Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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By JOHN A. STEUAET. [Copyright, 1S?G, by John Alexander SteuarU ~"A niue later me omer ior action mane the blood tingle in our veins. Half of us were to go to the foot of the gorge and balf to the head so that the pilgrimage might be harassed simultaneously in front and rear, and so the readier induced to relin quish a part of their abounding riches. The response was as prompt as inight be expected of men wbose notion of heaven is eternal plundering. Almost before the words of command were out of the mes senger's mouth we were clattering off at a breakneck pace into sunless chasms and by beetling archways and up and down dizzy steeps that only robbers with no souls to save would have faced. Tabal and I were of those who went to the foot, and fervently we prayed the pilgrims might hav? a good courage aud firearms for dis tressed strangers. In the course of a racking ride we came often into violent contact, and in one of the collisions, while pretending vehement anger at the rough usage, I managed to get a word in Tabal's ear. "Whatever happens, let us stick to each other," I said in a quick aside. "Our sig nal for the dnsh is when we see Baruk and Kanee descending among the rocks." "Xever leech clung as I will cling to thee," answered Tabal. And then he began to abuse his horse for the son of a mule that couldn't keep his feet in a plain road. And the Bedouins, being closely occupied, saw or suspected nothing. Reaching the bottom too soon, wc bad to wait bohiud a bluff. The tail of the cara van still wriggled outside the mouth of the pass, and it would be folly to attack till it had disappeared after the body. While waiting, Ibrahim, our captain, gave his in structions briefly and pointedly. We were to rush the cainelnien, throw them into utter confusion, seize as many laden ani mals as we could lay hands on, and make . off with them to the rear as fast as steel could urge them. Such as were free would protect the others, but as manyas could were to pounce ou some piece of property. In short, our business wai more to pillage th?n to fight, and, if the pilgrims were not tmreasonable, not a man of them need lose his life. With beating hearts and a buming im patience, we kept still till the tail should have wriggled itself into the mountain cleft. As if to try our self control, our watchers were constantly reporting that the crucial moment had come, and then im mediately contradicting themselves to re affirm their first intelligence the next min ute. This went on until we were in a fever and ready to rush from cur concealment at all hazards. As for Tabal and me, if you have ever laid in wait with the merest chance between life and death and a fran tic, desire to try it, you will understand our feelings. Being apart, we could not so much as exchange a whisper, and all we had to restrain and encourage us were the muttered curses and comments of our com rade?.- Once a horse of keen scent neighed, and Ibrahim nearly felled the brute, think ing we were betrayed, but the tail contiu ned to wriggle slowly on. and we breathed Rgain. Then word came that the last man ?vas within the pass. The next moment we were in the open and galloping furiously to the attack. CHAPTER XXV. MECCA AND MOl?E SUP.PIUSE. The rush was made strictly according to orders, with preconceived results. Shout ing "Techbir. techbirl" at tho pit'.'h of our voices, we dashed through the mouth of ti.e defile hard upon the tad of the caravan, discharging our pieces und whirling our weapons with the sudden fury in which the Bedouin in a foray has no equal, The point of the tail crumpled up like a feather at a fierce fire, and as we smote aud seized, yelling the while to keep up the panic, there were responsive noises in front that told the caravan had come to an involuntary halt to be robbed. What followed the onset I could not tell In detail if I were to be examined on oath, fdr I had many things to think of, and thieving was the last and least of them. I saw the hadjis hurled together in the cen ter like an ice jam in a river; I saw two clumps of spears, one in front and one be hind, flashing viciously ir> the sun, and I saw many camels going swiftly out of the mouth of the pass in charge of new owner' Thesa salient facts the eye took in uncon sciously, without the ability to catch minute particulars. I got the impression that the hadjis offered but a feeble resistance, and that, .os I subsequently learned, was true. There is a season fur everything, and the pilgrims had a valid one for preferring their lives to their property. Caravans start expecting to be plundered, nor fail to make provision accordingly. Immemorial custom and ex perience have taught the hadji that it is the will of heaven he should suffer loss at the hands of wicked men in the perform ance of the prime religious duty of life. .Moreover, the pious Mohammedan on his way to the holy city has such an aversion to broils and bloodshed that he would rather sacrifice a portion of his worldly goods than present himself at the prophet's shrine with red hands. These things the astute Bedou'n knows and profits by; the ? time of the pilgrimage is his harvest, and he reaps with a wide sickle. That knowledge was acquired afterward. Just then my sole concern was how Tabal and I were to escape. The situation was of the sort that gives one a sudden cold in the back, though the sun may be hot, only we could not alford time to stand and shiver. So soon as we should make.nu effort to desert the Bedouin lances would be after us, and in case we were caught would have no mer cy. That was certain. Had it been equally certain how the hadjis would receive us, the matter would