The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-26

the fierce fiendsh warcry Of the BENZ
Mzabs. Instantly the truth flashed upon me
We had been surprised by the French!
by the route we had come we sped back
to the encampment, where we found an
confusion. large body of SpahiS had
made a sudden and determined attack, but
* had been repulsed- Ny first thought was
of Gabrielle's safety L found cover for her
TO seat herself, and not attempt to watch
the progress Of the fight. returned. spear in
hand, to bear my part against our enemies.
The cessation of the fighting was only for
few minutes. We heard the sudden sound
of a bugle. and from among the trees there
horSemen, led by a young European officer
who sat on his horse as If he were part of
it: Even in that moment of excitement I
admired the way he rode. The charge was.
however, an Inflated one Not half of those
who dashed forward lived TO retreat The
Arabs of the Mechefer. who had recently
joined us, possessed guns, and the flashing
of these, in combination with those OF our
enemies, illumined the darkness while the
still air was full of dense. sitting smoke.
More desperate each moment the conflict
grew. Undismayed by loss or misfortune
We thrice returned their attack, each time
with increasing force until our bullets and
Keen spears commenced to work havoc
among the infidel ranks. Fast and furious
became the hight, out gradually the attack
upon us grew weaker, and at last, deter
mined upon reprisals. Tamahu ordered
dash forward. With ore accord we charged
and then before US the remnant of the i'll
fateG troop fell back and fed TO save their
lives.
When returned found Gabrielle kneel-
ing beside the officer whose riding had been
SO conspicuous. tenderly banda ing an ugly
spear wound he had received in the left
shoulder. She had improvised torch, and
beneath its fitful light was pursuing her
task unconscious of my approach. Upon
the clammy brow Of the unconscious man
she placed her cool, soft hand: then. having
felt his pulse. she seemed satisfied. and
taking her fiambeau went forward TO one of
my own tribesmen who had been injured in
the breast. From the deep shadow wherein
/ stood / watched her. white robed and fair
like one Of the good genii OF whom the
Koran tells US. passing from one to another,
alternating their sufferings best she could.
uttering cheering words, or giving water TO
the dying. i did not approach her, for my
thought, 10 leave her alone to her merciful
work.
Before the sun rose many Of those wfom
she had so carefully tended All watched
had drawn their last breath. but the young
officer. whose name 4 aftsrwtr1 leSrEf
was Andre De Freyville, iieurolant Of
Spahis. had recovered consciousness suffi-
GENTLY to thank his nurse and learn from her
lips the curious circumstances whicn lad
He proved a pleasant fellow. and during lis
convalescnce we all three had frequent
chats together. Although he Was ctr
prisoner OF war. he soon became en- ex-
cellent terms with Tamahu. aad his time
passed happily enough. Colonel EGnntmain
had, he told US. escaped when Meflii fell,
and had reached Algiers unharmcd.
Soon. In order to join forces with srUiher
large body CT horsemen moving frou tie
great Hammada, or stony tableau, In
Txipou. we advanced to the oasis Of Eeda-