The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-12


Ten years had passed away. That pleasant
Imprisonment ot Marseillos. my hiTations
with the pretty Americans, orr charades.
dances and concerts the two Basilos, the easy
going. a1nbe heir and bis reserved, suspicious
d0uble-al these had well nigh faded from my
memory when cutie Unexpectedly found my
self on the way 10 Algiers. As | steamed from
the grand French harbor and unused on my
Tlans. / determined, should time aud opportu-
nitv permit. 10 find the young mcn-middle-
aged they would be by this time. Tho second
visit 20 MaTseilles bad brought a vivid recol-
lection If the first. felt as much interested
in the fate II my friend Constant Of the waxen
finger as if l had only parted from him the
week before. Algiers. however. Is one thing;
Algeria another. When referred 20 the adj
dress given me Just ten years before. with the
map Of the French colony spread on the table,
] was tempted TO give up the projected visit.
! had pictured o. myself q pleasant day
excursion in the immediate suburbs Of the
city; now discovered that my undertaking
was quite formidable. The railway holped
me one-third Of the way. about seventy miles
in all. the diligence would take me about as
far again. the remaining twenty aud odd
miles ~ wild country 7 must get over "a best
could The whole thing sayored of hazard
and adventure. but on further consideration
decided 20 set out. had o. yet seen next
20 nothing Of French Africa. II ! failed 10
find nv former acquaintance. ! should. az any
The weather was fine, my health was Of the
best. and two weeks Of holiday still remained
no my disposal. Far better 30 spend them IN
cXhilaratlug enterprise than on the hot, fash
ionable boulevards Of what may now be
called Brighton IN Barbary
Everything went well. The bit q railway
on the line 20 Constantine ran through charm
ing scenery was fortunate enough 70 secure
a GOOD scat outside the diligence Tho eight
hours journey was full Of interest 20 q strln-
What most struck me WAS the mixture If
savogerv and civilization. here brand-new
State-c0nstructcd French village. with toy
lse town hail. school-houso AMI police sta
ton. thetricolof flying everywhere. there. IN
close lu1taposit0n. collection OF bedouin
tents. the dark-shlnned. Withholding popu-
lation. with their hocks and herds recalling
Biblical scenes. On an sides the vegetation
was magnificent, olives being evidently me
chief crop.
The diligence stopped at last, and os night
was az baud ] took up my quarters IN tno
p0st-h0use, "a struggling, comtorIess' dngF;
inn. where, however, 1 obtained decent bed
and q good supper.
on inspecting The stable found tia. any
thing IN the shape of "a fairly comfortable car
riage was out OF the question. hired instead
a couple OF the best horses 10 be had. engaged
the services Of retired soldier as guide and
soon otter sunrise next day was on mv way.
living IN these parte' l asked Of my CON
duct0r.
who docs mott" was tho reply. He is
worth a million
rs he uarried2 Has he children"
Pleasure IS his wife, his gold pieces are BIS
family. You viii see what a splendid place be
has built in these deserts
Very dcsert-lke and solitary indeed was the
region We had now entered upon Again and
again we were obliged 20 cross q wide river
bed. in places dry, IN others the water up 60
orr horses TANKS, the steep banks glowing
with oleander- in full bloom.
Far and wide stretched the rocky waste:
here and thore groves III tho silycry-grecn
olive and golden palm breaking tho brown
monotony. At rare intervals We came upon
some little oasis. the walled in premises Of M
ostrich farmer enfCrprsiug enough - settle
amid such solitudes around his fortified en-
campmeuts, slopes II vineyard olive orchard,
and pasture.
Toward noon we reached q little inn. and as
the heat was intense rested an hour OF two,
my companion assuring me that we should
reach our destination before nightfall. There
was no help for it then. Ny acquaintance of
ten years before might have forgotten me.
lie would be compelled to offer ne hospital
treasured myself with the reelection that
no visit could well wear the look OF an intru-
sion in such circumstances Even the face Of
an enemy must surely be welcome al this
worlds end.
II was twilight when. hungry and tired We
came in sight OF the house, largo. handsome
structure in the style If e modern chateau
and surrounded as all country houses are m
Algeria. by lofty wall. Outside that nclosure
wero pnk-like giades ADD strawberries, within,
hower-gardens fountains, ay1anes ell most
beautifully kept.
The aspect Of the place was not that Of
bachelors home. Every window blnzed with
cheerful light. servants hustled hither and
thither aud as We rode up 10 the 'front.' door
two smart Arab grooms ran forward 60 seize
the brides. ~ II VT were expected II was
evident that some kind Of fostivity was going
on. and that | was supposed 10 be an invited
guest.
While ] stood hesitating as 70 what course
10 pursue how best - frame an excuse tor
an untmelN intrusion heard the well-re-
memherel accent of my old acquaintance.
Having warmly received two visitors arrived
lust before. he now turned % myself. all hos
pitality and preoccupati0n. u oder many
apologies for this unexpected appearance, /
said. 81 nm an Englislman you may re-
member Our meeting some years ago-fle'c.er
by name Vincent fletcher-and happening
% hc lu Algeria "
You are most heartily welcome he ex-
claimed Il receive many visits from your
cOuutrmeu on their way 10 Constantine. l
am delighted 90 show them the country. TX
cuse me '
Here he greeted another newcomer.
The fact is. -" he added. - am tonight en-
tertaning d large hunting party, and my
mind is distracted by a thousand details.
Hamod. conduct this gentleman 70 a bed
room Let mo see the west room is IN Occu-
pied. and see that his attendant and horses
are well cared for In a quarter Of an hour
the bell will ring for dinner he added: then
with pleasant smile and second handshake
he left me IN charge of the Arab servant.
The duing-room ID which the larger com
pauy assem- bled little later presented bril- |
limit scene.
found my host surrounded 10y his friends, |
and only won a friendly nod from HIM before
We sat down % table.
Well. said 10 myself. myexplanation, such |
as il was. would keep. When man has |
built himself palace on the confines OF the
desert no evidently needs no letters intro
ductorv from chance visitor chance par
takcr of his splendor is only too welcome. |
SO took my place. bowed 10 my table com
panions. and resolved % enjoy the altogether |
Unexpected turn Of affairs. We numbered
upwards of twenty in all, the party being |
composed Of two Arab chiefs. couple OF |
French officers. a CHEEKY old priest, and sew |
eral sun-burnt colonists and ciyiliAns-eyi- |
IDENTITY the doctor. notary and magistrate |
Of the nearest town.
Everybody seemed 10 be In my own case
that il TO say. desperately hungry, and during |