The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-02-20

The boat is tied to a dilapiIated
dock, but, for some reason, it is also
anchored a dozen feet away. A long
canc-plank leads from the shore OF
board. Sandy orders the torch-bearel
! to lead the way, and in order to make
sure of the fellows attendance when
they have need of his services again
neglects to pay him.
Thus they trip across the plank anC
reach the roof of the cabin, where
the captain meets them-a man will
grizzled beard, white turban and flow
ing robes. Upon his face Sandy reads
a look of perplexity and disappoint
ment. and from this moment he knows
the truth-that they really owe theil
adventure to this reis, who, believing
millionaire Tanner would come to the
boat, arranged to have his pockets
tapped while en- route.
These captains all talk fairly good
English, although their hatred fol
the foreigner seems to he an Inherit
cd quality. Outwardly they may ap
pear Jolly and rs meek as lambs, but
inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
Sandy has 4 habit of pushing him.
self forward; not that he means to
be rude, but it is q characteristic of
his impetuous nature. To his credit
be it said, the same thing urges him
on in times of danger. He is always
found in the van.
"This boat is the Alice?" lie asks
boldly.
The captain removes the stem of his
long pipe from his mouth, and grave;
ly mods mis- head in an affirmative way.
"We have come direct from Mr.. Tan.
ner, to whom you are engaged for the
season."
Another solemn nod.
unable to come himself. he has sent
us to see the man you picked up on
the Nile-a man who was once my
| friend"
The native captain looks at him
closely, as though mentally figuring
Just where he should place Sandy.
Then he smiles blandly and holds out
his hand.
"If his friend, then mine. 1 have
suffered at the hands of Ell Mahdi,
and he who is an enemy to the False
Prophet is my brother. Shaker
Sandy complies, and gives the old
reis such a Freemason grip that 1t
wrings a groan from the dark skinned
owner of the dahabeah Alice.
Now lead US to your guest. We
are in haste" he says, with an as
sumption Of authority that no one
ventures to dispute; for, despite his
lack of majestic proportions. the war
correspondent has the air Of one born
to command 1t is not stature that
makes a leader like Napoleon.
Follow, gentlemen" says the cap
tain, with a majestic wave of his
hand.
They obey willingly. The door of
the cabin is close by. On either side
are the steps leading to the promenade
on the roof, over which. an awning is
stretched, for it is here that the tour
ist lives during the day, for the cabin,
beginning amidships, extends to the
stern. When the cabin-door is opened
they behold a splendid interior. Money
has not been spared in fitting out the
Alice, and only a millionaire like Tan
ner could engage such q lovely craft
for the season.
A lamp is turned low, so that some
thing of a dimness rests upon the in
terror, but the sharp eyes Of Sandy
have already discovered the figure of
n man upon a divan.
Enter, gentlemen" says the old
reis.
Straight across the luxurious cabin
strides the newspaper correspondent
direct to the lamp, which, with turn,
he causes to send forth food Of
light. Then he faces the recumbcnt
figure on the couch; recumbent no
longer, for as though the voice of the
reis at the cabin-door has broken the
chain of slumber which exhaustion
has forged around him, the castaway
of the Nile has raised his body with
one arm and looks at them in a way
that proclaims his bewildrment; the
bright light dazzles his eyes, too, so
that with his other hand he shades
them.
1t is q picture-Sandy, standing
there, bending eagerly forward. his
eyes glued upon the bearded face of
the other, and actually holding his
breath as he gazes spell-bound. The
man who thus half raises himself upon
the couch is worthy Of second look.
His figure is splendidly proportioned,
though not above the ordinary in point
of size. 1t is the face that must inter-
est an observer most of ala face
that is marked by determination, valor
and frank fearlessness. This man
has seen suffering in the past; he
shows it in his eyes. and yet it has not
crushed the spirit that leads the ex.
plorer to seek new honor and renowp
amid the dangers of unknown wilds
pestilential swamps or in the depths