Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-10
CHAPTER XI-Continued.

Now, the singular fact that the two
men who had spoken to him used the
French language was not lost on War
den. 1t argued that they and their COM
panions hailed from the Sahara border
rather than the coast. If that were So
his capture was a fantastic mistake They
could have no possible grievance against
him. A germ Of hope sprang up in his
stroyed it.
in Arabic.
"Kneel! said the interpreter
II am rather stiff in the joints" said
Warden, speaking composedly, but
shall be glad to sit down and talk with
the distinguished moullah If that Is agree
able to him."
He squatted on the ground. but two
men seized him roughly and tried to force
him to his knees. He resisted with a mad
fury that was more creditable to his
pluck than to his intelligence-yet there
are indignities that cannot be borne. and
this was one. Though handicapped by a
crippled shoulder and the enervating ef-
feet Of the drug. though he was grappled
with before he could rise-and the Moors
were men Of bone and sinew-he fought
SO fiercely that both OF his assailants were
PROSTATE at the same time as himself. A
towards blow ended the unequal tussle
heavy whip cut him ferociously across
the eyes. and half blinded him. and he
was flung violently face downward in
front Of the Blue Man. who muttered:
Let the kaffir dog lie there till he
learns obedience
Thinking he was subdued. the Moors re.
Taxed their grip. Then Warden sprane
to his feet If death were at hand, in dy.
ing he would at least rid tortured hu-
manity Of an oppressor. But the Nils
Moullah seemed to guess his thought and
shrieked to his guards that they should
hold fast the Nazarene. They pinioned
Moor asked him why he had dared to
disturb a place made holy by the pres.
ence Of the moullah.
Nearly incoherent with pain and anger
done harm to none that he was not ever
a resident in Rabat, having landed at the
port little more than an hour before he
visited the tower.
"Ah. he Is not one Of the accursed
brood at Rabat? So much the better
They will fall like ripe pears at the time
of plucking," snarled the occupant Of the
litter.
Since the words were Arabic. Warden
understood, but the instinct of self-preser
walton babe him conceal the fact. Never
theless, he forced his lips to utter digm
fled protest.
Il am an Englishman.' he said. land
my disappearance will be reported. In
went to the Hassan toWer-and your large
caravan cannot travel without exciting
comment. You will certainly be pursued
and attacked. whether I am living o,
dead. Yet I am not vindictive. Set me
| free, bring me back to Rabat in time tc
| join my ship. and l shall lodge no com.
plant against you. nor claim my money
| and other belongings
What sayeth the unbeliever?' de.
manded the moullah.
| He was told, with fair accuracy, and
seemed to find humor in Warden's words
''Slaves do not parley with their mas.
| ters," he announced. grinning vindictively
at his captive. Tie him in the litter
| If he speaks gag him. Tomorrow he car
| carry a load with the rest"
1t needed all Of Warden's philosophy
| to keep him from going mad during that
| dreadful journey across Morocco. The
| Mia Moullah's orders We're literally
obeyed. After the second days march
when sixty miles OF hiliy country inter
| vened between Rabat and the caravan
| the Englishman was deprived of his pal
| anquin and became beast of burden
! Still. he lived. and was fed. and he prayee
| that he might retain his reason. The be
| lief that he knew no Arabic enabled hin
to gather some scraps OF information
| The Blue Priest of Ell Hanna was preach
| ing a new jehad, but, unlike others OF hi:
| kidney. he was born organizer. In
| stead of stirring up minor rebellion
| which would be snuffed out either by TIT
Sultan Of Morocco az by one of the Euro