be simple, or, at any rate, simplified. But our reception was exceed ingly doubtful, for the Arab, be he Bedouin or pilgrim, is ever sniffing for treachery and suspecting he smells it. Another difficulty was that we could not make the dash at the most opportune mo ment for ourselves. We must wait for Ranee and Baruk, and very anxiously we began to look for them among the cliffs. If they did net come quickly.our chance would be gone; we might go back with the chil dren of thc- desert to shame and cruelty and violenceand.it might be, to lasting bond age. Thc band had already distrained more than the legitimate tax-that is to say, had taken all the loose camels-and were press ing on for more than their dues, for, having the right of the strong, they were hard to satisfy. Tabal and I, for unsuspected rea sons, were well to the front, and could be minutely observed by the plundered, a cir cumstance that might tell awkwardly against us later on. What was keeping the idiot ic Baruk? Had the coward rued his promise? If so, by all we held dearly would he pay for it. We were hot with fighting and seizing and shouting, and two of us were beginning to have tremors of despair, when at last, RS we were retiring with our booty, Tabal's sharp eye espied two skulking figures slipping craftily down among the rocks. By this time the hadjis, animated by lae spirit of the wronged, were behaving in a way that was exceedingly discomforting to those who meant presently to appeal to their humanity. Baruk and Kanee made their appearance at thc very worst mo ment. But there was no time to grumble or make comment. We must take fortune as we found it and make haste to redeem our pledges. So I gave Tabal the word, and reversing our spears to indicate we were not hostile we hounded from among the Bedouins, calling out we were hadjis and praying for protection. At the same time we drew at tention by pointing and shouting to the two clambering down the rocks. Thinking, as well indeed they might, that this was but a ruse to get their ranks broken, the pilgrims hurriedly formed up, presenting a front of leveled spears and guubarrels and faces that said plainer than any language we advanced at the peril of our lives. And as they stood close together to receive us there went upn diabolic shout behind. We glanced back in terror to sec a dozen of our late con:rad; sat our heels wit h lance shafts hugged, after the manner of men who have resolved to slay without pity. The moment that, followed was such as a man recalls in his sleep with a horrid, cold sweat and a creeping ol' the flesh ant) proanings aud writhings. In front was a gleaming r.euyu ut steel, toruiucuug penetrable; behind w:is niora steel alt poised to strike bj' men to whom rev was as blood to thc lion. Half an tm more, and we should be fuller of holes a fishermen's net. "Save us. Save us," we screamed, are not enemies, but friends. For the of the prophet, take us iu." There was nut the tenth part of a se to decide. The pilgrims looked sw from us to our pursuers. The steel h opened, we shot through, and it cl quickly again as the Bedouins wh( within a yard of it, brandishing their la and screeching vegeance. They stood av vociferating, then, vowing they would give us to the vultures, slowly returnc look after their booty. Meantime Kanee and Baruk were sci bliug down with the breathless haste of Btraight upon the center of the caravai being the point remotest from the Bei ins. We spoke earnestly for them, but deed they required no pleader, their distracted manner being ample evidenc their need. As the descent was extreu hazardous, I hurried forward to di Ranee, and as I ran some shots were f from above. Pour Ranee gave a li scream, and losing her hold came topp into my arms. 1 put her gently on ground, thinking she must have been but a cursory examination showed she fered from nothing worse than fright. Baruk, however, did not escape so eas Some of the flying slugs found a bille his left arm, and the good man being accustomed to pain cried out till thu gc rang with his wailings. But there 1 little opportunity to console him, for children of the desert having levied tl tax and been balked in their revenge 1 disappeared like water in saud, and caravan was ordered to proceed. So great snake stretched out its cumbr length once more, making what haste could to quit such ugly quarters. Ra clung to me like a scared child, murni ing how good I was and wondering, w many ejaculations that were strange me, if we were yet safe. I did what I coi to eacourage ber, till a venerable mah w a long white beard and a compassion manner led her off to the company of 1 own sex. No questions were asked of us strang till the caravan halted safe on the oj plain. Then, while fires were being light we were taken before some of the chief rr and requested to give an account of o selves. Tabal, who was a plausible felic with a ready invention, got through t ordeal quickly and well, but I had m< trouble in proving myself a pious Moha medan. Perhaps it was owing to my fa or it may have heen from some defect in i accent. Fut one scurvy priest, who v> the most r-.ctive of the inquisitors, madi point nt the beginning of doubting al said. "Art not thou a heretic nnheliever?" a^ke'?, bending a pair of uncommonly shai black eyes on me. "Art not thou an oner ci our holy religion, a scoffer, an infidt Here, what sayest thou?" he demanded Tabal. "Is not. this fellow nn unbeliever "As lahek Allah [may heaven set y right]," replied Tabal, with a rapt a: pious expression. "Surely man never km Iiis Koran better." "Wc will see," said the priest, j Whereupon, whipping'out his greasy co; of the sacred volume, he began to catechi me with thc air of one who would sn "Now you shall see me do np this