The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-03-06
'.MYNHEER JOE,
ssssSssssSsSsssS
BY ST. GEORGE RATHBoRNE-
SssssssssssSsSsS
RoBERT


60 on.
"As we drew near the cataract we
knew we would have to abandon the
little steamer, but we had determined
to continue the voyage in her light
yawl, which could be carried around
the cataract by two stout men.
This was finally done, and we kept
on down the river. Fortune had been
kind until now. We ran upon some
hippopotami, and in rage one of the
monsters crushed our boat. 1t was in
the night. l believe my poor Kassee
must have fallen a victim to the saw
age beasts, for saw him no more.
MY own escape was very miracu-
lous. I landed a mile down the stream.
At break Of day I pushed on. Fate
threw me in with a native, who car
ried me as far as the First Cataract
in his boat. Here I met an English
hunter, a bold fellow who, with some
guides, had been up the river shooting
river horses, as he called the hippo
potami.
"He was Mortified at my news, and
gladly gave me place in his comfort
able boat, after which we set out for
Cairo, hundreds Of miles away.
"All went we'll until we were about
two days run above the city, when a
sudden squall took us unawares; the
boat capsized, and I found myself
wrecked again in the darkness.
II spent weary hours cliaging to the
hatch which had somehow come un-
der my hands. Several times boats
came near me in the morning, but no
one would take me off. They pre-
tended not to hear me; in fact, l
might as we'll have been a thousand
miles away for all they noticed me.
You see, they have a dread Of being
held as witnesses, and If part Of q
boats crew is lost there must be q
legal inquiry, which will compel them
to be in town and lose time from their
work.
LAS the day was passing felt that l
must leave my raft and try to gain the
distant shore, where the railroad runs
unless soon rescued. Just then this
boat came down the river, running
close by. I called to the captain, tell
ing him 1 was from Khartoom, with
news Of Gordon; he at once put about
and came to my rescue. The rest you
already know, my friends"
Thus Mynhser Joe finishes his story.
1t has not taken a great while to tell
the facts, but volumes could be filed
with the details. He endeavors to
control himself when speaking Of Cor
don's death, but it is evident that
event has made powerful impression
on the sturdy explorer, who SO often
has fought side by side with the Chris
tian hero.
Sandy has ceased making his hero
glyphics upon the pages of his note
book. His face beams with enthusiasm
at the thought of being first with this
authentic account of Gordons death.
At the same time, out Of respect for
the feelings of Mynheer Joe, he en-
deavors to subdue this mark Of jour-
nalistic pride and appear sober, but it
is really beyond him.
AS for Mr.. Grimes, he has observed
the narrator with deep interest all the
while he tells of the strange things
which happened to him. Whatever is
passing in the mind Of the silver king
he does not allow it to be shown upon
his face, which is as eXpressionless as
that of the Sphinx.
The messenger from Khartoom sits
there tor q brief interval, with that
look of sadness on his face, as though
the thoughts surging through his mind
have been too much for him.
Come, rouse yourself, my hoy! You
are among friends at last, thank
heaven, and will be the lion Of Cairo
when it is publicly knowG that you
were with gallant Gordon when he
fell" says Sandy, but the other holds
up his hand, and says quietly:
THAT is a distinction do not crave.
Somehow 1 feel guilty in not leaving
my body beside Gordon. At best, l
see nothing to boast Of in having es-
capped his fate"
"The brave are ever modest" says
Sandy. "At least, you will make re-
port to the proper officials tomorrow
and verify my dispatches?
Yes. very brief one. That is only
Just. l would, for certain reasons Of
my own which you cannot understand,
keep it as quiet as possible"
Just sop' remarks the oliver king,
in such a peculiar way that Mynheer
Joe glances at him, and then finds his
attention caught by q photograph on
the wall, which he sees for the first
time.
THAT face again! Whose picture
have we here?" he demands, with
an alarming interest.
CHAPTER w.
81 KNOW HIM AS MYNHEER JOE.