The Washington times., 1910-11-18

reach the slender, elusive body behind
All! It was a fight 10 have lived for.
there in the silent wilderness. with the
desert wind in our faces and the hot
sun turning our sabers into arcs OF
shimmering light
Round and round few our horses The
blades WhIS-fed. FLASHED, and TEsITed the
eternal war-sonE Of the ages once my
thrust reached Hahz's throat, but was
caught and made ineffective by the vol
luminous folds Of his burncose. once his
u hiking down-stroke sheared a bit OF
the sold embroidery from my turban' S
edge Eye to eye. sword 10 sword. we
fought OF.
So engrossed we're we, so obIiviOus OF
surroundings and lapse Of time, that a
warning shout from one CT Hafiz'S men
passed almost Unheard. 1t was with q
shock that I saw some one ride sud
denly between ne and my foe.
The angeT-nIists cleared from my eyes,
and I realized who & was that had in
terfered- Feridah, seated On a white
desert pony, had forced her way be
tween our battling horses Behind her
were six men Of her own guard.
Nassau Ha6z-" she cried. Are
you both mad2 In sight Of all your
tribesmenl 1t is a matter for death il
my father learn of it Whatg''-
In our excitement we had been car
Tied beyond the shelter OF the acacias-
The princess was right-Our duel was
visible TO al who might care to view
What could be done p said HafiZ
with 4 shrUg. I was riding to my IN
Gle FOR orders when this half-breed at
tackled me- I fought but TO save my
life I do not know the cause OF this
assault from one on whom I have show
cred every courtesy. r.
He had been speaking low, as was his
way But 1 broke IN on his words
loudly, that all around might hear
My beloved Cousin Hafiz is q peer
less swOrdsman," said in blatant cour-
tesy. 7 begged him to let me try
PgafnSt MS high proWess my own poor
and newly learned skill It was a
friendly bout between brothers to pass
away a weary i've minutes. Was It
not soT' I appee led, turning TO Penn.
and adding. under my breath, Say
yes Say it IN Arabic"
"Afwar' CYes). beloved Jack. glad TO
air 9ne OF the few native words he
so what you feared was a tragic
battle went on, still loudly, was
but bTotherly sport IN proof whereof, p"
ing forth my hand. 4 thank my cousin
Tor the lesson he has taught me And
1 trust We may soon continue IL in the
same loving spirit"
I think Il hurt Hafiz worse TO GRASP
my publicly prOffered hand than il
would have 70 take thrust from my
saber- But there WIS no redress
had scored. He bowed and rode of
Did he and his men fail upon YOU
from ambush2'' whispered Feridah as.
side by side. she and 1 rode back at
the head Of our little party toward
the main body
No" I answered. They were about
to attack, when fofestalIed them.
think II you had not Interrupted
you would have been condemned to
death by my father" she finished
both Ha6z'S men would have sworn
you provoked the attack. He is too
willy for you, beloved
My sword may prove as willy as
( his" I grumbled, the fever Of battle
stin smOldeT1ng within me '-NnOtheT
time
There viii be no other time" she
cOntradicted. He viii not meet you,
man TO man, now that he sees you are
his match. Nor viii he forgive YOU for
forcing him to take your hand Beware
Of him, beloved When next he strikes
il viii mean death for one of you. OH
{ II only I might guard you from al
harInr' she cried. the eternal mother
love cropping out
ct Is ] who should defend YOU. not
you me-" I laughed That Is supposed
to be a mans duty. isn't itZ
7 need no defense she answered
proudly. AT least-not from any man.
j What do you mean7" I asked won
derfnE at her odd tone,