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

fammable temper. When the near
est of the rogues pushes within
reaching distance and clutches at him
with bony fingers, the newspaper man
brings the flaming torch, with re-
sounding thump, against the top of the
beggar's head. 1t does not affect the
link, beyond sending forth a shower
of sparks, but the unfortunate reclp'
lent Of the blow, finding sparks in bis
long hair, utters vociferous shouts and
dances with the fervor of derviSh'
This is deemed a signal for a gen
eral assault all along the line, and for
the space of sixty seconds there is
seen a spectacle rarely equaled in the
narrow streets Of old Cairo.
At first the two foreigners are avcrse
to using their firearms, and endeavor
to inspire terror in the breasts Of their
enemies by a generous exhibition of
muscle.
When Sandy has to dodge a fendish
blow from a wicked dagger he thinks
it about time they proceeded to sterner
measures.
Sandy opens on the rag-tag-and-
bob-tail crowd, as he terms them, seek
ing to infict wounds and create a d.
version. He is Immediately backed
up by his companion. His strong,
white teeth hold fast to his cigar, and
even as he lets drive at dark-faced
fellah who seeks to cleave him with
an Algerian yataghan, the silver king
puffs out a small cloud Of smoke. Talk
about coolness! Here you have it in
human iceberg. Sandy holds his
breath while looking at this strange
companion, and wonders whether he
would show excitement in the heat of
battle.
This sort of reception is hardly to
the liking of the cowardly ours who
have appeared daring simply because
their numbers gave them confidence.
At the first shot most of them be-
gan to glance over their shoulders.
This is a sure sign Of a desire to re-
treat. Then comes hotter work. Sandy
no longer waits for them to come, but
with his revolver in one hand and the
flaming torch whirling about his head,
he leaps toward the footpads.
This il too much for them-they break
and fly with cries of terror, some
springing up the street while others
60 down in the direction of the river.
In q marvelously short space of time
the street is empty save for one poor
fellow, who, shot In the leg, is hop
ping off as fast as his good leg will
carry him, calling on Mohammed to
save him from the fCreign tigers.
In any under city under the sun,
such a commotion at dead Of night
would create m intense excitement.
Not so in Cairo. The white walls shut
them in, pierced by minute windows
that allow little chance of street gaz-
ing. Those who hear the sounds of
war are discreet enough to know that
it is none of their business, and they
will be better off away.
Look out behind you, sir" calls
Sandy, and the silver king turns sud-
denly to cover a creeping figure that
has advanced from 4 darkened arch
way, whereupon the most piteous jar
gon is heard, and behold the suspected
assassin turns out to be their torch
bearer, who, having witnessed the hot
little affair from a place of security,
is now crawling back to resume his
interrupted duties.
They welcome him gladly, and Sandy
relieves himself Of the f1ambeau, glad
to be rid of it. AS there are no more
footpads in view to give them battle,
they again take up their line of march
for the river, fortunately close at hand.
Mr.. Grimes has had explicit direc-
tions from Mr.. Tanner how to reach
the boat, and q suspicion has already
entered his head that the ambuscade
into which they ran might have been
arranged by the reis of the sailing
craft to relieve his rich employer of
superfuous wealth. These Arabs and
natives are up to all manner of tricks
to gain filthy lucre, and old travellers
become so accustomed to treachery
that they are surprised at nothing, and
learn to depend upon themselves en-
tirely.
He even mentions the fact, as it oc-
ours to him, to Sandy, who declares
there is a strong element of probabil-
ity about it, and in the same breath
swears that, if the occasion offers, he
will sift the matter to the bottom and
wiring the neck of the willy old reis if
such a course is necessary to extract
the truth.