heretic But in my enforced leisure I had n studied the Koran in vain. To every qm (don came a pat answer in the very \vor< of the prophet himself, till the priest, fir ama/.ed and then convinced, thrust tl book back into his bosom and em bract me as a true believer. "Marhaba, marhaba" [welcome, wc come], he said, with a fervor more em bu rassing than his doubt. "I crave thy pard< for my distrust. Thou art indeed a wort! follower of our holy prophet. Would th: all hissons knew his words so well. And no sitthec down. El hamdu l'illah. Praise 1 to heaven it hath fallen to our lot to reset a believer from the. fangs of these wolve Semmo [eat]." And forthwith we all st to work with an appetite jthat the exerci.? with the Koran hadin no wise dulled. It required constant watchfulness, hov ever, to preserve me from lapsing int Christian barbarities and heathenism: Even Tubal had to be kept out of my inn? secrets, and as to Ranee, though I doubte not her desire to be secret, I had a careft remembrance of the natural weakness of woman's tongue. Once satisfied with our credentials th pilgrims made us as one of themselve; When we spoke of their kindness to strat gers, they made ever the one answer: "Think ye it is the will of God that an true believer should be left to perish on th way to the holy city? At the gathering c the nations, when the angels shall rendo their account of .lion's needs, both gooi aud bad, what wcnld bc our recompense i we were guilty of such a thing?" Ant somehow it seemed to me the spirit was on that Christians who boast of their charit; might occasionally imitate with advantage We traveled fast and made our destina tion without loss by sickness or violence No Bedouin molested us, because wc wert 2,000 strong and our way lay through tbt open, where the children of the desert sel dom attack. We went by arid strips ant fertile pasture lands, among flocks anc herds and herdsmen that are today as thej were in the days of the patriarchs, and ap pear not to miss the blessings of civiliza tion. We paid extortionate tolls to legal ized robbers for allowing us to pass when all the world was free, and we halted foi refection and prayers beside pleasant wells that were in no fanciful sense the eye ol the landscape. [The Bedouin, living mostly among torrid sands, very appropriately calls water the eye of the landscape.] And ever as we drew nearer the holy city the pace increased and the enthusiasm gre*y. We smote ourselves on the breast, ejacu lating fervid passages of the Koran, and many would have dismounted and run, so ardent and inspiring was thpir joy. At last one evening, as we were winding among short, stony ravines that edged a verdurous plain, the leaders raised an ecstatic shout, and the rest of the caravan crushing forward with beting hearts be held in a sort of valley below them the minarets of Mecca gleaming in the sun like a thousand points of fire, the great mosque being conspicuous in the midst. We descended like an avalanche in a storm of dust, every Moslem of us beside himself with joy and awe and excitement, and, reaching the foot of the declivity, we burst into such a scene of commotion as human eye could witness nowhere else un der the wide cope of heaven. ,vc talk of Babel, but the credit of the re:.i confusion of tongues belongs to Mecca. There were a hundred thousand strangers in the city and, judging by the ear, ten times as many tongues and dialects. There were faces of every imaginable hue and shape from every known clime, and cos tumes that only a mad tailor could realize in delirious visions of the night. The elect of tho believers were there from Turkey and Greece, from Syria and Barbary and TimbuctOO, from Egypt, Palestine and the dark heart of Africa, from Persia and the regions of the Indus, from Ilindoostan, Ma lacca and the Asiatic isles and from many far separated places besides, gathered at incalculable cost and indescribable trouble and discomfort to worship according to the doctrines of Islam. Yet the tumult w;is certainly not such as one associates with acts of religion. Mon using the language of troopers in a rage were hauling wildly nt apathetic camels that appeared to have an insuperable bias in favor of standing still, and frantically endeavoring to stuff them in holes and cor ners that could not possibly accommodate anything larger than a cat; horses were rearing and backing and dancing; ladies were screaming in fear of having their lit ters upset and their sacred beauty exposed to the public gaze: householders and visit ors wrangled and gesticulated about the value of lodgings, and over all were a mil lion ear splitting cries that seemed to rise out of the very earth, Wc did not a little ourselves to add to the din and confusion, for we had a goodly number of beasts to dispose of and voluble tongues in our heads to argue against the obstinacy of man and brute. It took sev eral hours of arduous pulling and pushing and vociferating to get ourselves and our belongings house;l, but the enterprise was at length accomplished just as thc sun, the only strict lamp at .Mecca, was dropping out of sight, Then having dined sumptu ously on roast fowl?' egus, bread and coffee -rare delicacies after the bard fare of the desert-wt; lay down to dream of the great things that were before us. Anxious to show ourselves patterns of piety ana "?triccness, xa oar anal assurr the i li ram, which is the special mark of voutne*. It consists of two pieces of lir cloth, one af which is wrapped about 1 loins like a highland kilt and the otl thrown over the upper part of the body such a way as to leave the right arm I covered. As no other garment, not even much as a covering for the head, is perm ted while it is worn, it makes an airy dre especially In the evening