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

.iau SlllBIed liie %. were riuIng Tor
death and booty, evidently under the inn
preston that my companion must be man
of rank and wealth 1t was natural con-
elusion that common soldier would be
left to die where he fell.
l looked into the face of Tabal to see
whether he were dead, for he had not
spoken word since had lifted him. ii he
were corpse, 1t 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.
"Arc you much hurt9" 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" l said quickly. sour
lives depend upon it,"
lie made an effort, 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 carving
double could get away from them. but |
thought to myself, with a 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 n 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 buoTancy that made my
heart beat n 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 n
double fury that threw the odds heavily to
their side.
Scarcely knowing what did, drove the
rowels deep into my mares flanks. She
turned up reproachful eye and distend-
ed, fiery nostril, as il 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 ont
a little farther Whatever horse could do
she would. That was the sentiment of her
response.
Looking back, I 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 eve
could see their horses reaching like grey
hounds, their heads low, their noZzles
straight out, and the black faces of tho
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 I 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 putsuers We're mercicss There was
nothing for it but continued flight, and in
flight also there seemed small hope. /
could doubtless save myself, but it was i'm
possible to abandon 1'abal, the more spe-
cinlly 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
l saw some were to the left, aud in our reara
single horseman, hard pressed by two Be
douins, companions, as | took it, of those
who were chasing me. Ills nose was almost
OH his chargers mane, and his spurred heels
We're clapped fast to its frothing fianks.
Pursued and pursuers kept their distances,
and there was chance that the fugitive
might get on; but, finding spears useless,
one of the Bedouins, unslinging his musket,
took aim. There was a crack, Il puff Of white
smoke, and the nun in front toppled over
lat. h.,,,e e.f.- 4 a a
but piercing scream that mingled with
the yells OF triumph told all too plainly Of
his fute
The horse bounded on with empty saddle,
veering slightly in our direction Then a
sudden inspiration came upon mean in
spiration so wild that for second it made
me blind. The rideress horse, as | have
indicated, was IL little behind us and was
running as nearly as possible parallel to
our course. 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 OIL
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
cruei, seeing how nohly She was already do
ing, but this was a last chance and prov
idental one. 4 man will he exceedingly
CIii'l " DItHtENC MS lilt ESut SpfililU lOf-
ward with a flash Of the eye, now almost AS
red as her nostril, and shower of spume
from her mouth.
The Bedouins. who We're appallingly
close, must have perceived my intention,
for like bolts from strong bow two made
for the runaway horse, white 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 1t and leaped like wounded
deer. Two or three more such springs, my
Fattmai For Gods sake on, speed thy ut.
most, or we are lost! 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 pitilul 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 Bendouns The next
instant he was between them, and then
each leaning inward, clutchcd at the trail. |
ing bride. My heart stopped, as expected |
to see him 90 on his haInches But either
the movement frightened him into an un-
expected dash, or they were clumsy for,
with mighty jump and a wild tossing of |
the name, he rushed clear OF them and
came carcering on alone.
With a reeling sensation of hone and
despair turned and made at him Then,
giving my rein to Tahal, got my feet out |
Of the strraps, and crouching on the top of |
the saddle prepared for a spring. On came
the runaway on the right. In another mo.
ment he was alongside, but too far off.
Tabal pulled his rein, and the two animals
nearly collided Then with gasp as il |
had plunged headlong into water / flung |
myself from my perch, clutchiug desper-
ately at the strange horse. He SHE'D, and | |
fell short, just managing to find the POM
mel with my left hand
The hold was perilously slender, but