West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-03-14
there, SO We were left In peaco 10 the

minarets aud domes OF the distant CITY.
while over all the tall columns of the
Mosque Of Mehcmet Ali kept ward. At
our feet crouched the sleepless Sph,'n <
brooding over the scene as she has done
for fifty centuries
We explored the Tomb OF Numbers.
and the temple in ruins, lunched at the
pavilion built for the Prince of Wales,
summed ourselves in the sand as we
watched the granite monster, and wished
genlns was there TO unseal those tightly
closed lips, and disclose the things that
those eyes had seen.
Then as the shadows were lenethen-
ing, tired and worn-out we returned TO
the boat. Whether the current was
stronger than in the morning, or whether
the crew. were tired cannot tell, but GER
tainly the boat did net obey tho helm,
but drifted At the mercy OF the wind,
aud rocked from side TO side. The great
uange2 was, Of course, in running against
snag. but providentally, though she
bumped many times, the boat did not
strike heavily, and We drifted on in the
right direction, for she seemed to be en-
tlrely out OF the controlof the boatmen.
The situation was pefilous in the ex-
treme, night was coming on, there we
were, miles from any chance of succor,
wholly at the mercy of the current, and
liable at any moment TO be overturned.
At last we drifted toward one OF the
bridges which had been thrown over the
canal. aud Immediately we were sucked
into the current that poured with tre
mendous force through the opening.
Just as we went M der, the sail which
they had been trying TO take in fell with
a crash, and swept one OF the boatmen
into the water.
With a shrek he threw up his hands.
and went down like lead. Every effort
was made TO keep in the middle of the
culvert, which was twelve feet across.
and In that we succeeded.
The bridge was about fifteen feet high,
aud Just as we rushed along, the top of
the mast caught on one of the timbers
OF the bridge, and held fast. Back and
forth rocked the boat in the rush of
waters. but the hold Of the ropes mover
relaxed From side TO side we were
tossed with dizzy, sickening motion,
lust escaping each time being dashed
against the rocks which formed the side
OF the bridge. aud expected every instant
to be capsized. r
ence 10 death, but il certainly was not
manifested there, for the Arabs shrieked
with fear, and called upon Allah to de-
liver them.
The boat was half-full of water, and il
took all of our efforts at bailing TO keep
her from filling; but the men were of no
use, they sat down in the water and
rocked from side to side, bemoaning
their fate, till the Captain, losing pa
tience, administered some kicks to them,
telling them to go to work and stop their
bowling.
one of them slyly took ont his pen
knife. and approaching the rope was just
about to cut it, when /, seeing what he
was about to do, called to him to drop
the knife. The fellow got closer, and
had just touched the rope when pulled
a revolver from my pocket saying eff
you touch that rope, I'll shoot you"
The outstretched arm dropped as if
paralyzed, and the knife fell in the
water.
Our one chance Of life, and it was but
a slender one. lay in the holding out of
the rope. There were men working on
the road above us, we knew, and If we
could only attract their attention, il
might be well with us yet. But, OF
course, the chances were that the rope
would wear away, and then the almost
certainty was we should be dashed TO
pieces.
Half-mad with fear one of the men
umped into the water to try and gain
the embankment. He was tall, power.
full man and a magnificent swimmer, but
the water tossed him about like piece
OF cork. We saw with horror his red
feL 90 up and down on the waves, until
his upturned, agonzed face dnfted by
nHn hn eauL ~, - ~ IInrrr.r
stricken we sat silently thinking that the
next moment such might be the fate of
the rest Of US, particularly as thought /,
saw signs Of the fraying Of the rope
where il worked against the mast.
We fred OF two or three shots in rapid
succession, and then shouted at the top
Of our voices, but no answer came, save
the rash Of the waters.
one Of our party roso and threw of
his coat.
What is that for ~ Gsked.
Z" ! am going 70 try TO swim to shore
believe 1 can do itn
=" With Abdallah's fate before your
eyes F." / returned.
Yes, " he said, "I viii try 81, and
not be killed here"
cit would be suicide, " ] replied, again
taking out my revolver, and will fre
II you make motion to leave the boat.
We will take our chances here.p
f" But what chance have we here "
20 Very little, bat none in the way you
are trying"
Silently he dropped back in his scat.
A loud exclamation from the captain
startled every one, and We looked DIP to
where bis finger pointed. There shin.
ing through crevice ia the hoonng OF
the bridge wash round, bead like eye
looking down upon MS, and presently,
finding a larger iissure, q coal-b black face
beamed upon upon as.
Never was appariGon more welcome.
In few words the captain explained the
situation we we're 10, and told the man
that a couple.of English noblemen were
there. and he must hasten.
Like an arrow the fellow few away 20
where n posse Of men were needing the
road, and they hhstened back but how
10 get at us whs the difhculty. Rope
after was flung IN vain we were too far
under TO catch t. At last they tied
a heavy stone to the rope aud allowed
10 TO drift under with the current. 10
came nearer and nearer We held our
breath with anxiety fearing lest some
eddy should draw IL away from as. but