana
its grounds was a help. I succeeded in
getting some of my men within the
walls. in communicating with the wo-
man, in arranging everything for her
rescue.
I 1T all turned out as we had planned.
except one thing. On the morning when
the rescue took place the Sultan had
ridden out at an earlier hour than usual.
As VIC fought our way through the pal
ace gates his party. returning, came
upon us. Then there was fighting in
truth.
"Our men struggled like demons. Each
one had some score OF his own to settle.
But VIC were Outnumbered, and while
each of our knives and sabers counted
over and over again, our men fell one
after another. hacked to pieces by the
scimitars Of the Sultan's guard.
Even the woman who had been
placed between the Gitano and myself
was cut down. 1 saw that our only
take TO my heels noticed the woman's
child still lying unframed upon her
breast.
81 snatched up the child and fed. At
the same moment heard a shrek such
as never came from a mans throat be-
fore. 1t was the last cry of the old
GitanO. whose knife in that moment had
reached the Sultan's throat.
"In second after he was fairly cut
IN pieces by the weapons of the remain
der OF the guard. In the excitement that
attended the fall of the ruler 1 was able
to get safe away stin carrying the
child"
The old man paused a moment ana
took a sip of the wine before he re-
sumed his narrative. Then he went on:
My revenge was satisfied. The Sui
tan was dead. My score with him was
settled. But still 1 was not be permit
ted 10 rest.
The Sultan's successor pursued me
/ TO the Spanish coast There the gov
I
all his province beside yielded, whom
had served in many ways. sought to
/ betray me into the Moor's hands.
Warned by one Of my men 1 es-
| capped. I saved my life and saved the
/ girl whom l had carried off from the
1 Sultan's palace, but was stripped of all
else. For months 1 was compelled 70
hide like n hunted beast in the fishing
villages and I'm caves along the coast.
That gave me a new hatred. more
! fierce than the old one. To my mind
!. treachery had ever been the worst crime
that man can commit. This treachery.
/ coming at the moment when 1 had re-
solved upon the quiet and honest life
that other men led. destroyed what
ever softness Of heart might have been
/ left to me.
IAN the anger had felt against the
Moor. aye. and tenfold more. now burned
against the Spaniard and against Spain
From preying upon the one. 1 turned TO
prey upon the other.
THE governor died. I could tell you
how. but II does not matter. 1 came tC
/ Gibraltar. For nearly twenty years !
have lived here and in that time I have
taken from Spain a thousand-fold Of all
that she took from me through treach-
ehy.
During all this time I kept the girl
with us. She has been brought up in
surroundings as fine as those amid
which she was born. She does not
know that she is not my own daughter
And have been wei repaid for my care
| OF her. for the sight of her before me
all these years has kept my hatred
warm.
( II am getting TO be an old man. II
has long been in my mind that If
could inhict one more humiliation upon
Spain, one greater than all the rest.
! should be content. If / could see this
Rock, her prOudest fortress. pass from
her hands I could die in peace. or
could go away 10 my own land and live
quietly what few days may be remain
ing 10 me.
There was a plan once-but no mat
ter. Now the chance has come again
and II IS England's chance as well II
lies I'm the power Of your admiral 10
take the rock from Spain forever"
The old man ceased speaking and the
two sat I'm silence for a time Then ne
raised his head and looked at tn,
young officer keenly.
4 have told you tonight" he said
what has never before passed my lips
or reached the ears Of any other man
Do yoI understand now why 1 desire
the downfall or Spain. the capture OF
this Rock? Is It enough?"
Calthorpe had listened IN rapt atten-
ton 90 this recital which seemed "a
him Ike n story from some thrilling
book Of adventure, except that IL had
been told with all the vlvidness OF
reality. Now he reused himself an6
SPOKE slowly. as though Weighing each
WORD.
1T is enough. ] believe thoroughly
all that you have told me and ] shall
recommend Sir Admiral Rookie to acr
upon your plan"
Let him act as soon as possible. q
rejoined Courtney. THE task is easy
| while the Rock remains dafeusaIese