The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-07-16
FEO'S BRAVERY.

who naQ taIlen GOWN 10 rest lOf lew
hours ere continuing their weary road.
Such q notwithstanding group
haggard men and women and few
children.
1t needed only one glance to tell
they were slaves, torn from their
homes TO be sold into everlasting
bondage.
One man, the master of the little
band, was giving orders in a loud
harsh voice, slashing heavy whip
while he spoke, letting it fall merci-
lessly on the half-clothed bodies Of
those who happened to get in his way.
water! waterm came in gasping
sobs from the parched lips of the I'M
happy men while the women, half
, flaming, could only gaze imploringly
at the small bottles which hung round
the camels, and clasp their moaning
children closer TO their hearts.
One slave, a ghastly wreck of strong
manhood, unable any longer to con-
troll tho anguish he was enduring,
crawled towards the nearest camel,
and tried TO clutch one of the bottles.
In an instant the quick eye of Jussuf
Bey had lighted upon him. With a
bound he reached his side, and the
heavy whip was held threateningly
over him.
''lIow dare you, you dog!n he
Kissed, dragging the half-dead form
along the hot sand For this YOU
shall not touch one drop of water Do
you hear?'
The man heard, and deep groan of
anguish burst from his lips.
With torturing slowness the inhu-
man slaye-dealer measured out q small
portion of water to each one, all ex-
cept be who had rebelled against his
stern rule.
Now he added fercely, 'ff any
OF you dare to give him a drop Of wa
ter l will whip you 10 death. | am
master here-do you understands
Yes, yes came in stihed whispers
from the group; they knew his cruel
nature too well to disobey him.
One, however, from out that crowd,
as he drank the refreshing water, held
TO his lips by mothers loving hand,
hestated ere he drained the last drop,
and looked compassionately at the
man.
Mother" the child said gently,
let me go to him. He was kind TO
me when / was too tired TO walk, car
rying me, although the sun was SO hot,
and the way so long"
The woman drew the child closer to
her heart.
mo, no. my little Fec! Did you
not hear what that bad man said? He
will kin you if you dare to disobey
him. y
Il cannot help it, he may kill me if
he likes, Fec said sturdily. Lexis
was kind to me; why should fear
now TO return that kindness?'
"Feo, my darlingl Listen TO NE.
Would you leave me alone-you who
are my only JOY now?' she cried pas
sicnately.
Fec threw his arms lovingly round
her neck, and kissed the thin cheek.
Look, mother, Jessut Bey is not
near enough to see me. Let me take
him this tiny drop Of water? Fancy |
were dying like he is, and no one
came 10 my help! / will gop and
with sudden wrench, the child broke
from those clinging arms, and in
another instant was beside his friend.
Many hands were outstretched tc
hold him back, but he escaped from
all, throwing himself on his knees be-
SIDE the suffering man.
. Lexis he said in his clear child
!sh voice, ''see, have brought vol
some water-drink.
With sudden ray Of 10y lighting Iii
haggard face, Lexis managed to partl
rise, leaning on his elbow; and seizin,
the bottle he drained the preciou
liquid with feyerish haste,
Thank you, thank you. You are
good boy; may God reward you,' h
muttered, passing one hand over tn
chld head, as the empty flask fell t
Inc gro. ggtSpn d.. H.,
forget that, Fec said softly. "a,
you better uow?n
ooh, SO much better. feel stron
you have saved my life, little one.
not fear that man; he shall not tou
you while / am BY" staggering 10
feet.
At that moment, Jessuf Bey cal
back from his inspection of the V;
desert. Lexis sank again On the sar
and little Fec sought the safe shelter
his mothers side happy at hayi
helped his friend
1--WE cannot stay here long jess
began savagely There is danger
being overtaken. Prepare yoursely
as quickly as possible for departure
With stiiled groans, the weary throI
staggered helplessly TO their feet MI
tering imprecations on the head
their hard master.
Suddenly his eyes fell on Lexis, W
had risen TO his feet, and the emp
bottle lying on the ground near him.
Some one has dared TO disobey IN
You have had water, though | forba
anyone TO give it to you. Who was
Tell mel" lac Numbered savagely.
A dead silence fell on the throne.
lips were parted TO betray the BRA
boy, who was now held SO tightly
his mothers arms. A ghastly Ian
broke from Lexis, as he said /
umphantly:
} r. Thank Heaven! charity is not gu
extinct in the hearts you have tried