Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-22
A BATTLE In THE SAND.
THRILLING NIGHTS EXPERIENCE ON
THE PLAINS OF ALGISRS.

A Long and Perilous Ride for Life and
Victory Against Host of Hostile
Arabs-A Life Laid Down for q Fellow
Man.
While acting as newspaper correspondent
In Algeria, saws Robert Dane, had one ex-
perience, at least, that has always seemed to
me worth telling. had been down TO the
coast, to the town Of Algiers, after six
months campaigning at the front against the
Arabs, and was to join the Ninth brigade OF
Chasseurs of Africa, under Col. Lascelles, at
a town in the interior called Martirano, on
the 18Th of September But having a good
deal of correspondence, both private and of a
business natu<e. to get off, it was the morn
ing of the 10Th when my factotum, Fsbrino,
and myself rode into Martirano only to find
for once that brigade of French troops had
started on the date set, and, as | learned,
from some friendly Arabs who came ii, were
encamped at the Seven Stones pool, q spot
sixty-four miles from the town. These
friendly Arabs also informed me that the
brigadeof Col Lascelles was pretty thorough
parties Of hostiles, all, however, acting on
one plan and under the direction Of one
leader. Here was TIE deuce to pay--a pros
pect of action, of seeing service and gather
ing news that no other London paper would
get, was too good to throw away, SO Fabrino
and myself held conversation and, much
against his advice and inclination, we de-
cided to risk it, Fabrino was little, dark
irbt Ar-oh of NFr y-51
courage, great GOODNESS, and devoted to me-
l knew that l could trust him in any event,
and telling him to make the horses ready,
proceeded TO overhaul my reyolvers and re-
load them carefully, for there was every pro-
liability of my needing them before the night
ride was over.
At p. m. Fabrino reported everything
ready, and little before we rode out south
ward toward the desert We were both
mounted on Arab horses, mine being full
bred, and it had been given me by one OF the
friendly Arab chiefs, in whose tents | had
once spent three months Fabrino's was d
half breed Arab and splendid goer We
had agreed to push straight through, stopping
for no bait, and paying attention to no Arabs,
be they friendly or hostile Fabrino assured
me that our horses could do the sixty miles
it was our only chance, and | was determined
to work that only chance for all it was worth.
Mile after mile passed in silence, save the
mufHed sound of our horses feet in the sand.
1t was starlight night, but there was no
moon, and there could not have been q better
night for an expedition of this kind. Once
in passing some tamarisk there was hail in
Arabic, but we only bent lower on the necks
I,<o,.-
gone half the distance or Whereabouts we
halted at a water hole, accommodating care
fully, before finally riding up to it, for fear
of finding ourselves in the midst of an Arab
vidette-I had had an uneasy feeling for the
last few miles-and now that the hoof beats
were stilled | could distinctly hear the sound
of horsemen at some distance behind us.
Fabrino heard it, too, and told me he had
heard it for some time. There was nothing
for it but to press on. Tightening the girths
we swung ourselves into the saddle, loosened
our pistols so that they might be easily drawn,
gathered up the reins. and the horses started
neck and neck with rush.
We had not gone mile from the pool
when flash on our right forewarned us OF
the bullet that Immediately whizzed over our
heads Following Fabrino's lead | SHE'D off
toward the left, and the Arabs ct once broke
cover and came on in pursuit. Looking over
my shoulder l could see the two Geetest
mounted as they tore ON in our rear. Fabrino
and pulled our horses down a little and,
turning in our saddles took as deliberate aim
as was possible in the uncertain light and at
the speed we We're going, and gave them S
volley from our heavy cavalry pistols W.
carried in our holsters
One of the white burnOuses, that indicated
their whereabouts, disappeared, the other
wavered q moment or two and then pulled
down TO wait for his comrades Drawing
long breaths of relief, we turned forward
again only 10 find the starit plain ahead of
Us dotted with moving figures. l know /
gave G gasp, and | heard Fabrino lnutter
"Sacre bieul" with vigor that only a
Frenchman can attain,
Then, without words, we bore away to the
right, where the Eorsemen not being so close
together, there seemed the better chance TO
escape We could see them swinging their
lances and the scirniter blades flashed in the
starlight. as forcing our horses to their ut
most we Numbered down on the enemy.
Revolver in hand, we reserved our fire
until certain Of our aim. / discharged my
first barrel as dusky scoundrel's sciniter
circled over my head and fired two or three
times more, striving TO make every bullet
count. Suddenly felt soaring sensation on
my left shoulder, and then, using my spurs
for the first time and sending them home,
now with will, sprang clear of the conflict.
The pain Of my wound had turned me sick
and faint for time. When | came to / was
alone on the desert. Fabrino nor the Arabs
were anywhere to be seen. A few hours
after daybreak rode into our outposts, hav-
ing ridden fftyeight miles on the one horse
since shutdown the night before. The out
post party were surprised to see me, and plac-
ing me on q litter carried me 20 headquarters,
where the surgeon bound up my wound,
which he pronounced painful but not danger
Gus, and Col Lascelles gave me a hearty
welcome, ard, what was badly in need Of,
something to eat and drink Fabrino never
heard of more, but have no doubt that seeing
me struck with a lance be desperately cloSsd
with our enemies and sacrificed himself that /
might escape. Fabrino had been an awful
backyard IN his life, but what man can do
more, good or bad, than lay down his life for i
his fellow nan-BuiEalo New.
showed His Ignorance.