Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-12-10

drink IL outside before starting on the
intended journey, leaving the apartment
as he spoke.
| When the hour came for unloading
the camel, Null found the two English
officers ready with their paper. 1t was
written in cipher and was to be carried
iu Tie fold of his turban. Few words
passed between them. True to their
promise as gentlemen" they handed
Null two bottles of champagne, while
he returned them the empty glass with
profound thanks, again wiping his lips.
The camel kneeled, and the driver
mounted its back while both officers
stood by.
The spirit of inquiry was now excited
in him for purpose he had in view.
"oay. o friend" said he to the aged
man who stood at the door OF the bazaar,
what effect will the drinking of this
wine produce on me?"
" Ii will make thee merry, aud IL will
make thee sad. Thy tongue will be on
thy sleeve, and the thing thou shouldst
not say will be spoken before t:iou art
aware that the word is uttered"
This was sufficient for Null; he simply
smeared his face and drenched his
clothes with part Of the liquor. and
spilled what remained on the ground.
Nov Null make haste, and mind"-
said Major Brett, putting his finger to
his mouth to enjoin secrecy and wsri
ness.
Judge of tile CONSERVATION Of the two
diplomats, when Null, scarcely had the
camel started, gave utterauce to an un-
earthly yell and waved his turban in
which the dispatch was concealed, high
in the air. Both Brett and Villiers
looked at each other for moment in
speech;ess horror, and then shouted
after Null to stop. 1t was too late, 1.-The
ship Of the desert" was going at Il pace
that defied either of them, even If
mounted on race horses, TO come abreast
of him.
"The fellow 10 as drunk as fiddle, "
said Villiers, mournfully.
"Unquestionably. you see, he wasn't
used to liquor. What's 10 be done !!
Everything is spoiled if he lOoses the
dispatch. or blabs out " where it's hidden" !"
Null stopped when he got about halt
mile Oh his journey, aud leisurely dis
mounted from his camel. The officers,
perc"iving this, hurried along till they
reached him. They found the camel
driver seated, legs crosswise, on the
sand endeavoring 10 open Que OF the
bottles; but the complex mechanism Of
the wire and capsule WAS too much for
him.
you drunken scoundrel," beloved
Viliers, nearly out of puff, as lie applied
riding whip, which he carried, TO tile
poor fellows shoulders. "What do you
mean? Show ME the paper gave you"
Null, with vacant stare, took of his
turban, but the dispatch was no where
to be found in IL.
81 have it in my heart" exclaimed
Brett. "to murder you on the spot. Give
me back that bottle"
81 thought" stsmmered Null, "you
told me it would do me good.
He then fumbed about his breast and
pulled out the dispatch, which he trans
ierred from his turban as he was squat
ted on the ground, while screened by
the camel.
"Can we trust him to proceed on the
Journey"
Certainly not he'll hand the paper
over to the first scout he meets, and tell
where IL came from. And now, unfor-
tunately, every hour is Of Importance.
What a mess to be in"
Null did not understand the conver
sation as it was carried on in English.
but, untutored as he was. he read the
distrust of him in the countenance OF
both officers. Getting astride the
camel, and looking with his wonted in
telligence at the Englishman, he said,
addressing Major Brett:
"Effendi, l am ready and able TO do
your bidding. tasted not the unhal-
lowed cup, to partske ofw hich would in
the case Of your humble slave have been
greater evil to him than the loss OF
that paper to you. You knew not what
you were doing when you placed the
temptation in my way Of giving Iue frst
the glassful and next these two bottles.
Your message would not have been safe
for the Koran says that "a drunken
mouth is as \ babbling brook" Take
them back, for Betnillsh l shall never
again, as the wise Abu Ben Hadar
warRed me. touch or handle. Taste /
never will. p
1--WE are nice pair Of Diplomats
truly" said villiers, reddeping at the
rebuke, and handing back the document
to the camel driver. "to bring drink into
business"
AYE, whether in or out Of it," said
the Major, laying about him oil the two
bottles with the butt eEd OF his whip,
land when We get back we ought to
smash every bottle we have. I'm total
.bstainer, as Chinese Gordon was. for
lite"
Villiers placed his hand inside the
Majors to signify that lie was one with
him in the resolution.
''Allah be praised !" exclaimed Null
Ibrahsm, as he watched the breaking Of
the bottles. and sped on his journey
Independent.