and at early moi ing, when the Mecca air is often as shre) as that of Edinburgh. Thus we visited with our companions t beitullah, or temple, an imposing baildi with more gates and minarets and coui and domes and marble, granite and pi phyry pillars than I had time to com Ranee we were obliged to leave in the por with a great crowd of her own sex, for t Moslem will allow ao woman, howe\ beautiful or pious or exalted, to set foot his temple. Thus the Mohammedan ladi less fortunate than their Christian siste are denied the privilege of displaying t latest fashions in church. Inside the pavements were full of men every posture of rapt devotion, some kne ing, some sitting with bent heads, otb? prostrate on the Boor. At sight of the we stopped for one minute, bowing lo then with a solemn, measured step, we a vanced five abreast upon the kaaba, ket ing our eyes fast upon it. On reaching we stopped again, but only for an instai Proceeding at the same pace as before - went round it seven times, reciting ina lc voice certain prescribed verses from t Koran, only we interrupted ourselves each round to kiss the black stone whic as all believed, was brought direct fro heaven by the angel Gabriel. Having done our duty by the kaaba ai the black stone we turned to the zemzem that is to say, the holy well which G< miraculously created for the outcast Hag and her son, the father of the children the desert. We drank of its waters ai washed in them (for the benefit of succee ing hadjis), but there was one pilgrim, least who would have taken a dra of epsom salts with more relish. The zer zem may be good to wash in, but it is ni good to drink from, a fact which the Aral themselves tacitly acknowledge by refrai ing from partaking of its waters often than once a year. Purified of our sins, we returned to tl pavement already mentioned, and the: went down in groups and said our prayer Then slowly retracing our steps we passt through a great door, and lol we were in tl midst of the fair again. Ranee, who wi waiting for us, ran to me clasping b< hands in ecstasy. "Now, verily thou art one of us in spil of thy English face," she said, freezing th blood in my veins. "For God's sake, hush!" I whispere hastily. "Not a syllable, as thou lovei me." She looked hurt, but said no more, and glanced fearfully round, half expecting t see a dagger coming at me. But lnckil the hubbub had drowned her speech. The remaining rites were performed wit demonstrative zeal and unction, the mo: trifling detail being done strictly accordin to the letter of the law. We went t Mount Arafat to hear the sermons with throng that laughed and jested, baiting eac other with the roughest of wit and sarcasm and read the Korau and prayed aloud an sang snatches of love songs all in the sam breath. All night, in u blaze of ineffabl brilliancy, wo made merry at the foot c the mountain-pashas and sheiks and chief and governors aud priests and camel driver and beggars and stray Bedouins, great mei and small, learned and ignorant, minglinj like brothers, for all men are equal durinj the hajj. At noon the next day we ascended th mountain to listen to a sermon, which last ed without a break or halt till sunset. Thei we hurried elsewhere to hear one that lastei till sunrise. Having reverently and pa tiently heard the preachers, we went to th valley of Meina, where we sacrificed multi tudes of sheep and fowls, and cast 21 stone apiece at the devil, and pared our nails and had our heads shaved by barbers, whi took most of the skin as well as the hail All these things done devoutly and thor oughly, we returned to Mecca, and afte paying another visit to the mosque threv off the ihram with great rejoicing. Ou fasting and praying wer# at an end, and wi were free to eat, drink and be merry afte; the manner of our own hearts. After the religious ceremonies comes i great fair which lasts three days and is at tended by pilgrims and traders from th< ends of the earth and by many who neithei trade nor worship in themosque. Thescem is picturesque and animated, for the gran dees spread gorgeous tents and Moslem trad ers drive bargains with unequaled energj of voice and gesture. To many the fair i? much more than the ceremonies at th< kaaba or Mount Arafat. On the second day of the fair, well toward evening, Tabal aud I were strolling at oui leisure, having nothing particular todo bul enjoy the sights and the cool air. We we? chatting carelessly over our past hardships and wondering what Suleiman and Amood SinD and the man on the black horse were about when, in passing a tent of unusual size and magnificence, we heard a sound that brought us to a halt, listening with all our senses. "HarkI" I said. "What notes are those?" "I know them not," answered TabaL "They are not of my tongue." The singing was hardly more than a croon, but as we barkened the singer sud denly raised his voice, and I was electrified to hear an English song sung with a per feet English accent. Lock the door, Lariston, lion of Liddesdale. Lock thc door, Lariston: Louther comes on. Tb J Armstrongs are Hying, Tho widow* aro crying, The Castletown'^ barning, and Oliver's gone. Lock tho door, Liriston; high on tho weather . gleam See how the Saxon plumes bob on the sky 1 Yeoman and carbineer, Billman and halberdier. Fierce is the foray, and far ls tho cry! Bewcastle brandishes high his broad scimiten Ridlcy is ridinc his fleet footed gray: Hidley and Howard there, Wandell and Windermere. Lock the door, Lariston; hold them at bay! An interval of brisk whistling followed. Then came a stave of an old Scotch ballad: Blithe, blithe, blithe was she. Blithe was she but and ben. And weel sho liked a Hawick gill And laugh to see a tapplt hen. The singing ceased abruptly, the curtain that was across the door