The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-07-14

exposed mead. but quick "a flesh The
great sword flew up and the short sabcr
striking full and forcibly against the aw-
fu edge. broke of close beside the hilt,
and lay shining on tho sand Ut their feet.
What followed ! can never forget. 1t
will haunt me TO my dying day.
Fraser threw up his right hand, with
the broken hilt. and with the left reached
for his revolver. and then, as looked on,
stupid with horror, the Arab raised his
great sword aoft with both hands, and
with all the force Of his desperate strength
he hurled IL forward like a catapult.
The cleaning blade flashed tho moon
light from It's edge and crushed with an
awful sound through poor Frascr's head,
cleaving its way through the skull and
between the shoulders and on down
through the back, until its point fairly
touched the rear Of the saddle.
Split in twain from head to waist, the
poor fellow dropped 10 the ground with
outa cry, and his plunging steed trampled
over the body and then galloped in mad
fright down the trench.
Wholly cngrcsscd in this awful scene,
] forgot my own peril and only realized
it fully when the Arab, bracing himself
against the wall Of the trench, began 20
drag his sword out Of Frasers body.
With a shudder reached for my pis-
toll, 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
70 loosen il. IL only | had my pistol
how nicely could bring MIN down.
All no once saw something glitter in
one Of Frasers outstretched hands, AMI
the sight Of it gave me a thrill Of hope.
1t was his revolver, which he bad sue
ceeded in grasping just before the blow
fell.
If | could reach it before the Arab
+ could oxtricate his sword was saved.
If -Frascrs fate would be mine. ]
eritted ny teeth. seized my saber firmly
and rose erect. The Arab saw me, and
+ with a savage improcation TO Allah he
/ threw himself on the sword with ter
ribe effort. Still it chung TO Frascr's
/ body. and then as / leaped toward him,
/ forgolfU Of my sprained ankle, and
nourishcd my sabcr Bercely, he grabbed
zap his shield and fell back few yards,
keeping on the defensive. / uttered
loud shout 10 intimidate him and then
bent over poor Fraser
graspcd the revolver, but the dead
mans hand was closed on it with grip
/ like iron. gave q strong pull and then
another. and just rs the stiiTened fingers
lo0send their clasp my injured ankle as
serted itaoifand fell heavily toone side.
Tho wary Arab was watching his chance,
and before could even turn lac ieapcd
on me like tiger and we rolled over 9.
the sand splashing through 9ooi Of
Frasers crimson life blood.
The Arab had r..nched at my throat
but mi. ed j.. and clasping each others
shouhasweA oundored about the trench,
NV ono uppermost and now the other
With clonched teeth aud struggling for
breath we fought on bitterly, knowing
That ono or the other must die. | could
feel the Arabs hot breath upon my neck
and his hugo brass earrings Tapped
AGAINST my checks. / still held the pis-
tol tightly in my left hand. If | could
only ret chance TO use it. Very fool
i.hlv relaxed my grasp a brief second,
.aud in that lightning like interval the
Arab seized the advantage and fastened
both his brawny hands firmly on my
throat
I'm vain struggled and strove to turn,
the bony fingers were pressing my wind
pipe ana the hideous face was glaring
into mine with a hooking smile
was choking, sunocating-all sense
was leaving me-
,f.... lio ',ue7 u was horrihlo.
With fearful effort. the strength that
madness alone can rive. / twisted the
Arab sideways. My left arm was free.
Nv hand still clutchcd the pistol
raised it with jerk. iput the muzzie
TO his ear. With the last atom of strength
pulled the trigger, and rs the stunning
report echoed through the trench with
thunderous revcrberations everything
grew black and dim.
Attracted boy the pistol shot they found
us there half an hour later still locked in
a close embrace. Ny uniform was spat-
tered with the Arabs blood. Messengers
were sent % Suakim for stretchers, and
while waiting the body Of my desperate
foe was buried where he lay in the
trench, and beside him was laid my
horse, whose neck had broken in the
fall We marched mournfully back TO
suakim, and tho next day poor Fraser
was laid TO rest in the English cemetery
on the shores Of the Rcd sea. I've been
inmany "a skirmish with the Arabs since,
but that night in the trenches outside
Suakim was the closest call ! ever had,
and as living remembrance Of it |
have kept that great two edged sword
which split Tom Fraser nearly in half
before my very cyes.-William Murray
(srov1ou In PHILADELPHIA Timos