New-York tribune., 1910-06-19
SUNDAY MAGAZINE FOR JUNE 19. 1910


been scattered to the winds. Open, | say!
Openl'
An excited murrnur burst out from the
watch tower and ramparts and the gates
swung back. The cavalcade started for
ward, to be met by the gleam of swiftly
lighted torches to conduct his Majesty the
Sultan on his last ride The Grand Vizlr,
regaining some of his courage, dashed ahead,
shouting Make way! Make way for the Sui
tans own soldiersl" and instantly from both
sides the soldiers called, God prOlOng the
life of our illuStriOuS lord and master.
Dick felt that even the Kaid's troopers in
the rear had for an instant wavered at this
breach of faith in bringing a dead man
through the gates, but that, once inside and
willing to attribute the sacrilege to the two
foreigners, they had regalned their cOmpOs-
ure and were ready to present a brave show
of triumph. They had barely passed through
the lane overhung by the inner battlements
and emerged into the broader street leading
toward the heart of the old city, before the
crowd began to augment. 1t came mysteri-
ously from the swung doors of walls and the
unbarred portals of many gates. Its con-
slant cry was, The Defender of the Faith
has scattered his enemies! The Berber is no
mOrei"
The torches were added to until the mar
row highways were ablaze with light. The
guns on the outer walls were booming out
the royal salute. From the terraces over
head, as they advanced, the swathed heads
of women leaned far out. and dark arms and
hands ShOwered the COnquerOr with a rain
of flowers.
Dick had hastily tied the Su1tan's bride
reins to the high saddle pOmmel beneath the
lashed hands and pulled the royal robe for
ward to conceal the Subterfuge. The whole
L
formation adopted on the instant when thev
entered the street there rode ahead a quartet
of troopers who strenuOuSly cleared the wav
Behind them came the Vizir, now riding
erect, and Immediately following him came
eight other men who carried proudly aloft
the imperial banners, which waved and
cleaned in heavy silken folds as they ad-
vanCed- There was another open space in
the midst of which, closely surrounded bv
torch bearers, and flanked by the two Off
GERS, rode the Sword of the Faithful, stiff1v
erect and staring straight ahead.
With wide unSeelng eyes came the tragic
COnquerOr conquered by deathl The light
of the torches flaring up and illuminating
his maSkllke face showed nothing other than
the well known lineamentS of this supreme
head of the nation. No sign of victory was
there in that cold, immobile face, no light of
eXultatlon in the staring eyes. Dead and
cold, he rode with semblance of pride IN
the midst of his followers The chin was
held high and the flowing end of his ielaba
t1uttered backward in the soft breeze of the
night. His horse, the great white Arabian,
himself descendant of a proud line, arched
his neck and trod lightly in this last pageant
of Nluley MOhamned.
Determined and soldierly, the Kaid and
his companion, Captain of an army across
wide flung sea, rode stirrup to stirrup with
the Sultan and looked straight ahead with
frowning eyes in the last desperate lap of
this race for a throne. They debouChed into
square where white surge of humanity.
twisting and writhing like breakers of a
storm tossed ocean, Surged round them. and
then, surrounded by a maelstrom of LIGHT
and movement. turned toward the imperial
palace, while behind eddied the shoutinq
stream, seeming to follow steadily after. as
if bent on engulting them.
THE palace gates swung wide. Security
was before them. The harbor had been