Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-05-16


glancing backward again presently I saw
coming at me sideways 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 me 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 natural con-
clusion that a common soldier would be
left to die where he fell.
I looked into the face Of Tabal to see
whether he were dead, for be had not
spoken word since had lifted him. If he
were 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?" l shouted at the
pitch Of my voice.
He wriggled his left shoulder, and the
movement brought gush,o of blood.
"There," ne answered family.
"You must sit up" said quickly. sour
lives depend upon it."
He 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 carrying
double could get away from them, but
thought to myself, with II 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 l calculate amisS. At q touch on
the reign she mended her pace with an ap-
parent ease and buoyancy that made my
heart beat n wild tattoo of JOY. 1t was short
lived, however. had forgotten we were in
a 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
double fury that threw the odds heavily to
their side.
Scarcely knowing what did, drove the
rowels deep into my mares fanks. She
turned up reproachful eye and a distend-
ed, fiery nostril, rs if to say she was already
doing her utmost. Nevertheless she bound
ed on, her neck n 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
I 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 vulturcs. On, on, sped my mare
in her arrowy fight, rs if she knew the ter
rible need that was upon her, and close in
her track came the Dcdouins, like beagles
on the trail yclping for blood.
The next time turned to note their prog.
ress I was hnrrificd to see they were gaining
upon us. There could not he the slightest
doubt about it. Ny flesh Crept together ut
the discovery, SD that must have shrurk
to half my natural size. What was to be
done? TO fight or surrender was to he
ripped on the spCt, for was kampcred, and
the pursucrs were meIcile$s. There WAS
nothing for it but continued flight. am! 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, be
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
saw some were to the left, and in our rear
single horscman, hard pressed by two Be
douins, companions, rs I took it, Of those
who were chasing me. His nose was almost
on his chargers name, and his spurred heels
were clapped fast to It's frothing fanks.
Pursued and pursuers kept their distances,
and there was chance that the fu gltve
might get off; but, finding spears useless,
one of the Bedor,ins, uaslinging his musket,
took aim. There was a crack, puff Of white
smoke, and the man in front toppled over
his horses head. / saw no more of him,
but 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
sudden inspiration came upon mean in
spiration so wild that for second it made
me blind. The riderlcss horse, as have
indicated, was little behind US and was
,1 io1
our course. Iwould 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 m.r.. 1t was
cruel, seeing how nobly she was uiiteaay do
ing, but this was last chance and prov
idential one. A man will be exceedingly
cruel to preserve his life. She sprang for
ward with flash of the eye, now almost as
red MS her nostril, and n shower of spume
from her mouth.
The Bedouins, who were appallingly
close, must have perceived my intention,
for like bolts from strong bow two made
for the runaway horse, while the third
came SCralBlG upon Inc. ~ uluuIe 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 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 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 un-
expected dash, or they were clumsy, for,
with mighty jump and wild tossing of
the name, he rushed clear of them and