The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1905-12-28
ScOurSe
@Damascu
CHAPTER XII.-(Continued.)
Copyrighted 1891 BY Robert Bonner's Sons


Trembling at every joint the king
proceeded to the work. He pulled of
the robe of purple silk. and cast II
down; then he took off the crown; and
then the golden chain. Julian picked
them up, and turning once more to the
king, said:
81 will grant you one favor before
go. You came hither to see me. IL
you have n question to ask, l will
answer it,"
The king started up as though he
had received promise of some great
blessing.
"once 1 asked you who your par
ents were" he said. you would not
answer me. Will you answer me
now?"
mo, sir" replied Julian. Il will not
speak their names in your presence;
nor will | give to you the name OF the
friend whom / love"
BE not too headstrong, sir robber,'
urged the king.
'Is that all for which you sought
me?" asked the ch~ieftain, taking a
step backward.
Il sought thee to find out who you
are. | have a reason for asking
What ~reason?'
There is something in your face
which interests me-"
Perhaps it looks like my fathers
said Julian, bitterly. 20, if you were
not a poor, decrepit old man, should
smite thee; and will take myself
away as speedily as possible, lest my
resolution fail me. Stand back-l will
have no more to say unto thee. Thy
slaves will find thee here in the morn
ing"
The king would have followed Ju-
liam to the door, but the robber put
him forcibly back, and then, having
picked up the lantern from the floor,
he fastened out from the dungeon,
after which Selim closed the door and
bolted it.
His cries for help cannot be heard?"
suggested Julian.
No" answered Osmir. "These
solid walls will drink up the sound of
his voice before it reaches the end OF
this first passage"
Then we have nothing more TO
wait for. One lantern will suffice, so
l will leave this one behind"
Julian eXtinguished the light. and
then proceeded to array himself in the
royal apparel; and when he had
donned it and stood with his form
bent and trembling, his companions
assured him that he would pass for the
monarch well enough. His face alone
could betray him, and that could be
easily concealed.
And now for the upper world. They
stopped when they reached the place
where the captain lay, and when they
had assured themselves that he could
not move until he had received help,
they passed on. Up they went, Selim
going ahead with the lantern. while
Osmir followed close behind the dis
guised robber. Thus they passed on to
the upper chambers, where sentinels
were posted; but no one molested
them. The seeming king walked with
his head bent, and his arms folded
upon his bosom. and none dared to
approach him. Osmir and Selim were
known to be two of the most favored
of the monarch's slaves, SO their pres
ence seemed all proper. On they went,
as freely as though moving over a
desert plain, until they stood without
the gate Of the garden wall, at which
point Julian stopped and threw off the
royal robe.
This chain of gold 7 shall keep" he
said; not for its value as a trinket.
but that I may have a memento Of
this nights adventure with the king
OF Damascus. And now, good Os-
mir, let us hasten to the place where
my faithful Hobaddan waits for me"
In the darkness of the night, by
we'll known ways, the blacks led the
robber chieftain towards the dwelling
of the prime minister, being still ready
to serve him in the face Of any dan
ger.