San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-01-15

derby entered, saluted and stood at "At-
tention!" like statne. The man was a
Syrian, gaunt as a greyhound and as
deep chested, and his eyes and position
as he waited would have challenged
score from the keenest judge Of compe-
titive drill. For three years had given the
Creole soldier time to bring the Egyptian.
cavalry arm into discipline equal to its
former efficiency, and nothing of mar
tinet, he had yet taught his troop COM
manders that the faults of subalterns
and men would be visited ON them.
On leaving home = forever, as he
thought-Latour had been among the
first Confederate officers to accept the
offer of service made by Isnail soon
after his succession to his uncle, Said
Pasha, in 1864. His keen soldiership
and strong personal traits had early
made him fayorite with the vacillating
viceroy, who, by taste and education
more Frenchman than Turk, ever
had weakness for the Frangi not pleas
ing to his people. But Latour's good
work in the council and the field had
proved the wisdom of his choice for the
high rank of colonel, and the campaign
in Abyssinia earned the brevet of hey,
the khediye not being permitted under
the firman to give the rank os general.
"Well. orderly?' the colonel said. in
Arabic.
The man stepped forward and pre-
sented letter in long official envelope.
The only thing about it un-English was
the Turkish signet in a great splay of
black wax. 1t was very brief, stating
from the minister Of war, the court be-
ing then at Alexandria, that British Wis
itors of great consideration and largely
interested in the Suez canal would at
once visit the capital, and that his high
ness desired every courtesy shown them
by the ranking officer then at Cairo.
'sPeli! Oar he said to the orderly in
Arabic; the man saluting, making the
rightabout and disappearing like an
automaton. '.
"More of these cursed Englishr' La
tour added to himself in French, as he
rose and strobe about the room. "More
boredom with titled donkeys, all whis-
kers and eyeglass, and frowsy old red
faced dowagers! Nom du diable! why
cannot his highness keep them within
the light of his own face! 1t is bad
enough to command his black soldiers
and train his infidel officers! Not much
better than if I had taken the oath and
applied for niger regiment! But this
bear leading for John Bull is worse! I'd
rather, ten to one, have the Sheik Abou-
Ali refuse to pay the tribute, and be
sent to squeeze it out of his black hide.
All! Ahmed's escort back? Perhaps I
mayT
With smile at his own warmth over
trifle the Creole changed his mood,
walking calmly to the window that over
looked the court below. The clatter of
hoofs and challenge of the guard had
died away: and he saw a handsome
young officer dismount, give an order to
his sergeant and, as the troopers Of the
escort rode off, disappear under the port
al. The next instant, preceded by the
orderly, he entered the chamber and sa-
luted.
swell, captain" Latour queried in
French. "what did the sheik answer
Literally nothing, colonel" the other
answered in the same tongue. eve
smoked many pipes and drank much
vile coffee, under his tents at Minieh,
and we also paid many compliments.
Sheik Abou-Ali spoke most Loyalty of
his highness; but l could only induce
him to promise to send trusted mes
senger of his own to Cairo with letter
regarding the tribute
Captain Ahmed Mustafa was a high
Turk of influential family, young, tai
ented and soldierly. One of the young
Egyptian sent to Europe by Said Pasha
for education, his tastes were Partisan
rather than oriental. He was Latour's
adjutant, and more nearly his friend
than any native officer.
But you know these Arabs, colonel"
Ahmed added "From our conference
have no idea that the sheik will pay
the tribute"
"Theu we will doubtless be sent to
bring it, Latour answered. at Will be
a pleasant change from garrison routine,
captain. But you have hard ride, and
need food and rest ..-..
AS the younger soldier saluted, about
to turn away, the sharp note of the bugle
rang out clear in stable call, floating
fainter from across the river at the cav
airy barracks.
"By the way, captain" Latour added,
.'order the officer in charge of evening
stables to report the number and condi-
ton of the extra mounts. His highness
sends a fresh squadron of beefeaters to
--.4l, tx,u,o., I'm, ~ - oil