The Washington times., 1904-11-20

LFcmbtluE Win lHHubpoitabst EAAOlipiAs
Dorothy gave him a questioning looks
but ere she could breathe a whisper the
shrunken finger tips were laid upon the
tremulous lips and look implored ST
lence Then the patriarch turned away
II was a Tong time after this strange
and mystifying episode that the old
monk returned; and when he did, he
bore a little reed pipe. which, when
blown. gave forth a plaintive sound BY
signs and pantomimic gestures the holy
man made Dorothy understand that she
was to enjoy the freedom Of the cave
monastery. but wherever she went she
was to sound the pipe before her. so
that the friars should know OF ner
presence and turn their faces away TO
pray. Then. after she had eaten. the
patriarch led his guest through the
arehway along the cliffs interior far
on 20 row of some forty followed cut
cells. bare. bleak. and fOrbidding. each
one tenanted by a praying father upon
his knees. with head buried from the
sight of the stranger. who blew her
pipe softly as she passed along, until
the two had reached the very end Of
the narrow corridor. where there were
few empty cells
There the patriarch bade his guest en-
ter. Upon the low bed. which was but
a narrow ledge ehiseled from the solid
rock. there had been sLreae a few rugs
and blankets. with a husk pillow at the
head-all Of which worldly luxurles were
denied the brothers themselves.
In the meantime Prince Bardoff had
made his way with caution to Abou
Hamed and entered the city walls by
night. After making a few purchases al
the lessar bazaars-provisions water
skins and, above all important a three
hundred foot coil Of rOpe-the prince
started 10 the outskirts IN search OF a
good camel for his purpose.
He was not long IN finding a strong
animal which was lying in the valley,
not far from the city gates The
prineeeeutered into conversation with the
owner, whom nc found 10 be one Of the
treacherous tribe Of the Monasir.
Friend. dOst thou own this eamel?'
began the prince. waking him from
slumber
The man was rather startled. and
when he arose and confronted enc in
/ the uniform Of the mahdi and evidently
stranger, he was doubly perplexed.
Il own It. MASTER he said graveiy.
1T is my sole possession. by AIlahT'
wilt thou sell II TO me?' said the
prince bIuntiy
The man hesitated who art thou
and what is thy use for the .eamel?"
That Is my business" repIcd Bar
DON. But. if you must know before you
sell, / am one OF the messengers Of the
Khalifa AbduIlah from far Obdurman.
bear important tidings 70 OslDan Dig
ma. who is besieging Suakim, Oh the Red
Sea" "
The monasir bowed. ~ the words
were spoken with some solemnity-
Go. then. TO the emir Abou Ham
ed, master" said he. He viii provide
thee with camels If thine own have fall
len by the wayside. Come; gladly viii
show thee the way 10 the emir's
palace
Il know the way. for 1 have been
there said the prince. recalling an
episode which happened some years be-
fore. when he was a guest at the palace.
Il have naught TO dc with the emir, but
with the pasha, Osman Digna. whom 1
must reach without delay. Camels we
have net. and there is no time to tarry.
Come; wilt thou sell?''
The sheik saw ii chance for a good
bargain. II am sorry TO part with her.
master. for she has a fine foaI-"
so much the better"
She is worth COO pieces of money.
master -
1t is too much. Why. the best OF
camels are not worth 200 in Omdurman.
and il is a time Of war when beasts Of
burden are scarce"
MY price Is six. said the sheik. and
FarHl HaFarg ~
upon the thin grass.
The prince was in quandary. Here
was a fine camel and undoubtedly
one able 10 carry a heavy burden 10
Suakim. The price was insignificant
when the good TO be gained was con-
sidered: but II the rascal received his
price he would straighaway rush into
Abou Hamed and tell of his triumph, TO
the princes downfall
Thou art a sorry dog, accursed son
OF a mOnasir." cried Bardom, and
viii report to the Khalifa when 1 re-
turn. He shall command the emir OF
Abou Hammed 10 hunt thee down as
curse 10 the faithful in time OF distress
l shall seek elsewhere.
stay" cried the camel's owner.
impressed with the strangers reproot
Make me an OFFER and / viii consider.
Il will give 80 pieces.
Curse me for a Christian! sWore
the other, but thou art a hard man 10
deal with. on my life, thou art How
ever in what money is the cOinY
IN khayala pounds sterling, was the
answer. cribs is the local vernaeular
for English sOyereigns, ''khayala
meaning cavalry. from the image of ST.
George and the dragon engraved upon
them).
The monasir's eyes were aglow. Pa
ner money was worthless. bad silver
scarce. good silver rare. and gold al
most never met with in that region II
the man had had any doubts hitherto
that the stranger was "a representative
of the Khalifa, the successor OF the
Mahdi. he hesitated no longer. What
more natural thing in the world than
that the Khalifa would send his ennis
sary forth well supplied with gold.
But show me one. said the fellow
skepucally.
The prince reached beneath his glib
beh and procured coin. AS he stopped
down he was careful at the same time
to display a belt stuck with revoNers
and knives. which had the effect OF
queling any undue familiarity.
The native took the coin. weighed u
caressingly In his hand, and then kissed
Il with a resounding smack. How
many Of these are IN 300 pieces mas