Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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AT LO I'? S COMMAND By JOHN A. STE??AET, [Copyright, 1833, by John Alexander Steuart.! ?Ic wrung his nantis arid would have wept but that the point of a dagger made bim leap in the air. "Thou bast, forgotten that we are in a hurry," said Suleiman. '"Go on." He made another effort aud failed as be fore. "The thing cannot bs done, my lord.* he gibbered in despair. "We will see," replied Suleiman. The dagger pricked and Barukscreamed. Like a plunging horse, he sprang at the solid mass and came back like water from a rock. "Thou art of no avail in thy own bouse," said Suleiman. "Do tbou guide and I will make a way for thee." Keeping bis dagger on a-level with the small of a man's back. Suleiman drove ahead, the other cowering close behind him for protection, and we resolutely supporo iug. Progress, however, was slow, for the light was bad, the block exceedingly great and the fallen were troublesome underfoot. But Suleiman's dagger was very,busy quietly busy, dealing blows that were un failingly effective, and we made steady way. Baruk wept hysterically yt intervals, de claring his master would have him behead ed, ami leaped like a roe at every prod from behind. Back, far back, we went along such ii course as I hope never to travel again. At last Baruk, writhing as if the death agony were upon him, touched with the tip of his finger what seemed to be a panel in the wall. The next instant there was a crash of splintering wood and rending iron, and through thc broken doer came a gush of warm perfume. "The houris, my dove," said Suleiman. "The houris." The men at hisback, shout in::, wildly strained for para dise, all except the guide, who groaned dis mally as if lie were on the brink of the pit. Surging forward, we entered a narrow passage heavy with incense .and darkened by massy curtains. Then, bursting an other door, we came to a tapestried cham ber. Suleiman growled at finding it empty and was turning to have satisfaction out of Baruk when a chorus of screams came ring ing out of the remote darkuess beyond. Baruk was let alone. Therewas fun ahead that prohibited dallying. "The inner chamber!" screeched ?he guide. "The inner chamber, my lord! May God and the holy prophet protect rae!" he added to himself tragically. "Surely 1 shall be burned alive for. this and never taste the bliss of the faithful. Xever were thc sanctities of the harem and our holy re ligion .-o profaned before!" Suleiman, in another mood, was using unhallowed language in front, because we were again in a maze of deep darkness, from which, there appeared to be no outlet. '?Perdition seize thee, where art thou now, thou varlet of the bedchamber?" he called angrily to Baruk. "By tue prophet's sword, this dagger quivereth fora fleshy sheath. Thou shalt never escape alive if there is more trouble or delay." "Surely, my loni, 1 know these passages | asa blind man knoweth the way to bk month." answered Baruk promptly. "The press is lessened. 1 will lead." "Let me take hold of thy skirt then^for I have not the eyes of a cat," said Suleiman, . "Thou feeic-st thar point-yea, that shrink lng answereth for thee. Now, my gazelle, get us on If thou wouldst not be in the ball of Eblis th:-; night." We passed on through suffocating waves cf perfume, past rustling curtains of ines timable value, over Persian rugs that were like dee;> beds of moss under foot-upstairs and down stairs and around more corners than Christian architect ever dreamed of. Another door flew into splinters, and we found overselves in a gorgeously decorated apartment illumined by swinging lamps that emitted a delectable odor and full of struggling men and women. Crumpled, disheveled embroideries, turu ians, broken musical instruments and various articles of toilet were strewn about the floor, for the ladies and their attendants, not sus pecting the fate of their lord, had been taken by surprise in the midst of music, gossip and needlework. -. A few of the women were negro slaves, in ' coarse, scanty raiment, but the majority were delicately clothed ladies of the harem whose manifold charms were an eloquent testimony to Amood's appreciation of di verse kinds of female loveliness. Pair Cir cassians there were, and tawny Egyptians, and thick lipped Ethiopians, and black eyed Arabs, with other belles of indefinite hue and varying a: traction. Most of them were young, indeed some were mere girls, and all '.vere plump and fragrant as a musk ox. . They were iu sad plight and disorder, poor things, their veils being rudely torn from their faces, their gauzy robes made into ribbons by men who respected not the sacredness of Amood's domestic circle. Oe- , casionally the eider ones fought with their captors, displaying no small skill in the use of their cla ws, but the younger ones, to whom the nure sight of strangers was pol lution, shrank into alcoves and corners, panting like captured does, and were easier prizes. ? To an ur.occupied spectator the details of the scrimmage would have been comical enough. Sometimes two men strove for one woman, and sometimes one man tried desperately to secure two ladies. Generally speaking, however, one lady was as much as the boldest could well manage, and, in the case of the older vixens, at times more. Suleiman cast a swift apr raising glance about the room. "The queen-which is the queen?" he de manded of Baruk. "She is not here, my lord," answered the quaking Biruk. "Xot here, thou dog! And wherefore are we here? Wouldst thou have thy blood spilled ere thou art a minute older? By this red blade, I will have none of thy tar rj'iiig and wavering." : Baruk took a step forward in quivering trepidation. Xor did he tremble without cause, for some of the women spying him were at him like tigresses, screeching that Le had betrayed them. "This is unseemly," said Suleiman, in tervening. "Yedo your loveliness wrong." : "The wretch is a traitor," they clamored. "Ile hath betrayed us. We will have his eyes out for the dishonor." 