of the tent swung back, and a man stepped forth. He was tall, straight as a rush and dressed in the finest fashion of a Rheik. At sight of him Tabal clutched my arm with convulsive fingers. "By the holy prophet, the man on the black horse or his spiritl" he said in a voice of awe. And just then the man's eyes fell on us. They drew me as the magnet draws the steel. "Donald Gordon!" I cried, running to ward him. "Are yi<u Donald Gordon, or are you the devil, as folk say?" I demanded, flustered almost out of my wits. "I'm from the highlands," I added, trembling as he bent his black eyes on me without speaking. "From The Elms, from Sir Thomas Gordon and Miss Isabel." "From Sir Thomas Gordon and Mi?s Isa bel," he repeated, without a note of emo tion or surprise in his voice. "From Sir Thomas Gordon and Miss Isabel, and might I ask how the devil you got here?" "That would be a long tale to tell," I answered breathlessly. "But tell me, are you Donald Gordonf" "They used to call me that once upon a time," he slid light 1 j'. "Might I have the pleasure of knowing your own name?" "Andrew Kilgour. But you'll never have heard of me." "No, Andrew, my man, I have never heard of you lill this minute. But I'm glad to see you. It's not ever, day two Scots men forgather In the pagan city of Mecca. Step in by and bring your friend with you. It's cold charity to keep so raro a visitor cooling his shanks at the door." Saying which, he turned back Info the tent, Tabal and I following. We were soon seated arning luxurious rugs and cushions sipping coffee and sherbet in the usual Arab fashion. Tabal gazing fascinated at our host. When hospitalities had been dis pensed wit h, Donald said: "It might be as well, Mr. Kilgour-Lord, how funny Scuts' names sound after the tongue of the holy prophet-I was going to suggest thi-t perhaps we might have a crack by ourselves. Maybe your friend wouldn't mind having a glint round the outside of the premises, or he might go be hind here with some of my folk. I dare say they'll know how to agree." "Well, well," he went on when Tabal had withdrawn, "when I went out a min ute aco. I little thought what I \vaa to see. isn't C?ere ? sago proverb iiOoiii the unex pected always happening? Gad, it does happenl I know you have a story, Mr. Kil gour, but before you tell it, how are my fa ther and Isabel?" I told him that both were well when I lefii ibem, but greatly coucerned about him self. "Yes, yes; no doubt," he answered. "But I'm glad they're well. Isabel will be a fine lass now," atid I thought ne looked at me with a peculiar expression. Feeling the blood leaping to my face, 1 answered there was uot her peer in the countryside. "I knew she would be handsome, and I'll warrant she's a brick too. But now your own story, Mr. Kilgour. We can come back to other things again." I told it very briefly, for there was much to be said and done. He listened attentive ly, nodding his head from time to time. With the description of my search.for him self in Bombay he was vastly amused. "Aye. I jouked them there," he laughed. He was particularly interested in the Arabian portion of my tale, and when I reached the battle be jumped up exclaim ing: "God's sake, were you there? I thought I heard some one yelling my name, yet it seemed impossible. Man, man, this beats all I ever heard! That was a tough bit of a shindy, wasn't it?" "Amood Sinn and his friends thought you were the devil himself," I remarked. "I know it," he replied, with a little smile, "and he bas good cause to think so too.? "You wrought frightful havoc among ns. Nobody ever saw such swordsmanship." "Tut, tut," he answered, "it was nothing at all. I was half sorry for Abou Kuram and hiB general, who were brave men. But there they were, and we had to get rid of them." "How did you manage Koor Ali? That was a terrible blow." "It was what a British dragoon would call the old cut seven. They don't under stand the trick in Arabia yet." "You must have had marvelous adven tures," I remarked. He glanced at mo quickly, as if suspect ing I was fishing for information. "Yes. But we'll talk of them another time-that's all I need say now. Oh, by the bye, my august patron, Yumen Yusel, is making sure of heaven here. Would you like to be presented to the old rascal?" "Old rascal," 1 repeated, laughing. "They're all that," he said. "Every son of Ishmael'sa rogue by nature. They stand to each other in degrees of comparison like adjectives-positive, comparative and su perlative. Amood Sinn was the superla tive, Abou Kuram the comparative, and Yu meti Yusel is the positive. I know them alL Would you like to see him?" But other thoughts were burning in my brain, and I begged to be excused. "The sun will be down in a little while," I said. "There's no denying it, Andrew. You seem agitated over the matter." \ "Promise to stay here half an hour for me." "You grow mysterious, my friend. Mys teries are dangerous things in Arabia." "Yes, there's a mystery, but it's not dan gerous. Will you stay and remain alone quite alone?" "Is it to be an experiment in magic?" "You shall see," 1 cried, gettingmoreand moreexciled with my own thoughts. "Will you wait? I specially wish you to he alone" "Well, well; you will be prompt." . The next instant 1 was through the door of the tent like an arrowand flying breath lessly to Ranee's quarters. Luckily Baruk was absent, and 1 broke in on her without ceremony. "Something is wrong!" she cried, startled at my appearance. "Nothing is wrong, child," 1 answered loudly, being excited beyond all self com mand. "Everything is gloriously right. You spoke of one who-who fought against Amood Sinn. He was of my people, was he not?" The amazed girl answered in the affirma tive. "And he was a frieud of thine?" "Yes." "Lower thy