Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-10
THE MESSAGE
BY LOUIS TRACY.
Copyright 1908

pean powers he was gradually making
himself known throughout the length and
breadth Of the land. In his own strong
hold of Lektawa. on the very confines of
the Great Desert, he was building up an
army Of fanatics. Meanwhile, his repute
was such that he levied heavy contribu-
tons In money and kind on the more
fertile seaboard provinces. When the
time was propitious he would descend on
Morocco. enslave or kill every Christian.
loot every port. and establish himself an
other Mahomet. Till then he was con-
tent to pose as a saint.
Such program is nothing new in the
Mussulman world. Since the inspired
camel-drfver of Mecca was rapt half way
to paradise in his coffin. nearly five hun
dred mahdis have each and all claimed
to be the one. true and much-predicted
''holy man" destined to lead Islam to
complete victory over ChristendOm.
These impostors are infinitely worse than
pestilence. They resemble 1t in their
unexpected outbursts and phenomenal
areas Of activity. but they scourge Mos
to cholera or smallpox. It was Warden S
gr1evous misfortune that he had blum
dered into Hassan's tower while the Blue
Man OF Ell Hanna was meditating an at
tack on the purse of the faithful of Ra-
bat. and the chance thus offered of Sc
curing Christian captive to grace the
prophets return to Lektawa was too
tempting to be neglected.
Fate oft chooses her victims with saw
age recklessness, but Warden felt, as he
the Benz Musa pass. that some influence
more far-seeing than fate was leading
MIN along the path trodden by Domenico
Garcia after the ruby was hidden in the
tower. He had no manner Of doubt that
the Portuguese artist and pirate was
taken into the heart Of Africa by this
very route. The belief sustained him In
those too frequent moments when sheer
WEAKNESS OF spirit whispered of selfde-
struction. He refused to end his suffer
could sway whole Mohammedan race.
he, at least. placed his trust in a higher
and holier creed. Not till grim death bade
him lay down his arms would he abandon
the struggle. Never a day passed that
he did not plan a means Of escape but
every scheme promised failure, and he
did not mean to fail, for failure meant
death. So he trudged on manfully. his
only friend stalwart negro who spoke
the Hausa language. and ever the road
led to the southeaSt-to the desert-to the
great unknown land.
HIS boots gave out: his clothes were
torn to rags; he was compelled to adopt
the garments and many of the habits of
those with whom his lot was cast But
he kept the ruby safe. for none thought
or searching him now. and he was given
certain measure of liberty once the At
las range was passed. Towns and vii
ldSeS became more scattered. The COun-
try was so wild that any attempt to
travel by other road than the long-estab-
lished caravan track would mean easy re-
capture. To go back was equally inlpoS-
sible. Every community In the Mia
Moullahs own territory was gratified by
the spectacle of a GiaOur among the
mahdrs train. The people would crowd
round him. and jeer at him. for no bet
ter cause than that he was one of the
hated white race. Many of them had
never before seen a white man. but that
did not count-they cursed him roundly
for the sake of the legends they had
heard Of the arrogance with which the
prophets followers were treated by Naz-
arenes in their own lands.
Warden bore this contumely with in
finite patience. He knew that the desert
folk were repaying some of the wrongs
their ancestors had endured from genera.
lions Of Portuguese and Spanish freeboot-
ers. But at least he laid to heart the
knowledge that he could never return by
the way he had come unless he were still
a slave. He would be recognized instant
ly and dubbed to death like mad dog.
Despite his hardships he was soon re-
stored to perfect health. The winter sea-
son, such as 1t Is in the Sahara, was ap-
preaching. The air was invigorating and
the rough food. mainly grains and fruit
was wholesome and nutritious. Yet, whe1
Lektawa was reached, his case looked
desperate indeed. Day followed day. and
week followed week, without any pros.
| pect of relief, and he became more and
! more a mere appanaEe Of the Mia Moul.