St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1889-08-17

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which the enemy had been driven a
mouth or SO previous. As we ap-
preached these we slackened our speed
and began to look for suitable cros-
sing place. The British shells had
lcveled them in places and one of these
points we soon found. break in the
trench with a gentle slope on either
side. We rode slowly down into the
hollow. and Us our horses began to as
cend again Fraser suddenly tugged
fiercely at my arm.
Look, Captain. look-' he whis-
pered, excitededly. and as followed
the range of his Outstretched hand
saw sight that made my heart leap.
on to the south extended the trenches
in one unbroken formation, their
mounds of sand rigid and exact, and
outlined sharply in the moonlight
against the right hand wall of earth
was a quickly-moving shadow. Even
as We looked tho spectcr vanished
| round a curve.
We pulled our horses heads round
and dashed down the trench side by
side. for it was fully wide enough for
three horsemen to ride abreast.
We galloped on in silence.
clutched the reins tightly with one
hand and with the other l held my
saber. The Arab was unarmed and l
would take him alive. thought, and
lead him back in triumph TO Suakim.
This all passed through my mind in
an instant and then We galloped round
the curve and saw our prey in full
view before us. He WAS struggling
along painfully and limping as though
one leg was hurt The moon shone
full upon him and 10 my surprise l
saw that he carried a great shield and
one of those enormous dOub.c-edged
swords which these Arabs use with
such terrible effect. He had doubt
less found them in the trench.
We called upon him to surrender.
hut he never even turned until We were
close upon him. when he suddenly
whirled round in desperation and
SOulIOutCu US uCudClusts we uTcW
our sabers and dashed upon him.
Just here. extending full across the
trench. was rugged depression.
caused. probably by An exploding
shell.
This We failed to see; and. while
Fraser's horse leaped it calamity. my
animal stumbled and fell. and down
went. partly beneath him.
/ tried to rise, but my ankle was
badly eprained and with cry of pain
l dropped down behind the horse
Then I forgot every thing in what l
saw going on before me- The Arab
had rstreated against the wall and was
fierce!y keeping Frazer at bay. Their
swords FLASHED until the sparks few,
and Fraser's heavy strokes were in
tercepted by the Arabs leathern
shield.
They fought on in silence and in the
moonlight ! saw the Arabs face. the
eyes sparkling with hatred. and the
white teeth cienched in deadly deter
mination. Clash after clash rang out
on the night air. Suddenly Frazer
spurred on his horse and dealt a fear
full blow at the Arabs exposed head.
but quick rs flash the great sword
few up and the snort sabre striking
full and forcibly against the awful
edge and brOkeO fl close beside the hilt.
and lay shining on the sand ut their
feet. What followed can never for
get 1t will haunt me to my dying
hay.
Frazer threw up his right hand.
with the broken hilt. and with the left
reached for his revolver. and then, as
l looked on, stupid with horror. the
Arab raised his great sword alOft with
both hands, and with all the force of
his great strength he hurled it forward
like a catapult.
The cleaning blade flashed the
moonlight from its edge and crushed
with an awful sound through poor
Frazers head. cleaving its way
through the skull and between the
shoulders and on down the through
the back. until its point fairly touched
the rear Of the saddle.
Split in twain from head to waist the
poor fellow dropped TO the ground
without n cry and his plhnging steed
trampled over the body and then gal
loped in mad fright down the trench.
Wholly engrOsscd in this awful
scene, l forgot my own peril and only
realized it fully when the Arab. brac-
ing himself against the wall of the
trench. began to drag his sword out OF
Fraser's body. With shudder l
re achcd for my pistol and grew faint
for an instant when remembered that
it lay under the horse in the holster.
/ was wholly at the Arabs mercy.
The wretch was still Juggling at the
sword and seemed unable to loosen it.
II only had my pistol how nicely
l could bring him down.
All at once l saw something: glitter
i'm one of Fraser's Outstretched hands.
and the sight Of it gave me thrill OF
hope. 1t was his revNlver. which he
had succeeded in grasping just before
tie blow fell.
If could reach it before the Arab
could extricate his sword was saved. |
II not-Eraser's fate would be mine. !
gritted my teeth. seized my saber
firmly and rose erect. The Arab saw
me. and with savage imprecatiOn to