Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1904-03-10

out that the stranger was an educated
and sprightly man and soon learned
enough English to make it all plain
to the hospitable people who and
what he was.
What was learned from him in the
course of few weeks was to the ef-
feet that his name was Selim, from
Algiers in Africa, and of wealthy
parentage. He had been sent by his
father to be educated at CONSTANT
nople, the chief seat of learning Of
the Ottoman Empire.
After finishing his studies he set
out for home on board Of a ship
bound for Algiers. At some point
on the Mediterranean sea, while on
the homeward voyage, he was cap
tured by Spaniards. France and
Spain at that time were allies a
French vessel was hailed soon after,
and the captured prisoners were
transferred to the French vessel
bound for New Orleans
After some delay in New Orleans
Selim was sent by the way of the Mis-
sissippi and Ohio rivers to the Shaw
nee towns and was left there in charge
of the Indians.
While there he became acquainted
with a woman who had been carried
there from the frontier of Virginia.
By the use of signs Selim learned
from her that her home was in the
east. While in Constantinople be
had learned enough Of geo raPhy to
know that the English people had set
Elements on the east shore of the con-
tinent, and his conclusion was that
the white prisoner was from one Of
such settlements. SO he resolved to
attempt escape by way of the rising
sun, and by constantly keeping to the
sunrise SUBMITS, finally reached the
fallen tree near the Vance Spring IN
the plight already mentioned 1t
would b. profitable entertainment for
the reader to get map, locate the
Shawnee towns, and then trace a bee
line to the east and follow in mag
inaton the course pursued by Selim
in his search for home and liberty.
II is not very probable that the In
dians made any very resolute efforts
to recapture Sellm His complexion
and language were in his favor, and
doubtless they were rather glad 10 get
rid of such curious human being.
The way he looked, talked, pos
tured as a devout Mobstnmedan was
so different from anything that had
ever come their way before that the
Sbawnees were no doubt puzzled as to
what to think of him or do with him,
and were very probably Inclined to
think the French were trying to get
rid of something more than ordinarily
dangerous in reference to matters Of
superstition.
In the meanwhile Capt. Dickinson
seems to have become attached to his
mysterious ward and had let him 60
with him to Staunton on a court day.
The parties attracted much attention.
The captain was widely known and
popular man and as he moved among
the large throng attending court, fol-
lowed by the docile Algerine, closely
as a shadow, one can readily under
stand that the two must have been
the observed of all observers, that
memorable court day in Staunton.
Doubtless, too, for long while after
wards Selim the Algerine was the
theme of conversation in all the Val
ley communities represented by the
attendants upon that frontier court.
Selim personally must have been a
rare phenomenon to all present, a high
" educated Mohammsdan youth, Of
the highest social standing in his own
country. His demeanor was listless
austere and nonchalant, as nothing
seemed to disturb bic gravity Of fea'
lures or arouse any special interest II
whatever was going on around him
Finally, however, his attention seemed
to be fixed on a man in the throng
whose appearance, except for his dress
nothing like go imposing as hundred
of others or so likely to rivet the at
tention of a stranger like the captured
Algerine, however, as 1t was Sellm
countenaDce lighted up with enthus
iasm and his eyes glowed with a lus
tire never noticed previously and h
withdrew from Captain Dickinson an'
singled out the stranger, who was tn
Rev. John Craig, Of the Old Ston
congregation, whose house Of worFhlI
had been recently reared 8 mile
north of Staunton.