Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1877-12-06


tho bag which the girl had given him, aud
little dreaming of the danger which awaited
him, moved forward with light heart.
CHAPTER NXXVIlT.
FRANK MIDGELY's ADVENTURE IN TIE
RUINS.
Our hero reached the main cavern,
crossed it, aud was passing along tic passage
leading out of the rrins, when suddenly he
heard voices and steps in advance Of him.
A moment satisfied him that there was
large number approaching. Instinctively
he turned to rctrhcc his steps, but stumbled
and fell. In his fall he struck against q
crumbling wall, which, with n loud crash,
toppled all about him. lie was completely
covered by the debris, and by the time he
could shake himself free and risc to his
feet, the men whom he heard were upon
him. lie drew his dagger intending to die
fighting, but ho was too late. The Bedouins
with their long spears in hand rrcssod upon
him, and in less time than it takes to record
it, he was graspcd and held powerlcss hy
half dozen strong, muscular mcn. 1t
was the first time in his whole life that
Walton Sprague had been squarely overcome.
The men did not njure him, although they
handled him rather roughly US they led him
back to the apartment which they inhabited.
They bound him with lca,hern thongs made
from tanned calves hide; and to his surprise
one of the dark faced, iicrce-cycd fellows
addressed linn in pretty fair English The
detective had made up his mind to die, and
was proporionntely independent. lie knew
enough of Oriental habits to understand
that his having penetrated into the Shciks
hafcm, was an act which would seal his
doom beyond all pcradyenturc lie was
almost dying of thirst, and when the Bcdou
in addressed him he answered by asking for
something 10 drink. The Bchouin held to
his lips q lcathcrn bottle, made from the
skin Of a beast, us was the custom centuries
ago The liquid was goats milk, and was
very refreshing to the almost furnished
American No questions we're put to him,
aud for many hours he was lett to his owp
cad mcdiations. Although securely bound,
several OF the robbers alternately acted ns
guard over him. Thus the hours passed,
until as the detective judged, another day
had dawncd, when the same fellow who had
given the drink of gunt's uil brought him
some food, aud again he wus left 70 his own
thoughts. At length he saw preparations
which indicated that the band were about to
make move There were about twenty of
them, sim, wiry fellows, evidently of great
muscular power, and as fierce and cruel
looking as the most abandoned and rclcnt-
less OF their race. One of the men, whom
our hero judged must he The Sheik's chief
olhccr, came and took from him his watch,
his weapons aud every article of value about
him except his clothes. Shortly after he
was bid to rise, and was led along the
passage toward the exit out upon the plain
Once without, he saw the tents aud horses
of the. party reaay-preparcd for march
Some half dozen other members Of the gang
had remained with tho former over night.
| Bound as he vas, Walton Spraguc was
| placed upon horse, and two spcarmen took
position on either side They had asked
no questions, and vouchsnled no information
concerning their intentions regarding him,
and he pfactlccd the same rcticencc. Tho
party were soon upon the move, and the
detective ran his eyes over the plain, hoping
that possibly he nigh: see some signs of his
comradc Frank. Nothing met his eye,
however, and while the party were proceed
ing his thoughts were sad enough. lie
cursed his folly for leaving Frank and going
of on wild goose chase, which had re-
suited in placing him in snch an unpleasant
position. The party travelled until toward
noon, whom they struck into ravinc, which
was the entrance of path between number
Of hills, toward which they were travelling,
Suddenly the report of several firearms was
heard, and two or three Arabs keelcd from
their saddles. One of the riders beside the
detective raised his spear aud was about to
plunge it through the prisoners body, when
suddenly single shot was hcard--oycr the
would be murderer tumbled from his saddle.
Walton Sprague realized the truth OF once,
and as in wild dismay the horscmcn turned
to flee. he, by voice, urged his own horse
forward. Bullets were now flying thick and
fast, und in the confusion and alarm of the
momert, the BcdouiDs were moro intent
upon escape with their own lives, than con :
Germ for their prisoner, and tho detective
speedily found himsclfriding alone Bound
as he was, a moment later he heard loud
shout as he gallopcd in the midst of his
friends. Tom Jalakci was the first to rush
to his side and cut the thongs by which he
was bound. Tho first question Walton
SpraRuc asked was, "Is Frank Midgely with
you" Ills heart sank when he received
the reply that Frank had not been seen
since the skirmish on the previous night.
TO DE CONTINUED.
There are 121 900 children attending tic
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