'rXay, nay, my channing ones," said Su leiman, with thc most gallant air imagin able. "Ye do him injustice. Xever was keeper of beauty so faithful to his trust. He hath conducted us hither, O lights of our souls, on the sharp compulsion of steel. Unreasonable mao, to deny us entrance to such a paradise] 1 protest 1 nearly slew him at the thought of what he would withhold from us. Par and fast have we ridden on unmatchable ones for the heav enly joy of looking upon you, and now we prostrate ourselves at your feet," .. In spite of their rage, the ladies could not help smiling at the insinuating sweetness of Suleiman. . "Be comforted, ye who are as the stars in glory and brightness," he went on. "This guardian of your angelic slumbers hath not been false. But the times are strange, O peerless princesses! Men are not masters in their own houses. Even the mighty Amood Sinn hath tasted defeat and is no longer able to rule his palace." K Such of tho ladies as w 're disengaged clasped their hands, turned their eyes to heaven, and with one accord screamed, f "Slay rae for causing you pain, yo ador able ones," pleaded Suleiman. "I vow we deserve death for thus disturbing your meditations. Yet must I ask one question. Is the beauteous flower, the queen, within? Business brooketh no delay, else would we tarry to sip honey off your lips, O ye eu chantresses." ? Jealousy is an ever active fire in the harem. There was probably not ono among them who would nc. have rejoiced in ber heart to see the reigning beauty cast from the window, but deceit knows how to be discreet. Xever would they permit unhai lowed strangers to pollute their beautiful queen by looking opon Her, not so Jong ns they bad breath to defend her. Intimating this, as many as were fite bolled through an inner doer, slamming and fastening it behind them. i-."Make haste," said Suleiman. "We must not lose them. They will guide us to the queen." :- Easily forcing the door, we dashed in pur suit. Along the dark tripping ways we flew, guided by cries and vanishing skin tails, round innumerable angles, through I countless doo-s till we c.".nnon .a lon*' striug?ir~pa.->ag?\ ~X~~CL~~f.iriu?T enu, through a tliin vista of muslin, we got a glimpse ol' twp women, whom we had not hitherto seen, disappearing at their utmost speed with (lying tresses that told of dis tress. ;. "'Tissue! 'tis she!*' cried Barak excited ly. Then to himself, though loud enough to be audible to all: "Glory be to heaven, she will esc:1 pe! She can bide!" But sud denly remembering the position of affairs, he called again: "My lord, make haste. She is thine; so also is her companion, the In dian princess of fabulous wealth. That is o tale ot wonder. I would tell it to my lord, but there is no time. The holy prophet preserve me!" And he groaned as if taken with a sudden pain. Suleiman bounded past tho shrieking bevy we had first met. the rest of us fol lowing as best we could. Sudden cries of terror rose in front and echoed shrilly in many recess's. "She is captured," said Suleiman, leaping faster. "She must be ours. Close up, my men." In an instant we were round the corner, to find our prizes in the arms of three men who were already setting about binding them. "Varlets, let go," shouted Suleiman, drawing his crooked sword and rushing upon the group. Two of themeu turning quickly drew a pair of long, thin daggers and put themselves in a posture of defense; the third catching the women hythe wrists dragged them scieammg into an adjacent room. We crowded to Suleiman's aid, and the business would have been over in a jiffy had not the women who were behind come up and flung themselves blindly among our weapons. Suleiman growled at the in terruption of the sport; his resentment being the fiercer possibly that his adver saries, profiting by the diversion, took to their heels without so much as a cut upon them. The fellow who tugged at the queen and her companion, seeing battle was hope less, dropped his hold ?iud fled after his comrades. Thus released, the two women fled on afresh in a worse agony of fright than ever, and we, getting unceremoniously rid of the others, went in bot pursuit. We gained on them, and they separated, leap ing out of sight on either side of a passage, as I have seen hunted rabbits^disappear among whins and ferns. Suleiman, with half the company, darted after the one, 1, with the rest, going on the track of the other, who proved to bo the Indian princess. We had almost overtaken her, when, sudden as a tiger from her native jungles, a man sprang out of ambush, seized her, and before she could so much as cry had her into a curtained recess. There were two men trying to gag and bind her, but they never accomplished the operation. One went down, wreaking his vengeance on the spear that pierced him, aud the ottier shot out of sight, leaving the rope twisted about his victim's arms. Faint with fatigue and fear the lady gave a little peculiar erv. staggered and fell back, as it happeneu. T7;c lady rjnvcn little peculiar cry, Stan (jcrcd and fell hack. right into my arms. Cutting her fettci with my sword, I led her quietly ton diva that chanced to be near, the Bedouin crowding close about, but chivalrous]; keeping hands oil her. "rte not afraid," i said as gently as could when she had