SHALTS RO AN [ ASTERN Q011 ER, -

comes the Sunnee, as a true worshipper and a believer in Mahomet, to speak of the hateful Sheahs.” I knew how deep the Jjealousy of the Arabs and Persians wus, as to the merits of their respective claims as true followers of the Prophet, but Tlassan had never Dbefore refused to satisfy our curiosity whenever able. Indeed, as Denviers often hinted, when facts failed him, Hassan was quite able to narrate somc story of which we could only conclude he was the ori- gimnator,

“Come, Hassan," . sald Denviers, “I don’t | & suppose the Prophet will object to our hear- ing what brings this woman herc, far away from the haunts of her race.” The Arab's facc only scemed to become more resolute at this remark,

“ 1 will not speal of the false Sheahs,” he responded almost angrily ; “seek from the woman herself the information which you desire.” I looked in surprisc, hrst at Hassan, then into Denviers’ face.

“Don'’t rouse his fanatical prejudices, whatever you do,” I whispered; “we cannot afford to quarrcl with him just now; after all, Hassan has been more faithful to us by far than most of his fraternity would have been.”

[ stopped sud- denly. The woman had obscrved us, and, uttering a plaintive cry, as ol somc hunted animal, began to descend the moun- tain side. My head grew dizzy as I saw her clinging with her delicate hands to projections of the mountain to stcady her- self as she made her way down the almost perpendicular slope. We sprang from

MOUNTAIN SIDE.

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b A a ra BN Y

““SHE BEGAN TO DESCEND THE

our horses and stood watching her with astonishment.

• Look herey Harold,” said Denviers, F

feel certain that there is somcething very strange recorded with regard to this woman. Hassan is not usually so reticent : I have a good mind to scale the precipice on this side, and to mect her as she reaches the valley be- low.”

[ movaed close to the cdge of the rocky path which formed the pass along which we had jour- neyed, and then looked shudderingly down.

‘T doubt whether Vvou would reach the bottom alive or not," I responded ;

• there are possibly plenty

of adventures in store for us without risking this descent. Sull, T too feel a strange desire to learn this woman's history, and if you run the risk of climbing down I will cor- tainly follow." Denviers turned to Hassan, who scemed to take Lttde in- terest in the conversation,

“You can wait here till we have reached the val- ley below, then make for the road towards Dema- vend. After proceeding a tarsakh (four miles), pitch the tent, there we will endeavour to rejoin yvou at daybreak to-mor-

R

row.” T'he Arab bent his head obediently, and stood with folded arms o watch the mad attempt which we were about to make.

A minute after- wards Denviers was cautiously making his way down the side of the precipice. I gave one glance at the white- clad figure of the woman, who was now two hundreds yards below, then, with a determination to abide by Denviers in the hazardous attempt, began to follow him. In spite of the utmost caution weslipped