The Washington herald., 1908-06-04
CHAPTER XXI.

Moonlight in the Egyptian desert, the
terrifying simplicity OF great spaces, the
feeling of eternity, and the endless dis
lance between world and world Moon
light going 70 waste In foods OF silver,
for lack Of something TO make shadows
OF, II It had not been for a group of
tents which formed the encampment Of
tribe OF desert gypsies the Graghas.
the mother tribe OF the Romanys.
Outside the tents, crouched in a circle,
chin on hand. were the heads OF families
and their chief wives. not yelled like the
women OF the Bedaween. but taking their
places on an equality with the men. veil
ed In their own black hair, heavily orna-
mented from chin TO breast with chains
and coins. The white garments OF the
men made a marked contrast to the dark
robes Of the women: otherwise there was
curiously little difference. All were equal
~ absorbed In watching the movements
or a kneeling figure in the center OF the
circle. An elderly man. hawk-nosed.
white-bearded. who traced with a wan
dering finger in the silver sand. stopping
from time to time 10 throw a handful of
beans into the air and TO note how they
fell about the figures he had traced. Then
all movement ceased and he crouched
and gazed, rigid as stone, but not more
motionlessly than the figures around him.
At last a woman broke the silence.
Speak. o Sheik! See you the books.
or do the spells Of the accursed one who
hath brought such evil days on our tribe
stu prevail against the reaching OF his
spirit by thine?''
NV crfvFt b,~
world came the answer, but by the
knowledge stolen from the books his
spirit evadeth mine"
A groan went up from all the circle.
speaking Of heartfelt misery, but il was
sileneed by the voice OF the old man.
yet one cometh, for my spirit met him
approaching, out OF the land OF fog. on
ship OF fire, such as brought soldiers
TO KhartOum, but many times larger
and behold! he hath knowledge of the
books There Is hatred in HIS heart to-
ward the accursed one. and great sorrow
for evil wrought. He seeks US that he
may take vengeance and right wrongs
young man, hut q great bey among his
own people. He viii guide US 10 the ac-
cursed one-if he finds us, for Of that ne
is not certain. leaving all TO chance as
did the captains or the host they sent
10 Khartoum what time the holy one
was slain.
The old man held up his hand 10 outlet
the murmurs OF satisfaction which ran
round the circle But we will leave II
not to chance. Daoud and Dashin. who
have the gift Of tongues. shall 20 down
TO the sea where the ships OF fire come
&C. the shore They shall meet the bev
and make easy his path through the des-
ert SO that he shall make easy our path
to the accursed one. I have spoken
nay! he went on. as an afterthought.
before the image leaves my mind let
Loud and llashin approach. that they
RAY see what manner Of man is tha bev.
SO that when he leaves the fire ship they
may know him."
A. this. two young msr whose lark
faces had looked on English lanes. step
ped into the center of the circle and knelt
down by the old sheik He poured water
into little hollow he had made in the
sand. then took the mems hands in his.
and for space all three gazed into the
little pool
You viii know him again?" he asked.
His face will not vanish from your
minds?"
In a crowd OF 10000 we would know
him." they answered.
'Tis well. said the sheik, rising TO
his feet. "sleep now till the moon sinks