recovered a lit de. "W will do thee no harm." She answered something in broken Ai abie, which I did not understand, and pre; ently, professing herself quite restored, sh was escorted back the way we had corni The Bedouins, whispering among then selves, appraised the value of her rich a: tire of silk and gold and jewels, but as for me I was speculating what thc trembling creature was and how she could have drift ed, there. Meanwhile Suleiman had cap tured the queen, who, as he privately in formed mc, was worth more than all tbr rest put together. CHAPTER XXIV. TIIK INDIAN* PRINCESS. There was still much to be done and need of haste in doing it, but Suleiman's first duty was to provide for the safety of the orizes he had taken. "Ye shall come with us, ye lovely ones,'' he said, addressing the ladies with the grand air of a born cavalier, "and we will make you secure from the fury of man. Far have we come to deliver you from ruth less hands and ignoble bondage." "And who instructed thee in ottrcondi tion:-" demanded the Circassian, flashing with queenly rage. "Thy deliverance, me thinks, will be slavery-thy care a perpetual evil." "Sweet rose of the garden," replied Sulei man, "it beeometh not thy beauty to be in a tempest. Thy lord is far from hence, my beauteous one, and his return to thy lovely besoin is uncertain. Wherefore shouldst thou tarry here to be abased!'" "There can be no worse abasement than going with thee," she snapped, "Leave us to such chances as fate may bring and get ye gone, for ye are but portionless Bedouins of the desert." "Xay," answered Suleiman, more insinu atingly thau ever. "We cannot leave what has enraptured our eyes. Make thyself old and ugly, my charmer, and we will fly from thy presence. But while thou puttest the rose and lily to shame thou must blame heaven, not us, if we refuse to go from thy side. And now, my adorable, there is busi ness going on in which i must bear a hand. Will my queen therefore deign to accom pauy us to a place of safety, where she may be guarded from barm?" The lady would have broken out again, but Suleiman had no more time to waste on words. "Conduct thy mistress, the queen, and her fair companion, the gem ol India, whither we lead," he said, turning sharply upon Baruk. "Is there a spot ol Safety about this nether pit:1" "It is as my lerd-secth,"answered Baruk. Suleiman considered lora moment, then turned again to the ladies. "Have the lights of Amood's eyes any possessions they would fain carry willi them:'-' he inquired, with a courtly smile. "Trinkets, jewels, costly robes? Methinks they must bave. And we will ourselves help them to collect their riches. Ye stay here while we search." Accordingly, although the queen declared vociferously she had no wish but to see the last of QS, the ladies were consigned to thc care of a strong guard, of which I was oue, while the rest, under the guidance of Ba ruk, went in search of valuables. They re turned after a little with many sparkling caskets full of precious gems, loads of vari ons stud's ol' richness unsurpassed-cam cl's hair clanks elaborately inwrought with gold, Indian silks of manifold dyes and patterns, Kborassnn brocades, bundles of rugs and sb iwls and sashes enough to fur nish 10 regiments of sheiks, and, more im portant than all, t wo more of the princi pnl ladies of the harem. "Jlist one t hing more ere wedepart," said Suleiman gleefully. "There is enough of the wine of Shiraz to float a thousand ships, and, hythe prophet's beard, wc go not without a share of it." They went off again, presently coming back laden till they groaned willi skin hot ties of many sizes full to thc brim of wine. The burdens were setdown, and Suleiman looked with joy at the pile, and from tin pile to the ladies, and from the ladies back at the pile. "It is good," he remarked. ":- :?.::! I not that Amowl '.van a mighty benefactor ol lu's kind? There is..enough hera to make the black tents merry fora year." But it was a bard question how toge! nil this plunder sway. We bad won ii bj force, and by force might lose it, for in sin h adventures as looting castles prone*.'' changes hands with unrcckonuble qtnc-i ness. Suleiman sh pped to thc latticed window :* ? .-. I I J? I. - ' i -.-_. - . S?t kl'JV% twill Hi(/ivi-?i . * I" were on tue outerwallol thc castle, and our beasts could not be far efl. Suleiman's brow cleared. "There be ropes where riches so abound, my gazelle," he said, turning to Daruk. "Yea, my lord." "Take him and bring a rope, Ali," said Suleiman to a man at his side. "Two, if thou canst find them, and make thy best speed." Alt and Baruk were out of sight in a mo mer.*-., and Suleiman went on with his in structions. "And thou, Ibrahim, my trusty right hand, take with you three others, cleave your way down'to where we left our horses and tell our fellows to bring them under this window. Tho matter will be easy. Get camels, too, if thou canst lay hands on them, and our fair ones would ride the easier in litters. I will swing a lamp in the window as a signal to thee, and forget not, good Ibrahim, to make haste." "I will not forget," said Ibrahim, choos ing his companions. In a few minutes Ali and Baruk were back with two stout ropes, which were made fast to two spearheads driven into the floor. "We will slip down these quicker than the angels came down Jacob's ladder," re marked Suleiman, throwing the loose ends out of the window. "Xow, my good Ibra him, do not tarry." Ibrahim did not tarry. Even sooner, I think, than was expected by our impatient leader, there was a sound of grunting and snorting and low voices in the darkness un derneath that made him smile. . "Art thou there, Ibrahim?" called