Evening star., 1898-06-11

cessant care and responsibility had left no
mark upon him; with keen eyes and rugged
face he rode on horseback at the froLt,
with his English assistants, Carruthers and
Becker. right and left Of him. Next to
item came procession of four giraifcs,
eight elephants, rhinoceros and bsl-
lowirS buffalo. Then followed a number
of big, van-like wagons, driven by bronzed
natives and containing ten hyenas, two
lecpards, three lions, five anteopes, one
cheetah, two lynxes and antelope.
Smaller carts held boxes of monkeys and
birds. There were also two-score each Of
goats and camels, the former to provide
milk for the young animals and meat for
for the caravan.
In charge of this fine lot of birds and
beasts were some sixty natives. drivers
and attendants, most Of whom Quin had
hired UP in the heart of Nubia. For the
caravan had started from there-from Kas-
sala in the far southeast-thirty-one Gays
ago, and it was still five days march from
Its destination, Suakim on the Red sea,
which is the worlds chief shipping place
for merchandise Of that sort. Quick post
camels would have performed the journey
in twelve days, but that Is another matter.
Quin was anxious to have done with the
desert and get safely to port. The Soudan
Nubia, and from time to time in Kassall
he had heard vague rumors Of a rising.
But these had not been confirmed on the
way to the coast, and so far the caravan
had met neither British soldiers nor hostile
"FuZzies." 1t had now reached the most
dangerous belt of country, however, and
it was far from unlikely that Suakim was
beset and harassed by the bloodthirsty and
fanatlcal dervishes of the mahdi. Through
most of the afternoon this subject had
furnished the topic Of conversation, and it
remained uppermost in Quin's mind.
Il won't teei easy TIL we arrive" he
any of this collection-its a splendid lot
and worth a pile of money to Hamrach &
Co." Shading his eyes with one hand, he
gazed across the far-reaching stretch of
sight," he added. We're safe for another
night. Well camp over by yonder hill
the days march has been extra hard. For
my part, I'd like to stick to the saddle and
push straight on to the coast"
'Well be there In five more days. re-
piled Becker. unless we stumble on the
Fuzzies."
(Which I'm thinking we won't" said
Carruthers. And what If we do? They'll
likely be a small party against our force
of sixty odd"
Yes, sixty undisciplined blacks" inter-
rupted Quin. IN case of an attack 1 don't
believe 1t would be worth while to arm
them. They would either take fright and
bolt, or rush over to the enemy. All, here
we are men. It's not much OF q spot but
1t will have to do"
moment later, at the word of COM
mand. the long caravan had halted and
was breaking up. On the right was a
range, range of sand hills. and to the left the
bushes. Preparations for the nights camp
began at once. The larger animals were Sc
curely staked and the wagon cages were
drawn UP In the form of a square A
strange medley of sound rose on the even
ing alr-the PfuntipR oil ba
ing Of goats being MIXED the chatter Of
birds and monkeys, and the confused clam
or of hungry beasts. From the baggage
animals were unloaded sacks of ship bis
cult, Of dourha corn and of the wild cherry
fruit called nabeck
Quin seemed to be everywhere at once,
giving orders in quick, sharp tones. He
helped to put up the tents, and to pile the
boxes OF rifles and ammunition in con-
Venient place Then, after the supper fires
had been lit he strolled off toward the
from their summit. When he reached the
base. only fifty yards from camp, he heard
a faint sroan. Going forward a few feet,
ne was amazed to find an English soldier
low between the bushes. He was unarmed
and his uniform-he was a private-was
stained with clots of blood. his eyes were
closed and his face was the hue of ashes
things. The poor fellow was breathing
tightly, his left ankle was broken, and a
spear had made an ugly flesh wound in his
right arm Quin stood up attracted the
attention of Carruthers and Becker. and
by earnest gestures brought them quickly
to the spot. The three lifted the uncon-
scious soldier, bore him to camp and got
him into their tent without attracting much
TT looks bad, SIR" said. Carruthers.
Very bad" assented Quin. I'VE must |
get to the bottom Of the matter If possible
You climb the hill. Becker, and see il any
Arabs are in sight. Carruthers fetch me
Be quick!'
The men departed on their respective er-
rands. Carruthers returning in a moment.
A stiff dose Of brandy and water soon
brought the soldier around, very weak. but
with clear head. Quin explained to him
where he was, and then he managed to give
a short account CT himself He said thai
the dervishes had been causing trouble for
several months past, and that he belonged
70 desert outpost station at the wells of
named, which were some miles to tho |
northwest Of where the caravan was row
encamped. On the previous day he had |
been sent out on a reconnaissance with ten |
comrades, and early that morning they had |
net and attacked small party Of Arabs |
Uniucklly for Grant-that was his 1ame- |
his camel became unruly, and bore him
through the snemy. He was speared In the
arm. and after riding half n mile beyond |
the derv1shes he was thrown to the ground |
and broke his leg. He crept into the bushes
to hide. succumbed finally to pain ana faint |
ness and remembered nothing more.
Just as the soldier finished mis- recital |
Becker returned.
I've been to the summit, SIR" he an
nounced. THE horizon is clear in all dt- |
rections-not thing to ,bs seen. |
I'm glad Of that" said Quin, 1--WE ara i
safe for the present."
Having briefly acquainted Becker with the |
wounded mans story, he stepped to the
door of the tent. The twilight was Slip |
ping into the dusky arms of the eastern |
night; a strip of orange sky still glowered
In the west, and out ofzthe purple shadows |
the men and beasts Of the caravan loomed |
Food and water had neen dis
tributed. and the noisy clamor was hushed. |
With an air of sudden decision Quin tulnsd |
away. IA
Your comrades have doubtless returned |
to the outpost?" he asked of the soldier.
Yes; they gave mo, up for lost, of |
How far are the wells of Hamed?''
Eight hours ride on good camel" the
man replied
And what force is stationed thereY'
Two companies of Suffolk regiment
and one company of Soudanese-all camel
mounted"
"And the enemy who attacked you this
are between here and the wells %
Il think SO. for I was carried clean
through them" Grant answered srIJad