The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-12
THE S0UDANESE SPY.

we both dropped our cigars and rushed
out to the door of the embassy.
A gun shot, plain and unmistakable
had echoed through the night air anG
we certainly had heard faint cry.
But in the dreary street all was quiet
and the solitary electric lamp reflected
no shadows save our own on the pave.
ment of the British embassy, while the
palace across the way, with its coral
facades and massive carved gates, showed
no signs of life.
Then gun went of, drum began to
rattle loudly. arms clashed. hurrying
footsteps echoed on the stones, and shouts
were given and answered. I listened in
speechless establishment, and then rushed
back for my cap and sword. 1t was best
to be prepared, though what possible
ground for alarm existed could not see.
Suakim was protected by line of SEN
tries that extended mile beyond the
town. No signal had come from the out
skirts, yet there was this turmoil in the
very midst of the European quarter.
AS hurried back to the door the great
palace gates swung open, and a SQUAD
of Egyptian soldiers trooped out, their
swarthy faces shining under their Grim
son caps. Close behind them, escorted
by several officers, came a tall, dignified
looking man. He was bareheaded and
held an unsheathed sword in his hand.
| recognized him at first sight as Ach-
med Ras, the Egyptian governor of Sua-
kim. He glanced up and down the street
and then hurried across to the embassy.
"You are British officer?" he said,
breathless with excitement.
Capt. Dugdale, of the Ninth dragons.
at your command, your excellency," l
said briefly.
THANK you. I am in need of your
services. An Arab prisoner. captured
spy of the Mahdis, has made his escape.
My stupid soldiers are to blame. The
fellow has been gone some time now, and
it is important that he be retaken, for he
has stolen valuable plans of the town and
Notifications. fear my soldiers can do
little, but if your dragons will scour the
plain
Your excellency," l interrupted,
what you desire shall be done at once"
l mounted my horse, waved a hasty
salute and galloped off down the narrow
street, leaving Achmed Ras and Carris-
ton hobnobbing together on the steps of
the embassy, for Carriston was the Brit
ish ambassador at Suakim. The hot
blood was coursing madly through my
veins, for had only been at Suakim a
week and the faintest touch of excite
ment was intensely welcome.
l remembered, too, having seen this
Arab only few days previous,
when he was being led captive through
the streets of the town, a great black
giant with muscular, brawny limbs and
his black locks dangling in curls down
his shoulders.
Ispurred rapidly through the town,
crossed the peninsula to the main land,
where the troops were quartered side by
side with the native population, and
soon the bugle call to arms was floating
out on the night air, and the jingling of
spurs and the trampling of hoofs was
heard on all sides. A few brief, concise
orders and we galloped out onto the desert
and scattered over the sandy plain.
Chances were in our favor. for the moon
was coming up slowly, and the enemy's
where alone the Arab would
ind safety, were at that time three miles
beyond the town.
galloped straight across the plain.
closely attended by solitary trooper, a
brave fellow named Tom Fraser. kept
Is far as possible in the direction judged
he fugitive had taken and | hoped to
nave the pleasure of capturing him N.Y.
'elf, for the trampling of my horse was
nuff1ed by the drifted sand and would
lot betray my approach until should
oe close upon him.
A mile and half from the town lay
,elt of deserted intrenchments, from
which the enemy had been driven a
month or SO previous. AS we approached
hese we slackened our speed and began
o look for suitable crossing place.
The British shells had leVeled them in
places and one of these points we soon
ound, break in the trench with a
,entle slope on either side. We rode
lowly down into the hollow, and as our
lorses were commencing to ascend again
Eraser suddenly tugged fercely at my
rm.
Look, captain. look!" he whispered
and as followed the range of
lis outstretched- hand saw a sight that
made my heart leap. Off to the south
attended the trenches in one unbroken
their mounds of sand rigid
nd exact. and outlined sharply in the
moonlight against the right hand wall of
arth was q swiftly moving shadow.
wen as we looked the specter vanished
ound curve, and we saw it no mc.o.
We Numbered on in silence. clutched
he reins tightly with one hand and with
he other held my saber. The Arab
'as unarmed and would take him
live, thought, and lead him back in
riumph to Suakim. This all passed
trough my mind in an instant and then
7e galloped round the curve and saw
ur prey in full view before us.
He was struggling along painfully and
mping as though one leg was hurt.
he moon shone full upon him, and to
ny surprise saw that he carried great
held and one of those enormous double
dyed swords which these Arabs use
nth such terrible effect. He had doubt
,ss found them in the trench.
We called on him to surrender, but he
ever even turned until as we were close
pom him he suddenly whirled round in
and confronted us menac-
Ugly. We drew our sabers and dashed
pom him.
Just here, extending full across the