Sulei man softly. "I am here," answered Ibrahim In the same tone. "And four camels, by the memory of tho great Saad. [A notorious Arab freebooter.] How didst thou find them, my gay one?" "By taking their keepers unawares and sending them swiftly to the prophet's bos om," replied Ibrahim. "Malee will seethe thee in fiery brimstone for thy good deeds, Ibrahim," chuckled Suleiman. * Chattels and ladies were lowered, the lat ter not without difficulty, for three were timid and the fourth rebellious, but Sulei man, who was experienced and expeditious in such matters, had soon the whole four, as he expressed it, in Ibrahim's bosom be !J?V. Then slipping down ourselves and hurriedly forming a circle about our spoils we thrust and cut a way to the compara tive quiet of an orchard, where the goods were loaded and the ladies provided with litters. This care was taken that they might depreciate as little as possible in value. We had not finished when dense volumes of smoke were seen ascending from the castle. "What the Bedouin leaves the flames will have," remarked one of the men a minute later as a great blaze lit up the sky. "Idiots!" growled Sulemraan, who in tended to go back for more plunder, and in the next breath, "Mother of the prophet, listen to the roaring and the rushing! Our kindred will be about us like clouds of hornets. It is time to be away." If we wished to hold our own, it was time. So, mounting in the light of the burning pile, we made off with all speed. It was not easy to escape from that whirlpool of destruction and keep our plunder intact. At the start we had to fight our way step by step, and at times the handling was so rough and the odds so heavy that it Seemed we must lose all wc had captured. Hut we kept well togetber. and partly by Strategy, parily by a free and active use of steel, we got out at last with no niore serions mishap than the less of a little blood, i'o that we were by this time accustomed, and it did not hurt our spirits, {hough one man, evidently a recent addition to the band, made much adoabout a couple of broken ribs till he was laughed and bul lied out of his complaints. We made straight for the desert as our safest retreat, never drawing rein till the sun was well up and >vc were once more ?lone. Then we halted to refresh ourselves nf t?,o r-vinrl thincs provided by Vea, eat and drink in nonoroi our viciortes. There is a sweet savor already in my nos trils. Here are rivers of the wine of Shiraz, and bread baked in the ovens of Amood. Heaven protect him in his adversity!" The company applauded and fell merrily to eating and drinking; the men squatted on the ground beside their horses, the wom en chastely withdrawn in their litters and attended by the obsequious Baruk. The meal was not over when Suleiman and Ibrahim were discussing our next movement. Much was said in a low voice about pilgrims and caravans and the pecu niary value of ladies such as we happened to possess, and, though I did not hear all, yet by putting two and two together I un derstood that more robberies were in the wind. In >;hort, the pious of thc Moslem world were then making the annual pil grimage, and wc were bent on relieving them of some of their superfluous wealth. The caravan on which we were anxious to bestow our attentions was the one that, starting from Yumen, proceeds by the mountain course to Tait As we knew al most to a day the date at which it would appear, we could post ourselves satisfactori ly and await its coming with composure. The place of reception was iu the heart of the mountains in a deep and ugly defile where two camels could scarcely walk abreast and a caravan could be harried with impunity. We rode hard, gained our posi tion in good time, hid like foxes among the rocksand prayed that the hadjis would not tarry. While waiting their arrival I had an experience that would be worth a for tune to a story ' eller. The sun had set, and the night had closed In rather dark. I had been attending to my mare and was returning to my com panions, when Baruk, sidling up with an air of profound mystery, whispered that the Indian princess wished to have speech with me. "But beware how thou goest," he said. "A score of lances would be sheathed jn thy body if thou wert caught talking to. her in secret." "What docs she want with me, Baruk?" T inquired softl}'. "She will tell thee. Follow mc," he an swered, gliding into the darkness. The danger and the mystery were of course an irresistible incentive, and I turn ed after him instantly. We found the In dian crouching behind a big stone, having by some pretense managed to get away (rom the other women. Saluting her qui etly, I told her I was at her service, but in stead of answering me she turned to Barak. "Good, good Baruk," she said in thc sweetest ol' voices and in broken Arabic. "Gracious Baruk, go back to the litters. Say I am praying to the night. It is a cus tom with my people. It is a rite, say a rite, my Baruk, lear not, I will return to thee. Ile," indicating me, "will keep me safe." Baruk looked a little dubious, but he went. "Thou art a stranger in this land," she said lo me quickly when we were alone. "In India we see thy people, but this is not India. Thy face made my heart leap in the palace. Art one nf the robbers? What do people call them? Bedouins-yea, that is it. Art one of them?" A man must not ttust himself unreserv j edlytothe first minx he meets, so I an swered warily, lint her eager intelligence found all she wanted in my reply. "Sic. 1 take thy Land nod kiss it-so," Beijing my lu:i)d and putting it to her lips. "It is sin in our religion. *But I have been taught. Ah, hal I have been taught. I .