The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1905-11-09

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think. But let us look in another direc-
ton. It he does not find u.s., we care
not why he comes. Ha! See! Here
comes Aswad again. He looks fright
ened."
Aswad entered the chamber with
trembling step and seemed afraid to
speak; but the demand of the princess
opened his lips.
Lady, I fear that the robber will
prevail against us. He is accompanied
by fierce, furious men, who fight like
llons,and his own sword is irresistible.
His body is covered with scales of fin
est steel and the blows of our men fall
harmless upon him."
But the dreadful man has not yet
broken through" said Ulin eagerly.
mo, lady. Our brave men fight as
we'll as they can"
HAS the robber entered the pass?"
"Not far"
Then you may hold him at bay yet
o, Aswad, if you would be blessed for
evermore let not the Scourge gain the
valley!'
I'VE will do our best, lady; but you
must be prepared for the worst. If we
are finally overcome you must hide
yourself"
Where? Where car we hide?"ask-
ed Abba.
I'm the palace or somewhere in the
gardens; or upon the mountains"
There is no hiding place which a
keen eye would not detect. 1 have
looked in every direction. So, Aswad,
save us by your stout arms"
Il fear the demons will prevail"
said Ulin, in a tone of breathless sus-
pense.
II dare not hope otherwise" return
ed Abba.
If they do come, we must find
some place in which to hide"
Alas, my dear mistress, there is no
such place. If we go up among the
rocks, we not only run the risk of be-
ing easily found, but we run the
greater risk of starving"
II would rather starve than fall into
the dread Julian's hands," said Ulin.
1T would be a terrible death to
starve upon those bleak rocks!" re-
turned Abba, with a shudder. But |
will share your fate, my mistress, let
it be what it may"
"And would not death by starvation
be preferable to the fate which must
meet us if that monster captures us?
o, Abba, I cannot think of it,"
Before the slave could reply they
saw Aswad again coming toward them;
but he did not enter the palace. He
struck off into a path that led to the
westward, and fled with all his might.
Directly afterwards a score of the
guards came rushing from the pass,
and when they had gained the open
space, they threw down their swords
and sank upon their knees.
What means that" cried Ulin.
Are they killed."
NO." answered Abba. "They are
overcome, and have surrendered. See!
there come the victors!"
LET us fleet" exclaimed the prin-
cess, starting to her feet. 20, we must
find some place Of refuge!"
Abba vas more thoughtful. She
saw very plainly that flight would be
useless.
my dear mistress" she said, taking
Ulin's hand. 1--WE must hope for the
best. If we leave the palace, we shall
be overtaken at once; for the way to
the mountains lies only through the
park of fountains. If we flee to the
garden in the rear, we shall be surely
found, and it may be worse for us in
the end. If this dreadful Julian has
the least spark of humanity in his
bosom, he will respect you more in
your own chamber than he would if he
found you hiding in the garden"
Spirits of mercy defend us!" ejacu.
lated the princess, clasping her hands
upon her bosom, and sinking back in
her seat. 20, Abba, Abba, the pres
ence of the king would now be a bles-
sing!"
The faithful slave crept close to hel
mistress, and tried to speak words Of
comfort; but her own fears were too
deep and intense to permit comfort
ing power to her words. She could
not be calm in view of the coming of
that dreadful man, at the sound OF
whose name even the monarchs trem-
bled.
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