The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-03-06
CHAPTER III.
IContinued.l


the muzzle of which smoke still curled.
General Gordon had his hand pressed
to his heart, and could see the blood
trickling over his fingers. That sight
will haunt me all my life! who
have seen many strange and terrible
things in my time can never forget
what happened on that awful 26th
day of January.
"E knew the brave Gordon had re-
ceived his death-wound at the hands
of one who had even fought at his
side, and the consciousness that the
evil hour had come seemed to turn my
very blood into molten lava.
Fearful sounds arose all over
Khartoom, for the signal had been
given that was to indicate Gordon's
downfall. The enemy assaulted the
walls, a portion of the late defenders
Joined them, and Khartoom became
the scene of a massacre too terrible
for words.
"I assure you, my friends, I did not
stand idle while all this was going on.
No sooner did see the falling hero at
my side, when, quick as the lightning
cleaves the clouds, my sword leaped
from it's scabbard. Giving a true
Yankee yell 1 sprang at the assassin.
The descending blade cleft his miser-
able skull to the chin, and through all
time shall never cease to rejoice that
it was the arm Of an American that
avenged Gordon's death.
what happened after that is more
like a dream than reality to me, but
I shall give it for what it is worth. l
remember plunging into the thick Of
the figk.. All around me arose the
most fearful sounds of a desperate
battle, while through Khartoom rang
the shrieks of poor women and the
shouts of exulting demons; for the
black horde had swarmed over the
walls, and, in their great fury, seemed
to spare none.
More than one went down before
my sword and reyolvers, for, expect;
ing only death, i fought as madman
might.
I'm the midst Of the melee, covered
with CRIME and blood, could hardly
be distinguished from or Of the trait
or-soldiers who had at last turned
upon their general. Suddenly my
body was clasped by a pair of
hands from behind, and I found my
self hurled to the ground.
Naturally I expected Instant death,
when, to my surprise, a voice called
In my ear:
"'Feign death! I would save the
sahibr
'It was my faithful servant Kas-
see, whom I,had brought from Bom-
bay. I hardly know why I obeyed
him; it must have been because I had
so little power to resist, for life did
not seem worth any trouble just then.
"He dragged me into The house that
overlooked the river and there Sc
creted me. All through the day l
heard the shouts of the victorious
hordes as they thronged through
Khartoom Something had come into
my mind, and found that I had IN
object to live for, mission to per-
form The news ct Gordon's death
must be carried to his people, and l
had come to the conclusion that of
all the faithful within the walls of
Khartoom, Joe Miner was the only
living soul that remained.
might came, and faithful Kassee
made his appearance. He had dis
guised himself as one of the enemy,
and thus escaped the common fate
that befell the defenders of the city.
From him learned that a clever
scheme Lad been arranged whereby
we could make our escape down the
river. The water was very low, but
Gordon had several small, light
draught steamers for use upon the
upper waters of the Nile. One of
these lay not more than q stones
throw down the river, tied to the
bank.
"Kassee's bright plan was for us to
drop into the river from the back Of
the house, wade down to the boat,
climb aboard and, aided by the dark
ness, cast her adrift. When some dis
tance down the river, we could light a
fire, start up steam and, as soon as
daylight came, make good progress
north.
There was something fascinating
about the adventure, particularly as
it promised to be our only chance.
Acting under the instructions Of
my faithful Kassee I clambered
through the slit of window in the
mud wall Of the house, lowered my
self by means Of the convenient rope,
and finally stood knee-deep in the wa
ters of the Nile below, waiting.
when the eX-sepoy joined me-"
continued Mynheer Joe, 1--WE began to
creep along down in the direction Of
the little steamer. 1t was guarded.
but Kassee knew where the sentry
was posted. and he attended to his
case while I got ready to unfasten the
ropes.
81 heard a single splash, but not a
cry. Then Kassee came to me and de-
clared everything was working all
right. We pushed out into the stream
and began to leave the doomed city
behind. AS yet discovery had not
come.
Il will not dwell on this part of my
trip. In the morning we got up steam
and began to make good headway.
Until half way to the Second Cata-
ract we were not molested. Then a
fronn of Scnntinn followprs of the