-.in a daughter of the holy prophet, but there is more than one road to heaven, ia that not good truth?" I hud to admit it waa fairly good truth and excellent Christian doctrine. "Vi s, yes, ! know," she went pu quickly, and her voicn was thrilling with sup pressed emotion. "I have been taught -mote than one road to heaven-that is what thy people say. Now listen. Dost know weare guilty of a great big sin? Ah, thc big knife would cut oiT thy head if eyes discovered us. Bul. thy people- are brave. Art afraid.'"'she asked, ruining so close I could hear the quick beading pf her heart. There was n t ust le behind and she turned, holding her brent h. "It is only Baruk," she said, much re lieved. "Good Barak, just a little space Plunger, xeil mern ir tney HSK mee uJatTT am safe. Thou comest from Car across the sea-people coll ic England," she contin ued, turning back to me. More and more puzzled, I admitted she was right. "I knew," slie said, with an eagerness in which pleasure and pain were mingled. "Thy face proclaimeth thy country. I know thy people. Yea, one is-but never mind, that is too fast. Listen! Art thou going to remain with the robbers, the Bed ouins?" ! Baruk came creeping back again, declar ing she would be missed and he slain, j "Thou shalt go straight to paradise, Ba ruk," she replied soothingly. "Just one little space more," and he went away again. "Now art * hon going to stay?" "Not if I can help it," I blurted, almost without knowing what I said. "That is good," she said with a- little rocking motion of delight. "There is not time to tell everything now. If thou goest take me with thee. Let them not keep rae to do their will. Pollution-that is it. Thou wilt save me, and I will love thee forever. Listen. I was performing the pilgrimage, they captured the caravan and slew my father. There was one-but there is no time to tell it. It was Amood Sinn that was wicked, and now I know he has been punished because his palace is in ashes. A battle perchance. Wert thou In it?" I answered in the aflirmative, getting ever deeper involved in the mysteries sur rounding this strange woman. "And didst thou see one there like thy self? Hush, hush!" Baruk came again, saying he would risk his life for us no longer. "Good Baruk, thou wilt not die," said my companion. "One turn more-one lit tle turn. That is it. The night is cool Thy mind will be at ease." "Thou wilt have me speared like a goat," he demurred. Nevertheless he left us once more. "There is another caravan coming," pur sued my companion breathlessly. "I heard it from Baruk. Let us join it. Trust Ba ruk for his love of gold. I will trust thee in honor of thy people." And she was lost in the darkness like a shadow. I returned to my place and presently got a word with Baruk. "What is this strange thing that the In dian princesssayeth?" I asked, putting my mouth close to his ear, for there was need of dead secrecy. "Nay, I am not a magician," he an swered, with the oily evasiveness of the oriental who is chary about committing himself. "Let us have no pretense of ignorance," I said, feigning anger. "What do they mean?" "My lord frighteneth me." The voice of Suleiman was heard calling for some one, ?nd in the same instant the fires leaped up, shedding a fitful, lurid light on the scene. If we were caught con sulting, our lives would not be worth 10 minutes' purchase. "Look here, Baruk," I said, "I am thy friend. What is the state of affairs? Tell it clearly." "May I never be in such a position again," groaned Baruk. "Hark you, we deal with treachery and cruel lances. What is our blood? Nothing. What is the spoil and the price of these women? Everything. Vet we talk of that which, were it known, would make us dead men on the spot." My thoughts were exactly like his, but a woman hail asked my aid, aud I could not refuse it. "Freedom is more than life," i said, with an audacity that was not entirely genuine. "We must not he timorous. Now, look you, I am a stranger. Thiukest thou 1 came here to rob? We help ourselves, good Baruk, in helping the Indian princess." "She hath untold riches; she cnn recom pense," murmured Baruk. "Vet perchance when she was safe she would forget us." "And if thou remuinest here, art not thou a bondsman forever? Nay, who is to hinder these fellows from taking thee out into the desert and stripping thee naked and leav ing thee, so that when t he wolves were done with thy bones they would be the sport of the winds?" food; wine flowed like water in the rainy season, and the coffee and tobacco were, the best on earth. Suleiman, rising presently, went to see that the ladies were being properly attend ed and carne back praising the wondrous docility of the Indian princess. I smoked, looking np at the brightness of Orion, and said nothing. But in my heart was the quivering exultation of the schemer who has important business on hand and knows that failure is death. My next move was to enlighten Tabal. It was done in a few words, for now that the heavens were bright the chance of private talk was small. But Tabal quickly under stood all and fervently swore a vow of fealty. To Tabal 's mind there was but one serious difficulty in our project of escape. "We go with the caravan to Mecca," he said. "Assuredly; it will do us all good." "But thou art not of our religion. Think what that meanetb." "I nm a better Mohammedan than thy self, good Tabal. There will not be in the great mosque a more devout hadji than him whom thou cal lest Christian. Are we not brothers? Did not thy father put the light of the Koran into my soul? Dost thou think I am careless about getting to heaven? Tabal, I will do the pilgrimage as a follower of the prophet." Tabal was