The Equinox (Volume I, Number VI)

THE EQUINOX But one rides fast, for I can hear his hoofs ring the gallop above all the trampling. LAYLAH. It is Sliman! His horse has silver shoes. Wait there, child! I have joy for you to come. [A horse i: heam’ galloping into the caariyam’, and a bait/e—cry, La Allah illa Allah, rings aut iii a ὄψ᾽: clear voice, a mice weary yet suþrerhely haþþy. [Almost beside herself] Sliman! to me! to your mother! [Slimah mien, in his right hand his sword 51111 driþ— ping Haud. SLIMAN. Splendid fun, mother! We should have had the whole city, but those cursed Knights of Malta threatened our flank. And father told me I was a betterleader for withdraw- ing than ifI had gone on and taken the city. There! Aha! little one! you are caged safely, canary. Thanks, mother! Don’t kiss me. I’m all blood. [She smothers him with his-52:. LAYLAH. Oh, you're wounded. Ledmiya, the kerchief, quick. And the Arabian oil, and the balsam. SLIMAN. Nonsense, mother, it’s nothing. But think! I slew twenty knights—they haven't the strength of babies. It was like cracking eggshells. All except one. He was as strong as I, but not so quick. So I cut him down, and took his crest for a brooch for you, mother dear. [He holds out a golden trest. LAYLAH. The scorpion! THE CHILD. The scorpion I [She retires aha’ waicher. LAYLAH. Boy, you have killed your father. [She stand: ihuna'ersluch. SLIMAN. Oh no, mother! Father and the boys all died in 94