The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-07-14
THE S0UDANESE SPY.

tItI't anu i''h'A az ii' iit'iilfs AN'h
we both dropped our cigars and rushed
out TO the door Of the embassy.
a gun shot, plain and unmisiakable.
had echoed through the night air and
we certainly had heard a faint cry.
But in the drcary street all was quiet
and the solitary electric limp reflected
no shadows save our own on the pave
mont Of tho British embassy. while the
palace across the way, with its coral
facadcs and massive carved gates, showed
no signs Of life.
Then a gun went on. a drum began 20
rattle loudly. arms clashed, hurrying
footsteps echoed on the stones. and shouts
were given and answered. listened in
spccchlcss establishment, and then rushed
back for my cap and sword. 1t was best
10 be prepared, though what possible
ground for alarm existed could not sec.
Suakim was protected by line of sem
tries that extended q mile beyond the
town. No signal had como from the out
skirts, yet there was this turmoil In tho
very midst Of the European quarter.
hsI hurried back 20 the door the great
palace gates swung open, and squad
of Egyptian soldiers troopcd out, their
swarthy faces shining under their Grim
son caps Close behind them, escorted
by several officers. came q tall. digniticd
looking man. Ho was haroheadcd and
held an unshcaihcd 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 % the embassy.
you are British onicerY no said,
breathless with excitement
"Capt. Dugdalc, of the Ninth Dragons,
ut your command, yolr excellcncy,' 1
said briefly.
"Thank You. I ann in need Of your
services An Arab prisoner, a captured
spy Of the Nahli's, has mado his escape.
Nv stupid soldiers ore 10 blame The
fellow has been gone some time now, and
1t Is important that hc bee retakcn. for he
has stolen valuable plans of tho town and
Notifications. fear my soldiers can do
little. but If your dragons viii scour tho
plain
"Your cxcelloncy," interrupted.
"what YOU desire shall be done 40 once ~
! mvumcd my horse, waved a hasty
salute and callopod o.I down the narrow
street. leaving Achmel Ias and Carris-
ton hobnobhng together on the steps Of
the embassy, for Carriston was the Brit
ssh ambassador at sualam The hot
blood was cou-ing madly through my
veins. for had only been 40 Suakim %
week and the faintcst touch of excite
mont was intensely welcome.
| remembered. too. having seen this
escaped Arab only few days previous
when hc was being lea captive through
the streets of the town, "a great black
giant Win muscular, hiaony limbs and
ms uHacA i1N"a "s's'rit"a B" '"''" '...-
his shoulders
Ispurred rapidly through the town.
crossed the peninsula 10 the main land,
where the troops We're quaricrcd SIDE by
side with tine native population and
soon the buslc call 90 arms was floating
out on the night air, and the jinglmg of
spurs and the trampling Of hoois was
heard on an sides. A few brief. concise
orders and wegallopcd oui onto thodcsclt
and scattered over the sandy plain
Chances were In our favor for the moon
was coming mp slowly, and tho enemy IS
outposts. where alone the Arab would
find safety, were at that time three miles
beyond the town
Icanopcd straight across the plain,
closely attended by . solitary trooper, a
brave fellow named Tom Fraser. kept
as faras posslblein hcdirection ! Judged
the fugitive had taken and hoped to
have the pleasure Of capturing him my
self. for the trampling Of my horse was
mulllcd by the driftcd sand and would
not bctray my approach until l should
b. close upon him.
4 mile and a half from the town lay n
belt of deserted iuttcnchmcnts, from
which the enemy had been driven a
month or soprceious. Aswe approached
these we slackenod our speed and began
L. look for a suitable crossing place.
Tie British shells had lcyolod them IN
places and one OF these points We soon
found. a break in the trench with "a
gentle slope on either side. We rode
slowly down into the hollow, oul as our
horses were commcncins toascend again
Trasar suddenly ugsed hcrccly at my
arm.
Look. captain. look ne whispered
excitcdly, and as followed tho range of
H. ou;srctchcd hand saw a sight that
made my heagt leap on 10 Tie south
extended the trenches in one unbrokon
formation. their mounds Of send rigid
md exact, and outlined sharply in thc
moonlight against Che right hand wall Of
earth was swiftly moving shadow.
Even as we looked the specter vanished
round curve. and we saw It 10 more.s
We Numbered on in silence. / clutched
fhe roins tightly with one hand and with
tho other | held my sabcr The Arab
WAS unarmol and | would take him
alive. l thought, and lead him back IN
triumph TO Suakim. This al passed
through my mind in an instant andthea
we gailoped round the curve and saw
our prey in full view before us.
lie was struggling along painfully and
limping as though one leg was hurt.
The moon shone full upon him, and to
my surprise saw that he carrieda great
shield and one of those enormous double
edged swords which these Arabs use
with such terrible effect lie had doubt
less found them in the trench.
We called on him TO surrender. but he
never even turned until as we were close
upon him he suddenly whirlcd round in
desperation and confronted Us menac-
jngly. We drew our sabcrs and dashed
upon him
Just here. extending full across the
trench, was a rugged depression, caused,
probably. by ana exploding shell.
This we failed TO see; and, while
frascrs horse leapcd il CALAMITY, my
animal stumbled and fell and down |
went. partly beneath him.
tried to rise, bat iny ankle was badly
sprained, and with a cry OF pain dropped
down behind the horse. Then | forgot
o,..,.,tbf,e, In what 1 SAW going ON before