The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-01-30
CHAPTER Xxx.

I'M. FLlbHl.
A total and irrcteemable rout with tbe
frenzied yictors amuck among the shat
tered ranks of the vanished is a thing not
to be described by any one sharing in the
panic or the havoc of it. We flew blindlv,
desperately, knowing neither where we
went nor what we did. We had but one
idea-to get away as fast as beast could
carry us beyond the reach of those mutilat-
ing spears, aud in he madness and fury of
fear we rode each OF her down without heed
or pity. Horsemen plunged into camel
men, camelmen into hursemen friend
cursed friend for barring the way and smote
frantically, the striker caring not il the
blood ofa fellow We're spilled so only lie
himself escaped.
Quarter was never so much as thought of
on either side, for vengeance fired by tanaL-
iCsm does not spare nor does the terror IL
inspires plead. The dripping lances sped
like weayers' shuttles, and the shrieks of
the butchered miugled with the oatbs of
the butchers who swore because they could
not clear their points quick enough for the
fell work in hand. With grunts of hellish
glee from foaming mouths. the red points
were sent home, and the victims went down
screaming to be finished under foot.
By degrees the fugitives began to scatter
aud presently found myself tearing along
in little group OF half II dozen, my heart in
my mouth and just sense enough left to
know that Gush of blood was soaking nv
right leg. Whence ii issued had not the
least idea. Nor could tell whether | had one
hurt or many hurts. Feeling in my dis.
traught condition there was none, and eX-
animation was impossible. A moments
delay would mean a dozen lances in my
body, SO needless of wounds fled with all
the speed that fear and spurs could put in
to the fieetest steed that ever carried man
from such an Aceldama. With stretched
neck and ears laid back like hare's in the
chase my little mare seemed rather to fl
ahan to tread the earth, and well for me
was on the back OF Kohlan in her prime,
or | should not now be writing this history.
Glancing about me by and by found
that was riding alone; that no officer was
within sight, nor indeed any one knew save
Tabal, the son of my old benefaetor, Said
Achmet. He was a short distance to the
right and ahead Of me and was urging his
camel with all the might of voice and stick
| shouted TO him. lie turned quickly, side
ways, but before he saw me he threw llp
his arms, gave a queer cry and rolled TO the
ground. Mechanically, for was not capa-
BILE of thought, | wheeled toward him.
leaped to the ground and in a second was
up again, with Tabal lying across the sad
die before me. Do not stay TO ask how
did it. If ever you come to be in life and
death strait, you will find that the nerves
and muscles can act independently when
the wits are gone. The thing was done
and done before knew had undertaken it,
Starting again cast an eye over my
shoulder TO see four of the enemys horse
men coming full tilt upon me with level
lances Discerning it was to be neck and
neck race for life, touched my little mare
with the spurs, and though now carrying
double she skinned along with the speed
of tho ostrich, quickly distancing our pur-
Buels, who turned TO easier game. But
glancing backward again presently saw
with fresh dismay three other horsemen
conlii z at me sideways with the pace of the
tempest. From their looks Judged them
at once to be Bfdouin's genuine children Of
the desert, of whom large numbers were
attracted to the standard of Yumen Ynsel
by the glorious prospects OF spoil. They