Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-10

OFF we went again. therefore. bound for an
unknown destination travelling through the
moonlight over hog backed hills and along mar
row canyons, About IL o'clock got q ray Of
hope Shadowy figures encompassed Us and
few shots were fired. italian soldiers!" I
thought but alas it was not so. The newcom-
ers were a dozen more armed Bedouin rebels
friends of my captors. They stared at me dis
painfully and told me cheerfully that when
met the sheik I should have a rope put around
my neck and be hanged . Spyl
The whole band accompanied N until we
reached q hidden camping place where numer-
Gus Bedouins, old and young, sat around q fire.
Ali, the patriarch of the camp, seemed to be
interested in me and made me sit down beside
him and tell him my story. This did, deScrib-
ing how had been robbed and hogged by the
three brigands, whereupon the chief Of these
came forward and accused me Of being an Ital-
ian spy.
Ali, however, was a man Of understanding.
He turned furiously on my accllSers.
Retreat from me, We thieves!" he cried. "No
harm shall befall this man, and the sacred
Koran itself shall attest his innocence"
Thereupon he picked up a copy Of the book
lying close to his hand, laid It on his lap and
asked me to pick up an olive leaf from the
ground and insert it between the pages where I
would. Every one gathered around to hear what
the Koran had to say about me.
Fortunately, the lines upon which the leaf
rested spoke in my favor, and once more Ali
cursed the three robbers and told them that
next morning they would be made to answer
for their misdeeds. They skunk away like dogs,
saying not word while I was served with a
meal of mutton and tea. Then was allowed
to sleep near the camp fire alongside Ali, and
thus ended my first day in captivity.
Next morning it was found that the three
brigands had fled during the night. taking with
them the horse and my poor little Fatima Ais
sons and grandsons shouted to him to tell him
the news, but Ali neither moved nor responded
Wondering at his silence. they raised his cloak
and then cried out. Mortified, for Ali was dead
The old man had died in his sleep, and his
body now lay lifeless on the very spot where
five hours ago he had so valiantly defended me.
Naturally felt very sad, for had lost my only
friend among these wild children of the desert
and wondered on whom could now rely.
No one, however, appeared to worry about me
any more, and after time a young Bedouin
girl brought me basket of figs and dates some
bread and bag of water, which she hung on
my shoulders.
befall you." she told me. Go south for an hour
over the hills, and in the evening turn east and
you will reach an Italian fort"
1 thanked her warmly and set off immedi-
ately. nobody attempting to stop me. But did
not enjoy my new-found liberty very long, for
had only been walking for about half an hour
or so when heard shouting somewhere behind
Looking around saw a Bedouin boy running
toward me- When he arrived he told me that
must accompany him to the camp of a certain
Sheik Abdulla, but that I need have no fear
Abdulla's camp found, lay about 8 miles
away In westerly direction. The sheik him
self. good-lookng. broad-shouldered man of
middle age, received me kindly and led me into
his tent where 10 men sat In q circle. Once
more had to tell the story Of the three men
who had attacked and robbed me.