Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-03-03
rifle was to my shoulder, but the tiger

rifle was to nv shoulder, but the tiger
was quicker in his movements than l.
ga cry of agony rang through the air,
and the tiger sprang upon his prey before
could deliver my fire. My finger press
ed the trigger with a nervous movement,
but I dared not fire, for the two were SO
entangled in their writings that l was
fearful of missing my mark.
"a prolonged and savage yell echoed
in my ears, forcibly reminding me that |
had nv own safety to look after. AS Tor
the French major, he had fought his last
battle, and his homes, no doubt, are bleach
ing to this day meath the fierce African
sun. victim to that fearful tiger.
"Rifle in hand, I started forward IN
the direction where our horses had been
left. Keeping under cover OF the foliage,
I reconnoitred the situation. Imagine
my feelings, gentlemen, when l beheld
my late companions galloping across the
desert closely persued by number OF
Arabs with their sharp lances extending
far in advance Of their fleet horses.
cat last a dozen of the dusky rascals
had been left behind to guard the spoils,
and they, supposing themselves masters
OF the situation, proceeded to test our
vlands previous to searching the oasis tor
the remainder of the hated Frencbmen.
with the tiger in my rear, growing
and tearing the corpse Of my poor friend,
together with1 the savage Arabs who
partially surrounded me, was at loss
how to proceed, but finally determined
to make bold dash for my life and free
dom. The main body Of the enemy had
long since disappeared behind range Of
sand hills which skirted the horizon. Ii
I struck at all with any hope of success,
it must be before they returned.
II had gained point within ten yards
of the spot where the fleet coursers OF the
desert had been secured. They were OF
breed far superior to those owned by
the French, and I felt if I could but once
gain possession of one. might succeed
in escaping.
81 had retained my rifle, very fortu-
nately for myself, for as stepped lightly
fr ON the friendly cover OF the shrubbery
there was nothing to shield me from the
sharp eyes of the Arabs, who, however,
had their backs turned toward me.
"Another moment and | would have
gained the coveted prize; my hand, trem-
bling with eagerness and excitement, was
extended to grasp the bridle-reins, when
a harse cultural exclamation caused me
to turn my head. A huge Arab, armed
with lance, had discovered me, and
there was but one alternative left II
was my life against theirs; the rifle rose
quickly to my shoulder, and | had one
enemy the less to encounter.
'The next instant I had vaulted into
the saddle, and with the enraged yells OF
the Arabs ringing in my ears, | debouch
cd on to the desert, closely pursued by
the dusky demons, who no doupt thirstec
for my blood with an appetite increased
tenfold.
II had dropped my rife as too cumber
some, but in my belt were two Colts re
yolvers, which were my constant com
panions, and my spirits rose in proper
ton as my steed bounded on with thu
speed Of the wind.
81 had no knowledge, nor did I heec
the direction my horse was taking, but
was suddenly aware Of being surrounded
by sandy hills, gullies and ridges, unlike
anything I had ever seen on the deser
before. Round and round, in and out
my brave Arabian wound his course
amid the obstacles which appeared t. in
crease, and, drawing rein, [ ventr,rcd t.
halt 1t was silent as death; not a sount
disturbed that vast solitude, and my
fierce pursuers, they had disappeared.
never beheld them again.
Dismounting from the faithful steel
who had served me so we'll, ascendel
one Of the highest sand ridges, in hopes
Of cleaning some knowledge OF my
whereabouts, but on all sides was sur
rounded by sand, and felt that was
hopelessly lost.
"Then it was that 1 became conscious
OF great change in the aspect Of thu
weather. A dark bank of clouds encir
cled the entire horizon; not a breath o
air was stirring; there was an unnatura
GOODNESS in the atmosphere suffocatio1
unusual even for that climate; all nature
appeared to be hushed into one horrible
calm, nd,panting for sufficient air to sup
port life, sank beside my horse, wht
had also stretched himself on the desert
II think must have sank into stupor
At all events when again started to m,
feet perceived there was a change rap
idly approaching. The dark bank O.
clouds was rapidly obscuring the entire
heavens; low murmurs, like the breath
Of spirits, seemed to whisper in my ears
while faint flush of air, so hot, So fierce
as to almost scorch my cheek whirled TO
a moment about me. Then came a med
ley of sounds, whizzing and moaning
the rumble Of thunder and the rush Of tn
tempest. A broad black line came rap
rapidly upon me, and the hurricane in al
| its fury burst upon my devoted head.
$50 intense was the darkness that
was impossible to distinguish object
but few feet distant, while vast masse
of sand, hurled onward by the flu
strength of the simeon, soon made it i'm
possible to open my eyes. Lying clos
beside my horse, which was tremblin
with fear, shielded my face that mlgt
breath somewhat freer.
"The burning particles of sand force
themselves through my light clothing III
til. gentlemen, I well-nigh imagined m.
| self stretched upon bed of Goals, an
, the hot, scathing sand, coupled with tt
fry breath of the simeon, effected a chang
in my complexion, from which I sha
never recover.
II hardly ventured to breath the h,
n