veil, Ranee, and come with me as fast as thy pretty feet can carry thee, asking no questions." "I may trust thee?" "If not, thou mayest kill me. Make haste, Ranee. Make haste; the sun is going down." I took her hand, and we flew through the maze of the fair, she running by my side like a wondering child, and the people turn lng to stare and criticise as we sped. "Put on thy happiest look, Ranee," I said, with wild glee. "Be as the rose in loveli ness." "How can I?" she asked. "Thou takest the breath out of me." At last we reached Donald's tent and paused before the curtained entrance. "Thou wilt enter as I draw the curtain," I gasped. "There be strange men within," she an swered fearfully. "I may not do it." "Never was thy heart so glad as it will be when thou enterest," I said. And being too impatient for further speech I thrust aside the curtain and handed the trembling Ranee in. Donald, whose back waa to us, turned quickly. Both stared incredulously for half a second; then, crying out in amazement, they were in each other's arms with a rush. "I thought so," I remarked to myself aloud, and quickly dropping the curtain 1 ran back a bit and threw myself on the ground to rock in gleeful satisfaction. After awhile Donald appeared at the tent door. "Kilgour! Kilgour!" he called, as I did not immediately answer out of the dark ness that had fallen." Andrew, man, come here. We want to see you." I rose and went forward, chuckling and trembling. "This is an evening of surprises," he said; "most astonishing surprises. Come inside God bless us. Come inside." We went inside, and Ranee, running first to Donald and then to me, clasping her Jeweled hands and laughing and crying in the same breath, poured out her thanks and joy in her own tongue, which Donald understood, though I couldn't. "There was a king of England," said Donald, taking her hand as if she were an empress, "who, when any of his friends got into trouble, always asked, 'Who is the woman ?' Here is the cause of all disasters that have befallen Amood Sinn and his al lies. They parted us on our way hither, and I vowed vengeance and took it. I saw his palace burned, though you were before me and rescued Ranee. It is too long a tale to tell now. Some other time you shall hear it. The business of the moment is, What can I do for you? Name something quickly, Kilgour. Whatever you ask, it Bhall be done if man can do it." "I take you at your word," I answered promptly. "This is an hour of triumph and happiness to me as well as to you. 1 left the highlands to find you. Here we Crying nut in amazement, they were In each other's arma with a rush. are face to face after such adventures as few men have and fewer still Burvive, and I'm going to carry my mission to its close. My request is that you come liack to Scot land with me." x Ile paused a moment as if In pain. "I wish you would nsk something else.'" he said. "I took yon at your word," 1 returned. "Are you going to break it?" He came forward and seized my hand with-a min ff i mn nv. CONTISTJRT).] Beautiful line of Straw Matting, Cliiinipe or Japimse, at 35c per yard at Ramsey <fc Bland's. Ladies arc invited to call and examine. J iwmwtmmmwmwny Pimples, Blotches 3 and Old Sores 2 PRICKLY ASH, POKE ROOT T~-? .. , . AND POTASSIUM Catarrh, Malana -g ami Kidney Troubles gr: Makes Marvelous Cures SE in Blood Poison sE Rheumatism g^and Scrofula P. P. P. purifies the blood, ball da np gprjt tho weak and debilitated, gives \^ strength to weakened nerves, expels . diseases,giving the patient health and ?Tffth happiness whore sickness, Klooray **r feelings and lassitude first prevailed. ?rp? For primary,seoondary and tertiary ~?T syphilis, for blood poisoning, merca* ffi^"-? rial poison, malaria, dyspepsia, and gngf, In all blood and skin diseases, like blotches, pimples, old chronic ulcers, tetter, scald bei.d, bolls, erysipelas, eczema-wo may say, without fear of contradiction ,tbat P. P. P. Is the best {g>-. blood purifier In the world.and makes f)osItive, speedy and permanent cares nail cases. - Ladles whose systems are poisoned and whose blood is in an impure cor. ai tlon. duo to menstrual irregularities, are peculiarly benefited by the won? derful tonic and blood cleansing prop erties of P. P. P.-Prickly Ash, Poke Boot and Potassium. Sr KINGFIELD, Mo., Aug. 14th, 1893. -I can speak in the highest terms of your medicine from my own personal knowledge. I was affected with heart disease, pleurisy and rheumatism for 35 years, was treated by the very best f>byelcians ana spent hundreds of dol ara, tried every known remedy with out finding relief. I have only taken one bottle of your P. P. P., and csa cheerfully say lt has done me more good than anything I have ever tAken. I can recommend your medicine to all sufferers of the above diseases. MRS. M. M. YEABY. Springfield, Oreen County, Mo. Are entirely removed by P. -Prickly Ash. Poke Root and Potas sium, th? greatest blood parlfler on earth. ABKHDCTW, 0.. July 21,1891. MESSRS. LI PPM AN BROS., Savannah, Ga. : DBAB SIRS-I boughs a bottle of ?'onr P.P. P. at Hot Springs,Ark..and t has done me more good than three months' treatment at the Hot Springs. Send three bottles C. O. D. Bespectfull^our,^^^ Aberdeen, Brown County, 0. Capt. 1. D. Johnston. To all whom it may concern: I here by testify to the wonderful properties of P. P. P. for eruptions.of the skin. I suffered for several years with an un sightly ?nd disagreeable eruption on my face. I tried every known reme dy bat in vain,until P. P. P. was ased, ' and am now entirely cared. (Slgnod by) J. D. JOHNSTON. Savannah, Ga? . Skin Cancer Cured. Tetttmony/rom the Mayor of Sequtn,Tex, ' SBQUijf, TEX. , January 14,1893. MESSRS. LIPP*AN BROS., Savannah, . Ga.: Gentlemen-1 have tried your P. P. P. fur