The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1905-12-08
CHAPTER vi.


said," replied the minister. He spoke
not with the enthusiasm of apprecia-
ton, but as one who would not dispute
his king. Il trust, sire, your hopes
may find their fruition. l pray that
Ulin may bear to thee a son, and thus
make bright and promising the even
ing of your life
Good About. trust in thy words.
Ha! what now? Whom have we
here?'
..'Sire. spoke page, "the Israelite,
Judah is without, and would speak
with thee"
How" cried the king. "Ts it the
Judah whom l sent from the Valley Of
Lycanius?'
1.-THE same. sire
'"Then send him to me at once. By
my life. About, he cannot have &C
comrlished his mission so soon.
dare not hope so"
LET us hope for the best suggest
ed the minister; and before further
remark could be made Judah stood
in the royal presence.
"Ha, Judah-do l see thee back so
soon? Have you come to bring me
word of failure?'
"Nay, sire" replied the Israclite. II
have come to bring the robber chief
tain to Damascus"
Have you taken him."
eyes. sire"
"Alive?'
Eyes, sire"
"And have him here?"
Ready to be brought before you at
any time
He is bound?"
Yes, sire
Then bring him at once. By the
host OF Pluto, I would see the fellow
But-hold. He is guarded?"
Yes, sire. Osmir and Selim are
with him.
Are they all?"
1T needs no more. The prisoner is
securely bound and can offer no re-
sistance"
"I1len let him come"
Eye gods!" uttered Horam, turning
to his minister, after Judah had gone,
what manner of man shall we be-
hold?"
Il cannot guess sire"
"a giant. I think-as ugly as a Cy-
Top. But he is bound Aboul-he is
bound"
In little while the door opened and
Judah entered. followed by Osmir and
Selim, who led bound man between
them.
Sire" spoke the Israelite, 'this is
the prisoner
"But where is Julian?" demanded
Ho.am.
This is Julian
|. "This??" cried the monarch. taking
a step forward. and gazing into the
face of the bound man before him.
"This?' he repeated, in a lower tone,
advancing another step, and gazing
more earnestly upon the bold. open.
youthful face. This is not Julian
"This is he who hath commanded the
robber band" said Judah
"Aye-and I am he whom you have
called the Scourge of Damascus. spoke
the prisoner. standing proudly erect.
and gazing full into the face of the
king. Il am Julian, the enemy of
Horam. and the avenger OF wrongs
done years ago."
The monarch. as he gazed more in
~,
tones of that voice fell upon his ear,
seemed startled by the memory of
some old dream. And About Cassem
was not entirely uninterested. The old
minister gaZed as fixedly and as earn
estly upon the face Of the young chief
tain as did his royal master: and he.
too, seemed puzzled and perplexed.
"Who are your asked Horam
81 am Julian. the Scourge"
But what else?"
''Ycu should know what else. most
mighty king. l have tried to make
myself felt by you"
But urged Horam. taking no no.
tce of the robbers tone. "why have
you sought to harm me? Who are you
that can have cause for such enmity?
Il am one who knows the bitterness
of deepest wrong" replied Julian. ia
therless and motherless came l from
the feeble steps of childhood; and ]
know that Horam was the murderer oil
my parents"
"Ha!" cried the king, with a start
"Who were your parents?'
I will not speak their names in your
presence"
Beware, robber! I may compel 70,
to answer"
III you have power to extract an
swers from dead men, you may force
4 answers from me-
by the gods, thou art insolent."
Then bind my tongue, as thes,
slaves have bound my arms
NO" said Horam, struggling will
his passion. II have another plan
The secret which you will not speal
to me you shall never speak. You shall
follow yo1lr parents with all noasihl