conviuced, and we parted to ignore each other very studiously for the rest of the night. Near the dawn, when the world was black and men were heavy, Baruk returned to me. He had got over his wavering and was ready for the most desperate exploit. "We will put on the green turban [the badge or sign of such as have performed the pilgrimage to Mecca] together, Baruk," I said joyfully, after listening to his prom ise of help. "Now, tell me the name of our princess." "They call her Ranee." "A pretty name," I remarked. "Let us make her happy." Therefore as briefly and minutely as was possible with words 1 gave himself instructions both for Ranee and for himself. Fortunately the simplic ity of the plan of attack enabled us to make our arrangements with confidence and tolerable accuracy. With the first blink of light we were on the lookout for the caravan, but the day had worn well into the afternoon before our scouts brought word it was nt the mouth of the defile. At the intelligence that it was coming we settled down in our hiding place as still as dead men, the horses being kept some distance behind lest they should neigh and betray us. Tabal and 1 had many unsuspected thoughts, but as it would be unwise to express them and it was impossible to communicate with either Ranee or Baruk we could only wait in silent eagerness and faith. The pilgrims sent forward a party of half a dozen horsemen, and we were ordered further back. Suleimau himself, with one compauion LO act as messenger, remained to observe, their place of vantage being the hollow top of a great rock which pro jected, causing a curve in the path below. Lying there fiat they had an almost unin terrupted view of the pass, and by deft clambering ibo messenger could reach our ambush without fear of detection. To keep us keen and in touch with what was going on Suleiman sent frequently to tell us of the movements of the horsemen. Wc learned that, passing right beneath his hiding place, they rode to the head of the gorge, looked dutifully about among tho rocks, and discovering uothing returned light heartedly tn report tho way clear. Then the caravan, wjshiijt; no doubt to get to open ground again as speedily aa might be, swung its huge length 'into the defile lind came trailing on like an endless ser pent. Suleiman, watching it closely, sent back word to look to our horses and anus, us the pn..> peet w/ts glorious beyond his ex pectation. HE CONTI:?UED.) Beautiful line of Straw Mntting, Chinese or Japans*, at 3??c per yard at Ramsoy & Biand's. Ladies are invftid tocal) and cxnminer PRICKLY ASH, POKE ROOT AND POTASSIUM ~ ?Hakes Marvelous Cures gr in Blood Poison Rheumatism and Scrofula P. P. P. purifies tbe blood, builds np tho weak and debilitated, (elves strength to weakened nerves, expels diseases,giving tho patient health and happiness whore sickness, Bloomy feelings and lassitude first prevailed. For primary, secondary and tertiary syphilis, for blood poisoning, mercu rial poison, malaria, dyspepsia, and in all blood and skin diseases, Uko blotches, pimples, old chronic ulcers, tetter, scald he:.d, boils, erysipelas, eczema-wo may say, without fear of contradiction,that P. P. P. Isthebest blood purlller In tho world,and maker positive, speedy and permanent cures In all cases._ ladles whoso systems aro poisoned and whose blood ls In an Impuro condi tion, due to menstrual Irregularities, aro peculiarly bonellted by tho won derful tonic and blood cleansing prop erties of P. P. P. -Prickly Ash, Poke Koot and Potassium. ?3*-? r2>-* g?>- ? tS>-? ?p ?Ss* SPRINGFIELD, Mo., Aug. 14th. 1893. -I can speak in tho highest terms of your moolclne from my own personal knowledge. I was affected with heart disease, pleurisy and rheumatism for 35 years, was treated by the very best physicians ana spont hundreds of dol lars, tried every known remedy with out Unding relief. I have only taken ono bottle of your P. P. P., and can cheerfully say it has done mo more good than anything I havo overtaken. I can recommend your medicine to all sufferers of the abovo diseases. _ MRS. M. M. YEAKT. Springfield, Green County, Mo. Pimples, Blotches ErS and Old Sores 2 Catarrh, Malaria -J and Kidney Troubles ^ ?.re entirely removed by P.P.Ir'. ""^? -Prickly Ash, Poke Root and Potas- ^2 slum, the greatest blood purlller on . -<3P earth. ABERDEEN, 0.. Joly 21,1S91. ?j?5 MESSRS. LIPP.UA* BROS. , Savannah, _ma Qa. : DEAR SIRS-I bought a bottle of your P.P. P. at Hot Springs.Ark..and It has don?me morn good than turee ^.i. months' treatment at the Hot Springs. Bend threo bottles C. 0. D. ? rfg Respectfully yours, - JAS. M. NEWTON, Aberdeen, Brown County, 0. . Capt. J. ?. Johnston. ?. To all te h om it may concern: I here by testify to the wonderful properties of P. P. P. for eruptions of tho skin. I suffered for several years with an un- 1 ^Sf sightly and disagreeable eruption on ? my face. I tried every known reme dy but In vain,until P. P. P. was used, ^5* ?nd am now entirely cured. .^am (Blgned by) J. D. JOHNSTON. Savannah. Qa. . +J3> Skin Cancer Cored. ^9 Teitimony/romthe Mayor of Scquin^Tex. SEQUIN, TEX., January 14,1893. ""*^~ MESSES. LIPPMAN BROS., Savannah, ?