Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-12-13

from behind it proceeded a subdued murmur
of human voices. These We're the pens in
which were confined the slaves to be offered
for sale that day. Before the curtains, on
guard, stood some dozen cOrsairs with at
tendant negro slaves.
Beyond and above the wall glistened the
white dome of ZOWa, thanked by a spear
like minaret and the tall heads Of few
date palms, whose long leaves hung motion
less in the hot air
Suddenly in the crowd beyond the gates
there was commotion. From of the
streets six colossal Nubians advanced with
'oak! Oak! warda!" Way! Make
wayD
They were armed with great slaves,
grasped in their two hands, and with these
they. broke a path through that motley
pres$ hurting men to right and left and
earning shower of curses in return.
"Balak. Make way! Way for the Lord
Asad-ed-Din, the exalted of Allah. Way!"
The crowd, pressing back, went down upon
its knees and groveled as Asad-ed-Din on
milk-white mule rode forward, escorted by
Tsamanni his WAGER and a cloud Of black
robed janissaries with flashing scimitars.
The curses that had greeted the violence
of his negroes, were suddenly 6iIenced. In
stead, blessings as fervent filled the air.
"Mav Allah increase thy might! May
Allah slengthen thy days. The blessings OF
our Lord Mahomet upon thee! Allah send
thee more victories!" were the benedictiOn5
that showered upon him every hand.
He returned them as became a man VINO
was supremely pious and devout
"The peace of Allah upon the Faithful OF
the Prophets House." he would murmur in
response from time to time, until at last he
had reached the gates.
There he made Tsamanni fling purse to
the crouching beggars. for is it not written
in the Most PerspcuOus Book that OF aims
We shall bestOw what We can spare, for such
as are saved from their own greed shall
prosper, and whatever ye give in aims, as
seeking the face Of Allah, shall be doubled
unto you?
Submissive to the laws as the meanest Of
his subjects, Asad dismounted and passed
on foot into the sok. He came to halt by
the we'll and, facing the curtamed pent-
house, he blessed the kneeIing crowd and
commanded all to rise.
He beckOned Sakr-el-Bahr's officer, Ali,
who was in charge Of the slaves Of the cor
sair's latest raid, and announced his will
to inspect the captiyes. At a sign from Ali
the negroes flung aside the cameI-hair cur
tains and let the fierce sunlight beat in
upon those pent-up wretches. They were
not only the captfyes taken by Sakr-el-Bahr,
but some others who We're the result of one
or two lesser raids by Biskaine
Asad beheld a huddle Of men and women
though the proportion Of women was very
smaIl-Of all ages, races and conditions:
there were pale, far-haired men from
France or from the North, OIiye-skinned
Italians and swarthy Spaniards negroes and
half castles; there were old men, young
men and mere children. some handsomely
dressed, some almost naked others hung
with rags In the hopeless detection Of
their cOuntenances alone was there any uni
formity. But it was not a detection that
could awaken pity in the piOus heart Of
Asad. They were unbelievers who would
never look upon the face OF Gods Prophet.
accursed and unworthy Of any tenderness