THE VENGEANCE OF ASAD-ED-DIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 134, 8 June 1929, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE VENGEANCE OF ASAD-ED-DIN.

(By Jack Watson, 70, Lincoln Street, Ponsonby.)

A terrible noise arose from the camp of AsadJSd-Din. A stranger was coming from the city of Biskra and the camp was being prepared for his visit. Next day, the .stranger, Jiamed Yussouf, arrived.

His coming was heraided by the blaring of trumpets and yelping of dogs. Escorting Mm were five camel riders armed with guns. Other camels were loaded with silks and spices as a peace offering to Aead. "Praise to Allah/' was the stranger's greeting. "Greetings, 0, great one," said Asad. The men talked far into the night, but at 11 o'clock they retired to bed. As soon as dawn "broke Asad went .to Yussouf's tent to wake him but was surprised to find lim gone. A few minutes a loud wailing arose from the temple wherein the Arabs prayed, for the black opal was missing. Asad's rage knew no bounds. He ordered out his army .and in ten minutes 500 horsemen galloped out of the town. At -three o'clock the horsemen had skirted the enemy's ilank and waited in a pass to trap the "thieves.. On came Yussonf, not knowing of the ambush in the pass. Asad's face was suffused with, fury as Jie watched the cavalcade approach, while his men prepared for the oncoming battle.

"Crack." The rifle barked its death message, while a roar went up from 500 throats as the Arabs charged. Rifles barked and men dropped like stones. It was wholesale slaughter. After ten minutes .fighting not tine of "Yussouf's men was left standing. The black opal was found in a bag round the dead thief's neck.

There was much rejoicing in Asad's camp that night and the people, made merry by drinking wine, were soon fast asleep. But Asad-Ed-Din prayed in the "Shrine of Allah."