-^^^ Ga. : Gentlemen-I have tried your P. -^^m P. P. for a disease of the skin, usually ^^^^ known as skin cancer,of thirty years' standing, and found great relief: lt mm purifies the blood and removes all lr- ""^^^ rltatlou from the seat of the disease < and prevents any spreading of the gm. sores. I have taken Ave or six bottles and feel confident that another course <0 will effect a cure. It has also relieved me from Indigestion and stomach 40 troubles. Yours truly, *-r* CAPT. W. M. RUST. Attorney at Law. Book on Bid Diseases Malled Free. -? ALL DRUGGISTS SELL IT. ^ LIPPMAN BROS. PROPRIETORS, Llppman't Block,Savannah, Ga uiiuuiuutft . SCHWEIGERT Islie Je^v%rellei% Corner Broad and ^McIntosh Streets. A i.?lista, <3c2i CITATION. STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OK EDGEFIELD. By J. D. Allen, Esq., Probate Judge BERKAS, Jacob Gibson, hntli made suit to me, to grant him Letters of Administration ortho estate .uni effects ol' Isaac Kiley, deceased. TJRE'E AUK THEREFORE, to cite and admonish all and singular the kindred and creditors ol' the said Isaac Riley, deceased, that they be and appear before me, in ilie Court ol' Pro bale, to be held ai Edgefield C. II., on Saturday. 7th of June next, after pub lica! ion hereof, at ll o'clock in the forenoon, to show cause, if any they have, why the said Administration should not be granted. Given under my hand, this the 21st dav of May, Anno people with cutir? success. Kverjr mu^io _ a special cure for the disease named. They cure without dragging, purging or reducing thc system and nrc In fact and deed tho Sovereign H cine dies of tin; World. ?0. COMM. nae:-'J. 1- Fevers, Congestions,Inflammations.. .25 2- Worms, Worm Fever. Worm Colic.25 3- Teething; Colic, Crying, Wakefulness ,25 4- Diarrhea, of Children or Adults.25 , 7-Coughs, Colds, Bronchitis.25 8- Neuralgia, Toothache, l'aceache.25 9- Ilcadaehes, Sick Headache, Vertigo.. .25 10- Dyspepsia, Biliousness, Constipation. .25 11- Suppressed or I'ninfill Periods... .25 12- Whites, Too Frotan Periods.25 13- Cronp, .Laryngitis, Hoarseness.25, 14- Salt lthcnin. Erysipelas.Eruptions.. .25 15- Khcninatisiii, Rheumatic Pains.25 16- IUalaria, Chills, Fever and Ague.25 19- Catarrh, Influenza, Cold in thc Head. .25 20- Whooping Cough.'?5 27-Kidney DiHensPM .25 '?S-Ncrvoiis Debility.1.00 30-Urinory Weakness, Wetting Ted.. .25 HUMPHREYS' WITCH HAZEL OIL, "Thc Pile Ointment."-Trial Size, 25 Cts. 6olil liv DrajcsM*. or witt port-paid on receipt nf price. DB. llnnmsn' .MANUAL IN4 pas?,) MAILIH* KUKK. UmtPBMMWBED. CO., 1114113 William SU, NEW YORK. SPECIFICS. FREE TO ALL: 3 Oar New Illustrated H Catalogueof PLANTS, M ?ROSES, BULBS, VINES, fi SHRUBS, ORNAMENTAL fl TREES, SMALL FRUITS, fl GRAPE VINES, 8EEDM, f .etc., will be mailed r .FREEtoaUf pUcants. 100 pages. Most com- i p?ete Plant Catalogue 1 sublished. Satisfaction Guaranteed. 20 ROSE f, SOUSES. 45 GREENHOUSES; 30 acres NURSERIES. tj Address NANZ & NEUNER, LOUISVILLE, KT J Our Spring Stylos of tliis excellent brand of Hats arc now in store. If you want a good article, one that wears well and holds its shape, buy the Elk Brand Hats from J. M. COBB. W. N. BURNETT Successor to GEO. B. LAKE, CYCLOMOIRE INSURANCE Office over Bank of Edgefield.i GEO. W. CROFT. JAS. H. TILLMAN. Croft & Tillman, ATTORNEYS ^COUNSELLORS, EDGEFIELD, (Mis Building) S. C. ?f?ST'Will practice in all Courts of South Carolina and Georgia? K. G. EVAN'S, JOHN GARY EVAX?, KDGKPIKLD. S. C. AIKEN, S. C. Evans Brothers, Will practice in all the Courts of the btate. TOBACCO! TOBACCO! We have a fine lot of excellent quality-Virginia and North Caro lina Chewing and Smoking. We invite you to examine our goods and see our prices, We will save you monev. We have a fine lot put up'in CADDIES OF 10 AND 12 POUNDS for the convenience of our farmers in supplying their hands. JAS. M. COBB. ?Sfi T. X. L. For P?. It Cures RHEUMATISM, NEURALGIA, TOOTHACHE, GRIP, AND COLD IN ALL ITS FORMS, CUTS, SORES, BRUISES, SPRAINS, LAMENESS. It always relieves when properly applied. SOLD BY AI2I2 DRUGGISTS. PRICE 25 CENTS. Prepared by T. X. L. CO. C. M. DEMPSEY, Manager 230 Main St., Columbia, S.X. GEO B, LAKE RE^L ESTATE - AND - INSURANeeAB'T, Office over Bank ol Edgefleld. -FOR- . Fire Life Insurance - HT - - CALL OX - D. R. DURISOE, No. 3, ADDISOX KOW, EPajSFlELD, - ?_S, 0. An elegant line of furniture al ays on hand and for sale at bottom figures at Ramsey & Bland'-, ^hen you want neat, clean, and stylish, all . 3iser Office. Satisfaction always guaranteed1 Gwe us a| trial order. How To invest Small Amounts. This is a problem that puzzles more than one man who saves a portion of his salary. The fol lowing letter gives the result of an investment in a Tontine Policy of the Equitable Life. UNION, S. C., Dec. 20, 1892. W. J. RODDEY, Esq., Agent DEAR SIR :-Your favor enclosing check of thc Equitable Life Assur ance Society in settlement of my policy, No. 209,310, came duly to hand. Thc settlement is a liberal one, exceeding my expectations, and I am pleased with it. Yours truly, WILLIAM MUNRO. There is no form of investment to-day that offers such absolute security and such liberal divi dends as the proper form of life assurance. It's a matter on which every mau should be posted. We send you figures and particulars without charge. W. J. RODDEY, Manager, Department of the Carolinas, ROCK HILL, S. C. ?SPECIALISTS* (Ee.tular Gr.idua.tcc.) Arc'thc lending and most successful specialist! and mn give you help. Youn2 and mid dle aged men. Remarkable re en lu have follow ed oar treatment. Many yeurs of varied and success fol experience In thc use of cura tive methods that we alone own and control for all dla* orders of mes wno " ave weak, unde veloped or ?:?? eased organs, or who are suffering "rom errora 01 ou th and excess rwho are nervous '.wi Impotent, tic scorn of their ellows and the contempt of their friends and coa pantons, leads a* to guarantee to all patients, if they can possibly be rc.tored, our own exclusivo treatment will afford u cure. WO SEEN! Don't you want to get cured cf that weuUne** with a treatment that you can use at home without Instrument*? Our wonderful treat ment has cured others. Whynot you? Try