The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-06-26
:AaBETOF DIPLOMACY.
cLEVeR TRICK OF AN ENGLISH eov-
GRNoR OF TIE PORT OF ADeN.

The Curious Story Connected With
the. White House OF Bab-el-Mandel'.
Adjournment OF the Undoing of q
French Admiral.
! On the foreshore Of the Arabian coast
IN nsthe strait Of Bab-el-Aandeb, st the
southern entrance to the Red sen,
stands 9 large white house concerning
which the travellers to the far east may
hear a curious story. In the middle of
the nineteenth century, when II. de
Lesseps, after many difficulties, had
successfully hoated the Suez Canal
company, the governor Of the British
port Of Alden, about 100 miles distant,
was surprised one morning by the visit
Of q French squadron Of very unusual
size for that part Of the orient which,
having encountered a terrific storm OF
sokotra, had put IN for repairs.
In the mind Of the governor curiosity
was at once aroused as to the destina-
ton Of so large O command, curiosity
which increased as he found 1t impossi-
BILE to extract any further Information
from the French admiral or his officers
beyond the statement that they were
upon an ordinary cruise, an eIplana-
tion which the former was not the
least inclined to believe.
Firm in the belief, therefore, that
some political move Of great impor-
lance was ahoat II not afoot, the gov
ernor, in order first Of all to gain time,
gave orders to 90 very tortoiselike on
the repairs and then set to work to take
the Franchmen of their guard by CIV
ing a succession Of such entertainments
as both his slender means and the aw-
ful barrenress Of the place would af.
ford.
But though at the end Of two weeks
the French and British officers had got
upon the best Of terms the immediate
destination Of the French squadron re-
manned as much Of mystery to the
governor Of Alden as before, and in
spite Of all possible delay the repairs
were nearly completed.
Now, 1t happened that the wife Of
the governor possessed an Irish maid,
who had been receiving attentions
from one Of the French petty officers
attentions which the girl did not regard
seriously. It occurred to the governor
that by such means something might
be learned Of his unexpected visitors
plans, and q private conversation be-
tween the governors wife and her
maid resulted In another between the
latter and her French admirer, by
which it was discovered that Perrin is
land was the objective point.
At this information the governor
opened his eyes wide indeed, for, If the
Suez canal were cut through, Perrin, as
commanding tie southern entrance to
the Red sea, in the middle Of the strait
Of Bab-el-Mandeb, would be a place Of
great strategic importance. over which,
without doubt 1t was the intention Of
the French admiral to hoist the tri-
color.
Secretly giving orders, therefore, for
a gunbost to Immediately embark q de-
tachment OF soldiers and steal away in
the night for Perrin island, the govern
or then announced farewell banquet
and bali FOR the day but one following,
q final act Of courtesy with which the
French admiral would willingly have
for he was anxious to sail,
but which he could not well refuse on
account Of the use he had made Of the
British supplies and machinery at
Alden.
So the dinner and party III due course
came off, the governor being in high
spirits, because in the meantime be had
received the news OF the occupation Of
Perrin, which under the circumstances
would surely be followed by the longed
for promotion, and the French admiral
was equally happy. for he hoped on the
morrow TO add the same important lit
tie speck ofland to the dominion Of his
own country, thereby covering his
breast with the stars and himself with
maritime glory.
Next day, after an interchange Of
cordial farewells, the French squadron
sailed away to an apparently unknown
destination, until when clear Of the
land. the course was laid full speed di-
reef for Perrin island.
Then what was the dismay and dis
appointment OF the French admiral and
bis officers when. on coming in sight OF
their destination, they beheld the Brit
ish hag flying and company Of SOL
diers drawn up to give them q proper
salute. Il Is said the French admiral
was. so mortified at being thus outwit-
ted that be first flung his cooked hat
overheard and then followed It himself
into the sea-
Be this as It may, as Perrin was
clearly already occupied by the British,
the only counter move which the
French could make was to take possess
sion Of q strip Of the foreshore ON the
opposite Arabian coast, where they
built the fortified white house In Ques-
ton, but as the place was entirely at
the mercy Of the guns on Perrin Island
It was shortly abandoned, to remain to
this day as q monument Of a French
admirals undoing.-EIchange.
Inoppor1uae.
" just saw the young Widow Weeds.
She looked lust charming in her mourn.