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

lah's household It was just when hope
itself was yielding to numb despair that
the sought-for opportunity presented IT.
self. 1t came like meteor falling from
the midnight sky, and Warden, ever on
the watch. was ready to avail himself Of
the light 1t shed on his dark calvary.
Some Mohammedan festival had led to
good deal Of revelry and gormandizirg.
when Warden. at the close Of firing
day. found his negro friend sitting at the
door Of his hut in an attitude Of deep de-
lection.
What has happened?" he asked.
The man, moved by the familiar &C
cents Of his native tongue. gave way to
tears. His plant was common enough in
communities ruled by a truculent savage
Of the moullah's type. His daughter, a
finely built girl Of fifteen, had been
spoken Of by some parasite, and she was
summoned forthwith to the despot's Sc
raglio. Now, the negro, who belonged to
one Of the numerous Hausa tribes. while
ready enough to enlist under the proph-
cts banner. was far from gratified by
the prospect of becoming his holiness
father-in-law. A doubtful privilege at the
best it was shared by many, and a good
ly number had been beheaded to prevent
further unpleasantness when the lady
failed to recognize the moullah's attrac-
tiveness as a husband. Moreover. the
Hausa girl herself rebelled against her
lot and was nearly wild with terror at the
thought of it. Warden could hear her
sobbing inside the hut. while her father
muttered his anger to one whom he knew
instinctively he might trust
Somehow, Warden felt that his chance
had come. He dared all in the next in
slant.
Were I in your place. he said. that
dog should never claim my daughter.
would kill him first"
The Hausa shivered with anxiety. What
would be his fate If others We're aware
that ne even listened to those bold words
without denounctng the man who uttered
them.
you know him not, seyyid" he said
and the fact that he used the word for
| master to a slave showed how deeply
he was stirred. He is invulnerable and
far-seeing. He reads mems thoughts; he
can kill with look Even you, Naz-
arene, could not resist him
THAT Is what he tells the fools who
choose to believe him. 1 was made a
prisoner because a stone struck me In
sensible. If he is SO powerful, why did
he hide me in litter until he was far
from Rabat? Now attend to me, Benz
Kali. l shall save you and your daughter
if you do exactly as l bid you"
The man raised his eyes. Here was a
new tone in the Christian who had en-
dured insult and blows with meekness, ex-
cept on that solitary occasion when the
Blue Priest ordered him to kneel before
him.
Speak, Seyyid At least 1 shall not
OeCrdy you, ne IHuLteTeO
You must get me some Arab clothing
| which can put on in your hut when it is
dark. Then I shall take your daughter
to the moullah's house. AT that hour he
will be alone in an inner room. and the
fact that l bring the girl will procure
But you will be discovered at once.
How should man be an Arab who
speaks no Arabic?''
do I not?" laughed Warden. going off
<t4 Inn 90 nj
the desert. II can accomplish that and
more, Benz Kali. If you follow my plan"
The Hausa sprang to his feet In amaze
ment.
better than 1. who have lived here many
years..
He thought the Nazarene was wizard.
Thenceforth he was ready to fall in with
any proposal he made.
Wardens scheme was feasible. BENZ
Kali, afraid to be skeptical. yet only
half convinced at first. quickly saw that
| its very daring commended 1t. Moreover.
time pressed. He must either sacrifice
his daughter or adopt some such heroic
| alternative as that suggested by one
| whom he already recognized as a leader
of men. Immediate decision was called
for To defy the Mia Moullah's will
meant simply that the malcontent would
| be beheaded forthwith.
Il am between the lion and his prey"
| said Benz Kali, valiantly. $50 l face
the lion. Have it as you will. Seyyid. I
am at your command"
His proverb was we'll chosen. Never
did people In dire straits adopt bolder
strategy than that which Warden had In
mind. He had often weighed it and
found it practicable. but hitherto it had
| proved impossible owing to the secrecy
| with which the prophet surrounded his
daily life. When travelling the Blue Man
usually remained in his litter. At LEX
| tawa he gave audience unseen. None
could gain admission to his compound
without stating their business and reveal
Ing their identity: he lived alone and
| hidden. like spider in the dark recesses
of his murderOus web. Now that safe
| guard. previously unsurmountable, van
! ished by reason of the girls presence.
For the rest. Warden relied not only on
| his own audacity, but on the assured
coWardliness of a crafty tyrant.
(To be continued tomorrow.l