a disease of the skin, usually known as skin cancer,or thirty years' . standing, and found great relief: lt purifies the blood and removes all lr* 1 rltatlon from the seat of the disease . and prevents any spreading of the* sores. I have taken Ave or six bottles ' and feel confident that another coarse , will effects cure. It has also relieved me from Indigestion and stomach . troubles. Yours truly, , CAPT. W. M. BUST, Attorney at Law. Book OD Blood Diseases Mallea Free.. ? AXLDBUOGI8TS8ELI.IT. ' ' LIPPMAN BROS. PBOPBIETOB8, IA ppm an ' o Bio eli, So van nah, Ga ' WM. SCHWEIGERT Tlxe Je greller, Corner Broad tond ?Meintosh Streets. . Augusta, - - Oa Altering Colts. To the good people of Edgefield Co., I offer my services. I have had large experience, and out of SOO operations, I have lost only one, and this one I don't consider m} fault. Ido not say these things to boast, but every man ought to have something upon which to base his judgment, in employing a person to do work for him. LEE MACK, Butler P. 0., Edgefield Co., S. C. P. S.-Will go anywhere in the county upon application. HUMPHREYS' Dr. Humphreys' Specifics ore scientifically and carefully prepared Remedies, used for years In private practice and for over thirty years by the people with entire success. Every single Specific n special euro for the disease named. They cure without drugging, purging or reducing the svstem and are In fae; and deed the Sovereign Remedies of the World. KO. cuni!. raicM. 1- Fevern, Congestiona, Inflammations.. .25 2- Worm s, Worm Fever. Worm Colic.25 3- Tee thing ; Colic, Crying, Wakefulness .25 4- Diarrhea, of Children or Adults.25 7- Coughs, Colds, Bronchitis.25 8- Neuralgia, Toothache. Kaceacho.25 9- Hcadachcs, Sick Headache, Vertigo.. .25 1U-Dyspepsia, Biliousness, Constipation. .25 11- Suppressed orFainfnl Periods... .25 12- Whites, Too Profuse Periods.25 13- Croup, Laryngitis, Hoarseness.25 14- Salt Rheum, Erysipelas. Eruptions.. .25 15- Rheumatism, Rheumatic Pains.25 J6-I>Ialaria, Chills, Fever and Ague.25 10-Catnrrh, Influenza, Cold in the Head. .25 20-Whooping- Cough.'?5 27- Kidney Diseases.25 28- Ncrvous Debility.1.00 30-Urinary Weakness, Wetting Bed.. .25 HUMPHREYS' WITCH HAZEL OIL, "The Pile 01ntment."-Trial Size, 25 Cu. Sold hy Druccl.t". or ??ut r?>?i-j'?ld on receipt of prie?. DB. llussruiKTa- MANUAL [144 pitrel,) MAILED rans. urariinKTB' BFD. CO., I 11 * 11 s mahn st., HBW YOWL S PE ClYl C S . FREE TO ALL:? Our New Illustrated ? Catalogue of PLANTS, H ROBES, BULBS, VINES, N SHRUBS, ORNAMENTAL n TREES, SMALL FRUITS, M GRAPE VINES, SEEDS, \ etc., will be mailed } FREE tooll applicants. 100 pages. Most com- i p?ete Plant Catalogue i published. Satisfaction Guaranteed. 20 ROSE fi Houses. 45 GREENHOUSES; 30 acres NCESERIES. ti Address [| NANZ & NEUNER, LOUISVILLE, KT. fl ftc: Hats I >*A CBleDrateO EIR Brana. Our Spring Styles of this excellent brand of Hats are 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. It would delight you to view and review the beautiful lilli's of harness which Ramsey & Bland, received this week. Magnificent is the word. Subscribe to the Kdgelield An VERTISKR. W. N. BURNETT Successor to GEO. B. LAKE, CYCLONE & FIRE INSURANCE Office over Bank of Edgefleld.' GEO. \V, CROFT. JAS. H. TILLMAN. Croft & Tillman, ATTORNEYS ^'COUNSELLORS, EDGEFLELD, (NorrisBuilding)S.e. gjSF"SVU] practice in all Courts of South Carolina and Georgia .V.G.EVANS, JOHN GARY EVANS, EDGEFIKI.I). S. C. AIKEN, S. C. j Evans Brothers, Attorneys at I^aw, EDGEFIELD, S. C. M?W^ Will practice in State and Fed eral Courts. Also in Courts of Georgia Norris & Cantelou. ATTORNEYS AT LAW. EDGEFIELD, S. C. 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, Wa will save you money. 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. Use T. x. L. For Pi. It Cures RHEUMATISM, NEURALGIA, TOOTHACHE, GRIP, AND COLD IN ALL ITS FORMS, CUTS, SORES, BRUISES, SPRAINS, LAMENESS. It always relievos when properly applied. SOLD BY AL?L? DRUGGISTS. PRICE 25 CENTS. Prepared hy T. X. L. CO. C. M. DEMPSEY, Manager 230 Main St., Columbia, S.IC. GEO B, LAKE RE^L ESTATE - AND - INSURANeeA?T, Office over Batt of Edgefleld. -FOR Fire?-Life Insurance - CALL ON - D. R. DURISOE, No. S, ADDISON ROW, EDGEFIELD, - - S, C. An elegant line of furniture al nys on hand and for sale at bottom figures at Ramsey & Eland's, Read and . Heed The following letter gives you an idea of how the Policy Hold ers of the Equitable Life are satisfied with the result of their investment. GREENVILLE, S. C., Sept. 4,1893. W. J. SODDEV, Rock Hilf, S. C., Dear Sir :-In reply to yours of the 28th of July, giving me results of my Tontine Policy in thc Equitable, would say that I ? ' n m ./re than pleased with the result. I have decided to take the cash surrender value of my policy. Let mc know at once what to do. I have been out of town for some time. Very truly, L. M. BOLT.IN. The sooner you secure a policy the sooner you will derive the benefit and the less it will cost you. Write for facts and fig ures to-day. Address W. J. RODDE Y, Manager, 7or the Carolin?, Rock Hill, S. C. OR. HATHAWAY & GO., ^SPECIALISTS^. (Ile-scnl ar Graduates.) Are the leading and moit laeceufaltpecUUttt and elli give 70a help. Voa cg and mid dle ?zed men. Remarkable re lulu have follow, ed our treatment. Many years Of vari?e and aaceeju fal experience In the nae of cara Uve methoda that we aloneownand control for alidia. orders of aaen rr ho have weak, unde veloped or dis eased organe, of ?who are suffering "rom error? 