The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1915-07-14

alteration. and when he rode to Vic
toria's side and learned the truth o
the matter he berated Abul Mukarran
roundly, ordering him to the rear ol
the column and placed another Arai
over the prisoner.
Thereafter the vcnomous looks which
the discredited Abul cast upon Vic
toria oftentimes caused her to shud
der for she knew that she had made
cruel and implacabe enemy of the
man.
Ibn Aswad had given her but a hint
of the fate which awaited her, yet II
had been sufficient TO warn her that
death were better than the thing she
was being dragged through the jungles
to suffer.
Every waking minute her mind was
occupied with plans for escape, yet not
one presented itself which did not Of
fer insuperable obstacles.
Even had she been able to leave the
camp undetected. how long could she
hope to survive in the jungle? And
should by some miracle her life be
spared even for months. of what avail
would that be? She could no more
have retraced her way to Lord Grey
stokes ranch than she could have laid
true course upon the trackless ocean.
The horrors of the march that pass
ed daily in hideous review before her
left her sick and Disguised. The cruel
ly beaten slaves who carried the great
burdens Of ivory, tents and provisions
brought tears to her eyes.
The brutal massacres that followed
the forcible entrance into each sue
ceeding village wrung her heart and
reused her shame for these beasts I'm
human form who urged on their saw
age and cowardly Manyuema canni-
balls to commit nameless excuses
against the covering prisoners that fell
into their hands.
But at last they came to a village
and fall into their arms. Instead.
they were met with sullen resistance.
Ferocious, painted devils fought them
stubbornly every inch of the way, until
Ibn Aswad decided to make a detour
and pass round the village rather than
sacrifice more of his followers.
In the confusion of the fight and the
near retreat which followed Abul Mu-
karram found the opportunity he had
been awaiting The prisoners, includ-
ing the white girl. were being pushed
ahead of the retrea ting raiders. while
the Arabs and Manyuema brought up
the rear, fighting eff the pursuing saw
ages.
Now Abul Mukarram knew a way to
the northland that two might traverse
with ease and over which one could
fairly fly, but which was impossible
for a slave caravan because it passed
through the territory of the English.
If the girl would accompany him
willingly, well and good-if not, then
he would so alone. but not before he
should be revenged upon her.
He left the firing line. therefore, and
pushed his way through the terror
stricken slaves to the side of the Arab
who guarded Victoria Custer.
go back to Ibn Aswad." he said
to the Arab HE desires your pres
ence.'
The other looked at him closely for
a moment.
"You lie. Abul Mukarramr' he said
at last ''Ibn Aswad commanded me
particularly against permitting you to
be alone with the girl. Go tor
"FoOl!' muttered Abul Mukarram.
and with the word he pulled the trig-
ger of the long gun that rested across
the pOmmel of his saddle with its wide
muzzle scarce foot from the stomach
of the other Arab
With shrek the man lunged from
his donkey.
Gomez cried Abul Mukarram. seiz-
ing the bride of Victoria's beast and
turning into the jungle to the west
The girl tried to slip from the saddle,
but Il strong arm went about her waist
and held her firm as the two donkeys
forged. shoulder to shoulder. through
the tangled. mass of creepers which all
but blocked their way.
Once Victoria screamed for help, but
the war cries of the natives drowned
her voice.
Fifteen minutes later the two came
out upon the trail again that they had
followed when they approached the
village. and soon the sounds of conflict
behind them grew fainter and fainter
until they were lost entirely in the dis
lance.
Victoria Clusters mind was working
rapidly, casting about for some means
of escape from the silent figure at her
side. A revolver, or even knife,
would have solved her difficulty. but
she had neither. Had she, the life of
Abul Mukarram would have been
worth but little. for the girl was beside
herself with hopeless horror.
For the better part Of two hours Abul
Mukarram kept on away from the mas
ter he had robbed. He spoke but little.
and when he did 1t was in the tone of
the master to his slave. Near noon
they left the jungle and came out into