Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1906-10-05
PERSIAN GIRLS STRATAGEM

sett. then anchored off the town OF BUSH
Ter. on the Persian gulf coast, was WANDER
ing along the beach, about ten miles from
the port. he was suddenly startled by a
woman plaintiye cries of distress, Win
which were Mingled the SOUNDS OF sh&Ep
blows and a mans voice. =,
The noises seemed to come from behind
q rugged rock ahead of the young ofncer'
who, hurrying forward. soon pehelu d
scene we'll calculated to arouse MS mug
nation.
A beautiful Persian girl was struggling
In The grasp Of a tall. ferce-looking Arab,
who. with a leather thong, was showering
blows upon her back and shoulders. Inc
tears were streaming down her cheeks,
and the most heartrending sobs CONFUSED
her frame.
Weston at once ran to the Arab, and I'M
hesitatingly struck him a blow with ms
first on the side Of the head, knocking him
backward, and causing him to release MS
mold of the girl.
The mans eyes dashed fercely. From
the belt, which confined his full trousers
about the waist, he drew a long, ivory
h.lted dagger.
..Englees strike Arab he how.ei. Eng
lees shall die!'
The fair Persian e~ndeavored to throw
herself between the officer and the barbar-
ian, but Weston gently detained her, at
the same time quickly pulling a piston
from his breast pocket and cooking 1t.
"You may as well put up your knife,
he said to the Arab, "for, If you attempt
TO use it against me l viii send a bullet
through your BRAIN"
Seeing the muzzle aimed at his head the
Arab, with a growl like that of a savage
beast, thrust the dagger back into his
belt.
"ENhy did you interfere?' he inquired.
For humanity's sake" was the reply.
1.-THE girl daughter of Arab. Arab right
to do with her what he like"
mo, she is not your daughter" said
Weston. Amy person might see that at a
glance"
Right; me not daughter said the
young woman, in q sweet, musical voice.
Father and mother die two year ago.
Arab pirate take me then to I've with him
and his wife. He want to sell me to Turk.
Me run away. He first catch me, and he
begin TO beat. fake me-take Nola with
you" lot-.ing plead.ngly up at the officer,
whose fine, manly appearance seemed to
inspire the Supplemented girl with
mingled confidence and admiration.
Ere Weston could reply he heard a fierce
shout, and bcheid a dozen Arabs. armed
with daggers and sim,tars, emerge from
around a lofty rock not ten yards distant.
Rum! run and save life" cried the girl
to the lieutenant. "All bad mcn-pirates-
quick kill YOU
But Weston knew that an escape by
flight was impossible.
The feet-footed barbarians could easily
overtake him, ard SO, as escape was i'm
possible, he preferred TO meet them face to
face.
Placing his back against a rock, he held
his pistol ready. The Arabs came up and
confronted him, their weapons drawn.
Take prisoner" shouted their captain,
the person who had fioggcd Nola,
AS they rushed toward him. the ~.ieuten-
ant sent a bullet through the brain OF the
foremost man.
The others seized him, and half a dozen
swords were pointed at his body.
The captain, however, again spoke, this
time in his native tongue. when every man
at once returned his weapon to his belt.
The young officer was dragged TO a coat
on the beach, near the rock. and taken
aboard a small sloop with sharp, clipper
bows and low hull. anchored in a bay,
where 1t had previously been hidden from
Weston's sight by tall cliffs projecting
out into the sea.
Bound hand and foot. the prisoner was
then thrust INTO the vessels hold.
The girl, who had also been taken
aboard. filled the craft with her plaintiff
cries, as she vainly pleaded with the stern
in behalf Of her gallant defender.
Soon after Weston heard the noise of
an anchor as it was being hoisted, and lat
er he felt the motion Of the sloop as she
glided seward.
Before night half a dozen men annea rod
and dragged him on deck. with stout
ropes they then bound him to the main
mast, under the direction Of their captain.
who would only reply to the frantic plead
Il g Of the beautiful Persian, still begging
him to spare the prisoner, by dealing her
an occasional blow with q lash.
Death by sword too good for Christian
SAID the fierce man TO the helpless
officer. Sec! me going to cut Won into
Six pieces, and throw TO the sharks,"
He pointed, as he spoke, to a huge broad
ak lying near the rail.
weston shuddered inwardly, but he pre-
served q calm exterior.
MY death Will be avenged" he said
know that you ard your band will be
blown to pieces # you harm me. My yes-
sci is but ten miles from this place"
Me know" replied the Arab scornfuuv
But your captain never find out what
been happen-never learn that Arab XIII
you"
80 saying, the speaker turned on his
heel. ms
If you persist in your barbarous inten..
ton, said the lieutenant. Il hope Won will
Kill me with the first blow"
NO, not XIII until six blows been strike
First cut off hands, then feet. then two
more blows take off head"
Weston knew that the wretch would no
equal to the fiendish cruelty he threatened
and inwardiy he prayed 10 Heaven tn
avert such a horrible fate. Meanwhile the
sloop dashed on.
As 1t was passing a headland, dusky
forms were there seen.
The craft was luffed UP into the wind
and a boat was speedily lowered and
manned by all the crew aboard except the
and the captain.
The captains wife and a few of his
men are on the headland.' said the girl
10 Weston. HE send beats ashore 10
bring aboard. Captains wife not so bad
as husband. Perhaps when che come. me
get her TO save you"
a few minutes after the boat left the
sloop a sudden, terrific gale came swoop-
Ing down upo the craft. driving her sea-
ward on her beam-ends. The mainsail was
TORI % tatters from the mast. which shook
as a. about going by the board.
over the vessel, fore and aft, swept the
seas. increasing in size n power every
moment. The captain looked wild and
anxious. The violence of the storm
seemed to increase every moment
The wind and the ocean roaring toxether