The Calumet news., 1911-03-21
Copyright, 1907. by R. F. Fenno & Co.

Brayle lies, If indeed there is still
village there, at the foot of one OF the
southern spurs Of the great Caucasian
range. 1t is an out of the way place
which probably few tourists have dis
covered. It is enough to say that
while the slopes of the western range /
are clad in verdure the central range, |
as il may be called, is arid, rocky ana /
desolate. OF comparatively uniform |
height, the mountain tops rise maJes-
tically into the region of perpetual
snow. There are. practically speak
ing, no passes, only here and there n
goat track, dizzy enough to contem'
plate, OF a mOuntaineers zigZag path
which leads nowhere in particular,
and In the neighborhood of Brayle
sheer rock rises perpendicuIarly from
the mountain road which runs through
the village. SO to my story.
Supper finished and a brier pipe set
going, suggested another log on the
fire. more wine-it was very thin wine
and harmless Mustapha's tale.
The man had drunk at my expense or
| do not think he would have told the
legend
'It's little know" he said. Every
one knows nearly as much, only they
do not believe. Long ago, long before
Brayle existed, somewhere near here
there was a pass from this side of the
mountains to n country beyond. There
was constant intercourse between the
people on this side of the mountains
and that country, whose inhabitants
though different, were friendly. The
men were strong and warlike and the
women more than beautiful, far supe-
rior to ours, Ii is said, and the wealth
Of the country was enormous. In the
kings treasury were stored gold and
silver and precious stones, greater
wealth than man could name. III was
a pleasant country, too, warm and sun
ny, for the great mountains shut IL IN
and sheltered II. They were a strong
people and therefore dwelt in safety, a
contented people and therefore happy.
| A day came when the pass was no
more. 1t was n year of fierce storms,
such as had not been known until that
time nor have been since. Mountains
split asunder and changed their shapes,
and when the storms were over the
pass was gone The mountain walls of
| II had split and fallen I'm, shutting that
fair land out of the world forever"
'The legend improves with every
telling" said the landlord.
"And it's all a lle," said one of the
other men contemptuously. "Pve been
lost day and a night upon the noun
tains and know every inch of them
that is to be known. It's all tale.
Mustapha is a stupid dreamer"
Mustapha watched me, My criticism
was the only one he cared about. His
companions jeers he had heard often
enough before.
81 thought it all tale once" he said
when | made no comment. 81 know
better now. There was until lately
wise woman in Brayle, and she told
me that, though the pass was destroy
ed, there remained secret entrance TO
this fair country through the noun
tains and that she had seen armed
men going there. l did not believe
II. and laughed, but now laugh no
| more. Il uuNt btth lhNSt AAANH
more than once.
"whereT / asked.
"On the road you will take tomorrow
IL you travel to the east. | will show
you the place"
'very well; you shall show me to-
morrow We will start early, Mus
tapha," said as I prepared to go to
rest for the night
"I shall wake at dawn" he answer
ed
"And you will return?" asked the
landlord.
1--WE shall be back before sunset,
ready for an excellent supper l an
swered.
Back before sunset / little knew
how many sunsets would sink into
night before l saw Brayle again.
IL was a brilliant but cold morning
when we entered the new country. On
the way / chatted with Mustapha.
Frequently asked him about various
places OF which he had told me. l
questioned him about the legend and
Of the strange men he had seen. He
showed me the fall which he had pre-
viously described, where he had hid
and where he had had adventures. We
came to rough places, sharp turns and
yawning declivltie: Sometimes had
to crawl. and often l grew dizzy and
sick. We reached what looked like n
platform. Suddenly heard Mustapha
J shrek. lie tried 20 retrace his steps
and failed. In trying TO make my own
footing secure fell forward. i be