Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-01-24

men coming 1ull tlib upon me with IeVei
lances. Discerning it was to be a neck and
neck race for life. touched my little mare
with the spurs, and though now carrying
double she S. immed along with the speed
of the ostrich quickly distancing our pur-
suers who trned to easier game. But
glanciug bat ward again presently saw
with fresh 1, smay three other horsemen
coming at m, ideways with the pace Of the
tempest. From their looks judged them
at once to be Bedouin's genuine children Of
the desert. of whom large numbers were
attracted to the standard of Yumen Yusel
by the glorious prospects of spoil. They
had singled Inc out and were riding for
death and booty, evidently under the i'm
preston that my companion must be a man
Of rank and wealth It was a natural con-
clusion that a common soldier would be
left to die where he fell.
| looked into the face of Tabal to see
whether he were dead, for he had not
spoken a word since had lifted him. If he
were a corpse, it would be the sheerest mad
ness to incumber myself with him. But
when / bawled in his ear he opened his
eyes slowly and winked at me comically
like one awaking from odd dreams.
Are you much hurt?' shouted at the
pitch of my voice.
He wriggled his left shoulder, and the
movement brought a gush Of blood.
There" he answered family.
"You must sit up" said quickly. "Our
lives depend upon it"
He made an effort, l assisting, and
though he swayed considerably from light
headedness he managed with my aid to
keep upright.
The Bedouins meanwhile had gained
upon us and were yelling riotously in an
ticipation of an easy conquest. Doubt
less they concluded that no horse carrying
double could get away from them, but
thought to myself, with pride which even
fear could not wholly overcome, that they
little knew the mettle of my Fatima.
Her load once fairly adjusted, she would
lead them such dance as they might talk
of with wonder for the rest Of their lives
Nor did calculate amiss. At touch on
the reign she mended her pace with an ap-
| parent ease and buoyancy that made my
heart beat wild tattoo of joy. 1t was short
lived, however. had forgotten we were in
| land where horses are swift as eagles;
where every hack might be handicapped
| against an English racer. The Bedouins,
too, were splendidly mounted, and instead
of abandoning the chase came on with a
double fury that threw the odds heavily to
| their side.
| Scarcely knowing what did, drove the
|
turned up reproachful eye and distend-
| ed, fiery nostril, as II to say she was already
| doing her utmost. Nevertheless she bound
| ed on, her neck a little more craned, her
ears little flatter, her forefeet forging out
little farther. Whatever horse could do
| she would That was the sentiment Of her
response.
Looking back, tingled with joy to find
that, in spite Of her heavy burden, she was
| keeping her own. How long she could
maintain that terrific pace was the crucial
| question, for the pursuers came as hot be
| hind as ever With the corner of my eye
1 could see their horses reaching like grey
| hounds, their heads low, their nozzles
| straight out, and the black faces of the
| riders themselves thrust forward like the
| beaks of vultures. On, on, sped my mare
| in her arrowy flight, as if she knew the ter
rible need that was upon her, and close in
| her track came the Bedouins, like beagles
| on the trail yelping for blood.
The next time turned to note their prog
ress l was Mortified to see they were gaining
upon us. There could not be the slightest
doubt about it. My flesh crept together at
the discovery, SO that l must have shrunk
to half my natural size. What was to be
done? TO fight or surrender was to be
ripped on the spot, for was hampered, and
the pursuerS We're merciless There was
nothing for it but continued flight. and in
fight also there seemed small hope
could doubtless save myself, but it was i'm
possible to abandon Tabal, the more spe-
cially that, having recovered his senses, he
was now begging piteously to be taken
away from those cleaning crimson lances.
Could my mare carry both? That again
was the question of questions
In this extremity looked about me, and
I saw some were to the left, and in our rear
single horseman, hard pressed by two Be
douins, companions, as | took it, of those
who were chasing me. His nose was almost
on his chargers name, and his spurred heels
were clnpped fast to it's frothing tanks.
Pursued and pursuers kept their distances,
and there was chance that the fugitive
might get off; but, finding spears useless,
one of the Bedouins, unslinging his musket,
took aim. There was q crack, a puff of white
smoke, and the man in front toppled over
his horses head. | saw no more of him,
but a piercing scream that mingled with
the yells of triumph told all too plainly of
his fate
The horse bounded on with empty saddle,
veering slightly in our direction. Then q
sudden inspiration came upon mean in
SEPARATION so wild that for a second it made
me blind. The riderless horse, as l have
indicated, was little behind us and was
running as nearly as possible parallel to
our course. l would catch him and put
Tabal on his back. That was the fearful
resolution that sent the blood buzZing to
my brain. Swerving slightly to head off
the horse as men do in capturing wild ami
mails on the pararie, drove the spurs with
all my might into my little mare. 1t was
cruel, seeing how nobly she was already do
ing, but this was last chance and prov
idential one. A man will be exceedingly
al 70 Efa ho 70,
ward with flash Of the eye, now almost as
red as her nostril and a shower of spume
from her mouth.
The Bedouins, who were appallngly
close, must have perceived my intention,
for like bolts from a strong bow two made
for the runaway horse, while the third
came straight upon me. A minute more
and the issue of this life and death race
should be decided.
Gathering myself SO as to put all my
force into the stroke drove the rowels
home again. My poor mare groaned with
the pain of it and leaped like a wounded
deer. Two or three more such springs, my
Fatimal For Gods sake, on, speed thy ut
most, or we are lostl The long Arabian
spurs, which are never used save in the
crisis of distress, dug deep into her again
and again, and again and again she gave
that pitiful groan and that desperate
bound
Horses love company, particularly when
they have been trained to military service.
To my CONSERVATION, saw the runaway
make for the two Bendouins. The next
instant he was between them, and then,
each leaning inward, clutched at the trail
ing bride. My heart stopped, as expected
to see him go on his launches. But either
the movement frightened him into an I'M
expected dash, or they were clumsy, for,
with mighty jump and wild tossing OF
the name, he rushed clear Of them and
came careering on alone.
With a reeling sensation Of hope and
despair turned and made at him. Then,
giving my rein to Tabal, got my feet out
of the stirrups, and crouching on the top of
the saddle prepared for spring. On came
the rnnayznu the RIGHT In another mo