Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-30
CHAPTER X.-Continued,

Over the turf lay spread glorious rug.
on which knelt a young man, praying.
With his back turned on the sunrise, he
was bowling toward Mecca. in the west.
AS he fell PROSTATE his shadow shrank
home beneath him; as he rose again to
his knees it darted at full length across
the lawn. A pair Of sandals, very small
and Of rich leather. stood at the edge of
the carpet; and beside them glistened a
kriss in a heavy golden scabbard, with a
golden hilt. in which great uncut rubies
caught the sunshine like drops of fire
Somber to his waist. the stranger wore a
black fez encircled with some verse from
the Koran in Arabic letters of gold
thread. and plain, close-fitting jacket
of black silk: but from his waist to his
powerful, slim ankles flowed a sarong
miraculous in it's blending of soft colors
| At sight of this David understood why
| his bOatmen had quailed. The pattern on
the Sarong was a variant of the Fighting
| Deer. worn by no man but of the blood
royal.
Raja. prince, king, whatever the man
was, he continued his devotions. A slight
| rustic of silks, and now and then a fer
vent whisper. were the only sounds in
this mosque of green leaves.
| At last the stranger quietly rose, thrust
his delicate brown feet into the little san
dals. took up the golden kriss and slowly
turned. His deliberate, naughty move
ment brought a transformation almost
dazzling. The priest became warrior
| for the whole front of his black silk
jacket glittered with martial frogs and
loops embroidered in gold. On his up
lifted fez the verse from the Koran shone
like a challenge.
| 'Wanneer kwam te?' The question
came swift and threatening. His highness
for a Malay. stood very tall in his san
dals. wondrous pair Of eyes, angry and
| beautiful, blazed from under his feminine
lashes. Every line in his face-nostrils
brows, dark-red lips-every line quiverec
in curve. at once dainty and perilous
He frowned. "Wanneer kwam je?'
| David. conscious of muddy legs. wet
frowzled hair. and clothes everywhere
stained with green grass, made his best
! bow
that 1 have disturbed your devotions
also that I cannot speak Dutch"
| The strangers face grew brighter.
mo more can I, really" He smiled
| like a lonesome boy who has found &
playmate. English? I'm very glad t.
| You haven't anything to do, have you
! with these Dutch officials? Please tell me
| frankly"
Nothing in the world. sir" David an.
swered. II am a traveller. l happen te
| be chasing robber, who took refuge here
on your island"
| His highness frowned no longer, but
| nodded like a man we'll satisfied, not tc
say relieved.
This is very interesting" He spoke
with quiet alacrity and smiled again. the
same youthful. engaging smile. 1--WE
shall have sport after all. The robber is
hiding here now"
l. At the outset of their interview he had
thrust the golden scabbard under his
sash, and with punctilious care had
turned the ruby hilt at a pacific angle
Now he twisted 1t outward, ready to his
hand.
This will be good sport" he declared
Il have been frightfully bored. Let Us
go beat the cover"
He bowed in slight and not ungracious
condescension, turned and led the way
across the little amphitheater of grass
Where ponderous foliage overhung they
gained the mouth of an alley f1oored with
moss.
Pooh" The royal man-hunter halted
suddenly, and tossed his fez with a quick,
scornful motion of the head. "Js this
the fellow? Pooh! He's not dangerous,
| fancy-not worth our trouble!'
Out of the lane. his thick lips set in an
ill-favored smirk, his eyes bold as the
brazen shining Of his lacquered hat, swag
gered Rosario. In the dress and with all
the saucy manner of a groom, he was
putting a long palm sheathed cigarette.
Good morning, gentlemen!' The late
fugitive, now at ease, blew out a wreath
of smoke and grinning broadly, watched
it loiter upward In the sunlight. "Ah, my
word, you know, what an extraordinary
jolly little spot for us to be meeting in"'