The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-06-19
MYNHEER JOE,
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BY ST. GEORGE RATHBoRNE.
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COPYRIGHT
CHAPTER XIV.
TContinued.1

lCOQtlQueQ.J
The baron does not answer, but j
looks can do deadly execution, the1
would our three friends drop on the
spot.
By this time the surgeon has taker
the baron in charge, and leaving oper
his shirt, which is already saturated
with blood, he proceeds to bind VI
the wound in a business-like way.
1t will prove painful for some little
time, but not dangerous, unless the
baron's blood is in wretched condition
when blood-poisoning may set in. A
wound of this sort is of a more seri
GUS nature in hot country than il
received where the air is bracing.
Mypheer Joe quietly resumes the
garments he cast off when preparing
for the duel, and in, FIVE minutes one
would not imagine he has been en-
gagged in any such business.
1t is time they returned to the river.
Sandy, in particular, is anxious to
reach Cairo for some reason or other.
Just as they are about to bid the
others a courteous good morning and
withdraw from the scene, the silence
that broods over the place is sudden
ly and rudely broken.
Shrill cries, filled with anger, ring
out, coming from the direction of the
river. 1t sounds as if q dozen men
or tiger-cats are endeaT Toring to see
which can make the most noise.
They're comingw exclaims Sandy,
whipping out his revolver, and select
ing a good-sized palm as base of de-
fense.
1t flashes through the minds Of all
that the baron has made a threat
when he declared the duel did not end
the feud between himself and Myn-
heer Joe.
Then again, they remember their
conversation in the cabin of the da-
habeah, when the possibility was men,
toned, Of conspiracy, to overwhelm
them in case the baron lost the fight.
When they hearthose fearful shouts
1t comes to the mind Of Mynheer Joe
as well as Mr.. Grimes that the Arabic
crews of the two boats have combined
and are rushing upon the scene to
down the enemies of the baron. Per-
haps some prearranged signal has
been given to let them know the re-
suit of the duel, and that it now rests
with them.
Hence, acting under this belief, the
two Americans instantly draw their
weapons. They do not stand in their
tracks but Immediately leap forward
to meet their expected foes.
Sandy, seeing the new state Of af-
fairs, quits his beloved palm, and
follows after them as rapidly as his
shorter legs will allow.
To their surprise the enemy does
not show up; their fierce clamor still
continues, but it seems to be in the
quarter where the boats have both
been left. Mr.. Grimes is the first to
guess the truth"
BLESS my soul, believe they've
having a small war among them
selves~ ne says.
eyes, we're not in it," gasps San.
dy.
Another moment, and they turn an
angle Of the rocks that allows them
a clear view of the battlefield. Sure
enough, the rival crews Of the two
dahabeahs are at it, hammer and
tongs. How the affair started may
never be known, for these rascally
Arabs cannot be hired to tell the truth
when there is chance to lie; nor do
the Americans care materially about
this point.
Mynheer Joe, without a moments
hesitation, bounds away, heading for
the boats as though it is his intention
to join in the melee, where broken
heads will soon be the order ef the
day.
Hell be killedw cries Sandy, bur-
rying along at the side of Mr.. Grimes.
Don't you believe it, my boy. Joe
is used to quelling such disturbances
among the blacks of the Soudan: and,
my word for It, he'll bring this af-
fair to sudden close. Watch! There
he goes now"
The explorer has leaped aboard the
dahabeah nearer the shore. 1t is
upon the deck Of this all the Arabs are
gathered in a noisy crowd, pulling one
anothers frowsy hair and threaten
ing to make blood flow.
Mynheer Joe's voice is heard like a
trumpet above the clamor, which grad.
ually dies down as different members
of the mob quail before his eye and
terrible appearance.
Back to your boat, all who belong
there! Back, or you shall die like
dogs" he shouts in the Arabic tongue
which, in his long service in the Sou
dali, he has fully mastered.
They hear his words, they see bis
threatening manner. and as the mobs
of blacks obeyed the slightest wisl
of the magnetic hero Gordon, so por
tion of his reflected light is placed
like Elijah's mantle, on the shoulders
Of the man who saw him die anL
avenged his fall.
=. First the old reis jumps across to his
own deck. and he is speedily followed
by one and another of his crew.
The will-power of single man has
ere now controlled thousands. and
Mynheer Joe is possessed of this per
Sonal magetism that draws men t.
him. and even affects his enemies.
When Mr. Erimac enl Sandy mil nr