The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1905-04-28

face cleaned with frank and genial ia
miliarity as he exchanged with them
few words, but it was again masked
in somber thoughtfhlnoss as he passed
on.
Near the gate by which the fortress
was entered from the lower town was
gathered group of soldiers. who were
bantering Il strange looking creature
with hands tied behind him, evidently
some captive.
"What have you here?" said Scan
derbeg, approaching them.
HE has no tongue, sire. He Is dumb
as toad. His beard has g,ne I'M
trimmed so long that it has se7 ed fast
his jaws. He has not perfori ned his
ablutions since the last shower washed
him, and his ears are so filled With dirt
plugs that he could not hear thunder
clap"
The face of the captive seemed to
strangely interest the general, who
said as he turned away: "SenG him to
our quarters. The padishah has taken
q fancy to deaf mutes of late. They
overhear no secrets and tell no tales.
We will scrape him deep enough to
find if he has soul. He will be a val
ued present to his majesty. Send him
to our quarters"
The general soon returned to the for
tress. A room dimly lighted through
two narrow windows that opened into
a small inner court and contained di-
van or couch, table and a motley col
lection of arms was the residence of
+ the commandant. A soldier stood by
the entrance guarding the unfortunate
captive.
You may leave him with me-" said
Scanderbeg, approaching.
The man was thrust into the apart
ment and stood with head bowed until
the guard withdrew. The general
turned quickly upon him as soon as
they were alone.
IF l mistake not, man, though your
tongue be tied, your eye spake to me
by the gate"
ut was heavens blessing upon my
errand reflected there" replied the
man in the Albanian language. II
bear thee message from Moses Co
leme of Lower Dibria and from all the
provinces of Albania, from every val
ley and every heart"
LET me hear it, for love the very
fiints on the mountains and every peb-
BILE on the shore of old Albania" re-
Il piled Scanderbeg eagerly.
\ Heaven be praised! Were my ears
/ dull as the stones they would open to
|. hear such words" said the man, With
I: suppressed emotion, ''for since the
!, death of thy noble father
Z MY fathers death! 1 had not heard
/ it. When?" exclaimed the general
4 1T is four moons since we buried him
/, beneath the holy stones of tie church
! at Croia, and the sutton sent us Gen
eral Sebaly to govern In his stead"
do you speak true?" cried Scander-
beg, laying his hand upon the mans
shoulder and glaring into his face
my father dead and a stranger APP
pointed in his stead? And Sultan
Amurath has not even told me! Be-
ware, man, lest you mistaken
j Il cannot mistake, sire, for these
hands closed the eyes of John Castriot
| after he had breathed a prayer for his
iland and for his someone prayer for
both. Moses Goleme was with us. for
you know he was thy fathers dearest
friend aud wisest counselor. and to
him thy father gave charge that word
should be sent thee that to thee he be-
queathed his lands"
"Stop! Stopw said Scanderbeg, pac-
ing the little room like Gagged lion.
LET me think. But go on. He. did
not curse me then? Swear to gag
and he turned facing the man-"swear
to me that my father did not curse me
with his dying breath! Swear it,
II swear it." said the man. land that
all Albania prays today for George
Castriot, These are the tidngs which
the noble Moses ,hade me bring thee,
though I found thee At the Indus or
under the throne of the,sultan himself.
have no other message That might
tell thee this in the free speech of AL
bania ] have kept dumb. to all others.
II it be treason to the sultan for thee
to. hear it, let my head pay the penal
I ty, But know, sire. that our land Mill
rest under no other rule than that 81 d
Castriot." /. =. 49, 90,
"a castrlotr soliloaau..ed the senSs.