A TERRIBLE REVENGE.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1134, 4 January 1884, Page 4

A TERRIBLE REVENGE.

During a temporary pause in the warfare of the French iigainstthc people of Algeria, an Arab encampment was pitched on the borders of Lsser, Apart from the rest of the tents was one set up on the slope of the hill, at whose feet flowed a small stream. Within this temporary resting-place were seated ' three' Arabs ; the eldest, though striken in years, was evidently one of those men privileged by, nature to escape the . infirmities of old age. His name was - > Brahim-ben-Zaragout—a man ; universally respected by the tribes, as much on account of his courage in war ns for his wisdom in council. Of the two younger men seated in the patriaqh’s tent, the first was Kaddour, a rich member of the Geafera tribe ; the second, Hassan, a kinsman of his host, who had already proved himself a bravo soldier in many battles against the French. Seated in a circle around a brazier filled with fire, the Arabs maintained a profound silence. The two younger men cast now and then n furtive glance at a corner of the tent, where, half concealed by the fast dimming twilight, lay an object of peculiar interest to them both. In fact, the tent covered a fourth being. Seated languidly on a lion's skin, was Baia, the beautiful daughter of BrahiUi, who it was manifest had endeavoured to ■ render, herself more captivating than usual. , The truth is, Hassan and Kaddour were rival suitors for the hand of Baia, and that night they had met to have Ihcir claims determined by her father and herself. Whilst they were thus assembled, a distant growl assured ’ Briihim that the; dreaded lion of Mount Karkar was approaching the tent, and clasping Ids j daughter to his side, aiidjpoking eagerly at the two young -men ione to another, he exclaimed, ‘ Glory to the Prophet I Hear me ! : >Bbth of you love Baindanger; approaches prbvd’ the strength of, your love b.y the s styepgth of your courage, and who shall bring to me the skin of the Kai*|t«r Hon shall be rewarded by liner hand I’ , ; On hearing these words Baia raised her eyes to Heaven, . and uttered a prayer;; then she qa^t,a look at Hassan, ' Vrbich asked him"for the victory. Kad- . dour- shuddered,; and raised his hand in?t|nctiyely to his pistol. Hassan proved successful,; and laid his trophy at . Baht’s feet. Moment of rapture 1 She was his ! The old man, her father, smiled, and ordered the marriage to be immediate. The portion having been agreed to by Brabim, Hassan conducted Baia before , the sheik of the Beni-Smiel, who addressed f to the maiden the usual quest ion. ‘ Baia, daughter of Brahim-ben-Zaragout, now, in presence of the witnesses assembled, do you consent to take Hassan for your spouse ?’ A similar interrogation was put to Hassan, and the union was finished in these-terms~‘ The marriage is accomplished ; may Allah bless it I’ On the next day all the relations came to congratulate the new couple, and to offer presents to them commensurate with tbeir fortune, Baia,

'lvho''Bfd6d’aT the' Threshold of the tcht, fruits, which she tppk from a basket placed beside her.*'Y'* 1 ' 1 ‘' i! _ , ! ! f ( Au¥otf£f tll6^p { xyhb ~ Wore present jat this ceremony was an Arab of the tri;be J of.l,he .made a sign jto llassati',thafcyl l e. wdshqd„lo S spealv to him;. the latter' approached. j !l rvfiSon of. the Beiii-Smitd,’ f.aid t|ie lUnknown, ‘here is the nuptial present which Kaddour has charged me to give to yon.’ ■ v-, ,• - - V ( The Arab held in his hand a brass coin, which lie delivered to Hassan; say r , ing, ‘By this pledge of his vengeance be declares iipon>'ypu elernab hatred tlic fire is kindled ‘at the foot of l)ic mountain ; it is.there that my mast’er awaits you.’ , Hassan shuddered ; for well he knew that the ceremony his enemy had prepared would ratify an oath of hatrednever to be extinguished, but by the. death of one of them. To refuse the. summons was impossible. That would have branded him with cowardice; hence ho replied, ■ * Let it be done ; guide me to him.Hassan followed the messenger,, and arrived at the appointed spot. There Kaddour was found standing near to a fire which he had kindled upon a hearth, formed of three stones placed side by side. Kaddour instantly drew forth a coin exactly similar to the one he had sent to his rival, and, casting some dry herbs into the flames, exclaimed ferociously, f Where is the piece of money I sent to thee ?’ ‘ It is here T replied Hassnn. s {To be Continued.)