Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-15

her captors. What Mary had told her the previous
night of Zaida's statement that the Arabs believed
her to possess the evil eye had given her
confidence than it had Mary. Knowing the negros
abect fear of the powers of the hoodoo she readily
understood the Arab superstition and the advantage
it gave her. At intervals all day long she had scowled
at the servant women, in order that the reports OF
her evil nature might be magnifed.
But now when Ahmed promised them liberty.
Roxie gladly sheathed her knife. and chanting
praises to God, began to get ready to 60 out. The
American Baby was never in all his life whisked SO
quickly into his coat and cap. Ahmed backed of
the door as he had delivered his message
Mary and Roxie mpatiently awaited Mohanmed
at the door through which the day before
they had been ushered into their Imprisonment.
The minutes seemed hours The Arab all
knelt humbly to Roxie, M i plainly mploring her
not to leave the dreaded curse upon them
of the unwilling part they had played in her captiv-
ty. Roxie, somewhat pulled up by the unusual
respect shown her, shifted apprecatvey the incense
of this worship
WHEN the door was suddenly opened, revealing
w Mohammed before it, Mary and Roxe greeted
him with radiant faces. In their excitement they did
not notice his own downcast expression. Two Arab
guards were with Mohammed. each carrying an old
rusty pistol Placing themselves either side of the
prisoners they proceeded to conduct them the
court upon which the womens quarters opened.
oh, Mohammed Aren't we fortunate to be given
freedom quickly: | believe we have RoXIe to
thank for it. | scarcely wait to get to Cairo
that can send word to Mr. Clay and his wife They
must be distracted with anxiety about us, Mary
said to Mohammed.
face toward her. Silt very sorry for you | not
think the sheik let go to Cairo He much very bad
Arab. think maybe people come here look for you.
The sheik not wish here this time. He send
this way, hide If he wish take us to Cairo 60
out where came in shek S court
Roxie had listened to Mohammed with many
changing expressions To have the hope of freedom
taken from her suddenly aroused the savage in her
again To be outwitted by these Arabs she
scorned Infatuated her Fear, reason, caution. every
thing left her except the mad rage OF the trapped
animal Almost throwing the American Baby into
Marys arms, she brought forth her Kentucky knife
as quickly as a practised fencer his sword. With
loud cry she sprang at the guard by her side.
The Arab, despite the fact that he carried
weapon jumped backward at her attack. When her
rolling, cleaning eyes shone on HIM the tear OF the
dreaded evil eye robbed him of what little courage
he possessed As Roxie seized him by the throat she
bore the unnerved Arab easily to the ground. There.
brandishing his captured pistol in hand and her
long knife the other she sat upon her fallen enemy
and tainted him In her paroNysms of rage. she
forgot that the helpless fellow could not understand
a word she said.
.'Oh. yo' white livered yaler nigguh man in
omans co'es! Dyo' think Roxe's afeared o yuh,
YOU nevuh git me inside anothuh do, not all Q 70
put togethuh. Tell that Of sheep to hyah.
I'se ready an watin fur inn.
When Roxie attacked her guard 50 fercely, Mo
manned gained courage to make night also tor
liberty. Selling the pistol hand of his guard, and
adding his cries to Roxies in the hope of bringing
help if there friends seeking Mary he
struggled with the surprised Arab for the possession
of the weapon. OF course upon all this fighting and
these fearful cries, the American Baby held tightly
in Marys trembling arms, set up, on his own part.
piercing, terrific screams.
TUST as old Abdallah was bowling bland adieus to
his two guests in the reception room. the blended
noises of this conflict, with the American Babys
cries in the lead, startled the whole party as if
bomb had been exploded near them.
The sheik and Ahmed made motion to leave the
room; but Captain Hamilton quickly intercepted
them. Pale with excitement, he cried out hoarsely
to Major Blunt:
Man! can't you see that these rascally Arabs are