The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1905-12-07
Scourge
ofDamaSCuS
CHAPTER Iy.-(Continued.)
Copyrighted 1891 by Robert Bonner's Sons.

CHAPTER IV.-(Continued.)
Judah got down from the back of
his horse, and having thrown the rein
over the branch of a tree, he started
after the volunteer guide. Half a mile
distant, at the edge of a thick piece
;of wood, the Israelite was informed
that he must submit to be hoodwinked.
He made. no objections, and the rob-
Der proceeded to bind a sash over his
eyes, after which he was led some
distance further, by a winding, tor
tuous way; and when the bandage was
removed, he found himself in a low
vale, beneath a roof of thick foliage,
and in the presence of a hundred armed
men. One mana handsome, noble
looking youth-arose and approached
him, to whom his guide reported what
had transpired.
"Do you seek Julian?" asked the
stately youth, looking upon the Israel
lite with a searching glance.
Eyes, sir" replied Judah, as frankly
and calmly as though he had been an
swering one of his own brethren.
II am Julian" said the chieftain
quietly.
Then, sir" returned the newcomer,
with a low bow, "to you I present my
petition
"Ffrst,-who are you?"
my name is Judah, and I have been
a servant in the train of the king OF
Damascus"
"Ah,-is it 500" The chieftain may
have looked a little more sharply into
the mans face, but he betrayed no sur
prise. "You spoke of a petition. What
is it,"
Judah removed his mantle, and then
stripped off his tunic, thus barring his
back to the gaze of those who stood
around.
DO you see that back?" he cried,
quivering, and grinding his teeth. do
you see where the cruel lash has eaten
into my flesh? Horam, king of Da-
mascus, put that stain upon me. Do
you wish me to say more?"
Il think you would be revenged upon
the king?" said Julian.
Il would be placed in the very front
of that force which is to strike at
Horam, or at anything belonging to
him. I am not of Damascus born, and
my love is not there. I would join my
fortunes with those of Julian"
After a very short conference with
some Of his companions, the chieftain
informed Judah that he might remain
where he was; and that, if he proved
himself worthy, he would be received
into full fellowship.
The Israelite expressed himself as
thankful for the favor thus conferred
and was soon allowed to mingle with
the members of the band. For two DAYS
he ate with them, and joined them in
their sports; and during that time he
knew that watchful eyes were upon
him. But he was equal to the task, and
on: the third day he was counted as
one Of them.
On the fourth day one Of the senti-
nels bought a black nan into the
camp. who gave his name as Osmer,
and who said that he had escaped from
a tyrannical master in Aleppo. And he
furthermore said that he had a COM
panion who was hiding somewhere in
the forest. Before noon said compan-
ion made his appearance, announcing
his name as Selim; and when the two
had been questioned, their stories were
so harmonious, and so frank, that they
were suffered to remain; and finally
they were allowed to- perform the
duties of body-servant to the chieftain.
Judah could have asked for nothing
better thus far; and he was resolved
that his further plans should be care
fully and surely laid.
All! Julian little dreamed of the
danger that was creeping upon him!