it. CATARRH, and diseases of the Skin, Blood, Heart, Liver and Kidneys. STPHTXIS-The most rnpld. safe and effective remedy. A complete Care Guaranteed. S Tv TV SISEASES of ull kinds cared where many others have failed. "US~VATTrR.lL DISCHARGES promptly cured In a few days. Quick, sure and safe. Tbl* "nciudes Gleet and Gonorlirea. TRUTH AND FACfS. We have enred cases of Chroi/; Diseases th? ?ave failed taget cured at thc hails o? other specie Ma arid medical Institutes. nevKEME MT? ER that there ia hope lor Vou. Consult DO other, as you muy waste valuable dmc. Obtain our treatment at once. Beware of free and clicnp treatments. We give thc best endmost BO lentille treatment at moderate prices-as low MS cnn bc done for safe and sklllfc treatment. FREE connnltatlon at the ottlcoc by mall. Thorough examination and careful dla?, no.'ls. Ahorne treatment can hegtven in am.ijpWty of c??es. Send for Symntom Blank No? 1 for Men; No. 2 for Women : No. 3 for Skin Diseases. All corre spondence answered promptly. Business strictly con fldcDtlal. Entiro treatment sent free from observa don. Kef er to our patients, hanks a?d business mew Address or call on DR. HATHAWAY & CO., 02 i-a South Broad Street ATLANTA. QA TOWN TOPICS; 37us Journal of Society, (?PAGES., *NEWY0HK< (xmrr.uDAV., Is cnlversaUy ?rccognlzod aa the irofi c.xaoicJO weekly Journal lr 1 the world. - Ita "Saunteiinrs" cuhuuus aro iaL-c?tiM?. Itn society newe, csp .'dally ot.ihe dol?is ol '"ic fl??:?e? . New York, Boan TI. PMuuulphb, t?-i.'.-o, au; uU outr the world, 1? not r<niiill.'d by a-y in-wn-c .cf. Ita Financial Di partuin I 13 million'v willi ell bankers and broter?. Its ''Literary i-U'W-n-Hta on current literature - t? by thc clevcitwt ?>f nv viewers. Its "Afield a-ul Allott " nut kw lt tilt most lnten.-stlng papt-r fur all 'cv. 1 .f mg -. - yachilng, faotbal!, rov.lr.j. si rip;:. ... ::!::.. sta, Its "On tho Turf" exe. U ?ill ^t?i r rucies ???ire* ila burleiques. poems and Jukes a;c die ni ;mt storleBarel'y thc i.rst writers- umcita. : i-m An*Sis Rives, F. Merlon Crawford, .'uii-n. Ka- tl ?. .? . E: Fawcett, Gilbert Porker. Mar -? ' v r r < 'Ls Falconer"), Barry j*-ia. >' -JI !vu-..-.;. l'.udtxi] Kipling, Amtirofe uVrei. >?:?. i-ic . ami ar?, nv-j ;. If a trifle risqu?, yet HIW.V ? hrfelit mid pr ;ly, without coarseness .n- a?ij . t- ,.f?. Lri therjrtfii refined and moral woman. Li luidli?on to al! there ls each week it sup. tri... :-' : rr;, ail, In col OKS, of some man euiincut in his -val"-; 01 life. Tales From TO W? Topics Quarterly, first clay y 'iarch, J"n?. CVptemiio.*, December; i'fi page?: Lin:u. '"...lUibui in e?c& number, In addition rc *'r.vrz ?.: t, ? %>cms. ba*, lesques, etc., from theo! . iw?Me* ; r ?' ws Tor;'."?, 3 complete, original prac .-r,.-\ ai !...;,. ?Ju I'.gti. No one who enjoys ti!.- ni. 1...??. ; -..> ..f fiction,?Uti would be au courant w :i .iltuai ?-i-rtitins r<> fsod society, can alford to Im ?vi Wv...; TOPICS c-v.-ry week. There ls so mu. li lutrresiiru reeding !u ic and in the " Tales," t'ir.r ;. cl :'?> milder pt low to biitb will supply any family with tU>Uiid?nt :vudlng ut the most entertaining character ali tlx fear. 1 RATES; Town' Topic? per annum. Si 00. A trihi subscrip tion for three months, s! .00. ?od u specimen copy of "Tales" Free. Tales From Town Topics, per number, 50 cents. Per annum, S2.00. Both Clubbed, per annum. 05.0e. end r/nv two. previous Numbers of "Ta ICH'- yutt 111117 ?pccifj r'r.KC ty Send 10 cents for sample copy Tows TOPICS. N.B.-Have you read Ail?lAE KIVSlT latest and best novel, Tanis, Tbs Sang - Digger ? 12mo, cloth, gilt, u::-jut froat und foot, ?1.C0 post paid. Remit by check, P o unuey order, postal uotc or regtatered letter to TOWN TOPI rs, 21 West 23d s?rset. rVew Vorlt. CAN I OBTAIN A PATENT? Fora -rompt answer and an honest opinion, write to fllUKN ?C CO., who have had nearly ?fty years' experience in the patent business. Communica tions strictly confidential. A Handbook of In formation concerning Patenta and how to ob tain them sent free. Also a catalogue of mechan ical and scientific books sent free. Patents taken through Munn & Co. receive special noticcintbTTSrsoiitific Amerirnn. and thus are broucbt widely before thc public with out cost to tho inventor. This splendid paper, issued weekly, clepaatly illustrated, has briar tho largest circulation of any scientidc work in the world. S3 a year. Sample copies sent free. Bundine Edition, monthly, $2??J a year. Slng'o copies, 25 cents. Every number contains beau tiful plates, in colors, and photographs of new Souses, with plans, enabling builders to show tho Itest desiens and eeeure contracts. Address MUNN k CO.. NEW YOKK. 'dtil BUOADWAY. CAUTION'?-Xr r? dealer offers W. I?. Douglas >.hoos nt a reduced prier, or say? he has them without oatno HI amped on bottom, ?mt him down as a fraud. W< L. DOUGLAS #3?<C? ?RJ/ffoC' DESTIN ?$?3 OnVCLi THE WORLD. W. Ii, DOUGL AS Shoes ?re stylish, easy fit. ting, and give better satisfaction al the prices ad vertised than any other make. Try one pair and be convinced. The stamping of w. L. Douglas* name and price on the bottom, which guarantees their value, saves thousands of dollars annually ta those who wear them. Dealers who push the sale of W, L. Douglas Shoes gain customers, whfeh help-, to increase the sales on their full line of go'oiN.' Thcy can afford to sell at a less'nrofif: and we believe you can save money l>y buvinpall your footwear of the dealer advertised below. Catalogue fr:e upon application." Address' W. T.. DOUGLAS, Brockton, Masa. Sold by 3". M. GO?B; EDGEFI?LD. S. C. You will no go blind if you look at Ramsey & Eland's splendid stock of blind bridles, just received,