01 oath and ezeeu ir who are nervous [and Imp?t oat, he scorn of their bellows and the contempt of their friends and coa panions, leeds a* to ruar an te? to all patient?. If they cr.n possibly be restored, oar own exclusive treatment will afford a c. u rr. WOMEN! Don't yon want to get cered of thaf weakness with a treatment that yon can nae at home without Instruments? Our wonderful treat ment ha? cored other?. Why sot you? Try lt. CATARRH, ?nd diseases of the Skin, Blood, Heart, Liver and Kidneys. 8 T PHILIS-The most rapid, safe and effective remedy. A complete Care Guaranteed. SILTS DISEASES of all kinds cared where many other? have failed. ". T7KNATT/RAI. DISCHARGES promptlf cored In a few days. Quick, ?tre and safe. Th* ncindes Gleet and Gonorhoa. TRUTH AND FACfS. We have cared cases of Chroi.': Disease? th? lave failed to get cured at the hat.ls ot other specif.. ?ts and medical Institutes. Lj> _^^a.BEMEUBKB that there ls hope tor Ton. Consult no other, os you may waste valuable Ume. Obtain our treatment at once. Beware of free and Cheap treatment?. We glvf Hiebest and moat scientific treatment at moderet? sr!ces-as low as can be done for safe and sfclllfn treatment.! FREE consultation at the office o by ma IL Thorough examination and careful dla? noils. A borne treatment can be given in amajarltj of case?. Send for Symptom Blank ho. 1 for Men; Ko. 2 for Women; No. 3for Skin Diseases. All corro ipondence answered promptly. Business strictly con noentlal. Entire treatment lent free from observa, tion. Refer to our patients, haaka and business mea Address or call on OR- HATHAWAY & CO., a? io South Broad Street, ATLANTA. OA ? PICS, ??.? Journal oj iioclJy, m PAGES.! ???JICI^.D.0 ) *^ NEW YORK. Is universally '.recognized as the noy cvwuXi? weekly Journa? li i the world. lU^'Sannteiln pt " columns arr -tn'' society news, especially of t hr doing* l<: ic iVh\ 'C New York, BOSH u, Phil?.!? IffcW, Cl.'.e . .., .'. '.?* trver the world, li not equnil- ti hy J;U> Ita Financial Di purinn-i t j> nutli. ri::, villi . tanken and bro ct-rx. lt? ..Ltirrit.'r.M ?. -::,i.? .n current literature -I? by ta? etcverasi II? ?tewon. IU "Afluid und Aflimt" mase* I: Cs most Interesting paper for all K??rr? vt sp;;-. yachting, football, rowln*-, siiootlmr. ??alas; ?a. Ita "On tho Turf" tset-ta all ?Aber rucio,' nutre, lu ??rleiques, poems and Jokes tuc tin- elfirrert. Ita storiesare by tho l?>st wrlt.r?-nun-u* l i-n Vn-ste Rives, F. Marlon Crawford. Julian li?? il -ii. ,.4.? ;,?r Fawostt, Gilbert Purker. >lnr- J iivr.Vi e ("li i ?. Falconer"), Barry P-lu. P.ml ??Jtt'i Kipling, Ambrose Bierce, rte. el?., HM n.-u. CV:, if a trifle risque, yet alway? el? ver. bright und pr: ?ty, without coarspneM >r an) thmv V. nnVmi thc aijSHS refined and morn! winnall. In audition to all JJ* there ls each week a supt lenient. i**rtfnli, lu colara, of ?om? man emlneut In his walk ur lifo. Il Tales From Tom Topic Quarterly, first day >' watch, June. S^pteinbev, December; 236 ptigua: Uno, ''?ititoln.i In each ?umber, In addition to ?hort at/>ri.-,, poem* bar? .?.que?, etc., from thc old Hajes rt Ti.w? Tones, e complete, original prize s:or> of 120 to 15o pi. ge?. No one who enjoys tho bli;best rina ?r flvilun. ^ua would beau coumnt wrii,ill thui pert.-ilns to good society, can afford to de vi-1.out Ton a Tones evity week. There ls so mu. li Interesting reading In it and In the "Tales," thut a elah sKtisenpilon to both, will supply ?ny family with ui.iiiKlf.ut r. ndlug of CM raost entertaining character all tar year. RATES: > Tow? Topics p?r annum. $4.1X1 A trial tubscrlp. .lpn for three months, ttl.Od. ...J a speclnieu copy of "Tales" Free. Taits From Town Topios. per number, GC conttf. Per annum, $2.00. Both Clubbed, par annum, *.V<M>, and nnr two previous Nurahen of " Tsle?" y?u may npeeir Vitas. tMf ?end io cents for sain;.lc copy Towy P-riL-a. NJ.-Havo you ruad AM?LIE niVE??- lutest and best novel, Tanis, The San^-Digp.sr ? limo, cloth, gilt, uncut front and foot, lt. tl po?t paid. Rsmlt by check. 1* o luouey ...-dor, no - . i not?- or . Mail te reo lutter to TOWN T'i: if8. 21 West S2d rt. .Ven V ri CAN I OBTAIN A PA.TENTT For a ?rompt answer and an honest opinion, write to A IN N ct: CO., who have had nearly fifty yeera' azperlence In tho patent business. Communlca Uona strictly confldenttaL A. Handbook of In formation concerning Patent* and bow to ob tain them sent tree. Also a catalogue of mechan ical and sdenUoc books sent free. Patents taken through Munn & Co. receive mela] notice in the Scientific Americnn. and thus are brought widely before the public with out coat to the inventor. This splendid paper. Issued weekly, elegantly illustrated, has by far tho largest circulation of any scientific work tn the world. S3 a veer. Sample coules sent free. Bundine Edition, monthly, $2.50 a year. Single coplea, t?o cent?. Every number contain? beau tiful plates, ia colors, and photographs of new houses, with plana, enabling builders to show the latest designs and secure contracts. Address MUNN ? CO., Nsw YOKE. a?l BROADWAY. CAUTION.-If a dealer offer? W. 1* D?nelas Shoe? at a reduced price, or say? he has them without same ?tamped on bottom, put him down aa a fraud. W. L. DOUGLAS 83 SHOE THC WORLD. W. L. DOUGLAS Shoes are stylish, easy flt ting, and riva better satisfaction st the prices ad vertised than any other make. Try one nair and b? convinced. The ?tamping- of W. L. Douglas' name and price on the bottom, which guarantee* their value, saves thousands of dol?an annually to those who wear them. Dealers who push the sale of W. L. Douglas Shoes pain customers, which helps tn increase the sale? on their full line of roods. They can afford to sell at a less profit, and we believe you can aave money by buying au your footwear of the dealer advertised below. Catalog-ue free upon application. Address, W. X? DOUGLAS, Brockton, Mas ?. Sold by j", uve. COBB: EDGEFIELD. S. C. You will no go blind if you look at Ramsey & Bland's splendid stock of blind bridle^ just received,