The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-05
SYNOPSIS.
BY n. CONAN DOYLE.

military railway in Egypt to the advance army
of occupation. They camp in a palm grove. near
and Scott are veteran correspondents. Anerley is
with swife polo ponies. Aneriey has an old hack,
and his lack of experience is discussed by. his
companions. who REMIND him that he will be
if a battle takes place. incidentally Aneriey
the swift-going carels of the Dervishes always
defeat a horse. Merryweather, the eRgineer-in-
pressing business. Presently Anerley. while the
others are asleep, sees him returning in haste;
does not reappear, a puff of smoke indicates
Anerley awakens Mortimer and Scott.
PART III.
"And Reuter- not here.'' cried the two
veterans, exultantly clutching at their note
books. 'Merryweather shot. Where?
When? How?"
In a few words Anerley explained what
sfYou heard nothing?"
Nothing"
We'll. a shot loses itself very easily
among rocks. By George, look at the buzz
Zardsi''
Two large brown birds were soaring in
the deep blue heaven. AS Scott spoke they
circled down and dropped into the little
khor.
That's good enough said Mortimer,
with his nose between the leaves of his
book. "Merryweather headed dervishes stop
returned stop shot mutilated stop raid
communications How's that?'
You think he was headed OFF,
'Why else should he return"
I'm that case. if they were out in front
of him and others cut him off, there must
be several small raiding parties"
Il should judge So"
.sHow about the 'mutilated?'
eve fought against Arabs before
"Where are you off to-"
"Sarras.'
II think I'll race you in,' said Scott.
Anerley stared in astonishment at the
absolutely impersonal way in which these
men regarded the situation. In their zeal
for news it had apparently never struck
them that they, their camp and their serv-
ants were all in the lions mouth. But
even as they talked there came the harsh
importunate rat-tat-tat of an irregular vol
ley from among the rocks, and the high
keening whistle of bullets over their heads.
A palm spray fiuttered down amongst
/ them. At the same instant the six fright
ened servants came running wildly in fC.
protection.
1t was the cool-headed Mortimer who or
ganized the defense, for Scott's Celtic soul
was so aflame at all this copy in hand
and more to come that he was too eX-
u%berantly boisterous for a commander.
The other with his spectacleS and his
stern face soon had the servants in hand.
Tall henna! Egri! What the devil are
you frightened about? Put the camels be-
tween the palm trunks. That's right. Now
get the knee-tethers on them. Quies! Did
you never hear bullets before? Now put
the donkeyS here. Not much-you don't
get my polo-pony to make a zareba with.
Picket the ponies between the grove and
the river out of dangers way. These TEL
lows seem to fire even higher than they
did in 49,"
That's got home, anyhow" said Scott,
as they heard a. soft splashing thud like
d stone in a mud bank.
Who's hit then?'
9TH brown camel that's chewing the
cud."
AS he spoke the creature. it's jaws still
working, laid it's long neck along the
ground and closed it's dark eyes.
THAT shot cost me fifteen pounds" said
Mortimer, ruefully. How many of them
do you make"
-Four, L think"
only four Bezingers at any rate; there
may be some spearsmen."
Il think not; it is a little raiding party
of rihemen. by the way, Anerley, you've
ASNSA DNStA NANoC 49, DNNO4Sf S0N
Never" said the young pressman, who
was conscious OF a feeling OF nervous
eIation.
Love and poverty and war. they are all
experience necessary to make "a complete
life. Pass over the cartridges. This is a
mild baptism that you are undergoing, for
behind these camels you are as safe as if
you were sitting in the back room of the
Authors Club"
AS safe, but hardly as comfortable said
Scott. "A long glass of hook and settler
would be exceedingly acceptable. But, oh,
Mortimer, what a chance! Think OF the
generals feelings when he hears that the
first action of the war has been fought by
the press column. Think of Reuter-, who
has been stewing at the front for "a week!
Think of the evening pennies, just too late
for the fun! BY George, that slug brushed
Il mosquito off me-"
And one OF the donkeys is hit
This is sinful. 1t viii end in our having
to carry our own kits to khartoum.'
Never mind, my boy, it all goes to make
copy. / can see the headlines-'Raid on
Communications, Murder of British Engi-
neer,' Press Column Attacked Won't it
be ripping?"
Il wonder what the next line will be?'
said Anerley.
Our Special Wounded. cried Scott,
rolling over to his back. No harm done,
he added, gathering himself up again;
only a chip off my knee, This is getting
sultry. l confess that the idea of that back
room at the Authors Club begins to grow
upon me-"
II have some diachylon."
afterwards will do. We're having "a
Apply day with Fuzzy on the rush L wish
he would rush"
They're coming nearer
This is an excellent revolver of mine if
il didn't throw so devilish high. L always
aim at a mans toes if I want to stimulate
his digestion. O, Lord, there's our kettle
gone!'
With a boom like a dinner gong a Rem
ington bullet had passed through the kettle
and a cloud of steam Kissed up from the
fire. A wild shout came from the rocks
above.
THE idiots think they have blown us up.
THEY'LL rush us now as sure as fate; then
it will be our turn to lead. Got your re-
volver. Anarley?"
Il have this double-barreled ~fowling-
piece
Sensible man. It's the best weapon in
the world at this sort of rough-and-tumble