The Washington times., 1905-11-12
THE WASHINGTON TIMES SUNDAY NOVEMBER 12. 1905
AVF>N(tF74A TL1L fUETtILR l!I oE2TTF,"
LAIUJIA HISTORY G0)lII
ESl( i. .LeIIlTR I1A(1GARIO

blurred, was that it seemed TO be a
mighty wall of rock in which a path
way had been followed where doubtless
once passed the road On one side of !
this passage was u stair which we be-
gan to ascend With great difficulty, for
Leo was now almost senseless and
moved his legs Indeed at the
head of the first flight he sank down in
q heap, nor did our strength suffice TO
lift him.
y hile 1 wondered feebly what was to be
done, I heard footsteps, and looking up,
saw the woman who had saved him de-
scending the stair, and after her two
robed men with a Tartar cast of coun
tenance. very impassive. small eyes and
yeIlowish skin. Even the sight of us
did not appear to move them TO aston
She spoke some words to
them. wheTeon they lifted Leo's heavy
frame, apparently with ease, and car
ried him up the steps.
We followed, and reached room that
seemed to be hewn from the rock above
the gateway, where the woman called
khania left US. From 1t we passed
through other rooms. one OF them kind
of kitchen, in which a fire burned, till
we came to a large chamber. evidently a
sleeping place. for in it were wooden
bedsteads, mattresses and rugs. Here
Leo was laid down. and with the assist
ance of one of his servants, the old guar
dian undressed him. at the same time
motioning me to take off my own gar
ments. This for the first time during
many days I did gladly enough, though
with great difficulty. to find that was a
mass Of wounds and bruises.
Presently our host blew upon whistle
and the other servant appeared bringing
hot water in a jar, with which we were
washed over Then the guardian dress
ed our hurts with some soothing oint-
ment, and wrapped us round with blank
cts. After this broth was brought, into
which he mixed medicine, and giving
me a portion Of it to drink where I lay
upon one Of the beds. he took Leo's
head upon his knee and poured the rest
of 1t down his throat Instantly a won
derful warmth ran through me. and my
aching brain began to swim. Then I re-
membered no more.
After this we were very. very i'll.
What may have been the exact medical
definition OF our sickness. 1 do not
know, but in effect il was such as fol-
lows loss of blood, extreme exhaustion,
paralyzing shock to the nerves and ex-
tensive cuts and contusions. These
taken together produced a long period
of semi-uncOnsciOusness followed by
another period of fever and deIirium
All that I can recall of those weeks
while we remained the guests of the
Guardian of the Gate may be summed
up in one word-dreams, that is, until at
last recovered my senses.
The dreams themselves are forgotten,
which is perhaps as well, as they were
Fn
awful: hotch-potch OF nightmares, re-
| hected without doubt from vivid mem
ories Of our recent and fearsome suffer
ings- At times I would wake up from
/ them a little. I suppose when food was
administered to me, and receive impress
sions Of whatever was passing in the
place. Thus can recoIlect that yell
low-faced old guardian standing over
me like a ghost in the moonlight, strok-
| ing his long beard. his eyes fixed upon
my face. as though he would search out
the secrets OF my soul.
They are the men," he muttered TO
! himself. without doubt they are the
men," then walked to the window and
looked up long and earnestly. like one
who studies the stars.
After this I remember a disturbance
/ in the room, and dominating !t. as II
were, the rich sound OF a woman's 5 voice
and the rustic OF a woman's silk sweep
| ing the stone floor. / opened my eyes
/ and saw that IT was she who had helped
| to rescue Us. who had rescued US in
fact, a tall and noble-looking lady with
/ a beauteous, weary face and liquid eyes
that seemed to burn. From the heavy
cloak she wore / thought that she must
have Just returned from a journey.
She stood above me and looked at me,
| then turned away with a gesture of in
| difference, If not of disgust, speaking
| to the guardian in low voice. By way
/ of answer he bowed, pointed TO the
/ other bed where Leo lay asleep, and
/ thither she passed with slow. iTnperious
movements. I saw her bend down and
/ lift the corner Of a wrapping which
| covered his wounded head, and heard
her utter some smothered words before
| she turned round to the guardian as
though TO question him further.
But he had gone. and being alone. for
| she thought me senseless. she drew a
rough stool to the side Of the bed. and
seating herself studied him who lay
| thereon with an earnestp ess that was
l almost terrible. for her )ul seemed to
( be concentrated in her eyes, and to find
/ expression through them. Long she
gazed thus, then rose and began to walk
ing her hands now 10 her bosom and
now TO her brow, a certain passionate
perplexity stamped upon her face. as
/ though she struggled to remember
/ something and could not
! Where and When?' she whispered.
| ''Ohi where and when?''
or the end of that scene know
nothing, for although l fought hard
against #, oblivion mastered me. After
| this l became aware that the regaI-looIx-
I ing woman called khania was always
In the roou- and that she seemed to
be nursing Leo with great care and
tenC erness. Sometimes even she nursed
/ me when Leo did not need attention
ana she had nothing else to do, or so
her manner seemed 10 suggest. 1t waA
| as though / excited her curiosity. and
she wished me to recover that it might
! be satisfied
Again ] awoke how long after I can
not say. 1t was night. and the room