The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-04-23

this was but ruse TO get their ranks
broken, the pilgrims hurriedly formed up,
presenting a front of leveled spears and
gunbarrels and faces that said palmer than
any language we advanced at the peril of
our lives. And as they stood close together
to receive as there went up a diabolic shout
behind. d. We glanced back in terror to see a
dozen of our late comrades at our heels with
lance shafts hugged, after the manner of
men who have resolved to slay without
pity.
The moment that followed was such as a
man recalls in his sleep with a horrid, cold
sweat and q creeping of the flesh and
groanings and writings. In trout was a
cleaning hedge of steel, forbidding, inn
penetrable; behind was more steel already
poised TO strike by men TO whom revenge
was as blood to the lion. Half an instant
more, and'we should be fuller OF holes than
a fishermen's net.
Save Us. Save US" we screamed. Eve
arc not enemies, but friends. For the love
of the prophet, take us in"
There was not the tenth part of second
TO decide The pilgrims looked swiftly
from us TO our pursuers. The steel hedge
opened, we shot through, and 1t closed
quickly again as the Bedouins wheeled
within a yard of it, brandishing their lances
and screeching vegeance. They stood awhile
vociferating, then, vowing they would yet
give us to the vultures, slowly returned to
look after their booty.
Meantime Rance and Baruk were scram-
bling down with the breathless haste of fear
straight upon the center Of the caravan, as
being the point remotest from the Bedou-
ins. We spoke earnestly for them, but in
deed they required no pleader. their own
distracted manner being ample evidence Of
their need. AS the descent was extremely
hazardous, / hurried forward to assist
Rance, and as ran some shots were fired
from above. Poor Rance gave little
scream, and losing her hold came topping
into my arms. i put her gently on the
ground, thinking she must have been hit,
but cursory examination showed she suf-
fered from nothing worse than fright
Baruk, however, did not escape so easily.
Some Of the flying slugs found billet in
his left arm, and the good man being un-
accustomed 20 pain cried out till the gorge
rang with his wailings. But there was
little opportunity TO console him, for the
children of the desert having levied their
tax and beer balked ia their revenge had
iisappearqd fte water In sand. and the
caravan was ordered 10 proceed. So the
great snake stretched out its cumbrous
,ength once more making what haste it
could to quit such ugly quarters. Rance
clung 70 me like a scared child, murmur-
ing how good / was and wondering, with
many CALCULATIONS that were strange TO
me, II we were yet safe. did what could
TO encourage her, TIL avenerable man with
a long white beard and a compassionate
manner led her of TO the company Of her
own sex.
No questions were asked OF us strangers
It'll the caravan halted safe on the open
plain. Then, while fires were being lighted,
we were taken before some of the chief men
aud requested 20 kive an account OF our
selves. Tabal. whowas plausible fellow,
with a ready invention, got through the
ordeal quickly and well, but I had more
trouble In proving myself pious Moham-
medan. Perhaps IL was owing 10 my face.
or Il may have been from some defect in my
accent. But one scurvy priest, who was
The most set!ys q he i2agisl!eE. RSSsS