FATMA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2202, 14 May 1896, Page 51

FATMA.

A STORY FOB CHILDREN. From the .German of Wilhelm Hauf. (Concluded.) Mustapha, who was the oause of their flight, now came out of . his hiding place, and lighting a lamp which he had brought for the purpose he drew out the awakening draught and then began to open the lid of the coffin. What, however, was his astonishment and dismay to find by the light of bis lamp a strange face lying there, and neither his sister Fatma, nor yet Zoraida I It was some time before he could recover himself from this fresh disappointment of his hopes, but at last his compassion for the creature lying helpless there aroused him, and he poured the potion through her lips. She opened her eyes, breathed deeply, and then seemed to consider where she was. At length, remembering what had taken place, she got up and threw herself at the feet of her deliverer. "How can I thank you," said she, "for rescuing me from that frightful captivity ? " Mustapha, interrupting her words, asked how it was that s^e and not his sister Fatma had escaped. For a moment she looked at him in surprise, then exclaimed : 11 Now I begin to see through it ; now it is quite clear to me how I have been saved. They call me Fatma at the palace, and it was to me that you gave the bit of parchment and the medicine." Mu'stapoa then inquired after his sister s and learned that both she and Zoraida were within the palace, but in accordance with Thiuli's custom they bore other name?, and were called Mirza and Nnrmahal. Mustapha was greatly disheartened, and as this showed itselE in his face Fatma tried to encourage him, and informed him that she knew of a plan by which his sinter and her friend might yet be saved. He was inspired with fresh hope on hearing this, and begged her to tell him of her plan. She then began : "I have been five months in yonder prlsoD, bnt all the time I bad 'been looking round for means of escape ; but for a solitary girl the task was too hard. You will no doubt have notice! a fountain in the inner courtyard of the palace, the water flowing from 10 jets. This fountain attracted my atteution. I remembered we 'had one also in my father's castle which was supplied with water through broad pipes. In order to learn if this fountain waß made in the same way I admired its splendour one day in Tbiuli's presence. He replied ; ' That is all my own design, and what you see is but the least part of it. The water comes from a lake half a mile distant from here, and is brought here through a vaulted passage as high as yourself, aad all of it is my own design.' Often since then have I wished for a man's arms to lift up a marble block from the fountain side, then I might have been free 1 I can show you the passage and the fountain, but you will require at least two men with you if you attempt to get into the palace, as two armed slaves always guard the entrance of the eeragllo." This was, then, Fatma's plan. Mustapha, although twice defeated, was filled again with hopes, and believed . that, with the Prophet's blessing, he might yet succeed in accomplishing the new device. He promised to conduct Fatma to her own home if she would first assist him in showing the way into the palace, but here he was at a loss where to find two trusty men to help him. He then remembered the dagger which Orbasan bad given him, and he at once resolved to find out the robber chief and \ claim his promised aid. Leading his comj panion to the nearest town, he left her in charge of a poor woman until he should return, and with the last of his gold he bought him a taorso and rode off at once by the road he had pome — towards Orbasan's oamp. In two da; s he found the tents still there, and went boldly forward into Orbasan's presence. He related his futile attempts to rescue his Bieter, and when be told him of his disguise as Ghakamankabcidibaba the robber could not repress a smile; but on hearing of the treaohery of his late deserted dwarf he was greatly incensed, and swore to hang the traitor up on the spot where he would find him. He promised to come with' Mustapha as soon as his horses ware rested after their long ride, and once more Mustapha passed a night within the robber's tent. Early next mornlDg they started, Orbasan and three of his bravest men, and made for the town where Fatma was to await them. After two days' riding they arrived there, and, taking Fatma with them, they proceeded to a wood within sight of the palace, there to await the darkness. Soon after dark they went, led by Fatma, to the lake, and soon found the vaulted passage. One man remained with Fatma and the horses at the opening, while the others proceeded to enter. Once more, before leaving her, Fatma described minutely the plan of the palace court: they were to remove the' marble slab at the fountain side, and would then find themselves in the inner court. On each side were two corridors with ' entrances to apartments occupied by the female slaves. Fatma and Zoraida were in the chamber through the sixth door on the right, guarded by two black slaves. Orbasan and his men then entered the vaulted passage, and wading waist deep in water they made thoir way" to the fountain. Armed with irons, they soon loosened the slab and opened a way into the court. Orbasan scrambled through first, and helped the others up after him. They found the corridors and apartments as had been described to them, but as one door on the right had been bricked up they were uncertain whether to count this one or not. They did not hesitate long, but Orbasan, marching up to the sixth door, gently opened it, and found within a large porch where six slaves lay sleeping "upon the ground. Perceiving this was the wrong door they were about to withdraw, when a dark figure raised itself in one corner, and the well-known voice of the shiny-skinned dwarf began calling for help. In asecc&d Orbasaa had seised him by the tbiaafc and. stopped his erica. Tearing oS

bis girdle he bound his arms behind bis baok, and before the other slaves had well awakened they were served in like manner. With Orbasan's sword pointing to his neck the dwarf informed them where Mirz* and Nurmabal were kept. Muslapha hastened into their room, where thay had been awakened by the noise, told them to gather up their things and follow him, and they would be free 1 Orbasan's men then begged to be allowed to plunder some of these luxurious apartments, but this he refused. "It shall not be said," replied he, " that Orbasan breaks into houses by night to steal." Muetapha and one of the others then descended into the vault, bearing with them the two captives, whilsb Orbasan and the other man remained behind. Taking a cord which they had with them, they then passed it round the dwarf's neck, and left him hanging on the highest spout of the fountain. After thus repaying the traitor for his conduct', they also entered the vault and followed the others through it. Musfcapha and his sister were boundless in their gratitude to Orbasan for his noble assistance, but he advised them to continue, without a moment's delay, their flight, as it was almcst certain that Thiuli-Kos would send pursuers in all directions. They then separated with much emotion from their deliverer. Fatma, the other freed slave, went disguised to Balsora, where she could get shipped to'her own home, while Must apha and his companions returned to their father's house. The old man was overcome with joy at again seeing his daughter, and rewarded Mustapha by giving his willing consent to his marriage with Zoraida. [The End.]