Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 146 No. 4 — page 61: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

— tent adjoining that of Rip- perda remained Mistress Betty and her two slave women. She was closely guarded, for her own sake; when she left the tent, it was usually at night. From her women she knew of Spence’s fate, and knew that her own would be no better. Upon the evening of Friday, “the day of the congregation,’ she was summoned to the tent of Ripperda. He sat propped among pillows, his swathed feet upon two stools. His harried features bore such a blaze of exultation that she knew instantly some great thing had happened. Messen- gers had come from Oran by land, and from Ceuta by sea. “Good evening, lady,” said Ripperda courteously. “Is not the horoscope fin- ished?” “* At this time to-morrow night I will pre- sent it to you,” responded the girl quietly. “Ah! And does it tell of success or fail- ure?” . “Only one failure have I seen so far, my lord, and that is death. But there are evil influences in the south, and I fear to-mor- row may tell another story.’” “Know you what has chanced to-day?” Ripperda gave a vibrant laugh. “ Hear, then! The fleet and army of Algiers have joined my forces before Oran. A victory has been won at Ceuta. The Sultan of Egypt has joined me. And last—read this, which just came from Oran, from the hand of Admiral Perez himself!” He extended a paper, a letter in Spanish. The girl read: I write you hastily, during battle. The -enemy attacked us and are trapped. Before me are heads of the governor general, Santa Cruz; the Marquis de Val- Colonel Pinel,sand a hundred offi- cers of the Walloon and other regiments. In the name of Allah, who gives victory. Thy friend, om PEREZ, “ To-morrow night they shall be finished, my lord. And forget not your promise to me! »? “T renew the promise—you shall have one of the captured Spanish ships at Oran, to go whither you will!” The girl left the tent trembling, for she feared the man and his purposes. For a space she stood gazing over the camp-crowd- ed shore below, and the little bay where the ship lights glimmered. Sadness was upon her, the load of despair grew more hopeless each hour. All her hopes had crashed down. ; Now she was aware that a dark-clad Moor approached the man who guarded her. They talked softly, there was the chink of money, then the Moor came forward and addressed her in Spanish: “ Senorita, I come from Udjde. I have a letter for you, another for Captain Spence.” Mistress Betty started violently, She took the paper extended to her, “He is among the slaves yonder,” she said, despairing. ‘ You cannot reach him.” The Moor laughed quietly. ““ Aye, we knew that ere I left. My mas- ter, the governor, has word daily by pigeon. I am told to bid you hope, and despair not. Adios!” Crushing the note in her hand the girl turned to her own tent. In a fever of eager- ness, she dismissed her slaves and bent above the lamp. She opened the paper and read: If this reaches you, know that Mulai Ali is alive and well and will be proclaimed sherif ere this reaches you. Make what use of the news you can—he is already marching on Fez, but we keep it secret. The bearer will rescue you and Spence, if possible, and bears full powers from Mulai Ali to act for him. God keep you, sweet mistress! Txos. SHAW. Tears brimmed the girl’s eyes. Rescue!’ Good Dr, Shaw alive and well. Mulai Ali alive! — Whether she could be plucked from perda’s hand was a aa query.