Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1919-08-15

several years before. They thought
that they would recognize her for such
If she were indeed the same. But even
so, the testimony of the runner Kovu-
doc had sent to the sheik was such as
to assure them that the girl was the
one they had once before attempted
to abduct.
AS Meriem was brought forth from
the darkness of the hut's interior the
two men turned. with every appear
ance of disinterestedness, to glance at
her. 1t was with difficulty. that NAL
bihn suppressed an ejaculation of as
tonishment. The girls beauty fairly
took his breath from him. But in
stantly he recovered his poise and
turned to Kovudoo.
"Well?" he said to the old chief.
us she not both young and good
lookingw asked Kovudoo.
"She is not DID," replied Malbihn
But, even so, she will be burden.
We did not come from the north after
wives. There are more than enough
there for u.s."
Meriem stood looking straight at the
them-they were to her as much ene-
mics as the black men. She hated and
feared them all. Malbihn spoke to her
in Arabic.
1--WE are friends" he said. "Would
you like to have us take you away
from here?"
Slowly and dimly, as though from a
great distance, recollection Of the once
familiar tongue returned to her.
Il should like to go Free" she said,
"and 60 back to Korak."
you would like to 60 with us?"
persisted Malbihn.
NO" said Meriem.
Malbihn turned to Kovudoo. "She
does not wish to 60 with u.s." he said.
You are men," returned the black.
''Can you not take her by force%
1T would only add to our troubles,"
replied the Swede. mo, Kovudoo, we
do not wish her, though, If you wish
to be rid Of her, we will take her away
because Of our friendship for you"
Now, Kovudoo knew that he had
made sale. They wanted her. So he
commenced to bargain, and in the end
the person Of Meriem passed from the
possession of the black chieftain into
that of the two Swedes in considera.
ton Of six yards Of American, three
empty brass cartridge shells and a
shiny new jackknife from New Jersey.
And all but Meriem were more than
pleased with the bargain.
Kovudoo stipulated but single con-
ditiOn. and that was that the Euro
peans were to leave his village and
take the girl with them as early the
next morning as they could get start
ed. After the sale he did not hesitate
to explain his reasons for this demand
He told them Of strenuous attempts
of the girls savage mate to rescue her,
and suggested that the sooner they got
her out Of the country the more likely
they were to retain possession of her.
Meriem was again bound and placed
under guard. but this time in the tent
Of the Swedes. Malbihn talked to her,
trying to persuade her to accompany
them willingly. He told her that they
would return her to her own village
but when he discovered that she would
rather die than 60 back to the old
sheik he assured her that they would
not take her there-nor, as u matter
Of fact. had they any intention Of SO
doing.
All that night Meriem lay listening
for a signal from Korak. All about
the Jungle life moved through the
darkness. To her sensitive ears came
sounds that the others In the camp
could not hear, sounds that she inter
preted as we might interpret the
speech Of a friend. but not once came
q single note that betokened the pres
ence Of korak. But she knew that he
would come. Nothing short of death
itself could prevent her Korak from
returning to her.
What delayed him, thought
When morning came again and the
night had brought no suceoring Korak
Meriem's faith and loyalty were still
mistaken, though misgivings began to
assail her as to the safety of her
friend. 1t seemed unbelievable that
serious mishap could have overtaken
her wonderful Korak, who daily passed |
unscathed through all the terrors OF |
the Jungle. let morning came, the |
morning meal was eaten. the camp |
broken, and the. disreputable safari of |
the SwedeS was again on the move |
northWurd with still no sign of the |
rescue by Korak the girl momentarily |
expected.