The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-02-27
CHAPTER II.
IContinued.l

in his voice:
"Mynheer Joe, for all the world"
SANDY, is it you, my dear fellow?
Where under the sun did you drop
from?n asks the other, holding out
the hand that has been used to SHE'D
his eyes from the light, though he
does not alter his position one parti-
Gle.
The correspondent scizes hold Of the
hand thus offered in greeting. his very
enthusiasm showing what he feels at
heart.
"Bless you, old boy, it's good for
sore eyes to see you again, and look
ing as natural as ever. Never have
ceased to remember the days of 'auid
lang syne,' when we two did the Nile
in company. Talk about fate in our
first meeting-it doesn't hold a candle
to this! Same old grasp, same old
Joer and he works the prodigars arm
like a ump-handle, while rafting
along in this strain.
"Quartered in Cairo, Sandy-writing
ND the beauties of lower Egypt as
winter resort, or have you been ap-
pointed q Consul here?" asks the
other, with a jolly laugh that causes
Mr.. Grimes to wonder what stuff this
man can be made of to be so composed
and even merry after what he has
gone through.
That's not my luck. Still pegging
away at the old business. Makes both
ends meet and gives me 4 chance to
see the world. But see here! Confound
my stupidity! Here's a friend of
yours waiting to meet you, and I've
been monopolizing your time
Mynheer Joe raises himself to sit
ting posture and faces the silver king,
who hesitates for few seconds and
then comes forward.
Pardon me-" he says frankly. You
have made a mistake, Sandy. / did
not claim to be a friend OF. Mynheer
Joe, only a fellow-countryman, and
one who has heard much about him
and takes a deep interest in his well
fare. Obed Grimes, at your service,
Mr.. Miner"
The explorer possibly catches some
significance back of his words. AT
any rate, he looks at the stout gen.
tleman with the forid countenance as
though intent upon studying out a
problem; but noticing the outstretched
hand, accepts it in his usual hearty
way. Now and then, during the sub
seuuent interview, while the CORE
spondent plies him with questions,
Mynheer Joe can be seen to keep a
reflective eye upon Mr.. Grimes. Per
haps lie is .endeavoring to place the
wealthy miner; and yet the latter has
declared they have not met before.
Sandy thinks only of one thing now.
True, he has been especially pleased
to meet with one he regards SO highly;
but his feeling has now given way
to the instinct of his craft. He has
been educated up to being newspaper
man above all else, and, like all others
of his calling, has a keen nose for
news. To be the first at the wire
with startling information is the
dream of Sandy Barlow'S daily life.
Here he sees a golden opportunity
for making ten-strike. The whole
civilized world hangs in suspense
awaiting definite news of the heroic
Chinese Gordon's fate. Rumors have
been rife almost daily, sometimes de-
failing his death and again giving &c
counts of some wonderful victory over
fifty thousand dervishes. as the follow
ers of Ell Mahdi are called, his own
force numbering but two thousand.
Like shuttle-cock, dashed hither
and yon by the battlcdoors. has this
subject been kept on the 90 for weeks,
and up to this black night in February
no definite news has been received
which settles Gordon's fate.
Thus Sandy's dreadful impatience
IS explained; the wide-awake CORE
spondent is aroused to the eXigeucies
of the hour, and for the benefit of the
waiting civilized world would seize
and send out an authentic account of
the tragedy of Inflated Khartoom.
Mechanically he draws out his note
book and, pencil in hand, prepares to
take down in shorthand what may be
said-a proceeding Mynheer Joe eyes
with a smile.
Pardon me, my friends, but I am
almost starved. When l went to sleep
the captain here said he would have
a meal ready for me when I awoke I
was hungry then. but could not keep
awake only long enough to take a cup
OF coffee and bite. How is it, cap
4ain? Will you keep your word?'
The dIs!ly Ben Hassan Effendi mods
and gives signal with his hands.
Immediately two fellahin appear. One
carries a tray covered with a white
napkin; the other lays cloth upon
the little round table. Almost like
magic, 3 savory, steaming meal is thus
placed in front Of the hungry Mynheer
Joe, after which the magician waves
his hands, and his followers vaIiSll
as if into thin air.
Your pardon. gentlemen. ] have
tasted for some days now. and the
aroma arising from this spread is too
much for me TO withstand. Captain.
how long have l slept?'
"Twenty-seven hours. gentlemen"
gravely announces the old reis.
Incredible" cxclaims Mr.. Grimes.
Eat. my boy! Jove! You may 60
to sleep again. unless you get your
jaws working! I've heard of such
things as people sleeping for days."
cries Sandy, with an air that plainly
marked the martyr, and says: Don't
consider mel can wait