The Washington times., 1904-12-04

over it it was grotesque even to hideous-
ness.
Dorothy gave him a single glance and
shuddered. To gain a point over such
an adversary by power OF diplomacy OF
by melting ruperstitious dread she saw
was possible; but God help the soul that
threw its fortunes at mis- feet imploring
pity and succ0r, The heart was adam
ant, and IL shone dead through the
cruel. swart lines Of the savage counten-
ance OF man born 10 rule with a
merciless hand.
Bardonfs attitude OF dignity, which
had repealed the emir at first, now
caused him to accord the stranger
certain respect.
Who art thou, son of the Faithful.
and whittier goest thou?"
Behold said the prince. when thou
seest one in the uniform OF the guards
or the holy Mahdi that question is an"
swered. I go to far Suakim with mes
sage to the noble commander of the
forces Of the east. Osman Digna thy
superior, the right arm of the Imam.
Thou sayest well, friend, said the
emir; but 1 am not yet convinced How
comes 1t that thou hast here a white
woman-one or the infidel race? Tell me
that, ! command thee"
She was a slave of the Holy One.
noble emir. / bear her as a token OF
love and esteem TO the commander Of
the forces Of the east"
The emir smiled incredulously, show
ing his teeth, which were very white
and filed to a point so that they APP
peared more like the fangs OF a wild
beast
Friend" he said, 81 know the holy
Mahdi well. He is not sending beauti-
ful white slaves 10 his khalifas and
emlrs as presents. particularly alone
with single guard through the wilder
ness"
But we We're ten when We started.
noble emir We attempted TO plunge
through the rapids OF Ell Bagara; but
the government vessel. one OF the steam
craft taken at Khartoum. went 20 pieces
on the rocks in the cataract The slaves
OF the beautiful one were drowned, as
were three others. From El Bagara we
cut across the desert, two Of our num-
Der being shot by robbers. and eunuch
dying Of thirst the day before We reach
ed the wells OF UmbOje Since then we
have hurried forward alone with a sin
gle camel, hoping that We might over
take some OF the noble warriors on their
way TO join the worthy Usman Digna.
Behold! thou seest to what pitiable con-
dition We are reduced sole survivors OF
the terrible struggle"
The emir bowed. He seemed i'm
pressed with this straightforward and
plausible narration Of events. delivered.
too, with force and eloquence.
BaTdCt saw his Increasing triumph
and his heart grew lighter and Dolder
Thou speakcst WELL" said the emir,
and ! believe thee. But there is but
/ one test more. Thou knowest that the
suLrds Of the holy Mahdi have q pass
word which they give 70 the emirs in
cases OF uncertainty like TO this An
swer me then, stranger. when Allah and
he holy Mahdi call. what Is thy duty?"
The soul Of the prince suffered d re-
vulsiOn. Here was the test question
ana he knew not the answer. The pass
word was something beyond mis- ken.
and death was the penalty for his ig-
norance. For an instant the indomltable
nerve Of the Russian failed him. but
he soon rallied herOically.
Noble emir. he said, THE password
II the holy Mahdi IS no longer In force
Tor a great calamity hath transpired
( 10 all Islam"
The emir was all ears. What dost
thou mean he said in a low growI.
Il mean. noble emir. that a great
event has occurred at Khartoum which
changes the whole aspect OF The Nah
dist world"
The inhdel English" burst forth the
Z an
fear. have they recaptuTed Rhartoum?
Have they defeated the MahdI?"
The traveller gazcd calmly into the
sWarthy features, which were now
ablaze with anxiety and apprehension.
Noble emir, he said with the calm
ness OF mastery. the holy Mahdi has
been taken prisoner by a greater power
than the English or any other earthly
conquerors II is for this that / have
made this awful pilgrimage through
fire ana Hood, through desert heat. IN
der privation and starvation. ard dare
not rest by the way till ! have taken
the tidings 10 the east. Even now am
anxious To b. of. and crave that thou
shalt give me instant conduct over the
kUkreb range 20 the sea"
But thou hast not answered me. q"
cried the cmir in a gathering raEe.
what hath happened TO our Imam.
the HOIy One? Out with it, guard, or
by the MuhdIs God
A wave OF scorn passed over the
strangers face. Il fear not thy hatred
nor thy threats. O Mamud el Fiki, pow
erful as thou art; for 1 go on Il mis-
sion Of duty 10 tine faith. II, however,
thou wilt promise on the Book to keep
my secret til after I have delivered II
10 thy commander Osman Dlgna, and
viii provide me with means to go on
ward with instant security. / will coon
thine eyes TO such tidings as cannot
long remain unknown 20 thee but such
as will turn thy heart 10 stone with
wonder and terror. Wit thou take the
pledge, noble emir;'
The eruir hesitated. The savage ma
ture has an adherence Of Oaths, yet
curiosity I'm the barbarian heart is
something unrestrained. 81 pledge thee
guard OF the holy Mahdi. on the Book
pledge thee Out with thy secret"
Bardoh took a step forward. Noble
elnir, our sovereign Imam, the Expected
One. has been removed"
Dead" cried the warrior, springing
to his feet.
The stranger bowed. "He has gone on